…

Ai crossed his hands over his chest as he walked towards Rei's house, the boy was having a party and Nagisa had extended an invite to him. He hadn't wanted to come, he knew there would be too many people there to laugh at him but after begging and pleading Nagisa had managed to get him to cave.

Now, he was really regretting the decision. As he arrived Rin appeared, just a coincidence he'd been sure but it still meant they would be arriving together. All that anger would be ignored just so Rin could turn up with someone on his arm.

"Ai, please can we talk?" Rin asked, throwing a careless arm around Ai's shoulders. He was tempted to push Rin off but he knew the arm would only creep around his waist instead.

"What is there to talk about?" He frowned, wishing Nagisa was around to save him. If he saw Rin even touching Ai he would engage his fierce protectiveness.

"About Sousuke." He said, coming to a stop and forcing Ai to do the same.

"Again, nothing to talk about. You chose him." He replied.

"Not like that. It was a choice for my team, not a reflection of how I feel about you." He promised, but only got an eye roll in response.

"It's not just that, why didn't you just tell me before going behind my back?" Ai asked.

"I didn't go behind your back, I just needed help and…" He started.

"And asked Sousuke before talking to me." He crossed his arms. "How do you think that made me feel Rin?"

"I…" He faltered, had he really been so focused on the race that he hadn't even considered Ai's feelings.

"You embarrassed me and tossed me aside, do you even care?" Ai asked, voice raising towards the end of his sentence.

"Of course, I do!" Rin defended. "I'm sorry Ai."

"So, you always say, but yet we always end up here don't we?" He replied scornfully.

Without waiting for a response Ai walked inside, ignoring the indignant shout of his name coming from Rin.

"Ai!" Nagisa screamed as the boy entered the house, cheeks rosy from far too much drink.

"Hi Nagisa." He smiled as he was pulled into a hug.

"Where you been? I've been waiting forever for you." He hiccupped, voice loud in Ai's ear.

"I'm only half an hour late." He shook his head, originally his plan was to be late so he could slip in unnoticed, clearly Rin had had the same idea.

"Rei-chan!" Nagisa shouted, quickly getting his boyfriends attention over the music. "Ai is here!"

"Ai, good to see you." Rei smiled and before Ai knew it he was pulled into another embrace. He didn't realise he and Rei were such good friends, they barely spoke at school but obviously all it took was a couple of shots of vodka and Rei thought they were best friends.

After that Ai somehow found himself sandwiched between Rei and Nagisa, awkwardly dancing to the music. He felt a little uncomfortable between the couple but least it made a forcefield between him and Rin, quite literally.

…

Sousuke downed his drink with a grimace, he knew he should be riding on a high, he had been on the winning swim team after all. But he had more pressing matters to worry about, his own problems that could not be solved with alcohol.

"What's wrong with you recently?" Makoto frowned, sitting beside his friend.

"Nothing." He shrugged, annoyed that for once Haru's drunk ass wasn't following Makoto around.

"Come on." He nudged him. "I can tell somethings off with you."

"It could be nothing." He brushed him off.

"But it could be something." He replied.

"I've just been feeling a little run down recently, went to get myself checked at the doctors and they said…" He coughed awkwardly, he hadn't actually said it out loud before. "There's a possibility I have hepatitis."

"Hepatitis?" Makoto echoed. "But how?"

"Come on Makoto, even someone as innocent as you knows how these things spread." He attempted to laugh.

"Momo?" He asked.

"Nah." He shook his head. "Kid was purer than snow when I met him."

"But that means he has…" Makoto started but quickly stopped when he saw Sousuke shoot him a withering stare.

"Look, I might not even have it so let's not go blabbing to Momo, or anyone for that matter." He said.

"When do you find out?" He asked, reaching over to give Sousuke's shoulder a squeeze.

"A couple of weeks, only found the courage to do the tests earlier today." He laughed bitterly.

"It could be nothing." Makoto tried to reassure.

"But it could be something." Sousuke replied, dragging the last remains of his drink out. "I need some air."

Makoto watched him go with a frown, part of him wanted to follow him, to assure him it wouldn't be all bad. But he knew Sousuke needed space, needed to clear his head before he would talk about it again.

"Drink?" Haru asked, holding out a cup and sidling up beside him.

"Yeah, thanks." He half smiled, quickly downing the drink in one swallow.

"You alright?" He rose an eyebrow, Makoto was not often a huge drinker in large groups, he tended to just socialise and nurse his drink.

