Everyone had made it to Bob's house except for Mark and were enjoying the food, games and movies while they waited for his arrival. Sean focused on the party to keep his mind off of the classmate earlier today who was thankfully not here.

"Do you know what happened to Jake?"

"Yes. I killed him with my own bare hands."

He nervously downed his punch, nearly choking on it as he tried desperately to shoo away the fresh memory.

'The party. Look how much fun everyone's having, nothing's wrong right now, you're okay. Don't think about the past.'

He smiled and walked through the living room, hearing various people shout various things from different parts of the house.

"You can't hold onto the tower when you pull a block out, that's cheating!"

"The life of a wizard seems so much easier than the life of a human. I'd give anything to be one right now."

"Dude! Watch me down this entire bottle of vodka!"

"You will do no such thing!" Bob snatched the bottle out of the guy's hand, "Do that with your own bottle but this is for everyone."

He poured some into the punch bowl and set it back into the fridge.

"How are you enjoying the party, Sean?" Wade shouted over the music.

"Awesome! This is just what I needed. A good distraction from everything that's happened. It feels like months but it's been less than a week, can you believe it?"

"I hear ya. Well, kind of." They both laughed, "The last few days have felt so long and when you think about it, not a lot happened at all."

"I know, it's insane. Hey, I'm going to get myself another cup. You want anything?"

"No thanks, I'm good. I better keep myself sober for Bob and everyone else. But you? You deserve it."

"Alright then. Let me know if you change your mind then we can have a drinking contest!"

He punched my shoulder, "You're on!"

Sean laughed as he made his way to the punch bowl. He picked up the ladle and was about to pour himself a cupful until he remembered the bottle of vodka in the fridge. He thought for a second and poured himself half a cup then went to go open the fridge. He looked around for anyone that might be watching before filling the rest of his cup with vodka, putting the bottle back where it was and closing the door before he was caught. He swallowed a big mouthful, cringing at the kick, and then sighing as he felt himself finally begin to relax a little. He continued to finish his cup slowly as he walked around the house, occasionally stopping to talk to someone for a little bit. Though his real focus was alcohol right now, trying to feel something that wasn't anxiety and sickening guilt.

He continued to wander and talk until he finished his cup, definitely a little tipsy at this point, and went back into the kitchen to repeat the process. Half a cup of spiked punch then filling the rest of the cup with pure vodka.

"Sean!"

He froze where he was, about ready to pour the vodka into his cup. Bob grabbed it out of his hand.

"There's already vodka in the punch, why are you putting more in?"

"'Cause I don't want to feel anything right now." His speech was a little slurred.

"You can do that with a healthier habit than alcohol. Besides, I don't think you want to be drunk before Mark gets here.

"But I fuckin' killed someone, Bob!"

Bob's face lost color from the sudden outburst but his scare was short-lived when there was a knock on the door. He put the bottle down on the counter and went to open it.

Mark walked in, arms raised as if in victory and everyone cheered shouting "welcome back!", "You made it!" and "Hey Mark!"

Sean was too busy pouring the vodka in his cup and taking a big swig to cheer with them. But once the burn had faded he rushed to Mark and wrapped his arms around his neck, spilling most of his drink.

"Mark! Y'made it!" He said happily.

"Is Sean already tipsy?" Mark asked.

"Getting there." Bob replied.

"Imma light weight, don't judge me!"

"Aw man, now I want to join in." Wade whined.

Bob's response was drowned out by Sean talking to Mark, "How you feelin'? Better?"

"Yeah, I'm feeling much better. Especially now that I'm somewhere that isn't a hospital bed."

"Well, c'mon! Let's get some food and drinks!" He tugged him into the kitchen.

Once they got everything they wanted they sat down to watch a couple of movies with everyone else that was sitting in front of the TV. Just laughing and commenting, with Sean drinking a little bit too much…

Sean woke up with a splitting headache. He groaned and turned onto his back, looking at the clock.

"4AM? Fuuuuuck." He rubbed his head.

