livejournal fics//joncer

Part Two

  *

Spencer and Jon escape Spencer's house with minimal photographs – "Come on, Mom, don't be uncool." – and are in Jon's car, the sky blue chevy that Spencer has always wondered what it would be like to be in, and they're not minutes away from the dance. Spencer's mom's reminder to be home by ten-thirty calls after them as they roll down the driveway.

Brendon has already left for the dance, saying he could find his own ride there and leaving with a wink at Spencer.

In the car, Spencer takes deep breaths, glancing at the clock and knowing the evening is just beginning. Next to him, Jon looks completely gorgeous and when Spencer had opened the door, he'd had a hard time doing anything other than staring at Jon's snazzy suit.

"You ever been to a dance?" Jon asks as they turn the corner and the school is visible. The parking lot is fairly full and people are already filtering in towards the gym. The girls are all in puffy, pastel-colored dresses, and hanging off guys' arms.

"N-not really," Spencer replies, glancing around as they pull in and park. "Just homecoming, you know."

"Come on," Jon says, stepping out and coming around. He opens Spencer's door before he can get it open himself.

Spencer doesn't say anything, catching Jon's smile and fighting down a blush. He's not going to spend the entire night with his face bright pink. Although, when Jon's hand bumps into his once, and then twice as they climb the stairs, and Jon finally reaches over, sliding their fingers together, Spencer swallows nervously.

Jon doesn't say anything about it as they enter the gym which is decorated to the top with colorful streamers and balloons bumping against the ceiling. There's a band on the stage setting up, a sparkly, red drumkit sitting in the back and snappily-dressed guys tuning guitars and adjusting microphones in front.

Even Spencer is impressed with the decorations and he says so as they wander in. The band starts up as they eyeball the room, and Jon still hasn't let go of Spencer's hand.

"Yeah, Greta killed it alright," Jon comments, leading the way to the drinks table. "Punch?" he asks, gesturing at the large bowl of bright red punch. A teacher is standing directly behind it, giving Spencer the stink eye as though he's hiding a flask under his jacket.

Jon ladles them two plastic cups and hands one to Spencer. He has finally dropped Spencer's hand, and Spencer wipes his slightly sweaty palm on his pants. His heart is thudding loudly in his ears as he gulps down his punch. He still can't believe this is happening.

Jon glances at him, tossing away his cup. "Come on, snake, let's rattle," he says, holding out a hand and Spencer stares at it for a full three seconds before taking it, his hand shaking slightly.

Jon leads him out to the dance floor where a bunch of couples are already dancing. They're doing the and Spencer isn't very good at this dance, but he follows along with Jon, hoping he doesn't look too goofy. Jon doesn't seem to mind, grinning at Spencer.

Spencer is relieved, however, when the song changes to something slower. Although, the moment Jon steps forward, a hand sliding to Spencer's waist, his eyes widen. He doesn't say anything, though, letting Jon lead as they sway slowly.

The gym is filling up as more people arrive, and Spencer spots Brendon across the room. Brendon waves excitedly, and Spencer can't help smiling, leaning in against Jon and glad that Brendon somehow forced this on him.

"I didn't think you'd say yes," Jon murmurs as they dance slowly and more people join them on the floor.

Spencer has finally relaxed slightly as they go around in a circle, one hand in Jon's, his head resting lightly against Jon's shoulder.

"Why?" Spencer asks nervously.

"Well, you don't really talk to anyone except Brendon," Jon says, and Spencer pauses. It's true. But Brendon is his best friend, and even if Brendon likes to talk to the greasers, Spencer is fine with just Brendon.

"Brendon's..." he says, biting his lip as he tries to think, but he can feel the reverberation of Jon's laugh.

"I know," he says, and his hand tightens over Spencer's waist for a second.

Spencer wonders if Jon can feel the way his heart is beating, thudding against his ribcage so loudly Spencer can practically hear it. He feels a little lightheaded and he's pretty sure it's due to Jon's hand brushing against his back softly, and when the song changes to something faster again, Spencer pulls back before he does something truly stupid like tell Jon how snowed he is, how on the hook, how completely and totally gone he is.

"I'm not really a good dancer," he mutters instead, and Jon doesn't question it.

