There was a reason that Miles hadn't questioned Tristan about his affair with their English teacher, it was because he didn't want to know. He didn't want to hear about any of it, how it started, how it had felt, none of it. Even the idea of it made him feel sick. He couldn't even bear to imagine Tristan with him doing some of the things that they had done. What he and Tristan had might not have a label on it, but it was a damn sight more real that whatever twisted relationship they had had. Tris was the only guy he'd ever had feelings for, he preferred to think that it was the same for Tristan than imagine the alternative.

'Is there any chance we can come in?' one of the officers asked.

'Is this really necessary?' Miles shot back, sensing Tristan's hesitation. Neither of them really wanted to acknowledge this, and Tris didn't seem prepared for any of the questions that were about to be thrown at him.

'It is unless you want us to take Mr. Milligan down to the station and interview him there?' the other cop spoke up.

Miles couldn't help how his eyes rolled at the old good cop bad cop routine. He hated the FBI, they always acted as if they were so much better than you, when actually they fucked up just as bad if not worse than everyone else most of the time. When he'd been younger he'd had a few run-ins with the feds himself but his dad's reputation had always kept him out of serious trouble. Still though, he knew it was better if they spoke to Tristan somewhere he felt safe.

'Fine.' Miles seethed, moving to let them through.

'Been celebrating?' the friendlier one asked, eyeing the last few empty bottles of booze that they hadn't cleared away yet as they walked through to the lounge. Tristan glanced at him, his eyes not being able to hide his fear as Miles quickly tried to think up an excuse, they still weren't legal to drink yet. Not that anyone paid any attention to that ridiculous law.

'My dad had a few friends around last night to celebrate his campaign to be mayor.' He answered, thinking on his feet. Everyone knew who his dad was, he didn't think that these two were going to be an exception.

'Where is Mr. Hollingsworth now then?'

'He's gone away for the day with my mom.' Miles answered not exactly sure why suddenly it seemed like he was under questioning.

'I see, well my name is Detective Johnson, and this is D.I. Cooper.' The guy that came across as more of a jerk announced.

'Are you okay for us to talk to you here Tristan? If you would prefer to be interviewed with your family present we can have that arranged.' D.I. Cooper asked gently.

'No. Here, please.' Tristan managed.

Miles felt his heart squeeze. Tristan looked terrified and there was nothing he could do to help. He hated feeling so useless as he leaned against the door frame with his hands in his pockets. He watched as Tris sat down on the couch delicately, picking at his fingernails and wished that this would just go away.

'Would you like this to be done in private?' Johnson asked, throwing a sneer at Miles that made him want to deck the fucker.

Tristan looked at Miles with an expression that told him the choice was up to him. He didn't really know what he wanted to do. A part of him wanted to run, to get out of here and let Tristan deal with the situation that he'd started, but he knew that wasn't fair. Tristan had been there for him whenever he had needed him. He'd dealt with his mood swings and his coped with his freak outs, as much as he disliked being in this position, they were in this together.

'I'm not going anywhere.' Miles decided aloud.

The look on Tris's face was worth it. He immediately looked calmer as a small smile lifted the corners of his mouth. He forced Miles to lock eyes with him, and when he did, Tristan looked so much more determined, knowing that he had the support he needed, from the person that meant the most. Tristan nodded his head to acknowledge that his support was appreciated and Miles tried to smile back in encouragement. He wanted Yates locked up for what he did to Tristan, and if this was the first step in getting there, then he was ready.

'Miles stays.' Tristan confirmed.

'Okay. So let's cut to the chase then, we have been informed by your Principle that there have been allegations regarding you and your English teacher Grant Yates engaging in a relationship.' D.I. Cooper began.

'I know, Principal Simpson called me into his office a few weeks ago about it.' Tristan cut in.

'And you denied these allegations?'

'Yes, I did.' Tris answered, keeping his eyes down.

'Why did you deny them?'

'Because I didn't want to get him in trouble.'

Miles clenched his fists then, trouble was exactly what Yates deserved.

'I'm sure you have been made aware that Grant Yates has now admitted that this was true.' D.I. carried on carefully.

'Yeah I was told at school recently.' Tristan replied glancing at Miles, remembering the argument that started because of it, hoping that this time that wouldn't be the case. Judging by the way Miles wouldn't look at him though, he wasn't so sure that was the case.

'When did the relationship between you two begin?'

'Not long ago, about two months or so ago. It only lasted a few weeks, he was suspended and then he told me that things had to stop.'

Miles couldn't help the annoyance that was simmering inside of him. He couldn't help but wonder if people hadn't started to suspect something, would Tris still be seeing Yates? Would their affair still be going on? Would he even fucking know about it? Tris certainly wouldn't be with him right now if no one had found out and that made him feel a bit queasy. His jealous streak was flaring, he couldn't stop picturing them together and he was getting frustrated at not being able to cease his over-active imagination.

'Was the relationship between you sexual?'

