p class="MsoBodyTextIndent2" style="text-align: left;"strongOkay, so I am back, after all these years, to finish updating these fics, in case anyone still wants to read them, hmu with which you want me to pick up again, if not this one/strong/p
p class="MsoBodyTextIndent2" style="text-align: left;"strong_/strong/p
p class="MsoBodyTextIndent2" style="text-align: left;"emWhat now?/em/p
p class="MsoBodyTextIndent2" style="text-align: left;"Neil stared up at his ceiling. He didn't really know. He didn't really have any idea on how to function without Rod./p
p class="MsoBodyTextIndent2" style="text-align: left;"emWhen did I start needing him?/em/p
p class="MsoBodyTextIndent2" style="text-align: left;"He never needed anyone before, never in his life. Not his parents, not the people around him, he was always just damn fine on his own./p
p class="MsoBodyTextIndent2" style="text-align: left;"So why now?/p
p class="MsoBodyTextIndent2" style="text-align: left;"There was that pulling again, that nasty yanking he got whenever Rod talked about Rachel, that painful pounding in his heart./p
p class="MsoBodyTextIndent2" style="text-align: left;"emWhat's wrong with me?/em/p
p class="MsoBodyTextIndent2" style="text-align: left;"Neil had no idea./p
p class="MsoBodyTextIndent2" style="text-align: left;"He'd never once felt that way before./p
p class="MsoBodyTextIndent2" style="text-align: left;"emIs this friendship?/em/p
p class="MsoBodyTextIndent2" style="text-align: left;"Neil, not having ever had a friend before Rod, had no idea what his feelings meant, all he knew is it was annoying, and painful, to be away from Rod, to see Rod upset, or have the redhead angry with him./p
p class="MsoBodyTextIndent2" style="text-align: left;"He just wanted to see Rod smile again. That smile that brightened his day, that smile that gave him hope, that smile that made him happy./p
p class="MsoBodyTextIndent2" style="text-align: left;"The only thing that made him happy, it seemed. Well, besides his animals./p
p class="MsoBodyTextIndent2" style="text-align: left;"What was he supposed to do now that he pretty much fucked up his only tie to the town?/p
p class="MsoBodyTextIndent2" style="text-align: left;"emMaybe I should move…/em/p
p class="MsoBodyTextIndent2" style="text-align: left;"No, that was running away. But, then again, he was good at that, wasn't he?/p
p class="MsoBodyTextIndent2" style="text-align: left;"He ran away from his old home with no problem, all because he didn't get along with his father, a father he didn't even know if he was still alive, and his mother, he hadn't seen her in a few years either, he didn't even write./p
p class="MsoBodyTextIndent2" style="text-align: left;"He just ran away, and never came back./p
p class="MsoBodyTextIndent2" style="text-align: left;"emI never will go back./em/p
p class="MsoBodyTextIndent2" style="text-align: left;"What did he plan to do with his life?/p
p class="MsoBodyTextIndent2" style="text-align: left;"Get married, have a kid, raise a family of his own?/p
p class="MsoBodyTextIndent2" style="text-align: left;"emFuck that. I'd be a terrible father…/em/p
p class="MsoBodyTextIndent2" style="text-align: left;"He also didn't find himself attracted to anyone, at least, not that he knew of./p
p class="MsoBodyTextIndent2" style="text-align: left;"emRachel got me thinking, though…/em/p
p class="MsoBodyTextIndent2" style="text-align: left;"It didn't make sense to him. Growing up, he didn't find himself staring at girls' chests, or trying to date anyone. He was socially awkward, sure, but he didn't even fantasize about it./p
p class="MsoBodyTextIndent2" style="text-align: left;"Was that normal?/p
p class="MsoBodyTextIndent2" style="text-align: left;"He didn't think of girls at all./p
p class="MsoBodyTextIndent2" style="text-align: left;"emMaybe I'm gay…?/em/p
p class="MsoBodyTextIndent2" style="text-align: left;"No, that wasn't it. He didn't look at men either. He didn't find himself fascinated with anyone but…/p
p class="MsoBodyTextIndent2" style="text-align: left;"Rod./p
p class="MsoBodyTextIndent2" style="text-align: left;"Neil sat up abruptly./p
p class="MsoBodyTextIndent2" style="text-align: left;"emWait…/em/p
p class="MsoBodyTextIndent2" style="text-align: left;"emShit, Rod?/em/p
p class="MsoBodyTextIndent2" style="text-align: left;"Yeah, it was true he loved the boy's smile./p
p class="MsoBodyTextIndent2" style="text-align: left;"And spending time with him/p
p class="MsoBodyTextIndent2" style="text-align: left;"And having him near/p
p class="MsoBodyTextIndent2" style="text-align: left;"And talking to him/p
