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EJ watched from his chosen spot for the night, watching everyone reconnect with their family. He planned on booking it the second the bows were over to beat the traffic, he just wanted to go home. The whole rehearsal process took a lot more out of him than he originally thought it was going to. He was exhausted to say the least. EJ didn't even bother changing out of his costume pants.
He was happy for the other kids, extremely happy for them. EJ stood at the end of the hallway, watching them all interact with each other. He hoped they knew how special their families were. Most of the time people don't realize it until they're gone. EJ's own parents didn't even bother showing up since he didn't get the lead. He brooded alone, leaning against the locker wall right outside the backstage door. He had his phone out playing Candy Crush as he waited for Ashlyn to finish talking to Big Red's parents. "EJ!" someone exclaimed, voice loud and attention grabbing. EJ snapped his head up from his phone with a look of surprise. "EJ there you are!" Daryll broke through the crowd with a wide grin on his face.
He was one of EJ's best friends, his oldest friend. Daryll and EJ were like two peas in a pod but EJ never expected to see him show up at a musical of all things. The team gave him shit for singing in tights but it was all in good fun. They knew how important musicals were to EJ and they would never actually insult him over something he loved… even if it didn't fall into the status quo. A small smile broke across EJ's face when he saw Daryll charge towards him. "Daryll what are you - oomph ! Okay, okay put me down!" EJ exclaimed with a laugh when Daryll, in his six foot glory, rushed forward and wrapped him up in a big hug. EJ returned the hug, squeezing Daryll tightly around the waist.
"You were amazing out there EJ!" Daryll exclaimed, his eyes glistened under the fluorescent lighting. "It sucks theater doesn't count as a sport otherwise you'd be a four season athlete!" Daryll reached up and ruffled EJ's hair. EJ mumbled a complaint, unlike what the rumors say it actually takes him an hour to perfect his signature hair look. "Seriously, seeing you up there was like watching a whole nother version of you come to life." Daryll says, setting EJ back down on the ground, squeezing EJ's shoulder.
"Thanks man, you didn't have to come though… I know the rest of the team are at -" EJ got cut off when Daryll gave him a pointed look. He opened and closed his mouth a few times but no sound came out. Daryll was one of his best friends, the Nini to his Ricky so to speak. Daryll was his co captain, his closest confidant. Daryll was also hot. And he was wearing a suit tonight. He hated suits which meant he got dressed up just for EJ. "You loo really good D," EJ said softly, his eyes flickering up to meet Daryll's. Daryll chuckled and took a step closer to EJ.
"So do you," Daryll said back, a smirk curled onto his lips. His hand reached up, combing through EJ's hair. "You should sing more often," Daryll said, and suddenly EJ could smell the chlorine scent off his hair.
"Thanks," EJ whispered, light pink blush filling his cheeks. His eyes darted around the hallway looking for Ricky or Nini but he could only find Ashlyn, who was watching them with a smirk on her face over Big Red's shoulder. EJ's breath hitched when Daryll's hand snaked down his arm, gently interlocking their fingers together. Daryll squeezed his hand, EJ squeezed back. "There's a cast party," EJ said, butterflies pounding in his chest as he relaxed under Daryll's careful gaze. "I should… don't wanna be… late…" he finished lamely. EJ swallowed thickly, his eyes finding Daryll's lips, which seemed to be moving closer to his own.
They both knew he had zero intention of going to the cast party.
"I read somewhere," Daryll breathed - EJ could already taste the scent of the peppermint gum he usually chewed on. "That it's good luck to kiss the leading lady on opening night." Daryll was lying through his ass but that didnt stop the quiet whimper from escaping EJ's mouth.
"I'm not… the lead…" EJ pointed out, his breath airy and distant. He didn't move, trapped in the mesmerizing kaleidoscope of color in Daryll's eyes. "Okay… maybe we can… maybe. Just tonight," EJ said, muttering to himself anxiously. Daryll was there for him during the Nini breakup, he knew how much it hurt him… there wasn't anyone EJ trusted more than Daryll except Ashlyn. Daryll's hand snuck to the back of EJ's head. His fingers gently spread out, resting his palm against EJ's head to support him. "Yeah okay," EJ nodded and Daryll chuckled softly, the ghost of their lips brushed against each other.
"You're the lead in my life," Daryll said back and he leaned in closer, pinning EJ against the lockers. "EJ?" Daryll asked, his voice no louder than a whisper. EJ hummed, distracted by the fingers in his hair. He was distracted by Daryll in general. Daryll was just a distracting person. "Can I kiss you?" Daryll asked and EJ squeaked in surprise. His eyes darted around the hallway but the only stragglers were a few freshman on crew. "Please?" Daryll asked with those big pleading eyes of his. Everyone else had left, they were alone… which meant no one would see them.
