Wasn't feeling all that hot yesterday. I hate being sick.
Anyways, here's the next Part - Part 7 - a short part that serves as a bridge into the next big thing: The showdown with Lolita.
So here it is: In which there is bonding over Ice Cream and Paul and Tony finally talk
Title: Affirmation
Author: Shinigami518
Rating: PG-13, but with some bits of R in it.
Main Character(s) and/or pairings: Ryan/Colin (which'll happen near the end), Ryan/Pat, Colin/Deb, Tony/Paul, Jeff/Greg (one-sided)
Summary: A crazy woman abducts Ryan, Colin, their wives, Greg, Drew, Wayne, Brad, and Chip. Pat and Deb are released with only minor injuries, but the guys are still missing. Three college students end up stumbling into this crazed plan by accident and have to help the guys find a way to escape, but there are several big problems they have to overcome.
View the last parts here on my journal (and don't forget to comment on them if you haven't):
Prologue Part 1a Part 1b Part 2a Part 2b Part 2c Part 2d Part 2e Part 2f Part 3a Part 3b Part 4a Part 4b Part 5a Part 5b Part 6a Part 6b Part 7 - I believe that junk food tastes so good because it's bad for you
Dec. 19th
1:21 A.M.
Julie crept downstairs quietly and cautiously. She wore white cotton button up pajamas with playing cards on them, the top opened to reveal a white t-shirt with the words “Dog Psychology” written on it in blue cursive and pink slippers over bare feet. She couldn’t sleep due to all the excitement in the past seven hours along with the fear of what will happen later that day, so she was going to have a quick snack to calm her nerves and she didn’t want to wake up anyone else in the house, including the guests.
Sam had gone home for the night to tell her parents about the situation in case of trouble. For precautionary measures, Melissa came up with the idea for everyone to sleep over. After Janet nearly strangled the young woman, arrangements were then made in where everyone would sleep. Melissa and Alicia were sleeping downstairs in Will’s apartment in his spare room. Mike shared the small guestroom upstairs with Josie and Sandi, who slept on an air mattress in that room. Jeff was fast asleep, curled up in Robert’s easy chair, and Paul and Tony slept on the couch’s hide-a-bed.
Julie scanned the room before taking a few more steps into the living room. The three men were sleeping, so she did her best to keep quiet and not step on any animal tails in order to not awaken anyone. It wasn’t too hard, considering they all seemed to be fast asleep.
At least, Julie thought they were all asleep.
“You’re up late.” Tony remarked from his spot on the hide-a-bed. Julie jumped back slightly with a soft “eep”, startled by Tony’s presence. He was resting on his right side, his right hand tucked under his chin. His hair was pulled back in a small pigtail and he wore a black sweatshirt and red and black plaid pajama bottoms.
Jeff turned in his sleep, his back to Julie. “Mm, just dump those condoms over there by the pile of lube….” Jeff muttered in his sleep, hugging his pillow tightly. Both Tony and Julie just stared at the sleeping young man in confusion.
“Ok, didn’t need to hear that…” Julie muttered. Shaking her head, she turned to face Tony, who was now sitting on the edge of the mattress, swinging his sock covered feet over the edge of the bed. “What’re you doing up?” Julie asked.
“I asked you first.” Tony replied with a soft smile. Julie blushed slightly.
“I couldn’t sleep. Too much on my mind.” Julie answered softly, blushing.
“Same here.” Tony replied, pushing himself up off the mattress.
“Not used to sleeping in a new place or is it about our current situation?” Julie asked, feeling a bit nervous around Tony so late at night.
“A bit more of the latter than the former. Just this whole thing with this Lolita lady and her threatening my mates… how can we relax knowing that she could off them at anytime?” Tony sighed, rubbing his right arm. Julie nodded, having that same feeling.
Julie then smiled, “I know how we can get some of those worries out of our head for the night.”
“Hm?” Tony raised an eyebrow. Julie then took Tony’s hands (ignoring the fact that she was technically holding hands with him, which made her a little hot under the collar) and led him into the dinning room. She then walked into the kitchen and to the refrigerator. Tony, meanwhile, sat on one of the three stools and rested his arms on the counter table.
“What are you doing?” Tony asked curiously. Julie had now opened the freezer, feeling cold air hit her face.
“Getting a snack, of course. Dad won’t mind if we have some. After all, Will always snacks on this stuff at night.” Julie explained, searching through the freezer. She then pulled out an Ice Cream carton of vanilla, chocolate and strawberry and went over to the utensil draw, the carton under one arm. Yanking out two spoons, she made her way back into the dining room, plopped next to Tony on one of the two empty stools and placed the carton on the bar counter. She casually handed one of the two spoons to the older man and opened the carton, revealing a half full carton of vanilla, chocolate and strawberry ice cream.
