Author's Note: I'm updating this, then Breaking the Attachment. I'm going to try to update the others this week as well, but Friday through Monday, I have this big family thing that I may or may not be going to, so we'll see. However, Breaking the Attachment will definitely be updated. Oookay, here you go. Oh, by the way, is anyone besides me insanely excited for Harry Potter?!! The movie is this week, and the book the end of next. I can't wait! Ah!

Marco and Craig had been spending quite a lot of time together since he arrived. At first, it was only because Craig didn't want to be around Ellie, but after finding out she was dealing with his visit just fine, he still spent more time with Marco than anyone else.

It wasn't that Marco minded. In fact, he was happy that their old, strong, friendship was rekindled. He was also glad that there had been absolutely no mention of the kiss…or kisses.

"Want to explore with me?" asked Craig outside of Marco's open door.

Marco turned away from his computer to look at him. "Umm, sure. Why not?" After all, Craig was only going to be there for a few more days.

Marco and Craig didn't bother to tell anyone else where they were going. No one really seemed to care, anyway. He was almost tempted to see what they would do if the two of them kissed in front of them.

Not that they would…whatever had accidentally started between them was over. They were just friends. Good friends. Best friends.

Craig and Marco subconsciously kept a decent amount of distance between them as they walked down the streets. Craig inconspicuously glanced over in Marco's direction. The Italian was walking, as he usually did, with his hands nervously jammed in the pockets of his blue sweatshirt, eyes facing the ground, only looking up occasionally to see where he was going, and to check that his friend was still with him.

"What?" asked Marco curiously, becoming aware that Craig was staring.

"I'm just wondering why you walk as though, if someone sees your eyes, you won't live another day," said Craig, shrugging. He stopped walking, pulling Marco over to lean against the building with him, afraid if they paused in the middle of the sidewalk, some people might have had a problem with it.

"What?' asked Marco again, looking at Craig, not for the first time, with a face that clearly showed he thought Craig was an idiot.

"Just stop avoiding people's eyes, Marco," said Craig, pulling his chin up with his finger. "For starters, look into mine. You don't come off as intimidated that way."

Marco rolled his eyes, looking down again. "But—don't you care what people might say?" he asked.

Craig raised his eyebrow, shaking his head at Marco's behavior. "What? You think they'll say I'm gay or something?" he asked, laughing.

"It's not funny," said Marco immediately, plainly unhappy at how amused it made Craig. "Yes, they might think that."

At Marco's look of frustration, Craig only burst out laughing, causing many bystanders to look over in unease. "Craig," Marco whispered, smiling nervously at those who were watching Craig. "Craig, shut-up."

Craig calmed down, sliding down to the ground by the building behind them. "Wow, Marco, that was funny."

"No, it wasn't." He had to disagree.

"I have two questions for you," said Craig, as Marco unwillingly slid down next to him. "First of all, why would people think I'm gay just because I'm walking with you?"

Marco shrugged. "Look, sorry for trying to protect you."

"No, you were protecting yourself, Marco, and I don't understand why," said Craig, sighing.

Marco groaned. Why couldn't Craig understand? "Craig, let's just go. Walk." Marco got up from the wall, walking ahead of him.

"Marco, I refuse to go unless you stop acting like there's danger at every corner!" said Craig. However, he did stand up.

"Well, maybe there is!"

Craig followed Marco, even though he had said he wouldn't. He hated fighting with Marco. He actually never remembered a time when they did before.

"Marco, second of all," he said, now purposely keeping almost no distance between them as they walked, "why do you think I care if people think I'm gay?"

"You should," said Marco, trying to walk faster than him.

"Why? Because you still do?"

"Stop, Craig," said Marco, angry that he couldn't walk faster than him. "Just stop."

"Fine," Craig replied, glad that Marco was walking at a more normal pace. "Just so you know, though, I am."

Marco was a bit too annoyed with Craig to process what he'd said. "Wait, what?"

"How far is The Dot from here? It could be like old times," said Craig, smiling slightly.

"Craig…"

"I know we'd have to take a car or a taxi or something, but let's go."

Marco tried to argue, but he was obviously set on his idea, so Marco let him call a taxi. Had Craig said he was…gay?

As Marco sat across from Craig at a table in The Dot, he couldn't help feeling happy. Craig's smile was just infectious. He looked extremely content just sitting there with Marco.

"So, you know," said Marco, "we still have to talk about what you said."

"That I'm gay? Sure," he said with a shrug, brushing it off like it was no big deal. "I hope they bring us the drinks soon."

"They will," said Marco. "So, please expand."

"On what?" he asked.

"CRAIG!"

Craig chuckled, leaning closer. "All right. So, I'm gay. It's not a big deal. I've known for months now."

The waitress came over, handing them their respective sodas, and then leaving them in peace.

"I haven't been here in so long," said Craig, sipping his soda. "I mean, leaving in the middle of senior year had never been my plan."

"I bet it wasn't," said Marco, looking around at the small restaurant. He missed last year. He missed the end of last year, actually, when Dylan and he had gotten back together.

"Only to be broken up again," he said aloud, cheeks reddening when he realized it.

"I know how you feel," said Craig. "This has been a crazy year so far."

Marco watched closely as Craig played with his straw, concentrating on the top of the drink. "I guess I just started to realize," he started, still spinning the straw around, "that what I felt for Manny, Ashley, and even Ellie wasn't what it was supposed to be."

"I guess it just took me longer than you, though," he continued. "Trust me, when I came here, I didn't, like, plan what happened."

Marco wanted to avoid the kissing topic, but he knew it was going to have to come up, anyway.

"It's stupid, really, but…you're the only one who's ever understood me, and loved me for everything."

Marco tried not to smile, looking away again. "Even though it took me a long time to realize it, Marco, I'm not afraid of it. What's sad is, you've known since you were, like, fourteen, and you're still unhappy with it."

Marco ignored that statement. "When were you going to say something?"

"Well, you're the first to know. I didn't know when I was going to say something, but over the phone didn't seem good," he answered, taking another sip of his Pepsi. "After all, you are my best friend."

"Flattered, really," said Marco. "As for my unhappiness…it's just, ever since the bashing…"

"I'm sorry," Craig interrupted. "I shouldn't have been pushing you about it."

"No, let me finish," said Marco, holding up his hand. "I want to be brave, Craig. It really…" he paused, "embarrasses me that you know for a couple months, and embrace it like Dylan."

"Damn it," said Craig with a sigh. "Dylan makes his way, once again, into our conversation," he whispered bitterly.

"Sorry," Marco muttered.

"Look, the way I see it, you're better off without him," he said, holding up his drink to toast Marco.

Marco rolled his eyes. "If only you could really get me to see it that way. Besides, I'm sitting here with a boy who is also about to leave Toronto," he pointed out.

"You make a good point. You think you're better off without me? As a friend, I mean."

Marco shook his head. "I don't know what I would do without you."

Author's Note: Therrrrre you go :)