Was he going crazy or was he seeing a blush on Nike's face? The man had grabbed his hand and he pulled him up, briefly putting his hand on the small of Nike's back to support him. The man looked exhausted and Theo didn't trust him not to fall. He couldn't help but let his hand linger on his back though, almost as long as their hands lingered together.

When their hands parted, so did Theo's hand on his back. The gang leader looked down with the slightest hint of a blush. He heard Nike tell him to go, arching an eyebrow briefly. Not everyone would have the guts to talk to him like that. He followed him out, giving a nod toward a few of the night guards as they watched him leave with a curious expression.

"Why thank you, such a gettlemen Should I give a bow?" He purposely brushed past Nike's shoulder whenever he held the door open. He couldn't help but tease him, something about the man brought out his flirtatious side He wasn't sure what

Once they were outside, he couldn't help but look around in amazement. The night was rather beautiful and so were the stars. He had forgotten what outside looked like at night. He had been cooped up in his room for far too long. He couldn't help but chuckle to himself and run his fingers against every tree they passed. He was amazed by how everything looked.

His gaze caught Nike's and he quickly stopped in his tracks. He was being an idiot, acting like he had never seen outside before. More like a kid. He blushed heavily and quickly turned his gaze to the ground. What was he doing? He was being a fool

"Sorry," He muttered, clearing his voice. He couldn't believe he was acting like a fool in front of Nike.

He drew silent and into his own thoughts, thinking about the reason why he was acting like this. And being flirtatious and blushing around Nike? What was up about that? He hadn't acted this way since highschool. It reminded him of a nerd trying to score a fling with a cheerleader. What was he doing?

"So..um...the gang?" He looked at Nike, realizing that they were now walking side by side. He hadn't realized how close they were, especially since Nike was on his blind side. Normally he would move but at this moment, he trusted him,"I've been told my gang has some rather attractive ladies. Anyone you find interesting?"

He felt his heart pound out of his chest at that question. He couldn't believe he was asking it and he didn't understand why. Guy talk about girls never made him feel this way before. Maybe it was because he was hoping for a different answer, hoping that maybe...possibly girls weren't Nike's thing.

Why would it matter so much if they were? Why was he asking this? More importantly why was he hoping that the man wasn't into women?

Theo couldn't help but blush more at the statement of being around Alleya. That was just making the situation worst and reminding him that he wasn't acting like himself. Or at least the self that Nike was supposed to see. It made him feel self-conscious, fool-like, and yes, even a little pissed off. What was he doing?

It made him a little more confused and fool-like when he asked the question. He didn't want to have guy-talk with Nike or hear about the latest hookup the man. He especially didn't like the thought of Nike flirting it up with a woman. He was hoping that Nike didn't like women or find them attractive. The reason why was one he wasn't ready to come in terms with quite yet.

And if he wasn't mistaken, as soon as he mentioned that, he could have sworn that he saw disappointment on his face. He couldn't help but frown as Nike moved away from him and drew within himself. Did he do something wrong?

"I’m not really that interested in women Theo… I mean a little but it's mostly men."

Theo was so glad that he had looked away from the gray-haired man. As soon as he heard that, a wide genuine smile crept onto his face. That statement made him really happy to hear. What was he thinking? Doing? Why was he feeling this way?

But he did feel slightly disappointed at the statement that Nike wasn't interested in anyone.

"What about you..?”

Theo looked at Nike in surprise. Now most people wouldn't ask him about his own attraction or interests. Normally they would just share their own. Besides, wasn't the man already aware that relationships didn't end well with him.

"Well, um," He glanced at the ground,"I like women...but men are sexy too."

Now it was his turn to be embarrassed again. He hadn't said that statement since maybe highschool, back when he was trying to score dates with anyone. In preference, he did prefer dating men despite his former relationships not going the greatest.

"But as for a relationships...they don't go well with me. Dating me would be equal to dating a lit dynamite," He sighed, rubbing the back of his neck awkwardly,"So it's best I don't regardless of who or who I might not have a crush on. I don't want to hurt anyone again."

Theo's sexuality was complicated but yet something he had always knew. He liked pretty much anyone but his attraction was based on preferences. He had always invisioned himself dating a man, he had only felt things toward men for the longest time. That was, until Flynn came along. She was the one that told him to stick around because she might change his preferences. Although, that didn't happen exactly, she did help him come in terms with the meaning of omnisexuality and they did have a successful relationship...until he ruined everything.

He heard Nike's footsteps drift closer to him. Since the man was on his blind side, the smell of his cigarette and the sound of footsteps was the only thing he could judge how close he was. He had to guess that he was a little bit closer to him.

"“Dating a lit dynamite seems more exciting than a peaceful rose."

Theo arched an eyebrow, turning his sighted side toward the man. He had guessed right that Nike got closer. He briefly tried to study his body language, trying to figure out what game he was pulling. If he wasn't mistaken, he could have sworn that Nike was flirting with him. That was ridiculous though, had to be. Nobody ever flirted with him.

"Well now we know what you are into, my friend," Theo purposely closed the distance between them and leaned in close to whisper that. Their shoulders brushed for a moment, luckily not in an area where the gang leader was burnt. He gave a chuckle and moved back with a small head shake. He was trying to play it cool but the thought of Nike flirting with him made his heart pound and butterflies dance in the pit of his stomach.

"Want to share who you’re interested in, or not interested in?”

Now it felt like his heart full on jumped to his stomach. He wasn't sure why Nike was pressing the matter unless if the guy was interested Well obviously he was interested in who but could it be because he himself was interested?