"Just worried about Sousuke." He admitted, gently nibbling his lip.

"Why?" Haru asked, eyes never leaving his lips. Unfortunately, the drink made Haru a little less subtle.

Makoto debated what to say, he wanted to tell Haru what was going on. It felt like a too big a secret to keep, especially if it potentially affected one of Haru's friends. But was it really his news to tell, it wasn't happening to him after all.

"Sousuke thinks he might have an STI." He said vaguely, choosing not to go into details.

"Oh." Haru frowned, gently wrapping his arm around Makoto's waist. He knew it was in bad taste to make a move when Makoto was upset, but after his third or fourth drink he'd made the decision that he would be leaving with Makoto.

"I just… I'm scared for him I guess. This could change his life." He sighed, leaning into Haru's touch.

"Makoto?" He asked, the words 'shall we get out of here' were on the tip of his tongue. But they were interrupted.

"Makoto!" A voice shouted, an attractive boy from the football team who had had his eye on Makoto for a while. "Come dance, you look like you need cheering up."

"Yeah." Makoto laughed softly. "I suppose I do."

Makoto let the boy take his hand, harshly pulling him away from Haru. Makoto attempted to stop him, even beckoned Haru to follow but it didn't matter. Haru was in no mood to play third wheel.

"Give it up." Momo said, drunkenly swinging an arm around Haru's neck.

"I don't know what you mean." He grumbled.

"All talk and no action, that one." He laughed. "Don't waste your time with that."

"Better than being infected." He snapped, drunk and annoyed.

"Huh?" Momo frowned.

"Ask Sousuke." He replied, slipping out of Momo's now limp hold. Haru headed towards the kitchen, desperate for some shots after seeing Makoto practically grinding with a near stranger.

…

Momo finally found Sousuke outside, sat on the grass and staring at the stars.

"Hey." Momo said, awkwardly sitting beside him.

"Hi." He replied.

They sat in silence for a while after that, Sousuke wondered why he bothered coming out in the first place. Maybe he'd just seen Sousuke sat alone and the part of Momo that still cared had told him to go see him.

"Is it true?" He asked, immediately breaking any illusion Sousuke might have that he still cared.

"Is what true?" He asked, despite knowing exactly what Momo was talking about.

"That you… you're…" Momo stuttered, was there a tactful way to ask the question. "Do you have an STI?"

"Wow, good news sure travels quickly." He muttered sarcastically.

"So, it is true." He sighed.

They fell into another silence after that, it was a lot more uneasy this time. There was a lot they both needed to say but how? How could they address the elephant in the room?

"I don't care, you know?" Momo finally said, nibbling his lip as if he had really debated what would have been the right thing to say – and that is what he came up with.

"Why should you?" Sousuke asked, why should he be bothered what happened to his ex anyway?

"Not like that." He shook his head. "We broke up over an argument, we're both hot headed and said things we didn't mean. I guess I always expected after we cooled off we'd get back together."

Sousuke just blinked at Momo, he was used to people wanting him for sex but moving on easily when they split. He never expected someone to pine for him after a break up, especially someone as bubbly and charismatic as Momo. Sousuke berated himself for it but he felt special.

"I mean, if wouldn't bother me. I still like you and it's not like we could get infected again." Momo groaned, burying his head in his hands. "That sounded more romantic in my head."

Sousuke couldn't fight the smile that spread across his face. Sweet Momo, kind and caring Momo. So selfless he'd still date someone who had potentially given him a life altering disease. Momo was everything Sousuke could ever want but more than he deserved.

"Don't worry about it kid, you're clean. I got it off a guy after you." Sousuke said, the lie feeling bitter on his tongue.

"Oh." Momo mumbled, curling in himself in embarrassment. Of course, Sousuke didn't want to get back together with him, what had he been thinking saying all that. Why had he stupidly believed Sousuke was having trouble moving on like himself?

"You know I'm not one to hang around." Sousuke shrugged, pushing himself up and walking away.

He knew he shouldn't have lied, and if his results came back positive then it would come back to haunt him. But Momo deserved closure and a clean break, he deserved the chance with someone new, he deserved better than Sousuke.

...

Haru was drunk, there was no point in denying it, he was swaying slightly and his speech was beginning to slur. But he was drunk and on a mission, and that mission was Makoto. One of his many followers was currently fawning all over him and showering him with suggestive touches, much to Haru's disgust.