"Morning sleeping beauty. How you feeling?" Mark asked groggily.

"Like shite. Ugh, I feel sick." He put his hands on his stomach. "Wait, why are you in bed with me anyway?"

"First of all, we're clothed so nothing happened last night. Second, you wanted to sleep and tugged me into bed with you."

He was almost speechless, "Tell me more about last night later when I don't feel as shitty."

"You had a LOT of vodka last night. I think you drank all of that and the punch."

"How many bottles were there?"

"Three."

Just hearing it made him nauseous.

"This is the part where I get you some painkillers and water, right?"

"Please."

He got up off the bed and left to go find the necessities. He could hear a quiet conversation begin between Mark and Bob soon after.

"Why did you guys sleep in MY room?!"

"I'm sorry, Bob, he wanted to talk to me about something and that's where he lead me. By the time we were done talking, he was out like a light. If I had known he would fall asleep as soon as he finished talking I would have taken him to the guest room."

There was a short pause, "He wants painkillers, right?"

"Yeah."

"It's in the cabinet in that bathroom."

"Thanks man."

Silence again until he came back with the water and tablets.

"Thanks Mark." He took the tablets and swallowed the water.

He laid back down and Mark sat on the edge of the bed next to his hip. "Do you remember what you said last night?"

"Oh no. What did I say?" He put his hands over his face.

"You were telling me constantly, "I want to tell you I love you every day and cuddle and kiss you morning and night." You were telling me that like I wasn't going to take you seriously unless you repeated yourself."

Behind his hands, his face was surely red.

"It was pretty hilarious."

He moved his hands to see Mark's face.

"It was like watching a child cling onto their mother and kiss them constantly."

"Wait, 'Kiss'?"

"Oh, yeah, you kissed me a couple of times, too."

"Oh nooooo." He put his hands back on his face.

"Don't worry, I didn't take you seriously."

"You didn't?"

"Nah. I knew you were drunk off your ass."

"Okay, that's good." He turned onto his side unsure if he should feel sad or relieved.

"Is there something wrong with that?" Mark looked concerned.

"N-No, just thinking."

There was a short pause.

"Wait… Sean, were you…?" He asked softly.

Sean distracted himself with the blanket.

"Did you mean that?"

Sean's cheeks turn a little pink, "I-I don't know…"

"Well, whether you did or not that's perfectly fine with me."

Sean turned onto his back to look at him properly and they just sat like that, looking at each other. Neither of them were sure of their feelings for the other but the thought of being an item didn't feel wrong. After a couple of minutes, Mark began to slowly lean down.

It didn't get too far before Sean shoved Mark away and he ran out the door to race into the bathroom and shove his head in the toilet bowl. Mark raced after him and made it to the room just in time to hear him vomit. He sat behind him and held his head steady until it was nothing but dry heaving and coughing. Once it was all over Mark handed him a couple of squares of toilet paper which he used to wipe his mouth then flush the toilet, gasping for air.

"So much for that." Sean laughed.

Mark laughed with him and rubbed his back. "You okay?"

"Much better. I think I'm going to head home."

"Right now? It's 5AM."

"That should be fine. I want to be home right now and my parents should be awake by the time I get there."

"Well let me drive you there. I'm about ready to get home, too."

"Alright."

They said goodbye to Bob on their way out and Mark started the car.

"So… does this mean we're…" His voice trailed off to let Mark fill in the blanks.

There was a short silence, "I'm not sure. Do you… want to be more than friends?"

"I… I think I do. It feels right."

They smiled at each other and Mark pulled up to Sean's house.

"Alright, well, I guess I'll talk to you later then."

"Okay. Have a good day."

"You too, feel better."

Sean left the car and walked into the house.

"Welcome home, Sean! How was the party?"

"Hey, mom! The party was awesome! Mark is in great shape again and everyone had fun. But I ended up getting ill when I woke up."

"Aw, I'm sorry. Go lie down and I'll bring you some soup and medicine."

"Okay, thanks mom."

