As the gang began to walk from the cafe, making the journey to the pub - Archie froze and the gang turned to him, smiles all around. Johnny then piped up, "Y' not comin', Archie Bald?" Archie shook his head, "Nah, gotta run an errand for my nan. But, I'll catch up, yeh?" Johnny shrugged, "Alright, our kid. Take care, yeh?" Archie nodded, and with that the gang left him.

Archie then turned and began the journey to the local bookshop, entering and the small bell above gave out a pathetic 'Ding'. Barney, an old and odd character, looked up from an old and worn book as he stood behind the counter. He gave Archie a warm smile before gushing, "Ah, young Archie! Was wondering when I was going to see your face today!" Archie then smiled before making his way over to Barney, "Alright, Barn? Need any help today?" Barney then nodded, "Ah yes! There's a new stock in the back that needs putting away and I can't climb the ladder as my back's in agony", "Where abouts in the back?" "Second shelf, box on the left", Archie then said nothing further and headed for the back.

Archie had been volunteering in the bookshop since he was thirteen, a favour for accidentally smashing Barney's front window in; now a regular Sunday activity. Archie entered the stockroom, finding the large cardboard box of books before pulling it down and gently resting it upon the floor. Archie then crouched down and ripped open the box, he glanced around before taking out one of the books - the spine yet to be cracked and the pages yet to be turned. He then took a sniff, the smell of a new book like porn to his eyes.

He then smiled before lifting the box and cradling it as he walked back through to the shop, heading for the 'Romance' Section as the books were new copies of 'Gone With The Wind'. Archie, cradling six or seven books to his chest, climbed up the ladder to the second shelf. As he began to neatly put the glossed books away, he heard the bell ding before glancing at the clock on the wall before his heart skipped a few beats... Knowing exactly who had entered the shop. Putting the books away in miraculous timing, he jumped down from the ladder and wove in-n-out of the aisles - sneaking behind the 'Mystery' Section - ironic.

Archie then quietly took out a book, now getting a clear view of the sight before him... And it sure was beautiful - six foot, green eyes and jet-black hair kind of beautiful. Archie watched as the stranger before him read through a copy of "Jack The Ripper - Crazy or Clever?" A favourite of Archie's. This little scene a routine for the past six weeks, that's how long this beautiful stranger had been coming in for. He was definitely new to Stamford and didn't go to the college, Archie definitely would've saw him. He was stunning, so stunning that he could even give Finn a run for his money. Archie always admired the boy as if he were a piece of art, he was a bit on the lanky-side but had just that right amount of muscle that made him appear filled-out, cat-like deep green eyes that could be often mistaken for blue in a certain light, head of jet black waved curls that wound masterfully round each other and framed a handsome but young-looking face, a straight (well despite one or two teeth crooked on the bottom) and well-looked after smile that Archie couldn't help but smile at whenever the boy would laugh at a page in a book, a firm jawline - an accenting feature - and he was definitely of Spanish descent as his skin was a beautiful olive. But his eyes were Archie's favourite thing as soon as he'd so much as get a glimpse of those downcast greens; Archie would fall to pieces.

"It's illegal to peep y'know", Spoke a deep voice, it was smooth; like velvet. Archie then stuttered and widened his eyes, "I-I'm so-sorry, I didn't... I.." The lad then looked up from underneath his lashes with a smile before continuing with charm and smoothness, "S'ok, but usually when someone stares at me this long they buy me a drink", Giving a wink, which caused Archie to grin sheepishly and a slight blush radiate upon his cheeks. The lad then closed his book and placed it back onto the shelf, now blocking Archie's view of the lad's perfect face. Not wanting the lad to go, Archie followed him as the lad moved down the aisle; before they met the end and Archie, adjusting his glasses, nervously stuttered, "Well, 'ow 'bout I make it up t' y'? Maybe take y' for a coffee?" The lad, amused twinkling within his eyes began walking ahead when Archie called after him, "Is that a yes or a no?" The lad spoke over his shoulder with a smirk, "Where'd y' think I'm going?"