Haru had put over sixteen years into this relationship, granted his subtle technique hadn't really given him much luck but he wasn't about to let this drooling dog take Makoto's virginity. As much as Makoto liked to tease and flirt back he would never take it any further, he'd confided in Haru that he was saving sex for someone special.

But Haru was someone special, so really why were they beating around the bush?

He stumbled over with a confidence and bravado that was enhanced by drink. He wedged himself between Makoto and the nameless, horny bastard, making sure to look up at Makoto with what he hoped were alluring eyes.

"Haru? Are you okay?" Makoto frowned, easily seeing his friend had had too much to drink.

"Fine." He nodded before roughly grabbing Makoto around the back of the neck and pulling him down.

Wide, confused green eyes were the last thing Haru saw before they kissed. It was a little awkward at first, kissing lifeless lips. For a second, he panicked, maybe he read the whole situation wrong and they really were just friends. Just as he was pulling back he felt it, it was small and it was hesitant but Makoto definitely kissed him back.

"That's all I wanted." Haru said calmly, despite his erratic heartbeat.

Haru spun on his heel and slowly made his way outside, in his mind he looked suave and casual as he walked away but in reality, he tripped and almost fell into the garden. Almost immediately he heard Makoto had followed him, he knew he would. It was his plan after all, he didn't want to have this talk in front of anyone else.

"Haru!" Makoto shouted, grabbing Haru's arm.

"Makoto." Haru sighed softly, reaching up onto his toes to kiss Makoto again – he knew they really should be talking but after one kiss he was addicted.

Makoto moaned slightly as he felt Haru's lips against his own again, he really should resist, he could practically taste the alcohol on his breath but instead he melted into the kiss.

He knew his friends often teased him about his relationship with Haru, always said it was more than just friendship. And he's be lying if he said he'd never considered it, he felt safe with Haru and cared for, he felt appreciated for more than just his looks, what more could he want from a boyfriend? But that's all it ever was, a small fantasy.

Sure, Haru flirted with him, but just the same as those other boys it was harmless fun not to be taken seriously. He never expected they'd end up in this situation.

Makoto groaned as he felt himself be pushed against a wall, an insistent leg pushed up against his crotch. He was overwhelmed, his heart was beating fast, his palms were sweating. Never before had a kiss affected him so much.

"Haru." He panted, hating how his hips betrayed him and gyrated on Haru's thigh.

"Yeah?" He replied, delivering wet kisses to his neck.

Makoto wanted to lose himself in the moment, he wanted to just give into pleasure for once in is life but he knew, deep down, he wanted to be more than just a drunk one-night stand.

"Stop." He said, harshly pushing Haru away. The drunk stumble and desperate attempt to steady himself was just another reminder that Makoto needed to say no.

"What's wrong?" Haru frowned.

"You can't just kiss me like that! Especially when you're this drunk!" He shouted, annoyed that beyond slightly dishevelled hair Haru looked like they were having a normal conversation.

"So, I can kiss you like that when I'm sober?" He asked.

"Haru." Makoto blushed, as if he hadn't been grinding on his leg mere minutes ago. "You won't want to."

"Why wouldn't I?" He frowned.

"Because you're just drunk, trust me you will regret this in the morning." He sighed, he did find Haru attractive but he wasn't about to ruin their friendship for a case of drunk lust.

"Yes I would, I keep trying to show that I want to be more than just friends and this is the first time I've managed to get you to take notice." Haru said, pouting slightly that he wasn't being taken seriously just because he had used a bit of Dutch courage.

"You want to be more than friends?" Makoto blinked.

"Yes." He groaned, apparently pining him to the wall wasn't enough of a clue.

Makoto just stared, thinking over Haru's words. He supposed when he stopped to think about it Haru's feelings were pretty obvious. He always protects him from smarmy guys. He holds his hand when it's dark and Makoto feels scared. They go out alone together on outings that could be considered dates. Hell, just last week he'd asked Makoto for a good luck kiss. How had Makoto been so dense?

Deciding they had wasted enough time dancing around their feelings, Makoto pulled Haru back into his arms. The kiss wasn't as desperate as before but it wasn't any less intense. The kiss held more meaning, all those words that had been left unsaid for too long now.

"Come home with me." Haru whispered against his lips. "My parents are away."

"I meant what I said." Makoto laughed. "Not while you're drunk."

"I'll be sober in the morning." He smirked.

"Haru." He whined but made no attempts to stop him.

