Archive of Our Own ^beta

Chapter Text

"Bobby come on! We're gonna be late! " , Erik yells up the stairs.

Bobby comes running down the stairs, his muscled body surprisingly graceful. He's wearing pink corduroy pants and a pastel pink sweatshirt with a kitten on it.

" Sorry, I couldn't find my teddy bear shirt and so I couldn't decide what to wear with these pants. Does this look okay together? ", Bobby explains in a rush.

" Baby you look great in everything! " , Erik says.

At the same time Julia speaks, " Jeez Bobby you take longer than me, before and after losing an arm. ".

Bobby blushes and mumbles an apology as they head out to Erik's car. They still have to pick up Stef and Charlie on the way to the restaurant. Erik squeezes his hand in comfort and they quickly file out the house. Erik beats them to the car and holds the passenger side door open for Bobby. He's done this with every door they walk trough since they've stared dating and while he put up a token protest at first Bobby loves it.

Erik gently closes the door once Bobby is settled and buckled and take his place in the drivers seat. Once the car is crunk and in motion Erik takes his right hand of the wheel and entangles his fingers with Bobby's before placing both their hands to rest on his upper thigh. Bobby blushes but doesn't say anything as he fights not to smile to largely.

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They are seated quickly at Mellow Mushroom, and Bobby relaxes into erik's side one they settle in the booth. His sister and cousins making teasing cooing marks and he just buries his head in Erik's shoulder with a smile. He feels Erik shift and knows his brother is flipping the trio across from then the bird. He stays hidden in Erik's shoulder giggling until Erik's arm wraps around his shoulders.

He looks up with a shy smile. He's taller than Erik has been since he was sixteen but hia brother has a special talent at making Bobby feel small and precious. Bobby adores it.

The waitress takes their orders and the group loses themselves in conversation and before they know it their food is being set in front of them. Erik's arm leaves his shoulders as they all dig in. Bobby takes his first bite and gags.

Erik glances at him and down at his plate, his eyes clock the tomatoes Bobby had asked the watriss to leave off and politely waves someone down, all without Bobby saying a word. Bobby's stomach warms.

" My boyfriend asked for no tomatoes, could we get his food remade please? ", Erik asks the watriss who nods with a smile and takes Bobby's plate.

Bobby tries to keep smiling but the warmth in his stomach took on a icy burn when Erik said " boyfriend ". This is happening more and more often and Bobby isn't sure why. He was so happy when Erik asked him out, even happier when everyone was supportive but about two months in this started.

He doesn't think its quilt at dating Erik. He also doesn't mind when Erik calls him other pet names. He only notices when Erik calls him his " boyfriend " , which is ridiculous. They are boyfriends, have been for about seven months now.

He comes out of his musings as his plate is returned tomato free. He thanks the watriss and then places a soft kiss on Erik's cheek with a whispered thank you.

" Anytime, baby boy. ", Erik assures with a soft smile reserved only for Bobby.

Bobby smiles back even as his stomach cramps and thinks " what the Fuck is wrong with me ? ".

Chapter Text

Erik is getting a new pricing today. Bobby's along for moral support or so he's pretending, in actuality he still isn't over the fire that almost killed Erik. He wants to be here in case Erik needs him but also when they eventually do go out Bobby wants it to bw together.

So here he is. Hand holding Erik's as the woman with gloves drives a needle trough his brother's tongue. Bobby holds his breath until the woman caps the barbell and pulls away to remove her gloves.

" okay Erik. You know the drill. No changing the barbell until you're completely filled. Once your healed you can wear whatever the f*** you want. ", The woman tells his brother.

" yeah yeah I know. Can't wait till this bastard heals though. Wanna get one of those vibrating rings. " , Erik says with a wink at Bobby.

Bobby blushes as the woman growls something about tmi.

" aww don't be jealous I have a boyfriend and you don't, Nikki. ", Erik teases his coworker.

Bobby's hand tightens in his grip and Erik glances to his face concerned. Bobby tries to smile but it doesn't reach his eyes. Erik's tongue probably hurts like a bitch but he stands and faces Bobby. Taking both of his hands in his own.

" Hey, its all in good fun. Nikki knows I don't mean anything by it. ", Erik whispers worried he's upset his younger brother.