p class="MsoBodyTextIndent2" style="text-align: left;"And eating with him everyday/p
p class="MsoBodyTextIndent2" style="text-align: left;"And just being in the same room as him calmed him down./p
p class="MsoBodyTextIndent2" style="text-align: left;"And he was getting upset whenever he talked about anyone else, because Neil didn't want anyone else's name on the redhead's lips./p
p class="MsoBodyTextIndent2" style="text-align: left;"And Neil just found himself always studying every inch of Rod's face, over and over and over, until it all was burned deep into his memory, so fucking deep that he could close his fire eyes and imagine the redhead doing that stupid happy grin, tilting his head slightly so that gorgeous orange hair fell over that sun-kissed forehead, drawing just short of those sea blue eyes that looked so cool, so refreshing compared to his red ones. He saw him waving to him, he saw him playing with his dogs, and he could almost hear him laughing at his own stupid jokes. He pictured him closing those azure eyes, he imagined those perfect lips parting, his body leaning in, his face twisting into something new, an expression Neil had never actually seen, a look straight from deep within, something right out of his fantasies; he could see Rod so clearly, moving in, closer, closer, pressing that mouth against his own…./p
p class="MsoBodyTextIndent2" style="text-align: left;"Neil shook his head./p
p class="MsoBodyTextIndent2" style="text-align: left;"Were those his true feelings?/p
p class="MsoBodyTextIndent2" style="text-align: left;"Was that honestly how he felt about his best friend?/p
p class="MsoBodyTextIndent2" style="text-align: left;"emDo…do I love Rod…?/em/p
p class="MsoBodyTextIndent2" style="text-align: left;"He felt a flip of his stomach./p
p class="MsoBodyTextIndent2" style="text-align: left;"He was right on the money./p
p class="MsoBodyTextIndent2" style="text-align: left;"emBut…now what?/em/p
p style="text-align: left;"emspan style="font-size: 12.0pt; font-family: 'Times New Roman',serif; mso-fareast-font-family: 'Times New Roman'; mso-ansi-language: EN-US; mso-fareast-language: EN-US; mso-bidi-language: AR-SA;"_/span/em/p
p class="MsoBodyTextIndent2" style="text-align: left;"He didn't go to work./p
p class="MsoBodyTextIndent2" style="text-align: left;"He couldn't./p
p class="MsoBodyTextIndent2" style="text-align: left;"How was he supposed to face Neil after blowing up like that, with no true reason behind his anger?/p
p class="MsoBodyTextIndent2" style="text-align: left;"Though he risked losing both money and customers, he just didn't leave his home, not answering to anyone that tried knocking./p
p class="MsoBodyTextIndent2" style="text-align: left;"The town was honestly worried about him, not knowing what was wrong./p
p class="MsoBodyTextIndent2" style="text-align: left;"Not that even Rod knew. /p
p class="MsoBodyTextIndent2" style="text-align: left;"And it bothered him to death./p
p class="MsoBodyTextIndent2" style="text-align: left;"emMaybe…maybe I'm confused. Maybe I'm afraid of losing a friend…/em/p
p class="MsoBodyTextIndent2" style="text-align: left;"Yeah, that made sense, but still didn't quite fit right in Rod's mind, still, he couldn't risk any more loss, so despite his feelings, he decided it was best to apologize./p
p class="MsoBodyTextIndent2" style="text-align: left;"He approached the blonde as he groomed his animals, resting his forehead to his cow's, sighing as he started into the animal's beady black eyes./p
p class="MsoBodyTextIndent2" style="text-align: left;"The cow stared back, with a look of almost sorrow as she sensed her owner's distress./p
p class="MsoBodyTextIndent2" style="text-align: left;""Hey…" Rod said softly, shoving his hands in his jean pockets and trying his damn hardest to smile, though it came out weak./p
p class="MsoBodyTextIndent2" style="text-align: left;"Neil didn't say anything, just nodded to show he acknowledged him./p
p class="MsoBodyTextIndent2" style="text-align: left;"He stepped back and continued to brush his cow, making sure her fur shone with health./p
p class="MsoBodyTextIndent2" style="text-align: left;""H-How've you been…?" Rod asked, swinging awkwardly on his heels, reminding Neil of how Rachel acted, unable to hold still when feeling uncomfortable, so she always shifted her stance, though he'd never seen Rod do it before./p
p class="MsoBodyTextIndent2" style="text-align: left;"Neil shrugged, before darting his eyes away, and focusing on his chickens, picking them up and resting them on their tiny nests made of hay./p
p class="MsoBodyTextIndent2" style="text-align: left;"Rod bit his tongue, not knowing where to take the conversation./p