Makoto knew he should let his friends know he was leaving, they were only a couple of hours into the party and they would be worried if he disappeared. But that twinkle in Haru's eye was impossible to ignore and an empty house was too hard to resist.

…

Rin stood outside the bathroom, nervously twirling his father's wedding ring around on his finger – a bad habit he couldn't break. He knew it was weird to wait outside the toilet but Ai had barely left Nagisa's side all evening and they needed to talk.

Ai practically jumped when he saw Rin waiting for him, his look of surprise quickly being replaced with disgust.

"No." He said, trying to push past Rin.

"Please Ai." He begged, not waiting for response as he pulled Ai into a spare bedroom.

"You have five minutes." Ai crossed his arms as Rin shut the door behind them.

"The whole Sousuke situation was nothing to do with you and me." He said, holding his hands up when Ai opened his mouth to protest. "I know it was selfish but all I was thinking about was the race, it wasn't because it was Sousuke it was because I wanted to win the race. If I'd known how much it would hurt you I would never have done it, I'm sorry."

"Okay." Ai sighed. "I forgive you, can I go now?"

"No, there's more I want to say." He smiled softly, slipping the ring off his finger. "I want you to have this just so you know how serious I am about you, about us. And I promise I won't pick any one over you again."

"I don't know what to say." Ai said, staring at the ring with wide eyes.

"Say yes." He laughed.

"Yes." Ai smiled, letting Rin slip the ring onto his finger. "Thank you Rin, this means a lot to me."

"Well you mean a lot to me." Rin smiled, enjoying Ai's blush.

Ai rose onto his tiptoes and softly kissed Rin, he knew he made a promise not to fall for Rin's lines again but the ring changed things, it made them more serious.

So serious that Ai didn't protest when Rin picked him up off the ground and carried him towards the bed. Part of Ai wanted to pull away and tell Rin how much he loved him but his mouth was otherwise occupied.

Rin moaned softly as his hands began to wander, gently caressing and stroking Ai's stomach and pushing his shirt up slightly just to expose his skin. Ai felt his skin raising in excitement as the touch sent sparks through his body.

Ai sighed softly as he let Rin deepen the kiss, their tongues dancing as Rin started to grind his hips against Ai's own.

"Rin, stop." Ai said, pulling back slightly to nervously eye the door.

"Don't worry." Rin smirked. "Nobody will walk in."

"That's not the point." He moaned as Rin's wandering hands found his nipples.

"Come on." He coerced, sucking a mark onto Ai's neck.

"Get off me!" He shouted, pushing Rin off and jumping off the bed.

"Don't be like this Ai." Rin said, sitting up on his knees.

"No, you don't be like this." He snapped. "You think because you gave me this ring you have the right to stick your dick in me."

"That's not what I think." He denied. "I didn't mean to push you. I really do care about you Ai, even if my last action didn't exactly show it."

"You don't care." He shook his head. "All you care about is getting laid, and I keep falling for it."

"I'm sorry." Rin said, panicking that Ai was really going to cast him aside over a little pushy bedroom behaviour.

"No, not again." He hissed.

Ai sent him one last dirty look before heading out the bedroom with Rin hot on his tail.

"Ai, wait." Rin yelled, a few party goers watching – they'd probably heard the start of the argument and came for front row seats.

"I'm don't with you. Forever this time." He said, pulling the ring off his finger and throwing it back at Rin. "And you can keep this piece of tin."

Rin watched him go helplessly, stranded at the top of the stairs as he watched Ai's figure retreating. He was aware of voices whispering around him, calling him a fool. No doubt the whispers wouldn't stop even when they were back at school.

But he forced himself to move, he grabbed the ring off the floor and headed down the stairs. He didn't want to stay anymore, even if Ai was still there he was in too much misery, there was nothing left for him there. They'd finally made a start, finally sorted themselves out and now they were apart again.

Why did he have to ruin it? Why did he keep ruining it over and over? But he did, and he kept doing it until his love had flown and left him all alone.

Maybe they just weren't meant to be now, maybe someday when high school was done they could be together. Maybe then their two worlds could be one and Ai would stay. But he didn't want to have to wait that long, he was helpless without him.

"Oh Ai." He sighed, spinning his ring one last time before heading home.

…

This is my offering instead of the drive in. Also, I debated what to do with Sousuke for ages, I did think about incorporating his shoulder somehow but I couldn't think of a way it would affect Momo enough to step up, like Kenickie did with the pregnancy. So yeah, I took the sexually transmitted disease route.