Hello! Felt like updating this story, so I did! Just wanted to say thanks for your reviews and whatnot, you're all awesome. Special thanks to my beta, twiniitowers for all of the support and help she has given me. :) Thanks Carol!

Love,

Angie

"Come on... you have to help me..." the seventeen year old grunted as he held his arm tightly around his companion's waist. He felt the broader man shift in his tight grasp and his curly hair brushed against his cheek as his head raised from Eric's shoulders.

"I don't... where...?"

Steven had fallen asleep on Eric after he calmed himself down. The medicines the doctors kept him on probably made him this way. All Eric knew was he had to get both of them inside medicines that the doctors kept him on, had side effects, that made him this way.

Vista Cruiser and home before one or the other became sick... or any sicker. The last thing Steven needed was hypothermia or pneumonia. And Eric's asthma was sure to flair if he fell ill as well with any sickness caused from the cold weather.

So Eric had tried to climb down the water tower; or make his way to the ladder at least. It had been quite a task to lift Hyde; though he had lost weight, he was still stockier than Eric, and much more muscular. It was difficult for Eric to ignore the feeling of his taut abs against his arm and fingers from under the long sleeved flannel shirt his secret unrequited lover wore. Yet Eric knew what his priorities were; he didn't have time to think about how Steven felt under his clothes. He could save that for later.

The weaker teen slowly lifted his head off of Eric's bony shoulder and gazed sleepily into Eric's green eyes with an uncomfortable smile; he was clueless as to what just happened, where they were. It made Eric's stomach twist.

Eric felt his body begin to tremor, and he tightened his grip. Hyde suddenly doubled over and hung himself from Eric's strong hold. The younger boy wasn't sure what to do; he couldn't let go of him, didn't want to move him, but he needed to sit, or lay down. Deciding to climb the water tower was one of the dumbest choices Hyde had ever made.

"Fuck..." Eric heard the older teen whimper before lurching forward. Eric closed his eyes as he heard Steven retch over the railing of the water tower. Eric tightened his hold on him, to let him know that he was there, and that he wasn't alone.

As he held Steven tightly, Eric felt his body begin to convulse with violent trembles. He hoped it was just from the cold and not a seizure... did he have seizures?Eric had no clue what to do, yet he wasn't throwing up anymore. Slowly and carefully, Eric decided to gently pull him back up to a standing position.

"We need to get down from here, and quick. Do you need me to help?" Eric asked the ashen faced teen. Hyde wouldn't even look at Eric as he shook his head slowly. Eric felt his own blood run cold as he saw the obvious shame written on Hyde's face; it had been a horrible idea to kiss him. "Will you be okay?" Steven nodded before holding on to the railing tightly. "I'll go down first so you-"

"I'm not a baby, Forman," Hyde hissed darkly, voice hoarse from the acid and bile that he vomited. Eric sighed and nodded, not wanting to argue with him, who was clearly out of it.
Eric began to climb down the ladder slowly and watched above as Hyde staggered to the rungs. He wanted to make sure Steven wouldn't try to hurry down the ladder like usual. He wanted to make sure he would be safe.

As he continued the descent from the water tower, Eric's fingers began to numb. He tried his hardest to ignore the painful tingling throughout his hands; it turned out to act as motivation to reach solid ground.

Finally, his feet did touch the thick blanket of snow freezing the dead grass and soil from beneath. The mass of frozen flakes seeped in through his denim jeans, and seemed to burn his skin. At least Hyde was wearing boots.

Two footsteps crunched int the snow and Eric caught Hyde's momentarily pained facial expression. He needed to get him in the car, and fast.

"We don't have to walk very-" Eric was interrupted abruptly by the sound of Steven hurling.

Without thinking, Eric placed his hand on Steven's clothed back and very slowly, very gently rubbed his back. It was something Eric liked to feel when he was sick. It was also surely a million times better than the kicks Steven used to receive for vomiting.

"E-Eric... it... oh God..." He tried to speak, yet hung his head once more as he hurled bile. Eric felt the back of his shirt and it was damp from the clammy sweat that formed all over his body. "It hurts..." he whimpered, body convulsing as the third round of the bile vs. esophagus war began. Eric felt his heart sink was he felt Steven's dry heaves violently wrack his shoulders. Like heavy sobs.