Bobby feels bad about making Erik feel bad about himself but takes the excuse in favor of explaining that the word " boyfriend " upsets him for reasons he doesn't fully understand.

" I know. You would never really be cruel to anyone who didn't deserve it .", Bobby says as he places a soft kiss on Erik's cheek.

Erik smiles up at him and Bobby knows his older brother wants to really kiss him but its not an option till his new piercing heals a bit more. He smiles brightly as Erik's hand snakes up his neck and into his hair before gently pushing him down so they can rest their foreheads together.

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The feelings are getting worse. Bobby is starting to physically flinch anytime Erik introduces him as his boyfriend and Bobby is so fucking confused and scared. He knows he loves Erik so its not that. The weird thing is being introduced as Erik's brother doesn't cause the sake reaction.

Bobby breaks and talks to Julia about it but shes just as lost as Bobby.

" So, you don't mind being called his brother but you do mind being called his boyfriend? ", julia asks for the third time as Bobby drags a green polish across her nails.

" yeah. ", Bobby mumbles as he focuses on not getting the polish on his sisters cuticles.

" And you're sure that you still want to be with him romantically? Because this kind of makes it sound like you just want to be brothers. ", Julia comments.

" I know but its not the case. I love him. And not just as a brother. I love kissing him and I love holding his hands. I even love calling him my boyfriend. I just don't loke when he calls me his " Boyfriend "! " , Bobby groans out frustrated with himself.

" hmmm, okay maybe the term is too juvenile for you, although if that was the case you would think you wouldn't want to call him your boyfriend either. So maybe it's just that you don't feel like a boyfriend. Maybe you could ask Erik to try out different terms. You might up when he calls you baby. ", Julia waxes.

" True but he can't introduce me to people as his baby,
... Can he? ", Bobby asks.

" I mean to be honest he can introduce you to anyone as anything y'all want . Fuck other people and their sensibilities. ", Julia States.

Bobby grins at his older sister and once again wishes that he had been born with the same amount of " give no fucks " confidence that she and Erik were born with.

" True. Maybe I can talk to Erik about it. But what other terms are thier? ", Bobby asks as he blows over his sister's hand to dry her nails.

" Well like ... Baby.. Obviously but also maybe you could ask him to try partner? ", Julia suggests.

" partner? ", Bobby asks and imagines Erik doing so, " it's not quite right but its better than boyfriend I think. I'll talk to him about it tonight. ".

" Good. Now, want me to paint yours? ", Julia asks.

" Yes please! Do you have lavender? ", Bobby asks excitedly as Julia goes to retrieve the request color with a smile.

Chapter Text

Talking to Erik that night had been put on hold when Bobby had realized how swollen his older brother's tongue was and that talking would most likely make things worse. This is fine initially because it leads to a week of couch crashing and video games. Erik not able to speak much but not wanting to be away from Bobby spent most of the time wrapped around his younger brother on one way or another. Bobby loved every minute of it.

Now here they are a week later, getting ready for a double date with his brother's co-worker Nikki and her girlfriend Charlotte. Erik is looking as handsome as ever in the new leather jacket Bobby bought him shortly after they got together. Bobby hopes he looks half as good as Erik.

He's wearing a purple jean jacket stefani bought him a few christmases ago over his grey sleeveless tank top and some light wash jeans. He brought the outfit together with some purple converse and blue glitter polish on his nails. He yells out that he's ready as he runs down the stairs to meet Erik in the living room. His big brother turns to face him and let's out a low whistle.

" Don't you look beautiful! ", Erik purrs as he pulls Bobby to him by the hips.

Bobby is sure his face is bright red as he smile at his brother. Erik runs one hand up from his hip all the way to the back of his neck and pulls hin down in to a heated kiss. Bobby is panting a bit as they separate.

" I have the prettiest baby boy. ", Erik whispers with his lips still pressed close to Bobby's.

Bobby's hands, which are tangled into Erik's jacket, tighten and he sees a thoughtful look form in Erik's eyes form but now is not the time for this discussion so Bobby pulls back and takes Erik's hand.

" Let's get going! Don't wanna be late! ", He insists as he pulls Erik out the door.

