I'd like to say a special thanks to pizzaboyatdoor (even though he told me not to). He is the reason this chapter was completed.
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The weather was a little warmer, the sky a little more blue. Green started to show up on the brown expanses. Tiny flower buds were waiting for the right time.
Brady had been working all weekend, trying to turn planks of wood, nails, and some chain into a romantic swing that he and Ezra could sit in while they looked up at the stars. He could see Ezra watching him now from the front porch. Brady winked and pulled his shirt up over his head and let it fall next to his tool box. Ezra smiled and walked towards him, so Brady dropped his hammer and wrapped Ezra in his arms.
"It's almost done...I think," Brady said, gesturing to the half completed swing. The seat part of it was completed and tested. Though it didn't look very pretty with the addition of a few cushions it would be perfect. Brady was now working on a structure to hang the swing from, which was nearly completed. His biggest concern was the whole thing falling apart, though he had consulted the shop teacher about his plans before beginning.
Ezra stood up on his toes and kissed Brady's cheek. "Thanks," he whispered, then laid his cheek against Brady's chest and closed his eyes.
As the sun was setting that evening, Brady ran inside to find Ezra studying. He kissed him quickly and lightly on the lips. "Come on," he said, but instead of having Ezra follow him, he swept him up into his arms, carrying him like they were newlyweds. Ezra wrapped his arms around Brady's neck and nibbled at his ear.
The swing was complete and swayed lazily in the early spring breeze. The night had a bit of a chill to it, so Brady had set a few blankets on the swing. It was a clear sky though, with the sun dying the horizon crimson red. A V-shaped formation of birds soared past, looking like tiny ink dots in the distance.
Brady and Ezra sat close. Brady covered them with blankets and Ezra curled up against his one and only as stars began to appear. Brady kissed the top of Ezra's head and pushed the swing slowly back and forth.
Brady smiled and traced pictures in the stars as Ezra started to fall asleep on his chest. He knew he'd found true happiness, because the moment he was in was just as good as any sexual encounter they'd ever shared.
**
Brady didn't really look at the prom invitation that the preppy junior girl handed him. He stuffed it into his back pocket and forgot about it until that evening when it fell into the grass as he and Ezra were leaving their swing.
"Oh, that's just..." Brady didn't say anything. Ezra's eyes seemed to light up as he looked at the invitation.
It was on black cardstock, with a red ribbon wrapped around the top. In silver calligraphy it read 'The Westmore Junior Class invites you to the Jr./Sr. Prom: A Night Under The Stars...' followed by the location and time of the event. In the bottom corner of the invitation there was a picture of the Eiffel Tower with a full moon behind it.
"You want to go?" Brady asked. He was kind of shocked. He hadn't really expected Ezra to want to go to the prom.
"Y-yes," Ezra whispered nervously.
Brady tilted Ezra's chin up and gently kissed him. "Ok, we'll go. But let me ask you properly. Later, though."
The next afternoon, Ezra found a teddy bear in a suit jacket and bowtie sitting on his desk, holding a note that said 'Will you go to prom with me?'
**
Brady was surprised at how nervous he was. He looked at the fresh flower boutonniere in its plastic container. He'd chosen a white rose because when he saw it, he thought of Ezra. He shifted his weight and tugged at his tux. He'd never worn one before, having skipped his junior prom to start the after-parties early, and he was very uncomfortable in it, though everyone had assured him he looked nice in the black tux, black shirt and vest, with a brightly contrasting red tie.
He knew Ezra was about to appear when Mrs. Lockheart rushed in with her digital camera in hand.
"Wait! Don't let him out yet," she shouted. "Brady, fix this damn thing."
Brady laughed and switched the camera from viewing mode to picture taking mode and handed it back to the woman who was more of a mom to him than his own mother was.
Ezra appeared in a tux that matched Brady's. Their eyes locked for a moment and both smiled uncontrollably.
Brady took the flower out of its container and pinned it to Ezra's lapel and then kissed his cheek.
"Wait a minute!" Mrs. Lockheart said. "I missed it. Do it again."
Brady and Ezra smiled at each other and repeated the entire process. After taking pictures by the doorway, Ezra's mother had the boys pose by a tree in the front yard and on the swing. Brady, Ezra, and Mr. Lockheart were nearly laughing hysterically as she continued to direct the young couple's 'candid' poses. Around the fifth time that Brady had helped Ezra into the sleek black Mustang they had borrowed from Ezra's uncle, Brady had to put a stop to it. "We'll miss the dinner if we don't leave now," he said.
