Presents! [Nate]

[Gale Taylor-Kinney]

After being promised a present, and because he hadn't seen his close friend all summer Gale made a bee line for the lake. Dressed in his uniform minus the tie and vest, making it just his slacks, converse and button down shirt as soon as he got outside he was glad that it was warm enough for him to unbutton the cuffs and roll his sleeves up. He kept his eyes on the ground mostly as he walked over the grass towards the giant lake but couldn't help glancing around for a familiar sight.

Once he was lakeside, he turned around in a circle trying to find Nate and bit back a little pout when he didn't see him. Guess he was just too eager to see him and find out what this present was. He ran his fingers through his hair and blew a piece that fell into his eyes out of them. He needed a hair cut, or at least a trim since his bangs were getting too long for his liking. Maybe he'd find his sister later to see what she could do since she was good at that. Sitting down on a large rock he picked up a few smaller stones out of the grass and started tossing them into the lake as he waited for Nate to arrive.

[Nathan Wright]

Nathan had been at the lake, but the present had not been, so he'd rushed back inside to get it. It being the tickets he'd bought for Gale's birthday, regardless of the fact that the others birthday wasn't for months to come. The show he'd bought tickets for, however, was only in town for a couple of weeks and he knew that his friend would really enjoy to go. And well, if there was something Nathan Wright could do that'd end up with Gale smiling at him...it was well worth all the money he could spend on him.

Which, he had to admit, he'd kinda done. Because the tickets were ridiculously expensive, even for a birthday present for 'just' a friend. But that was just the kind of thing he did. He fell for someone, tried to woo them with expensive gifts, and he didn't want to think what happened beyond that, because it'd be different this time. He wouldn't fuck up, not with Gale.

For one, Lexi would kill him. And he'd lose the friendship of one of the few people he actually really loved - despite the fact he'd never tell them. So no. He wasn't going to cheat. He was going to make Gale happy, by giving him these tickets, and by being his friend, and by not taking it further than that. Or that was the plan anyway, but when he noticed him, standing there, he had trouble not jumping on him straight away. Instead he strolled over casually, grinning at the blonde. "Hey there"

[Gale Taylor-Kinney]

Gale glanced up when he heard the other's voice and he grinned "Hey!" he slid off the rock and stepped over to give his friend a hug. Leaning up on toes he wrapped his arms around his shoulders in a tight hug for a few moments before he stepped back still grinning at him. He hadn't seen him all summer and even though they wrote back and forth some it was nice to see him again in the flesh since he'd missed being around him. "Good to see you, I missed hanging out with you" he really wanted to add on that not only did he miss his companionship, he was somewhat longing for him since he'd been harboring feelings for him since the new year.

In his excitement he couldn't help raking his blue eyes over Nate's body trying to find a bump in the clothing that would indicate a gift box or something then he stepped to the side to see if something was behind him before laughing a little. "Sorry..I'm excited to see what you got me. Even though you didn't need to get me anything, plus my birthday was a few months ago or in several, however you want to look at it." Whatever this present was, he knew that he'd love it and probably cherish it as well, solely because it was from Nate. He'd bought his birthday present over the summer while he was back in the States with his family, unable to pass up the worn leather jacket that wound up being Nate's size perfectly, or at least he was hoping it was because if it was just a few inches too big on him it should fit him, right? That's what he was counting on anyway and he could hardly wait for the boys birthday in October so he could present it to him.

[Nathan Wright]

Nate hugged him back, taking a small sniff of the other boys hair before pulling back. The last thing he wanted was to be made out to be some sort of creeper, not when the two of them were just friends. So, letting him go, he grinned as the blonde started looking for his present, having hidden it in one of his pockets. Didn't look like much, maybe, but it was expensive enough. "I know, my birthday is a lot sooner than yours, but well, if I didn't give you this now, I wouldn't be able to" The brunette smirked at him, liking to keep him in the dark for just that little bit longer.

It was two weeks into the year, and his birthday was coming up soon. He wondered if Gale remembered, since they barely talked about things like that. His parents had managed to forget his birthday a few years back, and ever since it hadn't been a big deal to him. Or, it couldn't be. "How was your holiday? I know we wrote and all, but I'm being a big tease as always" He sat down onto the ground, smiling at his friend, eyes twinkling.

