Summary: John Paul struggled with what Niall put him through and pushed Craig away in the process. Now Craig's back after surviving Niall's attack on him and both start talking, discovering that they saved each other. Together they heal.
A/N: I know the title sucks but I can't think of anything original at midnight so please deal. Also if I get the slang wrong, please forgive me I am after all American. Also there will only be about 2-3 chapters in this story. I might do a sequel when I am finished if I feel up to it.
Part One
Craig walked into his flat with John Paul and seeing the lights out assumed that he was out a bender again. It seemed that was what he always did these days. At first Craig could understand, his sister and Kieron were murdered by his psychopath half-brother who wanted revenge. After a while though, Craig was at a loss. John Paul was pushing him away and he didn't understand it that was why he went on the vacation with Steph. Before Craig could even sit down he was startled by John Paul's voice.
"Have fun," he said his voice void of emotion.
"Sure if being almost killed is what you call fun," Craig snapped not able to take John Paul's coldness.
He was surprised however when John Paul flew across the room at him and pushed him against the wall. Craig was about to protest until he saw his lover's face. John Paul was looking at the cut on his cheek and Craig saw emotions come forth in the younger man's eyes that he hadn't seen since before Tina's death. John Paul ripped off Craig's jacket and top, taking in the bruises covering the body in front of him.
"How?" John Paul asked but fearing the answer.
"Niall," Craig whispered and watched as John Paul fell away, falling to the floor.
"He was supposed to touch you," the younger man cried out sobbing and something clicked in Craig.
Craig knew John Paul as well as he knew himself and was shocked he hadn't figured it out sooner. John Paul was going on benders and pulling away because he just blamed himself for what happened, he was doing to protect Craig. Sobs tore through Craig's mind and he fell next to his young lover, cradling him in his arms. Despite his aching ribs, Craig pulled John Paul's protesting body up and dragged him to their room, where laid them down.
"I don't blame you," Craig whispered tears starting to form but he held them back. For a minute it felt like John Paul was going to accept his comfort but suddenly things changed.
John Paul pulled away from him and scrambled off the bed ready to leave to protect Craig until he heard the other's ultimatum.
"If you really love me like I love you then you won't walk out that door and if you do then we're through," Craig said tears falling, "Just talk to me, please."
"What do you want to hear?" John Paul yelled turning to face Craig, "I was kidnapped and tied up with my mum and sisters. I sacrificed myself so my mum wouldn't have to choose you lived and died. Niall blew us up and Tina died. What else do you want to hear? How about the fact that I was about to kill Niall and mum stopped me. I left before my own sisters funeral and came home to you because all I wanted as you. But then I got here and realized that you deserve better than me. So I threw myself into work, I got drunk, and I pushed you away. Is that what you want to hear?"
"Yes it is," Craig said standing up and walking over to John Paul. "Now it's my turn to talk. I let you have space because I knew what you had lost and I loved you. I kept hoping that you would come to me but you didn't and it hurt. You would stay out late and when you came home you were drunk. You wouldn't let me touch you or talk to you. I almost started to believe that you didn't want me anymore and that maybe you were cheating but I ignored that because I loved you and I knew you loved me but I needed space. So I went with Steph and Tom on a vacation, except it turned into a nightmare. I was knocked out, beaten, tied to a chair and had a knife held to my throat. The only blessing is that Niall threw killed himself or who knows what would have happened. I went to Hollyoaks with Steph but I came home because I still needed you. Please stop pushing me away."
The words exchanged were like a damn breaking open inside of John Paul. He had thought that he was protecting Craig by pushing him away but instead he was hurting him. Tears started to flow at the realization and he crushed himself to Craig, never wanting to let go. John Paul was mumbling words of apology and Craig just soothed him by running his hand down the younger's back and crying with him. It was then that they realized that they had saved each other and it was the key to them healing.