"Just breathe through your nose..." Eric whispered comfortingly as his hand ran through his long and surprisingly soft curls; curiosity killed the cat. Steven did as he was told, slowly the heaves turned into shaky breathing and his furious shaking was a soft tremble.

He watched as Steven attempted to stand on his still shaking legs and chuckled. As he outstretched his hand, the older teen glanced at it warily before cautiously placing his larger, callused hand in the soft, piano player-like hand. Eric pulled him up, or more like gave Steven leverage, and sighed in relief. He was glad to see his friend was actually able to stand on both feet; he literally couldn't carry him.

"What're you...?" Eric asked, eyeing Hyde as he scooped up a small clump of snow in his hands. How the hell could he want to have a snowball fight? Eric wasn't in the mood and Hyde shouldn't be, either.

Yet Eric relaxed as Hyde opened his mouth only to close it again, with the snowball on his tongue. Eric raised his eyebrows as he watched his friend tap his hands in patience, as if he hadn't gotten sick and wasn't tired at all. He held back his laughter as he watched Hyde's mouth twitch as he swished the water in his mouth; now it made sense. As he kicked the soft layer of snow over his vomit, Hyde spit out the water from his mouth, and coughed slightly.

"My mouth tasted like shit." Hyde grumbled, voice raw from the acid. Eric glanced over at Steven momentarily.

"Actually it would taste like puke, which is probably-" After receiving the death glare from Steven's watery, bloodshot blue eyes, Eric silenced. Steven's gaze returned to Eric, and a small smirk appeared on his face; he accepted his smart mouth.

The two walked back to the Vista Cruiser in silence, Hyde's arms were crossed over his stomach and his jaw was clenched tightly, trying to hide the fact that he was shivering and his teeth were chattering. Eric stifled back a smile and slowly wriggled out of his dark blue winter coat, then handed it to Hyde. Reluctantly, he took it, and slipped his arms into the sleeves. Eric didn't want him to get any more ill than he already was.

"Thanks..." Steven murmured, eyes set on the ground as he dug in the pockets.

"No problem...?" Eric trailed off, unsure of why Hyde was searching his coat. From the light post next to the car, Eric watched Hyde's ashen cheeks flush slightly as he stared at Eric with embarrassed eyes.

"Do you have any gum?" This time, Eric did chuckle, earning another glare from Steven.

"In the car," he answered, Hyde gave a nonchalant nod and continued to stare ahead, as if he were alone.

"You can stay at my house if you want, I can set up the cot again, or I can sleep in the basement..." Eric trailed off, unsure of what to say. He just didn't want Hyde to go home to Edna. God knows what that woman would do to him. He watched as Steven shrugged his shoulders, which caused the seventeen-year-old to roll his eyes in annoyance. He hated it when he did that; he was trying to be nice but his offers were shot to hell with a fucking shrug.

In silence the two boys approached the car, one in anger, the other in confusion. Eric opened the door and slid into the cold clothed seat before slamming the driver's side door shut. The same metallic bang was heard as the passenger door closed.

Eric turned the keys in the ignition and pressed the pedal to milk his boat of a car to life. The engine sputtered until finally the Vista Cruiser roared. He remained in park while his car warmed up, so that the heater would be comforting for both of them.

A rustling from the passenger seat caused Eric to turn and watch his friend with an amused expression. Steven carefully pulled his arms out of the feather-filled winter coat and pulled his legs tightly to his chest; something he had done since he was a child. He then placed the body of the coat over his legs and torso, and slipped his arms back in the sleeves. Eric refrained from breaking out into a large smile and a fit of laughter; God help him he thought it was adorable.

Eric remembered Hyde had asked about gum and slowly reached over the passenger side end. He felt Steven's icy blue eyes staring him down as he reached over to where his knees should have been. Eric chose to ignore the fact that he was being watched, and opened the glove compartment. He pulled out his packet of Trident mint gum, and handed Steven the pack, after taking one for himself.

