Chapter two: My own feelings

Chase's P.O.V.

I nod and snuggle in the arms of Adam, feeling warmth yet pained. The throbbing pain makes me struggle for breath as Adam picks me up to carry me out the school. I really wish to stay like that though...maybe forever if it ever comes. I close my eyes and drift in and out. Sometimes I hear voices, sometimes I feel darkness to the point that I give into it. My head lolls to the side onto Adam's shoulder feeling heavy and hurting. My bottom lip wobbles as I try to manage the pain. It's okay though, because I soon lose all feeling.

Adam's P.O.V.

As Chase snuggles into my chest I can't help but tighten my hold on his lithe body. His body is shivering as if cold but is probably from the pain as his face scrunches up and his brow furrows. I try not to jostle him too much and soon he seems to relax in my hold even if it's just a bit. The pain is ever present but he succumbs to sleep and lets it get a hold of him. He looks so tired of always going through the same thing every day and I can't do anything about it. I honestly can't believe he's lasted this long though. Even this morning I noticed something was wrong but I chose to ignore it. I can't believe I'm such an idiot for thinking everything was going to be alright.

I just want to shrink him and put him in my pocket, like that one time he shrunk me to two inches. As if! If I even manage to shrink him any smaller he'd disappear. But in all seriousness I want to protect him and always be there for him to keep him safe.

I look at his sleeping form and smile continuing our journey to our house. He looks peaceful in my arms. He looks vulnerable despite his stubbornness, which I think makes him even more adorable in a sense.

If you haven't already figured it out yet. I love Chase with all of my strength and that's a lot considering I have super strength.

Yet I know he will never have eyes for me. He's way out of my league in every sense. He's cute, kind, and super smart. Yup, he will definitely never consider dating a moron like me not to mention the fact that I'm a dude. And it breaks my heart to think that but it's the truth. One thing I've always learned from my mistakes is that nothing ever goes the way you want. And yet for some reason I still make the same mistakes from before.

There's also one more thing that stops me and that is that I'm pretty sure he's not gay. For once, he actually got a date for prom that one time. I will admit I was jealous. I was jealous, but my jealousy was aimed at the girl who even considered going on a date with my brother. My lovely brother...the one I love so much. Which is the reason I hide, I hide from him and my family. The secret of being "different" is always weighing me down and I have to shake my head to stop the thoughts.

I walk in the mansion after half an hour of walking right behind Bree and Leo with an unconscious Chase still in my arms. Despite the long time walking I'm not too tired since he's considerably light and very small so no surprise really.

"He's dead tired," Bree comments with a soft voice as to not startle him awake, "maybe you should take him upstairs."

"Yeah...now do I take him to his room or mine?" I ask innocently.

Leo rolls his eyes, if only he knew.

"Adam just lie him down it doesn't really matter, he just needs rest," Bree says with a hand on her hip.

"Okay," in the end I carry him to his bedroom.

I haven't been in it since the day we each got a separate room. However, back then the walls were blank and there was nothing homey about it.

When I open the door and can't help but instantly smile. His bed is neat, his black acoustic guitar is in the corner, and everything is as it should be. Perfect.

I gently lay him on his bed and pull the covers on top of him in hopes that the shivering stops. I kneel beside his bed and brush away stray hair away from his pale face. I admire him for a few moments until he stirs and lays on his side facing me. I huff a small amused chuckle wondering if he was seeking my warmth.

"I love you Chase," I whisper in his ear rising to leave.

I bend down to kiss his forehead softly and turn to leave but something stops me in my tracks.

"I love you too Adam," the familiar yet hoarse voice replies.

I turn around to find Chase smiling but eyes still close.

"Chase?" I wonder in a low voice.

"Love...you...Adam."

My eyes widen. He did just say he loves me! It literally takes all of my resistance not to go and kiss him senseless. He said he loves me! He's just confessed to loving an idiot who has no sense and has to rely on my strength, me of all people! While in my happy thoughts and considering my own feelings he starts stirring again and sits up with bleary eyes searching his room until they land on me. I'm awkwardly half way to the door but stuck in the middle of the room indecisive.

"Adam?" He questions while rubbing his sleepy eyes.

"Hey," I smile.

"What happened?"

"Nothing much, you just got roughed up a bit and I carried you home," I motion to our surroundings.

"Thanks you're the best," he blushes lightly

It encouragement enough and I decide that maybe I don't have to continue hiding my feelings or who I am, at least not from Chase.

"Chase...I-"

But of course, when I finally build my courage it always get tumbled down.

"Chase! What happened? I heard you collapsed at school!" Mr. Davenport yells clearly panicking while walking in and soon beginning to pace around the length of the bed.

"Some guys just decided to gang up on me," he shrugs nonchalantly as if it's a regular occurrence.

I flinch but it probably is, was, not anymore. Not as long as I have a say in protecting him.

"But this has never happened before right?"

"Collapsing no... but being beaten up... yes," he sighs tiredly.

"Is there a possibility that maybe..." He trails off.

And it irks me that Mr. Davenport would imply such a thing, especially about Chase.

"Have any glitches? No," Chase replies just as offended as I feel.

"Are you sure?"

"Yes Mr. Davenport," he affirms with narrowed eyes.

I stand awkwardly by the door watching the dad-and-son interaction quietly, silently fuming.

"I just want to take some tests," Mr. Davenport says quickly.

"Tests?" I question as Chase mutter insistently, "I don't have any glitches."

"Chase," he says in a warning tone.

"I'll be fine... just tired," Chase lies back down.

Mr. Davenport turns around and faces me. I prepare myself to defend Chase if he tries to convince me to carry him kicking and screaming to the lib for the so-call "test." I know I'm glaring at him but I really can't help how defensive I've become of Chase in just a few short hours. It gets under my skin if Chase is even looked at the wrong way. However, any scenario I can create in my mind is blown by surprise as Mr. Davenport says, "Take care of him," before walking out.

I raise an eyebrow at his departing figure but nonetheless I walk towards the bed again. I still feel awkward as I sit on the edge of his bed and wait for him to speak. Chase looks down at his hands placed over his lap covered by the blanket. He bites his lip as if nervous or trying to hold back something.

"I don't have any glitches," he repeats quietly, his brow furrowed again as he stares at his lap.

"I know," I whisper, almost offended that he would think I doubted him.

"...Adam?"

"Yeah?"

"Thanks," he smiles tiredly.

"You're welcome," I smile back just a bit reassuringly knowing he needs somebody, needs me.

"Are you going to stay?" he asks.

"He did say to take care of you," I shrug as my smile widens into a goofy grin.

"Come here," he pats the empty space closer to him finally looking at me.

I obediently get closer and crawl to the space he motioned. When I'm situated, my back to the headboard, he places his head on my shoulder and takes a deep breath.

"Adam...did I hear right?"

"What are you talking about?" I feign ignorance which is not too difficult.

"Did you really mean what you said?"

"Chase can you be more specific? I'm not the brightest person in the world," I reply.

"Adam...Do you…Do you really love me?"