Laf and John could be heard mumbling to each other through the thin bedroom walls. Sonny was lying awake on his bed, staring at the ceiling.

"I'm getting up," he said, closing his eyes.

"You said that two minutes ago, bud. And two minutes before that."

"Yeah, yeah. Whatevs. I mean it this time."

I stared at him over the top of my phone screen, "sure."

"Hypocrite," he mumbled, though loud enough for me to hear.

"Asshole," I smirked.

The talking next door grew louder and there was a bang on the wall followed by an angered scream and Laf's calming words. I heard John apologising over and over again through the wall and felt the urge to get up and comfort him, but I didn't want to get involved. The front door opened and he shouted a strained goodbye to which both Sonny and I replied, "see you later."

I sat up properly and stared at the door, willing myself to get up.

Sonny let out a long breath, "my hair's too long."

"What? No it's not. I like it longer."

"Nah, you just have a thing for long hair, my dude."

I shrugged, "still. It looks better how it is."

He paused as if nervous, "I have a date tonight."

I paused, too, "that's… that's good. Really good. Who's the lucky… guy? Or girl, I don't discriminate." I held my hands up in mock defence.

"This guy I met at the bar. He's like, really…"

"Hot?"

"Uh huh. He makes me feel things. Y'know? Like when we," he cut himself off and cleared his throat, "sorry."

"You don't have to be sorry. It's okay. We've both moved on, this is good. What's he like?"

"Um, remember Pablo?"

"Pablo?" I furrowed my brows, "oh! Café Pablo? The one that used to draw pictures on the coffee cups for his favourites? Hot, charming and tall?"

"That's the one. I get a Pablo vibe from this guy. But he's more Pablo than Pablo."

I laughed and rolled onto my side, "how can you be more Pablo than Pablo?"

He rolled his eyes, "I don't know, man. He just is," he stared into space, his lips curling slightly, "okay, I'm up."

He sauntered out of the room, leaving me to my thoughts. I was happy for him. Definitely happy for him. Things were working out for both of us. What more could I ask for? I span my phone in between my fingers as I fell back down on the bed. I hoped this Pablo guy was good to him. He had better be good to him or so help me…

A few hours later, when the sky was beginning to grow dark - had I really been in my room studying that long? - I closed my laptop and rubbed my face.

"Alexander?" Laf's voice travelled through the gap between the door and its frame.

"Bonsoir, everything okay?"

"Ouais, I'm just worried about him; that's all."

"John? What happened this morning?"

"He thinks he is fine, mais en fait, ce n'est pas vrai du tout. I don't know how much you know, but his dad is not a good man."

I sat up again, looking down at my fidgeting hands. I had heard some stories about his dad, but not a lot. From what I heard, however, Laf's statement was fairly accurate. The stories made my blood boil and I didn't know the half of it.

"Well, he's trying to put up his wall and pretend he is okay, he always does this. It stresses me out," he made Sonny's bed for him as he ranted, "and then the wall took a beating because he is keeping it all in and it's not healthy. What am I supposed to do? He won't talk, he won't listen, he just refuses. Fils de pute!"

"I'm sure he has his reasons. I'll try to talk to him."

He scoffed, "ha! Good luck with that."

I stood up and stretched. Laf continued to clean the room, his hair falling into his face as he bent down to pick up dirty laundry.

"Laf, why are you cleaning my room? You don't… isn't that my job?"

"I'm stress cleaning, mine is spotless and, no offence, but yours is a bomb site. I'm doing laundry," he patted me on the shoulder, "it is probably better if you leave me to it."

I blinked, "wait… so I'm getting kicked out of my room now?"

"Ouais, but it is also being cleaned for you. De rein."

"Thank you?"

I grabbed my phone and laptop before I was pushed out of the room and sat on the floor. Sonny was spread out on the sofa, his head in his hands. I nudged him lightly and he groaned, mumbling something incoherent.

"Sonny," I singsonged, "what's wrong?"

"I can't go on this date."

"Why not?" I stood up and prepared us coffees, still listening.

"I don't know, I'm nervous, man."

I brought him his cup and sat beside him. The coffee wasn't nearly as good as his, but it would do. He smiled at me and sipped at it, pulling a face at the shitty quality.

"That's not like you, why are you nervous?"

"I don't know, it's just…"

I resisted the urge to roll my eyes, knowing he knew perfectly well why he was nervous, "go on?"

"I guess I haven't been with anyone since… us."

Oh.

My face softened and I rubbed circles on his knee with my thumb. He leaned against me and sighed.

"What time is the date?" I asked.

"He said we'd meet at seven. I don't actually know what's goin' down. It's meant to be a surprise. Dude, I'm gon' get murdered if I go, aren't I?"

I laughed, "I wouldn't go that far. But do text me, just in case. Gotta know you're safe. But you should definitely go, have some fun."