[Gale Taylor-Kinney]

Gale almost huffed a little in frustration when Nate didn't present the gift since he obviously knew what he was looking for. His face said it subtlely but it was his eyes that gave him away. "C'mon, Nate.. what is it?" he asked bouncing on his toes slightly before he just stood there waiting. It was cruel to keep him waiting and Nate knew it was complete torture to the little blond. Gale would have to get him back somehow..

He blinked for a second before giving a little pout, knowing he was just prolonging this. "It was great..had fun back home in the States with everyone. We actually went sailing.. which was hilarious because Dad can't steer a boat to save his life so they just hired a crew" he giggled softly, shaking his head as he remembered his parent's little fight before giving up, hiring a crew then they spent almost 24 hours alone in their cabin. That could only mean one thing and Gale didn't want to think about that where his parents were concerned. It was just too weird.

If Nate wanted to play this waiting game, he'd humor him for the time being. "How was yours? You never really said what you were up to other than the normal stuff." he sat back down on the rock he was occupying with he got there.

[Nathan Wright]

Oh he was too cute. Nathan couldn't help smiling, taking the tickets out of his pocket and playing with the envelope. "Mine were alright. Same as always. Saw my parents for a while, and then I stayed with my grandparents and sister for a bit. It was quite uneventful. Next time, you should invite me to come with you, I'm sure it'd be a lot more interesting than staying home alone." He chuckled, not wanting to sound like such a pathetic person, but knowing that he wouldn't look bad in Gale's eyes. The blonde was always such a sweet person, he honestly couldn't help lo liking him so much.

"Okay. Now. Before I give you this, I want you to promise me one thing...don't moan at me about the price, please?" He handed Gale the tickets, chewing on his bottom lip and hoping that the Hufflepuff wouldn't make a fuss about it. He was rich enough to afford the tickets, and he was really hoping that the cute blonde would invite him to the art show, but he wasn't going to ask. If Gale wanted to invite Alexis or one of his parents, maybe a friend, he wouldn't make a sound and just tell them to enjoy the evening.

[Gale Taylor-Kinney]

"Moan at you about the price?" he questioed, not sure why he'd mention that..unless it was expensive. "Nate.." he started to protest when he realized that's probably what it was but that was when Nate chose to hand him the tickets. Looking at the long flat envelope for a second he turned it over and opened the flap, pulling the tickets out and he gawked at them. "NATE!" he squeaked slightly, knowing exactly how much they cost and even though his parents had the money he still hesitated in asking about attending the show that was in London over the next couple of weekends. He pulled them closer to his face so he could read the fine print on them for the date and time that they were for. This coming Saturday. He now needed to find someone to go with apparently because not only did he get one ticket, he got a pair.

Looking up at the Ravenclaw he grinned a little "Thank you, Nate.." he murmured putting the tickets back in the envelope and he leaned over to hug him again tightly and gave the boy a kiss on the cheek. A slight blush rose up on his cheeks but he ignored it for now and he sat back trying to think of who he could take with him. Nate was the obvious choice..not only because he bought the tickets but because he wouldn't mind going on a non-date with him to an art show and probably dinner before.

He wasn't sure if Nate had any feelings for him but a little scheme popped into his head so he decided to try that out to see if he did or not. "Since it looks like I have to take someone, maybe I'll ask Ashley.." he said softly, glancing at Nate. "He's a new transfer student from the States too..and he's really nice"

[Nathan Wright]

He got a hug and a kiss, but the best part was simply seeing his eyes lighten up when he realised exactly what kind of present Nathan had bought him. That was definitely worth every single knut he'd saved up just to get his friend this gift. Yes, they'd been expensive, overly so, and his parents would have thrown a fit if they'd known about this, which was why he hadn't told them. He'd simply saved up most of his allowance money to buy these tickets, and getting the response he had, it was worth all that money and so much more.

Smiling widely at the blonde, he made sure that it didn't falter when he mentioned a really nice transfer student named Ashley. Pity that he wasn't a she, because if someone had to be moving in on his territory, he'd rather it be a girl. Not that he was a hundred percent sure Gale wouldn't go for a girl, but competing against another guy was an entirely different matter. Still, he'd promised himself that he'd let the cute Hufflepuff go with whoever he wanted to attend the show with. And that would be the end of the story.