"Thanks," Hyde mumbled as he popped three pieces of gum in his mouth like a pill.

"You're welcome, it's just gum..." Eric trailed off, watching as Hyde's demeanor changed right before his eyes. The older boy turned to face Eric, still curled up, yet he seemed more awake; as if someone had just given him some beer or LSD.

"We can talk now, I mean... I know you like to talk. So you can talk. I just didn't want to talk because of my breath but now I have gum, but that's besides the point. I don't do the talking anyway, you talk." Eric raised his eyebrows skeptically at Steven. He wasn't the rambling type. Whenever he spoke, he was confident and concise with his phrasing. He stuck to the point, there was never a time he'd use more than ten words to explain something. Plus he never wanted people "to talk." Was he nervous?A smirk grew on Eric's face as he decided to try something.

Eric chose to ignore Steven's suggestion to talk and finally pulled the car out from the empty space of the makeshift parking lot by the water tower. Thankfully the snow was soft, otherwise his car would be stuck.

"Uh... so do you want me to drop you off at your house? Or just head to my house?" Eric asked nonchalantly, trying to act as if he had the zen. Hyde shrugged his shoulders and slid the coat off of his body, the heater was practically scorching their skin. But it would help keep Steven healthier than the cold.

"Your house. 'Cause it's just easier, and Edna kicked me out... just for the night. I'm shutting up now..." Steven trailed off, staring out the windshield as he looked anywhere, but at the driver. Eric's face fell as he realized this. He was nervous, maybe embarrassed. Was it that he got sick? Did he not want him to know about being kicked out? Or was it because they kissed? Eric's heart fell as he thought the last question. That had to be it.

"Okay, you can have my bed. I'll sleep in the basement." Eric mumbled, turning onto fourth street. He didn't want to talk anymore, he just wanted silence in the car and to get away from Hyde as fast as possible. He ruined their friendship... he ruined everything.

Both seemed to relax into the silence that overcame the car. After five minutes, Eric heard slow, deep breathing from Steven and sighed; he probably fell asleep. Dare he look over? Yes, he dared. His green eyes shifted slowly to where Hyde was practically laying on the seat, still curled up. But facing him, with bright blue eyes wide open, staring at him with a straight face. Eric jumped in shock and shook his head in anger. How the hell did he do that?

"I thought you were asleep," Eric mumbled, turning his attention back to driving. He heard the relaxed breathing again, and felt his tension disappear. He had never seen Hyde so peaceful, it was almost as if he were sleeping.

"No, it's too early." Eric scoffed; only 12:45 would be early for Hyde. "Thank you." Eric's ears perked at the quiet murmur from a very vulnerable sounding Hyde. Eric cautiously peered over again, expecting to see wide, almost child-like eyes that were usually hidden by his shades. Instead, they were concealed by closed lids. Eric's heart skipped as he noticed his lips were parted slightly as he breathed easily.

"You're welcome..." Eric replied for what felt like the hundredth time that night. He didn't even know what he was thanking him for.

About five minutes later, Eric pulled into his driveway. The drive back seemed so much quicker than the drive to the water tower. He turned the ignition after putting his car in park, and quietly opened his door. "Hyde," Eric mumbled, he couldn't say Steven, it would only make him expect something he'd never have. "We're home." He heard the sleeping man groan from the sudden sleep intrusion and slowly he stretched his legs from his chest. Eric opened the passenger door and waited for Hyde, who was still half-asleep as he stood up on wobbly legs.

"They're asleep," he mumbled hoarsely with a drunk-like grin on his face. "It's all tingly..." Eric laughed quietly as he allowed Hyde to place his arm over his shoulder. When Steven was vulnerable, he was too weak. Almost like a child. And it seemed to be nearly unbearable for Eric; he was never able to show this side of him, especially when he was growing up.

"You can borrow some of my pajamas," Eric mumbled, pulling open the sliding glass doors. He lead them into the dark kitchen, and turned on the light; he didn't care if he woke his parents. As soon as his mom saw Steven, she'd understand.