Lying in bed, he received texts from Bob and Wade asking him if he made it home safe and he told them he had and was in bed.

"Tired or feeling sick?"

"Feeling sick. Got a wicked hangover."

"I found the empty vodka bottles. I guess that was you?"

"Yep, sorry about that."

"It's fine. I really bought them for the party I didn't think you'd be the one to finish it all off though."

He was about to reply when his father walks in. He quickly set his phone down and sat up.

He stood at his bedside, "Did you have sex last night?!" He suddenly shouted pointing a finger.

"What? No, I didn't."

"Then why did you look so damn proud of yourself when you walked in?!"

"I had a good time at the party."

"I think you're lying to me. You better tell me the truth or you're not getting your fucking phone back." He snatched his phone off the nightstand and put it in his pocket.

"I swear I didn't have sex!"

"No man walks through a door like they're the shit just because they 'had a good time at the party.'" He then left the room slamming his door closed on his way out.

Sean rubbed his face and groaned in frustration. He perked up again when his mother walked in with a tray holding a glass of water, soup, and medication.

"Goodness. What happened there?"

"He thinks I had sex at the party and when I told him no he didn't believe me."

"Well, did you?"

"No! I swear to god I didn't have sex last night. I was there only for Mark."

She examined his face, "Alright, I believe you. I'll go talk to your father about it."

"Thanks mom."

She set the tray down and left the room closing the door.

He took the painkillers and anti-nausea before sipping on his soup. Seeing as how he didn't have a computer or a phone to keep himself entertained, he simply just looked around and fantasized about his current relationship with Mark.

'So, does this mean we're…'

'I'm not sure. Do you want to be more than friends?'

'I… I think I do. It feels right.'

He smiled at the recent memory and thought about what they could do as a new couple the next time he sees him. His thoughts were innocent enough, holding hands, embracing each other, cuddling, talking, stuff like that. But soon it escalated to more… adulterated moments. He could feel his face burn, his heart and stomach flutter, and the blood drain downwards. He rubbed his thighs together to try and will it away but it only served to create friction, making him gasp quietly. He ignored it and continued to eat his soup, directing his thoughts to a less sexy direction. This ultimately led to his least favorite memory. He froze and turned his attention back to the window.

He stood up and stood in front of the dirty glass pane to stare at the mound as if planning his next move with the victim. He soon realized that standing still in front of a window and eating soup was probably a little creepy to anyone who might see and suspect something and he wasn't ready to face the police and jail just yet. He sat back down on the bed and glanced over at the hoodie covering what used to be a functioning piece of technology.

'I could probably go and get myself a new PC today if I have the money for it.'

Once he finished his soup, he gathered his belongings and left early for school.

"Bye mom! Bye dad! I'm going to school!"

"Hon, are you sure you want to go this early? And I think you should rest a little bit longer."

"Don't worry, I'm feeling much better. I just can't wait to see my friends again."

"Alright. If you think you'll be feeling up to it then have a good day, honey!"

"Thanks, you too!"

On the way, he stopped by a convenience store to pick up a notebook and pencil.

He was the first to enter his classroom and he sat in his favorite spot to draw and wait for his classmates.

His once depressing and dark art turned into light and hope. Instead of drawing tombstones and loneliness he was drawing his friends and GTA 5. He drew everyone smiling and posing as a group for a photo, chuckling as he drew a goofy face on Wade. His hand seemed to have been moving on its own as if the inspiration and ideas where reaching his arm faster than his mind's eye. Taking advantage of the rare occasion to draw something different and making each movement softer, slower, happier. He soon found himself drawing him and mark holding hands. He let himself blush as he continued.

Just as he finished, Mark had walked into the room sitting next to him.

Sean couldn't hold back the smile on his face, "Hey."

"Hey." He smiled back. "How are you feeling?"

"Much better. What about you?"

"Pretty good. I took a nap and dreamt of you and I watching a movie."

"Well it looks like we'll need to make that happen. Would you like to come to my house tonight?"

"I'd love to. What movie are we watching?"

