Jake laid across the couch in his living room, lazily tossing cheese puffs into his mouth while he watched a marathon of reality shows about rich people just living their everyday lives.

"Man, I wish I was rich." Jake said out loud to himself and chuckled.

His focus was briefly interrupted when he heard his dad and Helen in the next room whispering rather loudly. He shrugged it off and continued watching the show until Glen entered the room.

"Jake, we need to talk."

"Why? What's going on?" Jake sat up nervously. Nothing good ever comes from 'we need to talk'.

"Son, your graduation is coming up really soon and you haven't really put any effort into applying to colleges."

Jake rolled his eyes. He already felt totally irritated and the conversation just started. "Dad, I already told you. I don't want to go to college."

Glen shook his head disapprovingly, "Jake, you need college."

Jake scrunched his eyebrows, feeling a mixture of annoyance and offense at that. "What is that supposed to mean?"

"Why are you getting so defensive?" Glen asked. Jake was floored by the question.

"Because it sounds like you don't believe in me and it kinda pisses me off."

"Of course we believe in you, Jake, it's just-"

"It's just what?" Jake interrupted, "You obviously don't think I'm equipped to think for myself or capable of taking care of myself."

"I'm sorry, Jake, but I can't help but think your decision to not go to college stems from a lack of motivation."

Jake grimaced and took offense to that accusation, "How would you even know that? I'm still in high school. It isn't like I've been out of school for ten years and have done nothing but sit on my ass all day." Glen glanced away as Jake spoke. He wasn't taking Jake seriously and he knew that, which caused his blood to heat up. "And you know, college isn't for everyone. A ton of successful people out there haven't gone to university or anything. Some of them didn't even graduate from high school."

"Well, they got lucky."

"It isn't just luck!" Jake's voice rose. "You don't need college to be successful. And you don't need luck to survive without it. Besides, think of the money you'll save from not sending me off to some overpriced, glitzy school."

"I know you want to go into the family business, but there's so much that an education can do for you."

"Right, because not only am I too stupid to survive without school, I'm too stupid to make my own decisions." Jake stated what he knew was on his dad's mind, but wouldn't phrase in so many words.

"You're acting like a child now. Most kids go on to university following high school, that doesn't mean they're stupid."

"I'm not talking about that. It's the way you're making me sound. Like, there's no way in hell that I can possibly make it without going to university and that my ideas and dreams are just plain ridiculous."

"I don't like your tone, Jake. You may be an adult now, but you still have to treat me with respect."

"You mean the opposite of the way you're treating me now?"

"Is this how Drew behaves around his parents?"

"What?" The question caught Jake off guard. He couldn't believe his dad was being like this. These weren't the kinds of questions he asked. It was like he was a different person. "Where is this coming from?"

"You and him have been spending a lot of time together lately. Maybe he's not the best influence on you."

Jake stood up, trying his best to keep his rising temper under control. "Oh, so now you're going to choose my friends? Are you being serious right now, dad?"

"Well, he's not in school anymore. You spend almost all of your free time with him doing who knows what. It's possible you're getting all these ideas from him?"

"All these ideas?" Jake echoed, "For your information, I made up my mind about what I wanted to do with my life before Drew and I became friends. And why are you trying to make him the bad guy all of a sudden? I spend some time with him. So what? He's my friend. It's not like we're doing meth or like I'm failing my classes or anything. And anyway, you don't even know him!"

"Obviously this kid doesn't know what's good for him or he wouldn't have given up on his education, son. He can't be too bright."

Jake's lips stiffened and he clenched his fists. "Actually, he's quite smart. He's also a really great guy. Maybe if everyone would stop judging him for two seconds, you'd see that."

Jake was so livid he could feel his eyes burn with tears of rage. He wondered why his dad decided to do a 180 all of a sudden, that since no one else was getting in the way of him and Drew today, he was chosen to fill that quota. He was so annoyed with everyone throwing themselves in their business. Why couldn't they just be left alone?

He slammed the door behind him as he headed outside. He pulled out his phone and he rapidly typed out a text to Drew.

"Feel like I'm gonna have a meltdown. Tell me we can meet at your place in private?"

Jake hopped in his truck and waited for a response. His phone vibrated a couple minutes later. "Everything okay? Fi's got some friends over right now. What's going on?"

"Shit." Jake cursed out loud. He thought of another plan.

"Too long for text. Cabin trip?" Jake honestly didn't feel like driving out all the way to the cabin and staying the night, but he was desperate to get out of the house. Thought being out for the night or even longer would be a nice bonus, especially if it's with his boyfriend.

"Sounds good to me. :) Too much estrogen here anyway. I'll be ready in 10. Hope you're alright."

"I will be as soon as I get the fuck out of here. I'll come pick you up. Love you."

