AN: Thank you guys so much for being such awesome people and messaging me and leaving reviews, it means a lot!

Thank you for enjoying this story as much as I do writing it!


Joel and Sonny spent a total of 4 hours outside, in search for Sonny's laptop. Joel felt sad when he saw the worried expression on his friend's face. He knew they would never find it, because according to Sonny, it was a Mac Book. Sonny was at the verge of tears whenever he saw something clean and brightly white in the trash, but found out it was only a toilet.

It started to rain and Sonny kept on coughing. He wore nothing but a pair of jeans and a short-sleeved shirt and it was cold as fuck. Joel had to basically carry Sonny out of the dump and into an alley way until the rain stopped. Sonny was crying and hitting things, hitting Joel.

And when the duo finally went back to Gregory's, Sonny has never felt worse in his entire life then he did at that moment. He lost his laptop, fell into a deep depression, and got sick. And the worst part of it all was that Joel had to take care of him due to Gregory's fear of germs. After much begging and promising to clean up and sanitize everything the younger boy touched, Gregory let them stay, but they were only aloud in the guest room. Sonny refused to speak. His throat was sore and he really just had nothing nice to say about all this, but Joel was trying to make Sonny happier.

His hair a mess, his skin pale, his nose red like a cherry, and his arms folded across his chest, Sonny just glowered out the window and grabbed the constant tissue to blow his nose. He cried. He cried and cried and didn't speak for 2 days. Joel sort of blamed it on himself. He wished he hadn't shown Sonny his song, but at the same time, this was healthy for someone as stubborn as Sonny. He had to realize that shit happens, and sometimes you're just going to have to accept it and move on. Well, at least that's Joel's cure for everything. And everything always happens for a reason.

"Wanna play Chess?" Joel suggested, laying down on the bed beside Sonny. Sonny shook his head, "Checkers? Go Fish? Fucking Crazy Eights?" Joel asked again, getting a little annoyed with Sonny's attitude. Sonny just narrowed his eyes at Joel. Joel sighed and smacked his hand to his forhead.

"Listen, Sonny," Joel said, "It's not as bad as it seems, really. I lost things that were very important to me, but I always got around to filling the emptiness it made..." Joel gave a half smile, looking at Sonny, trying to make him get what he was trying to say.

But Sonny didn't dare look at Joel; he opened his mouth to say something but Joel silenced him with a finger. Sonny frowned at the jesture and looked Joel up and down quickly.

Sonny could remember his ex girlfriend. Similar to the way Joel treated Sonny now, is how Rachel treated him before they went out.

He and Rachel were best friends from kindergarten and what Sonny hasn't realized was that he only hung out with the girls. Before he could've made a change to be cool and hang out with his own gender peers, Sonny found himself being much more into what the girls were. He was a bit of a ladies-man when came grade 6, even though none of them ever wanted to date him. All the girls wanted to be his friend. They all loved how they could braid his hair without him freaking out and how he could just tell them advice for their boy troubles. The girl's parents loved him, so he was always over at the girl's houses until a certain chick got a bit jealous...

"Everyone knows you'd rather fuck guys then girls. I mean, look at the way you dress! And your hair! You look like a fucking girl." Penny had said to him infront of the whole grade 8 population. All Sonny could do was be silent. He was never really the one who fought back in arguements. But when he saw Rachel's face grow weary, he had a hit of courage and stood his ground.

"I'm not gay," He stated.

"Haha, c'mon Sonny-boy! Are you scared you wont have friends anymore because they all know you dream about sucking their cocks?"

"That's enough, Penny!" Rachel yelled, stepping infront of Sonny and glaring at the red head, "Stop judging my boyfriend on the way he looks! I think he's perfect just the way he is," She said.

Sonny couldn't help but stare at Rachel in surprise. He's never thought of Rachel as a girlfriend before... or maybe she was just saying that to back him up?

"So you're into guys who look like girls? Suspicious," Penny snorted.

"It shouldn't matter who you end up being in love with, as long as they make you happy," Rachel snapped back.

It shouldn't matter who you end up being in love with, as long as they make you happy... Sonny looked at Joel, but then looked away again. He couldn't stand looking into those eyes... the eyes of innocence and apology. Sonny knew he shouldn't be blaming this situation on Joel.

Joel sat up and crossed his legs and just stared at the younger boy. Sonny shifted uncomfortably, but sooner or later looked at Joel's face again. Joel smiled and Sonny pressed his lips together, looking away and trying to fight his own smile from creeping in. Joel just laughed and grabbed Sonny's hand. A shock of electricity stung Sonny's insides.

