Oh. My. Fucking. God. 100+ visitors & 200+ views!? I honestly want to find you each individually and just hug you and tell you thank you. Every view means SO much to me. Every single view. Thank you so so much. I mean that from the bottom of my heart. I love you all. Remember that.
Also, a heads up for alcohol use in this chapter. Just in case.

Mark's POV

As we walked to my house, Aaron became increasingly nervous. I didn't understand.

"Hey, are you alright? You seem really nervous." I said gently. I didn't want to make him more nervous. Remember Mark, no sexual comments.

Aaron laughed, nodding too quickly. "Yeah, yeah. I'm fine Mark." His eyes darted around quickly, confirming my suspicions.

"Dude. You're not fine. You seriously look like you've seen a ghost!"

Aaron glared at me. Ok, maybe I was a bit blunt, but we're friends, and friends should be used to that. However, after a second his eyes softened and he chuckled a bit. "I guess I'm just nervous," he said. "This is one of the first times we've met face to face."

I stopped fiddling with his suitcase and thought about it. "You're right. I just realized that. Maybe I feel like we've already met because of how much we've been though together on Skype."

"You got that right," Aaron replied, his voice quivering a bit. I felt as if he had never really recovered from their last horror playthrough. I honestly still had nightmares about the monster that had pursued us through the shadowy halls of that asylum. It was terrifying!

I shook myself a bit when I realized Aaron was talking again. "Huh?"

"I was just wondering where I was going to sleep."

"You can sleep with me. If you want." Aaron flushed, and I suddenly realized what I had just said. Great job Mark. You fucked up!

"U-uh…"

"GOD! Oh God. I didn't mean it like that! I have a trundle bed in my room, and you could use that."

Aaron relaxed slightly, but the color didn't leave his cheeks. An emotion showed in his eyes that I hadn't seen there. Was that… shame? Guilt? He almost looked like he was going to say something, but decided against it.

"Yeah. Yeah, that would be great. Thanks Mark."

"No prob. We're friends, remember?"

There's the guilt again, I noted. Is he hiding something?

He must have noticed I was staring at him, because he smiled quickly and excused himself to go look at the room. I nodded and let him go, still feeling a bit out of place. When he was gone, I slumped against the wall, rubbing my face with my hands.

I need a drink.

Felix's POV

I got to my rental apartment still confused about my new-found feelings for Mark. I climbed the steps slowly, trying to think of a reason that made sense. The only thing I can think of is that Nora chick. She might be able to help…

I was so distracted I didn't even notice that I had arrived at my apartment. I shook my head a few times before unlocking the door and stepping inside. Marzia was nowhere to be found, oddly enough. She must be out shopping, I reasoned. I walked around the apartment a bit, lost in thought. Opening my bedroom door, I flopped down onto my bed, closing my eyes. Even though it was only 3 in the afternoon, I needed a nap.

Sleep will help. Sleep always helps…

Aaron's POV

I shut the door to Mark's room, breathing heavily.

Calm down Aaron, calm down.

I didn't want to admit to myself that I had let Mark see that my feelings for him were more than friendly. I took another shaky breath, trying to squash the arousal I had felt when Mark asked if I would sleep with him. Aaron, you know he's your friend. He'd never keep anything from you, so he's just a friend.

I tried to calm down so I could think. After a couple minutes, I decided the best plan of action would be to go back out and tell him that I was alright with his accidental sexual thing. I stepped out of the room and shuffled to the kitchen, looking at the floor. I pushed the door open slowly. "Mark?"

"Hmm..?"

My eyes widened. Mark was slumped over at the table, a case of beer next to him. From the looks of it, he had made it about halfway through.

"Mark… what are you doing?"

"Idunno…" he slurred, eyes half-closed. "I..I juz dunno."

I walked over to him and pulled him up. He tried to push away, but I was firm. "Come ON Mark!" He muttered something unintelligible, but didn't fight anymore. I guided him to his room, lay him down on the bed, then turned to leave.

"No… Dun…go…"

I froze, and slowly turned back around. "You… you want me to stay?"

He nodded, eyes fully closed now. I smiled and chuckled softly. I took his glasses off and put them on the table next to the bed. I lay down next to him, closing my eyes as well.

I guess a quick nap wouldn't hurt.