p class="MsoBodyTextIndent2" style="text-align: left;""Good morning, Neil." Iroha and Tina walked towards them from the forest area, smiling brightly at the blonde./p
p class="MsoBodyTextIndent2" style="text-align: left;"Neil nodded his head towards them. "Morning."/p
p class="MsoBodyTextIndent2" style="text-align: left;"They approached him, and Tina extended a handful of Moondrop flowers. "We picked these for you."/p
p class="MsoBodyTextIndent2" style="text-align: left;""We hope you like them." Iroha added./p
p class="MsoBodyTextIndent2" style="text-align: left;""Thanks. I appreciate it." Neil smiled, actually smiled at the girls, causing Rod's heart to flip./p
p class="MsoBodyTextIndent2" style="text-align: left;"emSince when does he talk to other people? Let alone smile at anyone else…and to girls?/em/p
p class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: left;""Well, we'll see you later!" Tina giggled, and as they turned to leave, they locked eyes with Rod, giving him their best glare, before running off together./p
p class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: left;""What's that all about?" Rod asked, looking at Neil as he set the flowers into the vase on his stale, before sitting down./p
p class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: left;""They're trying to prove something." Neil responded in a monotone, too emotionless for Rod's liking./p
p class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: left;""What?"/p
p class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: left;""That not everyone in town hates me."/p
p class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: left;"em'You ever wonder why everyone in town hates you, Neil?!'/em/p
p class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: left;""That I'm not an asshole." He continued./p
p class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: left;"'emIt's because you're such an asshole'/em/p
p class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: left;""That they understand socializing isn't in my nature." He bowed his head, his blonde locks casting shadows over his fire eyes./p
p class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: left;"em'It's like you don't even want to fit in!'/em/p
p class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: left;"Neil looked up sharply, smirking his best as he met the redhead's eyes. "But, they do hate you now."/p
p class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: left;"Rod bit his lip, hard, looking away from his friend in shame./p
p class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: left;"emI can't believe I said all that…/em/p
p class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: left;""Ever since that day, both them, Felicity, and even Yuri are bringing me gifts, it's actually kinda nice."/p
p class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: left;""I bet." Rod half smiled. "Must be nice having all those pretty girls' attention." He said awkwardly, rubbing his neck./p
p class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: left;"Neil nodded in response, not really paying attention to the comment, as he absentmindedly traced the yellow petals of his flowers./p
p class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: left;""Um, listen…I'm sorry, about all that…" Rod finally forced out./p
p class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: left;"Neil shrugged, trying to seem casual. "It's no big deal."/p
p class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: left;"But it was, the past week of silence from Rod, his first, true love, ignoring him was slowly taking his toll on him. He couldn't sleep, he was barely eating, expect whenever Felicity would bring him food as a gift, and he was in a foul mood all day, every day./p
p class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: left;""I didn't mean it…"/p
p class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: left;""So, you don't hate me?" Neil asked, looking up at Rod through his bangs again./p
p class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: left;"Rod looked down to meet his fire eyes, staring into them for the longest time./p
p class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: left;"He saw Neil, as in; truly saw him, sitting there, his body language looking hostile, but his eyes screaming with vulnerability, afraid of rejection, afraid of yet another person turning away./p
p class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: left;"emDon't leave…./em/p