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Nikki's girlfriend isn't what Bobby expected. She's dresses in all pastel yellow which should clash with her neon pink hair but somehow doesn't. They remind him of he and Erik, total opposites and yet somehow perfect together. The double date is at a ice cream shop not far from Erik and nikki's tattoo parlor.

They've been here for half an hour and Bobby feels like he couldn't be any happier if he tried. Erik and Nikki are comparing tattoos while Charlotte tells Bobby how she made her dress. Nikki's hand is holding Charlotte's on top of the table while Erik has hand firmly on Bobby's hip below the booth.

" Bobby what's the color on your nails called? ", Charlotte asks.

" Oh its a little mermaid one my sister bought me, it's called Under The Sea. ", Bobby says.

" I love that! ", Charlotte squeals causing Erik and Nikki end thier conversation in favor of their lovers.

" I'll buy you a bottle of that online baby. ", Nikki says causing Charlotte to kiss her cheek.

" Actually why don't we all just go to Walmart after this? I promised Bobby I would buy him this purple castle he saw for Paco's tank. ", Erik says.

" Oh perfect! Let's do it! ", Nikki agrees.

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They spend about a hour in Walmart and true to his word Erik buys the purple castle for Bobby along with several bottles of new nail polish from the spongebob collection and a two toned cropped hoodie he saw Bobby shooting longing looks. Nikki is fairing much better against Charlotte and both of them leave the store with hands filled with gifts. They walk the girls to thier car before making their own way to Erik's car.

Erik slides their bag in the back before holding the passenger side door open for Bobby. Once rounds the car and slides into his own seat he speaks.

" Did you want to tell me why you flinched earlier tonight when I called you my boyfriend or did you want to wait till we get home? ", Erik asks Not bothering to beat around the bush.

Bobby inhales so hard he chokes on his own spit prompting Erik to cuss as he slides across the bench seat of his car to rub his brother's back.

Bobby is still coughing when he starts apologizing.

" I'm sorry. I love you so much and i don't know why it bothers me and..".

" Bobby, baby, calm down. I'm not mad. ", Erik tells him softly.

" you're not? ", Bobby asks.

" You still love me yea? ", Erik asks.

" Absolutely!", Bobby says.

" okay. You love me. Romantically ? ", Erik questions.

" Yes. Very much so. ", Bobby says with a blush.

" Okay. So we're still a couple but you don't like the term boyfriend. Can you tell me why?. ", Erik asks.

" I'm honestly not sure why yet. ", Bobby sniffles.

Erik wraps his arms around Bobby and hugs him tight.

" Hey that's okay. We'll figure it out together but until then how do you want me to introduce you to people? ", Erik says.

" I'm not sure about that yet either. Could we try partner for a little while? ", Bobby whispers.

" Of course, baby, anything you want. Just... Next time talk to instead of keeping to yourself ya? We've been trough too much to do the whole misunderstandings thing. ", Erik says with a laugh and a kiss to Bobby's forehead.

" I will. ", Bobby Promises.

Chapter Text

Three weeks later and Bobby's not flinching anymore. Being Erik's partner works in that aspect but he also isn't getting that warm fuzzy feeling anymore. He knows Erik still loves him and he still loves Erik. He still gets fuzzy calling Erik his boyfriend but when Erik calls him his partner he feels nothing.

He isn't sure this is better if he is being honest. He talks it over with Erik this time. He promised he would and he keeps his promises. Erik is patient and listens, he always has when it comes to Bobby.

So now Bobby isn't Erik's boyfriend or partner. Erik instead introduces Bobby to people as a number of pet names. Most people take it in stride but a few people of course default to boyfriend and Bobby flinched every time. Erik hates not knowing how to help and Bobby tries to tell Erik it's not his responsibility but Erik is still the older brother and doesn't feel that way.

Bobby's getting more and more anxious that he's ruining them and starts turning down public outings with Erik. Erik is having none of it.

" Bobby, baby, get dressed. We're going to see that new X-Men movie. ", Erik calls to him from his room across the hall.

" That's okay, we can wait for it to come to Disney plus. ", Bobby responds.

" No, you've been raving about this movie since it was announced and we are going to see it in theaters. ", Erik insists as he enters Bobby's room.

