It's Friday, and already dark outside. Even though the days have started to become longer again, sundown is still around 6 pm. The halls of Beacon High are deserted, quiet. It even feels a little ominous, Scott finds, sitting on one of the small chairs in the corridor. Behind the door he's sitting next to are dimmed voices in private conversation. They're of a boy and a young woman.

Scott is twirling his fingers in his lap, his knee bouncing up and down rhythmically. He's aware of his heartbeat, but doesn't really understand why he's so nervous. Maybe he's just agitated, because Liam's going to come through that door at some moment.

That thought is confirmed when he hears chairs moving across the floor. His heart skips a beat. He wipes his hands on his jeans. Liam walks towards the door and Scott can hear him thank Ms. Morrell and say goodbye, wishing her a nice weekend. He also apologizes for making her stay for so long. Scott can't hear what the guidance counsellor says in response, but he figures she waves off his apology.

The door creak a little when it opens and Liam steps out.

"You're here…?"

It sounds more like a question.

Scott stands up from the chair. He smiles shyly and nods.

Liam blinks at him for a moment, but then smiles back, because this moment proves that, even though they had doubted it before, are – in fact – okay.

"So how was it?" Scott asks as they start walking.

"It was good," Liam answers, eyebrows knitted together. "It was mostly basic stuff, though. I think she just wanted to get to know me and make sure that I felt comfortable."

"Did you?"

Liam nods. "She has a nice voice," he says, frown deepening even more. He then scoffs. "And she says nice things. Nothing exaggerated or out of the order or psychiatrist-y, you know? I mean, obviously she's very positive, but also realistic? Like she's…"

"…She's putting things into perspective?" Scott guesses. He laughs at the impressed look Liam's giving him. "I read up on it," he admits, cheeks warming.

Liam chuckles. His pinky finger brushes against Scott's.

Scott grins. He can't stop looking at Liam, at his messy looking hair and his soft skin. His mind quickly throws him back to how it had all started; with internet searches and forceful confrontations, and how he and Liam had slowly but surely started growing closer to each other. How Scott had realized that his feelings for Liam were more than just friendship. That it was actually unusual to care so much about someone – even for him.

He also remembers how great it had felt to kiss Liam. How easy it had felt, normal, but just as well like fireworks on the 4th of July. And now, they are boyfriends. Now, Liam has officially taken the first step to getting better, and Scott is so incredibly proud of him.

Their footsteps echo through the empty hallway. They're almost at the exit. Liam looks up and catches Scott's gaze, cocking his head. He's about to ask him why he's looking at him like that, but Scott's quicker.

"I love you," he says.

Liam blushes, eyes flicking away shyly before he also admits, "I love you too."

THE END