Experiment
Eric couldn't believe he was actually going to do this. But dammit, his curiosity was getting the better of him and he had to know. So he steeled himself and headed over to where the smokers hung out. Nick was there along with a guy who looked sort of familiar. It took Eric a minute to place him: of course, this was the guy who'd been hanging out with Jason a lot lately. What was his name again? Sal something?
“Excuse me.” Eric cleared his throat to get their attention. “Nick, could I speak with you?” Nick looked a little surprised to be addressed, which was fair. The two of them were aware of each other but rarely interacted.
“What's up?” Nick asked once they were a reasonable distance away.
“I just...” He had the words prepared but realized just how stupid they were going to sound. And did he really want to do this with a smoker? Maybe he had time to back out and ask Joey instead. No, Nick was the best option. The fact that they didn't run in the same social circles would help. “I need you to help me with an experiment,” Eric said.
“Uh, you sure you wanna ask me?” Nick frowned. “I'm no brainiac.”
“It's fine, it's not that kind of experiment. I...” Oh, god, this was going to be embarrassing. “I want you to kiss me.” Nick just blinked at him. Eric felt his face getting warm and he quickly explained: “Part of the college experience is figuring out who you are and what you like. I heard you're a good kisser so I thought you would be the best person to ask.”
Nick just kept staring at him like Eric had grown an extra limb. Finally he managed to find words. “Who told you that?”
“My friend Clarice. Her girl friends talk about you all the time. I figure if I'm going to do this, it should be someone who's good at it.”
Nick processed this for a moment. He seemed to reach a decision and nodded. He leaned in and before Eric could brace himself, Nick pecked him quickly on the mouth. It was so quick he didn't have time to feel much of anything beside a contact of lips on lips.
“That was... underwhelming,” Eric declared. “I can't believe I braced myself all day for that. What kind of--” He stopped as Nick's lips were on him again.
This time the kiss lingered, allowing Eric to absorb the full impact of those lips on his. The shape of them, the warmth and firm feel, the slow way they moved against his mouth as if Nick wanted to take his time in tasting the blonde. Eric shivered, his eyes fluttering closed; he wasn't nearly as turned off by the smell of cigarette smoke as he expected. After a few seconds he realized he should kiss back and set about answering the press of lips with his own.
Nick's fingers brushed Eric's side and down to his hip, sliding so his hand rested firmly on the spot. Eric didn't like that hand being so close to his prosthesis so he moved it up to his side again, then found himself gliding his hand up the length of Nick's arm. He liked the feel of muscle under his fingers. He could feel Nick guiding him and he blindly followed until his back hit something solid. Nick had backed Eric up against the wall, the move bringing their bodies closer together.
Eric had both hands on Nick's arms now. One was staying where it was to make sure Nick's hand wouldn't stray back down, and the other Eric moved to cup the back of Nick's neck. Nick's kisses kept going and going, Eric's heart beating a little faster and his breaths coming out a bit harsher. He was so lost in the feel of Nick's mouth and hand that he was a little startled when the kissing finally stopped.
“How was that?” Nick asked him. “As advertised?”
“Uh.” Eric felt a little dazed and needed a minute to get his brain to think again. “Yeah, um. You were good.”
“Glad I could help with the experiment.” With that and a wave, Nick was walking away. Eric was a little stunned. How could Nick be so casual after that mind-blowing kiss? But then, hadn't Eric been the one to say this was just an experiment?
Well, he certainly got results, because now he at least knew one thing about himself: he wanted Nick Kay to kiss him until he couldn't think.