Is It Love? Part 2

Want anything to drink while it fills up? I'm going inside to grab some things."

He shook his head and watched the attractive teen entering the building, admiring the long, lean legs and the firm, round backside. His heart thumped inside his chest and he frowned at the thoughts he was having. It had been nine months since the incident with Oliver. But how fickle was his heart if he was already interested in someone else? Sighing, he settled his head back against the seat and closed his eyes, only opening them again when Michael slid into the driver's seat. Michael tossed a bag of chips in his lap and grinned. "Figured you'd get hungry at some point."

Linc laughed and picked up the bag to begin munching, staring out the window as the snow-covered tress flew by. "You know, where I lived, we never had snow. It was too warm. This is pretty cool. Thanks for inviting me."

Michael glanced over the other teenager. He could see a huge difference between the Linc he'd met nine months ago and the Linc seated beside him. The pain had softened around the edges and he wasn't quite so sad anymore. Every once in a while, that look would come back over his face but it didn't last long, usually replaced quickly by a smile. "Well you'll love the way Christmas is celebrated at my house." He claimed proudly. "My mom makes the best stuffing and my dad does a great job decorating the house. We even go out caroling on Christmas Eve."

"Really?" Linc asked excitedly, turning his head to look at him. His amber eyes sparkled with pleasure at the idea. "That's really cool. I can hardly wait." He practically bounced in his seat like a little kid, ripping a laugh of delight from Michael.

The miles passed quickly and they arrived at Michael's home sooner than expected. His parents weren't home, but his little brother met them at the door. "Michael!" Squealed an almost identical teenager, launching himself at Linc's roommate.

He hung back and watched them interract. He was an only child so this all new to him. "Linc, this is my younger brother, Bryan. Bryan, this is my roommate Linc." Linc greeted him quietly and smiled, noticing that Bryan had the same silver eyes as his brother but his hair was a slight shade lighter, blue black instead of ink. "Come on, I'll show you where you're going to sleep." Michael beckoned him to follow, toting his bags towards the stairs.

To Linc's surprise they were going to share a room, but what surprised him even more was there was only one bed. "I'm going to sleep on the floor." Michael interjected when he saw the look on his friend's face.

"But....it'll be cold." Linc frowned, concerned with Michael getting sick. "I don't want you to get sick for Christmas."

Michael laughed and shook his head. "What else then? You wanna share?"

Linc's amber eyes widened in shock and immediately swung up to meet the silver orbs watching him intently. He stumbled over several words before finally agreeing. "It'll be better than you getting sick. It's a big bed, one of us can sleep under the flat sheet and one on top."

"Sure. Let's go grab something to eat. I'm starving." Michael didn't let on his elation at Linc agreeing to share the bed with him. He felt like he'd received a Christmas gift early.

Linc was able to meet Michael's parents later that afternoon, and they were wonderful people. As warm and loving as you dream your parents were. Linc's own parents weren't exactly cold and cruel but they were nothing like Michael's parents. They greeted him like a long lost son and told him to treat their home as his own. It left him feeling breathless by the time they headed upstairs to bed. "Wow." He breathed to Michael.

"Great parents huh?" Michael asked as he yanked the sheets back to prepare the bed. Linc would sleep under the flat sheet, Michael above. "I'm going to change and take a shower. I'll be back in a few." He grabbed some sweatpants and a t-shirt, not wanting to make Linc uncomfortable on his first day there. He usually slept in either sweatpants or nothing.

The shower kicked on and Linc felt his mouth go dry at the thought of Michael standing beneath the spray, the water making his skin shine slickly. Stop it! He berated himself mentally. He's your friend and he was kind enough to invite you home for Christmas. Don't repay him by salivating over his body! Linc flushed at his thoughts and wandered around the room, studying some of the pictures that were on the dresser and walls, as well as the books that lined a shelf on the wall.

Michael was standing in the doorway drying his hair, watching the slender, more feminine boy looking around his room. His eyes hungrily drunk in the sight of the slightly longer brown hair. It had grown out several inches since Linc's arrival at the school. His gaze dropped lower to the slim, but gorgeous bottom. It shifted as Linc walked and it left him feeling slightly uncomfortable. What had he left himself in for? "That was from my senior year. Prom." He tossed out when he saw Linc looking at a picture of him and the date he'd taken to Prom.

Linc jumped at the sound of Michael's voice but he couldn't look away from the photo. Michael's arm was around another boy's and they were both smiling into the camera, happily. "Is this your boy..boyfriend?" He asked, wincing at stuttering over boyfriend.

"Nah. We're just friends now. Broke up right after graduation. You can use the shower now if you want to." Michael offered.