""How to Lose a Guy in 10 Days."" He laughed.

"Sean, you can't lose me in 10 days. You can't lose me ever." He rubbed his shoulder.

His laugh died in his throat and he smiled like an idiot at the comment and the touch.

"Everyone please be seated, class is starting."

The lecture began and they looked at their own desks. Sean took the time to do a little math with the money he's earned in the last few years and wasn't too thrilled with the result.

'Okay, maybe a cheap laptop instead.'

A white square was dropped on his math equation and he looked at his boyfriend, who excitedly pointed at the white square. He unfolded the piece of paper and read 'I love you, Sean' in not-so-great handwriting. He held back a schoolgirl giggle and wrote his own message to send back.

'I love you, too, Mark'

'Should I bring wine for the movie?'

'Yeah, that would be nice. I'll make us a meal.'

'You can just make popcorn.'

'Popcorn and wine? What kind of boyfriend are you?'

'Okay, okay. Do you want me to help you with the meal? I got some made chef skills.'

'That's good because I don't know how to cook.' He was just passing the message along when-

"Sean and Mark! Would you like to read your conversation to the class?"

There was no hesitation for the response, "Nah, I think we'll just go to the principal's office."

There wasn't a word uttered when they both got up and left the room.

"I was trying to tell you that I can't cook." Sean broke the silence in the hallway.

"Don't worry, I'll teach you." He pulled him close and pecked the top of his head.

He hugged back just before they walked into the office.

"Sean, you're back. With Mark? What happened?"

They sat down in the comfy chairs, "We… We were caught passing notes."

Mark winced at the phrase, the situation just now hitting him.

"Mark? This isn't like you. Why did you do it?"

"We got excited about today's plans and couldn't wait to talk about it."

"I see. I'm sure this was something you could have waited until in between classes to talk about."

"Yes, sir, it was. I'm sorry Principal Michaels."

"I really don't want to see you in here again. You're one of my star students. You work hard and I would hate for you to ruin your reputation over something as menial as inattentiveness."

"I know. It won't happen again."

"I sure hope not. And Sean? You may still be fairly new to the school but I'm not opposed to Saturday morning detention if you come back to the office a third time."

"I understand."

"Alright. I'll leave you two off with a warning. You may go back to class."

"Thank you, principal Michaels. Have a good day."

They left the room and continued on with their day.

Mark decided to follow Sean outside for lunch.

"Wouldn't you rather eat lunch with Wade and Bob in the lunch room?"

"I've always done that before I met you and now that we're officially together I think it's time I eat with you. Or would you rather be alone?"

"No! No. Sorry, I guess I'm not used to people wanting to hang out with me. It's always been 'don't get too close to him he's really weird'"

"Well I don't think you're weird and neither do Wade or Bob."

"And that's always refreshing. Thank you for giving me a chance, Mark." He opened his lunch bag, internally celebrating to see his sandwich.

"It's no problem at all. I'm just glad you accepted our friendship. It was starting to look like you really didn't want friends."

"Well, you know, gotta keep a promise, right?"

"I wouldn't want to keep a promise like that, that just sounds unbelievably lonely and sad."

"Gee thanks, asshole." He laughed before taking bite.

"You're welcome, dear."

They continued to talk, the subject switching from plans to food to games then finally to movies.

"What movie were we watching the night I got drunk anyway?"

"The Star Trek series. We didn't get very far, though. People started falling asleep or walking away to do something else. And then you tugged on my arm to talk to me upstairs."

"And then I told you that I loved you and we cuddled all night."

"And…" Mark put his hand on Sean's knee, "We never had the chance to have a proper kiss."

Sean's heart picked up speed. "No, we didn't."

There seemed be a brief telepathic conversation consisting of 'Are we doing this?' 'Do you want to do this?' 'Yeah, I do.' Before they began to lean forward. Their lips were inches apart when the doors opened and students came pouring out from the building. In the flood were the two friends they were hoping to see after the kiss. But the conversation was fun as always and they mentally planned for their next opportunity.