Small Town Flames(BOYXBOY)

Where Does This Leave Us?

Nyxon finds Paxton outside at the smoker's area behind the facility. He walks up to Paxton slowly. A look of concern on his face. "What are you doing out here by yourself? Colt is asking for you."

Paxton nods and stubs out his cigarette. He begins walking towards the doors.

Nyx grabs him by his arm. "Hey. What's wrong?" His eyebrows furrow.

Paxton shakes his head. "Nothing."

Nyxon studies him for a minute. "Pax, we've been attached at the hip for months. I know when something is going on with you."

Pax rolls his eyes. "I'm fine." He plasters a smile on his face. "See, Colt's awake. I'm happy. You're happy. Let's go see him." Pax grabs Nyx by the hand and tries to drag him inside. Nyx plants his feet and doesn't budge.

"Pax. Tell me what's going on."

Paxton glances at Nyx before dropping his eyes. "I'm happy Colt's awake. I really am. I'm happy to know he's going to be okay. But I've been at your side for months. Now that he's awake, he'll take his place back at your side. Where does that leave me?" A sadness lingers in Paxton's eyes. Nyx's mouth falls open.

"You're worried that Colt will replace you?" He tilts his head, studying his best friend. "Pax, you've been my rock these last couple of months. You're my best friend. You'll always have a place at my side, no matter who else shares it with you. You're important to me too. I love you."

Paxton's eyes stay on the ground. He shuffles his feet kicking small rocks. "Yeah, but not in the same way that I love you. I don't want to be stuck in the friend zone. I tried to be your best friend. I really did, Nyx. I tried to push my feelings for you aside and hold your hand while you were going through all this shit, but they aren't going away. At least not right now."

Nyxon's face falls. "What are you trying to say?"

"I think we should spend some time apart. You can focus on Colt, and I can focus on my own life. I can focus on trying to get over you." Paxton steps forward. He puts his hands on Nyx's cheeks and kisses him on the lips gently. "I have to get over you. You are killing me." A tear runs down Nyx's cheek, but he nods understandingly.

"Okay, but before you leave, can you please go see Colt? He really wants to see you."

Pax smiles sadly. "Of course."

Nyxon walks behind Pax instead of beside him. His heart is breaking all over again. Is it possible to love two people at once? Do I love Pax the way he loves me or was I just dependent on him because of Colt's accident? Maybe it is best if we sort out feelings out apart. Fuck, I'm so confused. Nyxon runs a hand frustratingly through his hair, making his curls stick up haphazardly.

Colt sits up and smiles widely at Paxton. "Pax, where have you been?" Colt opens his arms and Paxton enters them, wrapping his strong arms around Colt.

"I just went out for a cigarette."

Colt scrunches his face up. "Since when did you start smoking?"

"After your accident. It helped relieve some of the stress."

Colt rolls his eyes. "I'll be fine. I'm tough. It's going to take more than a little bump by a car to take me out."

Paxton glances over at Nyxon. "I know, Shorty. Your tougher than us all." Paxton shifts his gaze back to Colt. Colt looks between the two of them.

"Am I missing something? Did something happen between you two while I was in a coma?"

Nyxon and Paxton both shake their heads. "Everything is cool." Pax replies, mussing up Colt's white hair.

Colt gives him a wide smile. "Did you miss me Pax?"