"Um...no. I took one this morning, so I'll be all right. I'm uh...just going to change." Linc grabbed his toothbrush and paste as well as a change of clothes before darting across the hallway to change, missing the small smile that lingered on Michael's full lips. He stared at himself in the mirror as he tried to get a hold of himself. What the hell was wrong with him? He quickly changed into the shorts and t-shirt he'd brought to sleep in and brushed his teeth, turning out the light a few minutes later.

The lights were already off in the bedroom and he swallowed nervously as he slid beneath the covers. He could feel the heat radiating off of Michael and wondered if he would be able to sleep at all. "Good night." He whispered into the darkness.

"Good night, Linc." Michael bid.

Amazingly enough, he fell asleep, but at some point in the night, he also wound up wrapped in Michael's arms. Much to his dismay when he woke the next morning. He felt warm, and peaceful. And the heart that beat beneath his ear was soothing. The heart??? Linc's eyes flew open when he realized that Michael was curled around him, his arms holding Linc against his chest and his legs were tangled with his. He'd never felt safer or more aroused. He knew if Michael woke, there was no way the other boy couldn't feel his erection digging into his thigh. Linc practically fell out of the bed, racing out into the hall and into the bathroom.

Michael lay there watching after the slender back, and grinned. He'd felt Linc's arousal, pressing insistently into his flesh. Truth be told, he'd been awake for some time now, just breathing in the fresh scent and enjoying how cute he looked curled against him. Like a little kitten. His little kitten.

Linc found the room empty when he went back in and dressed quickly, yanking on a pair of jeans and a long sleeve sweatshirt. It draped on his form with how big it was but it would be warm. He could hear dishes and voices below him and took the stairs slowly. A blush threatened to work it's way over his cheeks the closer he got to the kitchen, and he wondered how he was going to face Michael. Maybe Michael hadn't even realized. That left him feeling a little better and he was able to give a strained smile when he reached the doorway. "Good morning."

Those silver eyes caught him in their web immediately. A bright smile beamed at him and he blinked at how relieved he felt. "Good morning, Linc. I thought you might want to go for a walk later. There's a really cool ice pond out back that we can go ice skating on."

"I've never been ice skating." Linc said embarrassed.

"That's all right. I'll teach you. I have an extra pair of skates and I think our sizes are about the same. You can borrow one of my jacket's too."

"Okay. Sure." Linc finally got into the spirit and replied enthusiastically.

They were on their way to the pond shortly thereafter. Bryan chattering about everything that had been happening at school and with his friends as they floundered through the snow. Linc burrowed deeper into the borrowed jacket, trying not to notice Michael's scent too much. He picked up handfuls of snow as they walked, and let it sift through his glove encased fingers. "Snow's beautiful." He extolled in a breathless voice, more from the walk than the awe.

"It is." Michael agreed, trying not to stare too much at the enticing flush on Linc's cheeks from the cold. His stomach twisted at how beautiful his roommate looked. He saw Bryan watching him with a knowing grin and he shook his head quickly, a pleading look coming over his face for his brother not to say anything.

The pond was frozen solid this time of year and Michael helped Linc with his skates once they reached there, making sure they were tight. "Come on." He stepped out on the ice and turned to watch Linc stand from the log he'd been sitting on.

The slender of the three was slightly unbalanced, wobbling as he stepped out on the ice. Anxiety was evident in the amber eyes. "Don't worry." Michael skated closer, sliding an arm behind Linc's waist. "I won't let you fall." He whispered into Linc's ear, and skated forward, bringing his roommate with him.

Linc gripped the arm at his waist in fear, and tried to ignore how good it felt to be held so close to Michael's body. "Okay."

They skated faster and eventually, Linc was able to release his death grip on the taller boy, and managed to go several feet on his own. "This is really awesome." He exclaimed, grinning broadly. The wind was cold against his face but he didn't notice, too involved in enjoying the skating.

Michael felt his brother skate up next to him as he watched Linc slowly making his way across the ice. "You like him." Bryan stated.

"Yeah. I do. But he's not ready for anything other than being friends. So don't say anything to him, Bry." Michael warned his brother, keeping his smile in place since Linc kept looking their way.

"I think he's more ready than you think. He doesn't stop watching you whenever you're in the same room together. He likes you, too." Bryan's voice was serious and he pushed off on his skates. "Come on, let's skate."

So that was how the next few hours were spent, and Linc was almost frozen through by the time they were done, but it was worth it. He felt more alive that day than he had in almost a year. The ache that had plagued his heart was growning more minute by the day. Fading away to be replaced by something else. A warmth that he felt whenever he looked at Michael, or whenever Michael smiled. That wonderful, amazing smile. Luc noticed Bryan staring at him staring at Michael and flushed, thankful for the cold that had brightened his cheeks already.

