FINALLY got this updated! Classes have been kickin' my butt these days. So my updates will be kinda spacious, sorry about that.

Feel like I need to remind everyone that this is an AU story, as in they're slightly different than the Benny and Ethan [and Rory] we all know and love.

Well, enough of my babbling. Enjoy.

Updated:09/22/2012

…

Ethan stood silently shocked as the blonde boy walked to him.

"Aren't you gonna give me a hug?" he said in a teasing voice Ethan knew all too well. Still frozen silent, the other boy just smiled and wrapped Ethan in a hug. Ethan's eyes shifted to Benny, who also stood in silence. When his eyes locked with Ethan's, he clearly saw fear reflected in the dark brown orbs.

"Rory… what are you doing here?' Ethan asked, finally untangling himself from the other's grasp.

"I moved back. Aren't' you happy to see me? And who's this?" he asked, his eyes narrowing as he turned to Benny, who got a bad vibe from him.

"Benny. Jane's babysitter, Ethan's project partner, and his next door neighbor. You?"

"I'm Rory. His best friend." Benny's eyes widened at this. Ethan felt his face heat up as Rory placed an arm around him, pulling him closer. "We grew up together. I moved away a couple of years ago. But I'm back now."

"Heh…"

…

Ethan sat in his room, freaking out.

Rory was back.

He should be happy.

But he wasn't. He was terrified.

Rory had been his best friend for his whole life, but then, when the two boys had been 13…

Ethan didn't like to think about it.

He let out a shuddering breath when he heard a ping at his bedroom window. Fear consumed him as he slowly made his way to it. Peeking out, he could see Benny standing in his backyard, waving at him. Throwing on a jacket and slipping on his shoes, he sneaked downstairs and out the backdoor, where Benny smiled at him.

"Hey. You okay?" he asked as Ethan stood there silently. He just shrugged. "What happened between you and him?" Ethan's eyes widened as he looked at Benny now.

"What do you mean?"

"When you saw him, you looked terrified. Why?"

"I don't know what you're talking about."

"Ethan," Benny said, stepping closer to him. "You can talk to me." Ethan looked into his eyes and saw how honest he was, but he still shook his head.

"I need to be getting to bed. Goodnight Benny." He made to turn but Benny grabbed his arm and pulled him against his body.

"Whenever you're ready to talk about what happened, I'll be here for you," he whispered to him, tightening his arms around him. "Okay?"

"Thank you."

…

Monday at school, Ethan was hiding inside himself. Rory was constantly by his side, an overly confident smile on his face. Benny had to watch from a distance as Rory kept Ethan to himself. But he finally saw his chance when he saw Ethan in class early. Quickly, he took a seat next to him.

"Hey," he said quietly, jolting Ethan out of the quiet stupor he was in.

"Hi," Ethan said quietly, a slight tremor shaking him.

"What did he do to you?"

"Please. Don't make me talk about it."

"Ethan… what did he do?"

"He did nothing! He's my best friend! He didn't do anything!" he said hurriedly, but Benny didn't believe it.

"Ethan, I'm worried about you. Please… I care about you." Ethan was quiet as he stared at his desk, not saying anything, even though his lips betrayed him by pulling up in the corners. "I think I almost see the smile I love so much." Ethan now blushed and looked away. Benny just smiled.

Then Rory walked into the classroom.

Ethan's face paled and he frowned as he scooted away from Benny, who looked slightly angry at the reaction.

"Hey Ethan," he said, throwing his arm around his shoulders. "Hello…Benny right?"

"Yeah."

"What were you guys talking about?"

"Our project," Ethan quickly said, making Rory nod.

"Oh. Okay."

…

Friday night came and Ethan was in his room, actually looking forward to the night awaiting him.

Benny was coming over, and there would be no Rory tonight.

Just him and Benny.

And he was looking forward to it.

Because Benny might've made him nervous, but he would gladly accept that over being terrified.

The only downfall to spending the whole night with Benny was that the tall boy would bombard him with questions about what happened between him and Rory. He closed his eyes a small memory flashed behind his eyes.

The first time he became terrified of his best friend.

*~Flashback~*

Ethan and Rory were in the dark haired boy's bedroom, watching some superhero movie as they rested together. Ethan let out a big yawn and glanced at his clock, seeing it was almost midnight.

The two 13-year old boys had never stayed up this long before. Rory looked wide awake still, while Ethan's eyes began to droop a little.

"Your parents asleep ya think?" Rory asked suddenly, looking at the other boy, who shrugged.

"Probably. Why?"

"Well…" Rory started, a devious smile finding his face. "I was thinking… we could… WRESTLE!" he exclaimed, pouncing on the darker boy, knocking him to the floor as they fought.

"No! Rory I don't wanna!"

"Would you rather do something else?" he whispered, stopping so he was just lying on top of Ethan. "Wanna try something new?"

"Whatcha mean?"

"Do you trust me?"

"You're my best friend. Of course I do."

"Good." With that Rory pinned Ethan's hands above his head with one of his own. "Don't struggle. It'll be easier this way."

"Rory, what are you doing?"

"Just trust me Ethan," he whispered, pulling off his belt to wrap it around Ethan's wrists. "There. Ready?"

"R-ready for what? Rory, I'm scared…"

"Don't worry Ethan. Trust me…"

Ethan's eyes snapped open as he felt tears prick at the corners. Wiping them, he stumbled downstairs to find Benny waiting for him.

"Where are my parents?"

"They already left. Didn't you hear them call out to you?"

"…No. I… was listening to music."

"Oh. Well they're gone and Jane's actually staying the night at a friend's house tonight. It's just us, trying to finish this project."

"Good thing its due in a few weeks, then we won't have to worry about it anymore."

"Yeah but then I'll just have to make excuses to come hang out with you over here." Ethan actually smiled at Benny, who smiled a huge smile back. "I really do love your smile."

"You keep saying that."

"Yeah…I do… Hey E?"

"Hmm?" Ethan asked as he began working on the project. Benny bit his lip and shook his head.

"Nevermind." Ethan raised an eyebrow at him but shrugged.

"Okay…"

…

Benny had fallen asleep, snoring quietly. Ethan was still awake, watching mindless T.V. He looked over at Benny when he mumbled something in his sleep.

"Ethan…" he mumbled quietly. Ethan, curious as to what the tall boy was dreaming about, scooted closer to him. "I can't let him hurt you again…. I… I like you. I care about you," he mumbled again with a small snore. Ethan chuckled and covered Benny up with a blanket, which caused him to stir a bit. "Hey," he said sleepily.

"Hi."

"You okay?"

"Yeah…" Benny's eyes were already closing again as Ethan let out a quiet whisper. "You make me feel safe."

"I'm glad," Benny whispered, reaching for Ethan's hand and holding it in his own as sleep fell over him. "I want to protect you from him."

…

Well, hope that was interesting enough to keep everyone satisfied until I can do the next chapter.

No telling how long it'll be until then…

-JustMe133