"Yes," EJ answered, a bit too eagerly but he'd be lying if he said he never thought about it before. EJ's hands reached up and grabbed at the chest of Daryll's team jacket, tugging him closer. "Yes please just -" Daryll cut EJ off with a kiss, their lips pressing against each other in a soft moment of bliss. EJ's knees went weak as Daryll's fingers curled into his hair more. His entire body went lax, his brain went numb. They both fought for control, but Daryll won, his tongue sliding between EJ's lips, curling around his own. " God ," EJ moaned into the kiss, his jaw falling open a little bit more.
"It's just Daryll," Daryll corrected him with a cheeky smile. He pecked EJ on the lips again then kissed his nose. EJ giggled a little bit then let Daryll tug him into his chest.
"EJ?" Ricky's voice asked, sounding a little bit… hurt almost. Daryll instantly pulled away from EJ but kepthis arms wrapped around his waist. When they broke the second kiss it took EJ a few seconds to stop seeing stars. When he did he finally focused on the boy in front of them. "What's um…" Ricky scratched at his arm awkwardly.
"Ricky this is Daryll, my co captain. Daryll meet Ricky, he played Troy," EJ explained with fully flushed cheeks. He looked completely smitten by the taller boy. "I thought everyone went to Denny's already…" EJ trailed off, unable to help but giggle a little when Daryll kissed his cheek a few times. He couldn't figure out what Ricky's expression meant for the life of him. The emotions moved too fast for him to get a reading on it.
"Nini and I stayed behind, co-star gift giving…" Ricky chuckled awkwardly and shuffled his feet in place. Daryll wrapped an arm around EJ protectively and EJ relaxed at the reassuring touch. EJ's own arm wrapped around Daryll's waist, slotting himself into Daryll's side. Ricky's eyes flickered between Daryll and EJ with uncertainty. "How long have you two been uh…" Ricky blinked, gesturing vaguely between the jocks. EJ shrugged and leaned into Daryll's chest.
"We've known each other for years but that was kind of our first kiss," EJ said, a soft smile on his face. He still couldn't believe Daryll actually showed up to the show. It was one of the first times anyone actually went to a show to support him. The air between Ricky and them was so awkward EJ hated it. Daryll's hand squeezed his bicep and rubbed his arm, trying to get him to relax. It would be hell of a lot easier for EJ to relax if Ricky didn't look like a kicked puppy dog. "You should go catch up with the cast," EJ said softly, his right arm snaking around Daryll's waist.
"What about you?" Ricky asked, unable to keep hurt out of his voice. EJ winced slightly. "You should come to the party! Everyone's gonna be there!" He insisted, taking a step forward. EJ shook his head and kissed Daryll's chin.
"I need sleep. We've got an early tournament tomorrow," EJ explained, a yawn cutting into the middle of the sentence. Ricky's shoulders slumped forward, like he was accepting defeat. "We still need to go over the playbook and all that fun captain-y stuff," EJ smiled, feeling Daryll's arm hold him close.
"Speaking of which," Daryll said, finally speaking up. He wrapped EJ up with both arms and EJ fell into his chest easily. It was simple with Daryll, they knew what they wanted at face value. They knew what to expect of each other. "We should get going considering coach said he wanted us there an hour before everyone else." Ricky nodded then reached out to squeeze EJ's shoulder.
"You did an amazing job tonight EJ," Ricky said earnestly. EJ nodded, smiling at Ricky through tired eyes. "Thanks for going out as Troy," Ricky's eyes flickered to EJ.
"You did killer out there too," EJ yawned again and Daryll laughed, the sound warm in his ears. "S the job of the wonderstudies, no reason to thank me." Ricky looked at EJ with an emotion he couldn't quite place before the skater walked away, meeting Nini at the end of the hallway. The two of them exchanged a kiss good , EJ thought as he watched them hold hands down the hallway. If anyone else deserves someone good it's them.
"He's nice," Daryll said when he started ushering EJ to the backlot connecting to the pool entrance. EJ looked down and played with Daryll's fingers as they walked through the empty lot. "You should invite them to a game every once in a while. I know you like to keep the lives separate… but it might be fun." Daryll kissed EJ's temple and combed through his hair, chuckling when EJ stumbled into the passenger seat.
"Maybe one day, I just wanna sleep and cuddle for right now though," EJ babbled, buckling up as Daryll slid into the driver's seat. "Did you really think I was good?" EJ asked, knowing Daryll is one of the real honest friends he has. Daryll smiled and reached across the seats, cupping EJ's face. His thumb brushed down EJ's cheekbone and EJ leaned into the touch.
"I thought you were fantastic," Daryll promised EJ. EJ's eyes glistened with happiness then he plugged his phone into the aux chord. Five minutes later Bet On It came on and everything felt right in the world again. Maybe things weren't perfect, but maybe they didn't need to be. EJ was happy here, with Daryll's hand in his, finally driving home.