The Nerd and The Frog

Requirements

Words couldn't form as he stared up into Thomas's eyes, his entire body frozen as he lay against the ground, his arms pinned above his head. His mind was blank as he remained fixated on Thomas, unsure of what he was planning and what his next move could possibly be. Alan was not expecting this type of altercation and he wasn't sure how to get out of it.

"Now that I finally have your attention, we can talk like normal people." Thomas stated with a soft sigh, his attention fully on Alan. "Let's recount the events that have led up to this point. You told me that Daniel Lang was gay, but you don't want anyone else to find out about it. I asked what I would get if I kept my mouth shut and you asked what I wanted. So, I think it's only fair that I get what I want, since I'm keeping my mouth shut... correct?"

Alan didn't respond, his green eyes staring back at Thomas intently.

"You still owe me, Alan. I did not get what I was promised." Thomas stated, his voice firm but his face was rather calm, a smile resting on his lips.

"What... are you talking about?" Alan slowly forced out, his eyebrows moving slightly in confusion.

"I told you what I wanted for not speaking. I want you." Thomas spoke, in a cheery fashion.

Alan just laid there in silence, uncertain of how to respond to this statement. His eyes shifted in quick thought, his mind trying to process exactly what Thomas could mean by that.

"You look puzzled by this, Allie. I don't know why." Thomas said with a surprised look of his own.

Alan looked back towards Thomas once again, as if trying to read his face for a clear answer.

"It's not that complicated, really. I don't like the fact that anyone else could potentially date you, really. Daniel Lang sure as hell isn't, since he thinks you're straight. So, I don't have to worry about that. However, someone else could easily ask you out, especially with how you look now. I can't have that happening, so... here's what I'm going to need you to do." Thomas proclaimed, his weight adjusting slightly so that his knelt legs were resting on both sides of Alan's hips, practically trapping him where he was. He leaned in closer to Alan's face, their noses only half a foot apart. Alan's eyes grew wider the closer Thomas got, his body twitching in fear.

"If anyone, guy or girl, asks you out, you immediately tell them you're not interested. And with the way you look right now, that is going to be easier said than done." Thomas stated with a pleased smile. "You're not used to getting attention, so you have no idea what you've gotten yourself into. But it doesn't matter, because you're going to reject people regardless. That's my first requirement. The second is that you cannot talk to Daniel Lang anymore."

"Fuck that. I refuse." Alan immediately forced out without hesitation, before he bit his bottom lip at the realization of what he just said.

Thomas just stared back at him, his face having smoothly shifted from content to downright annoyed. "Then you need to give me something else in return, or I start talking." Thomas spoke, coldly.

Alan's face showed utter frustration. He couldn't not talk to Daniel, considering the curse and the promise he made towards it. But, he also did not want to give Thomas that satisfaction. That, and he refused to give up the opportunity to not be around Daniel, since that's all he wanted for years and he was not going to blow his opportunity to be close to him.

"What... can I do instead?" Alan stated in utter defeat, closing his eyes in disbelief.

"I cannot believe you're being this submissive because of Daniel... what in the world does he have on you?" Thomas asked, a mixture of impression but irritation on his face. "Doesn't matter... it works to my benefit, really. Just means I can get what I want from you at this point..."

"You get one more requirement, Thomas." Alan quickly stated, his eyes glaring at him in anger and hopelessness.

"Ah, I get 2, Allie. If you refuse to not talk to Daniel Lang, then you have to replace it with something and then I get one more after that. Just 3 things, really. It seems simple enough." Thomas corrected him with a bright smile. "Since you just can't seem to not stay away from Daniel Lang, then you need to come to me when I ask for it."

"How... the fuck am I supposed to do that?" Alan asked, shocked.

"Oh, I'll be reasonable. I know you can't do that in school. Probably can't do it at home either and such, right? I get the impression your family isn't too fond of me..." Thomas stated, only to see Alan narrow his eyes at him. "So, if I call you or text you to come to me, you must do it. It will more than likely be after 9pm and on weekends. Besides, you used to do it all the time in middle school. It wasn't hard for you to sneak out of the house."

"We all did it, Thomas. Me, you and Nicolette. It was easier because we lived within the same cul-de-sac. I can't do that shit now, Thomas. You live on the other end of the fucking district." Alan stated harshly.

"I don't think it will be that hard for you to get to my place, Allie." Thomas added with a shrug.

"Are... you fucking... insane?" Alan asked, moreso in disbelief.

"I said that I wanted you and I meant it. When I call, you answer. If you can't get to me, I'll find a way to get you there. If you're with someone, make an excuse and respond that you are on your way within 10 minutes each time I send for you. Got that?" Thomas stated, his expression cold and tone curt.

Alan stared back at him in silence once again, his body tense.

"Good, glad you agree." Thomas stated, that smile back on his face. "My last and final requirement is this: You are to tell me that you love me."

Alan turned his head away immediately at that request. "No."

"Ok, that's fine. I'll just get my text message ready then-"

"Fuck you, Thomas. I'm not saying that." Alan shot back, his voice sharp.

"Then I will fucking crush you and Daniel with no remorse." Thomas replied back, his voice extremely threatening. "If that's what you want, then we can just end this now, Alan. I have no issue with making your life completely miserable. You've had to deal with that before. But, Daniel? You think he'll be able to handle the fact that the one person he told ended up spilling his secret to the entire school? He will hate you, Alan. He will cut you out of his life completely. So if that is what you want, then please... let me know."

Alan listened to Thomas, a sharp pain in his chest growing in intensity the more he spoke. The idea of Daniel being disappointed and hurt just broke him fully, any hesitation or resistance he had fading away as he became completely numb.

"...you." Alan muttered softly, his eyes averted elsewhere as he stared off into nothingness.

"What's that, Alan?" Thomas asked, leaning in closer to his face.

"I... love you..." Alan spoke softly, having to control his voice as he could hear it breaking.

"I'm sorry... what was that? I can't hear you." Thomas repeated, a smirk on his face.

"I love you." Alan stated, much clearer as he closed his eyes in complete submission.

"Ah, that's what I thought you said..." Thomas spoke gently, his entire demeanor having shifted back to pleased and content. "Finally nice to hear you say it again, Alan. It took you about 3 years, but better late than never."

Thomas leaned down further, his lips close to Alan's right ear.

"I love you too."