Twenty Two

"The way you shake it... I can't believe it... I ain't never seen an ass like that~" Lucas hummed as he poured his coffee into his brand new mug. It was a little stupid but he was so excited to drink his coffee in the very first gift he received from Elijah. With a gleeful smile, he headed for the dining table. Just as he set the mug down and was about to take a seat-

"What the—!"

Lucas jumped back in surprise when he saw some random white splotches materialize on the mug. He didn't remember that being there before. 'Is this thing fucking possessed?!' Eyes wide and heart thumping in his ears, he grabbed the nearest thing he could find - a spatula - and held it up as a weapon. With hawk-like eyes, he observed the demented beverage container as the white splotches began to spread. It almost looked like something, an image, was slowly forming on it, starting from the bottom upwards. Once the whole image was formed, the spatula fell from his hands and he stepped forward, eyes wide open in awe.

It was a picture. A picture of him and Elijah, to be more precise. The first picture they took together backstage on the day of the showcase, the same one with Lucas having a handsome smile on his face and Elijah looking like he hated his life. At the corner of it, a single word was written.

"Partners."

Below it, there was a date, the date of the showcase. Lucas traced his hand along the word but immediately flinched, remembering he just poured searing hot coffee into the damn thing. He couldn't really describe how he felt at that moment. Elijah's gestures were always subtle, and Lucas always appreciated them. But this... he wasn't expecting anything like this at all. Of course, how could it have been just a plain black mug? Surely Elijah was a lot more tasteful than that.

That morning, he kept staring at the mug with a smile on his face, and coffee had never tasted so great before.

How was he ever going to let go of such an amazing person like Elijah?

The answer was clear, he wasn't.

* * *

"Alright bro, what's this 'important meeting' all about? I had to leave my little sister with my holier-than-thou neighbors for this," Sam said, looking annoyed.

Lucas looked at all of his friends, who all had curious expressions plastered on their faces.

No turning back now.

"Well?"

Lucas swallowed down the lump in his throat. This was it. He was going to tell them. Elijah wasn't just an experience anymore, no, he was now one of the most important people in his life. And he wanted to prove just how important. The first step, obviously, was telling people. Starting with his friends. The friends he had known for so many years. He wasn't sure what reaction to expect of them but he had decided he was going to tell them, today.

"Lucas don't scare us. You look like you're gonna tell us that the world is about to be taken over by lizard people." Miles said, eyebrows furrowed in concern. Lucas wasn't the serious type, but when he did look serious, they knew shit must have been real.

"Honestly, it could be pretty close," Lucas sighed, "How do I even put this..."

"What's wrong?" Alex asked concernedly.

"You guys haven't wondered why Elijah and I are so close these days?" He started somewhat safely.

"Well, yeah," Chris replied, "But we thought it's because you guys are dance partners now and all."

"Yeah... But there's more than that. I... We're..." He ran his fingers through his hair, "We're like... together."

Everyone had blank looks on their faces.

"What do you mean 'together'?" Chris finally asked with a confused frown on his face. Lucas sighed.

"You guys will probably hate me after this but... you're my friends and you deserve to know. I'll just say it as it is. We're together. Together as in we're in a relationship. Together as in we're boyfriends. I have feelings for him. I like him. Maybe even more than like."

Lucas stared down at the table, too afraid to meet his friends' eyes. He said it all as blatantly as he could, no twisting and turning, no mysteries and puzzles. There was no clearer way to put it in words than this.

Lucas was always an impulsive person. That morning, he decided that he was done hiding from his friends, that he was going to let it be known. And now, they knew. And it suddenly hit him that after this, there was a chance they weren't going to be friends anymore.

"What?" Alex said lowly, looking as if he was trying to contain his anger, "What kind of sick joke is this?"

"It's not a joke," Lucas muttered, still looking down, "I wouldn't joke about something like this."

Alex was breathing heavily now, fists clenching.

"Alex, calm down..." Miles rubbed his shoulders and turned to face Lucas, "Wait, when did this happen?"

"About a month ago. I don't know how or why it happened but I... I started having feelings for him. I tried so hard to deny it, I swear I did... But I just couldn't any more. I couldn't do it. I gave in and I decided to just go with it."

Alex slammed his hands on the table, turning a few heads in the coffee shop to them. Lucas flinched.

"You fucking hypocrite," He snarled, standing up from his chair, "After everything you did to Noah, you have the audacity to come and say this to our faces?"

Lucas was expecting to hear that line, and from Alex more than anyone else, since he was always the closest to Noah. He knew he looked small right now. He knew that his friends wouldn't really mind the actual fact that he was gay, but the fact that he ruined a few years of someone's life because they were the same. He really was a hypocrite. They had the right to hate him after what he did with Noah. Especially Alex. Some measly apology wasn't going to fix anything. The damage had been done– the guy had been bullied, neglected and called names. All because of him.

