Chapter One

The dance floor was packed full of bodies, and the lighting that struck across it was almost blinding. U.V rays shone down on Toby causing his shirt to glow brightly, he felt a bit like a beacon. It wasn’t such a good thing; it induced a kind of paranoia. He’d never been out on his own, but had ditched his mates who were desperate to find him a girlfriend, so he could find a member of the opposite sex. He didn’t want to end up taking one home, he wasn’t even sure if his assumptions were right, all he knew was that he’d been single for ten months now, and his attraction to ‘cute’ guys in the street had risen. Right now he scoured the room, watching all the couples dance together. He was feeling a bit sunken, as every pairing turned out to be a boy and girl. His eyes stopped though, somewhere near the bar.

Their gaze met, and they held it for quite a few moments, before Toby couldn’t help but grin and turn away slightly. Suddenly realising that it wasn’t a good idea to look away, he turned back. To his dismay, the tall, brown haired boy had vanished. A heavy sigh escaped him, and he stared down at the bottle of J20 in his hand. There wasn’t much point anymore, was there? Turning slightly to find a way across the dance floor, he was very pleasantly surprised to find the tall boy stood beside him. His eyes widened slightly, but his lips soon curled into a smile.

“Hey.” The taller boy said, having to lean over for Toby to hear him. Still grinning, Toby waved a hand, mouthing a ‘Hi’ in reply. The stranger smiled, reaching out a hand and leaning in again.

“I’m William.” He said, shaking Toby’s hand gently. Toby flushed a bit, leaning closer to William’s ear and replying rather sheepishly.

“Toby.” He stated clearly. The taller boy nodded, and that was that. After deciding the dance floor was too loud for talking, William suggested they find somewhere a little quieter to talk. On one of the other floors, a quieter bar stood almost empty, and William waited for Toby to catch up before walking to the bar, where some barstools stood waiting. William only had to fall back against it and shuffle on, watching as Toby jumped up. They stared at each other for a while, before Toby blushed.

“You not drinking?” William asked, nodding to Toby’s bottle of J20. A little confused, Toby nodded to the bottle William was holding, which wasn’t alcoholic either.

“Neither are you.” He stated, William laughed and nodded. Funny that, how neither of them was drunk, he supposed it was some kind of omen. How many times had he got wasted, met a girl only to find out she had no character whatsoever. Pushing the thought from his mind, Toby finished his drink, but before he could make any movement to get another, William had ordered.

It was then Toby realised something. William had an expensive looking wallet, and it was stuffed with a few crisp notes. Mostly twenties. Realising how weird this was, Toby let his eyes wander over William’s attire. He was dressed pretty smartly. He wore a pair of dark, but slightly faded blue jeans, and an embroidered shirt, lined with blue. None of the stitching was falling away, but maybe that was because it was new? He looked back up at William, only to see him staring.

“Uh. I was just… Uh…” Toby stuttered. William was grinning though, and handed him a new bottle of J20. “Uh… Thank you.” Toby was biting his lip now; cheeks light red, and eyes finding somewhere neutral to look at. William snickered, leaning in slightly.

“You can look all you like. I don’t mind.” He whispered, watching as Toby blushed again. He looked back up at William, smiling a little.

“Okay… I’ll keep that in mind?” He said, smiling now. For the rest of the night, they talked about whether they were alone, how many weird things they’d seen out tonight, what other clubs they’d been to and liked, why they hadn’t met before. It was when William was about to buy the third round of drinks that Toby frowned, grabbing William’s wrist and pulling it away.

“No. I’ll pay this time.” He declared. William shook his head slowly, reaching a crisp note across the bar to the tender.

“If you don’t let me pay. I’ll leave.” He threatened. Toby knew it was a sort of test, and rolling his eyes he leant back again, closing his wallet. It only had maybe twenty when you added the tenner and some coins together. William smiled at him, and paid the bar person.

“You’re not paying all the time.” Toby said, causing William to raise an eyebrow. He leant over and leaned across his Toby’s ear again.

“Are you suggesting there might be times besides tonight when we’ll see each other?” He asked, with a rather sunning smile on his lips as he leant back. Toby blushed again, staring up at William’s eyes. He hadn’t quite realised how blue they were, inside something yearned for blue eyes again.

