Voila - le next chapter :)

Do I need yet another disclaimer?

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"John Paul!" Spike called softly, before rushing over to where his boyfriend was sat on Craig's bed. "Oh god, are you ok?" He asked, reaching into his pocket and pulling out a pack of tissues, one of which he used to stem the blood pouring out of John Paul's nose. "Where is he? I'll fucking kill him!"

John Paul slowly looked up at Spike, full of self-loathing. He was so weak. After all that he'd promised both Spike and himself, as soon as he'd seen Craig he was lost. If Darren hadn't walked in when he had…

He flushed slightly, remembering the activity he had been so engrossed in as the blonde walked through the door. To be completely fair to himself, he had in fact somehow managed to prise himself away from Craig before Darren had interrupted, although considering the swirling dark look of desire that was so evident in Craig's eyes, he wasn't exactly sure how long that would have lasted.

Luckily, and yes it was a good thing, he told himself, Darren had been there to stop it going any further. To be completely honest, it was incredibly strange to see him acting so… almost kind and considerate. Then of course there had been the 'protective older brother' stance, which had shocked both boys. Who on earth was this and what had he done to Darren?

Darren cleared his throat and the two boys shot apart like they were on fire. John Paul's pulse was racing as he realised the extent of the mess he had got himself into. All three stared at each other until finally Craig broke the silence.

"Darren," he greeted, trying to keep the shakiness out of his voice. "What are you doing here?" John Paul noticed that he didn't seem to try to deny what his stepbrother had walked in on or blame it all on him.

At these words, Darren seemed to snap out of his daze. "I just came up to tell your erm…" here, he gave a slight fake cough, "friend here that it's been about five minutes so your competition's gonna be here any second now."

At these words, John Paul put his head in his hands, wondering where his innate sense of morality had disappeared off to. "Spike," he whispered, imagining the heartache his boyfriend would suffer if he knew what had just occurred. Realising something, he raised his eyes to look at Darren. "Hang on… how did you know I asked him to come up in five minutes?" He demanded, suspicions raised.

Darren raised his eyebrows at this and the reply came in a surprisingly condescending tone. "Well your conversation wasn't exactly quiet. I was there for quite a while before I interrupted you."

John Paul blushed again. If he'd had the time to think about it, he may have considered the idea that it was simply destiny for his face to constantly be a rather lovely shade of crimson, but he hadn't so he didn't. "How… how long were you there?"

"Long enough not to be surprised at what I just walked in on," Darren smirked. Ok, seriously – when had he been abducted by aliens and had his personality irrevocably altered? "Then again I wouldn't have that surprised anyway. Craigy's always had that certain 'vibe' about him if you know what I mean," ah, there he was.

During this conversation, Craig's head had snapped up, facing John Paul as he stared accusingly at him. "You're still with him?" He asked, his voice full of hurt with a small hint of resignation. At John Paul's soft nod, the voice became smaller and more withdrawn, reminding JP of how it was when he had come round after rushing out of his exam. "But you… we… what was this?"

In those words, John Paul thought for a moment that Craig was really showing his true feelings. I mean, surely no one can fake that much… but then this was Craig and even if he did mean it now, that didn't mean he would later on. One scene and one word was repeating in his mind, as his dreams all came true and were then shattered all within a single minute. He wanted to give in and claim Craig as his own then and there, but fear and lack of trust held him back. "A mistake," he whispered.

The room was silent for a moment. It seemed like hours passed but in reality it was little more than a second. Then Craig let out a strangled yell and hurtled himself across the room, pinning John Paul to the wall with tear stains covering his cheeks. "Take it back," he pleaded "take it back," before collapsing from the combined strain of a week confined to a small room and the immense drama that had occurred in little over five minutes.

Darren, hearing footsteps climbing the stairs from the pub grabbed Craig's limp body and dragged it to the bathroom but not before punching the boy who had caused it. He may not be the most loving or moral person in the world, but family was still family even if it was an extended family, and here he needed to look out for his own.

John Paul sat on the bed, staring into Spike's gentle eyes, which were so full of concern for him and felt sick. As the soft lips met his own, the memory of a similar action with a different boy only minutes before was thrown into the front of his mind. Pulling away, he shot Spike a look of guilt and regret before looking at the floor and closing his eyes.

"It wasn't…" he began, before swallowing and re-starting the sentence. "I deserved it. I deserved that and so much worse. Spike, I'm so sorry. I tried – I really did but I…" He was cut off by another kiss, this one seeming more urgent and warning than the first. Opening his eyes, he saw why Spike hadn't wanted that sentence to be finished. Behind him, standing in the doorway was Sarah.

"What did you do?" she enquired. Looking at her, John Paul could see she was torn between curiosity about their long-term 'disagreement' and concern for the short-term effects for her boyfriend at this particular moment. She genuinely loved Craig and John Paul felt yet another twinge of guilt as he thought this.