'Yes.' Tris answered hesitantly, looking quickly at Miles.

Now, Miles had always known that this was quite a strong possibility, but had never actually had it confirmed to him that his Tristan, his Tristan, had actually been sleeping with their teacher. Now he really couldn't decide whether he wanted to be sick or not as he felt the still alcohol poisoned contents of his stomach heave. How had it happened? Did Yates seduce him and take him to bed? Did Tristan enjoy it? He forced himself to look at Tris and saw his eyes begging him not to judge him, not to over-react, but he couldn't help it. He wanted to run now.

'Who initiated that?' D.I. Johnson asked.

'Well he did at first, but I was immature and bolted. I wanted to though, so I went back to his place and well, you know, tried again.' Tris confided.

'Did he tell you that you were immature?' Miles asked not being able restrain himself, and the way Tristan dropped his gaze to the floor was answer enough. Miles's hands were hurting he was clenching them so hard, the whites of his knuckles brazen against his already pale skin. He noticed that Johnson was scribbling this down in a notebook as he considered all of the ways he could kill Yates himself.

'Okay Tristan, thanks for your co-operation, I think we've got everything we need for now. We are going to need you to come down to the station at some point in the next couple of days to make an official statement. Is that okay?' Cooper finished, sensing that was enough for one day.

'Yeah okay. Will that be it then?' Tristan asked naively.

'Not quite, once we have gathered all of the evidence there is going to be a formal investigation, but we'll get to that when the time comes.'

Tristan just nodded, feeling emotionally exhausted and just wanting them to go so he could forget this even happened.

'Thank you for your time Tristan, and you too Miles. We'll see ourselves out.'

With that both of them got up and left briskly, leaving just Tristan and Miles to deal with the aftermath of their interruption. The silence between them was awful, Miles didn't move from his position against the door frame, desperately trying to keep calm.

'Why didn't you tell me?' Miles asked in the most sedated tone he could manage.

'Tell you what?'

'That Simpson had spoken to you about this? That you were sleeping with him?' Miles spat back.

'Because you didn't ask!' Tristan snapped.

He went quiet then. He hadn't asked because he hadn't wanted to know. He'd wanted to pretend, it had been easier that way. He'd been able to forget about it that way. But now he did know, and it made him angry. It made him jealous and he couldn't bear it because he had no control over it. At least when Maya had been acting as if Zig meant more to her than he did he'd been able to stop it. He'd been able to watch and keep an eye on things. But this? This had all happened and he'd been completely fucking oblivious to it. Everything he and Tris had done, all the things that had felt so special, now felt cheap.

'What exactly am I to you?' Miles asked, needing the reassurance that they were more than that, that he'd got this wrong.

''What d'you mean?'

'Well am I just some rebound?' he muttered, what did have to do? Draw him a picture? That thought reminded him of the night of the storm when they had played charades. Their first kiss. Is that what they were, just a charade?

'I could ask you the same thing.' Came Tristan's reply.

Miles self-control shattered then and he smashed his fist hard against the wall. Doubling up with the pain, he flexed his fingers trying to focus on something that was actually meant to hurt rather than the ache in his chest that made him feel like he was breaking. He'd broken skin and blood trickled down his palm.

'Miles!' Tristan exclaimed.

'Screw you Tris.'

'I'm sorry.' Tristan answered, walking over and trying to examine the wound. Miles snatched his hand away, not wanting his help right now.

'I'm sorry okay? I didn't mean that.'

'Yeah you did.' Miles responded, not looking at Tris when he put his hands on his shoulders and turned him towards him.

'Look Miles, I can't change any of it. You weren't there and I needed someone. If I'd had you then? Then I don't think I ever would have got involved, but I did and now all of this is happening and I don't know how to stop it.'

'He manipulated you.' Miles muttered.

'But he didn't Miles. I've told you before, he didn't make me do anything. I wanted it. It didn't matter to me that he was older, or that he was my teacher. I thought it was real.'

'Did it feel like this? Did it feel like we do?' Miles asked, not sure if he wanted the answer.

'No, it was different.'

'Good different?'

'Just different. It didn't last long enough for me to be able to define it. All I know is that when I'm with you I feel safe, everything just sort of falls into place and I don't want to lose that. I don't want to lose you because of something that happened before we were, well whatever we are. I need you Miles, more than I ever needed him.'

Miles knew Tris felt the tremble that ran through him when he delicately placed his hand on his neck, stroking his thumb across his skin. Even when it was Tristan making him angry, it was still only Tris that could soothe him. His eyes looked fraught with concern and anticipation, waiting for Miles to walk away like he always did. Instead Miles fought that urge gave in, letting his heart rule his head. Pulling him by his hips he crashed his mouth against Tristan's and kissed him hard trying to get lost in how Tristan made him feel. Adrenaline coursed through his veins and every nerve in his body felt like a live wire. Quickly he was reminded why he was putting himself on the line for the boy that made him question everything he thought he knew.

I feel good when I'm around you.