Sweet Dreams (Candy) Part 3 (End)

  Christian couldn’t fall back asleep, no matter how hard he tried. Jinxx went back to claim his own bed, and Jake went to his room. After helping CC’s heart rate at least decelerate to a semi-normal speed, Andy had gone back to his room, as well. The only one not home was Ashley.

  Christian sat on the couch with the TV volume low. He wasn’t paying it any mind; he was lost in his own world. His dreams kept playing on loop in his head, and he was mulling over the fact that he might really be in love with Andy.

  “Hey,” a voice whispered, nearly knocking CC out of his skin. It was Andy, standing just outside his bedroom door.

  “Hey,” CC said. “How long you been there?”

  “Not very. Can I sit with you?”

  CC nodded, and Andy came and sat beside him on the couch. He was still only in boxers, but CC couldn’t let himself look at the singer for even a split second. He couldn’t trust himself here, alone, in this darkness.

  “CC, I’m sorry about earlier,” Andy said.

  “What about it? I’m the one that came into your room.”

  Andy shook his head. “No, not that. I mean how I wouldn’t tell you what I was getting, earlier. And then how I just suddenly holed myself in my room.”

  “Andy, has that really been bothering you?”

  “Yeah. I haven’t slept, yet, since you woke me up.”

  “Sorry about that.”

  “Don’t be. I wanted to talk to you about that, too…”

  CC blushed lightly. He pulled his feet onto the couch and sat cross-legged, looking down into his lap.

  “CC…look, I know you were lying-”

  “Yeah, don’t say it. I know I was, and I’m sorry.”

  They sat in silence for a moment; Andy wasn’t sure how to continue, and Christian wasn’t sure if he wanted him to find a way.

  “What were you dreaming about?”

  Christian flinched, and Andy caught it. He scooted closer to the drummer, then placed a hand reassuringly on his friend’s shoulder.

  “If you’re having nightmares, tell me. You don’t need to keep it a secret. Everyone has bad dreams.”

  “But…I don’t think it was a bad dream. Not intentionally.” Andy cocked his head in confusion, and CC continued. “I think it was trying to be a good dream, but it didn’t know how. I’ve just been so…confused over something, recently. That’s all…”

  “Well…I’m your friend. No.” Andy shook his head. “I’m your brother, Christian. Tell me what’s been bothering you.”

  “I…I can’t.” CC looked away.

  “CC…I think I already know.”

  Christian felt Andy shift, but he couldn’t tell where to. That last comment didn’t make sense to him at first. When it sunk in, CC gasped lightly, then turned to face Andy.

  So that’s where he moved to, CC thought as he felt their lips touch. Andy had moved closer – close enough to pull CC into a kiss when he’d turned his head.

  It was everything he never knew he wanted.

  Christian ran a hand through Andy’s short black hair, knotting his fingers into it and pulling the singer closer. Andy did the same to Christian’s long hair, and both could feel the need for more sinking in.

  Too soon, it was over. Andy – breathily – had pulled away. As dark as it was, CC could tell his face was flushed and hot.

  “You know?” Andy said with a smirk. “I think I might like to do that again, sometime.”

  CC smirked back. “I think I might, too.”

  The two went back into Andy’s room, sharing Andy’s bed. Christian laid his head on his brother’s chest, and Andy wrapped his arms around him. It was the first time Christian ever fell asleep with a smile on his face, and he didn’t even dream.

***

  When they woke the next morning – still holding each other – they took their time getting ready for the day. After eventually getting breakfast and getting dressed, the two went back out on the town, a newfound air of happiness surrounding them.

  “Well,” Andy said. “I guess it’s time to go spend all the rest of my money I’ve got with me.”

  “Oh yeah?”

  “Yeah.”

  “Ohhh right, that thing you were looking for.”

  “Mmhm.”

  Christian wasn’t paying attention to where they were going – only to his new lover – so it was a surprise to him when he snapped back into reality in the middle of a Kay Jewelry store.

  “Okay, Andy, what the Hell are we here for?”

  “Look, I said I’m getting the expensive kind, now.”

  “And the cheap version was in AE?”

  “Hey, shut it, you.” Andy laughed, and CC laughed with him.

  Before Andy shooed the drummer away from the jewelry counter, he grabbed the drummer’s wrist. CC questioned it, but Andy told him never mind, and CC went to stand in the corner again. He tried to look around Andy to see what was in his hands as he talked to the clerk, but Andy made sure CC wouldn’t be able to see whatever it was.

  After many minutes, hushed whispers, and the exchange of straight cash for the item, Andy came back over to CC – fists clenched, and a huge smile on his face.

  “Andy, watcha got there?” CC asked him.

  “Hold out your hand and close your eyes.”

  CC rolled his eyes playfully, then held his left hand out, palm-up. He expected something to drop into it. Instead, he felt Andy fumble with something on his wrist. It was obviously a bracelet, but CC still hadn’t seen it. He felt Andy pull away, but could hear jingling – as if Andy was putting on a bracelet of his own.

  “Alright,” Andy said after a moment. “You can look now.”

  CC opened his eyes to see a gold bracelet around his wrist. The gold was wound into many Xs around the band, and CC’s eyes lit up. So did his cheeks.

  “A-Andy, you didn’t-”

  “Yes, I did. It’s called ‘Kisses’. Fits, huh?” Andy smiled. “I figured the expensive kind would be much more worth it, anyway.” Andy held up his right wrist. “And mine’s in silver.”

  “Oh geez, Andy.” Christian couldn’t think of much to say. He was completely overwhelmed.

  “See, I told you I knew what you meant! I’ve liked you for a while, and this was gonna be how I showed you, but you already showed me last night.”

  “Oh, Andy.” Christian wrapped his arms around his brother’s neck. Andy laughed, then rested his hands on CC’s waist.

  “I love you, CC,” Andy said as he placed a kiss on the drummer’s forehead.

  “Andy, I love you, too.”