"I really don't like my hair," he pulled at a curled strand.

I watched him, getting nervous like I had never seen him before. I ran his hair through my fingers, measuring it, "do you want me to cut it for you?"

He nodded, "if you don't mind. Just like old times."

"Just like old times."

I took one of the chairs from our room - though Laf wasn't happy I had interrupted him - and placed it in the living room. I made him sit in it and went to find a pair of scissors, a comb and something I could spray water with. He slouched in the chair in his 'standard Sonny' way, I grinned.

"Sit up straight, unless you want a wonky haircut."

He did as instructed and fidgeted with a loose thread on the bottom of his shirt. I pulled his head up so that he was looking straight forward. My phone began to ring half way through in my pocket. I looked at the caller ID.

John wants to FaceTime.

I gave Sonny my phone and told him to hold it for me. John's beaming face lit up the screen.

"Hey, hey, hey," he smiled, "wait, what are you doing?"

I sprayed Sonny's hair with water and combed it, snipping the split ends off.

"Making Sonny look like Uncle Fester," I grinned.

John laughed and Sonny furrowed his eyebrows, swivelling around in the chair, "who?"

"Pass me your phone and I'll show you," I replied.

I typed in the name and showed him the images.

"What the fuck? No, that's not what I meant when I said I didn't want my longer hair. You better not have made me bald! I have an old man face, don't make my hair complete the look!" he half shouted.

I stepped back, "I'm joking, I'm joking. And you don't have an old man face. John, tell him he doesn't have an old man face."

John complied, "you don't have an old man face."

"Cross your heart?"

"And hope to die."

I turned back to the screen and bit my lip. John was at his dad's. He seemed okay, better than okay. I carried on cutting Sonny's hair, "everything okay with you over there?"

John fell back onto a black sofa and was immediately greeted by a black and white border collie. It licked his face and he giggled, "me? Yeah, yeah. Just hanging with the dog and the siblings for a bit. Talked to my dad. That was rough but it's fine, don't have to see him now till next week. Now I get to enjoy time with the decent side of my family."

The dog, despite its size, jumped onto his chest, making him grunt in surprise as it winded him. Sonny was laughing, as was John. I was smiling, pulling another wet strand of hair through my fingers and trimming it.

"Who's the dog?" I asked.

"This handsome boy is Rocky. He is the biggest sweetheart ever. Isn't that right, Rocky?"

The dog licked his hand in response.

Sonny grinned at this screen, "he's so cute! Reminds me of that dog Abuela used to have. Well, the one she used to feed, she didn't actually own it."

"What dog?" I asked.

"Oh, you weren't with us then. I'll see if I've got any photos later. He was kinda like you, young, scrappy and hungry."

I pulled his hair a little tighter, not enough to hurt him. Just to let him know I was offended, "rude."

I left to get a dustpan and brush to clean up the hair. When I returned, John and Sonny were engaged in a serious and passionate conversation about how amazing dogs were. I strained myself from rolling my eyes, but I couldn't help but smile at them both.

I cleaned up the floor and Sonny's shoulders and ruffled his hair. He flashed his teeth and smiled a thank you. I took my phone back and knocked on my bedroom door.

"Why are you knocking on your own bedroom door?" John's voice asked through the phone speaker.

Before I could answer, Laf opened the door.

"Yes? Oh… hello, mon ami. Is that? No! Rocky! Oh hello, Rocky! Look how big you are!" He praised like a grandmother talking to her grandchild.

"Alex?" Sonny called from the living room.

I gave Lafayette my phone so he could talk to John and walked over to Sonny. He was stood, staring at the ground. I hugged him out of habit, knowing he needed it. He tensed at first and then relaxed into it.

"What's really wrong, Sonny? You can tell me," I said softly, as if talking to a terrified deer.

He hesitated and looked everywhere except me, then he whispered, barely audible, "I really need this date to work out."

"It'll never work out if you don't go. Just go, and if you wanna bail, text me and I'll save you. I promise. But you should at least try. I mean look at you, fresh trim, adorable smile. Who could ask for more?" I smiled, "you can do it."

He looked at me sheepishly, "hypocrite."

"And you're an asshole. We've already established this. Right, go get dressed. I'm pretty sure Laf's done now."

I grabbed my phone back from Laf - who ran back to his room while Sonny got changed - and sat on the sofa to talk to John.

"So, how are you?" I asked, knowing Laf would kill me if I didn't. Also because I cared. But Laf definitely would have killed me.

"I'm good. Really good. It's good to see everyone. Really."

Not very convincing, babe.

He pulled at his shirt and rubbed his neck.

"What time are you coming back? Sonny and Laf are leaving me soon."

"I'm probably gonna stay to help my sister make dinner, but I won't stay for it. I'll be back in, like, an hour."

I miss you. "Are you sure you're okay? Not just today… just recently," I asked tentatively.

