The Date

[notdead_poet]

Who: Neil Perry, Nate Archibald, and probably Lulu Spencer soon
What: *Points at topic title*
When: Several days after the Halloween party
Where: AV Community College, Neil's place, burger joint, and various outdoors locations
Rating: Low to Medium
Status: Incomplete

Comments

[notdead_poet]

"Don't!" Neil asserted, tightening his hold on Nate. "Nate, we've all made mistakes. I've made mistakes. We all have things from our past that we're hiding." God, did Neil ever know that. "Please, don't walk away. Whatever it is that you've done or been a part of... whatever you think I can't handle... well, you don't have to tell me any of it now. But I just want you to know that it doesn't matter. What matters is that you're here now and trying to put it behind you. And whatever this... this girl says about you... you're still the prince I met at the Halloween party," he blushed slightly, realizing he was letting his dramatic, poetic side through, but didn't shy away. "Okay?"

Not to say he wasn't the slightest bit curious about what Nate seemed to thing was so horrible. But somehow, for some reason, something inside him just couldn't see the possibility that his opinion of Nate could change now. That anything he could learn would really change any of this. And besides, seeing as Neil was lying to Nate- at least by omission- about the most important decision he'd ever made in his life, he owed him this much. Owed him the benefit of the doubt.

[armanimanbangs]

Nate halted in his tracks, Neil's hand on him calming his nerves. His pulse was still racing, though. But with each of Neil's words, Nate realized that no matter what Gossip Girl said or did, he could overcome it. He'd overcome it before. He was the Prince of the Upper East Side. And Gossip Girl was his tabloid. Sure, he was mixing metaphors, but whatever.

Making eye contact once again, Nate couldn't express how thankful he was for Neil's words. At least, not with his own words. So instead, Nate let his arms wrap around Neil once more and tug him tight, his lips honing in on those soft pink ones that seemed to taste so sweet. And as he tugged on Neil's shirt, he let his lips part, deepening the kiss in a way he hadn't dared their first time.

[notdead_poet]

Neil let out a muffled gasp as Nate pulled him further into the kiss, almost desperately. For a moment, he froze. It wasn't as though he'd never done this before... this whole open-mouthed kissing thing. But how long had it taken him and Todd? Certainly longer than two days. And even then, they'd already known each other for months. And with Harry, he'd been completely drunk. And Charlie... well... he didn't like to remember the way things had progressed with Charlie.

He was surprised, to say the least. But somehow, despite his reservations, this still felt... so right. Plus, Nate seemed to need this right now, and it felt good knowing Neil could offer him some comfort like this. So he tried not to think about how inexperienced he probably was compared to Nate, and reached up to cradle the other boy's face in his hands as he kissed back.

[armanimanbangs]

Holding tight, Nate was delighted to find Neil deepen the kiss as well. It was really calming to him, and it always had been. Kissing was simple. He didn't need to think about it. It was just him and Neil.

After a few minutes, Nate pulled back, his arms still holding Neil tight. "Thank you..."

[notdead_poet]

Neil didn't ask this time what he was being thanked for. He just smiled and stroked a hand across Nate's cheek and into his hair. "You're welcome."

His heart was pounding, hundreds of lines of poetry streaming through his mind. How had this happened? How could he feel so strongly in such a short time? How could he already feel like he could be happy standing like this forever, and like he'd destroy this 'Gossip Girl's life in an instant if he could? Whatever Nate was hiding, it could be horrible. Unforgivable. And yet Neil was already certain he'd forgive him.

Neil hadn't been in many situations when the poetry didn't seem to fit. There had always been a line or verse for everything. But this, right now... nothing seemed strong enough. "Are you alright now?"

[armanimanbangs]

"I think so," Nate replied, a reluctant laugh escaping his throat. He kept his arms wrapped around the other boy, a smile slowly rising to his face. "So..."

[notdead_poet]

"Good," Neil nodded with a grin. He let his hand fall from Nate's hair to grip the other boy's hand instead. "So," he agreed. "We still had a walk to take, if I'm not mistaken."

[armanimanbangs]

"Right. Walk," Nate agreed, reluctantly loosening his hold on Neil. "He too, took Neil's hand, smiling as he looked down at it, and lifted it to his lips with a kiss.