“No bowls?” Tony asked, raising an eyebrow.
“Nope. Let’s dig in.” Julie shook her head, holding up her spoon like a sword. Tony shrugged and dug in, scooping up a nice glob of chocolate and strawberry ice cream while Julie scooped up some vanilla and chocolate. Both ate their spoonfuls of ice cream at the same time with smiles as the cold, melting goodness hit their taste buds.
“Mmmm.” Julie smiled, savoring the taste.
“You said it.” Tony told her, causing her to blush again. He then took another spoonful of ice cream out of the carton and ate it. Julie soon followed his example and dug her spoon into the carton.
“It’s been a while since I had a late night snack like this. You?” Tony asked. Julie paused in mid-bite and lowered her spoon.
“Actually, this is my first time doing this.” Julie said truthfully. Tony stared at her in surprise. “Just like it was the first time I’ve ever been involved in a situation like the one we’re all in.” Julie continued before eating the melting ice cream on her spoon.
“So it’s really as bad as you, Samantha, and Melissa have said, huh?” Tony asked, softly. Julie nodded, slowly pulling her spoon out of her mouth. Tony turned slightly on the stool, placing a hand under his chin. He dangled the spoon between his left fingers.
“And do you trust Melissa and her plan?” He asked again. Julie sighed, digging her spoon into the carton.
“Not entirely. I mean, it does seem like a good idea, but… so many things could go wrong. One or several of us could get hurt or worse. And we are in no way cut out for this whole rescuing business. Melissa maybe is, considering her whole family are police officers or in training to be one, but not anyone else.” Julie said, truthfully. “I mean, look at my dad. Look at Sam. Hell, look at me, for crying out loud!” Julie got off the stool, leaving her spoon stuck in the ice cream, and stood up, arms stretched wide open. “Do I look like Lara Croft?” She asked, gesturing at herself. Tony looked her up and down, a serious look on his face and then shook his head no.
“Not from where I’m standing.” Paul’s voice came from behind the young woman, startling both the man and the young woman. Julie spun around in surprise, staring at Paul, who was leaning against the archway casually. Paul was dressed in the same navy blue button-up shirt he had on earlier, but the shirt was unbuttoned slightly to reveal a white undershirt and he was wearing midnight blue sweatpants. He was also barefoot and missing his glasses, which rested on the table by the couch.
“Paul, what are you doing up?” Julie asked. Paul strolled into the room casually.
“When I realized my bunkmate was missing, I couldn’t really go back to sleep. Besides, your chatting woke me up.” Paul replied, sitting on the middle stool. Tony looked away, still feeling awkward after the kiss he gave Paul hours before. Julie walked into the kitchen, occasionally glancing back at Paul and Tony.
“You want some ice cream?” Julie asked, trying to act like she was having a normal conversation with two guys she had just met several hours ago. Paul just shrugged as his answer. Julie took that as a yes and fished out a spoon from the utensil drawer.
“So, what’re you two talking about anyway?” Paul asked, getting comfy on the stool.
“The plan. And Melissa’s Sanity.” Tony responded, still a bit nervous around Paul, and then ate another spoonful of ice cream.
“Plus the dangers of this situation.” Julie added, handing a clean spoon to Paul, who accepted it.
“Why does she think we can do all of this? We’re not superheroes.” Paul asked, digging up a spoonful of chocolate and strawberry ice cream and eating it.
“I know. The thing is: she’s a policeman’s daughter. She’s got this… weird sense of justice programmed in her mind.” Julie sighed. “Besides, her mom was a police officer, too and died in the line of duty a while ago. I guess she doesn’t want the same thing to happen to anyone else… just like me.” Julie stated, grabbing her spoon sticking out of the ice cream.
“Melissa mentioned what happened to your grandmother, Julie, on our way here. Is that why you’re doing this?” Tony asked. Julie nodded sadly, twisting her spoon in the ice cream subconsciously.
“But what can we do?” Paul queried, subconsciously digging up some more ice cream and eating it.
“I dunno…” Julie sighed, still playing with her spoon.
“Paul?” Tony asked, shyly. Paul turned to look at him, lowering his spoon.
“Hm?” Paul stared at Tony, raising an eyebrow.
