Mike curled up on his bed in his room. It had finally got to him. His parents hadn't sent anything. Mike had been used to them not caring, which is why he spent his days in front of the television or computer. Though it never hit him, even for a second, that they wouldn't atleast write on occassions. He had taken a little of his anger out on Charlie. He didn't mean to, but he was envious, plus it also helped him not to fall completely in love. After awhile, the tears started spilling onto his pillow.
Charlie came in later, staring at Mike. He walked over to him, eyes full of concern. "What's wrong?"
"Nothing, just leave me alone." Mike mumbled to him.
Charlie sat on the bed next to him, stroking his back. "Come on, you can't just keep pushing me away. You know I'm here for you. I'll always be here for you, I promise."
Mike turned around and stared angrilly. "Do me a favour and don't make promises you can't keep."
"Have I done something wrong? Ever since we kissed you've been acting weird. I thought you liked me." Charlie turned away, a little hurt.
Mike sighed. "I do. I really do and I don't want you to go.Just stay with me for now, please." He pulled Charlie into his arms and together they just lay there. Mike rested his head on Charlie's chest and listened to his heartbeat. He sobbed openly, glad that Charlie was there. "Please don't go."
"Okay, if you want me to, I'll stay here this weekend." Charlie whispered, planting kisses along Mike's forehead. "You're the most important thing to me right now."
"Please don't say that." Mike whispered weakly.
"Do you want me to lie to you?" Charlie grabbed Mike's hand. "I can't help how I feel."
"Don't say that when you know that soon enough, you'll be gone and you'll forget me." Mike said softly, wiping his eyes. "We have to face the facts. You'll say that now, but then you'll go just like everybody else."
Charlie put the pieces together. "This is about your parents isn't it? They still haven't said anything? Mike I'm so sorry." He pulled Mike even closer to him, stroking his hair for reassurance. "I'll do anything not to leave you. For now, can't we just have good times together. Enjoy it and don't let it cloud anything."
Mike nodded. A few minutes later his breathing evened out with sleep. Charlie hopped off the bed and put a blanket over Mike. Watching him for a few minutes, he couldn't help smiling. He needed Mike more than he cared to admit, especially since his family was shrinking by the moment. George dead, Georgina in a psychiatric ward on suicide watch, Joe and Josephine now in a retirement home. Mike had helped Charlie through that in the two weeks that had passed, now Charlie knew he needed to repay him in every way possible.
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"I wish I could hold your hand in school grounds." Mike whispered as they walked through the local shopping centre. "Even now we have to be wary."
Charlie planted a kiss on Mike's cheek. "Ooops, I slipped." He grinned, giving Mike's hand a squeeze.
"How are you holding up?"Mike asked seriously, leading Charlie into a cafe. "Everything okay with your family?"
"I'm holding up as best I can." Charlie said. "I know it's for the best, but I wish I had their support sometimes."
"I wish I had some support." Mike replied.
They didn't speak until they ordered their food. It was then that Mike had to blurt out. "You're the best thing that's ever happened to me, you know that?"
Charlie smiled at him, blushing a little. "Thank you. You know I feel the same way."
"You still blush whenever I say things like that. It's cool." Mike nudged him with his foot. "You don't have to say you feel the same way though. I mean your family is number one to you, plus you've inherited a chocolate factory. How can you say I'm the best thing to happen to you after that?"
Charlie grabbed Mike's hands seriously, looking deep into his eyes. "You were there for me when no-one was. Chocolate is a material possesion, which could have left me alone. Then I met you and you restored my faith in people. Kissing you is just so...perfect."
The waitress came back with their drinks, looking a little stunned as she saw their fingers intertwined. Though she put down the glasses and Mike and Charlie just laughed it off. Sipping their drinks and grinning as she walked away.
"Thanks Charlie." Mike leaned over the table and kissed his lips softly, not caring if anyone saw. "You ordered a chocolate milkshake didn't you?"
"Sorry, forgot about-" Charlie started, but Mike put a finger to his lips.
"That's okay." Mike reassured him, smiling. "I think I've grown to like the taste of chocolate." With that, he gave Charlie another quick kiss.
The waitress came back with their food, still looking at the two young boys who were obviously together. "You make a very cute couple. Enjoy your food." She said quickley, setting the food down and leaving.
"Can you imagine the look on Headmaster Ryan's face if he found out?" Mike laughed. "Though I like being room mates with you a lot more and as much as I'd love to shout how I feel about you from the rooftops, it's kind of cool having a secret no-one knows about."
"I agree. Besides if they found out what goes on in the dorm rooms, they'd probably expell us and I want to keep you around forever."
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Mike had sent his parents an e-mail, saying how he felt and how he hated them for what they had done. He recieved a reply a few days later, on the Wednesday night. Looking at Charlie asleep, he decided not to wake him up to have moral support for the reaction. Taking a deep breath, he opened the e-mail and read:
Son, I am so sorry. We have been e-mailing you non-stop but apparently it has been to the wrong address. We found that out a few days ago and didn't know the correct one. I am sorry you think we didn't care because it's the exact opposite. We love you, we miss you terribly and we want you home for Christmas. Mike, I hope you reply to this and know that everything said is true. You're mother has been crying non-stop because you haven't replied and we were both deeply saddened by your e-mail. Please forgive us. Love Dad and Mum.
Mike felt the weight of the world lifted off his shoulders. He couldn't stop smiling and had to share the news with Charlie. Once again, his gaze drifted to the figure laying asleep. Hair parted so neatly around his face, looking so peaceful and innocent. Mike almost didn't want to wake him up. Though he noticed Charlie's feet poking out the bottom of his blanket. Reaching over he gave the sole a quick tickle.
The sleeping figure smiled and squirmed a little. Mike couldn't help but find the reaction adorable. He tickled Charlie's feet again, this time greeted with a soft giggle from the other end of the bed. Grinning Mike continued to tickle Charlie until he woke up.
"Hey, what are you doing?" Charlie managed to say through laughter. "Stop...that...please."
Mike stopped, so nobody could hear Charlie's sweet full forced laughter. He told his boyfriend about the letter from his parents and how he just had to wake him up to tell him. Throwing his arms around Charlie he let out a happy sigh. "You are so perfect."
"I'm glad you're happy, but you didn't have to tickle me." Charlie replied.
"It's your own fault for looking so damn good, and for making me want you to smile all the time." Mike playfully poked his sides. "Finger slipped, sorry."
Charlie tackled Mike to the floor and the two of them had a playful tickle war. When Mike was pinned by Charlie, he put his hands up in surrender and touched Charlie's face. Moving closer, he kissed Charlie passionately. He wanted to end the night perfectly and as he felt Charlie respond to his kiss and wrap his arms tightly around him, he couldn't have been happier. Eventually the two fell asleep, cuddled up together on the floor. Moonlight drifted in through the window, shining on them. As though someone was watching over the two who were falling in love.