"Let's go find Brendon," he suggests, taking Spencer's hand again, and Spencer allows a small smile to appear on his face as they leave the dance floor.

They find Brendon near the punch table, a cup in his hand, but his gaze firmly on a group across the room.

*

Frank makes a face at all the flowers and polyester suits that go rushing by as he stands in a distant corner with Gerard, Ray, Mikey, and Ryan. Only Ryan looks like he actually made an effort. He's in a tan-colored suit that ends about an inch above his shoes and his blue, argyle socks are visible. He even has a flower tucked into his lapel, but Frank can't bring himself to question him. He just wants to get out of there as soon as possible.

"Gee," he says, turning to Gerard, who is watching the kids on the dance floor, doing some crazy new dance craze, the , Frank is pretty sure. It looks idiotic to him.

"Yeah?" Gerard asks distractedly and Frank huffs.

Stepping in front of Gerard, he uses his considerable seductive power, sliding a hand into Gerard's hair and tugging on the long, dark locks, knowing Gerard would normally snip at him for touching it, but Frank presses closer. The other three ignore them tactfully. Mikey is just making faces at the flowers and Ray is examining a hole in his jacket. Ryan is rolling down his socks and eyeing someone across the room.

"Let's split," Frank whispers, pulling Gerard's head down for a slow kiss.

"Mph," is Gerard's half-hearted response. "But the Cobras," he says.

Pulling back, Frank sneers. "The Cobras would be idiotic to show up here. This ain't their territory."

"Doesn't matter," Gerard replies. "'Sides, thought you wanted to come here." Gerard's smile is lopsided and if Frank wasn't on the hook (not that he'd ever admit to that), he'd be out of there before you could say 'milkshake'.

Huffing, Frank lets go of him and Gerard pushes his hair back haphazardly. Frank could really use a cigarette.

"Just give it a half hour," Gerard says, hand brushing against the back of Frank's neck. "Then we'll catch a breeze, promise."

Frank hardly believes him, but there isn't much he can do. Instead, he slides back against the wall of the gym, rolling his eyes at the squares out there on the dance floor.

Ryan stops messing with his sock and glances at Frank and Gerard. "So we're staying for a minute?" he asks, and Frank shrugs moodily. He'd much rather be grabbing a smoke and pushing Gerard in the back of some car somewhere, but he's not.

"Guess so," Frank mutters, and he doesn't question why that answer makes Ryan smiles down at his shoes and continues rolling his socks.

*

"What're you lookin' at?" Spencer asks Brendon as Jon gets them more punch.

"Nothin'," Brendon says, and it's the same answer as the other day in the diner, and Spencer doesn't believe him for a minute. He peers, instead, in the same direction as Brendon.

The gang of greasers is over on the opposite wall, keeping well clear of the rest of the students. Spencer doesn't know most of their names, but he does know Ryan, who's currently fixated on his shoes.

He turns back to Brendon just as Jon returns with the drinks.

"Ryan?" he asks skeptically, and Brendon's smile widens. "Brendon, he's a greaser!"

"He rides a bike is all," Brendon replies. "He's keen, don't you think?"

"He falls off a bike," Spencer corrects him with a frown. "He hangs around with other greasers. He's trouble."

"Is not," Brendon says calmly, tugging at his red tie and still watching Ryan, who glances up briefly, catching Brendon's smile for a second. He looks back down and Brendon grins. "I'm gonna ask him to dance."

"Brendon!" Spencer hisses as Brendon takes a step in that direction.

"Cool it, Spence," Brendon tells him good-naturedly. "It'll be alright."

He quirks an eyebrow at Spencer as he turns around and heads right over to Ryan.

"I think that's the most I ever heard you talk," Jon says from behind Spencer and Spencer jumps.

"Well, he's being dim," Spencer mutters, glancing after Brendon.

Brendon has crossed the room and is talking to Ryan a little away from the rest of the greasers, who seem to have no interest in them.

"Let's let him have a little fun," Jon suggests, handing Spencer the cup of punch. It tastes a little different, and Spencer wonders if anyone's spiked it. He wouldn't be surprised. "Come on, dance with me."

