Putting on his best clothes Nico gets ready for the fundraiser, after tonight Clay has to give him a job. He wants to be doing this because he means it but in his heart, Nico knows it's to be close to Clay again, maybe they'll be friends if Clay has no choice but to talk to him.

Taking a cab to Second Hand Nico thinks he's prepared, but the minute he walks into the place and his eyes land on Clay, "oh god" Nico didn't expect Clay to be wearing a suit let alone look so good in one. Walking closer he stands behind Clay as he talks to other people, once he turns Clay sees Nico "hi" he smiles.


"Hey" Clay replies

"This looks great" Nico compliments looking around the room, "tell me where you want me." "Find Lulu and an apron you're on kitchen duty" Clay walks away.

"An apron?" Nico watches Clay as he leaves


Finding the kitchen Nico walks in seeing everyone preparing food, "you're finally here! Great aprons are on the wall, grab a tray of appetizers and circle the room" Lulu tells him what to do.

Nico didn't know what he signed up for but he knows that this wasn't it. He has to prove himself to Clay though, and if that means carrying a tray of food he couldn't eat then that's what he'll have to do.


The night progresses and Nico can't take his eyes off of Clay, watching him work and mingle with a bunch of old rich people and doing it so effortlessly, Nico is impressed and his feelings for Clay are skyrocketing.

The party is winding down and Nico is helping clean up but he can't find Clay anywhere, he takes off his apron and continues to help pick up garbage until it's all cleaned. "Good job tonight" Lulu walks to him, "boss will be very impressed."

"I hope so,"

"All right well I'm out of here if you're looking for Clay which I know you are, he's probably in the back."

"Okay"

"Make sure he doesn't spend all night in there," Lulu and all the other workers leave.

Nico walks to Clay's office knocking before entering, he stands at the entrance of the door and sees Clay at his desk. "Place is all cleaned and everyone's gone" Clay nods. Walking in Nico notices the look on his face, "everything ok?"

"Maybe more than ok" he starts, "we had a deal if I got 50 thousand dollars, my dad would match it."

"How much did you get?"

"62" he chuckles, "that's 124 thousand dollars."

"Clay that's amazing, you're going to do so much for this place"

He shakes his head "I can't believe I did it and he didn't believe in me, you know? When I told my dad what I wanted he laughed and said good luck."

"Now you can prove to him how wrong he was about you and about Second Hand." Taking steps closer Nico continues "if it means anything I hope you know that I'm proud of you, what you do is inspiring." Clay stares at him and the smile on his face. "I should get going."

"Nico" Clay stands walking from behind his desk, "thanks for what you did tonight, I didn't think you were serious about being here but I guess you are."

"Of course I am"

"All right then we'll be lucky to have you here" Clay reaches his hand out for Nico to shake, Nico places his hand in Clay's but there's no shaking.

Staring at his hand in Clay's, Nico gently runs his thumb against the boy's hand, "thank you."

Their eyes meet and they stare at each other, Clay couldn't help how he's feeling and what he's about to do next. Pulling Nico close Clay kisses him causing a shock Nico wasn't expecting, their lips slowly move around each other. Neither could explain how good it feels or why it was even happening, but after a good night, this is all Clay wanted to do, kiss the guy he still had a lot of feelings for.

As they're getting carried away in this kiss Nico places his hands on Clay's face holding him close. Their eyes are close and Clay's suit jacket was already on the floor. "Oh my god, Nico" Clay pulls his lips away, taking Nico's hands in his Clay says "your hands are freezing" and they chuckle.

"Are they?" Nico feels his face with his hands, "Oh I'm sorry I guess they are" they laugh some more finally putting some space between them. With a smile Nico turns looking down at Clay's desk, then he groans covering his face. "We can't have sex in your office" he moves away, "no matter how much I want to" Nico picks up Clay's jacket handing it to him.

"Why not?"

Nico meets his eyes "I've used sex for a lot of smoke and mirrors, I don't want to do that with you because you're the one thing I'm sure about. If you're willing to give me a second chance and I'm not saying that's what this was, I want it to be for all the right reasons. I need you to trust me for this to work" he searches Clay's eyes.

"Can I even trust you, Nico? How do I know you're not going to do the same thing to me again? If not with my brother then with some other guy"

"You don't" Nico answers honestly, "but the past few weeks I've been so miserable for what I did, and I know how much I hurt you. I don't want that pain for either of us, I don't ever want to feel like that again I know that much. But I have to prove myself to you and I can do that"

"Okay" Clay agrees, "I believe you"

Nico smiles "okay then I'll get out of your hair before you change your mind. Good job tonight" Clay watches him back out of his office with a smile.

A second chance is all he wanted and Clay agreed, he was going to do things differently this time. No more hiding behind sex or being distracted by other guys who weren't Clay Wallace, Nico is sure of what he wants now.

After locking the place up Clay is ready to leave but is shocked when he sees Nico still standing outside, "what's going on?" He walks to him asking

"Oh my car broke down a few days ago, so I'm just waiting on a cab." "Are you kidding? Why didn't you tell me you came this far in a cab?"

"It wasn't a big deal."

"Ok but I'm here now and I can take you home" Nico follows him to his car. Clay opens the door for him and once he's in Clay gets in and drives away.

With one hand on the wheel as he drives, Clay's right hand is still hurt so he tries not to use it as much. Noticing the boy's hand just sitting in his lap, Nico reaches over placing his hand in Clay's open

palm. He doesn't squeeze but he pulls the hand to him holding it in his lap instead. The rest of the car ride continues that way with little said between the 2.

When they reach Nico's house Clay walks him to the door, "thank you for giving me a second chance" Nico stands close.

"I'd be crazy not to" Clay smiles bringing his face even closer, not wanting to get carried away again they share a small kiss. "If your car isn't fixed by Monday maybe I could give you a ride?"

Nico nods, "I'd really like that"

Clay steps away "Okay, Goodnight" "Goodnight," Nico watches him walk away.