Michael's stirred from his sleep slowly, perturbed by the unfamiliar sound of Gavin's alarm. His brain tried to ignore it, using it as background noise to a dream he was losing, one that was beginning to slip away

"Michael" Gavin's voice cut through this state of uneasy dreaming and Michael woke mind seemed to be clouded in a misty confusion and he felt an empty sickness in his stomach. He sat upright and dizziness hit him like a brick.

His head hit his pillow but it wasn't long before he was up again. He groaned loudly and began vomiting, his stomach pulled inwards and he emptied bile all over himself. From beside him Gavin dry-heaved and got to his feet running out of the room before Michael had finished. Geoff came in a moment later with a pile of towels, a bucket, and a bottle of water.

He flopped down onto his pillow; sweaty and weakened by the whole ordeal. Geoff held him up and handed him the bucket, it wasn't of any use though, it was over. His health wasn't the problem, he wasn't sick. This was a physical reaction to all the stress, anxiety and sadness he'd been through.

Michael breathed heavily, taking in gulps of air, trying to refresh his system. Geoff rubbed his back while using his other hand to start clearing up the mess. He took a sip of water and swished it around his mouth, washing away the bitter acidic taste of puke away.

"Sorry"Michael said breathlessly

"Don't worry"

Michael was exhausted, more exhausted than he had ever been in his entire life. He slowly changed his shirt and , with a little help from Geoff, crawled into Gavin bed, letting himself fall into a deep sleep that his body had been craving for a long time.

Hours later Michael awoke bewildered, He didn't know where he was, But it quickly came flooding back to him. the moonlight lay across the bed and it made Michael wonder how long he' been asleep.

He peered around and spotted Gavin sitting in a chair in a far corner, the light from his phone illuminating his face.

"Hey Gavin" he said, sitting up.

Gavin jumped "You're awake!, are you okay?"

Michael smiled, he was okay. He felt refreshed. "yeah I am"

"Sorry I left you earlier, I really can't handle" he shivered at the memory "stuff like that"

"I don't blame you, it was awful"

Gavin got up and slipped into the bed beside him. "Does your cheek still hurt?..Its all blue and purple"

Michael raised his fingers to his face pressing in gently on it, he winced at the touch.

"I'll take that as a firm yes" Laughed Gavin "you hungry?"
Suddenly Michael realised he was way past hungry, he was ravenous. "I really am"

"Wait here" he hopped out of the bed and rushed out of the room, reappearing five minutes later with a steaming plate of fried rice and various vegetables. He placed the meal on Michael's lap handing him a metal fork and taking his spot next to him.

"Where'd you get this? Michael asked, surprised.

"Geoff made it for dinner, I just heated it up"

Michael grabbed the fork and wolfed the food down, eating with gusto. occasionally he made small noises of approval. Once he had finished the entire plate, making sure to lick it clean, he put the plate aside and sat back. He was content.

"Thanks by the way" Michael said, remembering he hadn't said it before.

"It's okay"

"Can we go for a walk?"

Gavin looked confused as t why he'd want to go walking at this time of the night but he nodded and grinned "of course we can" he pulled his shoes on and Michael did the same.

"We're going for a walk Geoff!"Gavin called on their way out of the door

"Don't be out too late alright?, there's school tomorrow"

"Okay, we'll be back soon" he turned to Michael "so, where to?"

"Anywhere"

And that's where they went, walking and talking, they let their legs take them away, down twisting roads and suspicious alleyways. Nothing seemed to phase them. The moon shone bright and strong, it lit up the whole world around them. Eventually they stooped next to a large creaking oak tree, in a park they didn't know the name or location of and they laid down near it, watching the stars like they had done a few weeks before.

"It's so...big" Gavin whispered, his arm outstretched towards the star laden sky, his eyes wide with appreciation and spectacular wonder.

Michael watched Gavin and felt his heart begin to beat faster, and suddenly nothing mattered except him.

"I need to tell you something" Michael said, he propped himself up on his elbow "something very important"

Gavin mirrored Michael and said "I already know remember"

"No you don't, I haven't told you yet"

"Brett told everyone you're gay, how could you forget?"

Michael laughed "Not that gav"

"Oh, sorry, what is it"

"Well, uhh" he blushed a deep red and hoped the darkness would cover it "I...like you Gavin"

"I like you too Michael. we didn't really get on at the start though, You were really stubborn and a bit of and "

"And you were annoying and I- that's not what I meant" He paused, he was going to sound like a ten year old girl saying it but he did anyway "I like like you, I want to date you kind of like"

"Oh"

"Yeah" Michael lied back down and looked to the sky, he breathed a sigh of relief. All his secrets were out, he didn't have anything to hide any more. He only hoped that Gavin would continue to be his friend.

Michael heard movement from beside him and seconds later Gavin was over him, his hair flopping down over his face "you didn't wait for reply to that little confession" He smirked the he looked serious "I like like you too" He brought his face down closer to Michael's and they closed their eyes. Gavin pressed his lips softly onto Michael's, His hands went up to Gavin's head and ran his fingers through his hair. They slowly sat up continuing their impassioned movements. Their noses brushed against each other as they moved their heads. Michael bit at Gavin's lip gently, he could taste a hint of orange flavoured lip-balm. They parted naturally, undisturbed.

They put their foreheads together and began to laugh in pure bliss. Michael wrapped his arms around him and squeezed. "I really like you" Gavin squeezed back "And I really like you"

"Boyfriends" Gavin shouted into the night.

Their fingers intertwined as they made their way back home, Michael didn't think he'd ever be this happy after what had happened just a day ago, but he knew it wouldn't last long so he tightened his grip on Gavin and smiled, He'd enjoy it for now.