Ch. 04: A frat party full of pledges and promises.
It was Thursday afternoon and Ryan was volunteering at the animal shelter. He'd been there two hours already, having already cleaned out a couple kennels and helped out with a few adoptions. He loved the look on little kids' faces as he walked out with their newest friend, feeling a sense of happiness when he handed the leash over. As the day slowed, he was back in the large cages, working on one for his favorite pet in this whole place.
"That's a good girl." He said as he pet Nova, feeling her soft fur on his fingers. Even as old as she was, the dog was beautiful- looking into him with her clear blue eyes like she knew all the boy's secrets. He hoped that wasn't the case.
Part of joining PAWS meant taking some time out each month to volunteer, so he picked today, knowing that Levi had similar engagements with Pi Kappa Phi. The two of them had developed this nice routine over the past two weeks- with each boy making a conscious effort to the other. Levi continued his playful, yet heartwarming sweet gestures- pulling away from the Pi Kappa house whenever he could and being a mainstay at the boy's freshman dorm. Ryan too, pushed himself to put in more of an effort, though it came quite easily- seeing how the older boy rewarded him every time they were together. He didn't know what to call them just yet- not sure if the older boy even believed in being someone's boyfriend. Somehow he pictured Levi laughing at the thought and making some comment that they weren't in high school anymore.
Still, Ryan knew that beyond what the older boy thought, they clearly weren't just hooking up. He loved the smile that washed over Levi's face whenever he walked into the room, and clearly loved all the attention the older boy gave him when they were alone- with nothing but their naked boys to share.
They were something more- he just didn't know what.
"Figures that I'd catch you with some bitch." Levi teased as he walked into the large kennel, wearing a bright Pi Kappa t-shirt and hanging his sunglasses just over the neckline.
Nova barked at the stranger and ran over, lowering her head for the petting she was due. Levi eagerly ran his fingers through the pure white hair as Ryan came over.
"What are you doing here? I thought you had some Pi Kappa thing."
"I do" he said, with that handsome smile. "The chapter said we had to volunteer today so I chose to do my hours here."He pulled off his shades and hooked them on the collar of his shirt.
"How come you didn't say anything?" Ryan asked as he joined in on the petting. "We just talked last night."
Levi winked, "And miss that face you made when I walked in?" Ryan blushed a bit, still not used to the cocky boy getting all sappy. "Come here." He said as he moved his fingers back and forth.
The older boy pulled Ryan into a short, but strong kiss. It'd been over a day since he'd tasted those sweet lips. He pulled away after a few seconds, resting his forehead on the other.
"I missed you." Ryan admitted as he bore into the boy's deep brown eyes.
Levi gave him a wink, replying, "I missed you too." They pulled away in case anyone would walk by. "Sorry this week's been super crazy- we're busy doing all these activities for the new pledges."
"No, it's totally fine." He replied, knowing that any bit of free time the older boy had went to him. "Really." He said, putting his hand on Levi's wrist.
"You're cute." Levi said as Nova barked, reminding them they weren't alone.
They got to their feet as Ryan walked Levi through the rest of the tasks. The older boy came back from the supply closet a few minutes later, lugging around a large bag of dog food as they ripped it open and started to fill each bowl. Later, they filled all of the water bowls and tidied up the shelves with toys and leashes. Their last task was showering up all of the dogs, which proved to be smooth sailing up until they got to the last one- an excited little terrier that got them even more wet than he was. Still, they laughed it off and dried themselves with some clean towels as they put him back in his kennel.
Ryan had just tossed the soiled towel into the bin when Levi proposed,
"Come to the Pi Kappa party with me tomorrow."
Ryan looked skeptical, "You want me to come to the frat-house?" He chuckled, "Why so you can corner me in the living room again?"
"Come on, you refuse to even step foot there every time I offer." Levi said as he poked at the boy's side, "Besides every dude there is gonna be hitting on some chick, trying to get laid." He pouted, "Seeing as I won't be doing that, it'd be nice to hang out."
Ryan was about to protest again, not wanting to subject himself to another awkward night. Sure, Levi would be there, but when he wasn't, the boy would be left standing in the corner of a crowded room just waiting to leave. He also didn't want to have to play the cautious game around a bunch of Pi Kappa brothers- regardless of how well Levi could hide it. He looked back at the boy who'd pounded his lips and hooked his fingers into the belt loops of his jeans.
"Okay fine, I'll go." He relented, hoping that a night spent with the frat boy would make up for any situation they could get into.
Levi smiled wide, treating the boy to that infectious grin that instantly made him happy.
"Just come to the house around 10 and tell them I invited you." He winked, "I promise you'll have a good time."
He nodded yes before Levi pulled him close, planting a soft kiss on his lips that only the dogs could see.
***
Friday rolled around and Ryan was walking through the small streets, on his way to the Pi Kappa Phi house. It felt like he was walking into a reaping- echoing the words that Levi told him the last time he was here. He spent most of the past hour thinking of some exit strategy if one of the brothers were to figure out what he was and why he was there. Ryan hated how the thought even came over him as he chose what to wear- as if every shirt came with a nametag that read: "I'm gay, and having sex with Levi Truong."
"It wasn't this hard being gay in high school" Ryan thought as he continued down the sidewalk. He also had a lot more friends back then while now, the closest person he had was the one guy who could make him unravel everything. He hated how his feelings for Levi- whatever they were at the time- felt like a gift basket so intricatly wrapped up in fear. He needed to peel through that layer in order to get to what he really wanted.
And he really wanted it.
The Pi Kappa house wasn't hard to find. That first night, he barely paid attention as Lawrence led the way, insisting on getting shitfaced after a week of freshmen activities. This time, Ryan simply followed the sound of EDM that whistled through the neighborhood. According to Levi, the house wasn't technically a "frat-house" by most college standards. It wasn't even recognized by the school as legitimate housing. Apparently the house was owned by an alumnus and old Pi Kappa Phi brother from back in the 80's. He eventually set it up to be their unofficial frat house- giving options to any of the current brothers who didn't want to bother with on-campus housing. It basically meant that they had their own space to sleep, hold meetings, and on nights like this, party.
As he walked towards the large house, he noticed a pair of tall guys waiting out by the door, seemingly talking to everyone who walked through. He didn't remember having to talk his way through the door that first time- likely because he was so fresh-faced and willing to do whatever Lawrence said in order to not have a shitty night. He walked up to the pair of Kappa bro's, who'd paused their conversation to turn to the brown boy.
"Hey man, do you know someone here?" One of them asked politely as the other took a sip of his cup.
"Yeah" Ryan said casually, "Levi Truong invited me."
