Eighteen

Elijah was having a crisis.

He got too ahead of himself, his excitement got the better of him. He thought that through all that excitement and eagerness he would've gotten everything done and ready. With all the daydreaming about how tonight would go, he forgot the most crucial thing.

It wasn't the pie that he placed all his effort with and included the most important ingredient. If it was Elijah would be curled up in bed, berating himself then going into the kitchen and baking it in what little time he had. His mind simply forgot he needed picnic blankets. Elijah searched every inch of his apartment and still couldn't find it. He remembered he lent it to Carly maybe a month or so ago. Elijah has been calling her all morning and still haven't got a reply. She was most likely wondering into dangerous territories again trying to find out what clover meant and who that suspicious guy was.

Elijah has long since rid his mind of anything crazy, only focusing on Scott. If he hadn't by he might just be sporting dark circles under his eyes like Carly trying to satisfy his curiosity. He could always call Scott and ask if he could bring a blanket but Elijah was the planner of all this. Scott was going to relax and wait until it was time for Elijah to bring him to that special place.

He threw himself onto the bed, giving Carly one last phone call and leaving a message. Elijah's mind wondered to the pie in the kitchen, a slice could dispel all his stress but he resisted the urge to. That was baked specially for Scott and he should be the first to eat it. He realized how everything around him now reminded him of Scott. From the apple pie to his own bedroom, the night sky and a simple poem. Scott was becoming more than just someone in his life.

As he thought about him, Elijah remembered how he embarrassingly fell in front of Scott. It didn't bother him so much that it was on the sidewalk were numerous persons saw him but more so the fact that Scott was there. He was glad to be able to laugh it off but that didn't stop him from overflowing with embarrassment on the insides. In that moment as he watched Scott laughed so angelic. Elijah couldn't control himself and was about to kiss him right then and there. Something inside him told him that he wanted for it to be more special, he wanted to live in the moment without having to remind himself that he had to get up off the dirty pavement and go have ice cream. Elijah wanted a long lasting moment where he could cuddle in his arms afterwards. Just the two of them.

That's why Elijah was putting all his energy into tonight. Carly just happened to be a minor setback but that wasn't going to stop him. His phone began to ring beside him. Without looking at the caller ID thinking that the gods have answered his prayers that Carly would call him back.

"I've been calling you all day" Elijah said, ready to chew off Carly's head.

"You have?"

"Scott!" Elijah almost felt his heart leap from his chest. "I thought you were someone else. Did something happen?"

"No, I was wondering how we would get to where you were taking me"

"I was going to take my car and bring what we needed then use that bicycle of yours to go there" Elijah didn't forget that Scott had a thing with cars and he didn't mind going through the extra trouble.

"Ahh, Well you see..." Scott was hesitant, uncertain that he could follow through with his words. "You could just pick me up and we go together. In your car I mean"

"Are you sure?" Elijah asked, he didn't want to have Scott driving in his car when he knew something was bothering him. Elijah could even walk to the destination if it meant he could be with Scott. "You don't have to force yourself"

"I'm not" Scott said, his voice low enough for Elijah to hear. "Its a now or never situation"

"If anything happens I'm ditching the car right on spot" Elijah informed him.

"Thank you" Scott said before the line went dead.

**

Elijah will forever be grateful for the day he met Molly-- She was a lifesaver. He pulled up in front of the Lomber's home, jogging up to the front door and ringing the doorbell. After his call with Scott, Elijah was even more excited and with his last resort he called Molly. Luckily she had more than enough needed blankets. The door opened revealing Mrs. Lomber. She was a short brunette and Molly was an exact replica of her. She smiled widely at Elijah, allowing him to enter her home.

Elijah had know Molly for quite sometime but he's only been in her home a few times.  Mrs. Lomber was very fond of Elijah. Keeping her daughter out of trouble and keeping her chocolate obsession under control when she wasn't around. Elijah was the older son she wished she had.

