Daddy had always wanted to instill in Westley the importance of blood, sweat, and tears. The orange Pontiac GTO that had been sitting in the garage since '71 was supposed to be what hammered it home. It was only a '69, and the frame was pristine, but there was so much work that needed to be done under the hood-- Wes' own fault, for mentioning he'd wanted it the moment the model hit the streets, leaving his dad an opportunity to seize that somehow became more of a project between his boyfriend and father. He'd never been one for getting his hands dirty, but watching Lucas learn from his dad, while the two of them cracked beers and were finally bonding at last was something he'd remember for the rest of his life. Their life. From the passenger seat, Westley reached his arm toward Lucas, and ran his fingers through straightened red hair. His bright green eyes were swimming, an intoxicated smile drifting there across his lips: he'd just graduated, and inherited the car his father and boyfriend had been working on as a graduation gift. Since all the work had been put in by Lucas, he saw it only fair he get to break it in. Wes was enjoying the passenger seat, anyway, turned sideways in his seat, with his left leg over his boyfriend's lap, and his right leg crossed over the left, his arm propped up and his fingers tapping on the hood of the car as his long hair billowed out the window. They'd both spent time looking presentable for Westley's graduation, but Wes didn't shave for that. Having chosen shorts for their outing, he was happy to see Lucas appreciated the effort, as he kept only one hand on the steering wheel, the other running up and down over his leg, but kept both eyes on the road.

Yes, he was quite smitten with the driver of the sporty little car, but that wasn't what was making his little heart race out of his chest. They were pulling into their destination right on time, and as Lucas put it in park, goosebumps formed on his arms, and he grinned, his teeth sparkling in the light of sunset. Westley removed his hand from his boyfriend's hair, turning the radio up, the country station they'd agreed to blaring over the speakers as he grabbed the blanket and food they'd packed, and climbed out of his own door. Hurrying around the car, to set up their spot, and see over to edge to the water, he ran into Lucas, and his breath hitched in his throat. Wes was still smiling brightly when their eyes met, and shivering a bit from the breeze on his legs, "You gonna help me, buster, or just stand here?" It was a wonder he got to finish his sentence before Lucas was all in his space, enveloping him in those long arms, and kissing him with an urgency Wes was all-too-familiar with. As inexpressive as red could be-- had been since they were kids-- his body language was more than enough, and Westley accepted his kiss warmly. To the ground fell the basket, and the blanket, his hands cupping Lucas' face as their tongues grazed, and teeth teased. This wasn't such a bad alternative, he'd thought to himself, feeling the cold steel of the car against the back of his legs.

Wes sucked Lucas' lip between his teeth, and tugged playfully, dragging fingers back through his hair before he felt his boyfriend sigh softly through his nose. He was contented, not fired up, and it was a little disappointing to the brunet in his arms, who just rolled his eyes and laughed despite himself, "Get off."

Together, they set up the blanket along the side of the car, and propped themselves up against it, leaving the driver side door open so they could play the radio while they rested together. Wes rocked his shoulders a bit, in rhythm to the music, humming along and digging around in the basket he'd packed, "What did you bring?" Lucas asked, peering over the top of Wes' head. It was a question, certainly innocent enough, that got him pushed back with a laugh. The green-eyed graduate had made their meal himself-- some chicken, wrapped in tinfoil; potato salad; a couple of beers and...something for later. Wes leaned his head back, resting his head against the edge of Lucas' bony shoulder, staring at him blankly, as if Lucas were supposed to know what it meant. When he got his brief kiss, of course, he spilled.

"Chicken dinner and a couple of cold ones." He pulled the food out of the basket, splaying it before them, and leaning close on his boy as they ate. It wasn't really that great, but it wasn't too bad. Meat was a little burned, and dry, and the potato salad was a little too salty, and Wes was just waiting for Lucas to run off with some comment, but maybe he was being nice on account of graduation? It wasn't like him to be this quiet, but at least he was laughing. For a long moment, after finishing their meals, they leaned back, watching the end of sunset as they listened to the radio start to get fuzzy. Westley rose, crawling into the car and slipping in a cassette he and Luc had made together for when they'd travel together. The first few notes rang through the air and he slipped back out, cracking the window so that he could close the door. The darker it'd gotten, though, the colder it'd become, too, and what was once a small shiver was now having Wes grind his teeth to keep them from chattering. When he knelt back down with his boyfriend, he curled up close to his side, "It's getting cold out here.." Wes could feel his heart beating hard in his chest again, just looking at Lucas as he spoke. Gently, he began kissing at his neck, his hand pressed flat against his chest and rubbing slowly up and back down.

"Why don't you crack a beer? That ought to warm you up."

Anger bubbled in his stomach faster than he even knew it could, and he leaned back immediately, glaring at the side of Lucas' face incredulously. Words were just rising up like vomit, and stopping fast on the tip of his tongue, before he felt fingers tangle with his own. Even then, he felt...rejected. And this wasn't the first time, it was just the worst. He dropped his gaze, pursing his lips angrily, yanking his hand away sharply, "Yeah, I don't want to touch you, either."

"Wes.."

"..let's just get in the car. I'll take you home.." By then, he was chewing on his tongue, trying to keep from letting himself be heard whimpering as his eyes burned to high Hell, all the while making sure there was as much space between them as there could be without him getting up. Westley didn't want to drive like this.

"Westley."

"What's wrong with me, Lucas? What's wrong with...touching each other?" He spun to face red, anguish clear on his face. Chocolate only stared back at him, lips drawn into a line. Neither of them had gone down the road before, so maybe...he was nervous. But that had been what he reasoned with himself each and every time he was told 'no'; to just be patient; that it would happen when the time was right. But when was right? "What's wrong with you? You've been..."

His boy took a moment to breathe, breaking eye contact and shaking his head, "You graduated. What about me?" For a long time, Westley just stared at him in silence, not putting it together. Was he.. Afraid to be left behind?

Even when he came to the conclusion, Wes just mirrored him, looking to the ground and taking a moment to compose himself. It wasn't like they'd been together for all their lives, or anything, but it'd been a year or so, and... Taking a deep breath, he tilted his head to the side, looking at him, but not directly, "..I didn't have any intentions of leaving you behind, you know..?" Lucas didn't give a noticeable response, but moved to grab the edge of the blanket instead, dusting it off as he gave a nod of his head for Wes to scoot in closer. There was a moment of hesitation, but he eventually obliged with a sigh, "I just..." As red pulled the blanket up over his legs, Westley cupped his face, calling his attention and moving in so they were pressed up close together, "I want you, Lucas."