Closet Case

Chapter Five: An Awkward Dinner

A few hours later, Reed and Nico were heading into his house with some fast food

"Mom!" Nico called, looking around the house. His mom peeked her head out of the kitchen and smiled at the two.

"Hello, boys! I see you got lunch." Rose walked into the living room, smiling. The house smelled like cookies, so she was probably baking again. Looking at her, you could definitely see the resemblance of her and Nico. She had bright red, curly hair that was tied up into a bun, a face full of freckles, and a grin on at all times.

Reed smiled at her. "Hey, Rose! Yeah, we got you some if you want it." He held up a bag.

"Oh, no. I already ate. You boys can have at it, though." She was already heading back into the kitchen.

"Okay! Thanks, Mom!" Nico called and was already dragging Reed to his room. Reed just grinned and headed along.

Once they were in his room, Reed sat down and crossed his legs on the floor, opening up the bags. Mmmmmmmm it smelled good.

Almost as good as Nico. Is that thought creepy? I should stop now.

Nico dug into his food, stuffing his face. "I haven't had fast food in forever. No offense to my mom, but, you know."

Reed chuckled, "Me neither. My dad always makes us dinner. I mean, he's a great cook, but sometimes you just want a very-bad-for-you cheeseburger." He happily bit into said burger.

"Saaaame." Nico grinned, eating his food happily.

After the boys ate, they laid down on Nico's bed, definitely regretting their life choices. Reed groaned. Maybe he'd eaten too much too quickly. Yeah, probably-

He glanced at Nico, "I regret nothing and yet, everything."

"Mn, me too," Nico laughed softly, meeting Reed's eyes. After a moment, he reached over and wiped something off of Reed's cheek. "Ketchup."

Reed felt his cheeks heating up, probably from embarrassment. Why was there always something on his face?! He turned his head away and rolled onto his stomach, hiding his face in a pillow.

"So, uh, when's dinner?" he asked, voice muffled by the pillow. Nico wiped off his finger on a napkin, then turned to look over at Reed.

"I dunno. Who knows what she has planned." He smiled softly.

Reed glanced up at him from the pillow and smiled. This was gonna be fun, but it would be awkward to tell Rose that he and Hazel broke up.

"So.. What do you want to do?"

Reed thought for a moment. "Hmmm... We could play a game?"

"What sort of game?"

"I dunno." He shrugged. "I'd say truth or dare, but that's so cliche and there's only two of us." He chuckled.

"I mean, it would be fun. Whatever you want, we can do. I just want to kill some time," Nico laughed softly. He met his eyes, smiling as usual.

Reed grinned and sat up quickly, crossing his legs again. "Okay, let's play, then! Truth or dare?"

"Truth!"

"Okay, does your mom know that you're, ah, ya know, into guys?"

"No, not at all. Truth or dare?"

Reed chuckled, "Okay, truth." They were gonna start off easy, it seemed.

"When did you know you were into guys?"

Reed paused. "Oh, ah... Last night..?" Well, wait, he'd known, but he'd refused to believe it until then-

"Wait.. Really? I know this is two questions, but how did you know?"