We settled in a zombie free, lightly wooded area for the night. I lit a campfire and Matt had pulled a fallen log over for us to sit on. Since we only had one tent, we only pitched one tent. He'd brought two blankets, and we figured one could serve as a sheet to lay on and the other as a comforter. As we sat around the fire, I felt his eyes on me, searching me. I had to find out more about him.

"So, if you don't mind me asking, why is your family in North Haven?" I asked, turning to face him. I saw Matt blink a few times before looking at me.

"They found us, living in a small town on the outskirts of North Haven, and burnt everything down. I managed to run away. My mother died, I know that because I watched them shoot her. They did away with my two older brothers, too. My dad and my little sister were taken into custody," he said quietly. "My sister had that dog with her. A mutt that she thought was the cutest, most precious thing. It was her best friend."

I nodded, processing his life. I can't imagine how hard that would be on him. Seeing his brothers and his mom die. Running for who knows how long until he reached Garrick. "Hey," Matt said, "Who's this Steve guy? Are you gay for him or something?" I figured he was joking about it, and I held in a glare.

"Steve is my boyfriend," I said, staring at him. "I am gay. I hope that won't be any problem."

"No, no, no!" Matt said quickly. "It's not a problem whatsoever...To be honest...I'm a little confused right now." He frowned, looking at the fire.

"I know how you feel. I didn't figure out my sexuality until I met Steve," I replied. He looked back at me.

"Why isn't Steve here?"

That question hit me so hard. I'm surprised I didn't keel over from a heart attack. I shook my head before answering. "He...he thinks I only wanted him for his body. He doesn't know that he's my world. Everyone believes I abandoned him, left him to better myself, and myself only. It's all lies. Lies."

I hid my face in my hands, and I felt Matt's hand on my shoulder. "Hey, Vince, we'll find him and work everything out. It'll all work out."

"Why do you think you're confused, Matt?" I said, sitting back up and looking to him.

"Because..." he turned his face away, embarassed. "It's you. Alright? I really like you. I really like you. And I know, you're with Steve, and I'll be a respectable admirer and I won't do anything wrong. I'm sorry."

I looked at him, staring into his eyes to find any hints of lying. I found only honesty, and I pulled him close to me, embracing him. He nuzzled into my chest, where Steve always went. I kissed the top of his head, holding in tears. I'd never cried so much in my life than I had these past few days.

He pulled back and looked up at me again. Matt leaned towards me and our lips touched, which sent sparks flying. My cock raged under my boxers, itching to get at him. I pushed him down on the log, running my tongue over his lips to ask for access, and when our tongues met, I immediately shot back. Everything died down and the only sparks were from the fire next to us.

"Matt...I...I'm sorry," I said, a tear sliding down my cheek.

He shook his head with a small frown. "It's okay. It's okay."

"You just reminded me of Steve..." I rubbed my forehead with my hand. "Fuck. I'm tired." That was the last thing I said to him before going into the tent and taking off my shirt and pants.

I pushed down my boxers just enough and my erection sprang free. I quietly pleasured myself until I came, licking my hand clean before pulling my boxers up, cringing at the release that took much too long to achieve. Just then, Matt came in to lie down. He was like me, kicking off his pants and pulling off his shirt, only sleeping in boxers. His back was to me, and I wrapped my arm around him, pulling him close. I smiled a bit, and I knew he was smiling, too.

But no matter how much I wanted to, I couldn't forget Steve.

...

When I woke up, I was a bit startled to see a dark haired head resting on my chest. I blinked, thinking it was Steve. It was light outside the tent and I smiled warmly. "Little buddy, hey," I murmured, tapping him lightly. "Time to get up." 'Little buddy' was my nickname for Steven, who I swore was sleeping on my chest. But as soon as Matt sat up and looked at me, I remembered everything. It was just Matt and I out here. Everyone else was a week away in North Haven.

"Little buddy?" Matt raised a questioning eyebrow at me. "I guess it's better than Hot Tub. I never knew why Garrick called me that." He looked to see where he was and noticed he was practically straddling me, his hands on either side of my shoulders as I watched him. I reached up and placed my hand on his right cheek, and he nuzzled into it with sleepy eyes. But he quickly pulled away and went to a sitting position, away from me. "I'm sorry...I keep getting to close."

"It's my fault, too. I keep pulling you in," I sighed, sad that he had scooted away. I was starting to catch onto him. He was different from any other guys who had liked me. Matt wasn't dependant or needy, he was adventurous and always looking for trouble. He was funny, cute, and wasn't quick to judge. "I...I'm starting to feel like Steven has already replaced me..."

"You're just worried," Matt replied quickly. "We'll find him, you'll explain everything, and you'll be back together in no time. I promise."

"I hope so," I mumbled as I lay back down on the blanket. I closed my eyes tightly, wishing for everything to go back to normal. Back to how everything was before this apocalypse. Me, Steve, and our tree house. Matt with his family in their little town. Jeff next door to us, with Whitey back in the spawner. I wish...I wish...

I sat up quickly, staring at Matt. He looked back at me with his big, dark eyes, his bangs hiding parts of them. "What...what if I don't want him back?"

Matt just looked at me with a blank expression. I continued. "Maybe it would be best if I moved on from him...Steven holds a grudge like a motherfucker..." I brushed the fringe of my hair away, thinking quickly. "If he loved me...He would've waited for me. Steven believes me over Jeff and Whitey...Steve wouldn't have gone off without me. Or, not without waiting."

"I wouldn't have." Matt whispered, almost too quietly for me to hear. Our eyes locked, and his were welling up with tears. He loves me. I held his gaze for a long time, then held out my arms, reaching for him. He unexpectedly lunged into my grasp, wrapping his arms around my neck while hiding his face in the crook of my neck. I wrapped my right arm around his waist and put my left hand behind his head, holding him into me. Matt shuddered a bit in my embrace. His right leg went in between mine, his knee accidentally rubbing on my crotch. A moan escaped my mouth and a bulge quickly formed under my boxers.

Matt pulled back after a moment and looked at me, then I watched as his eyes trailed from my face to my erection under by underwear. He unlatched himself from me and hooked his fingers around the waistband. He slid them down and I sprung free. "Matt...I-" I began.

"Hush," he cut me off, and I wanted to get him far away for his own good. I sat up and grabbed him by the shoulders and gently pushed him away, then quickly tucked my member back under my boxers. "Vince...But-"

I cut him off this time, "Matt. No. I don't want you to do anything. If this went too far before it was supposed to...I just won't let you get hurt. And believe me, there's a good chance you will." He reluctantly let me pull him back into another hug. I felt one of his tears on my shoulder. "I won't let you get hurt, little buddy."

He pulled away and spoke with a shaky voice, "On second though...I think I like Hot Tub better than little buddy." Matt gave a small smile, his cheeks stained with tears. I nodded before I laid down again. Matt laid with he head on my chest and his arms around me. I placed a hand on his back, for reassurance that he was still there, and we both drifted off.

...

[A/N - Sooo, Hot Tub and Vince lovin'? I'm not sure about it yet. I'm not even sure what to do with Matt. Eh. It'll work out somehow. Right? xD Review if you liked it even a tiny bit! Thanks guys! - LDD]