"Molly's getting the blankets" Mrs. Lomber said, gesturing for Elijah to take a seat in which he did. "Can I get you anything in the mean time?"

Elijah shook his head, he was already full on excitement for tonight. "Thank you again Mrs. Lomber, I was running out of options" he expressed his gratitude.

"You've helped me out a lot with Molly" Mrs. Lomber said, gathering a few of Molly's book lying about. "And just Kath is fine"

Elijah has been told that over and over but he couldn't bring himself to call her that. Maybe it was his long standing respect for her? Molly came walking down the stairs with a bag containing the blankets. She handed them over to Scott, giving him a 'you owe me for this' look. He'll just have to let her have a few extra chocolates for a day.

"If you don't mind me asking, what do you need those for" Kath asked, a playful smile on her lips.

"Elijah here found himself a boyfriend" Molly smirked at him.

"He's not my boy--"

"That's great" Mrs. Lomber cut in, not giving Elijah the chance to finish. "I wish you both happiness"

"Thank you" Elijah said, accepting her blessings for the future when Scott is actually his boyfriend. "I'll be off now"

With everything now in place, Elijah was ready for his date. Nervous but ready.

**

When Elijah arrived at the Finnegan home, all the necessities for the night in the back of his car. A special made pie and other snacks for them to savour. He fixed his hair once more, taking a deep breath and drying his sweaty palm. Elijah hoped he would make a better impression on Scott's family this time around, especially Mr. Finnegan. He finally took the opportunity to exit the car. The front door was so close yet so far away. He knocked a few times, his breath caught in his throat when it was Mr. Finnegan who opened the door.

"G-Good evening Mr. Finnegan I'm here to pick up Scott" he sounded so stiff, his shoulders tense as Mr. Finnegan narrowed his eyes at him. Elijah wanted for his words to be more relaxed not forced making it more difficult to converse with Mr. Finnegan.

"Come on in" he said to Elijah, a smile dancing on his lips as he allowed him entrance.

Elijah gave him a smile through the difficulties of processing that Mr. Finnegan had smiled at him. He thought the man would give him a secret lecture before guiding him to living room. Turns out Elijah was just over thinking more than necessary.

"No need to be so tense" Mr. Finnegan said as they walked towards the living area. "I'm not going to bite" he gave Elijah a friendly pat on the back making him feel a little more calm. "Scott is really fond of you and so are we"

"Thank you Mr. Finnegan"

"Just David is fine"

Elijah was greeted with Maddie, Mrs. Finnegan and Scott in the living room. His heart that was only calm for a minute was beating faster upon sight of Scott. Their eyes met and he smiled at Elijah. His younger sister said something low enough just for him to hear, they conversed for a few minutes before Scott walked over to Elijah.

"Ready" he said, giving his family one last look as they waved him off along with Elijah.

"Your dad is nice" Elijah said, closing the door behind them.

"I thought you said he was scary" Scott flashed him a glance, a smile still on his lips.

"My opinion has change" Elijah said. "We're even on first name basis" Scott chuckled, frowning when he arrived at Elijah's car. "Are you sure?" He asked, noticing Scott's hesitation.

"I am" Scott assured him, though he was retreating his outstretched arms multiple times before he took a deep breath and finally pulled the passengers side of the door opened.

Scott didn't enter immediately. Elijah noticed the shaking of his hands and took it in his. There's nothing he wants more than for Scott to feel secure and if this large piece of metal was making him feel uncomfortable, bringing up unpleasant memories for Scott, he would gladly ditch it and find other means to get to the selected destination. Scott released his hands from Elijah, slowly entering the passengers side of the car.

Elijah looked at him for a split second the walked around to the drivers seat after closing Scott's door. When Elijah took his seat, hands resting on the steering wheel, he looked at Scott who stared aimlessly ahead. It hurt him to know that something was troubling Scott and he couldn't do anything to help him.

