Warnings: This is a slash. That means boys doing perverted things to other boys. Not clear enough? Then you are a dumbass! THERE IS HOMOSEXUAL ACTIVITY IN THIS STORY! Consider yourself warned. Also, there is an OC in one of the lead roles, but he's cool… You'll like him ;-P

Disclaimer: I do not own Gossip Girl or any of the associated characters or trademarks. I do not, in any way, intend to breach copyright laws by using this story to make a profit. The content of this story, however, is my own original work. I also do not own In Flames, only some albums =P

Note: I'm sorry for disappearing - I took a break that went on much longer than anticipated… but I'm back. And if I have any readers left, I'll be grateful. Drop a review to let me know you forgive me? Also - I was quite sure that this chapter had already been posted. (I have seven in my personal folder, but there's only fifve on … so yeah. If this has been posted before, someone please let me know?)

My Sweet Shadow

The few days following the party saw Serena acting strange, their mother being decidedly distant, Jenny not talking to him and Adrian missing in action. Gossip Girl hadn't had anything else to say about the debacle either, probably by Blair's request. As much as Blair and Eric disliked one another, both cared for the other in an almost sibling-like way.

Eric was sitting alone at the bottom of The Met steps eating a bagel for lunch whilst completing some English lit homework. He was just about to turn around and rudely ask Blair's stupid lackeys to stop making loud quips about him when he was suddenly pulled out of his reverie by a familiar voice.

"Hey" Adrian said, sitting next to and one step up from Eric. "So, I'm not pissed any more but you have some serious explaining to do… I like to think I know you're better than what you did and I'm pretty sure you have a good… well, some kind of reason for doing it"

Eric looked up, smiled briefly and looked back down at his work. "Hey…"

"So?" The brunette asked, putting a hand on Eric's shoulder. "Just tell me and I'll try to understand"

Eric debated just getting up and leaving for a minute before deciding to just tell Adrian the whole story. If it meant any kind of chance at a second chance with Adrian, he'd take it.

"Asher and I met while I was at the Ostroff Centre a while ago for trying to kill myself" Eric started. Adrian didn't show any visible reaction to the news. "At first, he was really great. He was nice to me and he didn't treat me the way everyone else did at the time - he wasn't always walking on glass around me. Well, anyway, that didn't last. Once we were out of the centre, we'd meet up every now and then… you know? But he started dating Jenny, probably just to spite me or whatever. I went to talk him out of this thing with Jenny the other day, before she got hurt, and he kissed me as I was leaving… and someone saw. There was nothing left there, he was just doing it to try and piss me off or rub it in my face or whatever"

Adrian seemed to consider this for a minute before speaking again. "Why didn't you tell me before?"

"Because I like you, Adrian" Eric said sadly, "and I didn't want to tell you about that bit of my past just yet… I mean, it makes me sound like a total nut. Telling you about Asher would have meant telling you everything. All that matters is that whatever I had with Asher was over before anything happened with you… I swear"

Asher moved down a step and put an arm around Eric's shoulders. "You think I haven't seen your wrists?" he said softly. "I know exactly what the scars look like, and it doesn't take an expert to know how they got there…"

"I…" Eric started, but Adrian cut him off.

"Look" Adrian said, pulling up the sleeve of his grey cashmere jersey and moving some of the black plastic bands he always wore out of the way. A thick scar ran up his arm, about four inches long. A few smaller thinner ones criss-crossed his wrist as well. "I've seen my sketchy phases too"

Eric was shocked. How could anyone as amazingly perfect as Adrian ever want to hurt themselves.

"But it's in the past now, and I've moved on… You should too" Adrian added. "So, when's that due?"

"My lit paper? Uh, tomorrow…" Eric replied, confused.

"Well, since you only have History and Gym after break, what do you say we get out of here?"

Spotted: Looks like the UES's new lonely boy - E, that is - has a friend after all. A and E were seen exchanging soppy stories on The Met steps during lunch, before riding off into the sunset together. Don't worry E, everything's going to be okay… Can't say the same for Little J though. Xoxo, Gossip Girl

Eric and Adrian spent the afternoon at a café downtown, drinking coffee and discussing music; Gossip Girl and some of their favourite movies before they decided to head home. Instead of returning to his own home, which he knew would be empty, Eric joined Adrian and the two watched Harry Potter and The Prisoner of Azkaban. Midway through the movie, Eric fell asleep in Adrian's arms and when he awoke he was tucked neatly into Adrian's bed.

He found the other boy downstairs in the kitchen. Adrian was sitting at a small table reading an R. E. Feist book. A glance at his cell phone told Eric it was nearly 10 pm.

"Hey" Eric said, walking up behind Adrian and placing a chaste peck in his hair, which smelt like berries and spices.

"You're up…" Adrian stated, putting his book down and turning his head to give the blonde a proper kiss. "Coffee?"

"I'd love some" Eric replied, smiling as he sat down opposite Adrian's place at the table. The older boy busied himself brewing a pot of LavAzza coffee and Eric read the back of the book Adrian was reading. It was called 'Silverthorne' and looked pretty good, apart from that it obviously sequel-ed a book Eric had never heard of or read about.

The two drank their coffee and Eric departed, returning home and settling down with his iPod and lit homework. He fell asleep listening to Otep's 'Ghostflowers'.

Good morning Upper-East-Siders. So, it looks like Georgina's leaving town for good. Her and Blair were spotted exchanging blows and good-byes in the park this morning. Bye-bye G - I'll miss you, even if no one else will. Xoxo, Gossip Girl.

With the wedding in a day, things were getting pretty stressful at home. Eric had, for this reason, been spending most of his time either up at the pool or in Adrian's penthouse. This fine Saturday morning saw Eric and Adrian sharing a brunch by the pool.

"So, it's my mom and Bart's wedding tomorrow" Eric said, between bites of a cheese and tomato croissant. "It's probably going to be long and boring, but I'd really like it if you went with me"

"I hate weddings" Adrian said with a laugh, "but sure, I guess I can make an exception this one time"

"The reception will probably be fun… and Serena and Blair will both be there, so the entertainment will probably be good. It'll be fun"

"I'm sure it will be, either way. Besides, I'll be with you" Adrian said, placing his hand over Eric's which was resting on the table between them.

"Thanks" the younger boy said softly, blushing and smiling warmly. Adrian's touch sent a slight shiver through him and he hoped the other boy wouldn't move his hand for a while.

They finished brunch and parted ways, Eric to go for a suit fitting and Adrian to go meet up with his cousin - who, as it turned out, was the guy Eric had seen leaving Adrian's suite the other night.

AN: I hope you're still enjoying the story.

Drop a review and let me know where you'd like to see the two vacationing for the summer. I'd like some input…

Oh, and this chapter's song is 'My Sweet Shadow' by In Flames.