A/N Sorry that I didn't update last week, I had finals, packing and flying home. I got in last night and I'm still exhausted!

-Havah

"Shane," Jason gently shook the younger boy, who had fallen asleep during the movie. "Movie's over, come on, wake up."

"Nnnngh, what?" Shane asked, his eyes still closed as he shifted against Arnold. Jason was about to tell him to wake up and go back to his room, but Shane had been sleeping so peacefully and all of a sudden it felt wrong to make him move.

"Nothing, never mind, go back to sleep." Shane nodded, rolling over and curling up into a small lump on the bed while Jason hoisted himself off of the bed. He quickly changed into his pajamas, grabbed a pillow and a blanket, and exited the room, turning the lights off on his way out. He carried the blanket and pillow to the living room, where he fell down on the couch, over come with exhaustion from the emotionally draining day.

***

"Jason?" He awoke the next morning to his mother's confused voice. "Why are you on the couch?"

"Huh?" Jason asked, opening his eyes slowly, taking a moment to figure out for himself why he was in the living room and not his bed. "Oh, Shane fell asleep in my room watching Scooby-Doo last night, I felt like he should have his space and I didn't want to go into his room without permission, so I came down here."

"That was considerate of you," she smiled and sat down on the edge of the couch, beside her son. "I know that I've said this, but I mean it, you're showing incredible maturity and responsibility with this whole situation and I am really very proud of you."

"Thanks," Jason smiled. "You're doing pretty well with it too, I mean you're taking on another kid."

"It's easier for me than it is for you, I think, I go to work, you're with him all of the time, taking care of him."

"I don't mind," Jason smiled, speaking honestly. "I like him, he's cool."

"That's good, but Jason, if there's anything that you want, I think you're proved yourself worthy of at least a small reward, a new video game or something?"

"Well," Jason smiled slightly. "There is kind of one thing, but uh, Luke's having a party Wednesday, and his parents aren't going to be there, and I know that you're not big on un-chaperoned parties, but he invited Shane too and I promise that I'll be responsible…"

"Luke, he's that older boy with the dyed hair that you have a crush on?" His mother raised a skeptical eyebrow.

"Mom, please," Jason shook his head, rolling his eyes. "That crush was so last year."

"Well, I have to talk to your father, but I don't see why not as long as you promise not to drink anything with alcohol."

"Promise," Jason nodded, stretching out as he yawned. "No drugs and no sex either."

"Go wake Shane up," his mother rolled his eyes at his comment, changing the subject. "It's late, we all slept in."

"Ok." Jason stood, taking the blanket and pillow and heading back upstairs. Shane was still asleep, curled into a tiny ball on top of the covers, his tattoo-sleeved arms hugging Arnold like his life depended on it. Jason gulped. He didn't know if he would be able to wake Shane up, just like last night, but he had been sleeping for hours, so it had to be worth a try. He walked over to the bed and shook Shane gently. "Shane," he whispered. "Time to wake up for real this time."

"Huh?" Shane opened one eye sleepily and raised his left hand, pushing a few wayward strands of hair from his face.

"You've been sleeping for almost 12 hours," Jason pointed to the digital clock on the bedside table. "You fell asleep early, you used a lot of energy yesterday."

"Oh," Shane slowly pulled himself into a sitting position. "Why didn't I hear you wake up?" Shane asked, frowning slightly.

"I slept in the living room," Jason shrugged.

"What?" Shane's eyes widened. "Why did you do that?"

"You fell asleep in here and I didn't want to wake you up or violate your space."

"Ok, you have to stop," Shane shook his head.

"Stop what?"

"Being so nice to me, I don't deserve to be treated the way you treat me, I let my parents die and I don't deserve to have someone be as nice to me as you are."

"Shane!" Jason looked down at the younger boy, utter horror prevalent in both his expression and voice. "Do NOT say that! You didn't let your parents die, it was out of your hands! You did the best that you could and you have the bruises and scar to show for it! If anything, Shane, you're a fucking hero, at least you are to me. I wouldn't have been able to even try and defend my family, I would have been paralyzed in fear, but you did the best that you could and that is so fucking admirable. If I were half the human being you are-" Shane cut Jason off by standing and pulling him into a bone crushing hug. Jason was caught off guard as the boy's thin arms circled tightly around him, but after a few seconds, he returned the gesture, patting Shane's back gently.

"I'm scared," Shane whispered in Jason's ear.

"What? Why?"

"Everything's changed for me, absolutely everything. My parents died, I have to switch schools, every time I hear something that I can't place immediately, I get scared that something's coming, every time there's a creak in the steps or the hallway I panic because I think someone's in the house…Jason, last night was the first time I'd slept more than an hour straight through since I got here."

"Wh-what?" Jason asked, pulling Shane down so that they were sitting on the bed.

"I'm sorry, I-"

"Whoa, whoa, whoa, no apologizing!" Jason shook his head. "Come here." He put his arm around Shane and the other boy automatically tipped his head so that it rested on Jason's shoulder. "Shane, nothing's gonna get you, ok? You're safe here, and if you sleep better in my room than in yours, then find comfort in knowing that I sleep great on the couch."

"What?" Shane asked, confused.

"If you want to sleep in my room again, I like the couch."

"Oh, well I won't do that to you again, but thanks for the thought." Shane smiled at Jason slightly, and Jason tightened the arm that he had around Shane, causing the other boy to scoot a little closer and forcing Jason's stomach to turn as he tried to deny that maybe, just a little bit, his type was beginning to change.