Rich

When will those two come up for air? I looked over at them a while ago, just in time to see Craig nudge John Paul with his nose. John Paul looked at Craig and moments later they were fused together by their lips, and have been ever since. I've tried not to look, but it's… well sort of hypnotizing, they're not doing anything other than just kissing, but you can tell that they truly love each other, it just radiates from them, that love.

I'm hardly being discrete the way I keep looking and I do turn my attention back to the TV once in a while, but, well to be perfectly honest, watching them is more exciting than watching this footy match.

It's perfectly clear to me that what those two have can't be broken apart, and although it does hurt to know I can't ever have Craig, I am, deep down, really pleased for him that he has that special someone in his life. Because the Craig that I first got to know here, and the Craig sat over there sucking on his boyfriends face, well it's two totally different people. This Craig is far happier, far more comfortable around here, he's more… well it's as if he's more alive. The Craig we all spent time with before John Paul came to Dublin some months ago, well… after he began socializing with us he was trying, I think we could all sense that, but he was still miserable.

It's just nice to see him be happy and comfortable here, because I don't think he ever was before, he'd told us how big a deal coming to Dublin, to Trinity, was to him, but it's only these past two months that he seems to be really excited about it, and I know it's all because of John Paul. Sighing to myself I shake my head and stop looking at them, focusing on the TV instead, I do hope what I have with Paula, the relationship we have, I do hope it will become as great as what those two have. I must have been blind if I thought I'd have a shot in with Craig, cause honestly there's no chance in hell he'd even look at me once.

I jump as the doorbell goes off and then look over at the guys as they try to untangle themselves so that one of them can get up to go and open the door. Letting out a chuckle I get up just as Craig accidentally elbows John Paul in the stomach. "Just stay put, and carry on with the face sucking Craig, you'll do less damage that way," I shake my head as they both look at each other and shrug, as I leave the room I see Craig settle back down, cupping John Paul's face once more.

God those two, well we've all heard their lovemaking so really, it shouldn't come as a surprise that they are stuck to each other's lips like that. I do hope we get to socialize with them sometimes, at least I'd like that, and after the talks I had with both of them, I do have a feeling that they both would like that too, well I know they socialize with the others, so I hope I can be included whenever I am actually here.

Opening the door, I am almost pushed aside by Rae as she rushes inside, she's soaking wet and it takes me a minute to realize that it's raining outside, "God, what a day to forget your key, thank god someone was in, or I'd have had to stay out there until one of your guys came home." She shakes off her jacket and then stops as she sees it's me stood there, "What are you doing here?"

"I live here Rae," I chuckle as I take the wet jacket from her, "Now, you go get dried off, and I'll stick the kettle on," I head for the kitchen, "Maybe a cuppa will get those two in there," I gesture to the living room, "to stop sucking on each other's faces for a couple of minutes."

"You what?"

"You heard, now go on, before you catch a cold." I look at her for a moment then chuckle at her shocked expression, "It's fine Rae, all sorted, now go on, your tea will be ready when you get back."

She stays put for a second just looking at me, but I simply smile and head into the kitchen, flicking the kettle on I hear her go upstairs and shake my head once more. She'd been really great during my entire being rejected by Craig period, really supportive, always telling me to focus on Paula, that I would feel better soon, and she was right, in a way, now that I have let go of that fantasy of being with Craig, I do feel better, it's as if a weight has been lifted off my shoulders.

She's a good mate, always there for you, never expecting anything back in return, and I think all of us are really close to her, because she's there, she cares, she listens, she looks out after all of us. I'll have to thank her properly for being there for me when I needed someone, just have to figure out what to do and then do it for her, she deserves that.

I prepare four mugs of tea and once the water boils I add it, then find a tray placing the teas on it, with the bowl of sugar, the milk, some spoons and some biscuits and as I'm heading out the kitchen door, Rae comes down, having changed, with a towel in hand to dry her hair. She smiles and then walks past me, holding open the door to the living room.

Entering the room we both see the two lovebirds are still going at it, with the kissing, Rae instantly places her hand on my shoulder, in a comforting motion, but I just smile to show her I'm okay, and then head over to the coffee-table with the tray, placing it down and then clearing my throat. John Paul and Craig both finally part, "I don't know how you two drink your teas, so I figured you'd just add your own milk and sugar." I tell them as I add milk and sugar to my own mug.

Both of them greet Rae as she comes over and picks up her tea, adding the milk, and sits down on the sofa, I join her and we both watch how John Paul, almost automatically, prepares their teas for them, stirring first one then the other mug, he hands Craig his and then sits back, taking a sip of his own.

Rae

I don't think Rich has ever seen those two be together like I have, we've been watching them for a couple of minutes now, and even though they do talk to us and are paying attention to what we're saying, it's rather clear that they only see each other. Normally I'd be offended, but I can't with those two, not when I know their story, not when I know how much Craig has evolved from just a year ago. For him to be like this with another bloke, it's just incredible.

I had been a tad bit surprised when Rich said the guys were home and he'd been in the same room as them, watching them kiss, I'm not sure what's gone on, but they're, all three of them, communicating and it doesn't seem forced. Though I can tell that Craig is still a bit wary and I can see that Rich isn't completely over Craig, but at the same time I do sense that he knows he can't compete with John Paul, and I genuinely believe that he is happy for both of them.