"JP promised me he wouldn't lose his temper," Spike lied smoothly, seeing that John Paul was in that moment unable to. Sarah opened her mouth again, so he cut her off, knowing what she was going to say. "I don't know all the details and I don't think I'm the right person to tell you anyway. Neither is John Paul to be honest because although it involves him, this is something that should come from Craig.

Sarah stood up, presumably in search for Craig. "Sarah – tell him I'm sorry, won't you? Tell him… tell him I shouldn't have said that." 'And that I didn't mean it,' John Paul finished in his head. Sarah nodded quickly before leaving the room.

Spike sat numbly on the bed next to John Paul and held him, kissing him gently on the head before looking around the room for inspiration about what to do next. "John Paul," he whispered, gently so that the blonde wouldn't worry or panic, but stern enough to show he was serious. "What did you do?"

John Paul's eyes met Spike's for a moment before dropping away. Seeing the acceptance in those eyes only served to increase the guilt that he was already drowning in. He knew that everything that had just happened would be forgiven and accepted as simply part of him trying to move on, which would make things so much worse as what he had done was not acceptable, yet Spike didn't seem willing to acknowledge this.

"I… he… we kissed," he replied simply. "I pushed him away though and I made it clear that it shouldn't have happened." John Paul selected his words very carefully, not strictly lying but not explaining fully who had initiated what. This way, Spike was less likely to get hurt.

Spike nodded, drawing John Paul in for a hug that would make everything better. As John Paul sat there, holding and gently kissing his boyfriend, his guilt started to fade away. Earlier had simply been a momentary lapse of self-control. From now on, all his attentions would be directed at the boy he was with: the boy who loved him more than anything and was willing to tell the whole world: the boy who would always be there for him, through thick or thin.

By the time Sarah returned with a sullen-faced Craig, John Paul once again had a smile on his face and he was surprised to see that Sarah did too. "Do you guy wanna join us for a drink downstairs then?" she gushed. The excitement in her voice was all too apparent and John Paul didn't have to wonder why for long as she quickly continued. "I'll call Hannah and Nance – ask them to come over as well for the celebration…" she paused slightly for effect. "Craig and I are engaged!"

John Paul looked from Sarah to Craig and then back to Sarah again. Engaged? Only ten minutes ago, Craig had told him he couldn't survive without him before a highly intense make-out session. Now he was getting engaged to Sarah? Fighting to stop the hurt show on his face, he said the only thing he could think of at that moment in time. "Oh."

"Oh?" She echoed, obviously confused. Here she was, with the most exciting news of her life and all he, John Paul, could say was 'oh'?

"I mean wow. That's… that's really amazing. I'm so happy for you," he told her, forcing himself to smile. "For both of you," he continued, this time looking at Craig. The brunette looked at him guiltily and looked like he was trying to find the words he wanted to say. He was put out of his misery by Spike.

Spike, realising that John Paul needed some support right now, stepped forwards and surreptitiously put his arm around him while smiling and congratulating the couple in front of him. "I must say I'm surprised," he continued, stifling a laugh at the look of horror on Craig's face at this admission. "Most people tend to wait until after Uni – I think it's great that you and Craig both feel that confident in your relationship at this stage of you lives."

Sarah beamed at him, Craig scowled and John Paul looked uncomfortably down at the floor before breaking the silence that had appeared. "So I guess we should go down and start celebrating then. I'll get the first round in and you go phone Hannah and Nancy," he offered, desperate to get rid of any awkwardness from the conversation.

Sarah, unable to hide her joy any longer, hugged both John Paul and Spike before dragging John Paul out of the room to tell him all about the proposal. Craig turned to leave as well, but was stopped by Spike's hand on his shoulder turning him round to face him. "We need to talk, Dean."

He'd always known that he would hate Spike, ever since he first heard about him – right back before he'd let himself realise how much John Paul really meant to him. Spike was in the way, standing between his and John Paul's relationship, whether that be friendship or more. He stared at the other boy defiantly, not willing to let him win so easily. "I don't think we do," he replied with more confidence than he felt, shrugging the other's hand away and making to leave. He wasn't prepared for Spike to grab him by the shoulders, throwing him across the room before closing the door softly behind him.

"I said we need to talk," he repeated, eyes flashing in anger. Craig gulped, realising that Spike was quite a lot bigger and stronger than him and also that there was no chance of anyone else coming to help him since Darren had snuck out while Sarah and Spike were with John Paul. "So you're just gonna sit there and listen, got it?" Craig clenched his teeth but nodded, knowing there was nothing else he could do.

As Spike looked at the pathetic boy cowering in the corner of his room, he wondered what on earth John Paul had ever seen in him. Then again, he didn't feel that John Paul had particularly good tastes in men, as he himself obviously didn't deserve such a caring and amazingly good-looking boyfriend. Still, John Paul had chosen to be with him, so making sure he didn't get hurt was the least he could do in return. Then again, if he caused any lasting damage to Craig, he knew John Paul would never forgive him so he would have to tread carefully; surely he hadn't pushed him that hard before?