Bobby looks at Erik and thinks it over. His big brother is right. He has been waiting for this movie for years and he almost didn't survive to see it, he deserves to see it on the big screen. They'll also be alone so its not like he has to be referred to as anything to anyone but Erik.

He nods shyly and starts getting dressed. He picked his outfit out for this movie months ago. His favorite X-Men is gambit and he's based it on his costume. Tight black leggings with knee high blue boots with a small kitten heel. He pulls on a tight magenta long sleeve to complete the look.

Erik leans in the door and watches him dress. He only steps in when Bobby reaches for the few bits of makeup he owns. Erik's always been better at applying makeup then Bobby. Bobby's anxiety almost always has him slightly shaking which makes eyeliner difficult.

He tells Erik what he wants and his big brother gets it done. When Erik finishes Bobby admires himself in the mirror. Erik has painted his lids a matching magenta lined with thick black wings of eyeliner. High on his cheek bones Erik has painted a pale pink highlighter in a way that catches perfectly on the light.

" I'm Sorry you still have to help me with my makeup. ", Bobby whines.

" Don't be. I love that I'm able to do this for you. ", Erik says.

Bobby blushes but leans down to kiss Erik before they head down stairs and out the door.

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Bobby's looking up at the concessions menu as Erik orders for them. The cashier is talking to Erik about what he has ordered so far but pauses mid sentence making Bobby look down at her.

" okay, so that's a large popcorn extra butter and one Cherry slushie for you and what did your..... ", The cashier is Studying Bobby, " I'm sorry I don't want to misgender you, what are your pronouns? ".

" my pronouns ? ", Bobby starts, " Oh um.. He/him. ",

" ah okay ! So what flavor slushies does your boyfriend want? " , she asks with a bright smile that falls when Bobby flinches and Erik glares

" He'll have a cotton candy slush and he doesn't like being called that. ", Erik says with an anger he has nowhere to direct.

" oh. I'm sorry. I'll make sure your girlfriend gets a large cotton candy slush! " , The cashier assures with a flushing face.

Erik opens his mouth to correct her but he hears Bobby suck in a sharp breath. As he turns to face his younger brother he sees the light shining in Bobby's eyes . Bobby whispers " Oh. " with the biggest smile Erik has seen him wear since he fist asked him out. Erik makes a mental note and turns back to the cashier.

" Thanks! My baby girl would love that. ", He replies, trying out the words for himself.

The heat that washes over him as he says those words only intensifies as Bobby leans into him. Bobby wraps his arm trough Erik's and laces thier hands together. Bobby is beaming. They'll have to talk about this later but for now his brother looks more comfortable than he has in weeks.

Erik squeezes Bobby's hand as the cashier returns with thier order. He hands over the cotton candy slush and Bobby takes it with his other hand, giving Erik a squeeze back before letting go so his brother can carry everything. Erik grins up at him and then at the girl on the register as he takes their things and leads then into the movie.

Chapter Text

They get home around midnight. They shower and climb into Erik's bed for the night. Bobby is wearing the little purple shorts Erik loves and the older man waste no time running his hands along Bobby's thighs. Bobby treats him to a shy smile and a blush as he throws his leg over Erik's.

They lay on thier sides, staring lovingly into each others eyes. Legs tangled together, one of Erik's hands rubbing circles into Bobby's hip and the other tangled in Bobby's hair. Bobby has one arm thrown over Erik and resting at his back as the other is trapped between them, presses to Erik's heart.

" so, you ready to talk about it? ". Erik asks.

Bobby nods but doesn't start the conversation. Erik chuckles but pushes on.

" Okay, so...you liked the cashier calling you my girlfriend? ", Erik asks.

Bobby nods again with a smile.

" and when I called you my baby girl? ", Erik asks.

" Yeah, I liked that too. ". Bobby affirms.

" Okay, so do you think maybe... You mite be a girl? " , Erik tries.

" I... I'm not sure. I mean I don't think I am. " , Bobby says.

" Okay, so not a girl but not my boyfriend. ", Erik states.

" I.... I don't mind being referred to as he or him but...i don't think I would hate she or her either. I.... Don't know. ", Bobby whines.

Erik's hand slides from Bobby's hip to his back and pulls the younger man impossibly closer as he shushes him.

