when you say nothing at all... (boyxboy)

Chapter 22: What happens in Vegas, stays in Paris

Hey, 

I am ashamed to admit I forgot about this. But I am still determined to finish it, and soon. Because it is about time. Most people will have forgotten about this, but that is fine. Hope you enjoy! 

xx

Rolfie 

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Josh POV

We were walking from the restaurant to our hotel. The other students all got to take the bus, but not us apparently. Mrs. Robins thought this would be one of those great teachable moments. She addressed us after we came back from shopping to tell us that our behavior the evening before was: ''unacceptable and inexcusable for two young intellectuals such as yourselves''. A statement which seemed more flattering than insulting to me, but she was obviously under the impression she was being very stern. She then followed by telling us, in what was probably meant to be her sturdy voice that because of our behavior we would have to walk back to the hotel after dinner.

''You boys'' She said, seeming quite proud of herself for actually following trough on something for once ''have to learn that there are certain ways of behavior and states of being that are unacceptable when planning to be in company''

When I asked her why she waited to discipline us till now, instead of making us walk home last evening, she replied with: ''one does not let two wet intoxicated students walk around by themselves''

I wanted to ask her whether she would let me ride the bus if I managed to get us both drunk and wet during diner but the look on Daniels face withheld me from speaking. It was clear that, contrary to myself, he did care about Mrs. Robins good opinion of him. Which was cute.

So now we were walking around, quite literally. It was supposed to be a short walk to the hotel, only a couple blocks, we however had been walking for almost an hour and by now neither of us had any idea where we were. Neither of us cared very much though, there are worse things then strolling around Paris with the person you have a huge crush on.

''Are we in Vegas?'' Daniel asked me out of the blue. Taking me completely by surprise.

''Vegas? I must admit that I do not know where exactly we are located in this present moment, but I do believe I would remember crossing an ocean'' I said laughing.

Daniel however, stayed deadbeat serious.

''Not literally, figuratively. Are we in a figurative Vegas right now?''

''Daniel, I am not sure I am following''

''You know, like the saying. What happens in Vegas, stays in Vegas. Is that going to happen to us?''

''You want to go to Vegas?''

''No, not Vegas. France! Paris! Will this, us, will we stay in Paris''

''Of course not!'' I exclaimed

''not?'' Daniel said, relief clear on his face

''No silly, of course not'' I reassured him ''Mrs. Robins is just trying to make a point, I am sure she will let us on back on the bus for the way home. She's not going to leave us here, that would be bad press for the school.''

This answer however did not seem to calm Daniel down in the slightest and he now looked even more confused then he did before.

''What? Bad press? What are you on about?''

''Well you know, going with 44 students, coming back with 42'' I explained ''That sort of thing is generally frowned upon. Though I personally think that staying behind wouldn't be the worst thing in the world''

''What are you talking about? Why would we not go home with the others?''

''I thought you were worried''

''About what?'' By this time Daniel had stopped walking seeming too caught up in the confusion to multitask in any way.

''Staying in Paris''

''What? Why would I.. No! I meant that figuratively. It was figurative. Figuratively staying is Paris'' He rambled. Clenching and unclenching his fist as if that would help him clear his mind.

''No, no that is literally. It can be quite confusing with the youngster mixing it up all the time. But we are literally staying in Paris right now''

At these words something in Daniel seemed to snap.

''It's a figure of speech Josh!'' He bursted out. Clearly frustrated, though seemingly more with himself then with me.

''Why don't you just tell me what you mean literally'' I offered, laying my hand on his shoulder to try and calm him down.

''It's complicated '' He muttered moving away from me.

''More complicated than speaking figuratively? Cause I must say that, though I am enjoying the conversation, I am quite confused''

''Are we over! Once we go back home. The kissing and the flirting and the liking each other is that all going to be over''

''Over?'' I replied, completely dumbstruck by what seemed to me a completely unexpected turn in conversation.

''Yeah over. Is this like a summer thing. A Paris, vacation kind of thing. City of love and all that.''

When I didn't react immediately he rambled on, apparently taking my silence as a negative sign instead of the utter surprise that it was.

''Because that would be okay. Not optimal but okay. I get it. I was just hoping that we could at least keep the friend bit. Like, I quite like that bit. I like the kissing bit too, but you know. I get how that would be different for you at home. When you have all your other'' He paused for a moment ''you know, friends and people, crushes maybe.'' While saying this Daniel avoided my eyes completely, looking at the ground instead.

That would not do. I had no idea were this idea came from so suddenly, but I refused to let Daniel fold inwards like this again.

''Hey'' I said softly, reaching out to cup his cheek with my hand ''Hey'' I turned his face up so he was looking at me. Looking at him a few moments before speaking. Knowing by now that he would a few seconds to clear his mind and really hear me.

''I don't know where these thoughts come from. I am not even sure if you know. But I do know that somewhere in the back of your head you know they are complete nonsense. I like you, and that is not just going to stop when we leave Paris. Of course we have to see what happens when we go back to our everyday lives. The last couple of days have been hectic and we both probably have a lot to process. But I want to be with you, one way or another. Though I do personally hope we can come to an agreement with a certain level of kissing involved.''

The last comment brought a smile to Daniels face, but he still seemed a bit conflicted.

"I'm here to stay, Daniel'' I said, looking him straight in the eye. ''Figuratively speaking, of course'' I couldn't help but add.

"Now tell me'' I continued after Daniel seemed to relax a bit ''What does Vegas have to do with all this.''

At this Daniel just sighed.