Eli's POV-two weeks later

Today's the day. Blake's finally getting out of the hospital! He's strong enough to be able to get out of that damn hospital bed! Of course, he's going to have to skip another week of school, but…it's well worth it. I've been following his orders, most of them. He's still on my case about my worrying. Like I care, though. I'm gonna be his primary caregiver when I'm not in school. My mom is taking care of him during school hours.

Yep. You heard it. Blake's coming to live with me and my family. My mom's excited. She's easing up on things, though school will never be one of those. She loves Blake to death. Like one of her own sons. Or son, I should say. Being an only child does have its benefits. My dad, however…not so happy. I think it's because he's afraid that Blake will try to rape me at night.

Yeah…I'm probably the one he has to worry about. Me and my raging boy hormones.

Anyway…onto the story. ^_^

"Excited?" I ask breathlessly as I pack what's left of Blake's clothing into his suitcase. He's getting his clothes on, being careful of the bandages still covering his torso.

"Yeah, definitely. Especially about living with you. Are all of my things from home at your house now?"

"Yep. In the spare bedroom. That was always meant for if Mom ever wanted another kid, but no such luck." We laughed stiffly.

"Well, can't say I'll miss this place. It did keep me safe, though."

"Yeah, but you'll be safe with us."

"Of course. So…I can sneak in your room at night? Whenever I want?" He gave a side-long glance, his expression getting to be one that I've only seen on Jake or Kimi or those jocks and cheerleaders tonging each other in the halls. He wants some action.

"Whoa, hold it there! Just 'cause you're living with us now does NOT mean you're gonna get action whenever you want without my permission!"

He burst out laughing. "No, no, I meant sleep in your room with you. And if I got your permission?"

"Pervert!" I smacked his head jokingly. Though I shouldn't be talking. "Anyway, let's get going!" I linked my arm with his, heaving his bag to my shoulder and pulling him out of the room.

"Okay, okay, I get it. Wouldn't want to keep Eli Jr. waiting."

"Blake!" I shouted, swinging my arm out.

"Sorry!"

"You better be!"

Later—Eli's house

"Is Blake settled in?" My mother asked when I came downstairs after helping Blake arrange the spare bedroom to his liking.

"Yep. He sure settled in."

"What do you mean?" She glanced over, puzzled.

"Fell asleep as soon as he hit the bed. I thought he'd had enough sleep."

"Maybe he did at the hospital. This is the first time he's really had a home to call his own."

"What's for dinner?" I subconsciously rubbed my growling stomach.

"Whatever you can find. I'm going out shopping tomorrow, though."

"Cool."

"Eli, I really don't feel comfortable with this boy staying here." My father had come into the kitchen, stern and most likely begging for an argument.

"Why?"

"He shouldn't mooch off of us just because of family issues."

"Hello?! He got freaking stabbed by them!"

"Yes, well," He cleared his throat. "We can't deny their choice of parenting style is acceptable, but-"

"Parenting choices?! That's what you call it?!" I couldn't believe how stupid he sounded. It was ridiculous!

"Whatever it is called, it's not our problem. We can't take in every troubled boy just because of that."

"It's called abuse, dad! And he's my boyfriend!"

He cringed, leaning away from me. "I really wish you wouldn't say that."

"Say what? Just because I'm different, I'm a freak or something? I can't help being this way! It's great. It makes me feel happy and loved! He treats me so gently, putting me before him! He's more decent than any girl I've ever met!"

"Couldn't you like that weird friend of yours, the girl?"

"Kimi?! She has nothing to do with this! It's about you being a homophobic! Blake is staying here! I'm not going to abandon him just because you want me to!"

"Eli, calm down." My mother tried to come between me and my father. I moved her aside.

"Please, Mom, let me do this."
"You want me to accept you the way you are?"

"Yes!"

"Well, then, let's talk it out like men." He said, rolling up his sleeves and making fists.

"All right, then. Homophobic bastard!" I shouted as I punched him in the side of the jaw.

"I'm not going to call you names. I'm civilized." He said as he threw punch after punch at me. He got more hits landed than I did, of course he would. He's taller and older than me. But I couldn't lose this fight. Too much was on the line.

We fought like this for a good ten minutes, knocking things over and just making it into a full-out brawl. I'd never fought like this with my father before. But it's time he learned that I'm not going to roll over and be an obedient little dog.

So when he had me pinned down by my arms, with my mother shouting for it to end, I decided to play dirty. Kick to that special area.

He fell over, clutching the area, and I scrambled out of the pin.

"Now leave my boyfriend alone. Got that?" I breathed heavily, tasting metallic in my mouth. Stupid bastard split my lip, gave me a black eye, couple cuts on my face, and a bloody nose.

"You fight well. Who taught you?" I hadn't inflicted so much damage to him. Hint of a black eye, bloody nose.

"No one. I fight for what I want."

"Eli, honey, let me clean those up."

"No, thanks. A man takes his injuries. Remember what I said, dad. I love him and I'm never letting him go. I'm going back upstairs."

And before my father could object, I'd already spun on my heel and started up the stairs, still fuming from the fight.

How could he be so senseless?

Oh, that's right. He's a homophobic.

"Eli, what's going on? I heard noises—Eli! Oh, my god! What happened?" Blake had appeared in the doorway of his room, and once he'd saw my injuries, had run to my side, holding my face gently.

"I was fighting for something I love. My dad didn't approve, but I told him that I fight for what I want."

"What is it?" He said distractedly as he turned my face back and forth in his always cool hands.

"You."

"Me? You fought for me?"

"Yeah. And I always will." I leaned my forehead against his, smiling widely.

"As will I." He smiled too.

We stood there for awhile, foreheads pressed together until we finally got too tired to stand anymore. We ended up sleeping together on Blake's bed, holding each other.

I'm not sure exactly, but I think someone came in during the night.

I'm not sure.

I was too busy enjoying Blake's presence.