Sick fic chapter 2

The walk to the McQueen house was still a natural path for his feet to take. As he drew closer, Craig realised that there was a party in full swing. He knocked twice, and was rewarded by a tipsy Carmel McQueen opening the door.

"Craigggggg, what a nice surprise to see you 'ere!" She went to hug him but stumbled into the doorframe.

"Hey Carmel. I'm kind of here to see John Paul, do ya know where he is?" Craig's eyes roamed the party-goers, trying to locate a familiar head of sandy-blond hair.

"Poor lad didn't feel well so he went up to his room for a bit. I think he's resti-" "Ah okay thanks, don't worry I won't be trouble." Craig raced up the stairs, mind only focused on one thing.

He reached the door he used to be so familiar with and took a deep breath. Opening the door gently, he entered the room. "Hey John Paul, are you .." Craig stopped.

On the bed, curled up in a ball was a small figure, sound asleep. He drew closer and sat down beside him. 'Oh look at him, he's such a tiny, beautiful thing'. Craig reached out a hesitant hand, and drew it through the sleeping man's hair.

"Hey baby, it's me. Wake up love, c'mon now" Craig's heart was pounding, but he was determined to make things right.

Bleary sky-blue eyes opened and peered up at him through dishevelled bangs. "Craig?"

Suddenly he sat up and scooted as far away as possible. "Why are you here? Did you follow me?"

Craig reached to take his hand but John Paul slapped it away and stood up. "Look, John, I made a mistake and I overreacted. But I'm sor-" "Sorry? Oh, you're sorry?! I guess everything's okay now, not like you accused me of being a whore and didn't even try to stop me as I left" John Paul's eyes were wet with unshed tears and he turned to face the window.

From this view, Craig could see the bony outline of John Paul's shoulders and how thin he had become. Craig felt utterly sick with guilt.

"Baby, please. I am more sorry than you'll ever know. I was just mad and stubborn, but I regretted not going after you every second since you were gone." He enveloped him in his arms, not letting him go despite John Paul's vicious attempts to be free.

"I need you. I miss you so much. Please don't let my stupid mistake ruin this. You're amazing and I can't live without you. John Paul, you are my everything" He pressed his lips against John Paul's forehead, and basked in the feeling of holding this fragile creature in his arms.

"I can't Craig. I loved you, would have done anything for you and you know it! Yet you still accuse me and say horrid things. Just go. Leave me alone." John Paul stopped fighting and tried to ignore the feelings of comfort being held to this strong chest gave him.

Craig sighed and loosened his grip, fingers gently grasping his chin to face him. Looking directly in dull ocean eyes, Craig pleaded "Don't turn me away. Not now. What happened to you, you're half the size you were when you left? Why are you not eating sweetheart?"

John Paul reflexively curled inwards, head on Craig's shoulder to avoid looking at him.

"'Cos I can't do it anymore. I hate the way I look. Why would anybody want me?" His voice was quiet and subdued, and Craig hated all of it.

"How could you ever think that?! You are the most gorgeous, beautiful creature I have even laid eyes on. Someone like that could never be ugly. Baby, you're perfect the way you are. So, please, no more of this crazy starving." Craig guided them towards the bed and laid against the headboard, John Paul held firmly against his chest.

Strained sobs started to shake John Paul's body, and his fingers clutched at the front of Craig's sweater like a lifeline. "I just h-hate how I look, I'm so disgusting!"

Craig rubbed his back in soothing circles. "Look here darling, you are wonderful and could never in any way be considered disgusting. You're beautiful, and I wish you could see that too."

Craig rocked him gently, and John Paul started to relax. He felt so tired after all the emotional stress, and after letting it out he had no energy. His eyes drooped and soon enough Craig could hear soft breaths with every rise of his chest.

He was so warm and content to just lay there holding his angel in his arms that Craig too slipped off, dreaming about vivid blue oceans and the sun shining on his face.