Haunted

Unsteady Ground

"You could have told me!" Eli called as soon as the pictures of Maddox and Brent holding hands hit the internet.

"You were a little busy," Maddox laughed. He'd been on his computer trying - and failing - to concentrate on some homework while Brent and the boys did a walk through of the venue and the stage. All he could really think about was how he'd realized he was in love with Brent and how he wanted to find the perfect way to tell him. They were in Paris, of all the places in the world it seemed like it should be easy to make it special, but Maddox couldn't think of anything that seemed good enough.

"What else are you keeping from me?"

"Nothing, sorry," Maddox sighed. "How's Jack?"

"He's good," Eli sounded happy. "I think we might get to finally meet in person during Christmas break."

"That's awesome," Maddox hadn't expected he would ever be okay with Eli dating someone else but he really didn't care. In fact, he was actually happy for Eli. He opened Eli's tumblr to look at pictures of Eli and Jack talking to each other on Facetime.

"Yeah, I'm like excited but super nervous."

"I know exactly what you mean," Maddox laughed. Brent put his arms around Maddox and peeked over his shoulder. "I have to go, Eli, but we should talk soon, I miss you."

"I miss you too," Eli sighed. "Wait, are you with Brent right now?"

"Yeah," Maddox grinned and switched the call to Facetime.

"Oh my god," Eli gasped.

"Hey," Brent waved. "You have the hottest accent."

"Shut. Up," Eli blushed.

"Isn't he perfect?" Maddox laughed as he asked Brent. Brent nodded and kissed him.

"You can't do this, oh my god," Eli protested, looking like he was going into full on fangirl mode.

"We have to go, Eli," Maddox told him. "I'll call you soon, okay?"

Maddox ended the call and put his phone down so he could really kiss Brent.

"Why don't you pay for them to meet?" Brent pushed the laptop onto the coffee table.

"Because Eli would never take my money."

"They have a donation thing," Brent pointed to Eli's tumblr. "Why don't I pay? He'll never know."

"He'll know," Maddox told him but Brent already had his wallet out. "You don't have to do that."

"I want to, they're so cute together," Brent shrugged. "Besides they're only like $50 away from what they need," he pointed out.

"I guess," Maddox tried to hide his smile. "Oh, um, do you have any time when you're home for Thanksgiving? My parents want you to come over."

"Yeah, definitely," Brent agreed. "I want you to meet my family too," he said. "My mom always asks how you are when I talk to her."

"Aw," Maddox had forgotten that if Brent was meeting his family he would have to meet Brent's too. He tried not to think about that.

"Yeah, she's so happy. My sister too," Brent laughed. "She actually called me the day you came out and said that if she couldn't have you I was the only one who could."

"Oh, so that's the only reason you're with me," Maddox grinned.

"Shh, no," Brent laughed and kissed him. "I have to go get ready for our Meet and Greet."