Archie Nelson, like the others excluding Chop, was a Stamford baby. Nineteen years on and Archie couldn't see himself living anywhere else. He was a very handsome lad with a sharp jawline and a bashful smile. Like Finn and Chop, Archie was also a cheeky but bright boy, ever since he could speak. He had a good sense of humor and always knew the right thing to say, apart from when he was four and developed a God-awful stutter. Even the most simplest of words would be a challenge, which damaged his self-confidence a great amount through primary; up until his first year of High School where his nan took him to a speech therapist. Archie was never bullied but wasn't popular, just the right amount of friends to get him through his school years - especially with Finn being his cousin and personal bodyguard if some twat stepped out of line. Ever since young, Archie had always been kind and caring; constantly wanting to help, even if it were as simple as unloading the food shopping or walking an old lady across the road. Like it was written, Archie was a handsome lad; well he was a Nelson, after all. A sharp jawline and a sharp mind, but unlike Finn's golden brown iris's, Archie had beautiful sea-greens that were rimmed by large and square glasses that were too big for his face; but his killer smile and charm helped him pull them off. As much as Finn loved his cousin, he found him very odd and often wondered why Archie never played football with him; but instead sat away from the boys and read - keeping himself to himself. Little did Finn know that Archie didn't want to be 'one of the boys' but more with one of the boys. If it wasn't obvious enough, then just to clear it up now; Archie was, indeed, very, very gay.

And he fucking loved it.

Archie couldn't keep the smile from his face, the coffee date with the stranger had gone brilliantly - so brilliantly Archie would be seeing him again tonight, at the pub. He discovered his name was Aaron, was an Aries (Very important, thanks to Rae who converted Archie into believing in all that horoscope bullshit.), was seventeen, went to sixth form (Hence why Archie hadn't saw him round college.) Where he studied A-level History and read the works of Edgar Allen Poe in his spare time. So, basically, to Archie: The boy was perfect.

Archie bounced into his house with a spring in his step, the excitement to tell his nan about how his little coffee date went and Aaron - aside from Rae, Archie's nan, Carol, was the only one who knew that Archie was gay. And another thing that Rae knew that no one else did, was the condition that Carol was currently in - Finn being related to Archie through his dad's side and Carol was Archie's mum's mum, meaning Finn never really bothered with Carol and never knew how fast Carol was deteriorating.

Archie was a part time carerer for his nan, sharing a rota with his uncle Ben. Carol had dementia, developed it around six years ago but was only diagnosed three years ago when she was returned by the police at two in the morning as she tried to find Archie's granddad who passed over fifteen years ago - that following morning a series of tests were run and both Archie and Ben were correct, it was dementia. Although his nan couldn't do the simple things such as feed herself or clean herself, there were some parts of her brain that still worked; parts that let her remember Archie and his sexuality. Archie being the only person she could fully remember.

"Nan! I'm home!" Archie called out through the small, two-bedroom home. Although Archie was up to date with all things modern, he loved how retro and vintage the house was - antique clocks and ornaments surrounded the house. Whenever Archie would return home from a night in the pub with the gang and listening to Blur and Happy Mondays, he felt as if he had stepped back in time as the smell of mothballs and soap would fill up his senses. He entered the living room to see his nan in her usual spot on the old and worn fabricated armchair, eyes glued to the telly as Supermarket Sweep was on.

"Oh, nan! Y' don't watch this garbage do y'?" Archie grimaced as he took place on the couch, she then frowned at him, "Ay, less of tha' now. It's good this... This program. Oh, wha's it's bloody name? It's presented by tha' fella, y'know, one with 'air", Archie couldn't help but laugh at Carol's ramblings before he then helped her out a little by answering her with raised eyebrows, "Supermarket Sweep?" She then shook her head, waving a hand at him as she frowned in thought, "Nooo! Tha's not it! It's got tha' man on it, one who looks a bit orange!" Archie let out a giggle, "Y' mean, Supermarket Sweep, nan?" She then clicked her fingers and pointed at him, "Tha's the one! Where would I be without y' ay?" He rolled his eyes but couldn't keep this smile from spilling onto his lips.

