Raydiation

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Evan shut and locked the door of the Grab N' Go, happy that his shift was finally over.

The sun was setting, and a chilly, soft breeze blew through the tiny town. Evan kicked a rock with frustration, knowing he forgot a jacket before going to work.

He started his walk home, occasionally picking up stray stones on the sidewalk and throwing them. He peaked at an ant hill for a bit before continuing.

The streets were empty, the streetlights brightening up the bumpy road when they turned on as the sun crawled lower and lower.

He remembered the cigarettes in his back pocket, so Evan took the box out and put an unlit one to his lips. He patted his front and back pockets and sighed with dismay. He'd forgotten his lighter. He began putting the cigarette back into its place in the box.

"Need a light?" A voice from behind travelled through the quiet night air.

"FUCK!" Evan jumped, turning around.

Under the streetlight, Texas was laughing.

"Sorry, didn't mean t'spook you." He apologized. Evan walked toward him.

"Scared me half to death. Yeah, light me up, Tex." Evan took the cigarette out of the box again and held it for Texas to light. He also gave him one.

Texas pulled out a silver Zippo lighter and flicked it open, beginning to light Evan's cigarette. The brunette started to take a drag.

"Hold still real quick." Texas put the lighter away and placed his cigarette in his mouth. Evan felt his ears get warm in the frosty air when the cowboy leaned in.

He put the unlit end of his cigarette to Evan's lit one, and in turn, sparked up his own. He blew out some smoke, grinning.

"Two birds, one stone." Texas pulled away. "Where you headin'?"

"Uh.. Home. My shift just ended. You?"

"Just a light stroll." Texas said, giggling at himself, "Say, its gettin' to be awful dark. Mind if I walk with you?"

"Oh, sure." Evan nodded, and they both started walking in a comfortable silence.

Evan felt pretty stoked, although he didn't show it. He'd had a crush on Texas for a while now, but had no idea if he liked him back or even if he liked guys.

Little to his knowledge, Texas was trying not to do cartwheels down the sidewalk. He was head-over-heels for him. The cowboy had officially fallen off that cliff at a sleepover with Bruce and Vance and Evan. Griffin was there too, only he was hanging out with Billy. He recalled how Evan got insanely high with Vance, declared to the group that he wasn't straight--which, when said, Texas had felt the air punched out of him--then decided to teach Texas what shotgunning was.

Evan definitely didn't remember--he passed out shortly after. But Texas did, like his phone number.

So, Texas started shooting any shot he could. And as Evan began shivering from the cold, he shot again.

"Want my jacket?" Texas asked, taking notice of the shaking boy.

"Yeah. Thanks." Evan said, and Texas promptly unzipped his brown leather jacket and handed it to the cashier. Under it, he wore a tan flannel and a white shirt.

"So, how was work?" Texas asked, putting his hands into his Jean pockets.

"Pretty slow. We emptied the quarters in the pinball machine. Where the he'll does Vance get all those coins?" Evan shook his head. "I'll ask him when I get home."

"Wait, why's he at your house?" The cowboy seemed confused.

"Oh, uh.." The brunette paused. "It's not really my story to tell, but he's been crashing at mine for a few weeks."

"Huh. Hope whatever it is works out in his favor." Texas blew out more smoke. Then, he put on that familiar, mischievous grin, remembering something. "Y'know, I think he's got the hots for Bruce."

Evan chuckled. "Its so obvious! Bruce definitely likes him, too."

"Yeah! Its like watching a bad, gross romance movie. All that banter and shit, then they always look at each other like they spin the world around. And don't get me started on how jealous Vance gets!" Texas let out a laugh. "But honestly, I don't blame him. Bruce is good lookin', I'd be sour too."

Evan felt the jealousy in that moment, and looked down to his shoes with a forced, dry laugh.

"I think I've always had a thing for dark-haired folks, though." Texas noticed his discomfort, and tried to hint at him.

Get bold, Tex.

"And maybe a nerdy look. An inch or two taller. Perhaps a bit skittish, but he still can put up one hell of a fight." Texas shot Evan an unseen glance, hoping he figured it out.

Evan, however, was internally short circuiting. He figured it out, quick.

How the fuck do I flirt back? Was that even flirting? Evan took a long drag off his cigarette. Also, "he?" Being a bit obvious, man.

"I've, uhhh.. I have a thing for blonds, I guess. Or when they're athletic. Oh, and probably like, really pretty blue eyes. And when he's kind of goofy." Evan said, acting casual. He hoped Texas caught on.

He did. The cowboy chuckled, flustered.

"Well, uh... This is my stop." Evan hadn't even noticed that they'd gotten to his house.

It was a white one-story house, with a brown roof and a picket fence. It was nice. You could see the baseball field's lights looming behind it. The two walked up to the porch.

"Well, I guess I'll see you around." Texas gave a grin, although he felt a bit disappointed. He really, really wanted to kiss Evan before he left, but he didn't know if he was reading the room right. Evan handed him the ashtray out front with several smoked joints. He put out his cigarette with Evan.

Just do it already! His inner thoughts pressed.

Just as Texas finally built up the courage, he got a soft kiss from Evan. It lasted no more than two seconds.

"Goodnight. See you around, kid."

Evan smiled and swiftly went inside and ripped the confident expression away to reveal a flustered, jaw-dropped, and red face as he slumped down against the door, sitting with his back on it.

Outside, Texas looked similar.

Fuzzy. He felt fuzzy. And tingly and buzzing all over. He lingered before his feet started the journey home. He looked ridiculous, slack jawed and beet red. He was warmer than his hometown in a heatwave despite the cold around him.

All he could think about was the kiss. And how Evan was still wearing his jacket.

Back at the Shaw residence, Evan had peeled himself off the floor and flopped onto the couch, staring at nothing.

"What happened?" Vance was sat next to him, flipping through channels.

"Texas walked me home and I kissed him." Evan whispered, not believing himself. It actually happened. "I fucking kissed him."

"Max!" Vance called, and Evan's dad peaked out from the kitchen door.

"Yeah?" Max said, and Evan could see some remnants of a red, syrupy substance on his apron he wore for baking. Evan hoped he made cherry pie.

"You owe me ten bucks."

"Really, Evan? C'mon, bud, I could've won ten dollars. Why didn't you wait..." Max sighed and emerged fully, pulling his wallet from his pocket and handing Vance a Hamilton. Vance held it out and sniffed it dramatically, rubbing it in.

"Really? You guys actually bet on this?" Evan looked downright betrayed. Max retreated back to the kitchen.

"Yup. Thanks, Evan." Vance grinned with all his teeth, very bigly, before going dead pan and back to the television.

"I hate you, whore."

"Fuck off, bitch."

"I'm gonna shoot you."

"Nuh-uh."

"The fuck, what do you mean 'nUh-Uh'???"

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Thanks for reading to the end :)