He was lost in his thoughts on their way back to the house and would have stayed there if something hadn't hit him in the back. Spinning around in astonishment, he saw Michael grinning innocently, snow clinging to his hair. "You hit me with a snowball?" Linc asked in shock.

"Maybe." Michael stuck out his tongue at Linc in a childish but adorable way.

Linc gave him a determined look and crouched down to gather together his own snowball, forming it and molding it into an almost perfect round shape. He tossed it lightly in the air and watched Michael's eyes widen as the other teenager realized he was going to retaliate. The second that he tossed the snowball at the dark-haired boy, Linc was reaching for another one. It began an all out war between the two of them. Bryan snuck away without them even realizing it, shaking his head and smiling at how happy his brother seemed.

Finally, Linc was out of breath and floundering, unused to all the physical activity. "Okay, I give!" He cried, collapsing to his back in the snow.

A chuckle came from Michael as he approached his slender kitten. He dropped down beside him, and leaned over him, holding the single snowball he had left. "You yield? So quickly? But that's not a challenge!" He pouted down at Linc.

"I've never been overly active, Michael." Linc said breathlessy, breathing as deeply as he could to refill his laboring lungs. "And I've never had a snowball fight before. You have the distinct advantage here."

Michael stared down at how there were tiny crystals hanging from the dark lashes surrounding those liquid honey eyes he found so sweet yet sexy. The light pink lips were trembling from the cold and before he knew what he was doing, his head began to drop towards Linc's, wanting to warm those sweet cherries. But a voice shouting from the house made him pull back in aggravation at himself. He looked up to see a lone figure standing on the front porch, waving at him. He stood and brushed the snow off of himself, reaching down to help Linc from where he lay. "Come on! I want to introduce you to my best friend."


Linc trailed behind reluctantly. He could almost swear Michael had been about to kiss him. Had he? Or was it all his imagination? A small sigh misted across the air, and he tried to ignore that little voice pushing at him to believe what he knew couldn't possibly be true.

Michael's best friend was Toby, the boy from the picture at Prom. It instantly left Linc with a nasty taste in his mouth and a pained sensation in his lower stomach. He gave the boy a tight smile but excused himself once they were inside the house to go use the restroom. Who was he kidding? Michael? Interested in him when he had someone like that? Toby was a blonde god. He had the body of a well formed football player, legs that looked long and powerful, an ass that was tight and firm, and shaggy blonde hair like a lion's mane that hung into these amazingly green eyes. Linc sighed and pushed away from the door. Stop being stupid, he commanded of himself. You know Michael doesn't want you like that, so why continue to think about it? Just get through the holidays and everything will go back to normal. Right?

Toby was gone when he went back downstairs and Linc frowned, looking around. "Your friend didn't stay?" He asked.

"He just dropped by to say hi and give me a gift for Christmas." Michael kept a close eye on Linc's reaction but the boy acted like nothing had happened and just shrugged. Frustration ate at him, gnawing like a gerbil at a toilet paper roll. What would it take for Linc to notice him? As more than a comfort or friend.

The next few days flew by fairly quickly. Michael showed Linc around his home town, they went ice skating again, helped his mother make cookies for the elderly patients at the hospital, and went Christmas shopping for Michael's parents and brother. It was Christmas Eve before Linc could believe it and he was waiting on the front porch, bouncing from leg to leg as he waited for Michael and Bryan. Michael's parents were sitting in the car in the driveway. They were going Christmas caroling and Linc could hardly wait. It apparently was a big tradition in their town for a group of people to get together and go door to door. Michael finally appeared with Bryan in tow. He gave Linc a bright smile. "Let's go."

It was a beautiful night. Full moon, Christmas lights on every house, and a light snow began to fall as everyone gathered in front of the church on Main Street. Linc was handed a lantern that cast a soft glow over his face. Michael walked beside him as they started off towards the first house. "Having fun?" Michael asked.

Linc nodded enthusiastically. "This is great. You're so lucky to have lived here all your life."

"Ah. Not so sure about that. After all, small town means small minds." Michael gave him a look that suggested things hadn't been quite so easy for him here.

The caroling began and Linc put his all into it, just enjoying being with Michael, and being able to see him so happy. His heart tripped over itself whenever he heard Michael's deep voice lifting up in song beside him. It made him feel warm despite the cold biting at his cheeks. Snowflakes dusted Michael's black hair, like powdered sugar on a chocolate cake. They glistened in the lights shining from the house in front of them, making them sparkle like diamonds, shining brightly like the star that lead the three wise men to Jesus. Linc just let everything but being close to Michael drift away.

