The Wilde World of Introverted Humans

[Ze]

"Yeah... though it is nice in there... private." he chuckled.

((we get Nick soon!!!!))

[Kait]

*Drake blushed a little but couldn't help but smile.* "Behave yourself..." *Drake spotted a news stand further down the road and immediately started pulling Wilde toward it.* "Come on. I want a newspaper. If I'm going to be shut away from the rest of the world, I'd like to at least know what's going on in it."

[Ze]

"all right, get yo paper." Wilde just smiled and shook his head as he walked with Drake.

[Kait]

*Drake let go of Wilde as they reached the stand, digging through his pockets for the change to buy a newspaper. Another man came up beside him, quickly paying for his own paper. He started to walk away when he suddenly glanced back at Drake and stopped.*

"Drake?"

*Drake immediately looked up, his eyes widening as they fell on the man.* "Nick...?" *He immediately broke out into a smile, one that was mirrored on the other man's lips.*

"It is you! My God... I hardly recognized you!"

*He held out his hand which Drake quickly took, shaking it before Nick pulled him into a tight hug.*

[Ze]

Wilde stood there in shock as he looked at Drake and Nick, the man from Drake's memory...

He had never expected to run into him... course he never expected to run into a Florida fling or a crazy ex-girlfriend, so why he didn't expect Nick... no clue. He just stood there, watching them, not sure what to say... Drake was right, Nick was attractive...

[Kait]

*Nick finally pulled Drake away, holding him at arms length with a grin.* "Let me look at you..."

*Drake couldn't stop smiling, shaking his head.* "I haven't changed that much, Nickie..." *Nick just laughed.*

"Are you kidding? You're all grown up! You're not just that lanky little highschooler anymore... You're a man now... a rather attractive man if you don't mind me saying..."

*Drake blushed a little, just shaking his head again. Nick's words quickly reminded him about his own attractive man standing behind him. He quickly pulled away from Nick, looking at Wilde. His smile faded a little as he realized the situation he was in, but he tried not to let it show...* "Nick, this is Tyler Chaser... my boyfriend..." *Drake gestured to Wilde, motioning for him to come closer.*

[Ze]

*... my name's Wilde...* he thought dismally and walked closer, "hi..." he gave a small wave.

[Kait]

*Nick's smile became a little more fake as he looked at Wilde, but he nodded, politely extending a hand.* "Drake always did have excellent taste. It's a pleasure to meet you."

[Ze]

"ditto." Wilde reluctantly shook his hand, he was probably the only one without a smile on his face.

[Kait]

*Drake quickly changed the subject, his joy at seeing Nick dampened by the awkwardness of the situation.* "So what are you doing here, Nick? It's been forever..." *Nick released Wilde's hand and turned to Drake with a nod.*

"It certainly has. I just took a job in a law firm here. I'm hoping to work environmental protection cases. What about you? Why are you here?"

"I live here... My father bought an apartment for me on the other side of town. At the moment I'm staying in a hotel down the street though." *Drake considered explaining the situation but decided against it. It was too long and too messy.* "We had to take a break from the apartment for a while."

*Nick just nodded, glancing at Wilde before looking back to Drake.* "Out on your own already, hm? How old are you now? Eighteen? Nineteen?"

"Nineteen. Which means that you're... twenty-four?"

*Nick nodded.* "Yes... Time does fly, doesn't it?"

"Too fast... far too fast..."

[Ze]

Wilde stood there quietly, looking around at things as they talked, just not looking at them.

[Kait]

*Nick looked at Drake curiously.* "So what do you do for a living? Or are you not working while you're in college...?"

*Drake frowned a little, lowering his gaze.* "I'm not going to college. Not any time soon at least." *Now it was Nick's turn to frown at Drake.*

"What? Why not? You always wanted to go... I thought you wanted to write book reviews for the newspapers?"

"I did... I still might... I just have to save up enough money to go to school, that's all..." *Nick was about to ask something but paused, realization slowly dawning on him.*

"Your father's still not happy with you, hm?"

*Drake just shook his head.* "It doesn't matter..."

[Ze]

Wilde looked around and saw the park not too far off, perfect opportunity for him to get away.

"Well... it's very nice to stand here and listen to you two talk, but I see a tree that's callin my name. I'm gonna go climb it. Nice meeting you Nick, I'll see ya later Drake." Wilde gave Drake a soft smile before walking off and heading for the park.

[Kait]

"Wilde..." *Drake sighed, watching him go.* "D***it..."

"Well that was a little rude..."

*Drake turned to look at Nick again, his eyes hardening a little. He was about to respond with some smart comment but Nick quickly spoke again.*

"I'm sorry. I didn't mean to cause problems between you and your boyfriend. How long have you two been together?"

*Drake frowned a little.* "A few days..." *Nick's expression lightened a little, so Drake quickly spoke again.* "Though it feels like forever..."

"I see... a little possessive for a new boyfriend, isn't he?"

*Drake just shrugged.* "Maybe... maybe not..." *Nick obviously and quickly changed the subject.*

"You look really good, Drake. Life has obviously been treating you well. I'm glad. You deserve nothing but the best."

*Drake blushed a little, shaking his head.* "Not really... but lately I've received the best nonetheless..." *He briefly glanced back toward the park before quickly putting a rather fake smile on his lips, trying to enjoy the conversation again.*

"Wonderful. I'm happy for you... I worried about you for a long time..."

*Drake suddenly frowned at that.* "Really? How long? And if you were worried, why didn't you contact me?" *Nick frowned as well, lowering his gaze a little.*

"After that incident with your father... I figured it was best if I just stayed away from you."

"Best for who, Nickie?"

"Me, you, your father..."

"And how was it best for you and me?"

*Nick sighed, shaking his head.* "Come on, Drake. You were a kid. You didn't know anything about relationships really. You had to grow up and I had my whole life to start. I was in college. I didn't have the time to wait around until you were free from your father. But I knew I'd get another chance with you again once you were older. Now you're a man. You can do whatever you want. No more sneaking around behind closed doors and library shelves."

"I see. So you left because you didn't feel like waiting around for some kid?"

*Nick sighed, placing a hand on Drake's shoulder.* "That's not what I meant. Drake, you weren't ready for the kind of relationship I wanted."

"And what kind was that?"

"You know... Serious... Intimate... Adult..."

"Well, for me it was the most serious thing in the world. Do you have any idea how many times I've thought about you? I thought that you had only left because of my father. I tried to convince myself that you were trying desperately to get back to me."

"See what I mean, Drake? You were a kid. You were way too attached to me. You were cute and interesting, but you still had a lot of growing up to do..."

*Drake fell silent, starting to get angry. He looked toward the park again, wishing Wilde were with him...*

[Ze]

Wilde went to the park and climbed into a tree, sitting there as he wondered what Drake and Nick were doing. He was tempted to send some small animal along to watch them, but decided against it. He just had to trust Drake...