p class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: left;""No, I don't." Rod answered./p
p class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: left;"Neil let out the small breath he'd been holding. "Alright." He responded./p
p class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: left;"Once again Rod found himself wrapping his arms around the skinny blonde, who leaned back in his chair in surprise./p
p class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: left;"He trembled slightly, his body burning with such an intense blush. Neil shut his eyes and tried to take it all in, the warmth of Rod's arms around him, his scent, the way he could feel the other boy's breath on the curve of his neck as Rod buried himself in it in remorse./p
p class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: left;""I really am sorry…" Rod whispered in Neil's ear, causing him to shudder and goose bumps to run all over his skin./p
p class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: left;""I-I-It's okay…" Neil stuttered. "J-Jeez, let go already…" He bit his lip, feeling like his sanity was slipping away with every second Rod held him./p
p class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: left;"Rod let go and smiled. "Sorry, I forgot you don't like being touched." He laughed./p
p class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: left;"Neil nodded, though felt empty the second Rod's arms left him./p
p class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: left;""So, anyways…Tomorrow's Friday, wanna hangout at my home?" Rod asked, rubbing the back of his head, running fingers through chucks of red./p
p class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: left;"Neil nodded again, not trusting his voice./p
p class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: left;""Alright, see you then." Rod called, running off and waving goodbye./p
p style="text-align: left;"span style="font-size: 12.0pt; font-family: 'Times New Roman',serif; mso-fareast-font-family: 'Times New Roman'; mso-ansi-language: EN-US; mso-fareast-language: EN-US; mso-bidi-language: AR-SA;" /span/p
p style="text-align: left;" /p
p style="text-align: left;"strongI forgot how much updating on this site suckssssss, but anyways, here's an update to this story, I'll probably start writing it again if it gains enough of a following, especially after all these years?/strong/p
p class="MsoBodyTextIndent2" style="text-align: left;"strong_/strong/p
p class="MsoBodyTextIndent2" style="text-align: left;"emWhat now?/em/p
p class="MsoBodyTextIndent2" style="text-align: left;"Neil stared up at his ceiling. He didn't really know. He didn't really have any idea on how to function without Rod./p
p class="MsoBodyTextIndent2" style="text-align: left;"emWhen did I start needing him?/em/p
p class="MsoBodyTextIndent2" style="text-align: left;"He never needed anyone before, never in his life. Not his parents, not the people around him, he was always just damn fine on his own./p
p class="MsoBodyTextIndent2" style="text-align: left;"So why now?/p
p class="MsoBodyTextIndent2" style="text-align: left;"There was that pulling again, that nasty yanking he got whenever Rod talked about Rachel, that painful pounding in his heart./p
p class="MsoBodyTextIndent2" style="text-align: left;"emWhat's wrong with me?/em/p
p class="MsoBodyTextIndent2" style="text-align: left;"Neil had no idea./p
p class="MsoBodyTextIndent2" style="text-align: left;"He'd never once felt that way before./p
p class="MsoBodyTextIndent2" style="text-align: left;"emIs this friendship?/em/p
p class="MsoBodyTextIndent2" style="text-align: left;"Neil, not having ever had a friend before Rod, had no idea what his feelings meant, all he knew is it was annoying, and painful, to be away from Rod, to see Rod upset, or have the redhead angry with him./p
p class="MsoBodyTextIndent2" style="text-align: left;"He just wanted to see Rod smile again. That smile that brightened his day, that smile that gave him hope, that smile that made him happy./p
p class="MsoBodyTextIndent2" style="text-align: left;"The only thing that made him happy, it seemed. Well, besides his animals./p
p class="MsoBodyTextIndent2" style="text-align: left;"What was he supposed to do now that he pretty much fucked up his only tie to the town?/p
p class="MsoBodyTextIndent2" style="text-align: left;"emMaybe I should move…/em/p
p class="MsoBodyTextIndent2" style="text-align: left;"No, that was running away. But, then again, he was good at that, wasn't he?/p
