Funny story in the making of this actually, this was supposed to be the first chapter of my own book about them. But, I decided against it, as inspiration for it completely left me and I had no other ideas left. So, for now I'll stick with the one shots rather than an entire book, but maybe some time... :)

"Hey! Do you know where I can find the best coffee shop in New York? I'm kind of new here, mind showing me around town?"

Brian tumbled a bit over the edge when he heard someone behind him yell. He refused to answer though, it probably wasn't even meant for him. If he took just one more step it'd be all over, so ignoring the stranger, he chose to focus on that rather than the voice yelling at him.

"I was talking to you, yes. So, would you mind?" The stranger apparently did not know how to stop, pressing Brian's buttons while he just wanted to get this over with.

"Yes I would. Would you mind shutting up now?! I'm kind of in the middle of something!" It wasn't probably one of the best ideas he's had to snap back at a total stranger, especially since it looked like he only wanted to help, but he didn't want anyone bothering him now. Not when he was just seconds away from ending his life.

But God and faith seemed to have different plans.

"I can see that, yeah, I was actually trying to stop you from doing so." Brian looked around to see if other people might be eavesdropping nearby, but no one was there. Of course they wasn't anyone around, this should have been an abandoned bridge in the middle of the forest, if it wasn't for that one weird stranger trying to sabotage his plans Brian would have been completely alone. No one in their right minds would have thought this would be the perfect picnic and hiking spot. Unless some killer was trying to cover up a bloody body by dumping it here and getting away with murder, no one should have been around. So if you weren't a psychopathic murderer, this wasn't the ideal spot to be this late in the evening, especially in the winter as it got darker outside more quickly than in the summer.

"Why would you? You don't even know me, this is the first time we meet." Brian wasn't about to let this stranger get to him, his mind was set on jumping, there was no way this boy could change that. Something about him made Brian want to reconsider his decision though, his heart told him he'd get to know the boy a bit better, and the only way he could do that was to stay alive.

"But I want to, and if you do that I'll never have the change to."

He didn't meant to but the brunet broke down in tears, little rivers were violently streaming down his cheeks. Unknown to the strange boy, he was the first one that actually showed interest in Brian and his complicated life. Brian couldn't help but feel cared for, even if it was for just a moment. Suddenly he did not want to end his life so bad anymore, but could he turn back? Would it make him look like a coward because he didn't dare take the final step anymore?

"So will you please get down? For me?" The unexpected visitor's voice sounded sincere as he stretched out his hand for Brian to hold on to. With little hesitation Brian accepted it and it took a few moments and attempts, but within a blink of the eye he was back with two feet on the solid ground, something he never expected to do again after this.

"Hi, I'm Eric. Now I'm not the 'stranger that saved your life' anymore." Eric shook their intertwined hands with a gentle smile on his face, but never made an attempt to let it go after.

"I'm Brian, it's nice to meet you. Sorry you had to see that first though." Brian couldn't help but feel incredibly embarrassed about the previous encounter, when he thought too much about it he wished there was an hole that would swallow him up. God what was he thinking? It was stupid of him to do that, he's been through much more over and over again, his effort to stay alive would go completely down the drain like that.

"Likewise, and please don't feel the need to apologize, it happens more common than you think and you probably have more than enough reasons to consider that option." Ocean blue eyes stared at him, and it was only now Brian noticed how beautiful this boy was. He probably wasn't much older than him, Brian was sure they were merely months apart. His features were soft and had a little fading tan on them, Brian figured that would wear completely off in the following months though, the boy just probably liked sunbathing. Eric's hair consisted out of a black and white side, he had to admit that was a very bold fashion move to be rocking like that. The roots were slowly growing back to the dirty blonde strings of hair it once had been. What Brian didn't know, and for his own sake Eric would probably never tell him, was the story of the stupid dare that had brought this upon him. Brian couldn't help but notice that Eric's eyes seemed to shine brighter in the sunlight, but he couldn't pinpoint the exact color of them. They'd looked ocean blue before, but now with the sun shining on them, you could see little swirls of brown and green in them. Brian was sure he would get lost in them if he'd stare at them for any longer.

"Do you want to talk about it?" Brian's little observative bubble burst when Eric spoke up again, those pretty eyes he couldn't stop staring at now searching for his.

"I don't, if that's okay." Brian wasn't about to tell this stranger who he'd just met his entire life-story, especially not after Eric's successful attempt to save him from another one of his not so smart decisions he'd made. Brian doubted it'd be the last time. So no, he didn't want to talk about it, not now, not ever, but something about this further mysterious boy made Brian want to keep the conversation going.

"Yeah, of course, on your own terms. We could sit down at those rocks over there and talk about anything else though, if you're up for it?" Eric sounded a little hesitant, as if he was afraid for Brian's answer. The brunet couldn't blame him though, he practically barked at the boy a few minutes ago.

