This is what happens when Jake and Ryder leave after the fight with Ryder's parents, as prompted by kila.

I'm not sure whether there will be more chapters for this story. Regardless, I'm gonna change this to being complete anyway. But there is a chance for more, I guess.

For a long time, it takes a lot of effort for Jake to be able to keep pace with Ryder. He's striding along the sidewalk, hand still firmly grasping Jake's. They're almost at Jake's house before Ryder starts to slow down, his anger easing. Soon he's falling in step with Jake, and Jake can see the look of despair on his face now.

He wraps his arm around Ryder's waist, tugging him close against his side before pressing his mouth against Ryder's ear. 'I love you, baby.'

'I love you too.' It's said with a hint of confusion, as if he doesn't really know why Jake's bringing it up. But his furrowed brows quickly return to a defeated expression.

Jake tries again. 'I'm sorry your parents reacted like that.' Ryder doesn't say anything, just hums a quiet agreement. But he's leaning in closer to Jake now.

They're walking past the entrance to the park now, so Jake steers Ryder in there. No sense in having to deal with more parents at the moment. When they reach the playground, the swingset is empty. Jake guides Ryder onto one swing before taking the one next to him.

They've both got themselves swinging quite high before Ryder says anything. 'I just – I thought that things were finally gonna go ok now.'

'Yea, me too.' They fall silent, and Jake finds himself fighting to not say the one thing that's on his mind. It comes out anyway. 'Do you think life's always gonna be this hard for us?'

Ryder seems thoughtful, as if he's really thinking this over. It makes Jake feel terrible, makes him want to take the words back. But it's too late now. 'I think it'll get better. But it's still always gonna be hard. Harder than straight people have it.'

'Yea. Shit, it's moments like this that I hate living in Ohio.'

'Being in a different state doesn't necessarily mean that it'll be magically better.'

Jake doesn't want to believe that. 'It might though.'

'There's always gonna be douches, Jake.' He says it so matter-of-factly.

Jake thinks about that for a moment, dragging his feet on the ground until he comes to a stop. Ryder is doing the same thing, so as soon as he can, Jake is hopping out of his swing to stand in front of Ryder. He wraps his hands over Ryder's where they're holding the chains. 'I want you to know, no matter how bad this crap gets, it would never be reason enough for me to leave you.'

'Me too.' They're staring into each other's eyes, and Jake finds himself needing to lean down and kiss Ryder. So he does. The kiss is intense, and it makes Jake lose his balance, nearly. He has to catch himself with an arm around Ryder's shoulders. It makes the swing wobble more, but somehow they manage to stay upright.

When they pull away, Jake leans his head against Ryder's. He can't manage to make himself stand up completely. 'I don't want to go home yet,' Ryder tells him.

'So don't, then.' Ryder's watching him like he's waiting to be told what to do. Jake glances around; it's getting dark now, no one's gonna be turning up. 'Let's go play.' He takes off running towards the playground, hearing Ryder following a moment later. He climbs up the slide before racing across the equipment, Ryder running in the other direction. It quickly evolves into a game of tag, which is ridiculous since it's only the two of them.

The game continues until Ryder's collapsing against Jake, having just tagged him. He's panting for breath, not even reacting when Jake tags him back. 'I need to rest,' he explains eventually, sinking down to the floor.

And that's how they end up spooning on the hard wooden surface at nine o'clock at night. Neither of them really says anything, just the occasional whisper of love. As he lies there, holding Ryder against him, Jake finds himself thinking. He's worried for Ryder, worried about what he's going to have to go through now. It was bad enough when it was his mom freaking out, but he doesn't think he'll be able to cope with Ryder hurting like this. Somehow, it seems so much worse. And Ryder's gonna have to go home soon, go and deal with whatever fall out there is from this afternoon.

But not just yet. So Jake buries his face into the back of Ryder's neck, using the opportunity to take and give comfort while he can.