p class="MsoBodyTextIndent2" style="text-align: left;"He ran away from his old home with no problem, all because he didn't get along with his father, a father he didn't even know if he was still alive, and his mother, he hadn't seen her in a few years either, he didn't even write./p
p class="MsoBodyTextIndent2" style="text-align: left;"He just ran away, and never came back./p
p class="MsoBodyTextIndent2" style="text-align: left;"emI never will go back./em/p
p class="MsoBodyTextIndent2" style="text-align: left;"What did he plan to do with his life?/p
p class="MsoBodyTextIndent2" style="text-align: left;"Get married, have a kid, raise a family of his own?/p
p class="MsoBodyTextIndent2" style="text-align: left;"emFuck that. I'd be a terrible father…/em/p
p class="MsoBodyTextIndent2" style="text-align: left;"He also didn't find himself attracted to anyone, at least, not that he knew of./p
p class="MsoBodyTextIndent2" style="text-align: left;"emRachel got me thinking, though…/em/p
p class="MsoBodyTextIndent2" style="text-align: left;"It didn't make sense to him. Growing up, he didn't find himself staring at girls' chests, or trying to date anyone. He was socially awkward, sure, but he didn't even fantasize about it./p
p class="MsoBodyTextIndent2" style="text-align: left;"Was that normal?/p
p class="MsoBodyTextIndent2" style="text-align: left;"He didn't think of girls at all./p
p class="MsoBodyTextIndent2" style="text-align: left;"emMaybe I'm gay…?/em/p
p class="MsoBodyTextIndent2" style="text-align: left;"No, that wasn't it. He didn't look at men either. He didn't find himself fascinated with anyone but…/p
p class="MsoBodyTextIndent2" style="text-align: left;"Rod./p
p class="MsoBodyTextIndent2" style="text-align: left;"Neil sat up abruptly./p
p class="MsoBodyTextIndent2" style="text-align: left;"emWait…/em/p
p class="MsoBodyTextIndent2" style="text-align: left;"emShit, Rod?/em/p
p class="MsoBodyTextIndent2" style="text-align: left;"Yeah, it was true he loved the boy's smile./p
p class="MsoBodyTextIndent2" style="text-align: left;"And spending time with him/p
p class="MsoBodyTextIndent2" style="text-align: left;"And having him near/p
p class="MsoBodyTextIndent2" style="text-align: left;"And talking to him/p
p class="MsoBodyTextIndent2" style="text-align: left;"And eating with him everyday/p
p class="MsoBodyTextIndent2" style="text-align: left;"And just being in the same room as him calmed him down./p
p class="MsoBodyTextIndent2" style="text-align: left;"And he was getting upset whenever he talked about anyone else, because Neil didn't want anyone else's name on the redhead's lips./p
p class="MsoBodyTextIndent2" style="text-align: left;"And Neil just found himself always studying every inch of Rod's face, over and over and over, until it all was burned deep into his memory, so fucking deep that he could close his fire eyes and imagine the redhead doing that stupid happy grin, tilting his head slightly so that gorgeous orange hair fell over that sun-kissed forehead, drawing just short of those sea blue eyes that looked so cool, so refreshing compared to his red ones. He saw him waving to him, he saw him playing with his dogs, and he could almost hear him laughing at his own stupid jokes. He pictured him closing those azure eyes, he imagined those perfect lips parting, his body leaning in, his face twisting into something new, an expression Neil had never actually seen, a look straight from deep within, something right out of his fantasies; he could see Rod so clearly, moving in, closer, closer, pressing that mouth against his own…./p
p class="MsoBodyTextIndent2" style="text-align: left;"Neil shook his head./p
p class="MsoBodyTextIndent2" style="text-align: left;"Were those his true feelings?/p
p class="MsoBodyTextIndent2" style="text-align: left;"Was that honestly how he felt about his best friend?/p
p class="MsoBodyTextIndent2" style="text-align: left;"emDo…do I love Rod…?/em/p
p class="MsoBodyTextIndent2" style="text-align: left;"He felt a flip of his stomach./p
p class="MsoBodyTextIndent2" style="text-align: left;"He was right on the money./p
p class="MsoBodyTextIndent2" style="text-align: left;"emBut…now what?/em/p
p style="text-align: left;"emspan style="font-size: 12.0pt; font-family: 'Times New Roman',serif; mso-fareast-font-family: 'Times New Roman'; mso-ansi-language: EN-US; mso-fareast-language: EN-US; mso-bidi-language: AR-SA;"_/span/em/p
p class="MsoBodyTextIndent2" style="text-align: left;"He didn't go to work./p
p class="MsoBodyTextIndent2" style="text-align: left;"He couldn't./p
p class="MsoBodyTextIndent2" style="text-align: left;"How was he supposed to face Neil after blowing up like that, with no true reason behind his anger?/p