"Love you too." Drew could feel the tension radiating from the text alone, so he could only imagine what must have happened and how Jake's feeling. He quickly changed out of his work clothes and packed a few things in his bag.

Just as he stepped out of the building, Jake's red pick-up pulled up to the curb and he jumped in. Before Drew got a chance to ask him anything, his lips were attacked by Jake's. They were hungry and ravenous. Not that he didn't mind it, but he could tell that Jake was stressed.

Their lips parted after a minute, "Hey." Jake grinned, but it didn't seem as genuine as it normally was.

"Hey," Drew returned. He was too nervous to come up with any small talk. "So, what's up? You seemed pretty upset in your texts."

Jake's smile vanished, replaced by a clenched jaw and a hard swallow. He remained like that, staring intently at the road he was driving on for a few seconds. "It's.. my dad. We had a big fight."

"Fight? About what?"

"My future, how irresponsible and stupid I am," Jake's eyes wandered apprehensively, "You."

"Me?" Drew instantly felt a little hurt. "Why me?" He wasn't entirely certain he wanted to know.

Jake swallowed hard again. He was now unsure that it was a good idea to rant to him about the bad things his dad said about him. He didn't want Drew's feelings to get hurt. "I-It's so stupid."

"Tell me, Jake. I won't be upset." It was kind of a lie, but it's not like he'd hold Jake responsible for things his dad said.

Jake frowned, knowing it was too late to backtrack now. "He was spewing all this bullshit, questioning my plans for after high school... then he brought you up and said he thinks you might be the reason for my lack of motivation and impractical decisions." The words left a bad taste in Jake's mouth and he knew they made his boyfriend feel awful. He quickly tried to remedy the situation. "He's being such a dumbass lately."

He looked in the mirror and saw Drew staring down at his feet. He reached over and rubbed his leg. "Don't let it get you down. I told him off. He doesn't know you and he doesn't have a clue what he's talking about."

Drew picked his head up. He tried to put on a strong front for Jake and not let him know what Glen said about him bothered him as much as it did. He'd been trying to be a stronger person. "I'm fine."

Jake glanced at Drew and smiled, but he wasn't sure of how convincing he was. "I think Helen's been getting to him. He's not usually like this." There was noticeable agitation in his voice when his step-mom's name came up.

Drew smirked. He wasn't too fond of the woman himself. She always seemed to hold some sort of disdain for him, even though she barely knew him. Perhaps she heard things from Clare about him. He knew he wouldn't be winning any popularity contests with the likes of Helen Martin if she was aware of how he was in school.

"Not too pleased with her either?"

Jake grimaced. "I mean.." He sighs in frustration. "I dunno. Sometimes she's alright, but she treats me like I'm a kid. It's like she thinks I'm the same age I was the last time I saw her and Clare on a regular basis. Guess she hasn't noticed I've grown at least three feet since then."

"Is she like that with Clare too?"

"Yeah, even with Darcy. She must not realize kids grow up or some shit. Now it's rubbing off on my dad and I don't like it."

"Six more months, Jake."

"Hmm?"

"Six more months until you graduate. Then you're free."

Jake grinned. "I can't wait."

"I've been saving up money. I figure I'll have enough by July for us to get our own place. It might not be the best living establishment that Toronto has to offer, but it'll be a starting point."

"It will be the best living establishment Toronto has to offer." Jake asserted, raising a finger and glancing at Drew in the mirror. "You'll be there, after all."

Drew laughed. "You're so corny."

Jake snorted. "You love it."

"Well, duh!"

Jake reached over and held Drew's hand and caressed it with his thumb. Drew looked down at their conjoined hands and back up at Jake. "Thanks for sticking up for me. It means a lot."

Jake smiled warmly. "No problem."

Jake took in another long, deep drag of his joint and leaned his head against the back of the couch. His long legs stretched out in front of him in awkward directions. Drew laid across the couch with his head laying in Jake's lap. He stared at the other boy and watched as smoke slowly slithered out of his mouth and he closed his eyes.

"Needed this so bad." Jake whispered. He lifted his head and looked down at Drew. "Thanks for coming out here with me tonight."

"Don't mention it. Where else would I be?" Drew propped himself up and kissed Jake.

Jake slid himself and Drew down to the floor in front of the couch and repositioned himself so Drew was sitting between his arched legs. He wrapped the shorter boy in his arms and leaned his head against the back of his neck.

Drew leaned back against Jake and admired what it felt like to be engulfed by his embrace, how sweet even the simplest of things felt in that moment, like listening and feeling him breathe while he held him, the way his eyelashes were tickling his neck as they fluttered against it, or the way his hands felt as they pressed against his chest and waist. The fact that someone like this existed and he was lucky enough to be loved by him was the most amazing thing in the world.