It's funny, you don't really want to look at them, because it is a bit rude, but at the same time you just can't stop yourself, it's as if they are in their own little bubble, at least whenever they look into each other's eyes, and I sense that they are having a silent conversation whenever they do that, at least if the small smiles and nods are anything to go by.

I see Rich smile as Craig leans in and kisses John Paul and it's a bit weird, because I can tell he isn't over Craig, but he seems really happy for him, or them rather, and I do believe that he is actually happy. I'll have to talk to him later, once we all go to bed, I'll just go to Rich's room and talk with him then.

"So did you guys do anything today?" I wonder and watch as all three of them look at me, Rich shakes his head and looking over at the two, I see them both begin to blush. Craig grips John Paul's hand and presses a kiss to the palm of it before addressing me.

"I think we fell even more in love, if that's even possible," he says as he looks directly at me, then turns his head to look at a smiling John Paul, "And I wouldn't change it for the world." He continues as John Paul bites his lip. I take a sip of my tea, as does Rich. "Oh and then JP called his mum, and she thought he'd gotten AIDS."

"You what?" we both ask and look from John Paul to Craig.

"Why'd she ask that?" I wonder.

"Oh, well…" John Paul begins, "I suppose you can say she worries too much, speaks before she thinks…" he looks at Craig who nods, "But it was partially my fault, I was telling her I moved here, you know, like now… And… Well I was a bit nervous about telling her, and she thought this thing I wanted to tell her was health related, it seems, and yeah so she just said that." He shrugs, "I mean, it's a horrible disease, but that's really the first thing she thinks about if I feel just slightly ill," he shakes his head, "You know, gay and AIDS, she worries too much."

"Well that's cause you're the only boy and that's what mothers to, worry about their kids," Craig tells him and I nod my head in agreement.

"Yeah I know Craig, but well it's hardly the best thing to think about or even say to your child."

"True, but you know Myra, she'll always worry, regardless and she'll always assume the worst, that way, no matter what you lot tell her, it won't seem as bad."

"Suppose so, I just wish she didn't always assume the worst, I mean she doesn't think that about any of the girls, just me."

"I think she has loads to worry about with your sisters too, but you know AIDS and being gay it does get associated." Craig informs him and looking at John Paul I see him look at Craig for a moment then slowly nod his head.

"Suppose so," he sighs, then shakes his head, "But anyways, how was your day?" He looks over at me as he speaks and I smile.

"Oh good, yeah.. couple of classes, met up with some friends." I shrug, "Then got caught out in the rain and realized I'd forgotten my key, good think you guys were home, otherwise I'd have been stood outside until someone showed up."

"You could've just called one of us," Craig says and I nod, I probably would've, but still I'd have been outside and yeah been wet and cold.

"Yeah, but if you'd have been downtown it'd still have taken you a bit to get back." He nods at this and I shrug, "But yeah, other than that a good day."

"Oh that's good," John Paul says and then looks over at Rich, "It's good to see you've got more color into your face now, you really did look ill earlier on." He shakes his head, "Must've been some bug or something."

Rich nods and they talk a bit about his day, which hadn't been that eventful, seems he'd felt sick from when he left his girlfriend this morning but hadn't thought much about it, until he'd been sick at school. But he's feeling better now, so I suppose it was just some bug, like John Paul said before.

It's good to see Rich interact with them, a bit weird, but good, I've felt bad that he's been sort of left out of things, but it's not like he was around for that much, he opted to be with his girlfriend for long periods, especially when he knew John Paul would be around. But yeah he's making an effort and so are they, and so far so good, also judging by how they were when I first came in, I'm thinking there has not been any awkwardness, which is good. Maybe we can all get along properly now.

"Right, we're gonna leave you guys to it for a little bit," John Paul says after a while and all of us, Craig too, look at him, "We've got something we have to do…" he continues then looks at Craig, "Or rather, Craig has something he has to do." Looking over at Craig it's obvious he has no idea what John Paul is on about.

"I do?" he wonders, making Rich and me chuckle.

"Yeah you do…" John Paul says with a smile, "We're gonna go up to our room, and then you'll sit down and look through your books and get ready for tomorrow."

Craig instantly shakes his head, "But I did everything before coming out to visit you," he smiles, "There's no need to look at it, I know it all."

"It won't hurt to freshen up your memory then," John Paul says, a bit firmer now.

"But… John Paul…" Craig frowns and is about to continue his protestation when John Paul stands up.

"No buts Craig…" he looks at Craig and continues, "I'm not letting you go to school without being prepared, imagine the amount of hate your mum will be sending my way if you suddenly don't do well in school…" he shakes his head as Craig opens his mouth, "No complaints, no nothing, just up to the room and go through some of your work…" biting his lip he smiles and holds out his hand for Craig to grip, "There'll be a reward for you when you finish."

Craig's face throughout this had gone from frown, to confusion, to pout, but as soon as John Paul mentioned a reward, he perked up, instantly smiling and gripped John Paul's hand as he got to his feet, then practically dragged John Paul out of the room with him.

Looking at Rich, we both end up laughing, I've seen this before, John Paul really wanting Craig to focus on school, even though Craig didn't necessarily want to, but yeah John Paul knows how to get Craig to do things, and it works, as we've just witnessed.

"They're perfect for each other," Rich says and I nod, because, they really are perfect for each other.

That's that for this week, thanks for reading and hope you enjoyed.