" Hey, Bobby its okay. We'll figure it out together okay. But for now let's just keep it simple. You clearly like baby girl and girlfriend so we'll just try that out for a while. If you want I can trough in some she and hers here and there too. Till you figure things out." .

" You're a good brother Erik. " , Bobby replies simply.

" and a good boyfriend? " , Erik asks with a smirk.

" No. ", Bobby starts and just as Erik's smile drops he finishes with, " you're a Great boyfriend. ".

" You brat! ", Erik whisper-yells with a laugh.

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Bobby wakes up to the sound of birds chirping outside and the smell of bacon wafting up from the kitchen. Stretching his arm out leads him to a lukewarm spot where Erik should be. Bobby pulls himself out of the bed and grabs one of Erik's black goodies out of his dresser to pull on before heading down stairs.

Erik is at the stove with Julia. The two seem to be having a whispered conversation as julia uses her arm to jump the pan and flip the bacon. Erik's eyes find him as if his brother can sense him anytime he walks in a room.

" Morning beautiful, how did you sleep? ", Erik addresses him.

" I slept great, how about you two? ", Bobby asks his siblings as he starts to set the table for all of them.

" I always sleep well with you by my side. ", Erik says warmly.

" Only you could make our badass big brother this much of a simp. ", Julia says with a laugh.

Bobby grins and Erik flowers but doesn't deny Julia's words.

" Will you set to extra places for Stef and Charlie? They're coming over for breakfast and then we can all go buy some fireworks for the cook out tonight. ", Julia says.

" Sure thing! " , Bobby says and does as asked.

" Thanks little sis! ", Julia throws out causally.

Bobby's body goes taut and then melts.

" Huh, guess sister or brothers fine. You told Julia? ", Bobby asks as he sits down at his spot at the table.

" yea. Figured she could help us test things out? That okay? ", Erik asks as he comes over to set a plate of bacon on the table.

" Yeah, I don't mind. ", Bobby starts, " we're family and I could use the help to be honest. I just don't understand what all this is. ".

" You don't have to figure it all out at once Bobby. And we'll love you no matter what. ", Julia comforts as she brings over a plate of waffles, " Besides it'll be cool to feel like there's another girl in the house. " .

" I'm not really a girl though. ", Bobby whispers as he fiddles with his My Little Pony mug.

" but you don't really feel like a boy either do you? At lest not all the time? ". julia asks and Bobby is shocked to realize shes right.

He should not feel shocked considering everything up till now but he does. Julia just summed up Bobby's biggest issue like it was the most obvious thing in the world. He doesn't feel lile a girl but he doesn't feel like a boy either. He's not sure what any of this means and he feels hia heart speed up and his breathing turn shallow.

Erik grips one hand at the same time Julia grabs his other one. They ground him and he takes a deep breath as everything slows. His siblings smile at him. Erik's soft and loving and Julia's gentle.

" We got you Bobby and together we've got this. You deserve to figure yourself out, whatever that leads too. And we'll love you at the end of it no matter what.", Julia tells him before the doorbell rings and she excuses herself to let ber cousins in.

" she's right. We love you. I love you so much and if by the end of this I have a girlfriend, partner or even a boyfriend if you decide all this was a fluke, I'll still love you just as much. ". Erik promises.

" I... Don't know everything yet but I do know I like it better when you call me your girlfriend. ", Bobby whispers.

" My girlfriend it is then. Did you wanna tell the cousins? ", Erik asks.

" Yeah, could you tell them? ", Bobby asks.

" You just want to hear me say it again. ", Erik insists.

" Maybe. ", Bobby says with a shy grin.

Erik kisses him just as Stef and Charlie come around the corner with Julia. He pulls back and they all great each other before digging in. As they finish up and begin to clean up before getting ready to head out Erik clears his throat. They all turn to him.

" Okay so as y'all know Bobby here is trying to figure somethings out and we've been using the term partner for him but he's decided on a more preferable term. Girlfriend. ", Erik states.

Stef and Charlie share a look and Bobby fidgets with the sleeves of Erik's hoodie as he tries not to panic.

" Okay. Erik's girlfriend, got it. Did you want us to use different pronouns? ", Stef asks.

Bobby lets out the breath he had been holding and responds.