"I love you more than anything. You know that, don't you?"

Jake stirred and lifted his head from the back of Drew's neck, taking in a deep breath. Drew wondered if Jake fell asleep against him. "Of course I do. I feel the exact same way about you."

"That makes me feel like the luckiest man in the world." Drew admitted.

Jake runs his hands along Drew's arms and slides them under the sleeves of his t-shirt, against his biceps and up to his shoulders. Drew hums as the sensation soothes him.

"You're the most beautiful person I've ever seen and you're the best friend I've ever had." Jake whispers as he presses heated kisses against Drew's neck which sends shivers down his spine. "So, can you imagine how lucky I must feel too?"

Drew gasped as Jake's touch continued to mesmerize him. The feeling of his hot breath against the back of his neck was intoxicating. He pushed himself out of his grasp briefly and turned himself around, reaching for the buttons of Jake's plaid shirt. He carefully unbuttoned his shirt and tossed it aside before pulling the white undershirt over Jake's head and doing the same with it.

He leaned in and began kissing against the smooth skin of Jake's broad chest. Jake moaned and leaned back against the couch. He lazily rested his arms around Drew's back as he continued to kiss up his chest.

The lean muscle of Jake's chest left Drew's lips tingling and made him hard. He ran his tongue against Jake's nipple and sucked on it a couple times, eliciting a pleased groan from Jake. Jake's fingers found their way to Drew's soft raven hair and combed through it while Drew's lips traveled closer to this neck.

Drew could tell from the other man's quickened breathing that he was getting excited. He licked along his shoulder and up his neck, savoring the taste of his skin. His eyes homed in on Jake's. They were glossy and full of lust. As soon as eye contact was made, Jake raised his lips to Drew's and he slithered his tongue into the other's mouth

Jake noticed how Drew's saliva always tasted sweet. He didn't know if it was something that was just in his imagination or not. His lips curled up as his tongue danced with Drew's, massaging every inch of it. His hands reached up and cupped Drew's face, steadying it. Like he couldn't get enough of Drew and he wanted more.

Drew was now sitting in Jake's lap, his legs crossed around the taller man's waist and chests pressed tightly together. Their ever-hardening erections involuntarily grinded against each other.

Their lips parted for a moment so they could catch their breath. They panted heavily against each other, their eyes unwilling to break contact.

Drew raised his eyebrows to convey an unspoken question. Jake picked up on it immediately and nodded eagerly. An almost too serious look adorned his face, but that only served to express how badly he wanted it.

Jake reached down and quickly unbuckled his belt and pulled down his pants, revealing his boner standing at attention and somewhat soaked in pre-cum. The sight of it made Drew ache in anticipation. Before he had a chance to pull down his pants, he felt a foreign pair of hands doing the work for him. He appreciated Jake's overachieving attitude in this area. He felt himself grow harder against Jake's aggressive touch.

Jake admired Drew's throbbing boner with a devilish grin before turning his attention to Drew himself and whispering, "Show me that ass."

He turned himself around and leaned back against Jake while he positioned himself at Drew's entrance. Drew grunted and sighed as Jake pushed himself inside.

Drew shuddered at how excellent Jake felt inside of him. They had sex several times already and the feeling never got old. Jake placed his hands on Drew's hips and began sliding himself in and out.

Jake's eyes rolled back; he wondered how long he could possibly hold out. He'd only just started and already he felt like he was going to climax. It had been a while since the last time he masturbated and even longer since he and Drew had sex, add in the amount of tension that had been building up lately and you have a very sexually frustrated Jake. It didn't help matters that it felt amazing to be inside Drew right now.

"Unhh.. god, I needed this so bad.." Jake groaned as he pounded Drew.

"I.. can tell. You're giving it to me pretty rough back there." Drew panted out between gasps. Jake slowed down his pace after hearing that.

"Too rough?" He asked cautiously.

"No.. god no!" Drew laughed, "I love it! Keep going!" He gave a thumbs up and Jake grinned and resumed his pace.

Drew bit his lip and gulped down some saliva as Jake thrusted into him. He felt like he was on cloud nine with the way Jake was nailing him. His moans became louder and deeper the closer he was getting to his prostate and he knew he was being teased.

Jake loved making Drew groan. Listening to his moaning and grunting seemed to turn him on like nothing else could. Most of all, he knew the best ways to make it happen.

Drew glanced down at his boner which was pounding and begging to be tended to. He wondered if Jake forgot about it. He moved his hand to begin pumping it when Jake stopped him. "Wait a minute. I wanna try something." Drew turned and gave him a questioning look.

"I'm gonna see if I can get you off a different way." Jake stated cryptically with a wink. "Ready?"