Spencer is reluctant, eyeing the dance floor uneasily. He doesn't know a lot of the dances since he's never put much effort into learning them.

"If you don't laugh at me," he says finally, and Jon grins.

"Pinkie swear," he promises, and Spencer lets him lead the way.

*

Half an hour later, the punch has most definitely been spiked, and Spencer has had three more cups. He doesn't feel much aside from a little buzz as he dances with Jon, but he definitely feels more relaxed now, not so jumpy when Jon touches him, not blushing every time Jon compliments something about him.

Brendon is dancing with Ryan not to far away, arms and legs flailing everywhere and Ryan doesn't even look scared. The other greasers are still at the wall, looking more and more bored as the night wears on.

"Having fun?" Jon asks as the song changes and they decide to sit it out.

"A blast," Spencer answers honestly as they head for the bleachers and sink down. Giddy butterflies erupt in his stomach as Jon smiles at his answer.

"Yeah? I'm glad," Jon replies, reaching up and brushing Spencer's hair back into place. Swallowing nervously, Spencer looks away.

"So what is Cassie?" Spencer asks as he gazes out at the dance floor.

Cassie is dancing with some guy across the room and she hasn't come over to talk to them all night. Spencer's not really sure what's going on.

"She's a friend," Jon replies simply. "My neighbor actually. I've known her since I was three. I give her rides home some times."

"Oh," Spencer says softly, and he still jumps a little as Jon's hand brushes against his arm.

Jon is smiling at him. "There's nothing to worry about there. She's not my baby."

Spencer nods, feeling a little stupid. He wonders why he didn't know before.

"Hey, you wanna—" Jon says, but Spencer never hears the end as it's drowned out by the loud roaring of motorcycles tearing down what sounds like the hallways. "What the?" Jon says, rising to his feet, and Spencer is quick to follow.

The greasers on the other side of the gym are up in a second, and even Ryan dislodged himself from where he's wrapped up with Brendon, and joins them in their sprint out the door. Jon and Spencer exchange a look, along with the rest of the people in the gym, and then there's a melee at the door as everyone struggles to get out.

By the time they get to the front door and spill out onto the lawn, the motorcycles are stopped on the street and the two gangs are facing each other.

"Hey, nosebleed!" Frank shouts at Gabe, who's standing backed by Bill, Alex, Vicky, and Ryland. Vicky looks forbidding and Spencer wouldn't go near her if he had the choice.

"Yeah, punk?" Gabe retorts just as easily.

"We warned you," Frank growls, stalking forward, and Gerard and the others are right behind, although Ryan is twisting his comb nervously in his hands. "So why don't you put and egg in your shoe and beat it before we tear you to pieces?"

"In your dreams, Frankie boy," Gabe leers, a hand going for his back pocket, but Frank jumps on him before he can get there.

Spencer and the rest of the school watch as punches are thrown and the others jump into the fray. Frank scrabbles with Gabe, who's got to be at least a foot taller than him, but Frank's scrappy and he gets in a few good punches before Gabe knees him in the stomach.

"Hey! Hey, hey, hey!" comes the shout as Principle Schechter comes running down the steps, parting the crowd as he yells. "You stop now or you're all suspended!"

No one appears to be listening, though, and Spencer watches Mikey get clocked in the jaw by Alex and they tussle on the grass in the front lawn. The crowd is egging them all on.

"Fight! Fight! Fight!" they chant and Frank manages to get some leverage on Gabe somehow, grabbing his hair and yanking hard as his hand scrabbles to hit whatever skin it can reach.

"Break it up!" Schechter yells, running down the stairs, and a few more teachers bring up the rear, diving into the mass of flailing arms and yells and pulling the boys apart.

Frank is struggling valiantly in the math teacher's arms and Gerard is being pulled back by the gym teacher. A spectacular bruise is blooming around Frank's left eye and Gerard is panting, taking in the footprint on his forearm.

Schechter herds Gabe and the rest of the Cobras away from the school.

"Get outta here or I'll call the cops on all of you!" he shouts.

"This ain't over!" Gabe calls as he jumps on his motorcycle and, roaring, takes off into the darkness. The rest of the Cobras follow, Vicky laughing loudly, and the sound echoes until they're all gone, and Schechter is turning back to the watching crowd.