"Yeah? You did the same thing you always do, didn't you? Took care of him right off the bat?" He smiled fondly at the blonde, knowing that Gale was always the one who'd make any new student feel at home. It was partly why he cared for him so much. "If he's into art, you should definitely do that. Kid could probably use some distraction"

[Gale Taylor-Kinney]

Gale couldn't help but shrug his shoulders and grin back widely at Nate. He was motherly and it was just something he did with everyone and everything that needed to be looked after. "Yeah, I did. We got close really quick." he murmured, shaking his head with a smile as he remembered after a couple of nights that little kiss they shared. It was sweet, nothing would come of it since they liked each other, but it wasn't romantic feelings, plus after they kissed Gale had told him of his secret feelings for one Nathan Wright.

He looked at Nate again "I don't know if he's really into art, he likes my stuff but I just thought of someone else I'd rather take. He's.. really great" he ended in a quieter tone since he was being shy and talking about the boy that was sitting close to him. He wondered if Nate would be able to tell who he was talking about after he explained his personality. "And he's a great friend.. so yeah, I think I'll be asking him to come with me" He smiled, biting his lip just slightly and with Nate sitting within distance he reached over to play with his hair.

He wished that Nate hadn't spent so much on the tickets, but when he thought about the present he already purchased for his birthday gift it evened them out. The tickets were about the same price as the leather jacket he'd found for Nate. Now October needed to get there so Gale could see Nate's reaction and maybe by then he'd be brave enough to tell the Ravenclaw about his feelings. Just maybe.

[Nathan Wright]

He wanted to pout, he really did, maybe make a fuss out of it, but what was the point if Gale didn't even realise he was making him jealous? Instead he just swallowed that little green monster back down and smiled. "You sound like you have a little crush on him...did you kiss and not tell me? Because as one of your best friends, it's totally mandatory that you tell me within fourty eight hours of kissing someone" Nate joked, referring to Ashley and hoping that Gale would make a face and exclaim that he could never kiss Ashley, that they were really only just friends and that they'd stick to that.

As far as the other friend went, well he sounded a little shy almost when he told him of it. Could this mystery man be who Gale really fancied? Should he have said something in the past, before the holidays maybe? Or did the other really not like him in that way? "Anyway, as I said, take whoever you want to. To the art show, that is. Not in general, you might appear as a slut and I'd have to beat up whoever called you that behind your back." Why couldn't he ever be serious when it came to things like this? He could never just come out and say hey, Gale, I really like you.

[Gale Taylor-Kinney]

Gale smiled slightly, wondering if the smile on Nate's face was a forced one. It looked a little forced and that made Gale's day, knowing he was possibly making the boy jealous over just talking about another guy. "Well.. then I guess I broke the rules" he murmured, blush tinging his cheeks again. "Because I did kiss Ashley" he scuffed at the rock with the toe of his converse before glancing over at Nate's face through his eyelashes.

He lifted his head a little when he mentioned him taking whoever he wanted but not really since he'd be a slut and he laughed softly. "Well, at least you're looking out for me so I don't become a slut" he joked, shaking his head some and he brushed some hair out of his eyes. "But yeah, I think I will ask him to come. It'll be fun" he swallowed, wanting to ask the other right the and there but he didn't think he could do it. It was too forward and Gale wasn't great at confrontations or anything like that at all.

He shifted on the rock to pull the tickets back out of his pocket, leaning over a bit dangerously. He manage to tug the envelope out but in the process he unbalanced himself and half yelled, half squeaked out of surprise when he slid off sideways and landed right in the middle of Nathan's lap. His hands clung to the fabric covering Nate's shoulders and his face turned red and he almost got hard just from being this close to him and smelling him so easily "S-sorry" he whispered, licking his lips a little but he didn't make any move to get up.