Jake thrusted deeply into Drew's prostate and at such an angle that Drew let out a very satisfying groan. He doubled over in extreme pleasure, unable to speak coherently. Jake proceeded to strike the area in ways he hadn't before; at different angles, massaging against and around it. It wasn't long before Drew's pleasured moans became more drastic.

"Oh fucking.. GOD!" He breathed out dramatically as he came everywhere. His body shuddered at the erotic sensation of getting off without making any sort of contact with his cock.

The sight was enough to send Jake over the edge and he quickly finished off with a few quick, hard thrusts until he finally erupted inside Drew, causing the other man to react positively to that as well.

"Oh man.. fuck.. fuck!" He hissed as his dick shot out every ounce of cum that had built up inside of him into Drew.

They fell back into an exhausted pile, completely depleted of the energy and strength required to hold themselves up any longer. No talking, no laughing. Just heavy breathing and huddling against each other.

Jake was so wiped out afterwards that he couldn't seem to keep himself awake, so Drew helped him into bed and he fell asleep instantly. He wondered if it was only the sex that drained him. After all, he was pretty upset over that fight he had with his dad.

Drew sat in the living room and contemplated everything going on lately; him and Jake, all the things Jake's dad and step-mom think about him, where they're going to live once Jake graduates, if Jake will reconcile with his father and if he'll still want to work with him.

He walked back into the bedroom and leaned against the open door, watching Jake sleep. He wondered how the man could be the badass who punches out jerks who dare disrespect those he cares about and knows all the best ways to torture someone during sex and at the same time look so adorably innocent and vulnerable while he sleeps.

He immediately noticed some exposed skin of his waist showing. It reminded him of how much he loves touching Jake, feeling him. Not even necessarily in a sexual way, but in a loving way and in a way to remind him that he's really there and always will be.

My god, I love him so much. Drew thought as he watched him. The thought made his head swirl. He didn't think such a feeling even existed. It scared him, but not in a way that would make him run. Not like the other things he's felt that gave him the urge to take off. This feeling made him want to stay more than anything.

This boy right here, he's mine. And... he actually considers me his as well. He said to himself, I don't know what I've done to deserve someone so amazing. Do I even really deserve him? Maybe he's meant for someone else. Maybe it's a mix-up. Drew shook his head, waving away the negative thoughts.

No, I'm not going to question it. I have no right to. For one reason or another, Jake is in my life and I'm lucky enough to have his love. I refuse to ever do anything to fuck that up.

Drew felt a tug at his heart strings as he watched Jake. He didn't exactly know why. Maybe it was because he kind of wished Jake was awake now so they could spend more time together. He shrugged it off and climbed into bed next to him, sliding his arms around Jake's form and spooning him like he was a giant teddy bear. He nuzzled his face against the back of Jake's neck, taking in the comforting scent of his silky dark hair.

And I sure as hell won't let him regret his decision to allow me to be a part of his life.

The work days seemed to drag on longer the more Drew fell in love with Jake. He knew it was the universe's way of annoying him. Coincidentally, those thoughts of Jake were what made those long days at work a lot more bearable.

"Another day complete." Drew sighed as he entered the employee parking lot of the closing mall. He couldn't wait to go home, change his clothes and just relax for the rest of the evening. He was halfway to where he parked his car when something caught his attention; his car was nowhere to be found.

He felt a sharp spike in panic for a minute as he frantically glanced around the parking lot. Had he parked it somewhere different today and absent-mindedly forgot to make a mental note of it? His mind had been buzzing with other things lately. What if it was stolen?

Before his imagination had a chance to run away from him, he spotted his car in a remote, isolated area of the parking lot.

"The fuck? I don't remember parking over there." He said out loud and shrugged as he ran over to it. He thought it might have been some kind of prank pulled off by some annoying sophomores or something. He didn't really care how or why it got there right now. That was something to ponder after getting home.

"Hey, old friend!"

Drew nearly jumped out of his skin as the unexpected voice came from the shadows surrounding his vehicle.

"Long time no see, buddy!" The source of the voice made their presence known a second before slamming his fist into Drew's stomach, knocking the wind out of him and dropping him to his knees.

Drew clutched his aching gut, desperately gasping for air when the man grabbed him by his hair and pulled it back to force him to look up. "Remember me?"

Jake's attention was stolen from his homework by his phone ringing. He set his pencil down and grabbed his phone to see who was calling.

"Hey, Fiona." Jake greeted, "What's up?"

"Jake! You need to come down to the hospital right away." Fiona's voice sounded urgent and grim.

Jake's heart sank and a frigid chill shot down his spine. He couldn't bring himself to speak. He immediately knew something was wrong. He didn't want to hear what he feared Fiona would say next.

"It's about Drew."