"Show's over," he says, waving them back inside. "Get back to your dance."

The teacher holding the struggling Frank finally releases him and Frank drops to the ground. Principal Schechter stares down at him as he passes then just shakes his head and continues on his way in.

"Okay there?" Gerard asks after a minute as most of the crowd disappears back inside.

"Always," Frank chirrups, although he touches his black eye gingerly all the same. Gerard just shoots him a small smile and reaches for the cigarette behind his ear.

"Ryan!" Brendon bursts through what's left of the crowd, hurdling down the stairs to where Ryan is, examining the comb snapped in two in his hands. His hair is mussed and his flower is crushed, petals scattered around the lawn. "Ryan!" Brendon says as he reaches him, grabbing his face and searching him for any injuries. "You're okay!" He surprises Ryan and Spencer by throwing his arms around him and squeezing tightly.

Back on the steps, Jon touches Spencer's back lightly, leaning forward to his ear.

"You wanna split?" he asks, and Spencer nods gratefully.

They don't say anything as they head to the parking lot, passing Brendon and Ryan and the others. Spencer gives them a wide berth and is glad to reach the car.

"You don't like the greasers?" Jon asks as he opens the door for Spencer.

"They just... they're not my favorite," Spencer admits, and Jon smiles.

"Yeah. Let's find somewhere quieter, huh?"

Spencer doesn't respond as Jon shuts the door and rounds the front of the car for the driver's side.

For a second, during the fight, Spencer had forgotten his nerves, but now that he's back in Jon's car, headed to some unknown place, they come rushing back.

"Where's we going?" he asks as Jon pulls out of the lot and onto the dark street.

"It's a surprise," Jon says quietly, and Spencer decides to focus on not freaking out instead of asking again.

*

Spencer knows where they are before they get there.

They go up a hill for a little while before pulling into a dirt lot at the top. There's only one other car at the other end near where the trees start up again, and they park far away from it. Over the hill crest and spreading down below is the whole town, bright and sparkly, and it looks pretty from so far away. Spencer has only been once and he'd vowed not to go again unless it was with someone he really liked, and well, he supposes Jon fits the bill.

Inspiration Point looks the same as the last time Spencer was here except this time, there are less cars, and when they park, Jon doesn't say anything for a moment.

Spencer is suddenly very aware of how little space there is between the seats in the car.

The silence seems to linger as they sit there, and Jon is the first to move, turning towards Spencer and unbuckling his seat belt because it's easier.

"Look, I didn't bring you up here to do anything," he says. "It's just usually quiet here. We can just talk."

Spencer is silent for a moment, gazing out at the town below. He knows his house is down there and his mother is probably going to be asleep in the arm chair in the living room when he gets home, waiting for him.

He is sitting next to Jon Walker, the guy Spencer had been sure didn't even notice him outside of an occasional friendly wave between lockers, the guy who'd asked him to the dance even though they didn't talk, Jon Walker, the guy he's had a crush on for the past three years. Unclicking his seat belt, Spencer turns towards Jon.

He licks his lips slowly, watching Jon. "I don't want to just... talk."

Jon looks uncertain, a waver somewhere behind the warm brown eyes, and Spencer's heart is thudding the samba in his chest.

"Jon?" he asks when Jon doesn't speak, voice wavering, and he swallows the lump in his throat.

"Are you sure?" Jon breathes finally, and Spencer wonders if Jon's just as nervous as he is.

He nods his head slowly, unable to speak, sucking in a breath when Jon leans in closer. He can't speak when Jon's hand slides to his cheek and he flushes, warmth spreading over his skin involuntarily. He can barely swallow when Jon's thumb glides under his lower lip and edges him forward a few centimeters.

His eyes close before their mouths even touch and he can feel the hotness of Jon's breath hitting his bottom lip, feel the way it's quicker than normal, hear when Jon licks his lips, and feel the hesitation one second before Jon's mouth is pressed to his.

It's more than Spencer imagined, warm, soft, and perfect. He lets out a breath when Jon pulls back for a second.

