You shouldn't worry so much, he told himself, squinting his eyes. He's your friend. You have to know he wouldn't mind at all helping you. He's helped you with everything you've needed. This time it won't be different.

Letting out a long sigh, he took two steps forward, standing right in the middle of the hallway. He couldn't help but fell uneasy about it.

He started biting his lower lip, still thinking about it. It wasn't that easy to go over to your friend's door and knock for an advice.

You've asked the rest of the guys already, what's so difficult about asking Kevin? His mind told him.

He wanted to shrug, he didn't know. Maybe it was the fact that Kevin was nine years his senior, which would always made him feel like he was acting like a child and Kevin would see him like one. He knew, in the back of his mind, that he was wrong. Still, it was difficult.

Seventeen-year-old Nick looked up to the ceiling, wondering if he was doing the right thing as going to Kevin for advice on something as... trivial as this was.

You can always come to me Nick, Kevin had told him three years ago, when the blond was barely fourteen. You can ask me about anything. I will always be here to help you. Always.

Taking in a deep breath, telling himself he was doing the right thing, he was only taking Kevin on his word, Nick crossed the hallway and knocked on Kevin's door before he lost was little resolve he now had.

He waited for a moment. He took a deep breath in. He waited another moment. He let out the breath.

Ok, so I tried, he told himself as closed his eyes slightly, beginning to turn his back on the door.

But before he could even see the other side of the hallway, before he could do as much as take a step away from the door, he heard the distinctively sound of the door opening.

He let out a sigh. Maybe somehow, in the back of his mind, he had been hoping Kevin wouldn't open.

"Nick," Kevin said slowly, surprise in his tone. Nick turned his head, giving Kevin a small smile. "What are you doing here?" The older man checked out his watch. "It's almost eleven. We've got an early interview tomorrow."

Nick nodded. "Yeah, I remember." He looked down and couldn't help blushing. "I just wanted to talk to you."

Frowning slightly, but not saying a word, Kevin opened the door wider, motioning for the young to come inside. "Sure."

He walked into the room, not being able to stop himself as he looked around. There were papers scattered around on the bed. An unfinished chicken was on a plate, pushed aside on the same bed. There was an opened bottle of water standing on the dresser, probably left there in a hurry. The TV was on, but muted. Videos were showing on the screen and Nick glanced away, not really wanting to see himself on the TV anymore.

"What was it you wanted to talk to me about?"

Nick bit his lower lip. It shouldn't be this difficult, he knew. Kevin was his friend. The dad of the four. He one who kept them in line. The one... the one they could count on. He trusted on Kevin and was sure that, if anyone of the bunch was to make a good assertion on his questioning, then that one should be -- and would be -- Kevin.

Still, something kept him from being forward about it, from being blunt.

Kevin walked slowly over to the dresses, leaning against it. Seeing Nick's uneasiness about touching whatever subject was troubling him, kept silent. This scene reminded him of two and something years ago when, being nervous himself, they had talked about sex. He knew that, Nick's father going away as much he did ought to work, the two of them probably didn't have time to bond as father and son should. It was for that matter that Kevin thought the best way possible was to talk with Nick himself.

They had both been nervous. After all, the group had barely started months before Kevin approached Nick. Kevin could remember the blond looking down at the ground, shifting his weight from one foot to the other, very much like he was doing at the time.

Nick walked over to the bed, sitting by the end of it. He picked up some of the papers and pushed them further down, not wanting to disrupt Kevin's usual neatness when it came down to the group's papers.

Maybe it had been a mistake to come here. Maybe he should have stayed with the other's assumptions and opinions. Three positions were more than enough. They should do. Even though Kevin's opinion mattered the most.

"I was talking with Brian a couple of days ago." Nick's eyes were downcast, his finger going around on the particular pattern the gray comforter held. "He was telling me about the last time you all went out to a club. I know I couldn't go because I'm still underage. I just wanted to know what you all did."

Kevin nodded to himself. He knew Nick didn't like when they went out a clubs, leaving the blond on the hotel. That was one of the many reasons, ever since that very first time a year ago, it had never repeated. Kevin always made sure that, when one or two of them wanted to go out, at least one of them stayed on the hotel with Nick. It was usually either Brian or himself, but that didn't bother either of them.

"Brian was telling me how AJ picked a girl up, even though they only talked a couple of minutes on the bar."

Nick paused for a moment, thinking his words carefully. He knew that if he tried, he could replay his whole conversation with Brian. Still, he didn't need to. The question was plain and visible on his mind.

"I didn't know how that could happen." Nick chuckled. "I know it sounds dumb, but I didn't understand. He didn't know the girl, and they hooked up."

Kevin smiled at the blond. He was only seventeen after all. He had spent his entire puberty under the public eye and, as far as he knew -- and he was sure that was the truth -- Nick hadn't really dated. Not serioussly. Watched a movie or two with this or that girl, but nothing beyond that.

"I wanted to know how that happens."

Kevin nodded. "I understand," he said when Nick paused; wanting the blond to know he was paying attention to the tale.

