Eternal Sunshine

Chapter Twenty-Nine

"Will you stop pacing, Leo," Benz pleaded as he waited with Leo in front of their house. "You're stressing me out."

"What if he doesn't come?" Leo asked, completely ignoring Benz's plea. "Sure, Nine said he wasn't angry anymore, but that doesn't mean he wants to talk to me."

Unable to help himself, Benz flicked Leo's ear.

"I beg of you, stop talking. You're freaking yourself out for nothing."

Leo rubbed his ear, glaring at Benz. "But..."

"I've witnessed Nine's mood over the last few days, today especially. It's more than he wants to talk to you, Leo. I think he needs to."

Taking comfort in his friend's words, Leo finally stopped pacing. A few minutes later, the front gate opened as Fluke and Maze walked up the driveway with Nine and Del a step behind. It took everything in Leo not to rush over and pull Nine into a tight embrace. Unknowingly to Leo, Nine felt the same way.

"Stop gawking and let's all go inside," Fluke demanded as they pushed Leo back toward the door, making him stumble.

"Was pushing me really necessary?" Leo chuckled, quickly glancing back at Nine as the group walked into the house.

"Always," Fluke answered, grin on their face.

Once inside, the group made their way into the living room, and Nine was surprised to find that it wasn't empty. Waiting for them was Zol, Mesa, Prat, and most shockingly to Nine, Leo's father. Why were they here?

Del immediately sat next to Mesa on the couch while Fluke grabbed a couple of pillows to sit on the floor with Maze. Not knowing what else to do, Nine sat on the floor with Maze and Fluke. Leo remained standing, his nerves beginning to return.

"Now that we're all here, Leo, why don't you start?" Tong said, leaning back in the chair he was sitting in.

Leo nodded and looked down at Nine, taking in a deep breath. After three short days of secretly planning, this was the moment that decided everything. All Leo could do was suggest his plan. Whether Nine agreed to it or not was up to him.

"We've come up with a better plan for you, Nine. One that I think you'll like better."

"We?" Nine asked.

"Leo came up with the initial idea," Zol clarified. "The rest of us were brought in to make it happen."

"All of you?" Nine looked between Maze and Del, who simply nodded.

Leo sat on the floor, ignoring the need to reach for Nine's hand.

"The plan is to hold a weekend event during the last week of the school year. The month leading up to the event, we will hang up fliers, post information on social media, anything to get the word out. While the school will not be hosting the event, the dean has given us permission to use the school's social media accounts as well."

Nine's face dropped slightly. "Are you suggesting a charity event for me?"

"Let him finish, Nine," Maze pleaded, laying a hand on Nine's shoulder.

"It's not just for you," Leo continued. "It's for the four other students who lost their scholarships as well. Zol and I have talked to each of them, and we've found a commonality. Each of you want to go into a business that centers around creativity. For you, it's cooking. For the other students, it's fashion, art, music. The event will showcase everyone's creative works. We're not just going to be asking people for their donations, we're going to be showing them why they should donate."

"The four other students are on board," Mesa added. "They really like the idea."

Nine liked it too, but he couldn't help but be a little skeptical.

"There are just a few things I'm curious about. How are we going to pay for an event like this? If the school isn't hosting this event, where is it going to be held?"

Tong raised his hand with a smile.

"Why do you think I'm here? And before you immediately refuse, Nine, you should know I'm not simply doing this as a favor for my son. If you don't like the idea of me paying for so much, you can consider it a long-term loan with no interest that you can pay back once your restaurant succeeds."

Nine looked around the room, a bunch of hope filled eyes staring back at him. Leo's eyes made Nine's heart ache the most. It's clear how hard he's worked to make up for what he did a few days ago.

"It's a thoughtful idea," Nine admitted, making Leo smile.

"Does that mean you agree with us moving forward in the planning?"

"Yes."

Prat clapped. "You heard him. Let's get started, there's a lot of work ahead of us."

While everyone gathered around Zol, who took a notebook out of her bag, Fluke gave a quick knowing look to Leo. Tapping Nine's shoulder, Leo titled his head toward his bedroom upstairs. No one paid attention as the two boys snuck out of the living room.

Leo had been preparing what to say to Nine as they walked up the stairs, but he never got the chance. The moment they were out of sight, Nine pushed Leo against the closed door, covering Leo's mouth with his own in a heated kiss.

After a moment of shock, Leo wrapped his arms around Nine to pull him closer, tangling his fingers in Nine's hair. The kiss was messy and desperate and left them both breathless, yet it felt like the weight that had been crushing them was finally lifted.

"I missed you," Nine whispered when their lips eventually parted.

Leo chuckled. "More than being apart for eight years?"

"That was different. You weren't mine back then."

Leo leaned back far enough to look into Nine's eyes. "I've always been yours," he confessed before softly kissing Nine again. "And I'm sorry. I shouldn't have done anything without asking you first."

"You seem to have spent the last few days trying to make up for it."

"Do you actually like the plan?"

Nine sighed as he walked over to sit on Leo's bed, dragging Leo with him.

"I do. It's just... What if it doesn't work? Sure, we could raise some money, but three years' worth of tuition for five students is a lot to ask for. What if we don't raise enough?"

Leo bit his lip nervously before answering.

"My father made the suggestion of covering the funds still missing by the end of the event."

"But he's already paying for so much."

"I told him that would be your response. The other students will be offered the same thing, and they'll each decide what's best for them. Whatever happens at the end of the event, and whatever you decide to do as a result, we'll figure it out together. Whatever kind of support you need, I'll give it to you."

"Even if the support I want is you doing nothing?"

Leo laid back on the bed, pulling Nine against his chest. He traced his fingers across Nine's arm as they both listened to each other breathe.

"Yes, I promise."

The sound of the others downstairs laughing, making plans, filled the room as Leo and Nine held onto each other.

"Should we join them?" Nine eventually asked.

"Not yet. We haven't been alone together in three days."

"That sounds a little pathetic when you say it out loud."

Leo pulled Nine closer, kissing his temple.

"Next time, don't run away from me," Leo teased.

Nine smiled. "Next time, chase after me."