He deserved this.

Alex let out a humorless laugh, "I forgave you, Lucas. But this... I can't accept this."

And with that, he walked away, storming out of the place. People were still staring at them curiously and Lucas still had his head down.

"Alex, wait up!" Sam stood up to follow the other male but Chris stopped him.

"Leave him. He'd probably want to be alone right now."

Sam hesitated but sighed and sat down again, deciding Chris was right.

"I'm sorry... I'm so sorry. You guys have every right to hate me and walk out of here just like Alex. You should have left me the moment I did those things to Noah."

"Lucas..." Sam sighed, "We're not gonna leave you. Yes, you've been a douche and all but that was in the past and what's done is done. You made a stupid mistake and you apologized for it."

"It's not simple like that..." Lucas sighed, "I'm sure Alex hates me now."

"Alex's just angry. After all, Noah was his best friend. I'm sure he'll come around."

"Yeah just give him some time to cool off," Miles said, "But damn, I would have never guessed it. Kim Lucas going homo, huh. Damn it, I knew I saw a flying pig that day."

"Yeah, and I was wondering why he was blatantly ignoring Julie's approaches. I knew something was up, but I didn't think it'd be this." Sam looked as if he was having a hard time believing it.

"I think it's safe to say this is more than just a little weird," Chris stated, "But we'll get used to it, I guess. If you're happy, then we're happy for you."

"Wait so you guys are actually cool with this?" Lucas' eyes were wide.

Sam shrugged, "Well I just found out that my friend likes dick. At least my face is still beautiful and it's not the end of the world."

Lucas rolled eyes, feeling slightly relieved now, but still worried about his other friend.

"Don't worry about Alex, okay? We'll talk to him." Chris assured, "Just give him some time."

"Thank you guys... I seriously don't know how to thank you."

"Dude, stop. You look super ridiculous when you're all sentimental," Sam said with a disgusted face, "Although you could treat me that super-expensive lava cake from here I'd been dying to try."

"Yeah me too." Miles said with an evil grin, and Chris wasn't far behind to jump on the 'make-Lucas-broke' train. For the first time, he didn't really mind it at all.

* * *

Lucas was walking, hands shoved deep in his pockets, still lost in thought about Alex's outburst earlier that day. He doubted the elder was ever going to forgive him, and they'd been friends for so long, so he was upset. He found himself standing in front of Elijah's home and briefly recalled the blonde saying his parents wouldn't be back until next week. With a sigh, he walked up to the door and rang the doorbell.

For the first time, it wasn't a servant that opened up for him, but Elijah himself. He was dressed in a grey t-shirt and shorts that stopped at his knees, and Lucas realized he had never seen the other in such care-free attire before.

"Hey," He greeted, "You look... different."

Elijah looked down at himself, "Thank you?" He opened the door wider, "Come in."

Lucas walked into the house and the blonde closed the door behind him. They made their way into the living room and settled on the couch. "You didn't say you were coming today... What's up?"

Lucas shrugged, "I missed you?"

The blonde rolled his eyes, "You were here just yesterday."

"I know," Lucas laughed airily, "I needed to tell you something."

Elijah noticed that the brunette seemed slightly off. Frowning, he asked, "Is something wrong?"

Lucas bit his lip, "I... told my friends about us today."

Elijah widened his eyes, "You what?"

"I told them about our relationship."

Elijah remained quiet for a while, not really knowing how to respond.

"Why?"

Lucas shrugged, "It just felt like the right time. I'm... I'm not ashamed of us, Eli. I'm not ashamed of my feelings for you. I just felt ready to come out with the truth."

"... And how did they react?"

"Alex didn't take it very well... The rest were fine with it."

Elijah sighed, "Well that's understandable."

The fact that Lucas' friends knew about them now made it all feel more real, more serious. And while he had his doubts in the beginning, he felt as if he could trust Lucas without batting an eyelash now, because the latter had done something that could have potentially damaged his relationship with his friends forever. All for Elijah.

"So... what happens now?" He asked.

"I don't know. I'll try talking to him. It's about time I took responsibility for what I did."

The blonde looked at Lucas, his eyes shining somewhat fondly. Lucas had really matured so much ever since the first time they'd met. He felt sort of proud of him.

"So this means you're really sure? You're really sure you want to continue with this?" Elijah asked, making the elder boy look up at him.

"Yes, I'm sure. I would have been long gone by now if I wasn't," He said firmly, bringing his hand up to cup Elijah's cheek, "I want to be with you... Like, for the long term.. You're different, Eli. No one else has ever made me feel this way. What about you... Do you want to keep going?"