Nick frowned slightly, continuing with his story. "So I talked with Alex about it. He wouldn't tell me at first -- I think he was making fun of me." Nick said with a grim smile on his lips. "Actually, I'm pretty sure he was making fun of me. But I bugged him for quite a while, so he finally talked to me."

Kevin chuckled slightly. Nick and Alex being the two closest in age were to get in each other's nerves every once in a while. It was quite funny to watch, actually. It always reminded him of the fights he used to have with his brothers.

"He said it's easy," Nick continued. "He said there's nothing easier than asking a girl out."

His eyes squinting, Kevin thought about it. "I'm not so sure about that, but go on."

Nick nodded at Kevin's statement. "Yeah, I said the same thing. But J said that the easy part is asking a girl out. The tough part is going on more than just one date with her." Nick shook his head from side to side, like trying to get back to where he was going. "Anyway, that wasn't it. I asked him who can you ask a girl out. For me it's never easy. I never know what to say."

A small smile on his lips, Kevin drawled slowly, "You're still young Nicky. You shouldn't worry about that."

"But I do! Alex has been going out with girl since he was younger than I am now. And that's not fair." The boy pouted and Kevin had to big back his smile. It was lovely whenever Nick pouted. "He said, if we're in a club, I could buy her a drink. I should go to the bar, lean against it and look at the girl and what she's drinking. He said I should ask the bartender for another shot of whatever she's drinking. On me, I should say." Nick paused for a moment, thinking. "I don't know if I could do that."

Letting out a long sigh, Nick looked down at the floor. It was so weird talking with Kevin about it. Sure, it wasn't the most awkward conversation they had ever held. That place was and would always be occupied by the sex talk they had a couple of years back. Nick stopped himself before shaking his head in disbelieve. He still blushed whenever he thought about that.

"After that, I went back to Brian. I told him what J had said and he said that Alex was wrong. Ok, so I could have said that," Nick said with a smile," but I decided to hear Brian out. Poor Rok, he's supposed to be older and wiser, but I don't think he is. Just don't tell him, ok?"

The older man nodded at Nick's request, his lips twitching upwards once again at the comment.

"He said I shouldn't try to look for I girl. Now that I knew was wrong. I didn't know what he meant by not looking out for a girl. How else am I supposed to find a girlfriend?" Nick shook his head in bewilderment, his blond lock falling onto his eyes. He pushed them away with the back of his hand, his eyes blinking brightly. "He said I should take it slowly. That I have time."

"I have to agree with him on that one."

Nick shook his head again. "I don't. I wanna date, too. Well, he said that when the time comes, I'll find the person I wanna spend my life with. Yeah, well, he's lucky coz he's got Leigh. Just coz they've been dating for a couple of months doesn't mean he didn't use to pick up girls. He said that the person who's meant for me will come when I'm not really looking. So he's plan is that I don't look. I don't get it."

Kevin looked at Nick and had to smile at his impatient nature. The boy was a boy, after all. He only had seventeen and he shouldn't be worrying about girls. "Nick," Kevin said lowly, "you'll have time for girls."

"When? When I'm twenty-five? That's not fair!"

Kevin chuckled and Nick pouted. "Just give yourself some time."

The blond, being as stubborn as he was at his short age, denied that fact, shaking his head forcefully. "No. I don't wanna wait. I don't believe what Brian says and I don't wanna wait." He took in a long breath. "So, after my fiasco with Brian, I went to Howie. I thought he could give me his opinion on the subject too. He said I should... what did he say? Oh, yeah. He said I should woo her?"

At that, Kevin couldn't help but laugh right out. "Howie said that?"

Nick nodded, a look of disgust in his face. Whether it was disgust or just plain down confusion, Kevin didn't know. "Yeah. Who says woo anymore? I mean, he's old, yeah, but if someone was to say woo, I would have thought it'd be you."

Kevin only glared at the blond, who giggled at it.

"He said," Nick continued after he had sobered up, "I should go easy, slowly. That I should send her flowers and chocolates." He shrugged. "I'm not really sure about that either. I mean we're on the road. I don't have time to send flowers and candy. I need to move faster!"

"No, Nick, you don't. Look at yourself. You're seventeen, doing what most people only dream of doing. You have your whole life ahead of you."

"I know that!" Nick pouted again, looking down at the carpet. Suddenly, he had developed a rather disturbing fascination with carpeting. "I just wanna spend that life with someone."

Letting out a long sigh ever so slowly, Kevin walked over to the bed. Sitting by Nick's side, Kevin placed his arm around his shoulders, pulling the blond close to his side. "Don't you worry," Kevin said, emphasizing each word as he drew Nick closer to him. "You'll see how you'll find someone very soon."

Nick looked up in one quick movement, his clear blue eyes dancing. "How soon?"

Kevin chuckled, placing his chin on top of Nick's head. "Very soon."

Squinting his eyes again, as he thought of the question that was the actually reason for his being here. He paused. Maybe asking Kevin wouldn't be so difficult. "Can I ask you a question?"

"Sure."

Nick pulled away just enough to look into Kevin's eyes but stay in the half embrace. "How would you do it?"

"Do what?"

"Ask a girl out. How would you do it?"

