He sleeps like there isn't a worry in the world. His face is melted into a mixture of peace and abandon and it... it almost looks like happiness.

It baffles me that Newbie can still be happy, despite everything he's been through.

JD just walks around with a big, goofy smile on his face and vomits joy all over my misery.

I'm almost always miserable. And if I do happen to have a moment of happiness, I seldom express it.

Yet Newbie smiles when he wakes up in the morning, when he goes to work, and even when he is taking his pills.

If anybody mentions the HIV, JD shrugs and keeps on smiling.

If he hears about an attack, or a rape, or a mugging, he closes his eyes for a second, and then keeps on smiling.

It's his defense mechanism.

I don't really blame him for it. If I were in Newbie's shoes, I would sure as Hell do whatever it took not to put a gun up to my head and just end it.

The kid is strong.

--

He doesn't realize that I see him. My eyes are open to tiny slits and I can see him staring at me.

I'm snuggled really close into his arm, but I don't think Perry minds.

He just keeps staring at me, completely oblivious to the fact that I know what he is doing.

I kind of like that he watches over me. Being in his arms, I know that I'm safe.

I complain about his over-protectiveness sometimes, just because it makes me feel like a girl. Secretly, I love it.

With him, I don't have to think about how everything is so messed up.

--

"Newbie, up." Perry nudged JD as he swung his legs over the side of the bed. Today would prove to be more difficult than he'd anticipated.

"I don't wanna go." His voice was heavy with sleepiness and dread. Perry rolled his eyes at the whining and pulled the other man up.

"If you don't come back today, Kelso will fire you. He will fire you. "The older man stated matter-of-factly as he pulled JD into his arms." It's been over a month. You need to try to get back into your routine. "

JD moaned and stood, his shaky, morning legs threatening to give out and send him crashing to the carpet. He swallowed back vomit as he grabbed an outfit and headed toward the bathroom.

He felt exactly the way he'd felt on his very first day as an intern at Sacred Heart.

Perry sensed the turmoil and followed JD into the bathroom. The younger man hadn't locked the door, so Perry got a pleasant eyeful of JD booty.

"Nice."

JD spun around, grabbed a towel and unsuccessfully tried to hide his nudity. His cheeks were flooded red with humiliation.

"I've seen you naked, Ferdinand."

JD pushed him out of the room and locked it.

"I only came in there to tell you that you're going to be fine. If anybody gives you trouble today, I'll kick their ass. "

He heard a loud scowl from the bathroom, which he chose to ignore.

JD stepped into the warm shower, grinning.

He's so cute when he's all concerned.

Perry prepared breakfast, also grinning.

Newbie's butt is so...round.

They met in the kitchen several minutes later. A hot pink towel hung from JD's wet hair.

"And you complain about the girl's names..." Perry shook his head and handed JD a plate. It had a smiley face pancake and 4 strips of bacon.

"I'm not the one wearing an apron, Per. "JD grinned as he kissed his man on the cheek, tugging on the white cloth that hung from Perry's neck.

Perry growled and tried to salvage his masculinity by yanking off the offending object.

"Too late. I already saw it. "

"Can it, Hannah."

"You've used Hannah like 20 times already."

"You're pushing it, Jonah."

"Jonah is unisex." JD giggled and stared down at his plate, avoiding the death glare that he was getting from Perry.

"So are you."

Alright, I promised a sequel, here it is. It will be semi long, so hang in there. There will be angst and whatnot, so don't read this if you don't like angst. And you probably shouldn't read this if you didn't read My Trust Issues. Just a suggestion.)

HAZEL