A Collection Underneath the Umbrella


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Title: Swept off his feet
Pairing: Caden/Tyler (Chapter 20)


Tyler didn’t stand out.

But since when do high school band members ever really “stand out,” at least in the positive sense of the word? Tyler was known and liked, sure, but not really crucial to the social structure of the community.

He didn’t do anything that really asked for recognition either, never caused drama that shook the core of any fellow high schoolers compact and egocentric life. He was just there, following the same crowd as everyone else.

But that was what made his life so calm and manageable. Like the trombone he played and practiced with every week, whether alone or with the group in the music room, he knew how to handle his life. Although the trombone was a rather loud and bold instrument, as he often noticed, it was an instrument nonetheless; when played right, it could sound as gentle to the senses as any flute or clarinet. And just like everyone else, he played and read the notes along the thin black bars on each page, paused when he needed to, sped up when the conductor commanded it. Just like everyone else; nothing really outshining about that.

He used to think that he was fine with that. A glance around during the four awkward and soul-searching years at the institute always reminded him that it could be worse. He could always be one of those guys that was either loved or hated by all, the absolute opinion of him changing with every new development and update in the social world. He could be loud and untamed and wild, something that seemed a little intimidating when he gave it a second thought.

No, he was fine just like this. High school would be over soon, and he would be off to a hopefully bright future.

But then a certain new boy—Caden Kincaid—swooped into the school.

It was almost literally like that: Swooped. Like some bird, some fancy, colourful, eccentric bird that wore the craziest of clothes and brightest of smiles. The first time Tyler had seen said Caden, he’d almost walked straight into the first of a beginning row of lockers, nearly sending his trombone case flying across the hallway.

Some might say that a love-at-first-sight reaction had summoned the response; others might blame plain-old adolescent awkwardness.

But, in Tyler’s head, it was really just the stupefying sight of Caden practically dancing about the hallways beside a thin and dark-haired boy (T-something Gordon, Tyler somewhat remembered), laughing and talking as if he owned the world. His hair, a mess of black and red, stood out almost as much as his piercing crystal blue eyes, surrounded by a thick layer of black eyeliner. That was what really grabbed Tyler’s attention at first: Those startling, all-knowing eyes. They were almost out of place with such a carefree and childlike smile. Or maybe not.

From just the sheer brightness and boldness alone, the new kid somehow reminded him of a Trombone. Except he played on his own, standing out; he didn’t follow the harmony of the other students.

In a sea of students shifting through their daily routine, a sight like Caden was a shock to the system.

Tyler couldn’t erase him from memory, either.

He saw Caden around the school at other spots: the cafeteria, other hallways, walking in or out of classrooms doors. Just about everywhere, although he was always there and gone within a second, quick and on his nimble feet.

But Tyler couldn’t forget it. How a boy could stand out so much, with so many people whispering behind his back, and not be bothered? Or maybe it did bother him. But who could ever tell when he played and pranced about the way he did?

And, okay, maybe that wasn’t the only thing that kept Caden from disappearing in Tyler’s mind. Caden was a pretty okay-looking guy. Actually, more like pretty—er, handsome? All right, all right, he admitted it; Caden was fucking gorgeous. Even with the heavy make-up and the dyed hair and the eye-catching clothes, he was a sight to behold during the day and night.

But that was just looks. What was the ever-gorgeous-attention-grabbing Caden Kincaid like? Dazzling and out-going, that much was for sure, but there had to be more to him than that. But how to even get to talk to him? Caden seemed like the type that was always on the go; a little hard to track down if you weren’t in his immediate or even casual group of friends, Tyler suspected. And after what’d happened to Brandon—but there had to be a good reason for that, Tyler was certain of it. Brandon wasn’t the sort you’d vote as “most likely to help an old lady cross the street.”

Nevertheless, the urge to actually meet Caden didn’t diminish over time. If anything, it strengthened itself, refining into a resolve to actually do something about it. But how?

There was always the boy Caden hung around with…? T-something?