Kevin thought of the answer. "It actually depends on where you are. On the situation."

Nick shrugged. "Imagine one."

Kevin's laughter resounded in his chest, the melody making Nick smile. "I don't think I can."

"Sure you can. Think of something."

When Kevin's eyebrows lifted, Nick could see the wheels behind Kevin's brain practically moving. It was so peculiar of the older man.

"Can you hit on me?"

Kevin's eyes focused on the blond, frowning, his face a mask of confusion at the words. "What?"

Nick nodded. "Hit on me. Pretend I'm a girl and ask me out. I wanna know how you do it."

"Well..." Kevin trailed off, not knowing if it was such a good idea. What he had told Nick was the truth. It all depended on the situation.

"Imagine we're at a party and you wanna hit on me," Nick added, trying to help Kevin.

Agreeing with the picture, Kevin sighed slowly. He could try, right? "Sure."

He took in a deep breath, then let it out slowly. He stood up, walking over to the other side of the room. "Imagine," Kevin started, "I'm here and you're there. If I wanna ask you out, then that means I've already noticed you, so... I've been watching you." Kevin leaned against the wall casually, his back to Nick, his eyes darting from the door over to Nick every once in a while. "I'm talking with someone and I notice you, so I look at you casually, practically naturally."

A bright smile on his face, Nick nodded. "Okay."

"After a moment, not too quickly as not to be too obvious and not too late as not to let anyone else talk with you, I walk over you." Kevin turned around, his stoic confidence and serious. "I fix my gaze with yours." Kevin did that, dark green eyes meeting clear blue ones. "I sit by your side at the bar, and just pause."

Their gazes still locked, Nick gasped slightly. Kevin's eyes were so intense, so... intoxicating, he couldn't help but keep looking into them. It was like... he was drawn to them. Like they called out for him, whispered his name oh so sweetly. And he listened.

"Hey," Kevin said slowly, his drawl thick in the soundless room.

A soft blush making its way towards his cheeks, Nick tried not to lower his gaze in embarrassment. "Hey."

"How are you?"

"Fine."

Kevin nodded, the left corner of his mouth twitching upwards in half a smile that just fit Kevin's features like a second skin. "I was looking at you from across the room," Kevin said, jerking his head towards where he had been standing only moments before, "and I couldn't help but come over."

"Oh."

The grin widened in Kevin's lips and Nick wondered what he could do to see that smile everyday. "You're lovely." Kevin paused, his eyes dancing. He leaned over slightly, and Nick closed his eyes, breathing in instinctively. Sniffing every so slowly, Kevin moved away. "You smell so nice. It reminds me of grass just touched by the mid fall rain. It reminds me of home."

Nick opened his eyes, lips parted slightly, wanting to say something, wanting to interact with the older man, still not being able to make himself do it. His brain didn't seem to be working properly.

"Do you mind if I kiss you?" Kevin whispered slowly, his eyes darkening as he leaned barely visibly towards Nick, his breath hot against Nick's throat and neck.

Not saying anything, not being able, Nick only shook his head, leaning as well, closing his eyes once again. He could feel Kevin's breath against his own lips and the sensation just took over him, capturing and not letting go.

When he could almost feel, almost taste, Kevin's lips on his, he felt the older man pulling away from him and opened his eyes in surprise.

Kevin was just there, sitting by his side, gazing at him with clear green eyes like that hadn't just happened. Nick, on the other side, couldn't stop thinking about it.

Kevin shrugged nonchalantly. "That's pretty much it. You talk with her sweetly, lowly, and see where that takes you."

Nick gulped down the dryness his throat seemed to have developed. "Oh. Yeah. Okay."

Kevin nodded. "Anything else you wanted to know about dates?"

He opened his mouth and then closed it shut. There were a million more and new questions running through his mind, most of them revolving the subject of Kevin being that close once again and how to achieve that, but he didn't dare to ask them. Nick shrugged. "No, not really."

Kevin smiled at the blond. "I'm glad I could help."

"Yeah," Nick said, standing up in one quick movement, already making his way towards the door. Kevin followed, Nick could sense it, and that only forced him to walk quicker. He had to get to his room and think about this.

When he reached the safe place the door seemed to be, he opened it with one hand, turning around. Suddenly, Kevin was only inches from him, forcing him to look up into Kevin's eyes. Nick turned away his eyes, the depths of them being too much for the youth at the moment. The closeness actually forced Nick to take a step back.

"Thanks," Nick said and hoped it sounded sincere. "You were great." He wanted to slap himself over the implication.

"Sure, no problem."

But Kevin didn't seem to get it, which eased Nick's mind. He nodded, smiled one last time and turned around, his eyes fixed on his door and launched for it. Never in his life had the walking from Kevin's door to his own, barely three doors down and across the hallway in between, had seemed so far.

At the moment, however, his mind didn't seem to stop processing what had just occurred.

Oh boy.

He let out a long sigh, replaying the scene in his mind.

Oh boy.

A small smile made its way to his lips and then turned into a full grin just as he reached his doorknob. He shrugged mentally, his eyes happily dancing in his orbs.