“Well… Uh… I don’t deny that that would be nice.” Toby said sheepishly, William smiled and took his change, placing it back in his wallet. Toby leant over, managing to catch a glimpse of a photo. William felt his body freeze as Toby pointed to it.

“They your parents?” He asked, looking up at William, who just nodded. “Ah. Not many people keep photos of their parents in their wallet.” He said, smiling slightly as he leant back again. “You must love them?” He asked, looking up at William, bottle in hand. William nodded slowly, returning a smile to Toby.

“Yeah. I do.” He said simply, feigning a grin. Toby nodded, taking another sip of his drink, he’d never met anyone who kept photos of their parents in their wallet. Sweet. William was struggling with himself however, and turned to look at Toby wondering if he should tell him about his parents. He didn’t want to end up blubbing, what if he was one of those types that was totally un-emotional? Closing his eyes for a moment, he tried to forget it was ever brought up.

“Hey, I’m kinda hungry. After this, would you like to go get some food or something?” William asked, looking at Toby as he tipped his bottle to drink. Toby thought about it for a while, nodding quietly after a few moments thought.

“Pizza or something? Sure.” He replied, wondering if William would insist on paying again. He finished his drink, and William smiled, standing to his feet.

“Where do you wanna go?” He asked, walking side by side out the large doors, managing to avoid a few crowds of very drunk looking people. It was about one in the morning by this time, and some people were getting ready to go home.

“There’s a cute pizza place down the road that not many people go to. Has seating too.” He added, as if that would be best. He was right though; eating outside usually attracted the attention of random drunks with nothing better to do than shout abuse. William was clearly gay to look at, he wasn’t sure about Toby. Toby hadn’t mentioned the fact that he had never been in a gay relationship before.

“Okay then. Lead the way!” He said, smiling as Toby nodded and walked. They watched a few people come and go past them, snickering between themselves as some people fell about drunk. It was highly amusing to hear what some men had to say to the girls around here. Toby stopped outside a small door, and smiled up at William, who stepped over the threshold of the door and walked to the counter.

“What are you having?” William asked, watching as Toby frowned. He grinned leaning in. “I’m paying again. Have whatever you like. You can have everything on the menu if you like.” He stated, looking up at what was on offer. Toby eyed him slightly, and shook his head slowly.

“I’ll just have a pepperoni pizza then, please.” He muttered. William turned to look at him, brushing Toby’s cheek with his index finger.

“Hey, What’s up?” He asked, tipping his head. Toby blushed a little, shaking his head and smiling up at William again.

“Nothing. Nothing. What are you having?” He asked, looking up at the menu again. William sighed, and looked up too. Nodding to the man behind the counter.

“I’ll have two pepperoni pizza’s please.” He said, the man rang some numbers into the till and William paid him, shoving the change in his pocket for now. He took a ticket and looked down at Toby, smiling. “Where would you like to sit?” He asked, looking around the room. Toby pointed to a table at the far end of the place and they wandered over.

“William…?” Toby started as they settled down opposite each other. William hand folded his arms casually on the tabletop and had lifted an eyebrow curiously. “Come on, how come you can splash out like this?” He asked, watching William turn a light red.

“Uh… I work a lot?” He said, raising an eyebrow. Toby frowned and shook his head, resting an elbow on the table and cupping his chin whilst staring at William idly. William sighed a bit, biting his lips gently. “Your eyes are quite something…” He muttered, suddenly falling back as he realised he’d spoken aloud. Toby blushed again, lifting his hand to brush some hair off his forehead, staring at the table.

“Okay…” Toby mumbled, hearing the soft chuckle escape William. He looked up, just in time to see two pizzas slide onto the table. William nodded to the man, and looked at Toby, sliding one of the boxes towards him.

“Sorry. Didn’t mean to get you all shy.” William muttered, smirking. Toby forced a smile and pulled open the lid of the box, looking up at William.

“The pizza here is really yummy.” Toby stated, picking up a slice and taking a bite. William licked his lips, taking a slice of his own and biting into it, a moan of appreciation escaping him.

“You’re right…” He replied as he swallowed, taking another bite. They sat talking for a while after, mostly about food, where they’d been. William was stepping on careful ground. Most of the places he and his friends ventured to were a little expensive, and he didn’t usually find himself in nightclubs like the one he’d been in earlier.