"I need my meds..." Hyde mumbled limping farther into the kitchen. Eric chuckled as he began walking to the downstairs medicine cabinet with the over-the-counter medicines like Tylenol and allergy medications.

"No, you don't..." Eric replied with a laugh. Hyde's wide eyes suddenly turned dark as Eric approached him; no wonder he wore the shades, they revealed everything. Hyde kept his glare on Eric momentarily before opening the cabinet, pulling out four large bottles. Eric tilted his head in curiosity; when did those get there?

Hyde opened each one by one and pulled out various amounts of pills from each. Eric couldn't catch the name of the prescription, but they,as the labels stated, were made for Steven Hyde. Eric's smile faltered, he was telling the truth. To make up for laughing, Eric got him a Cola. He watched as Hyde unscrewed the cap, and took all nine of his pills down with one gulp.

"I have fifteen minutes before I pass out. I'm a time bomb!" Hyde joked sarcastically, this was what Eric was used to. The Steven in the car was turning back into the Hyde he was familiar with. He wanted Steven.

Eric walked upstairs with Hyde at his heels, he would get Hyde his pajamas and then go downstairs to sleep. He'd probably just stay in the living room rather than the basement; it was too cold.

Turning on the light to his room, Eric immediately headed to his dresser drawers, and opened the bottom two. He tossed out two worn shirts, one was his old The Beatles logo t-shirt that he wore in middle school; which sadly still fit. The other was a plain dark grey shirt that was a little baggy on him. Hyde took the shirt offered for him, and watched from a foot away as Eric dug for a larger pair of pajama pants for his more muscular friend.

"Here, these should do." Eric mumbled, handing Hyde a pair of dark blue sweatpants. Hyde nodded and took a few steps away from Eric before stripping. Eric tried to hide his shock that Hyde was just changing in front of him... but they had done it all the time in the past. Why was it so weird now? Eric took a deep breath and pulled his top off, trying to ignore the fact that Hyde was shirtless and unbuckling his belt.

Eric closed his eyes, that's the only thing he could do. Otherwise he'd be too tempted to watch his friend change, and that was just weird. But not if you're wrong. Like he was.

Eric heard a soft metallic tink and opened his eyes, Hyde was folding his jeans, fully clothed. Even in the baggy shirt, Eric could still see his pecs. "Damn," Eric whispered, shaking his head at his thinking, causing Hyde to raise an eyebrow at him in confusion. He then sat on Eric's bed, above the blankets, and leaned back on the pillow. Eric sighed heavily and felt his breath hitch. Hyde was ill and tired, he could not be thinking about that.

"I know what it's like," Hyde whispered, staring at Eric with his icy blue eyes. Eric took a step closer to the bed before sitting at the foot.

"What?" Eric asked, watching as Hyde's shoulder shook, caused by his laugh. What was so funny?

"To feel wrong." He answered as if what he were talking about were obvious. Eric raised his eyebrows, trying to hide his shock. What was he trying to say? "To feel different from everybody else. Knowing I'll never be a Henry the Eighth or Casanova. But at least I won't be a Liberace." Hyde chuckled softly after finishing his sentence. Eric felt opposite, however; how could he laugh?

"You don't know what you're talking about, Hyde." Eric watched as Hyde sat up straighter. "You're wrong, you know that?"

"Oh, I am?" He asked, a smirk on his face as he leaned closer to Eric on his knees.

"Yes, you are!" Eric tried his hardest to avoid his squeaky voice. He didn't get what Hyde was saying or doing, or more like, he couldn't believe it. Was he sleeping? This couldn't be happening. "I'm not a..." Eric trailed off, blazing green eyes glaring angrily into Hyde's amused light blue pools. He was too close for Eric's liking. He could see himself in Hyde's eyes.

"You're not a what?" Hyde whispered, Eric suppressed the shudder caused by his hot breath that tickled him. "What, Eric?" He asked, eyes turning darker by the millisecond.

"N-nothing..." Eric choked, he winced at the sharp scoff that came from Hyde's throat. Eric closed his eyes, he couldn't see Hyde leaning to him, on his hands and knees, face less than six inches from him. It was too tempting, too wrong.