A silence fell between the two as they grew engrossed in the program before Archie then beamed, "Ay, guess wha', nan. I went on a date today", "Ooh tha's nice, son. Wha's he like?" Archie couldn't help but blush as he beamed to his nan, "He's gorgeous, nan! Big green eyes, dead tanned and tall. He's dead smart, is in sixth form down at the school", Carol gave him a gentle smile as she became wrapped in her own memories, "Ah, I remember when me and y' grandfather first started courtin'. He used to always take me t' all these fancy places and we used t' dance until our feet 'urt", Archie gave a laugh before she continued, her face softening with remembrance, "Used t' spoil me, did y' grandfather. There wasn't a day tha' went by where he didn't tell me he loved me, always callin' me beautiful. Right soppy sod!" And from happy to sad, Archie felt his heart tightened as she then said, "Speakin' of y' grandfather, I wonder where he's bloody got t'! He only went the shop for some milk", Archie then sighed, "I'm sure he'll be back soon, nan", He then rose to his feet, "I'm gonna go make a cuppa, want one?" "I'd love one but we've got no milk, would y' mind runnin' t' shop and seein' where that barmy ol' man has got t'?" Archie gave her a small smile and nodded, "I'll be back soon, yeh?"

Archie knew that his Uncle Ben would be round soon to take over and give Carol her dinner, so, instead of returning home; he headed straight for the pub where the gang were already all sat at their regular table - even Finn was there. Archie was still not used to Finn looking like a walking war wound, curious as to how he had gotten himself so roughed up. Now, Archie knew Finn had a short fuse but he'd never seen him in such a bad state as Finn always made sure his opponent never so much as even get a punch in.

Archie shrugged it off, as he knew his older cousin could hold his own and was alright - Finn wouldn't be here if he wasn't. Archie's fingers drummed against the unvarnished and chipped table with nerves as he scoped out the packed room, Aaron nowhere in sight. Rae, mid conversation with Chloe, took a sip of her pint and turned to Archie and lowly asked, "S'wrong with y'?" Archie hesitated, surely he could tell her? Well she already knew he was gay so... Why not?

He sighed and nodded towards the bar, "Come the bar with me?" She placed her pint down on a beer mat and the pair rose to their feet, making their way over to the bar; feeling a pair green iris's pierce into them; ironically the colour of jealousy. Rae leaned against the bar before cocking an eyebrow at Archie and asking, "Sooo?" In which Archie gushed, a bashful grin upon his lips, "I've met someone, Rae", Which caused Rae to grin and gasp, "No way! Who?" Archie went to respond when that familiar deep and smooth tone spoke into Archie's ear, "Archie?" Archie and Rae turned to see a timid looking Aaron, Archie then smiled before turning to Rae, "Rae this is-" He was cut off by Aaron shaking Rae's hand, "Aaron, nice to meet y', gorgeous", In which Rae gave Archie an amused smirk before turning back to Aaron, "Well nice t' meet y', Aaron. I'm Rae and any friend of Archie Bald's is a friend of mine, would y' like a pint?"

After introductions all round, the night was filled with alcohol, banter and laughter; the group welcoming Aaron with open arms. All aside from Finn, who eyed the mysterious boy; only mumbling one word replies and excusing himself to go the bar every now and again - despite Rae scolding him most of the night for being a grumpy tit. Now, Finn didn't mind Aaron; in fact he thought he was quite sound with good music taste, he just didn't like how everybody fawned over him, the way he charmed Rae with little smirks and words and mainly because of the way Archie looked at him as if he... Fancied him? The 'accidental' touches, the smiles, the looks, the blushing... No way. Archie couldn't, Archie was straight. No way was a cousin of Finn's a gayer, not that Finn was homophobic; or anything of the sort but Archie couldn't be gay. He just couldn't.

As the night grew on and it got to just passed ten, the street lights winking as they lit the darkened pavements, Aaron excused himself to go for a cigarette and Archie followed; claiming he wanted some air - which wasn't a complete lie as Archie was steaming; as was Aaron. The pair stumbled out the pub with a laugh and a few mumbles before Aaron rested against the brick wall of the pub, Archie stood closely in front of him, Aaron slurred, "Tha' Finn, lad don't like me", In which Archie drunkenly scoffed, scrunching his face up before slurring, "Nooo! He does! He's just like tha' with everyone, he's alright once y' get t' know 'im!" Which Aaron smirked, "Tha' codeword for 'es a dick'ed but y' get used t' 'im?" In which Archie giggled, "Pretty much", The pair shared a drunken laugh, Archie closing the gap between their bodies a little bit more. Aaron then asked, "I'm guessin' y' ain't told 'em y' gay then?" Archie shook his head, "Well! I've told Rae", Aaron nodded, taking it in, "I like Rae, she's nice", Archie laughed, once more, "Yeh, she's the best", His words coming out as slow as he moved his face in towards Aaron's, their eyes glazing over as they grew drunk on the closeness and the contact of each other, in which Archie then planted a kiss on Aaron's lips before pulling away and stuttering, "Shit, I-I'm sorry I-" But was cut off by Aaron grabbing Archie by the scruff of the neck and joining their lips once more.