p class="MsoBodyTextIndent2" style="text-align: left;"Though he risked losing both money and customers, he just didn't leave his home, not answering to anyone that tried knocking./p
p class="MsoBodyTextIndent2" style="text-align: left;"The town was honestly worried about him, not knowing what was wrong./p
p class="MsoBodyTextIndent2" style="text-align: left;"Not that even Rod knew. /p
p class="MsoBodyTextIndent2" style="text-align: left;"And it bothered him to death./p
p class="MsoBodyTextIndent2" style="text-align: left;"emMaybe…maybe I'm confused. Maybe I'm afraid of losing a friend…/em/p
p class="MsoBodyTextIndent2" style="text-align: left;"Yeah, that made sense, but still didn't quite fit right in Rod's mind, still, he couldn't risk any more loss, so despite his feelings, he decided it was best to apologize./p
p class="MsoBodyTextIndent2" style="text-align: left;"He approached the blonde as he groomed his animals, resting his forehead to his cow's, sighing as he started into the animal's beady black eyes./p
p class="MsoBodyTextIndent2" style="text-align: left;"The cow stared back, with a look of almost sorrow as she sensed her owner's distress./p
p class="MsoBodyTextIndent2" style="text-align: left;""Hey…" Rod said softly, shoving his hands in his jean pockets and trying his damn hardest to smile, though it came out weak./p
p class="MsoBodyTextIndent2" style="text-align: left;"Neil didn't say anything, just nodded to show he acknowledged him./p
p class="MsoBodyTextIndent2" style="text-align: left;"He stepped back and continued to brush his cow, making sure her fur shone with health./p
p class="MsoBodyTextIndent2" style="text-align: left;""H-How've you been…?" Rod asked, swinging awkwardly on his heels, reminding Neil of how Rachel acted, unable to hold still when feeling uncomfortable, so she always shifted her stance, though he'd never seen Rod do it before./p
p class="MsoBodyTextIndent2" style="text-align: left;"Neil shrugged, before darting his eyes away, and focusing on his chickens, picking them up and resting them on their tiny nests made of hay./p
p class="MsoBodyTextIndent2" style="text-align: left;"Rod bit his tongue, not knowing where to take the conversation./p
p class="MsoBodyTextIndent2" style="text-align: left;""Good morning, Neil." Iroha and Tina walked towards them from the forest area, smiling brightly at the blonde./p
p class="MsoBodyTextIndent2" style="text-align: left;"Neil nodded his head towards them. "Morning."/p
p class="MsoBodyTextIndent2" style="text-align: left;"They approached him, and Tina extended a handful of Moondrop flowers. "We picked these for you."/p
p class="MsoBodyTextIndent2" style="text-align: left;""We hope you like them." Iroha added./p
p class="MsoBodyTextIndent2" style="text-align: left;""Thanks. I appreciate it." Neil smiled, actually smiled at the girls, causing Rod's heart to flip./p
p class="MsoBodyTextIndent2" style="text-align: left;"emSince when does he talk to other people? Let alone smile at anyone else…and to girls?/em/p
p class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: left;""Well, we'll see you later!" Tina giggled, and as they turned to leave, they locked eyes with Rod, giving him their best glare, before running off together./p
p class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: left;""What's that all about?" Rod asked, looking at Neil as he set the flowers into the vase on his stale, before sitting down./p
p class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: left;""They're trying to prove something." Neil responded in a monotone, too emotionless for Rod's liking./p
p class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: left;""What?"/p
p class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: left;""That not everyone in town hates me."/p
p class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: left;"em'You ever wonder why everyone in town hates you, Neil?!'/em/p
p class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: left;""That I'm not an asshole." He continued./p
p class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: left;"'emIt's because you're such an asshole'/em/p
p class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: left;""That they understand socializing isn't in my nature." He bowed his head, his blonde locks casting shadows over his fire eyes./p
p class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: left;"em'It's like you don't even want to fit in!'/em/p
p class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: left;"Neil looked up sharply, smirking his best as he met the redhead's eyes. "But, they do hate you now."/p