"Do you need anything? Like medacine or ...?" Joel looked down at their hands when Sonny did. He didn't pull away and Joel smiled to himself.

"No..." Sonny croaked and then cleared his throat, taking his hand out of Joel's to pick up his glass of water.

Sonny felt so vulnerable when he got sick, but for some reason, he wanted Joel to take advantage of him. He had no idea what came over him when he held Joel's hand for that little while and why it felt so good, but he was starting to wonder if he was developing some sort of feeling toward this boy. He bit his lip and pointed toward his bag. Joel raised an eyebrow and looked over at the bag.

"Bring it to you?" He asked. Sonny nodded.

Joel got up and brought Sonny's bag over onto the bed. Sonny took out a few folded peices of paper and pressed his lips together as he handed them to Joel. Joel was confused, but unfolded the papers anyway to look at them. His jaw dropped as he looked at the sketches Sonny had taken 3 hours to do. They were all of Joel and the mouse head in different designs, colours, textures, and creativity.

"Th-these are amazing!" Joel exclaimed, flipping through page after page of the mouse heads, each of them excelling in greater detail and lack of short cuts, "How... why?"

Sonny laughed but then coughed again.

Joel's heart beat quickened as he saw each and every detail drawn to make his body on the paper. Every last line of his jeans, polo shirt, every shade, crease, wrinkle was perfect. Joel didn't know what to say so he just bit his lip and tried to take all this in.

"I-I saw you... in a newspaper," Sonny strained to say, "I admire your creativity... and your uniqeness," He cleared his throat. He realized he was talking to a much older, more mature adult and felt stupid for thinking what he was, but that didn't stop the blush from appearing on his face.

"Y-you're blushing..." Joel whispered with a watery smile. Sonny looked away quickly and the blood in his veins turned to ice. He couldn't feel his toes again. "No, don't worry... it's cute," Joel chuckled, lifting Sonny's chin with his index and thumb. He looked into Sonny's deep, brown eyes. He then looked breifly down at Sonny's lush, but small lips. Joel grew nervous and stopped thinking. He leaned in closer to Sonny and pressed his lips against the younger boy's.

Sparks. Sonny saw sparks. He felt sparks. He could taste sparks. He knew what he wanted. Finally. And that something was Joel. When they parted, Sonny couldn't help but stare at Joel's lips. Did that really just happen? Sonny felt like he wasn't alive. His heart was racing at a speed that he couldn't even process. Joel pressed his lips together and was looking down at his hands. He was scared at how Sonny might respond. He got up from the bed and cleared his throat. Sonny raised an eyebrow and just examined Joel's face. Did he even want to do that? Sonny then looked down at Joel's hands. He was playing with his thumbs. Sonny chuckled and sat up, crossing his legs and looked up at Joel with a smile on his face. He knew Joel was just as scared and confused as Sonny was.

"Did you like it?" Joel asked, his voice low, peering down at Sonny. Sonny just smiled and could feel his face get hot.

He levered himself onto his knees and touched Joel's face. Joel closed his eyes breifly and then looked at Sonny and smiled.

Sonny was acting much more mature then he usually did. Joel felt like he was 17 again.

"Joel..." Sonny whispered.

"Shut the fuck up and kiss me," Joel whispered back, grabbing onto Sonny's face and crashing their lips together once again, only this time Joel was a little more hungry for the feel of the smaller boy.

Sonny wrapped his arms around Joel's neck and moved in closer to him. He felt as if he's known Joel forever. The kiss was so natural and sexy that he felt comfortable, if that was even possible. He felt Joel pushing him back. Sonny broke his lips away from Joel's and gasped for air. He closed his eyes and his whole body burned.

"Lay down," Joel demanded in a whisper. Sonny looked at Joel's lust-filled eyes and couldn't help from shiverring. He laid down slowly on his back and awaited to see Joel's face. When an awkward moment passed, Sonny propped up onto his elbows and his eyes instantly widened when he saw Joel crawl on top of him with no shirt on. Sonny wanted to slow his heart down, afraid of a sudden heart attack. He felt Joel's warm skin against the fabric of Sonny's shirt and he wanted this moment to last forever.

But Joel didn't kiss him. Joel was on top of Sonny, their bodies hot and pressed together. Joel's warm breath pushed against Sonny's skin as he moved his hair away from his face. He then slowly but surely leaned toward Sonny's lips. He noticed Joel's shoulder blades slowly retract as he leaned, which made Joel look very irresistable. Their lips brush together softly and then Sonny lifted his head a little more to close off the space between them, knowing Joel was just being a tease. He caught his lips and wrapped his thin arms around Joel's neck. The moistness and softness of the kiss brought Sonny back to his memories of Rachel.