[Nathan Wright]

So he had kissed him. Dammit. In all honesty, Nate rather didn't know. Sure, he wanted to know who else Gale might possibly be interested in, but he didn't want to have to be the best friend that clapped his shoulder and yelled SCORE when he made out with a guy. Forcing another smile on his face, he was on his way to saying something that would hopefully be witty enough to draw the attention away from his feelings, when the blonde all of a sudden tumbled into his lap. His arms went around him on instinct, and he barely had time to flush when they were pressed so close, before his mouth ran with it.

"If you're going to fall over when you're sitting down, I might as well keep you here...you know, no injuries and all that. It's much safer." He attempted a smile, that came out bigger and more honest than anything he'd managed over the past few minutes. At least he had him in his lap now, though he wasn't allowed to lean in and kiss those full lips. Did Gale know what he was doing to him? He wasn't usually this obvious, but he had a feeling that right now, the Hufflepuff was able to see through every disguise he put up.

[Gale Taylor-Kinney]

At least he hadn't said something stupid and he hadn't flailed around like a girl and hit Nate in the face during his ungraceful plummet from the rock. He had every intention of getting up out of the boys lap as soon as he could because of the affect it was having on him but as soon as those words left Nate's lips he didn't really want to. Laughing softly he relaxed a little to lean into Nate's chest. "Yeah, I guess it'd be more safe here" he murmured, still estatic he was this close to Nate.

His blue eyes kept glancig at Nate's lips and he bit the inside of his own bottom lip so he didn't make a fool of himself. Untwisting his fingers in his shirt he slid his fingers lightly over the creases in fabric then tugged on his blue and silver tie gently, smiling slightly at him. "At least here I know I'd be safe" he mumbled ducking his head a little to look at the tickets just to occupy himself so he wouldn't continue to stare at Nathan's lips and imagine himself kissing them whenever and wherever he liked.

[Nathan Wright]

He looked down as Gale played with his tie, shivering a little. His hand had slid down to the others hip, tightening there as the blonde sat so close to him that he could smell his breath. It was ridiculous, he felt like an idiot, sitting here with the boy of his dreams so close, knowing that all it took was one quick burst of courage. And...well, then what? What if Gale didn't return his feelings? That'd be odd. He'd have kissed the boy only to be turned down...it wasn't something that happened often to Nathan Wright, and quite frankly, it wasn't something he really wanted to happen. Not with Gale, at least.

Sliding one hand up the boys arm, he gently played with blonde hair that he was so fond of, letting the soft strands slip through his fingers. Nate knew that he was going to do it, that there was no way he could just let the other leave without having tried, even if the result wouldn't be to his liking. There was just one thing he feared more than being turned down...and that was Gale kissing him back, giving him everything he'd ever wanted, and for it to turn out to be 'just a snog' to the Hufflepuff.

"I'll always keep you safe" The Ravenclaw was hardly aware of saying anything, too focused on those soft eyes that were locked onto his, too distracted by the feel of having Gale close to him. It was something that he wouldn't trade for the world, regardless of what happened next. Swallowing down a nervous jitter, he gave the other a smile, before kissing him lightly on the lips. Just a peck at first, and then, after half a second of hesitation, a proper kiss.

[Gale Taylor-Kinney]

As soon as he felt Nate's fingers slipping through his hair Gale was pretty sure all bets were off here. His feelings for the other were already sitting on his sleeve and he really did just want to run up all the flights of stairs to the top of the astronomy tower to shout it that he loved the brunette that had his arms around him. He wouldn't do that of course, not really since he'd die of embarrassment but it was a nice thought anyway.

He opened his mouth a few times to tell Nate his feelings, it wouldn't be that hard would it? Just to say 'I like you' it wasn't like he was going to tell him he loved him, even if he was pretty sure he did. It was too soon to be expressing that sort of feeling towards the other. Especially because they weren't even a couple for pete's sake! Gale needed to get a grip on his day dreaming here and come back to reality. He almost did and then his brain registered Nate saying something so sweet. That he'd always keep him safe and damn it all, but Gale blushed again. Being a romantic that killed him and made his heart do a happy little flutter. "Really?" he gasped out the word since as soon as he said it, he felt the others soft lips pressed against his own.

His blue eyes got wide at first, too shocked to even return the slight pressure until he mentaly slapped himself and leaned into the kiss. Immediately melting, he sighed happily through his nose and he wrapped an arm around his neck and pressed closer hoping it wasn't a dream.