" I'm still okay with he/him pronouns but I'm testing rhw waters of she/her so feel free to sprinkle both in.".

" Sure thing! ", Charlie says.

The tension in the room disappears and the family parts to get ready for the day. Julia is already dresses but Bobby and Erik head upstairs to do so, if they take a bit longer than necessary no one points it out.

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Rocket Rodney's firework shop is pretty packed with people grabbing last minute explosives to ensure they have the best fourth of July show. Bobby's anxiety does not do well in crowds so Erik is shopping with one hand. His other is locked tight around Bobby's hip to keep him close.

They make three rounds around the shop and fill the cart to bursting before heading to check out. Erik and Stef are paying since they're currently the only two with paying jobs but they don't mind. Erik has to let go of Bobby's hip to pull out his card to pay for his half of the split bill.

He looks up to take his receipt from the cashier and pauses as he sees a pin on their apron. The pin reads, " Hi. I'm sarah and my pronouns are They/Them". Erik thinks it over for just a second and then goes for it.

" Can I ask you a possibly personal question? ", Erik asks.

Sarah squints thier eyes but then nods.

" what do you identify as? ", Erik asks.

" Genderfluid. Why? ", Sarah asks.

" Someone close to me has been struggling with their pronouns and figuring themselves out and when I saw your tag I figured you could give us a term we could research. Thank you. " , Erik says like its the easiest thing in the world.

Sarah's eyes search his face and then slide over to Bobby who is staring at the floor.

" I go by genderfluid but there are other terms you look up. Non-binary, agender and there are probably some I don't even know buy I think people should just go by what feels right and not what society may view as "correct ". Gender is up here, not down here. ", Sarah explains as they point to thier head and then their pants.

Erik smiles as he slides his wallet back in his pocket and wraps his arm back around Bobby's waist.

" This is my girlfriend Bobby. He's shy but I know he would really appreciate having someone to talk to about these things. Someone who may be a bit better at understanding what shes going trough. Could we get your phone number so you two could talk if you don't mind? ", Erik explains.

Sarah takes a moment to think and the scribbles thier number on a piece of receipt paper.

" Everyone's experience is different so I don't know how much help I'll be but I can always use more like minded friends. ", Sarah says as they hand the number over.

" Thanks you ", Bobby whispers as Erik passes the number to him.

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The sun has set, the grill is hot and the drinks are cold. Bobby watches Erik light a sparkler and pass it to Julia as Charlie passes out hot dogs. Julia and Stef draw shapes with their sparklers and Charlie rushes to set down the serving tray to get his own.

Bobby looks back down at his phone where the definition of genderfluid stairs back at him. Genderfluid is an identity where a person's gender identity is not fixed and can change over time. They may feel like a man, a woman, both, or neither, and their gender expression can also shift. Bobby thinks about the past few months. Then he thinks about the past few years.

He thinks of all the sports he plays but also about all the " girly " things he enjoys. He never understood why hobbies had to regulated to one gender and eventually he just didn't pay it any attention and did what he wanted. He realizes that want he is experiencing now is in a way, the same thing.

He doesn't wanna be regulated to one gender. He wants to be called he but doesn't mind she. He's a little brother but he doesn't have a problem being a little sister if Julia would like one. He wants to be Erik's girlfriend.

Erik settles next to him as he's thinking. Erik is holding two sparklers. A purple and blue one and without asking hands Bobby the purple one. Bobby grins and thanks Erik.

" You're welcome. I know my baby girls favorite color. ", Erik says.

" Erik, I think I'm genderfluid. ", Bobby says out loud for the first time.

" Yeah? ", Erik asks.

" Yeah and I think I want to keep being your girlfriend. ", Bobby. Whispers.

" Then that's what you are. My girlfriend, my baby girl, my younger brother,and my soulmate, ". Erik declares.

Bobby's heart is hammering and his body is so warm it should be uncomfortable in the summer heat but he's never felt more at peace. As Bobby leans down to kiss Erik fire works fill the sky. Erik drops the now unlit sparkler in the grass and pulls Bobby flush against him. Bobby's hands go around Erik's shoulders, sparkler stick forgotten between his fingers.

Erik runs his tongue across Bobby's bottom lip as he pulls back just enough to whisper.

" You're my everything, baby girl. ".