She had the softest, most kissable lips Sonny has ever felt then. Sonny couldn't help but shudder at the feel of her tongue tracing the inside of his bottom lip. She had pushed him back to remove her clothing.

"Umm... Rachel?" Sonny asked, a bit frazzled over his first kiss and the fact that Rachel was being so desperate, "What are you doing?"

"We're going to have sex," She demanded, unhooking her bra and letting it fall to her feet. Sonny quickly looked away and took in a sudden breath.

"Rachel, you're my best friend, but-"

"But what, Sonny?" She asked, her hands on her hips, "Don't you think I'm sexy?" She asked, opening her arms to show Sonny her now naked body.

It took Sonny a while before he could look at the girl. As soon as he took in everything he needed to, he took a deep breath and closed his eyes.

"This is so wrong," Sonny whispered, "Put your clothes back on, Rach. I'm not doing this,"

"Why not?" She asked, walking up to him and grabbing his wrist, "This is what girlfriends and boyfriends do," She forcefully thrust Sonny's hand to touch her breast. He pressed his lips together and shook his head quickly, ripping his hand out of Rachel's grasp.

He walked up to the bedroom door and unlocked it. Then he stopped and turned around when he heard the light crying that came from Rachel.

"If you walk out that door, Sonny Moore, we're not friends," She stated, tears rolling down her cheek.

He just shook his head and felt his own tears fall.

"Why are you doing this?" He asked in a whisper, "This isn't how I wanted things to be,"

"Get out then," She said, pointing to the door, "Now."

Sonny sighed and his vision got blurred from his tears. He turned and walked out the door.

"You okay?" Joel asked in a whisper, looking at Sonny's face. He was sitting on the bed next to Sonny, shirtless, a hand on his shoulder.

Sonny nodded, snapping back to reality and finding himself with moistened eyes. Did the kiss actually happen, or was Sonny asleep? He cheeks burned again when he examined Joel's naked torso. He was thin, but slightly tan, and a trail of light hair led down his stomach and continued past his boxers... Sonny swallowed hard and looked away.

"Yeah sor-" He sat up and coughed into his sleeve. He groaned and slammed his head back down onto the bed.

"Shit, now I'm going to be sick," Joel groaned and laid down next to Sonny. Sonny raised an eyebrow, he was still very confused. "You're a great kisser though," Joel said, touching Sonny's hair. Sonny swallowed hard and smiled slightly, knowing that he wasn't insane, but it still didn't help Sonny from shivering at Joel's touch. A knock on the door made Joel instantly sit up. Sonny did the same.

"Is everything okay in there?" Gregory asked, his voice muffled by the door.

"Just fine," Joel smiled, looking at Sonny, "But we'll need some more cough syrup," He announced, leaning in close to kiss Sonny's cheek.


It was night time and Joel snuggled up on the couch, once again the TV was on, but he wasn't really paying any attention to it. And once again he found himself thinking about Sonny. The way his lips felt against Joel's. The cool of his skin soothing the heat that Joel's body felt in the moment. He took in a deep breath when he felt his face get hot again. It's been far too long before he's ever kissed someone of his own sexual preference. It felt right.

Joel traced his fingers over his own body and in the heat of the moment, slipped his hand into his boxers. He wanted to know what Sonny was doing right now. He wanted to know if Sonny was thinking about him right now. He felt very hot and bothered... perhaps he was catching Sonny's cold...

He heard footsteps and quickly pulled his hand out of his boxers. Just like reading his mind, Sonny walked into the living room, rubbing his eyes and yawning. He wore flanel pajamas that Gregory let him keep. They were a bright blue and accented Sonny's features. Joel smiled at this young side of Sonny.

"I can't sleep," He whispered, looking at Joel and blinking.

"What, want me to read you a fucking fairytale?" Joel chuckled and got off the couch. He walked up to Sonny and turned him around, leading him back to the guest room.

"No," Sonny answered honestly and slipped back into the bed. Joel covered Sonny with the blankets and tucked them around him, feeling very fatherly. "I know it's only been a week, but I kind of miss my family..." He whispered.

Joel took a step back and raised an eyebrow. Sonny didn't look at Joel. Joel sighed and walked to the other side of the bed. He sat down.