“I… I’m sorry… about, uh… about what I did earlier,” Tony blushed shyly, “I, ah… I’ve always wanted to do that… I mean, to you, but…”
“But?” Paul urged Tony to go on. Tony looked away, but went on.
“You were married to Caroline at that time. I… I didn’t want to ruin your marriage…or our friendship. That’s why I… I told you it was just a silly crush I had on you back then… that it wasn’t serious… but it was…” Tony said, looking down while fiddling with his spoon. Julie’s eyes widen, not believing what she was hearing. Tony was in love with Paul all this time?!
“Tony.” Paul said softly, his blue eyes softening. Tony finally looked at him, his brown eyes shinning slightly.
“A-and it hurt. It hurt, you know, but- but I managed. I-I really wanted to tell you the truth, I really did, b-but I was just t-to scared and worried that you- you would-.” Tony went on, stumbling over his words, until Paul silenced him by placing his spoon on Tony’s lips. Cool blue eyes meet almond brown.
“Tony…” Paul began, moving his spoon off of Tony’s lips.
“Paul?” Tony asked, worriedly, his cheeks still a soft shade of red. Paul just smiled, leaning towards Tony, placing his spoon on the table.
“You’re babbling.” Paul told him softly, smiling and leaning forward. Tony, hesitantly, does so as well. Finally, they were close enough that they were centimeters away from kissing…
And, without any hesitation or surprises, their lips finally touched softly, like a young teen’s first real kiss from their crush.
Julie could only watch, taking a big, melting spoonful of ice cream and putting it in her mouth slowly. She also was mentally thanking God that Melissa wasn’t there because she would’ve been going crazy by now.
Tony and Paul finally pull away several seconds later, both blushing and a bit short of breath. Julie blushed as well, knowing she shouldn’t be there in case things got hotter, but it was like a train wreck where you don’t want to stare but can’t look away.
“Uh...” Tony said softly, his cheeks still a soft shade of red.
“You taste like strawberry.” Paul said. Julie covered her mouth with one hand, a small laugh escaping her lips.
“It’s… the ice cream.” Tony explained, blushing shyly.
“I liked it.” Paul smiled, flirtingly, leaning for another kiss. This time, Tony didn’t hesitate and accepted Paul’s kiss with relish.
Julie’s face, if it was possible, was now redder than ever. She knew she didn’t belong there, but she didn’t want to interrupt the two men. Then again, their whole conversation was now degenerating from shy, long time friendship to nearly illegal, soft core porn.
It didn’t help anymore when after they broke the kiss (which Julie mentally noted was a bit longer than the previous kiss) Tony scooped up some strawberry ice cream with his spoon and held it in front of Paul, giving him the same naughty impish smile that always made Julie’s heart beat faster.
“Want some?” Tony asked, naughtily and flirtingly. Paul nodded, sharing a similar smile Tony had. He took Tony’s hand and led it to his mouth, where he ate the melting spoonful, savoring the taste. Paul slowly pulled the spoon out of his mouth and slowly licked the melted ice cream off the spoon, almost provocatively.
That was it. Julie, her face now completely red, slid off her stool, hands up in defeat.
“Alright, I’m sorry!” Julie exclaimed, shaking her head. Tony and Paul turned to stare at the brunette. “Ok, look, I’m sorry to interrupt you two, but I’m about to pass out unless I get sleep and you guys’re certainly making it really hard for me to leave. If you guys are done with your soft-core food porn, then I suggest you’d do what I’m doing and hit the sack. Ice cream goes in the freezer and the spoons in the sink; and if, repeat IF, you two have the urge to shag like rabbits; DON’T!” Julie went on. She went into the kitchen and tossed her spoon into the sink, and then left the room to go upstairs.
Tony and Paul just stared at each other in surprise. “What’s her problem?” Tony asked. Paul just shrugged in response. Tony smirked, “You’ve got some ice cream on your face.” He pointed out.
“Where?” Paul asked, making a face as he tried to figure out where he had ice cream on his face. Tony continued to smirk and leaned forward.
“Right here.” Tony answered, and then kissed Paul on the lips. This time, Paul was sure he felt Tony’s tongue trying to break through his lips. Tony pulled back a few seconds later.
“You’re bad.” Paul smiled breathlessly. Tony regained his naughty impish smile and chuckled.
“You know it.” Tony winked. And with that comment, they both kissed again, this time open mouthed and with no hesitation. The spell of sadness and doubt between two people had been broken. And with the help of ice cream.
Next part will be up probably tomorrow in time for the 4th of July and will signal the beginning of the showdown with Lolita, so start placing your bets ladies and gents.