They finally returned to the house close to midnight. Bryan went straight up to his room followed closely by his parents. Michael wandered into the living room to sink down onto the couch, sighing tiredly. The mantle clock chimed midnight a brief moment later. "Merry Christmas, Linc." Michael said quietly, looking up at the slender boy who stood close to the tree.

"Merry Christmas." Linc returned. A smile ghosted across his lips, just barely there. "Thank you for inviting me here. I think this is the best Christmas I've ever had. I hope that you haven't been disappointed in having me here."

"Of course not." Michael frowned, standing and moving to Linc's side. "I wouldn't have invited you if I didn't want you to be here, Linc."

Silver eyes gazed down into amber, lights from the tree casting shadows over their faces. Michael reached up and tenderly touched the soft, pale cheek, running his thumb along it's smooth surface. "I'm glad you came." He admitted softly.

He could see Linc's lips part in surprise at his caress and the slender teen's breath quickened, beckoning him closer. His head began to lower as if he had no control over it. The amber eyes darkened with something akin to anticipation, deepening in intensity the closer he got. Then it happened. Nothing more than a mere brush of soft lips over soft lips. Michael almost groaned at how good it felt, doing it again and again. But soon that wasn't enough. With no protest from Linc, it encouraged him to deepen it, aligning his lips more firmly with his, sliding his hand down Linc's arm to his wrist and gently pulling him closer. A small sigh of pleasure escaped his lips when he felt Linc step closer, pressing their bodies against one another. His hand left Linc's wrist to wind in the mouse brown hair, holding him in place for his suddenly demanding kiss.

Linc couldn't believe this was happening. Michael was kissing him. He hesitantly brought his arms around Michael's waist, afraid that if he moved too quickly, the other boy would realize the mistake he'd made and would pull away. His lips parted further, and his mouth was immediately flooded with Michael's tongue. Linc's hands gripped at the back of Michael's shirt. It was his true first kiss. Oliver's kiss had been nothing like this, had made him feel nothing like this. He was painfully aware of every plane, every contour, every muscle of his roommates body against his. Michael's tongue encouraged his to move, to flit over his in a teasingly erotic dance, stealing what was left of his breath. He couldn't stop the whimper of protest that left his throat when he felt his roommate's tongue recede from his mouth.

Then Michael had broken the kiss and buried his face in Linc's sheath of hair. He could feel the slightly taller boy's erratic breathing, and the trembling of his body. His head whirled with confusion, passion, and anxiety. "Michael?" He questioned, his voice in a whisper, his heart still pounding against his ribcage.

But the words that left Michael made his heart beat faster and his pulse pound wildly. "Please say you don't regret that." Linc felt his hand tighten in his hair and the arm that was around his back flexed with strength, dragging him even closer, if that was possible.

Linc felt a smile curve his lips and he snuggled closer, closing his eyes as his cheek rested on Michael's shoulder. "Why would I regret it?" He asked.

Michael felt Linc's body relax into his, and he released the breath he'd been holding at Linc's response. He pulled back quickly, staring intently into the honey colored eyes, his own liquid silver swirling with apprehension. He gripped Linc's shoulders. "You truly don't regret it?"

A frown creased between Linc's eyes at how anxious Michael seemed. "Of course not. I--" He didn't get a chance to finish, his words abruptly cut off by Michael's mouth crashing down on his, and his body being dragged back into the strong embrace.

Relief had speared through Michael at Linc's words. Instant, bone-melting relief. Maybe Bryan had been right that second day they'd been home. He drew his tongue lightly over Linc's bottom lip, sucking it deep into his mouth and wrenching a low moan from the slender teen. He nipped it gently before releasing it only to dip inside to taste him further. He managed to drag them both to the couch without releasing the delicious orifice. It delighted him to feel Linc responding, his own slim, pink tongue hesitantly sliding over his. Inexperience screamed from Linc, in his slow, uncalculated response.

Not wanting to overwhelm the smaller male, Michael pulled back and rested his forehead on Linc's shoulder. He couldn't help the shiver of awareness that spread through him when Linc's hand toyed with several strands of his hair. "I know that you still aren't over that bastard completely but will you...give me a chance to make you happy?" Wanting to convey his sincerity, he slid back just enough to meet those amber eyes he treasured so much, silently pleading with Linc to say yes.

Linc searched Michael's gaze, listening to his heart telling him to be honest, and he smiled affectionately, reaching up to touch the lips that had made him feel so much pleasure. "Are you asking me out, Michael?"