"Hey now...that doesn't concern you," Theo chuckled, shaking his head softly. Well it kind of did, in a sense. He wasn't sure if this counted as an interest but things were lining up with a stereotypical crush. He didn't want to crush on anyone, he felt like if he did that then he would be betraying Flynn. Things were complicated right now.

"Also, you shouldn't worry about hurting someone, no matter what you do, someone will always get hurt. The only thing you can truly control is your own happiness...Don't you think she would have wanted that for you..?”

It was as if he knew who he was thinking about. That's why he didn't answe Nike on his crush. Saying it aloud would be similar to betraying her. If he didn't say it, he could ignore it. But perhaps...perhaps he was right. Maybe Flynn did want to see him happy and move on?

"Can we stop here?" He asked, looking away and frowning. Theo didn't wait for an answer though, he moved to sit down at the base of a tree in front of them. Now that he was sitting, the pain in his wounds seemed to come back. He winced as he leaned back against the trunk and let out a sigh. He missed Flynn a lot and these new feelings? They were confusing and scary. Does this new crush mean he doesn't love her anymore?

His green gaze turned up to latch onto Nike's. He let his gaze study his facial features. He had to admit, Nike was a rather attractive man. His gaze travelled down his body, giving it the same study as he did his face. Then he met Nike's gaze and said in a very low and quiet voice,"There might be somebody I'm interested in."

Then he looked away before continuing,"It's too early to tell though. They are a really great person, attractive even. But we are just in the beginning stages and he-I mean they have only seen me at my worst state. I doubt they feel anything toward me, especially after discovering that I'm not the guy everybody thinks I am."

He drew quiet, a heavy blush appearing on his face. What was he thinking? Why would he admit something like that? Especially since it was rather obvious who he was talking about. Now another reason for Nike to believe he was a complete and utter fool.

Theo was just barely coming to terms with this crush. He knew what crushes felt like and he knew what he was feeling was that. He just never crushed on somebody so fast. Whenever he spoke about the crush, it was also him admitting it to himself. He was crushing on somebody. Oddly enough, the person he admitted it to was the guy he was crushing on.

He didn't dare bother to look at the guy. He was afraid to. Afraid that Nike had figured it out and waiting to reject him or say something about how foolish it was to have a crush on a guy that he only met a week ago. He felt a brush of air as the man sat down beside him. There was barely room for two people by the tree. Theo could feel the warmth of his body even though they weren't touching...yet which caused a reaction of goosebumps against his body.

"This person… If they've only seen you at your worst state, or discovered that you're not just the strong and hot leader everyone sees him as, but that person is still around, what do you make of that?”

Nike was still asking him questions? Had he not figured it out, or maybe he was asking that to try to reveal more. Maybe to make him admit more..

Theo didn't know how to respond to this question. There was a difference between not wanting to respond and having no response. What was he supposed to do? He didn't want Nike to get the wrong idea and think he was shutting him out again.

After a moment of hesitation, he turned to look at Nike. He scooted closer, closing what little space there was between the two of them.If things went wrong, he could always blame it on the fact that Nike was on his blindside. He wondered if Nike knew he was blind on that side or how not very many people would have even been allowed to be on that side. He would have switched the side he was walking on instantly, if it had been anyone else.

He reached for Nike's hand and intertwined his fingers in between the man's and gave a firm tight squeeze. Hand-holding. That's all he could master to do and even then, he had to fight the urge to pull his hand back.

One part of Theo's mind was telling him to make a move. To press himself more against him, to lean his head upon his shoulder, to allow himself to kiss him....but another part of him kept on thinking about Flynn. It was like a red flag in the back of his mind, like his mind was telling him to kiss her instead of Nike. But she was gone and Nike was not.

He had never before allowed himself to get close to somebody, but he craved to get close to Nike. He missed cuddling on cold nights, drinking hot chocolate by the fireplace, staying up and talking all night. He missed romance and missed having a partner. Never before had he fallen for somebody so fast. It took all his might to not confess every feeling to Nike or drive his tongue down the poor newbie's throat.

So...hand holding...that was a good start. It was easier to come in terms with his crush just feeling Nike's hand in his. The man's hands were a lot softer than he expected-a little colder too. The night did have a chill in it and perhaps his body wasn't as used to the cold as the gang leader's was. After all, most people don't live on the streets for long periods of time.

He was making slow moves, unsure if his suspicions were correct. He craved for Nike to like him back but also didn't want to make a move that risked awkwardness between them. He didn't want to be fantasizing something that wasn't there. He also didn't want to be the one making all the moves. If the newbie liked him...then the newbie should let him know in some way and stop asking questions.

"Theo..?"

He shook himself out of his thoughts, not realizing how long the two of them had just been sitting there. He also hadn't noticed Nike's reaction. When his gaze travelled back to his face, he could see patches of pink pigment on his face. He couldn't help but give a light smirk. Was Nike blushing? Was he truly right about the man liking him?

"I uh… What if the one you're interested in had similar feelings for you.. What then..?”

Hmmm....maybe Nike did like him. It was hard to tell because his gaze immediately dropped down to their hands. He seemed to be asking carefully yet another question.

After a moment of thought, Theo reached with his free hand to Nike's chin. He gently guided his gaze back up before cupping his cheek and leaning in close. Even in the dark moonlight, he could see from the look on his face that he wasn't the only one trying to battle these emotions.

"Well then..." Theo whispered, staying leaned so close that their noses were almost touching and he could feel Nike's breath against his own cheeks,"I would tell him to stop battling his feelings and stop all these questions. I would challenge him to do whatever he wants to me-or at least do something other than interrogating me."