He nodded too quickly, his lips a thin line. I didn't believe him, not for one minute.

"Has Laf been bugging you about me?" He asked.

"What? No… no. I just care about you. I want to know you're okay." That was true.

John almost laughed, he looked away and licked his bottom lip, "he's totally been bugging you about me." That was also true.

I sighed, "well?"

"Well, what?"

"What's going on?" I asked.

He sat up straighter, he looked almost angry, more irritated, "nothing that's a cause for concern is going on. I am fine. I am well. Please don't worry about me when there isn't anything to worry about."

There was a long, painfully loud silence. I tapped my foot on the floor until he finally spoke.

"Look, I'm gonna start making dinner now. I'll see you soon, yeah? We can do Sherlock hot cocoa… sound good?"

I smiled at him affectionately… affectionately? Damn, what happened to you, Alex, "Yeah. That sounds good. See you soon."

He hung up and I did some more studying on my laptop. Midterms were soon. Sonny came out of our room dressed in a navy blue shirt and dark jeans.

"Go on, give us a twirl," I said, shutting my laptop.

He did as he was told and strutted the length of the living room. I clapped enthusiastically and wished him luck as he left. Laf was next, waving on his way out the door. Finally, I was alone.

I shut my eyes and lay on the sofa. My eyes were tired from staring at the computer for so long and another rough night's sleep. I dreamt about Peter. Maybe that's why I was particularly worried about John.

My phone buzzed on the floor and I opened my eyes. The lights seemed brighter than they were moments ago. I squinted and picked up my phone. Twenty minutes had passed. Had my eyes been closed for that long? I thought it had only been a few seconds.

I had two texts. One from Laf, 9 minutes ago and the more recent one from John, just now.

Laf. Won't be back tonight. Staying at Herc's. Bad leg.

John. I'm on my way.

I turned off my phone and sat up, cracking my back. I washed my face and set some mugs out for hot cocoa. My laptop was already out so I propped it up on the desk in my recently cleaned room. John unlocked the door and called my name. I walked out to see him and finished the cocoa. He beamed when he saw me, "hi."

"Hi," I said.

He strode over to me and locked his lips with mine, delicate and soft. He chuckled against my mouth, "I missed you."

Me, too, "you saw me yesterday."

"Too long. Cocoa?"

I passed him his mug and grabbed my own, then walked into my room. He followed behind me and flopped onto my bed. He pulled his hair tie out and let the curls fall around him, everywhere. Beautiful. He blew a strand out of his face in a huff.

"Nice change of scenery from the living room, huh?" he mused.

"Laf cleaned in here so it's all nice."

He sat up and leaned his back against the wall, concern evident in his face, "Laf was cleaning, as in 'stress-cleaning'? In here?"

I nodded, "he's worried about you. But slightly annoyed at you. But mostly worried."

John shook his head, "he shouldn't be."

I sat down next to him and leaned on his shoulder. He bent forward and pressed play on my laptop, taking his mug from where he had left it on the desk and rested his head on top of mine. He finished his cup long before I did. I still had a little left, mostly cream that hadn't melted. He grinned at me, a mischievous grin.

"What?" I asked.

If possible, his grin grew, "you got a little something there. I'll get it."

He leaned in and licked cream from my lip, his mouth lingered over mine for a second too long for me to be able to resist. I connected our lips again and his hand rubbed up my leg. I shuddered and kissed him harder, hungrier. I felt him grin that God forsaken grin and moved my hand to his beautiful, perfect hair, tugging it slightly. He moaned into my mouth and moved closer to me on the creaking bed. He took the mug from my hand and moved it to the desk before kissing me again. My heart was pounding in my chest, enjoying every second. Feeling anxious and excited and everything all at once. It was an intoxicating feeling. All I could think about was how much I wanted him. I felt my jeans grow tighter and my breath hitched when his hand slid up my thigh to my crotch, feeling the hardness there. I flushed and pulled back, biting my lip. He moved his hand, thinking I was uncomfortable, I wanted to move it back where it was, I wasn't uncomfortable. He rested his forehead on mine, our noses brushing against each other.

"You good?" he asked me, serious undertones in his voice I rarely heard with him.

I nodded and kissed him again, lifting one leg over his to straddle him. He made an 'oomph' sound in surprise, not unlike the one he made when the dog jumped onto his chest. His hand travelled under the back of my shirt. They were cooler than my warm skin and it sent tingles down my spine. The other hand traced the bottom of my shirt, tugging lightly as if asking for permission. I complied to his silent demand and removed my shirt, chucking it onto Sonny's bed.

"You're so beautiful," he mused, his voice hoarse.

He shifted on the bed and manoeuvred me so that I was underneath him. He nipped at my collarbone, searching for the right spot. He found it. He trailed down my chest to my navel, and then further down to my waistband. He stopped there and looked up to me, "you still good?"

