It was a warm afternoon and Michael and Alex had driven out into the middle of nowhere to have some privacy. They had barely climbed into the back of the truck before Michael started kissing Alex, usually this would move along pretty quickly but Alex seemed to have something on his mind today and wasn't cooperating. Michael didn't notice until he tried to pull up Alex's t-shirt and it got stuck at the arms.

"Lift your arms up then." Michael murmured into Alex's neck.

"I need to talk to you first."

Michael ignored him and started on his belt instead, kissing the side of his neck as he went. Alex let out a small groan of pleasure, Michael knew exactly how to get his way with him.

"Guerin." Alex urged breathlessly, pulling his neck away to meet his eyes. "It's important…"

"Lift your arms, then we'll talk." Michael instructed. Alex rolled his eyes as he lifted his arms up and Michael swiftly pulled the top over his head.

"Something happened today…" Alex started.

"Somethings happening right now." Michael teased, having now undone his belt and trousers and was pulling on them impatiently.

"Hey!" Alex snapped in amusement, stopping Michaels hand in place. "I'm trying to speak to you, you know words, talking. I know it's a foreign concept for you but –"

This had become work for Michael now, "Okay. We can talk, just help me take your trousers off first." he allowed.

"Hmm, I see where that is going to lead." Alex quipped suspiciously, leaving his trousers where they were.

Michael let out a noise of frustration, his face becoming hard. "Seriously?! You're not into this?" He challenged with a look mixed with confusion and annoyance.

"Oh I'm very into this." Alex smirked, finding it amusing how quickly Michael could lose his patience. "I just need to tell you something, and if we do this first, I might lose my nerve."

The tone of severity got Michaels attention, he seemed to give up on his pursuit and was now looking concerned. "Lose your nerve about what?"

"My dad."

Guerin recoiled at the subject, moving away from Alex. "Yep, that will shut things down pretty quickly. You should have started with that."

Having finally gotten Michael to listen, Alex was now apprehensive to speak.

"Well? What about him?" Michael pushed.

"He…he wants me to sign up."

Michael's body froze and went ridged. "Sign up where?" Michael pressed, knowing full well the answer but needing to hear Alex say it.

"The army. He came into my room today and announced that he wants me to join up, start my training at the end of the summer. He said that before he hadn't thought I was made of the right stuff but in light of my recent behaviour he's decided the army will 'set me straight'. We can assume he means literally…"

"He can't be serious." Michael spat.

"My dad's not really known for having a sense of humour Guerin."

"What did you say?"

"Nothing. I just let him talk. I didn't want to get into it with him and risk not seeing you today."

"Well you can't go, obviously. You're only seventeen! Jesus." Michael had now jumped down off the back of the truck and was pacing back and forth with menace.

"I'll be eighteen in two months. He said I can start my training early, that I'll need the extra time."

"Is this a sick joke? What is he thinking? You're his son! What is he going to do when you say no?"

"He's kicking me out either way. Said it's time I became a man. If I don't join up with his support, he says I'm on my own."

They looked at each other acknowledging the cruelty in that ultimatum. Neither of them had adults looking out for them. "You're not on your own." Michael comforted. He was thinking hard, trying to come up with a solution, but nothing was coming to mind. "You can stay with me."

The offer was instinctive, but Alex could see the panic in Michael's eyes. "Where?" He challenged.

"We can…we'll figure something out." Michael was unsure, he clearly didn't have a plan. "We need to stick together." He finished with certainty, he looked at Alex to see if he agreed, and there was a vulnerability in his eyes that Alex couldn't bear to disappoint.

"Okay." Alex nodded, though there was an element of confidence missing. He wanted more than anything to stay close to Michael but it seemed as if their options were non-existent. They both knew this but neither were willing to voice it. They sat in silence.

When the tension became too unbearable, Alex moved quickly and took off his trousers. He sat on the end of the truck in his boxers, in front of Micheal, who looked at him but didn't move to take the bait. They faced each other straight on, the gap between them suddenly feeling like a great void. The mood was stale and sombre.

"Seriously Guerin? You're not into this?" Alex teased, indicating this mostly naked form, he was desperately trying to lighten the mood.

Michael looked him up and down, but instead of lust, his eyes filled with a sadness, "I'm too into this." He admitted, the concern palpable.

Alex pushed himself off the edge of the truck and moved to meet him, taking his face in his hands and kissing him, a deep slow and meaningful kiss.

Michael let him but didn't take it any further, when Alex pulled away he stared at him as if he was about to break open. "Are you leaving me?"

The question lingered between them. Alex didn't know the answer, so he gave him what he could. "Not today." Michael wasn't happy with this response, he buried his face in his hands. "Today we're here, together. And I don't want to waste another minute." Alex pulled Michaels hands away and started kissing his face, his ears, his neck… He reached down and pulled up the bottom of his t-shirt which got stuck at the arms. "Lift your arms up then." Alex instructed with a smile, to which Michael cracked, laughing despite himself, he sighed a long exasperated sigh and then proceeded to do as he was told.