"Oh, I don't think it was nothing," Eric's breath stopped as he felt the bed shift, Hyde moved even closer to him. Oh God. "Say it," Eric gasped as Hyde whispered in his ear, his breath felt like it could burn his ear.

"I..." Eric whimpered, glancing at Hyde's eyes; glazed over by medication, it had to be. His medication made him like this, that's all. And if he were on his medication, he wouldn't remember any of this when he woke up. "I'm not... a fag." Eric's mouth formed the words, yet his voice was mute. Hyde cocked an eyebrow and sighed softly, minty breath sending shivers down Eric's spine. His eyes were piercing through Eric's, as if he was reading his soul, so the seventeen year old closed his eyes and turned his head. Bad idea.

His heart thudded erratically as the soft pair of lips met his again in a kiss that could shatter steel. Eric leaned in and melted into the slow, passionate lip-lock. It made him free; his heart was a muddle of mush and his every nere tingled in shock from the livewire kiss.

He couldn't help himself. Eric moaned against Hyde's lips as the man in control massaged their tongues together. Already, Eric's face was heated and his blood flooded through his veins like a broken levee.

Eric wonderd when his hands cupped Hyde's cheek and ran through his curly, ginger-brown hair. He wondered when Hyde had pinned him against his headboard and straddled him.
His heart was fluttering a million beats per second as Hyde gently sucked on the pallid flesh of Eric's neck, then nipped at the mark that immediately bruised. Eric shuddered and relished in the euphoria he was in. No girl, not even the saucy little neighbor girl, could ever make him feel like this. And he wasn't alone.

Eric moaned as Hyde reconnected their already swollen lips. The feeling of their mouths melding felt so right, like they were meant to be.

And then he felt the punch.

Eric gasped in pain after Hyde viciously hit his stomach. Eric, still in his daze, stared up at the young man, his head fuzzier than being drunk. Insead of a lusty expression like his own, Hyde scowled down at him in disgust.

"And you're not a fag, Eric?" Hyde growled lowly, no sign of ecstasy in his eyes.

He didn't know what to say. He gazed into Steven's eyes and felt sick; all he saw was hurt. "You know one of my uncles called me a fag. But only after he made me suck him off and..." he trailed off, taking a deep breath, staring at Eric's shoulder. "So what, are you gonna start-"

"Wait! What did your uncle do to you?" Eric cried in a whisper, his stomach churning. He caught the fear in Steven's eyes as he looked away. Did he even want to know? A part of him begged to find out, while the rest just quieted his curiosity.

"That's besides the point. If I'm a fag in your eyes. Then you are too, I just proved it." Eric stared at Hyde with shock. All of this, them kissing, had been a test? And did he just tell him that he was a homosexual, too? Hyde? Unbelievable.

"This was just a test?" Eric asked weakly, trying to ignore the painful skip in his heart as he realized he wanted it to be more. He wanted more from Hyde. He wanted more from Steven.

"Did it seem like one?" Steven asked softer, shifting his gaze back to Eric. His eyes were lit up with a tired happiness, something Eric had never seen before.

"Well, no..." It didn't seem like a test at all. It was the best kiss he ever had. It was the most complete he had ever felt throughout his entire life. A smug smile pulled Hyde's lips, yet his eyes betrayed him. In those eyes Eric saw a shine of excitement and adoration, almost.

"Good," Steven murmured, eye lids drooping as he gaze sleepily at Eric. "'Cause it's all I ever..." he trailed off. Eric stared up at Steven, whose head hung from his shoulders. Eric shook his head; he wanted to hear what he was going to say. He still wanted to talk.

"Wait..." Eric began, "no, no, Hyde. You can't... you're not falling asleep on me! Come..." he paused, suddenly laughing quietly as he realized what position he was in. He never though he'd be the one to hold Hyde. Or be with him like this at all. Yet there he was, sleeping in the crook of Eric's arm, his arm draped over his waist.

The seventeen year old shook his head and a smile formed on his lips as he kissed Steven's forehead. At least he had tonight, he thought, resting his head back on his pillow. For the first and last time, he'd finally be able to rest easy.