Nick got to the park eight and a half minutes later. He knew exactly where Zak would be. They always ended up on the same bench. It overlooked a beautiful garden with a coy pond in the center. He made his way to the bench. Sure enough, Zak was there sitting with his back to Nick, facing the pond, Gracie at his side. Nick took his first real breath of air since this whole ordeal started. Just seeing Zak there was so comforting, so familiar. He wished for a quiet moment that they could freeze in time, just like this. He took a deep breath, making his way over. Gracie noticed him first, tail wagging, as she tugged at her leash begging to greet Nick.

"Gracie girl!" Nick said with a smile, making his way toward her. She jumped up excitedly, resting her paws on his stomach as he scratched her behind her ears just the way she liked. "You're such a good girl." he said before chancing a look at Zak who had stood up to face them. He had a soft smile on his face, but his eyes were distant and sad. Like he was looking at a memory. "Hi Zak." Nick said, snapping him back. "Thanks for meeting me here."

"I can't stay very long." Zak said quickly.

"Ok." Nick tried his best not to look too disappointed. "Can we sit?" Zak just nodded, taking a seat on the bench. Nick sat down next to him, as close as he dared. He could tell Zak noticed but he didn't care. If he only had a few minutes, he wanted to use them right. "I love this place."

"It's a nice spot for a walk." Zak said uncomfortably. Nick smiled softly to himself. Zak was rarely uncomfortable but somehow he always made it look so charming.

"I remember that one time a couple of summers ago, it was so hot. And we had decided to take a midnight walk. And by the time we got here we were both dripping buckets of sweat. I mean, I was about ready to pass out. And you were splashing some of the water from the pond on me, trying to cool me down…"

"And then your ass pushed me in! Yeah, I remember that." Zak said with a laugh.

"Hey, if I remember correctly, you pulled me in not long after." Nick said, smiling.

"You're damn right I did!" Nick couldn't help but notice how Zak's smile crinkled at the corners of his eyes.

"I guess I deserved it." Nick smiled back.

"You did." Zak said playfully. They settled into a comfortable silence, shoulders just grazing. "So. You had some questions for me?" Zak asked after a moment, remembering himself.

"Oh yeah." Nick said, sad to be pulled out of this moment of happiness. "It's like I told you, Zak. I woke up the other morning in a strange room. I have no idea how I got there or why. And I don't remember anything. I had no idea that we were…" he said, stopping short. He still couldn't bring himself to say it out loud. "And I don't know why. We were so happy, so in love. I don't understand how this could have happened?" He was working himself into a tizzy and he felt the anxiety bubbling up in his chest. His breathing quickened and he worried he was going to pass out again.

"Nick? Nick, are you okay?" Zak asked worriedly. It sounded muffled and distant, like he was being called from a dream. He felt a warm hand rubbing circles along his back. The familiar sensation calmed him almost immediately, bringing him back from the clouds. He rested his head in his hands as he regained his breathing.

"I'm sorry." he said quietly. "I'm just so confused. I don't know what I did. And now you're with Dave… and I don't know why." He looked Zak square in the eyes, searching for the answers to his questions. Zak looked back at him sadly. "Zak, I miss you." They looked at each other for a moment before Zak tore his eyes away, looking down at his hands.

"It happened about a year ago." he started quietly. "We were happy together, you're not wrong about that. But after a while, that wasn't enough anymore." Zak fidgeted with his rings, unable to lift his gaze. "We started fighting. All the time. And it was always about the same thing. I was tired of hiding. I begged you for months to consider telling people about our relationship. I couldn't handle the secrets anymore. And after a while, it felt more and more like you were ashamed of me; ashamed of us. And that hurt, Nick. Because I was never ashamed of you." He lifted his gaze to meet Nick's. The pain in his eyes was evident. "And then one night, I gave you an ultimatum. I just couldn't take it anymore. And I was sure that I meant enough to you. But I was wrong." Tears welled in Zak's eyes as he continued. "I waited. I waited for you for six months. And then I didn't want to wait anymore."

"Zak…" Nick felt like his chest was cracking open. This couldn't be right. They had told Aaron and Billy. He remembered that night; remembered the relief that washed over him as they kissed. And they had told their families too. He remembered they were shocked but happy and supportive. This wasn't right. "I'm so sorry." He placed a hand on Zak's knee, turning to face him. "I don't even know what to say because I can't… this doesn't sound right. I love you, Zak. You mean more to me than anything and given the choice, I would choose you a thousand times... Please, Zak. Just give me another chance and I promise I won't let you down."

"I can't, Nick. It's too late." Tears rolled down his cheeks as he spoke. "You're too late."

"Because of Dave?" Nick asked desperately, absorbing the fresh cracks in his heart. Zak just nodded silently in response. "Do you love him?" Nick asked, not wanting to hear the answer, but needing to know.

"Yes, I do." Zak said quietly. Nick finally understood what people meant when they talked about feeling knives in their chest. He wanted to die so that he wouldn't have to feel the pain of this moment a second longer.

"Do you still love me?" he asked weakly. Zak looked at him with sorrowful eyes. And suddenly, Nick couldn't help himself. He leaned in, grabbing Zak roughly by the nape of his neck. He crashed their lips together, kissing Zak with everything he had. Slowly, he felt hesitant lips move against his to deepen the kiss as salty tears found their way between their mouths.

"Zak?" A deep voice called from behind them. Zak jumped back, looking up to find Dave looking hurt and confused. "What the hell?"

"Dave! I'm so sorry...I didn't mean to." Zak protested, standing from the bench. Nick felt emptiness as Zak put space between them.

"What the fuck is your problem?" Dave yelled. The anger in his voice causing Nick to look up at him for the first time. "Why can't you see that you lost? You had your chance with him and you blew it. You let him go. He's with me now. And you need to get used to it!" Nick jumped up off the bench, head high and chest puffed. He wasn't gonna let some asshole who had known Zak for six months tell him what he needed.

"I'm never gonna stop. I will never stop fighting for him! I love him. And I know that he loves me too. You're nothing but a place holder. You need to get used to that." Nick spat back angrily. And just like that, Dave lunged over the bench. Nick only had a second to think and he used it to push Zak to the side and out of the fray and then Dave was on him. Something about the whole exchange felt familiar. Nick felt a memory tugging at the back of his mind as he fought hard, punching and kicking as Dave pinned him to the ground. He was strong, but Nick got in more than a few good shots. He heard Zak yelling their names, begging them to stop. He tried to get between them, tearing at their arms, but a hard shove from Dave had him flying backward unto the ground. Anger took over as Nick launched his fist out. It made a cracking sound as it made contact with Dave's chin. He scrambled up, running over to Zak.

"Are you okay?" he asked, checking Zak for injuries.

"I'm fine, I'm fine. Just...you gotta get out of here." Zak said quickly.

"I'm not leaving you here with him." Nick said, feeling his fists clench tightly.

"Nick, please. I'll be okay." Zak plead. But it was too late, Dave was on him again, shoving him to the ground. He felt the back of his head smack against the pavement as Dave got him pinned down again. He heard Zak yelling his name, begging Dave to stop, but his vision was starting to blur around the edges. And it was getting harder to breath as hands clasped tightly around his neck. And this was all so familiar and unsettling. He wanted to fight, but he couldn't. He was too dizzy and his body had nothing left to give. He closed his eyes, drifting off as Zak called his name again and again.