"God, yes. Please- I mean, yeah…"

He smirked and unzipped my jeans, "I gotchu."

He pulled down my boxers and found my dick, already hard and waiting. He moved back up my body to kiss me. I felt so vulnerable and completely at his mercy, but he made me feel safe, whispering reassurance in my ear before he slunk down my body and spilt his hair over my hips. He licked down the slit of my penis, wet and warm. I gasped when he went from swirling the tip with his tongue to taking me in all the way, bobbing his head up and down. My hand held his head, pulling the hair, and he moaned over my dick. Vibration. I arched my back off the bed and groaned, low and loud, as I came in his mouth, he swallowed every drop. He rose up to my face and kissed along my jawline.

"That okay for you, babe?" he panted.

"Y- yeah. Yes. Definitely. How can you possibly so good?"

He winked at me, "I am a man of many talents."

He fidgeted in his jeans and propped himself up on one elbow. My gaze travelled down his body to the bulge at his crotch.

"What about you? You could- if you wanted to, I mean- just…"

He tucked my hair behind my ear, "tell me what you want. What do you want, 'Lex?"

I loved the way he said that. 'Lex. I didn't think I wanted to hear my name said a different way to that.

"You. Fuck, I want you, John."

"Are you sure? I mean, have you… before?"

I nodded, "yeah."

He sat up and half smiled, "m'kay, if you're sure… one second. Lemme see if Laf has anything."

He got off of the bed and went to his bedroom. I could hear him rummaging through the drawers. I felt nervous. Really nervous. It had been a while, and I really liked John. He returned with a bottle of lube and a condom. He wore a sheepish grin and it somehow made me feel better. Maybe he felt that way, too. He took off his shirt and jeans, only his boxers remaining. He climbed back on top of me and leaned close to my ear, "are you absolutely sure about this? You don't have to."

I cupped his cheek, "I want to."

He took my hand and kissed it lightly. He knelt in front of me and lubed his fingers. I shifted my body further down the bed for him and opened the gap between my legs. His eyes caught mine and he crawled over me so that his mouth was a ghost over mine. Slowly, he ran his fingers over my entrance and pressed one finger in. I took a sharp intake of breath and bit my lip at the sensation.

"Good?"

"Good."

"That's… good." Past the second knuckle.

I moved under him, making myself more open for him and leaned up so that our lips met. I never wanted them to part. I flicked my tongue out in search of more contact with him. His tongue fought against me as he pumped his finger in and out of me. He added a second. I lost the fight. I gripped his shoulder as he stretched me out slowly and gently, my face twisting in a mixture of pain and pleasure. Mostly pleasure.

"More?" he asked, tapping a third finger on the inside of my thigh.

"More… please?"

He complied and I bit down hard on my bottom lip, most likely drawing blood. It felt good. He felt so good. He worked me open for a few minutes longer.

"John, fuck, please have me?" I whimpered, lightly tracing the waist of his boxers, not wanting to wait any longer.

He quirked an eyebrow and rolled his lip in his teeth, "you sure?"

I nodded enthusiastically, "yes. I need you."

"Say no more."

He knelt up again and took of the cotton boxers, ripping open the condom and rolling it down his shaft. I was hard again. He sucked at my tip and I moaned as he pulled away, lining himself up.

"Ready?"

I gripped the sheet, bracing myself for him, "yeah."

Painstakingly slowly, he sheathed himself into me. He was big. Fuck. I pushed my head back into the bed as it creaked with the movement on top of it.

"Talk to me, 'Lex. Doing okay?" he whispered loud enough for me to hear.

"I'm good. You feel so good. Don't stop," I panted.

He smiled dopily and pushed deeper as I wrapped my arms around his neck. I cried out and he slowed down, letting me adjust. I crashed our mouths together and moaned into his mouth at every thrust, hitting the right place. My dick rubbed against his stomach, the friction sending me over the edge. I rolled my head back and spilt in between us. I urged him to keep going, meeting him with each thrust. He pulled at my hair as his eyebrows came together, twisted in ecstacy. He dropped on my chest, grunting as he came.

"'Lex... fuck. You're so…. Ay, Dios, fuck."

He pulled out slowly and lay beside me, panting. He knotted the condom, huffed and got up again.

"Where are you going?" I asked.

"Just getting a towel… and getting rid of this, back in a minute."

He disappeared and returned with a wet cloth, passing it to me. I wiped myself clean with it and passed it back to him. He grinned and repeated my action, chucking it on the floor when he was done and rested his head on my rising and falling chest. He drew shapes on my arm with his finger.

"You… okay?" I asked, worried for a moment.

"I'm so, so good right now," he beamed at me and kissed my temple, "you?"

"I think the word 'good' has lost all meaning at this point," I chuckled, "but I am, so unbelievably good."