"I don't want to waste your time, I'm sure you have something more important to do." Brian inwardly cringed at his answer, his intention hadn't been to sound so insecure but his voice betrayed him. Actually, he couldn't believe what was happening right now, despite his mind telling him to run away as quickly as he could and to not embarrass himself furthermore. Here he was, mere seconds after trying to take his own life, holding hands with quite possibly the prettiest boy he'd ever seen, (Eric had yet to let go of his hand, but it seemed like he didn't even want to, and Brian was very much okay with that.)

"I told you I wanted to get to know you, right? Well, I'm not known for breaking promises, and besides, I think my bed won't mind waiting a bit longer." A chuckle left Brian's lips, and for the first time in a while he allowed himself to feel a tiny piece of hope again. Maybe it'd felt like the world would be better off without him before, but it certainly didn't now, not when Eric showed his absolutely breathtaking smile.

So when both boys finally moved to the rocks nearby the conversation started flowing naturally, they didn't even give the universe time to catch up and plan an awkward pause in it. Hours flew right pass them, neither one noticing, and Brian told Eric about his dreams of becoming a doctor after enrolling into medical school when he'd graduate high school. Eric shared every single detail about his dedication to dancing, especially how Chloe and him were just this close to grabbing a national title, ("I can feel it Brian, I can feel it with my water." At which Brian laughed, because there was simply no way for Eric to have that kind of water in his body.) The boy told Brian about his two sisters, Eric was the oldest and admitted he actually had a great relationship with both of them, but of course there were also times he'd rather have strangled them. Eric's two mothers also got their minute of fame while he was filling Brian in about his very interesting life. Eric was afraid to admit he'd almost forgotten about them, and definitely left out the part of them probably worrying sick about him at this very moment. Sadly, the unmentioned led to the end of their conversation, and to say they'd lost track of them would be an understatement.

Eric did notice Brian looked happier and more comfortable now than hours before, which had been his main purpose since he met him. The little crush he was forming on the boy wasn't planned though, but Eric didn't mind it a bit. This was the most gorgeous boy he'd ever met, and he didn't dare let go of this special bond they were forming now. So when he saw the sad look on Brian's face seconds after he mentioned heading back home, he was determined to get rid of it. In Eric's eyes, happiness suited Brian much better.

"Don't you have a home to go back to? Your parents must be worried." He tried to approach the topic very carefully, but Katherin's bluntness was rubbing off on him, and he sensed a shift of moods in Brian's posture. Although he'd met the brunet only hours ago, his body language was one thing Eric discovered Brian couldn't hide that well, and the minute it changed drastically Eric could see it happen right in front of his eyes.

"Uh, no, I don't. My parents kicked me out hours ago, gave me roughly 10 minutes to pack a bag." Brian hesitated a bit before he answered, choosing to rather look at his dirty white shoes. He couldn't help but be afraid of what the boy would do if he found out that part of the brunet's life. "Hence the little stunt earlier."

"If you don't mind me asking, why?"

"Found out I'm gay."' Eric knew he probably shouldn't have been too happy about that, but his mind did a silent little victory dance in his mind. The boy in front of him wasn't only very handsome, but also gay. As a fellow bisexual, Eric felt like he'd finally found his pot of gold at the end of the rainbow.

"You can stay at my place?" Brian's eyes shot up from the ground, he didn't dare look up after he'd shared that little detail about his situation, ashamed of how he'd taken the news in. To him, this felt like a dream, this cute boy wasn't asking him if he'd like to crash at his place. Besides sleeping underneath the bridge he tried to jump off, this was the next best option.

Brian sure liked this one better.

"If you don't mind, I'd love to." And with that, the boys started their trip to Eric's house.

"Oh, by the way, I want to promise you something." Eric turned to face Brian again, and stopping in his tracks to gently make a move to hold the brunet's hands once again, but also giving him time to reject his offer. His eyes caught Brian's honey colored ones, but before he continued he silently asked him if the hand holding was okay. When he didn't find any sign of inconsistency he went on. "I promise to show you every single reason to stay around a little longer."

A little squeeze in his hand was all Brian could do, as the tears were prickling behind his eyelids once again. This time they were from happiness though, something he couldn't imagine feeling after being at such a low place. Days before he didn't dare imagine out of everything this would happen, but there was God, showing him everything was possible. A smile appeared on his face when Eric move his thumbs to gently wipe the tears streaming down his cheeks off, smiling a 1000 watt smile right back at him. Brian already couldn't get enough of it, he was sure that goddamn smile was somewhere on the list Eric was about to show him.

If it wasn't, Brian had a feeling he'd personally make sure of it.

"Okay." His answer was soft and simple, but it made Eric grab his hand again and continue the journey they were on a few moments before.

Although, Brian had found a new home already, and it was walking right beside him.