"What the fu...ck?" Slurred a voice, which made the two pull apart. They looked to see a drunken Finn, who then realised it was Archie and Aaron. The confusion in Finn's eyes turned into rage as his face scrunched in anger before Archie pushed Aaron away and stuttered, "Ugh, wh-wha' y' doin'!?" In which Aaron glared at Archie in shock, the fucking coward. Finn then stumbled towards them before Finn landed a punch upon Aaron's nose, which created a sickening crunch; causing him to fly back into the wall and slid to the floor with a thud. Aaron clutched his nose that now poured with blood, Finn glowered down at Aaron, "Y' fuckin' sicko", Before turning to Archie, tears of anger brimmed his eyes before he sniffed and shot Archie a snarl, "An' y' just... Just stay away from me", Before he glanced at Aaron once more and stormed off into the darkness, the dim glow of the streetlamps above enough for Archie to make out the faint outline of Finn; before he completely disappeared.

Archie then bent down and helped Aaron up, who pushed Archie away; once on his feet, "Don't touch me", "Aaron I-" Aaron cut him off with a wave of his hand before he whimpered, "Don't, Archie", Before he then disappeared off into the night. Archie sighed, feeling a wave of sadness wash over him before he linked his hands to the back of his head, now suddenly sober, and he shouted into thin air, "Fuck!" Before tilting his head towards the sky, tossing his hands up and looking around.

Well done, Archie.

Archie tossed and turned all night before drifting off into an uneven sleep around five in the morning, he woke for twelve; luckily his uncle Ben did Tuesdays. He was awoken by a knock on the door, a moment passed before Ben popped his head in and lowly asked, "Archie?" Archie tiredly responded with a 'Yeh?' In which Ben then asked, "Listen, we've ran out of bread. Will y' the pop t' the shops and get us a loaf?" Archie picked up his glasses off his bedside table and sat up, nodded and sent his uncle Ben a tired smile, "Cheers, Archers", Was the last words Ben spoke before he left Archie be.

Archie glanced outside to see it was a grim day, grey clouds all round - the exact match to Archie's darkening mood. Archie then frowned, why was he in such a bad mood? It then hit him, it were as if someone had put last night's events on a video tape and replayed them in Archie's head. He let out a groan and went to throw himself back in a huff, when he whacked his head on the headboard of his bed; he sighed and laid there; fed up... Well today was certainly going to be eventful.

Once showered, dressed and more awake; Archie made the walk to Green Lane Shops - a place Archie hated more than any place in the whole of Stamford. He'd rather wank Aaron off in front Finn than go to Green Lane on his own, Rae not being the only target of torment. Luckily Big G and his gang of sheep were nowhere in sight, meaning the walk was easier than usual - much to Archie's hungover pleasure.

Archie picked up a loaf of Warbutons and headed over to the counter, where the shop owner - a kind soul - named Mrs. Roberts greeted Archie with a smile as he handed over the loaf and told her, "Just tha' please", "Y' alright, Archie? Not seen y' for a while", He gave her a shy smile, adjusting his glasses, "Y'know me, Pat. Just been busy in college and stuff", "Y' not courting?" He shook his head, "Nah, 'aven't got time", She then gave an eyeroll but a soft smile as she took Archie's money, tapping into the till and opening it before getting out the correct change, "Y' need a break, y' do. Y' should go out, find y'self a nice girl" or guy, Archie thought as he mustered an awkward laugh before taking the change and loaf, "Well, listen I've gotta run but y' take care, Pat", "Y' too, Archie. Say 'ello t' y' Gran fer me!" In which he called over his shoulder, "Will do!" Before leaving the shop.