"What do you want?" asked Craig, not moving from his corner. He had never been much of a fighter, usually just taking whatever was dished out to him whether it be verbal abuse or physical violence until John Paul had arrived in the village and befriended him. Then, he had a protector who would go to any lengths to make sure that he was ok, except now he had ruined things and John Paul wasn't here to look after him any more.

"What do I want?" Spike echoed mockingly. "I want John Paul."

Craig gulped again at the ferocity of this statement but wasn't sure exactly sure what he could say to calm the DJ's temper. Unfortunately his own emotions got the better of him. "Yeah? Well you have him, don't you? He had the choice and he chose you, so why don't you just swan off back to him and live your happy lives?" Craig took a deep breath to stop himself becoming hysterical before realising that there was one final very important reason that he had forgotten. "Plus I'm engaged to Sarah – I'm moving on, just like John Paul already has."

Spike took two strides to where Craig was before easily lifting him up by the collar and pinning him to the wall. "Good, and it had better stay like that. I'm going away for a couple of days and I'd hate to think that you got premature cold feet while I was gone, if you know what I mean." As far as he was concerned, this little trip couldn't have come at a worse time, but so much was hanging on it that he couldn't just stay.

Craig gasped for air, his throat being restricted by Spike's hand. "What… do you think… John Paul will… think when… he hears about… this?" he rasped out, unable to simply give in.

Spike smirked at this question, having guessed that it would be asked at some point. He knew exactly what John Paul would do when he was told, and he told Craig that. "First he's gonna tell me what a wonderful boyfriend I am, and then he's gonna say goodbye to you and your fiancé, and then he's gonna take me back to his house," Spike paused for effect, revelling in the look of absolute jealousy radiating from Craig's eyes. "And then he's going to fuck my brains out."

If anyone had asked Craig exactly what he was feeling in that moment, he wouldn't have been able to answer. There was the expected jealousy, rage, hurt, anger and despair, but somehow these were kept under control by an overwhelming urge to prove to himself that he was good enough for John Paul, that he was worthy to have him. Although it would have been very satisfying to knock Spike out, Craig knew that not only was that highly improbable considering his position and strength, but also that a verbal strike would be far more satisfying. "Funny, I thought someone had already done that."

Had the situation been different, Craig would have laughed at the expression on his rival's face. Clearly a reaction like that wasn't expected, and certainly not welcome. One point to him. Craig winced as Spike's hand formed a fist and flew at him. Maybe that point wasn't really worth going for. Why couldn't he just keep his mouth shut? At the last second, the fist changed course and landed on the wall, millimetres from his hair. The grip around his throat, which had tightened at those words, became slack and allowed Craig to suck in some new air.

Spike gritted his teeth imperceptibly as he made himself breathe deeply. How could he have nearly lost control like that? He was supposed to be being the mature one, proving to John Paul that he was the best choice beyond doubt and then here he was being the one to nearly punch Craig! After what John Paul had said had happened at Hannah's party when Sarah had kissed that other boy… Rhys his name was, he had been sure that he would easily be able to provoke him enough, but somehow Craig had managed not to take the bait and had started to beat Spike at his own game.

"I suppose you think you're funny do you?" Spike kept his voice calm, although he was anything but. "Well you're not. You know, I actually thought that I was gonna have to worry about you – that you would be competition, but it turns out you're a complete joke. I have no idea what on earth John Paul ever saw in you, and you know what? Neither does he."

Craig pushed the older boy away from him but was unable to control his shaking. Was it true? Was that why John Paul had told him that it was a mistake, that he was a mistake? Did John Paul really regret everything that they had shared and been through together? Did he regret falling in love with him? He wanted to be able to say that it was ridiculous – not too long ago, that same boy had straddled him on that bed and given him the most intense make-out session he had ever had. Then again, he had pulled away before Darren had got there… what would have happened if his stepbrother hadn't arrived? Maybe he had been a bad kisser! Or what if after he had finally got what he wanted, John Paul found out that the 'forbidden fruit' wasn't all it was cracked up to be? A darker thought hit him: maybe what he had thought of as breath taking had simply been mediocre to John Paul compared to what he shared with Spike.

Spike. That name filled him with anger; anger at himself for not being with John Paul when he had the chance, anger at that man who had taken John Paul away from him, and anger at John Paul for replacing him with someone so quickly; which lead to yet more anger at himself as he knew that he had no right to be angry at John Paul.

Spike watched as different emotions flickered over Craig's face. He was staring into the distance, obviously having a lot on his mind and obviously hurting. Spike looked away, disgusted with himself. Surely he should get some kind of contentment out of seeing the person who had repeatedly tried to destroy his relationship with John Paul going through even a tiny fraction of the pain he had caused, but instead he just felt guilt. After all, the only thing that Craig was really guilty of was loving John Paul, just like he himself did. Still, if he was going to snap Craig out of it, he wasn't going to act nice about it. He shook Craig slightly and when he saw the eyes focus again, he spoke. "Well I'll warn you once and that's all you're gonna get. If you so much as think about touching John Paul while I'm away, you're going to find that you're never going to touch anyone with that part of you again, got it?"