Where'd you wanna go?
How much you wanna risk?
I'm not looking for somebody
With some superhuman gifts.
Some superhero,
Some fairytale bliss,
Just something I can turn to,
Somebody I can miss.
I want something just like this

~The Chainsmokers & Coldplay

Kevin 

"Babe, seriously? When you asked if I wanted to go out, I had something more...I dunno, romantic in mind. School shopping ain't it," I groaned as I pushed the buggy behind my boyfriend through Wal-Mart. "Well, we are going out for lunch afterward. But school starts in three days, and all of the time I should have spent preparing, I've wasted on the beach," he sighed. "But you had fun on the beach!" I argued. He glanced back at me with a wistful smile. "Yeah, I did." Ughhhh! Notebooks, pencils, binders, graph paper, calculators, highlighters- make it end! "Citrouille? Anything else you can think of that we need?" he asked, bringing me out of my internal tantrum. "Uhhm... nah, Puca, just food," I responded with a cheeky grin. He exhaled through his nose and shook his head in amusement. "Yes, dear, we are going to get food." I could've hopped and clicked my heels with joy as I followed my boyfriend to self-checkout. I dutifully scanned and bagged items, trying to ignore his almost painfully adorable gaze. Seriously, my boyfriend was so goddamn cute that I thought I was gonna fuckin explode. "Why ya starin'?" I grumbled, ducking my head. It was quiet for a long moment. All I could hear was the beeping on the keypad as Double D swiped his card and entered his pin. I slowly brought my gaze back to him. His face took on a soft, tender expression as he smiled wistfully, a faint blush tinting his cream-colored skin pink. So. Cute. I'm. Gonna. Die. "Nothing. I just- ..." He sighed heavily as his voice trailed off. He took hold of the handlebar and started pushing the cart, and I quickly fell into step beside him as I waited for my answer. "...Doing very ordinary, domestic, and banal things with you on a regular basis makes me...immeasurably happy," he finally answered in a soft, bashful whisper. I could feel my grin spread ear-to-ear. "You think I'm gooorgeous! You want to daaate me, love me and maaarry me!" I sang tauntingly as I nudged him playfully in an awkward shimmy until I was pressed against him. He sighed in exasperation, but the corners of his mouth twitched upward in a faint smile. He wrapped his arms around me so that I was walking backwards, trapped between him and the buggy as we searched the crowded parking lot for his Mustang. He smirked. "Darling, I'm dating you already. And I love you already."

"But you wanna maaaarrryyy me!" I bellowed as I tickled his sides. He squirmed and swatted at me as we came to a clumsy stop beside his car. "What I want is for you to stop watching Miss Congeniality again and again and again!" he groaned. He popped the trunk and I started loading the bags up. "Eddward. Double D. Dork. Baby. Puca, sweet love of mine, name one- ONE- queer man who doesn't thoroughly enjoy Sandra Bullock!" I defended. I could tell he was trying not to crack at my ridiculous argument, or maybe my dead serious look. He didn't cave though. I'll give him that, he definitely didn't give into laughter. He took a deep breath before looking at me with an equally intense gaze. Then, he slammed the trunk shut as he gave one short nod and huffed, "That's completely fair and valid." I slid into the passenger seat with a soft chuckle. Gotta be sure to buckle in or he'll lecture me for the rest of the day. "What do you want for lunch?" he asked as he got situated and started the car. "Nuh-uh!" I quickly protested. "We're not playin' that game! You pick and I'll pay!" He glanced at me and batted his eyes innocently before turning his attention ahead again as he navigated his way back onto the street. "Kevin, I'm sure I have no idea what you mean." I scoffed and rolled my eyes. You're full of shit! " 'Kevin, I'm sure I have no idea what you mean.' That's horse shit, D! You ask me what I want, I answer. Then we go and you pay and it's always, 'Well you picked so I'll pay.' I wanna pay sometimes. Sometimes I wanna be the one to take you out!" I knew at this point I was whining like a little kid, but I didn't care. It was humiliating! He reached over and squeezed my hand gently. "My poor Citrouille. Is someone feeling emasculated?" he cooed. I yanked my hand away and scowled at him. "Don't patronize me!" I pouted. I could hear the crack in his voice as he fought back laughter; it stung like a whip cracking across my heart. "I'm sorry, Kevin, I don't mean to condescend, but I can't help but be amused right now. We're equals, and it doesn't matter who pays for what. The only reason you're upset right now is because your pride is hurt." Goddammit, why is he always right? "Yeah, well I'm upset because I'm supposed to be-"