The moment Tyler walked into Economics class and spotted the dark-haired and pale boy, he knew immediately, right then and there, that he was the ticket into getting a chance to meet Caden.

Tyler took his seat just as the teacher began going over last night’s homework. He spent the rest of the class preparing himself to go over and talk to the mute boy. He had to ask, he had to at least try. What was the worst that could happen?


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Title: Raindrops
Pairing: Jase/Timothy


Raindrops splattered against Timothy’s black umbrella, pounding on the resilient fabric in rapid rhythm. Timothy spun the handle in his head every now and again, changing the tempo of the rain temporarily (and getting both him and Jase a little more wet than before, which his boyfriend had no problem vocalizing). When they’d first stepped outside for an afternoon stroll and seen the sky thick with fluffy grey clouds, Jase had suggested they’d take the umbrella anyway, even with the absence of the glaring sun. Not a bad idea, all things considered.

Although they were pretty much stuck outside in the rain now. Their plan had been to go on a long walk, and a long walk they’d go on. A little too far, even with just an umbrella; even with it, the wind was starting to pick up. They’d get drenched despite their efforts. So they’d called home and Elaine had promised to drop everything and come straight for them, with the aid of Reese and his car.

So now they waited on a bench at the local park, using Jase’s jacket to keep their bottoms from getting wet from the soaked wood. Other than an occasional passerby or a car streaming down the street, there were alone.

Sometime during the wait, Jase began to whistle.

At first, Timothy couldn’t put a name to the tune, although he recognized it. Before long he began to nod his head with the bouncy beat, the lyrics forming in his head.

“Raindropsss are fallin' o-on my head…” Timothy said, having less trouble than usual forming the words.

Jase paused at that, then added with an encouraging smile, “And just like a guy whose feet are too big for his bed.”

Timothy smiled. “Nothin’ seems to fit.”

Then, together in unison, “Those raindrops keep fallin’ on my head, they keep fallin.’”

Jase finished off with a fancy pose and jazz-hands. Timothy lifted his umbrella and spun it again, spraying bouncing droplets of rain every which way, somehow splashing them both. Again.

“Hey!” Jase chastised, wiping water off his face. “Not literally! Give that to me, you're too dangerous with it.”

Timothy stifled a giggle at his blond boyfriend and held it out of reach. Before long, Jase was chasing Timothy all about the park. They didn't even notice when Elaine and Reese had pulled up to the side of the road until they began to honk the horn. Needless to say, the seats were in need of drying once they got home.


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Title: Cold
Pairing: Caden/Tyler (Post Chapter 30)


They’d parked somewhere along the side of the road at the end of some suburban street. Caden couldn’t recall just how long they’d been out there, lying around in the dead of night, side-by-side and against the windshield, Tyler’s legs bent at the knee and Caden’s feet just hanging off the edge of his convertible. They stared up at the starry sky. The cool night air felt good against their skin after a long and dramatic hot summer day.

Caden felt good, right then and there. Whether it was because of the drugs he’d taken before, the fact that Tyler had forgiven him and was still with him, or some odd combination of both, he didn’t. Either way, he felt good, although a part of him hoped the reason was because of the latter.

He inhaled deeply, calm beyond belief. When he noticed the gentle rise and fall of Tyler’s chest against the side of his chest, he smiled and gave Tyler a playful smack on the shoulder. “Hey, don’t go falling asleep on me.”

“I’m not,” Tyler yawned, stretching his arms high above his head, his body giving a rather pleasant-to-look-at arch off the hood of the car. “Just relaxing.” His arms fell back down to the car, the one closest to Caden landing to rest on his shoulder. Caden moved into the innocent touch, thankful that it was there at all, and slipped his own arm up and behind Tyler’s head, using his finger to play with Tyler’s brown hair. Weeks of fighting and an hour of heart-to-heart so made that moment worth everything in the world.

