A/N: Just in case people get a little confused, this story is a bit behind with the show, for example Silas hasn't been caught yet.

Chapter Seven

A few days passed by uneventfully. There was still a great deal of tension at home but Seth was beginning to see past it. For the first time in his life, Seth felt wanted and happy. It wasn't as though he didn't appreciate his family but it was something different with Doug. He wanted him in a way no one else possibly could. He not only looked after Seth but he treated him as an adult, an equal. Seth felt himself growing into a man; helped along by all of the conflict he had faced the last few months in his home life.

Doug made Seth feel good about himself; made him feel as though he could accomplish anything. Jason had started to become suspicious; he covered for Seth a great deal when he snuck out to see Doug. He wasn't quite ready to tell him the truth yet; he knew Jason would somehow take offence, maybe even be resentful that Seth was leading the life that Jason desperately wanted.

For now only Ethan needed to know. Seth wasn't sure how he felt about that. Ethan was alright, for the most part, but Seth could tell that he disliked him immensely. He had always looked down on him as Riley's little brother but it had never gone this far. It was almost as though Ethan wanted Seth out of the way, and Seth was clueless as to why.

Seth was walking through the village after College when he spotted Doug up ahead. He made to run up to him but stopped when he realised he wasn't alone. Lynsey walked away hurriedly, looking distressed. Doug stared after her, biting his lower lip in concern. Seth frowned, taking a few tentative steps forward. Ethan appeared, seemingly out of nowhere, touching Doug's arm in concern.

Doug shook him off, turning his face away and walking in Seth's direction. His eyes lit up as he saw him, or at least Seth liked to think so.

"Seth. How are you?"

"Fine" Seth said, staring behind him at Ethan, who was giving them a contemplative look. "Was he bothering you?"

Doug glanced behind at Ethan. "No. You know what he's like though"

Seth cocked his head to the side curiously.

"Well, you know. Worried and stuff"

"Should he be?"

Doug looked uncomfortable. "I just want to forget about it. Can we go somewhere? Away from here?"

"Sure" Seth said, concerned at how troubled Doug seemed. "Where do you want to go?"

"Let's just hop on a bus and see where it takes us" Doug said impulsively, taking Seth's arm in his own and leading him away.

xxx

They ended up in town for a while. Feeling brave and out of place here, Seth took Doug's hand in his own, interlocking their fingers. Doug smiled at him for the first time that day, squeezing Seth's hand gently.

"Are you okay?" Seth asked eventually, sensing the sadness in Doug's smile.

"It's nothing" Doug murmured. "I just want to be here with you right now"

Seth's cheeks glowed. "Same here"

They fell into a companionable silence once more. Doug gave Seth's hand a tug.

"Want lunch?" He asked, pointing to a café.

Seth nodded, his stomach growling and making Doug chuckle.

Doug was unusually quiet as they ate. Seth wanted to ask what was going on but he wasn't sure Doug would tell him. Instead he asked a question close to the one he really wanted to ask.

"How come you were with Lynsey earlier?"

Doug looked up, his fork still poised in his hand. "When?"

"In the village" Seth replied. "It looked pretty serious"

Doug sighed, putting down his utensils. "She just needed someone to talk to"

Seth frowned. "Hasn't she got friends for that?"

"Well, not really" Doug said, looking torn. "She's been through a lot you know"

"Oh I know that" Seth said, unable to keep the distaste out of his voice. "I did really like Lynsey but…"

"I know. Silas" Doug seemed to struggle saying the name. "Look we don't have to talk about this"

"What has she been saying to you?" Seth asked suddenly.

"Nothing she hasn't said before" Doug replied vaguely. "Please, Seth. Can we not?"

Doug's blue eyes bored into Seth's intently, silently pleading with him to drop it.

"Alright" Seth agreed, sighing.

Doug leant across the table, kissing Seth sweetly on the cheek. "Thank you"

Seth blushed at the close proximity, feeling Doug's breath across his face.

"Doug…" he began carefully. "If we can't talk about that,can I ask you about something else?"

"Anything" Doug said, settling back into his chair.

"What's up with Ethan?"

Doug's eyebrows shot up. "Wrong? I don't follow you…?"

"He isn't happy about us" Seth stated. "Haven't you noticed?"

Doug looked uncomfortable. "Well, maybe. I just figured he's a bit…I don't know, worried?"

"About what?"

"Riley finding out for a start"

Seth rolled his eyes. "I don't care what my family thinks, it's my life" Seth reached across the table to squeeze Doug's hand. "I'll tell them today if it's a problem"

"It isn't" Doug confirmed. "I don't know why it is for Ethan either…"

Seth studied Doug closely. "Are you sure it isn't something else?"

"Like what?" Doug asked, confused.

Seth grinned. "Sounds like he fancies you"

Doug's mouth gaped open in shock. "Ethan? Fancy me? No way!"

"Oh come on, Doug" Seth said, rolling his eyes. "Isn't it obvious? The way he stares at you, how protective he is of you, the way he looks at the two of us…"

"He's a mate" Doug said firmly. "That's all"

"Maybe to you, but I think he might want more than that" Seth winked, sipping on his chocolate milkshake.

Doug was incredibly flustered. "No, you can't be right. It must be something else…"

"If you say so" Seth replied slyly. "I wouldn't put it past him though; we all know what he's like"

"How do you mean?"

"Didn't he have three women on the go?"

Doug shrugged, looking bothered. "He had reasons I guess… I tried to talk him out of it"

"That's because you're a good person" Seth explained. "Ethan's a bit of a dog really, isn't he?"

Doug's expression was shocked. "He's not…he's just…lonely?"

"Oh, Doug you're too nice for your own good" Seth sighed. "It's cute though really. You're a very loyal friend"

Doug smiled, embarrassed. "I'm all Ethan's got right now"

Seth nodded, amused. "And don't let him take advantage of that"

"Course not" Doug mumbled. "Do you wanna go back to mine by the way?"

"Always" Seth agreed, puling out his wallet.

"Hey, no. My treat"

"Doug-"

"No arguments" Doug smiled faintly, putting the money on the table. "Ready?"

Seth nodded, finishing off his milkshake and standing, taking Doug's hand once more.

"My boyfriend buys me lunch now" Seth chuckled as they walked out of the café.

"Boyfriend eh?"

"Well, naturally" Seth grinned easily at him. "Aren't you?"

"For as long as you'll have me" Doug agreed, kissing Seth once more a little too passionately. He pulled away, his face reddening. "Sorry, got a bit caught up in the moment"

"No problem" Seth breathed, his breath catching in his throat. "You astound me you know"

"How so?" Doug asked as they walked along once more.

"Your lips…" Seth trailed off, wondering. "I'm a lucky guy"

Doug smiled good-naturedly at him. "You flatter me"

"Hey, if no one else will…"

"What are you trying to say?" Doug asked indignantly, giving Seth a playful shove.

"I'm your number one fan" Seth explained. "And proud of it"

"Well I can't argue with that" Doug said, pulling Seth against him. "You reckon you can stay over tonight?" Doug's eyes sparkled.

Seth froze, embarrassed. "I'll do my best" he whispered, an overwhelming feeling filling his stomach.

Doug's expression softened. "Hey I didn't mean…you know, no pressure"

Seth nodded frantically. "I know that" he said lightly. "If you can keep your hands off of me that is…"

Doug smiled brightly at him. "I can only try"