"What? You're supposed to be what, Kevin? You're "supposed to be the man in this relationship"? In case you've forgotten, we are both men. If you'd like, I'd be more than happy to remind you; trust and believe, there are several different ways," he snapped. My dick twitched immediately, and it took every ounce of willpower to hold back a groan as my mind drifted to the different ways he could remind me how much of a man he was. He's pissed, focus ya fuckin' horndog! Yeah, but he's sexy when he's pissed off. FOCUS, dumbass! "If I want to spoil my boyfriend, I will. If you want to do something nice for me, so be it. This isn't some sort of test to prove your masculinity or chivalry to me, this is a relationship. That means we do things to-ge-ther! Do you understand that? It doesn't always have to be about what you do for me or where you take me or what you buy me. Honestly, I thought you were better than this superficial nonsense." He parked the car and looked at me with sad sapphire eyes. Fuck, I thought as sorrow tugged at my heart. "You're right babe, I'm sorry," I mumbled. He leaned over the center console and his warm lips melded to mine. His taste was a sweet rush, like sugar and mint. As my fingers plunged under his cap and into his inky locks, I felt him smile against my lips and start to pull away. Oh dear God, I could do this forever. Whimpering, I tried to pull him in for another kiss. He chuckled and relented, wrapping his arms behind my neck. I loved my bike, but there was so much more we could do in the space of his car.How far back does the seat go? I silently wondered as my tongue explored his eager mouth. When I felt his fingers dig into my shoulders, I knew it was time to stop. It was his turn to whine and protest as I pulled away. "If we don't stop, we'll never make it to lunch," I whispered in the narrow space between our lips. "Oh, alright," he grumbled, reluctantly pulling away. "Later," I promised, placing a light peck on the tip of his nose. A loud knock made us jump apart. Someone was beating on the windshield. "FAGGOTS!" they yelled as they strolled on away from the car.

I could feel my blood boil as I got out, yelling after them, "Hey, come back and say that to my face, you little bitch!" Double D hurried out of the car and quickly grabbed my arm. "Hey, there's no need for that. We're having a good day, don't let some stranger ruin it," he pleaded. I looked down at him, and all of the rage just...melted away. A soothing calm rushed over me. And then I had a realization. It was not the first time I had this realization, but it was just as overwhelming as the first time. It felt like my soul had just walked into a room and the fireplace was lit and the radio was on, with a cozy blanket waiting for you in your spot on the couch. You know, that one spot that you sit in so much that it sort of molded to the shape of you? That spot. And it's warm and safe and comfortable and familiar and you never want to leave. My soul just kinda looked at Double D and said I'm home. That was the feeling. And the realization that came with it: He's the one.

Edd

"Sockhead, earth to Sockhead!" Eddy shouted. I shook my head, drifting from my daydreams of lips and tongues and fingers exploring places that I have memorized completely. "Yes? Sorry, I don't believe I heard you," I responded in a daze. "Of course you didn't, it's hard to hear me FROM MARS!" he screeched. Ed just chuckled and gave our friend a light shove. "Cut him some slack, Eddy. He's all in puppy love!" Eddy ducked his head between his shoulders and shoved his hands in his pockets, scowling as he walked ahead of us. "Still?!? It's been like- what, 8 months? They should be sick of each other by now!" he proclaimed. "It's been 10 months and 23 days, to be precise, Eddy," I corrected. "I apologize if the love I have for Kevin makes you feel jealous, but I will not apologize for continuing to be head-over-heels for him. That's the point of dating, isn't it? To love someone?" He glared over his shoulder at me. "I am NOT jealous!" he shouted. Ed and I shared a dubious glance and I giggled. "Of course not, Eddy. Because how dare anyone in my life take up more time than you and Ed?" He nodded and faced forward again, as if my sarcasm was serious and he agreed with every word. "You're not allowed to be mad about anyone's love life, you're dating my sister!" Ed scolded. "Speaking of, how have things been between you two?" I inquired. "You're being snippy with me about spending all of my time with Kevin, yet I've hardly seen you since we got back." He started walking backwards, facing Ed and I with the same annoyed scowl that he had on his face since we left his house. "Why aren't we taking your car? What's the point in having it if you're never gonna use it?" he complained, blatantly ignoring my questions. Changing the subject? Either things are going well and he's embarrassed to say, or things have been going horribly for him. Pry. You know you want to.