"Spencer," Jon murmurs as he leans in again, mouth sliding in against Spencer's, a little too low, but his tongue flicks over Spencer's bottom lip, and Spencer can't bring himself to notice or care.

Spencer's hand is shaking in his lap, and he gasps, too loudly, when Jon's teeth sink into his lower lip and he sucks, pushing his tongue into Spencer's mouth, and Spencer doesn't fight it. He raises his trembling hand to Jon's face, tracing the lines of his jaw, sliding into his hair, and kissing back, kissing until he's panting for breath, until he has to pull away, dazed and blinking in the moonlight that floods the front seat.

"Okay?" Jon breathes, more of a pant, and Spencer feels a proud rush at what he's accomplished.

He nods, forehead leaning against Jon's as he takes a much-needed breath.

"I'm so hooked on you, Spence," Jon whispers as his hand slides down Spencer's neck, tugging absentmindedly at his tie. Spencer's cheeks are bright red by now, from both the kiss and Jon's words, and he's glad it's dark. "I have been since the first time I saw you actually smile. I think it was last year. You were talking to Brendon out on the front lawn during lunch and you smiled, and I was so gone."

"Really?" Spencer asks hopefully, almost unable to believe it.

Jon nods, leaning in for a slow, open-mouthed kiss, and Spencer makes an embarrassing noise, muffled against Jon's mouth, eyes shut, and his hand no longer shaking.

"Definitely," Jon replies, and he watches as Spencer smiles. He echoes it, hooking a hand behind Spencer's neck and tugging him forward. "Definitely."

Spencer's grin messes up the kiss, but it makes no difference as he leans into it, wrapping his arms around Jon's shoulders and hoping his curfew never comes.

*

"He took you to Inspiration Point?" Brendon cries excitedly and Spencer shoots him a look to quiet down. They are in the middle of the diner after all, and there are other people around. The greasers are in a booth near the bathrooms and Ryan is getting milkshakes at the counter. Apparently something went very right with him and Brendon at the dance.

"Yes," he mutters, grabbing a fry from the plate in front of him. It's almost dinner time again and his mom will be upset if he ruins his appetite.

Brendon bounces up, grinning at Spencer. "And wasn't it a total blast? Didn't I tell you it would be? Wasn't I right?"

"Yes," Spencer mutters again, rolling his eyes, but he's smiling down at his fries, remembering how Jon had walked him to his door after the dance and they'd shared a clichéd, romantic kiss under the porch
lights.

Brendon watches him knowingly as Ryan comes back, juggling three milkshakes. He sets them down with a glance at Brendon.

"You like strawberry, right?" he asks, and Brendon's grin widens.

"I sure do," he replies cheerfully, scooting over for Ryan to join him on his side of the booth. "Hey, so what's gonna happen with the Cobras?" Brendon asks, fingers grazing over the bruise on Ryan's cheek from the fight at the dance. Spencer watches Ryan freeze under Brendon's fingers before relaxing a little as he shrugs.

"If they stay away, Frankie and Gee will be happy enough," he replies.

Brendon smiles, reaching for his milkshake. "Love is in the air," he intones with a significant glance at Spencer, who rolls his eyes.

As Spencer ignores Ryan and Brendon, his eyes fall on the doorway to the diner as it opens. Patrick goes rolling past with a tray and makes it all the way to the table before he falls. In the doorway, Jon watches as Pete hurries out of the kitchen to make sure he's okay.

Spencer looks away as Jon glances over. He's still not sure how to act around him even though they'd spent an awful lot of time getting acquainted in Jon's car the other night. He can feel his cheeks heating up as Jon starts over, but a smile is threatening to surface, and he looks over as Jon slides into the booth without an invitation.

Ryan and Brendon both look slightly surprised, but Jon ignores them, grabbing a straw from the holder near the wall and sticking it into Spencer's milkshake.

"Mmm, vanilla," Jon says, sliding an arm around Spencer's shoulders, and Spencer grins down at the table. "My favorite."

"Mine too," Spencer says after a minute, glancing sideways at Jon and catching his grin. Jon leans over and presses a soft kiss to his cheek before Spencer can look away, and though he'd never admit it, he's glad someone decided to put on a dance.

*

FIN.