"Scott we don't--"

Scott cut him off before he could finish, knowing full well what he was about to say. He didn't want to be the reason the long awaited trip would be cancelled. "Something smells nice" Scott said, diverting the conversation to something else.

The moment you step inside Elijah's car you would be greeted with the rich, mouth watering aroma of something seated in his back seat. Elijah has been wanting to take a bite all day, resisting the tempting aroma that's been lurking around him all day.

"I baked a pie" Elijah said, starting the car and not failing to see Scott flinching in his seat.

"You really did bake it " Scott's voice was low, and not once did he ever turn to look at Elijah.

Elijah wanted to take a glimpse of his brown eyes that he loved. The very same ones he's lost himself in plenty of times. "Was I not suppose?" Elijah asked, his usual cheerful was laced with a trace of sadness. He wanted for Scott to be okay, he wanted to hold him and dwell him in kisses and tell him that everything will be okay.

"I'm glad you did" Scott said, his hands clenched together as he gazed at his lap. "I can't wait to taste it"

"You won't have to wait long" Elijah informed him, pulling off the road onto a rocky track. "We'll be there in no time"

Just as Elijah's said, the bumpy car ride came to a stop at the edge of cliff. A magnificent view of the small town could be seen. An even larger view of the starry sky caught Scott's attention. Elijah's mood perked up a bit when he saw Scott gazing at the view, his usual self coming back. Elijah opened the door for Scott, he was too caught up in the view that he didn't realized Elijah was out the car and waiting for him.

"Sorry" Scott muttered as he exited the car.

"I knew you'd love it" Elijah closed the door behind Scott. Taking the small picnic basket of treats and blanket from the back. "Shall we enjoy the view"

They were on the hood of the car, blanket wrapped around them from the cold chills of the night. Not forgetting a slice of apple pie to finish it off. Elijah handed Scott a slice, waiting for him to take a bite so he could know what Scott thought of it.

"Aren't you going to have some" Scott asked, looking at Elijah making him flutter just by looking at him.

"I'll have mine soon" Elijah kept his slice in hand not ready to take a bite just yet.

Scott finally took a bite, Elijah could feel himself on the edge waiting for a reaction of any kind from Scott. "H-How is it?" Elijah asked when Scott didn't say anything. Elijah wondered if this was how the chefs he saw on TV felt like when they're wait for a critique of their food.

"It's different somehow"

"Are you--" Elijah pushed aside his own pie, noticing the droplets of tears on Scott's end of the blanket. Elijah rested his hand on Scott's chin, gently turning him to face him. Scott was indeed crying, "was the pie not to your liking?"

Elijah wiped away Scott's tears. Did he perhaps misjudge that the ingredient he thought he needed wasn't the right one. "No I liked it it's just-- I don't know"

The tears stopped flowing as Scott gave Elijah an assuring smile. With his hands still resting on Scott's tear stained cheeks, Elijah wondered why he took so long to talk to someone so precious, to have him within arms reach.

"What did you put--"

Scott's words were cut short when Elijah pressed his lips against his in an innocent manner. Scott was shocked at first but he then allowed Elijah to kiss him. Elijah didn't know what happened, he knew that he wanted to express himself to the man before him. To show Scott his love for him. When Scott didn't refuse him he knew it was okay. Under the twinkling stars, on a beautiful spring night; nothing else mattered to Elijah other that the man before him.

Elijah licked his lips, savouring the taste of Scott and lingering apple pie. "Love" he spoke, looking at the blushing Scott under the moon light. "That's what I put in it" the best ingredient that could make anything taste even greater was to make it with love, and Elijah baked that pie with his love for Scott.

"Elijah I --"

He didn't allow Scott to finish, intertwining his hand with his and resting his head on Scott's shoulders looking up at the night sky. "Think about it"

Whatever Scott's answer was he would accept it with no fuss.