When they’d finished, Toby had slid his mobile phone across the table to William, his number had been located on it and was displaying on the screen. William sighed and pulled out his phone. It was one of the newest models, and he caught Toby’s gaze on it. His story was fraying at the edges. He typed in the number anyway, and saved it, before looking up at Toby with a smile.

“Thanks.” He said, sliding his phone back into his pocket and leaning over to rest his arms on the table again. Their pizza boxes lay on the table beside them, and Toby picked his phone up, replacing it. “I’ll text you when I get home. Make sure you’re okay.” William added, causing both boys to blush.

The small pizza place was beginning to fill with people, William reached out a hand, tapping Toby’s arm gently. Toby smiled, standing to his feet and walking behind William out the door. A few drunks made glances, but both William and Toby ignored them. As they came out of the restaurant, William dug in his pocket to find his keys, blushing a little at the large key ring that read ‘Audi’. Toby eyed it quietly.

“You want a lift home? I haven’t drunk anything tonight, so I should think you’ll be okay.” William asked, holding onto his keys so they were hidden in his palm. Toby frowned a bit, but nodded slowly.

“I’ve been told never to get into a stranger’s car, but I guess I can trust you.” Toby joked, they smiled, and William walked them to one of the car parks where he’d left his car. Toby’s eyes widened a little as William pressed the button on his key ring to unlock the car. A Red Audi TT Roadster stood before them, and William walked over to his side, smiling.

“This is a car I’m sure you won’t mind taking a ride in.” He asked. Watching as Toby walked a little faster to the other side of the car, his eyes reeling.

“My God, William. I’ve always wanted a TT… Is this your dad’s?” Toby asked. William stared at him a while, biting his lip gently.

“Hey, would you mind if we took a detour? There’s somewhere I’d really like to take you.” William asked, tipping his head slightly. “I don’t mind if you wanna save it for another day.” He added, watching as Toby took a look at the time.

“Well, It’s not as if I have work in the morning. Sure.” William smiled and opened the door, lowering himself into the car. Toby followed suit, almost drooling at what lay around him. The interior was practically black and silver, but it looked so pristine. William snickered a bit, turning the engine on and pulling his seatbelt over himself. He shook his head, making his closest move of the night, he leant over Toby, who shot back immediately, grabbed his seatbelt and pulled it round him.

“There.” William finished, looking at Toby with a smile. He’d leant so close, their faces were inches apart. Toby snickered a bit, pushing his belt down into the buckle.

“Heh… You can put my seatbelt on for me every time…” He muttered. William laughed, shaking his head and putting the car into reverse. Before Toby new it, they were racing round the corner.

“The place I wanted to take you… is about an hours’ drive. Is that okay? I’ll be going on the motorway?” William asked, looking over at Toby as the car pulled out onto the almost empty streets. A few people looked at the car as Will drove past, a few girls attempting to thumb a lift. Toby was too engrossed in the car to be bothered.

“M…Motorway? That would be cool…” Toby stuttered, making William chuckle again. Not long after they had hit the empty road, and the speedometer was slowly rising. Toby’s hand had slid under his thighs slightly, and he was watching the road and the Speedo, a small chuckle escaping him. “How fast does this thing go anyway?” He asked, eyeing the gauge, which was reading jut over 100 miles an hour. William smirked a bit, looking over at Toby.

“A little faster…” He replied calmly, and the boys watched as the little white line clocked higher and higher. Toby’s eyes popped out as they hit 150, and he shook his head quickly, there wasn’t much sign of resistance around the car, and William smirked, slowly letting his speed fall. He didn’t need to get caught speeding.

“My God…” Toby breathed, feeling a little safer, even though they were still at 120mph. “How often do you do that?” He asked, eyeing William. He just shrugged.

“Not much… Usually only when I’m happy… or really distressed.” William muttered, sighing as they arrived at a roundabout. It was there that William drove off onto a dual carriageway, and off towards what the signs were saying was the coast. Toby couldn’t believe they had been on the road nearly an hour. William looked over, smiling.

Fifteen minutes later, William had driven them to a small rocky pier. He’d driven out as far as it would let them and looked out at the sea, a heavy sigh escaped him.

