The days passed slowly. One after the other, dragging by.

On the days Tommy wasn't working, he stayed home alone. It was mild days like these that Tommy truly learned to appreciate his Nikki.

The first thing he had noticed about Nikki all those months ago were his eyes. It was kind of surprising, since his hair was practically larger than his body, and his bangs covered most of his eyes. But the glimmering emerald orbs hiding under the ebony bangs never failed to shine through. Maybe it was just to Tommy. Maybe no one else noticed Nikki's eyes like he did. Tommy was okay with that. He fell in love with Nikki's eyes first.

After that it was Nikki's hands. Even though Nikki was easily average height, only an inch of so below Tommy's six foot two, he still viewed him as his baby. Nikki wasn't much smaller than Tommy in any degree, but there was something about Nikki's soft hands in his that just made his heart melt. Nikki would always rub his thumb over Tommy's, and it never failed to make his stomach flip. Nikki always talked about getting his hands tattooed. And his arms. And his everything. Tommy would always chuckle and agree, yes, of course, we'll get matching tattoos, yes baby, of course, we can get whatever you want. They planned on getting each other's names tattooed on their ring fingers. Real rings were too cliché. For some reason, Nikki always thought that he could only get tattoos if he was in a band. He would always say, 'If the band makes it-', to which Tommy would cut him off and say, 'When. When the band makes it'. That would always make Nikki smile.

That was the next thing Tommy fell in love with was Nikki's smile. His boyfriend had so many smiles; his mischievous grin, his sultry smirk, his little half-smile and blush that always showed up when Tommy complimented him. Tommy's personal favorite was the special smile that Nikki only showed when he was exceedingly happy. His soft, perfectly curved lips felt so right, so addicting against Tommy's - it was an electric shock to his heart every time Nikki kissed him, making him feel more and more alive each time. Tommy always loved to watch Nikki put on lipstick. It applied smoothly over his mouth, painting his already-beautiful lips rose pink. Nikki knew that Tommy liked to watch him put on makeup, so he did it more often. At first, Mick and Vince had given him strange glances, but neither said a word. Nikki figured that if Vince could wear makeup every day, so could he. So he did.

It was falling in love little by little and then all at once. Tommy quickly realized how boring his life would be without Nikki. If he had turned down the boy's advances, or simply never came to this town at all - where would he be? In a college he hated, studying for a job he hated, preparing himself to spend his life doing something he hated. But that all changed when he let Nikki take the wheel. Nikki was his passion, Nikki was his pulse, Nikki was his will to live. Nikki reinvigorated something that had died within him long ago. His dreams.

The hours ticked by as Tommy waited for his boyfriend to burst through the apartment door, a gleaming smile and a cry of, 'Hey, baby!', greeting him.

Nikki was a little late that day. He trotted in the door, dropping his bag and leaping into Tommy's embrace as soon as he saw him.

"Hi! Sorry I'm late, I was talking to Mick and Vince about the record deal. We're thinking about calling him back on next Thursday, the day before graduation - by the way, you're coming to my graduation ceremony, right?" Nikki bubbled, staring up at Tommy with an excited grin.

"You didn't fail?" Tommy teased, arms wrapping around Nikki's waist and pulling his body flush against his own. Nikki rolled his eyes, giggling.

"No, I didn't.. not honor roll, but I did pass!" Nikki laughed, hands interlocking behind Tommy's neck.

"I always had faith in you, baby.. although I am a bit worried about the school authorities, of course I'll be there." The drummer murmured, gently swaying his boyfriend in his arms.

"Aw, fuck them. They can't stop our love. If they say anything, I'll fight them all, one after the other." Nikki laughed softly, holding on as Tommy twirled and dipped him to some song playing inside his head.

"You never cease to amaze me." Tommy breathed, returning Nikki to his embrace. The bassist gazed up at him lovingly, stroking his strong cheekbone.

"I don't understand how.. I'm talking about decking all my teachers in the face..." Nikki chuckled, nuzzling into Tommy's neck in that special way that made the drummer's stomach leap.

"So romantic. You little rascal." Tommy gushed, laughing. Yet somehow, when Nikki pulled back and gazed into his eyes, he felt as if his lover's stare was seeing into his soul. It made Tommy feel weak in the best way.

"I love you." The drummer whispered, soft, chocolatey eyes brimming with emotion.

"I love you, too." Nikki murmured, physically unable to break eye contact with his boyfriend.

They stared into each other's hearts for a few minutes, pulses falling into step with one another like a ballroom dance.

"I can't wait until graduation." Nikki whispered, the gentle sway beginning again between their bodies unwillingly. Tommy nodded, sliding his puppy eyes shut.

"Me too.. I've been saving up to take you out for a nice dinner afterwards, and a little surprise. For once, we won't be having fuckin' pizza on our date." The drummer chuckled, chest rising and falling in turn with Nikki's.

"Surprise, eh?" Nikki glanced up. Tommy opened his eyes to meet his boyfriend's emerald gaze. He could practically see the cat ears on Nikki perking with interest.

"Yeah.. kitten." Tommy kissed Nikki once on the nose, resting his forehead against Nikki's.

"Can you.. tell me?" The bassist smirked, batting his eyelashes. Tommy closed his eyes again to avoid Nikki's begging. He could never stand up to it, he knew.

"Nope. If I told you, it wouldn't be much of a surprise, now would it?"

Nikki pouted.

"No, but.."

"Shh," Tommy pressed their lips together, gently nipping Nikki's bottom lip and holding onto it for a moment as he pulled away. Nikki pulled it into his mouth once it had been returned to him, sucking roughly on it. "You'll like it."

"Do you promise?" Nikki cocked his head, pressing a kiss to Tommy's neck. The taller boy could feel the beginnings of lust working its way into Nikki's gentle touches.

"Yes, kitten.. I promise."