A/N: Here are the final two chapters. I was inspired by you reviewers to finally give it an ending, and I hope you all like it! Thank you to everyone who's been reading! You're all amazing. :)
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Much to both boys' surprise, it didn't take long for Craig to decide support group was worth skipping and volunteer his empty house in the interest of solving his problem.
"But Joey..."
"Work."
"Angie?"
"Simpson's."
"And Joey gets off of work when?"
Craig rolled his eyes as he hurriedly led Marco up his stairs. "You worry too much." After showing Marco into his bedroom, Craig shut his door and swallowed hard. Both stared at each other for a tense moment before Craig jumped and pressed Marco's mouth to his own, skipping all niceties and allowing his tongue to do whatever it might please. Before long, Marco backed into Craig's bed and flopped down on his back, taking an eager Craig with him and returning the hungry kiss in what was possibly the sloppiest make-out of either of their experiences. Hands explored beneath shirts as Craig pinned Marco on his comforter, and Craig couldn't help but dip his hips onto Marco's as his jeans tightened uncomfortably. Coming up for air, Craig rolled over beside Marco and breathed heavily for a savored moment, then quickly pulled off his shirt; Marco took the opportunity to do the same. He then hovered above Craig, dragging a finger from Craig's navel to his chest and sinking onto the larger boy's body with a strategic placement of his thigh between both of Craig's.
Despite his initial, very receptive, reaction, Craig pulled back suddenly. Marco's expression became concerned. "Craig? You okay?"
Craig swallowed and nodded, but as if changing his mind in a split second, he replied, "Not sure." Marco slid to the side tentatively, leaving Craig beside him, staring up at the ceiling and breathing heavily.
Marco turned his body in Craig's direction and watched him silently before propping himself up on an elbow and brushing Craig gently on the shoulder. "Craig? Look, if you want to stop—"
"I don't. It's just—" Craig turned his head to look up to Marco. "It's just kind of weird. That's all. I'm not used to, you know..."
"I understand," said Marco, and he sat up to retrieve his shirt. As he reached, though, Craig placed his palm on Marco's chest and shook his head.
"I'm fine," he insisted, and moving his arm around Marco's back, pulled Marco into their previous position, shuddering slightly at the tingle of skin-to-skin contact.
Marco looked down with his eyes—so understanding—and smiled. "We'll take it slow," he said, and met Craig's lips softly before bringing the kissing and touching back up to pace. Before long, jeans unzipped, and Craig marveled at just how great Marco was with his hands and let his hips rock and ask for more. He could feel so much blood rushing, so much good feeling, so much...
"Craig! I'm home!"
Both boys leapt up and scrambled for clothing in a fury of cursing. It seemed that Marco was on the same page as Craig, knowing that Joey might have gone so far as letting his own stepson punch him in the face, but would probably not know how to deal with finding Craig making out with a boy in his bedroom. In fact, Joey hadn't been particularly happy when he'd walked in on Craig and Ashley the first time, but Craig still thought that was bullshit because he'd heard stories about Joey's behavior in high school. Craig liked knowing that he could justify so many of his wrongdoings with "But you did that when you were my age!"; this, on the other hand, most likely would not be covered under that policy.
"Craig? You up there?" The voice was noticeably closer.
Craig cleared his throat as he yanked his shirt over his head and shakily yelled, "Uh, yeah, hi!" Quickly he smoothed his hair down and straightened out his shirt, then opened the door with the least obvious smile he could muster. "Joey, hey!"
Expression curious, Joey cocked his head to try to see into Craig's room. He lowered his voice and asked, "Have someone over?"
Craig's face slightly crinkled at Joey's tone. "A friend," he replied, opening the door fully. "Just Marco."
"Oh," Joey said between laughs. "Hey Marco!"
Marco walked up behind Craig and waved politely. "Hi Mr. Jeremiah."
"You guys having band practice or something?" Craig shook his head and Joey shrugged. "Oh, okay," he said as he headed back down the stairs. "I'll be down here if you need anything."
After Joey could be heard entering the kitchen, Craig swung his head to look down at Marco and plainly stated, "Holy shit." He paused and crossed his arms. "But you know, that's the best mood he's been in for a while. Strange."
Marco casually leaned back against the door frame. "What can I say, Craig? I guess I have that effect on people," he said, grinning. Craig shoved Marco's shoulder playfully, Marco fought back, and within no time, the flirting escalated to another kiss. This time, however, Craig pulled away before anything could go too far.
"Not while Joey's home," he insisted, but Marco knew there was more to it.
"Craig, talk to me."
After pausing to consider his words, Craig said, "You know I'm impulsive, right?"
Marco looked amused. "Uh huh."
"This was kind of an impulse for me. I mean, the whole thing, me—uh—wanting you. Very impulsive." Marco's expression read neutral, but Craig could tell that he hadn't considered his words well enough. He quickly amended, "Not that it was a bad thing. Not at all! Actually, it was good. Very, very good."
"Craig," Marco interjected, "just get to the point."
"I don't really get what I'm feeling. I don't understand. I guess, after spending all this time thinking girls were it for me, it's just weird. And you're my friend first, and a relationship—"
"Whoa, Craig. Relationship?"
"I'm just saying, Marco. I mean, you're going away for the summer, and I'm still, y'know, confused."
"You're bisexual, Craig, nothing to be worried about. And yeah, I agree with you." Marco eyes caught Craig's. "Besides, can I be honest with you?" Craig nodded. "As much as I want to be past it all, the Dylan thing—I don't think I am."
"Hey," Craig said kindly, wrapping his arm around Marco's shoulder and pulling him in, "I think you've heard enough about my problems to deserve to talk to me about yours." Marco returned the semi-hug and nodded. "Any time. Even from Africa. I listen really well through email and letters and stuff."
Smiling, Marco straightened up and gave Craig a pat on the back. "You're a good guy, you know that?"
Craig swayed his head back and forth indecisively before giving in and grinning. "Yeah, yeah."
After a quick check of his watch, Marco shoved his hands in his pockets and shrugged. "Well," he said, "I actually have to get going. Ma wants me to start packing." He paused, taking a moment to look down at the floor before returning his gaze to Craig. "Promise to write?"
Craig nodded. "Promise. And uh, I guess I'll see you at school?"
"Yeah, see you then," Marco replied, and somewhat anticlimactically he left the room.
Standing in complete silence following what had been one of the wildest afternoons of his life, still not completely aware of how much had really happened, Craig simply sat down on his bed in shock.
