Social Norms (Synacky)

Chapter Nineteen

The next few days went by slowly. Zacky and Jimmy were both too wrapped up in album work to do much, so he just stayed home and helped Suzy with McKenna.

He didn’t even know his birthday was approaching until Suzy started talking about Independence Day plans.

“I’m just going to be staying in with Kenna, she won’t like the loud, and Brent’s going to be with me. I think your father’s going to be in the studio some more. But surely you can go to Jimmy’s? Doesn’t Joe shoot off fireworks for the neighborhood?”

“Yeah.” Brian replied, “I’ll go over there.”

“And what do you want to do for your birthday? You’re turning eighteen, it’s a big deal.”

Brian sighed, going to the fridge and pulling out a carton of milk. “I don’t know…” he said. “I guess we can just go out for dinner or something.”

“Why don’t you invite your girlfriend to come? I’d like to meet her…” Suzy poured out some Cheerios in a bowl for McKenna.

“Um, I’d rather not…” Brian bit his lip. “It’s sorta soon…”

“Oh, you don’t want to scare her off, I understand. What about that boy? The one you’re teaching guitar? You should ask him to come.”

Zacky? Hell, no.

“I don’t think he’ll be able to make it either.” He said nervously, “But I’ll ask him…”

“Yeah, do that. And what do you want for your birthday, anyways?”

~*~

“Why are you self conscious?”

Brian and Zacky were at Brian’s house, lying on his bed. Zacky was curled into Brian’s side, pressed close against him comfortably, and Brian had an arm around him.

“I’m not self conscious…” Zacky replied, and Brian smiled softly as the younger boy closed his eyes, clutching his shirt in his fingers.

“You’re so cute, Zacky.” Brian kissed his temple gently. “You’re absolutely, breathtakingly beautiful.”

Even though Zacky’s eyes were closed, a shade of pink blossomed across his cheeks. “Brian…”

“Yes?”

He sighed, looking up at Brian through emerald eyes. “You’re just proving your point, right?”

“Exactly.” Brian cupped Zacky’s cheek in his hand and ran his thumb over porcelain skin. “You’re so gorgeous, why can’t you realize that?”

Zacky looked down at Brian’s Misfits shirt. “Because I’m not, all this is just flattery. I’d rather not talk about this…”

Brian frowned, pulling his arm from under Zacky and propping himself up on his elbow. “Why not? Zacky, you’re flawless. Everything about you is stunning.” He let his eyes wander over his boyfriend, before leaning in to kiss him gently. “I’m not just trying to flatter you. I mean it.”

Zacky didn’t reply. He glowered down at the duvet, obviously upset.

“Who told you that you aren’t beautiful?” Brian asked, searching Zacky’s face, trying to read his expression.

“No one.” Zacky replied shortly, closing his eyes. “I just know it.”

Brian looked at Zacky sadly, kissing his cheek, then the corner of his mouth. “But you are beautiful.” he murmured, lips lingering over Zacky’s. “You are so beautiful it should be a sin.”

Zacky opened his eyes, lips parting as he stared at Brian. “Stop it.” He replied, leaning away from Brian’s touch.

“But-“

“I don’t like flattery, Brian, and it’s not going to work. Telling me how ‘attractive’ I am won’t get you in my pants, okay?”

Brian sat up, eyebrows furrowing. “Whoa, whoa, I don’t want to fuck you…”

“I’m sure.” Zacky spat back sarcastically. “Then drop the stupid adjectives that don’t mean anything. Especially when I know better. I don’t want you sweet talking me into doing something I’ll regret.” Zacky took a few deep breaths, looking up at the ceiling, and Brian knew he was willing tears back.

The room was deathly silent. Brian could hear the beginning of a rainstorm as drops of water hit the roof and windows. He tried to think of a way to respond, a way to make Zacky realize he was wrong, that Brian would never hurt him, that he just wanted to make him realize how incredible he was. But in the end, he just sighed, words leaving his mind on that exhaled breath. He opened his arms for Zacky and whispered, “I’m sorry.”

Zacky willingly accepted the embrace, snaking his arms around Brian and pressing his face into his shoulder. “I’m not mad at you…” he mumbled into the black fabric. “Really, I’m not. I just don’t like being told things I know aren’t true.”

“What will it take for me to show you how unbelievably beautiful you are, Zacky?” Brian asked, rubbing his boyfriend’s back soothingly.

“Nothing.” Zacky replied, voice soft and muffled against Brian’s shirt.

Brian sighed, frowning as he pulled Zacky’s face from his shoulder. “Can I kiss you?” he ventured.

“You never have to ask…”

Brian cupped Zacky’s face in his hands, pressing their lips together. He watched Zacky’s eyes slip closed before he let his own do the same, finally allowing himself to get lost in the kiss, without having the distraction of a cupcake timer or a family to get in their way. Zacky really was a good kisser, and his shyness that was always present was adorable. He slipped his hands up to grip his fingers in Brian’s hair, tugging slightly as Brian’s tongue slipped past snakebitten lips.

The kiss wasn’t feverish, it wasn’t hot or hard or anything that defined the kisses Brian was used to having. It was beautiful, in a gentle sense, and Brian could not imagine Zacky kissing any other way. Brian slid his hands around Zacky’s waist, pressing against the small of his back, keeping him there, and Zacky made a small sound, sending a shiver up Brian’s spine. He let himself fall back on the duvet, and Brian straddled his thighs, not breaking the kiss. Zacky gasped softly as Brian’s teeth closed gently around one of his snakebites, tongue running over the metal. He pulled away and began kissing along Zacky’s jaw and neck, sucking at his pulse point as he slid hesitant fingers up under Zacky’s shirt, splaying them out over the smooth skin of his stomach.

Zacky pulled away quickly, shoving his shirt down and shaking his head. “No, Brian.” He whispered breathlessly. “That’s too far.”

Brian looked down at Zacky, who had bit his lip and was looking up at him nervously.

“Oh.” He replied, a small breath of a sound. “Okay.”

He rolled off the younger boy, and Zacky asked, “Do you think we’re taking things too fast?”

 Brian thought just the opposite. If this had been with a girl, they’d have already fucked a few times by now. “I thought we were actually moving sorta slow…” he replied warily, nervous of how Zacky would react.

Zacky chuckled, taking Brian’s hand and lacing their fingers together. “Well,” he sighed, “I guess that means we’re taking things just right.”