#hagmint

“So you’re a huge nerd?”  There was a teasing lilt to James’ tone, curling warmly around the words as they left his mouth.  

Something fuzzy blossomed in Fraser’s chest.  He was not used to this sort of teasing from someone he’d just met, especially around his interests.  The guys had lovingly given him shit over all of this years ago, if they even bothered to bring it up anymore.  He’d always done his best to be open about his interests and hobbies, just like his parents had taught him to be.  They taught him to hold his head high and proud, and Fraser always did.  “You saying that in a bad way, Hagens?”

Something dark flashed through James’ blue eyes.  Fraser blinked, wondering if it’d been a trick of the light.  “No.”  

He felt James’ foot nudge his, a gentle phantom press of sneaker on sneaker.  It was a test.  

Fraser held his gaze, heart pounding in his ears.  This is not where he had expected to see things going.  There was a small part of him that wanted to peer down the opening, see where the path led.  James’ eyes were really blue, and he had a great smile, pleasant features.  Fraser knew he could like looking at him, if he gave himself the chance.  

“Tell me more,” James said, voice soft.  The tip of his sneaker pushed a tad more firmer against the tip of Fraser’s sneaker.  “It’s hot when nerds geek out.”