Elijah chewed on his bottom lip tentatively, cheeks slightly flushed as he nodded slowly. "Yeah... I do."

Honestly, he didn't care anymore. He didn't care if Elijah was a guy, because Elijah was the most amazing person he had ever met. No one had ever taught him so much in such a short time ever before. No ever made him want to be a good person before. It was only Elijah.

Without much thought, he leaned forward and captured the younger's lips with his own, gently caressing his cheek with his thumb. Elijah was a little taken back at first but slowly melted into the kiss, eyes fluttering closed. Lucas had wanted to do this ever since that night in the rain but never found the right opportunity, until now that is. Letting out a soft sound of satisfaction from the back of his throat, he moved his lips against Elijah's, taking control of the kiss and gently coaxing the younger along. He loved the way the blonde's thin lips molded perfectly against his own, the tingles it sent all over his body, the way it made his heart beat that little bit faster. Without breaking the kiss, he pushed him to lay down on the couch and hovered over him, resting his knees on either side of Elijah's body. He pulled away after a few seconds, the two of them panting softly, their breaths mixing.

"You're perfect..." Lucas breathed, voice slightly husky from all the sensations swirling around inside of him. He wanted to show Elijah just how much he meant to him, that he wasn't scared anymore. He dropped down to kiss his lips again, capturing Elijah's bottom lip between his own and lightly tugging on it. He smirked in victory when he felt Elijah breathing hitch from the action and pulled away to kiss the corner of his lips, before leaving a soft trail of kisses down his jawline and to his neck. He gently trailed his lips across the small bumps leading up to his chin, lingering on his prominent Adam's apple, reveling at the feeling of his soft milky white skin. Elijah let out a soft yet deep groan, biting his lip immediately in embarrassment at the noise he just made. However, it only spurred Lucas up even more, and he swore he never heard a sexier noise before in his entire life. The thought that he was the only one to ever have Elijah like this made him feel all fuzzy inside. He pulled away to meet Elijah's slightly hooded eyes and his pink, flushed lips, knowing he himself must have also looked the same. His fingers lightly traced across the flawless skin of his cheek before they went up to slowly comb his hair back.

"I like how you look like this," Lucas said with a smile, "shorts and all. You look a lot more comfortable."

"Yeah?" Elijah laughed softly, voice a little breathier than usual, "Maybe that's because I am. Without my parents and all those servants around. I can never wear stuff like this when they're around."

"Hm... You never told me, you know? Why you came back here."

Elijah remained quiet for a while, "I couldn't stay at your place forever. I had to fix things up with my parents eventually."

"Well... How did you?"

The blonde bit his lip with a sly smile on his face. He gestured for Lucas to lean closer and whispered into his ear. When he was done, Lucas pulled back, eyes wide and mouth hanging open.

"Holy shit, Elijah. I think I like you even more now."

The other simply laughed, eyes scrunching up into those tiny half-moons that Lucas was so in love with. Lucas observed him with so much admiration shining in his eyes at this beautiful being in front of him.

"You know... I thought that mug you bought me was possessed at first. I was in full-on fighting mode, spatula and everything. And I was going to murder you later for scaring the shit out of me."

"Are you serious?" Elijah chortled, "I can already imagine how ridiculous you must have looked."

Lucas was a little embarrassed but he couldn't help but laugh, too. Once their laughs died down, he gazed down into Elijah's eyes.

"Thank you, Eli, for the most thoughtful and adorable gift ever."

Elijah smiled, "You didn't think I'd just get you plain black mug, did you? I mean yeah I love the color black and all but that'd be the pretty lame."

"It wouldn't be lame since it's from you," Lucas said honestly, "But you really are full of surprises. I'm already wondering what I should get you on your birthday. Maybe that lap dance I promised," Lucas winked, making the other scowl at him.

"No thank you."

"You can't say no to a lap dance~" Lucas sing-songed.

"Watch me. And get off me, it's getting hot."

Lucas stuck his tongue out childishly and lay his head down on Elijah's chest, letting his weight rest on top of him. The younger tried to get him off him but Lucas only clung tighter, placing his hands around Elijah's waist to hold him down. In the end, Elijah gave up with a sigh, "You're so fucking annoying, you know that?"

Lucas's lips curled up and he shifted his body to lie down next to Elijah on the couch, nuzzling his forehead against his neck and draping his leg over the other's body. If they were going to have cuddle-time, they might as well both be comfortable.

"Can you play with my hair again?" Lucas requested, almost a little shyly. Elijah chuckled and lifted his hand up to gently stroke the elders soft brown locks. The latter closed his eyes and sighed in satisfaction, just wanting to stay in this position forever, enveloped in the comforting heat that radiated off Elijah's body.

'How can our relationship be wrong when everything about it feels so goddamn right?'