“Walk with me?” William asked, watching as Toby looked at him curiously. They both got out of the car, and William locked it behind them out of habit. They walked in silence, Toby following William by his side. They stopped at the edge of the rocks, and William sank to the floor. Taking his lead, Toby slumped down beside him.

“It’s… really nice out here.” Toby chanced, and William just nodded slowly.

“I’ve never brought anyone else out here before. I always come here though.” William explained, looking over at Toby and smiling. “I lied earlier…” He said, staring at Toby and watching him frown slightly, trying to remember if he’d lied about anything he could remember. “I guess, my dad is a businessman, but he’s dead now.” He sighed a little, and Toby pointed at his chest.

“The… The photo?” Toby asked, receiving a nod in reply. Toby’s cheek flushed red. “Oh… I’m really sorry… If I upset you…?” William shook his head, folding his arms across his knees.

“Nah… It’s okay… Listen.” He started; looking over at Toby whose eyes were glued on him, obviously concentrating on what William was about to say. He took a deep breath. “I had a boyfriend at the time. He was quite sweet about it to start off with, but then started asking me to buy him things. The more depressed I became about my parents’ death, the more he’d ask for things… I let him have them all, because I knew he was having to put up with me moping about.” He sighed heavily, and noticed Toby was frowning now. “We split up two months after their car crash, and I haven’t even looked at another since.” He bit his lip slightly, turning to look at Toby, a smile on his face now. Toby could feel a blush at his cheeks.

“Then I saw you. You reminded me a little about myself, lone star and all that. I had to talk to you, and then when you looked over at me.” A chuckle escaped them both, and William sighed heavily. “I should be more weary of people like Jack. I’m a businessman now, took over Dad’s business. Too much money to throw around, but I don’t see that in you.” He was biting his lip now, and Toby was shaking his head.

“No. I… would probably like you just as much as I do if you didn’t have a car.” The smile on his lips widened, and they stared at each other for a while longer.

“I guess that’s all good. Even if I knew you were after my money, I think I’d still want you… like I do.” William blabbed, trying to hide his blush with a smile as Toby snickered. They sat in silence, listening to the waves crash against the rocks beneath them. Toby wondered if his parents had brought him here when he was younger, or if he’d discovered it on his own. He wondered what it must have been like.

“Hey, William…” Toby asked, leaning up slightly and looking over. William’s eyes were a little watery, and Toby’s expression changed. “… Are you okay?” William nodded a bit, forcing a smile across his lips.

“Sorry… I was just thinking a little too much.” William muttered. Toby sighed a little and shuffled closer, sliding his arm around William’s shoulder and hugging him. For the first time in 3 years William felt cared for, he let his head fall against Toby’s shoulder gently.

“It’s okay you know… Sounds like you’ve been through a lot. I guess running a business doesn’t give you much time for yourself.” Toby empathised, watching as William nodded. He leant up soon after, shaking his head slowly, and Toby wondered if he’d done something wrong.

“Goodness… Everything I’ve seen of you is… Perfect.” He whispered. Toby’s cheek flushed a little, and he shook his head slowly. William laughed a bit, sliding a hand under Toby’s chin, he tipped it up gently, smiling at him. Toby stared for a while, wondering if he should mention anything about never being this close to a guy before… never mind getting any closer. Those eyes were irresistible though. A gentle sigh escaped him, and they leaned in a little closer. Toby had lifted a hand to William’s waist as their lips met, one hand still propping himself up, whilst William’s hand fell from Toby’s lips and gently curled around the back of his neck.

They remained in a similar pose for the next few minutes, before William leant away slightly, either boy brandishing a blush and a smile. Toby glanced over at the sea for a moment. The way he was looking must have done something to William, because he had leant in again to kiss Toby’s cheek gently. Turning his head, Toby raised an eyebrow at him.

“You remind me of how I was when I first kissed a guy.” William started. Toby’s eyes widened slightly, the blush in his cheeks burning slightly. ‘Well—‘ before he could finish, the semi-shocked look on his face subsided. He shook his head slowly, and his fingers lifted to fiddle with Toby’s hair gently. A shudder ran down the younger boys’ spine, and he leant in again. Before either of them knew it, they were kissing again.