Alex and Rosario Don't Celebrate Kwanzaa

"I...no, it as something...I did, I'm stupid," he didn't take his eyes off the road. "I'm an idiot."

"What did you do?" he asked, keeping his voice calm and level. He really wished he was the one driving, but it was too late.

"...I don't...want to say it," he replied quietly.

"It's okay hun, you can tell me. I won't tell anyone, I swear. Queen's honor."

"No, it was so stupid!" he shouted, doing a horrid parking job outside of Alex's apartment. He wanted to cry, but he didn't.

"I want to...watch a movie."

"Okay, okay," said Alex, hurrying out of the car. "What do you want to watch?"

He just shook his head, trudging up to Alex's apartment. Once inside, he hugged his knees to his chest on the couch.

"...We still have Titanic," suggested Alex meekly, rubbing his back.

"No," he replied instantly. "Nothing...sad or...water related."

"Um...To Wong Foo?"

"Is it sad and watery?" he asked, not even looking at Alex.

"No, not at all!" he said brightly, putting it in the DVD player. He sat down next to Rosario and scooted close, wrapping a blanket around both of them.

"...I..." Rosario began. "...I didn't mean to.

"...to say anything, I mean. To the Father. But he's probably told my parents by now..."

"Told them about what, honey?" he asked, squeezing Rosario's hand. It was like ice.

He shook his head, feeling miserable.

"I don't want to go home for Christmas..."

Alex pulled Rosario closed to his bosom, kissing him on the head.

"Aww, hun, it's okay--you can stay with me, alright? I mean, I have roommates, but they only really wander in, and you can share my bed."

"Alex," he said quietly. "...why do you like me?"

He smiled, though he was surprised.

"Well, hun...isn't it obvious?"

"Of course it isn't," he replied sharply. "I'm...not very likable."

"But you're cute, and you're sweet, and...I don't know." He toyed with one of his earrings. "...You don't seem to just want me for my body. You're still here, so...I want you to stay."

Rosario looked at him with a strange expression on his face.

"...what if you're wrong? What if that is the only reason I'm dating you?"

"I don't believe that," he said, smiling. "Besides...all the other ones would've left by now. All of them did, I mean."

"Maybe I'm just more patient," he replied stubbornly. It didn't make any sense for Rosario to be pushing this issue more, but he didn't know how to stop.

"But that's a good sign, isn't it?" he said, climbing into Rosario's lap. "In fact, if you're willing to wait this long, I'd wager--" He moved so close their faces were barely an inch apart. "--that you'd be willing to wait around for more, afterward."

"Let's go to my apartment!" he said suddenly, pushing Alex off of his lap. "I...don't have nay roommates, so, uhm, we...don't...havetoworryaboutthat."

Rosario knew where he was going with it, he just didn't want to go there.