"Sonny, you don't need your family," He shook his head, "That's like someone saying they're a vegeterian, and then having temptations to eat a Big Mac," He chuckled. Sonny sighed, "I guess,"

"Trust me Sonny, I've been out on the streets for years, and I've thought about going back a few times, but then I wonder why I even ran out in the first place. It makes me mad to think about my parents now," He shook his head.

Sonny nodded and then looked at Joel's face, "I have a question, but it might sound a little strange, knowing that we haven't known each other for a while and stuff..."

Joel shrugged and smiled, "Shoot."

"C-can you um... sleep here... with me... tonight?" He whispered, embarassment washed over his complection.

Joel just laughed and crawled under the sheets, "I thought you'd never ask," He whispered and moved his face closer to Sonny's and just looked into his eyes.

Sonny smiled and could see the calmness in Joel's eyes. He rested his lids and felt Joel's lips press against his forehead.


The next morning, while Sonny was still vast asleep, Joel shook him violently.

"Wake the fuck up, you little bastard!" He yelled.

Sonny shot straight out of bed and looked at Joel angrily.

"What the fuck, dude!" He yelled back.

"Look! Your laptop!" He announced, shoving the white Mac Book into Sonny's hands.

Sonny looked down at the laptop and just stared at it in disbeleif. He slowly ran a hand over it and, to make sure it was his, opened the lid and started the computer. The password bar popped up with his picture beside it. He started to cry in pure happiness and clutched the laptop close to his chest.

"Where... where did you find it?" He asked, his crying grew stronger.

"Actually, Gregory had it on his shelf, he said he didn't want it to get dirty because it was white, but he also thought it was his own," He chuckled, "He owns the same one which he just found this morning on his night table,"

Sonny smiled widely and got up. He opened the door and looked out into the hallway, "Where's Gregory?" He asked.

"He actually went out for his jog, he always jogs at 7," Joel pointed to the clock beside the guest bed.

Sonny groaned. It hit him then that he was still so tired. He hasn't woke up at 7 for a week.

"Show me your song," Joel said.

Sonny nodded and loaded up his program where his song was. He smiled and clicked play. As the song played, Joel's eyes widened and his jaw dropped. It was the most outrageous this he's ever heard! The bass drops, the melodies, the everything was just perfect! He laughed and Sonny raised an eyebrow.

"That's amazing! Why are you so damn talented?" He asked with a smile. Sonny rolled his eyes and stopped the music when a thought just hit him. Joel raised an eyebrow.

"We should make music together and play it at the raves!" Sonny exclaimed, getting a little too excited and jumped to his feet.

Joel pursed his lips and shrugged, "There's actually one next week..."

"Then let's do it! We can make a little extra money, get a place of our own and not have to worry about misplacing anything and getting our asses kicked back onto the streets!" Sonny squeeled and jumped up and down, then he stopped and gasped, "Oh my God! I have to make more music! You have to make more music! This is perfect!"

Joel grabbed onto Sonny's shoulders to stop him from jumping a hole in the ground, "Woah, woah, woah there cowboy," He said, "What makes you think getting a job there will be easy? They already have a fucking amazing DJ,"

"But that's the point! You're so much better then a stupid DJ, you're 'The Deadmouse'!"Sonny exclaimed, picking up his drawings from the night table and passing them to Joel.

He took them in his hands and sighed. He was 'The Deadmouse', but how soon would it be before everyone knew him as the homeless bother on the streets. Joel Zimmerman... He clenched his jaw and looked at Sonny, remembering the girl at the rave who had seduced the young boy before him. Maybe it was too dangerous to risk everything he lived for, but he had to make the money. If not for himself, then for Sonny. For Skrillex.

"Okay Sonny... We'll do it... but on one condition," Joel said and touched Sonny's hair lightly. Sonny nodded. Joel looked down at the pictures in his hand and then back into the boy's eyes, "Help me make these,"

Sonny smiled and wrapped his arms around Joel's small waist. Joel cringed a bit in surprise, but then felt the warmth and the soft beat of Sonny's heart. He connected to Sonny that week in more ways then one. He was his friend, his source of happiness... his life now.

Joel quickly took a step back and violently sneezed into his sleeve.

"Ah fuck," Joel groaned.

"Sorry," Sonny half-heartedly grinned, "It's your fault anyway,"

Joel laughed and grabbed Sonny's face in his hand, looking into the beautiful brown eyes he once thought were threatening.

"No, it's definitely not," He whispered, pressing his lips against Sonny's.


AN: Once again: REVIEWS= HAPPY WRITER!

Thanks again for reading! (L)