Caden didn’t want to come off the high that lingered in his body. Drugs weren’t a big thing for him (a one time thing, he promised!), but it wasn’t really the loss of the drugs pleasant effects that he feared. He didn’t want to come off the high because a part of him feared that maybe Tyler wasn’t really there at all, that he really hadn’t gotten the courage to go to Tyler’s house and grab him and—and—and…

And all of that just seemed so unimaginable.

“You know what?” Tyler murmured. Caden could feel his boyfriend’s warm breath ghost over his forehead; Caden pressed himself closer against him. He could feel him, Tyler really was there; and if he didn’t screw up again, then maybe Tyler would always be there.

“Yeah?”

Tyler raised his head. Caden mimicked the move, his bright blue eyes following Tyler’s nonchalant gaze. They both gazed at Tyler’s bare feet, his toes wiggling to and fro like that of a curious and playing child.

Tyler snickered at what had to be an inside joke. “My feet are cold.”

Caden buried his head into Tyler’s shoulder and laughed.


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Title: How Cute
Pairing: Elaine/Reese


“You’re cute.”

Elaine giggled, blushing. “You’re the one that’s cute.”

“No, really, you’re cute,” Reese persisted, cupping her delicate hands in his.

“No, you’re cute.”

“No, you’re—”

“We can hear you!” Caden called out from the kitchen doorway, which was situated at the same hallway that lead to the living room where Reese and Elaine currently sat—where they’d sat for practically forever, just talking back-in-forth in that “cutesy-young-couple-ish” way. Timothy, Jase, and Tyler all sat around the table, the trio making a strong effort to stifle their chuckles at Caden’s now lost patience. An hour or two of listening to a couple gush over themselves can do that to any civilized human being. “Don’t make me come in there and show you what real cute is!”


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Title: Model
Pairing: Jase/Timothy


“Hold still,” Jase chided at his pouting boyfriend, whom sent him a huff and a “hurry up, my arms are fucking kill me” look of exasperation. Jase chuckled and returned to the sketchbook in his hands, his hand and the soft grey pastel he held flying over the page, attempting to capture the image in front of him.

For his latest project, Jase wanted to attempt something along the lines of a Greek sculpture; ideal and graceful, except on paper. What better to use for a model than his boyfriend? He may not be built like the guys in Playgirl, or have the modern ideal of perfection (since when was tanned skin the only beautiful look, anyway?), but in Jase’s eyes, he was perfect.

Timothy let out another huff. His arms, raised high above his head and curved like a ballerina, and one leg, lifted and bent, were beginning to shake a little for being held up for so long. Jase gave him an apologetic smile; he couldn’t rush the project. He’d have to make it up to Timothy later. A trip to the movies, maybe?

Still, he forced himself to pick up the pace, pressing harder down on the page. He then tossed the pastel back its box and snatched the harsh black and applied it to the page.

He’d been so thankful when Timothy had agreed to pose as a model; Timothy hated being the center of attention for much of anything, yet even knowing that the project was a public one, he’d agreed to it anyway. Words alone couldn’t express Jase’s gratitude.

He was so lucky to have someone like Timothy with him, someone so accepting and strong. True, that strength didn’t manifest itself as a physical or aggressive one, but it was still there, subtle, hiding the same way Timothy used to hide his compassionate eyes underneath his black hair. He had an enduring strength, a will to survive against anything, or anyone, that sought to push him down. Even if the length if time he’d had to endure had given into some unhealthy side effects…

Another huff, more impatient this time. “Jassssse.”

Jase caught himself, his hand paused over the page, and he realized that he’d stopped. “Sorry, sugar!” he laughed. “But, look! I’m done now. See?”

Letting out a relieved, Timothy lowered his limbs and stretched his back. He walked over to the couch and plopped down beside Jase, glancing over the rough sketch with curious eyes. Jase tilted the page towards him. “What do you think?”

Timothy shrugged, the tiniest of smiles tugging at his lips. “Looks fine…”

Jase grinned. “Liar. I bet you think it’s perfect looking.”

