"What?" Nick asked.
"I said -- I think I might be in love with you." Spider shrugged. "You asked me what was going on."
"Yeah I did...wasn't expecting that." Nick frowned.
"So." Spider chewed a nail.
"So what?" Nick sat on his bed. Spider sat next to him.
"Where do we go from here?" Spider asked as he turned to face him, his eyes were red from the tears and Spider felt horrid for what he'd done.
"I don't know Jason." Nick sighed. "Where do you want to go?"
"I kinda want to be with you. That's what I've always wanted. Just been to much of an arsehole to say it." Spider smiled sadly. "And now I've probably ruined it, haven't I?"
"I don't know." Nick lay back and held his hands over his face. "I have so many feelings for you and they're all so conflicted. I don't know what to think."
"Shall I go?" Spider stood to leave.
"No." Nick shook his head. "If you go I might never let you back." Spider sat back down on the bed. Nick still had his face covered. They sat in a strained silence for around ten minutes until Nick sat up and sighed, he wiped his red raw eyes and looked at Spider. Spider slid close and put an arm around Nick and pulled him to his chest. Nick sighed again and his body trembled lightly.
"Oh Twinkle." Spider soothed and kissed Nick's temple. "I'll never hurt you again, I will look after you."
"I just don't know if I can trust you." Nick said softly.
"Do you think you could maybe grow to trust me?" Spider asked.
"I don't know Spider, I really don't." Nick said into his shoulder.
"Do you want too?" Spider asked and desperately hoped he did.
"I do." Nick looked up at him and Spider tentatively kissed his lips.
"It's all going to be okay. I promise." Spider held him close.
The next few days were a blur to the two. Nick felt distanced and unsure, everything he thought of Spider he was confronted with a rush of love and then the crippling agony of what he had done. They spent some time between classes together but the two didn't really interact. The rest of their friends thought that they'd just had another falling out. Spider had confided in Nile who had done his best to give the right advice, but he knew it was ultimately down to the two boys -- they had to sort their situation out on their own.
"Want to do something tonight?" Spider asked Nick who was lounging on the Drama Club's sofa.
"Sure, what?" Nick looked up.
"Dunno, could go for a walk maybe, its nice enough today." Spider sat on the arm and stroked his hair softly.
"Yeah, we can grab a takeaway and have a picnic." Nick smiled.
"Sounds like a plan." Spider looked up as the door opened, happy that Nick finally wanted to do something with him. Maybe he was getting over his insecurities. Trevor, Lion and Claudia came into the room and Spider felt the atmosphere change. Nick withdrew into himself and couldn't help glowering at the girl. "Hey, stop that." Spider said softly. "There's no need." Nick frowned and turned away from him as Nile and Nathan came in. Nile looked over and raised an eyebrow and Spider just rolled his eyes. Nathan sat with his arms around Claudia's waist. His head was on her shoulder and he was chatting to Lion about sports. Spider looked at her and her eyes met his, he smirked despite himself and she looked away, embarrassed. They hadn't discussed the incident -- even when they'd been alone it hadn't cropped up. Spider had made sure she got the impression that it wasn't going to happen again though. Before lunch he excused himself to go smoke and went to sit under his favourite tree. Shortly Nick joined him and snuggled into his side, his unsure ness had crept back and he needed comfort. Spider slung an arm around him and finished his cigarette ten he nuzzled into his head. Nick looked up for a kiss and Spider kissed him gently, telling him he'd be smoky. Nick whispered that he didn't mind and the two kissed.
"Get a room!" Nile appeared and lay in the grass in front of them. Nick looked terrified and his eyes shot to Spider.
"Nile knows." Spider soothed and leant against the tree pulling him back.
"About?" Nick asked.
"About everything baby." Nile rolled onto his back and grinned. "You keep him in line!"
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