The Kiss

Brian and Murr snickered into the microphone leading to Joe and Sal's ears. "Hey, Joe. Why don't you give Sal a piggyback ride?" Murr chortled, as Brian cackled in the background.

Sal groaned as Joe smirked at him. "If you want to lose, we'll lose, if you're uncomfortable with that," Joe offered, knowing Sal didn't want to.

Sal bit his lower lip. I've already had two loses, Sal thought, I have to do this. Sal shook his head. "Let's do it," Sal admitted defeat.

Joe grinned. He bended his knees and Sal dipped a brow. Sal hesitantly climbed on top of Joe and he ran around the park, Sal clutching at Joe's shirt, terrified of being dropped.

Joe's right hand went back and accidentally touched Sal's thigh, a little too close for Sal's taste. Sal's face turned vibrantly red and he jumped off Joe's back.

"Woah! Joe, what the heck?" Sal exclaimed. Joe raised an eyebrow. "What?" Joe asked cluelessly, not knowing that he did.

Sal shook his head. "Forget it. Guys, what's next?" Sal muttered, rubbing his forehead in frustration. Chuckles and laughter rang through their ears.

"Sal close your eyes and take off your earpiece," Brian commanded. Sal grumbled and hesitantly took his earpiece out and shut his eyes.

With Sal out of the loop, the guys told Joe what to do. "Joe, lean in and kiss Sal," James ordered.

Joe couldn't help but let a smile peak out of the corners of his lips. "You guys..." He chuckled, preparing himself.

Joe took a deep breath and leaned in.

When his lips connected with Sal's a spark shot through his veins. Sal's eyes shot open and he saw that Joe, his childhood best friend, was kissing him; and he was enjoying it.

Sal jumped back in shock, his cheeks burning. "Sal..." Joe whispered, both of them knowing the intimate feeling they had just shared.

"Okay guys, you win," James's voice rang through Joe's ear. "Huh? Oh yeah... Ok," Joe's voice trailed off.

Sal shook his head and walked away and tried clearing his head. He found himself at a dock, sitting alone, facing the sea.

"Beautiful view, huh?" Joe asked him, sitting unusually close. Sal's heart pounded in his ears when Joe's hand brushed over his.

Sal kept his gaze out to the sea. "Yeah. It is," He admitted, still refusing to look over at Joe, afraid of what he'd see.

Joe glanced over at Sal. Instead of seeing his close childhood friend, he saw a hunk.

The wind flew into and through Sal's gelled hair, tossing it to the left like a movie scene. His full lips parted in a perfectly kissable look, as if he was leaning in. His shirt was flaunting in the wind, exposing some of his waist to Joe.

His emerald green eyes sparkled in what was left of the setting sun. His light beard went from his chin to his sideburns, connecting them.

Joe felt a warm tinge creep up his cheeks and ears and he wanted to grab Sal's hands. Sal tore his eyes away from the ocean and looked at Joe, who turned his gaze to the sloshing water.

Joe's hair spiked up as always, flew in all directions giving a wild look that gave Sal an unusual feeling in his chest. His baby pink lips turned up in a award-winning smile that melted Sal's heart. His brilliant baby blue eyes that actually glowed in the dusk.

Sal looked down and noticed Joe's hand awkwardly reaching for his then Joe's pulled it back, repeating for about two minutes. Sal smiled faintly and took Joe's hand into his.

Joe turned to him, the biggest smile on his face and Sal merely shrugged. Joe blushed and Sal did the same. They sat, hand and hand, in silence.

When the sun was completely down they stood up and Joe walked Sal to his car. When they reached it Joe dropped Sal's hand and he frowned.

"Joe..." Sal managed to say before Joe put a finger over Sal's lips.

"Sal. I don't know what this is, or what it'll turn into, but as long as we don't question it, maybe we'll be happy," Joe whispered.

Sal's heart thudded in his ears and he nodded. "I was thinking the same thing," Sal admitted.

Joe leaned in and simply kissed Sal on the cheek. Tingles vibrated on Sal's cheek and Joe's lips felt like gold. They blushed in the upcoming moonlight.

"Bye...buddy," Joe smiled, shyly.

Sal nodded his head and his faced stayed bright red. "See you tomorrow...pal," Sal pecked Joe on the cheek and fumbled with his keys to open his car.

"Drive safe," Joe cautioned, and Sal chuckled, knowing his joke. Everyone made fun of Sal for being the most cautious driver in the world.

Sal drive home in silence, not bothering to turn on the radio to his favorite, smooth jazz.

Thoughts ran through his head about what had happened. Joe Gatto, his best friend since he was fourteen, liked him. And what really confused Sal... Is that he liked him back.