p class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: left;"Rod bit his lip, hard, looking away from his friend in shame./p
p class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: left;"emI can't believe I said all that…/em/p
p class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: left;""Ever since that day, both them, Felicity, and even Yuri are bringing me gifts, it's actually kinda nice."/p
p class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: left;""I bet." Rod half smiled. "Must be nice having all those pretty girls' attention." He said awkwardly, rubbing his neck./p
p class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: left;"Neil nodded in response, not really paying attention to the comment, as he absentmindedly traced the yellow petals of his flowers./p
p class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: left;""Um, listen…I'm sorry, about all that…" Rod finally forced out./p
p class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: left;"Neil shrugged, trying to seem casual. "It's no big deal."/p
p class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: left;"But it was, the past week of silence from Rod, his first, true love, ignoring him was slowly taking his toll on him. He couldn't sleep, he was barely eating, expect whenever Felicity would bring him food as a gift, and he was in a foul mood all day, every day./p
p class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: left;""I didn't mean it…"/p
p class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: left;""So, you don't hate me?" Neil asked, looking up at Rod through his bangs again./p
p class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: left;"Rod looked down to meet his fire eyes, staring into them for the longest time./p
p class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: left;"He saw Neil, as in; truly saw him, sitting there, his body language looking hostile, but his eyes screaming with vulnerability, afraid of rejection, afraid of yet another person turning away./p
p class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: left;"emDon't leave…./em/p
p class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: left;""No, I don't." Rod answered./p
p class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: left;"Neil let out the small breath he'd been holding. "Alright." He responded./p
p class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: left;"Once again Rod found himself wrapping his arms around the skinny blonde, who leaned back in his chair in surprise./p
p class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: left;"He trembled slightly, his body burning with such an intense blush. Neil shut his eyes and tried to take it all in, the warmth of Rod's arms around him, his scent, the way he could feel the other boy's breath on the curve of his neck as Rod buried himself in it in remorse./p
p class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: left;""I really am sorry…" Rod whispered in Neil's ear, causing him to shudder and goose bumps to run all over his skin./p
p class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: left;""I-I-It's okay…" Neil stuttered. "J-Jeez, let go already…" He bit his lip, feeling like his sanity was slipping away with every second Rod held him./p
p class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: left;"Rod let go and smiled. "Sorry, I forgot you don't like being touched." He laughed./p
p class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: left;"Neil nodded, though felt empty the second Rod's arms left him./p
p class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: left;""So, anyways…Tomorrow's Friday, wanna hangout at my home?" Rod asked, rubbing the back of his head, running fingers through chucks of red./p
p class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: left;"Neil nodded again, not trusting his voice./p
p class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: left;""Alright, see you then." Rod called, running off and waving goodbye./p
p style="text-align: left;"span style="font-size: 12.0pt; font-family: 'Times New Roman',serif; mso-fareast-font-family: 'Times New Roman'; mso-ansi-language: EN-US; mso-fareast-language: EN-US; mso-bidi-language: AR-SA;" /span/p
p style="text-align: left;" /p
p style="text-align: left;"strongI forgot how much updating on this site suckssssss, but anyways, here's an update to this story, I'll probably start writing it again if it gains enough of a following, especially after all these years?/strong/p