Timothy looked away, a faint blush touching his pale cheeks.

“You’re not saying no,” Jase teased in song-form, poking Timothy’s side, which invoked a sharp inhale. Timothy retaliated and went for Jase’s sides, attacking his more ticklish spots. Jase let out a yelp and fell off the couch, Timothy sliding down with him. Laughter escaped them both before transitioning into the soft, wet sounds of intimate kisses, the sketchbook on the couch forgotten.


~+~


Title: Erase
Pairing: Caden/Tyler


It used to be like that whenever they kissed, it felt like he was trying to erase something.

His affection for Tyler shouldn’t be mistaken as frivolous or false—it really wasn’t. Caden knew pretty damn well how possible it was to like multiple people at once in varying degrees of love (or lust, he thought with a shudder).

A guilt used to burn deep inside Caden whenever he and Tyler would shyly lean toward each other. In the beginning, it really had felt like he was trying to erase something he wasn’t sure he felt ready to give up just yet. A press and an intimate stroke would make Caden’s senses tingle, all painful thought and memory retreating into some hidden lair where it wouldn’t be interrupt the pleasant ministrations.

Before he'd began dating Tyler, sometimes an out-right bite would have the same mind-numbing effect. However, whenever Caden remembered those times he couldn’t help the distinct tossing of his stomach and its contents. No, trying to erase anything during that time had only reminded Caden of even harder experiences to obliterate.

With Brandon and the countless people before, it’d all been a game. Nothing hurt if Caden smiled and said it didn’t; nothing truly stung or bruised or bled if he allowed everything leading up to it to exist.

…Kissing Tyler was different. Everything had started on a serious note with Tyler: the first talk, first date, first touch, first kiss. All of the things he’d imagined he would’ve been doing with Timothy, if the dark-haired boy hadn’t been so deeply infatuated with Jase.

Even so… When Caden joked and teased, his hard-wired instincts pressuring him to find something to hook Tyler with and reel him in, even if only to gain a warm body to hold him for a miniscule amount of time, Tyler wouldn’t respond like any of the others—nothing at all like the others.

Sometimes that was a harder fact to swallow.

But even now as they kissed, doing little more than letting their lips simply touch, it didn’t really feel like he was trying to substitute something anymore. It wasn’t so much as erasing something he knew he should forget, but moving on to something bigger, better; welcoming and accepting a love that maybe he really did deserve.


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Title: “So this one time, when I was talking to Caden….”
Pairing: Caden/Tyler


“So, you’re in band?”

“Yup. I’m a trombonist, 2nd chair.”

“Cool. I bet it took a lot of work to get that good.”

“It did, and lots of practicing. I used to be so bad at it that my mom would bang on my bedroom door and tell me to cut it out because I was being too loud.”

A smile. “Yeah, I bet she did. How long do you practice?”

“An hour every night, sometimes two. It takes the air right out of you, really; you have to blow really long and hard to play.”

Bubbling snickers. A harsher snicker. “Wow. I didn’t realize you had that much energy or strength. You must be a great trombonist. By the way, that thing’s huge! How do you carry it around all the time? Doesn’t it hurt your back?”

“Well, I—” A pause. Narrowed eyes. “Wow, Caden. Just wow."

A full out laugh. “What, I thought all band members were into sexual innuendo! What about ‘this one time, at band camp…’?”

“If that’s the case, I’m surprised you didn’t join.”

A mock-sniff of sadness. “Ouch. I’m wounded, Tyler. I’ve got an emotional boo-boo.”

Pause.

“You know you have to take responsibility for that.”

Pause.

A quick lean over. Swift brush of the lips.

Pause.

Pause.

A satisfactory grin. “I should make band-jokes more often.”

Unspoken agreement. A small laugh.  “There goes my dignity as a self-esteemed band member.”

“Baby, dignity’s got nothing to do with it. That went out the window the moment you met me.”

“You’re right.”  A faint smile. “And I wouldn’t have it any other way.”


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The End