As he walked, he began to whistle a little tune to himself. The tune was cut short as a shoulder shoved into Archie's and pushed him into a brick wall, he winced as his shoulder came into contact with the hard surface. He shut his eyes as he knew what was coming.

"Alright, gay boy. Was wonderin' when y' was gonna show", Spoke Big G, his voice laced with mockery and amusement. Archie gave out an inward sigh, bending down to pick up his loaf off the floor as he'd dropped it in shock. As he bent down, he felt a kick come into contact with his stomach; knocking the wind out of him and causing him to cough and splutter; hearing Big G and the other two lads fall to bits laughing as they loomed over Archie, before Big G then seethed, "Look at y', fuckin' faggot. Bet y' like bein' on y' knees don't y', y' fuckin-" Big G was then cut off by being shoved against the wall and held up by his throat, letting out a whimper.

Archie looked up to see Finn, pinning Big G up against the wall by his throat; rage in Finn's eyes that Archie had never seen before. Finn then spat in Big G's face, "Go on, say it. Tell 'im he's a faggot again, I fuckin' dare y'", In which Big G whimpered, "Please, Finn. Don't, don't hit me! I was just messin' with him!" Finn then scoffed a laugh, "Yeh, cause bootin' 'im in the ribs is such a fuckin' laugh, ain't it. Is it a laugh if I do it t' y'? IS IT!?" In which Big G rapidly shook his head before Finn then seethed once more, "Now, if I see y' and y' gang of twats near 'im or Rae ever again, I will fuckin' curl y's up, rip y' insides out and wrap 'em round y' fuckin' neck, alright?" Big G then rapidly nodded, eyes wide with fear. Before Finn threw him aside, Big G and his mates then scurried away with their tails between their legs.

Finn watched them, making sure they were gone; his chest heaving up and down as he calmed his raging temper. He then turned to Archie, "Y'alright?" Before lending a hand to Archie and helping him up, Archie cradled the loaf of bread underneath an arm as he rose to his feet. Archie awaited for Finn to laid a load onto him or storm off, but instead Finn then said, "I fancy a pasty, d'you?"

Archie and Finn sat on a bench, outside a Sayer's in the high street. Archie sat with the loaf of squished bread on his knees as he chomped on a sausage roll, whilst Finn chewed a steak and kidney pasty. A silence laid thick between the two before Finn swallowed some pasty, frowned and asked as he stared ahead, "When... When were y' gonna tell me?" He then worked up the courage and looked at Archie, who sighed and shrugged; suddenly growing timid, "I was gonna... Eventually, in fact I was gonna tell y' all together but I just didn't know when", He huffed before growing soft, "Why didn't y' tell me?" Archie chewed the inside of his cheek before he shamefully admitted, "I was too scared", Finn shook his head, taking a bite of his pasty and said through a mouthful of savoury, "Why? Not like I'd judged y' or owt", Archie wiped his cheek, "Y' just spat on me", the two boys shared a look before sharing a laugh.

A moment of silence passed before Finn swallowed his food and then spoke, not looking at Archie but towards the ground as he shyly admitted, "Archie, I-I don't care if y' gay. Sure, it'll take some time gettin' used t' but doesn't mean I don't love y' any less, y' still my cousin. Just my very gay cousin", In which Archie snorted a laugh and Finn gave a smirk before he grew serious once more, "But in all seriousness, just so y'know that I am alright with it and I'm sure the gang will be too", "Rae is", Which caused Finn to frown, "Rae knows?" Archie gave him a look before Finn shook his head, unable to stop the smile spilling on his lips, "Swear, she knows everythin'", "Tha's Rae for y'".

Finn finished his last bite of pasty before scrunching up the small paper bag into a small ball and asking, "Y' gonna see tha' Aaron lad again?" Archie shook his head, causing Finn to frown; he really needed to stop doing that, "Wha'? Why not?" "After last night? No chance", Archie scoffed before taking a bite of his sausage roll, Finn sucked in a breath, "Yeh, sorry about tha'. Just a bit shock, tha's all", "Oh, it weren't y' fault! It were mine", "I'm sure he'll give y' a second chance if y' went and talked t' 'im", In which Archie sighed before looking at Finn and saying, dead-pan serious, "Yeh maybe... If I knew where he lived", The boys then shared a look before doubling over with laughter.