Serenade Me

Part 12

Nate let out a soft relieved chuckle, stating lightly. "You say that, like it's a bad thing." Sean stared into Nate's eyes showing no emotion. For him, it was a bad thing. He didn't want to fall in love again. He didn't want to lose anymore. Falling in love with Nate was exactly what he was trying to avoid. The humor left Nate's face, when he saw his guarded expression. Sean released Nate's wrist and backed away from him. Nate started to follow him, asking him completely confused. "Sean...? Would it be so bad to love me?" Sean backed around the kitchen island to keep something between them, while he stated out firmly. "Yes... No. Nate, it's not you. I just... I can't do this again." Nate put his hands on the island, giving him a pained look as he stammered out. "W-w-wait a minute. I don't understand. What are you saying exactly?" Sean swallowed, then told Nate in a slight rush. "I'm sorry, Nate. I have to go." 

Sean dashed around the island, trying to make a break for the bedroom. He needed to pack up and leave. He refused to let himself go through this again. Nate lunged for him, snatching his arm as he was passing. Sean tried to twist his arm out of Nate's grip, but Nate grabbed his wrist to hold him more firmly in place. Sean leaned away from Nate, trying to avoid his eyes and warmth. All the while, Nate questioned him in a startled voice. "What? Where are you going? What did I do? Sean, talk to me?" Sean shook his head, closing his eyes tightly to fight off how Nate's scared voice pulled at his heartstrings. Nate pulled his arm closer to his chest, saying sweetly. "Sean, look at me. Talk to me. Please?" Sean didn't look at him, but reluctantly uttered out. "I can't do this... I can't go through this again. I'm sorry... It's not going to work out." Nate's grip on his arm loosened up, but he didn't let go. Sean wanted to yank his arm free... Only his body refused to move.

Nate's hand stroked the length of his arm in a calming manner, stating out in a half-joking tone of voice. "Are you trying to break up with me? Shouldn't you date me first?" Sean smirked despite his desire not too. There was a few seconds of silence between them, before Nate told him lovingly. "Don't go. Give me a chance? I won't make you any promises. I won't say that we'll be perfect together. What you see, is what you get. I just want to see if we can make this work. Please, Sean?" Nate stroked his arm one last time, then let go. Sean straightened up, taking a deep breath and eyeing the hallway ahead of him. He could feel his desire to run fading away. Even though Nate had let go of his arm, Sean could still feel his touch on his skin. Closing his eyes for a brief moment, he turned his head and opened his eyes. Nate stood a few steps away from him, rubbing his own arm and watching him anxiously. Sean let out the breath he was holding and told Nate in a soft wisp of a voice. "What I see, is what I get?"

Nate spread his arms out as if to show him that he wasn't hiding anything from him. Sean looked Nate over for a second with a weary expression. Nate tilted his head a little to lock eyes with him for a time as he told him honestly. "I've got nothing to hide. There isn't much to me... but what you see is truly me. The good, the bad... All me." Sean let a serene smile spread over his face, telling Nate in a heartfelt voice. "Nothing to hide?" Nate nodded seriously. Inhaling silently, Sean moved closer to Nate. He wanted to believe Nate was being honest with him. Stepping over a line of no return, Sean bravely relented. He still wasn't sure he could handle this... but he decided to give Nate the benefit of a doubt. Desperate to break up the tension, he sassily asked Nate in a wicked voice. "If you've got nothing to hide... Prove it. Where is your porn?" Nate's eyes quickly avoided his, his cheeks turning a bright red in response.

Sean chuckled softly to himself. Nate clearly hadn't expected him to ask about that. Nate curled his lips over his teeth, causing his dimples to stand out in the cutest way. Sean leaned in toward his ear, whispering slightly accusingly. "No secrets between us, right? So...? I'll show you mine, if you show me yours." Nate rolled his eyes, shuffling his feet as he mumbled out in a reluctant undertone. "Ya... Alright... It's... It's in my bedroom." Sean flashed him a quick smile and bolted for the hallway. Nate jerked his head up with a start, chasing after him as he shouted out. "HEY! Oh, god!" Sean made it to Nate's bedroom door with Nate at his heels. Nate wrapped his arms around Sean's hips just as Sean got the door open. Clinging to the door frame, Sean tried to enter the room. He only managed to get a foot in, when Nate got the upper hand. Lifting him away from the door, Nate chuckled into his ear. "Oh no, you don't!"