"Look, I'm sorry I haven't spent enough time with you guys," I sighed. "It doesn't bother me at all!" Ed assured. I smiled and looped my arm through his, leaning forward and snagging Eddy around the bicep with my free arm. "We can have a marathon at my house this weekend, just us. I promise." The corners of his mouth twitched, and I couldn't contain my grin. "But you have to tell us about you and Sarah!" His lips turned downward drastically, his frown comically heavy. "One rule: I don't want to hear the X-rated stuff. That's my baby sister, and bro code states I'll have to fight you," Ed said with a nonchalant shrug. That broke Eddy, and he erupted into belly-rumbling chuckles. "Okay, okay," he wheezed after a few moments. "Deal. Seriously though? Things have been good. They've been real good. She's...a frikkin' dream, man," he praised. "Eddy..." He turned to Ed quickly and shook his head, eyes bulged as wide as they could go. "No, no, dude! Not like that! We just agreed! I mean- like...y'know...she listens to me. And she helps me with stuff. And, like...bro, she stayed the night Saturday and we were cuddling, and she let me be little spoon! Do you have any idea how good it feels to just have a girl hold you for once instead of you having to do the holding? Obviously not you, Double D." He's vulnerable with her. That's so sweet. I smiled softly at him, untangling my arm from his so that I could ruffle his hair. "What do you mean 'Obviously not you'? Just because I'm not with a woman doesn't mean I don't understand that feeling. Being able to open up to someone like that is such a...thrilling feeling," I exalted. He ducked and swatted at me as he scrambled to fix his hair. "Yeah, yeah, yeah. You don't have to go bein' a girl about it," he huffed. "It's not 'being a girl about it' to have feelings. It's being human, man. Lighten up," Ed snorted, bumping into me. I stumbled into Eddy and we wobbled along the sidewalk laughing as we tried to keep our balance. My best friends groaned with dread as we approached Peach Creek High School. I, on the other hand, was bubbling with excitement, which only was in part due to the gorgeous ginger leaned up against his motorcycle waiting for me. Alright, it was completely due to that. I strayed from my friends, walking up to Kevin and flinging my arms around him. He smelled of leather and wood fire, and the aroma intoxicated me. "Citrouille," I breathed, smiling against the fabric of his t-shirt. His chest rumbled against me as he let out a low, husky laugh. "Mornin' Puca."

"Get a room!" Marie's voice pulled me from my cloud of ecstasy. I stood on my toes and placed a chaste kiss on his lips. "Save it for later, loverboy!" Eddy hollered. I giggled giddily and pulled away, keeping an arm around Kevin's waist. He slung his arm over my shoulder and we made our way up the walkway together. A part of me reveled in the small piece of warmth and security and tranquility before reality came crashing in again. "Fuckin' faggot!" someone shouted. "Fruitcakes on parade!" another announced mockingly. "This fruitcake will kick your ass!" Kevin yelled back, his voice rumbling with bass. A shiver went down my spine. When did his voice get that deep and why do I enjoy it so much? I suddenly stopped and flinched as someone spit on me. There's. Saliva. On. My. Face. There's a stranger's saliva ON MY FACE! I cringed, using all of my willpower not to have a complete and utter breakdown in the middle of the hall as I frantically wiped my face on my sleeve. Kevin dropped his arm from around me and started toward the unknown offender, but Tyler came from out of nowhere and slammed the random boy into a locker. I winced a little as his head bounced off of the metal; I was all too familiar with that sound and that feeling.

"Didn't your mama ever teach you some manners?" Tyler growled, getting right in the unfortunate boy's face. "Tyler, please. I don't want to cause a scene," I pleaded softly. He glared at the boy, and I could practically see the gears turning in his head as he weighed his options. He finally let him go with a rough shove. Kevin slung his arm around me again and we continued on our way like nothing had happened. I looked around, and my eyes widened in surprise. We were flanked by an entire mob of people. Eddy, Sarah, Ed, May, Nazz, Marie, Nathan, Jimmy, Johnny, Rolf, half of the football team, and almost the entire swim team. It was like a scene right out of a movie.  "You gotta be alone sometime, fairy," a burly guy sneered. Sam, one of my frequent bullies. Sam, who was 6'2" and 250 pounds of muscle and ignorant rage. Sam, who once beat me so badly that I spent all of Christmas break in bed nursing broken ribs freshman year. Fear gripped me like a vice. "Yeah, well it ain't today, fucker!" Eddy barked back. I was touched. All of these people would jump to my defense? Me, who only a year ago had only Eddy and Ed by my side. "So who has English with Sawyer for first period?" Johnny piped up. Suddenly, our group erupted in overlapping conversation, and it became like an odd game of bingo as we all matched up who had what classes with who. First period AP chemistry with Marie, Nathan, and Eddy; second period French III with Nazz; third period AP English with Tyler; lunch with everyone except Johnny, Sarah, Jimmy, and Dylan; fourth period history with Kevin and Ed; fifth period P.E. with Ed, Eddy, Rolf, and Kevin; sixth period home economics with Sarah, Dylan, Jimmy, and Nazz; seventh period calculus with Tyler, Eddy, and Kevin. I can live with that, I thought as everyone parted ways. Today's going to be a good day, I refuse to accept anything less.