Hurt

Disclaimer: I do not own the characters from Nothing Much to Do/Much Ado About Nothing.

A/N: This story is set in a universe where everything happens except Balthazar and Pedro getting together. The chapters will not take place in chronological order, so don't think you've missed anything if chapters don't match up with the ones before. Also, there'll be mention of a major character death, so yeah, there's that warning. Hope everyone enjoys this - I'll try to update as often as possible!

Balthazar was well into his fourth cup of spiked punch when Pedro found him in the school's small courtyard. He looked up at the boy crouching in front of him, and the sudden movement of his head made him a bit dizzy. As much as he'd like to believe he could hold his alcohol, Balth knew that two drinks was really his limit.

"Heeeey, Peddy! Watchaaa doin?" His voice was shakier than he would have liked, and the words seemed to slur half-formed from his lips.

"Whoa there. Let's put that over here…" Pedro caught Balth's shoulder as he unknowingly tipped slightly and placed his cup of punch on the ground next to the bench he was slumped on. "Where's Tony? And how did you get like this so fast? I just saw you an hour ago."

"I-I drank four cups," Balth held up four fingers - wait, no, only three, but whatever. "And Tony's somewhere with Cleo. Making out or something." At least that's what they were doing when he had caught them.

After Tony swept him back to the dance floor, Balthazar lost track of how many songs they danced to. Each one melted into the next in a mix of Tony's smiles, Tony's laughter, Tony's hands, Tony's scent, Tony's chest. He was so happy. He wasn't even upset when Cleo tapped Tony on the shoulder and asked to talk to him. Balth knew they had some sort of history, but how could history trump the very real now he and Tony were having. The two walked off through the gym's double doors to the hallway outside.

"Hey Balth, how's your night going?" Benedick's voice startled him. The boy was standing behind him, holding Beatrice's hand. After a few weeks of trying hard to look like they hated it, the couple had finally embraced hand-holding, and now they did it all the time.

Balth smiled at them both. "It's actually going really well." He didn't trust himself to let on to them just how spectacular it was - he might just jinx the night. "You two definitely have some *ahem* awesome dance moves. Have you thought about going on some sort of competition show or something? You really have a chance at winning." Ben punched his arm playfully.

"Oi, shut up, Balth. We're the best dancers in here." Bea looked at her boyfriend before continuing, "Ya know what, we challenge you and Tony to a dance-off! Go find your boy-toy and bring him back so we can smoke you both." The couple looked proud of their future victory, and Balthazar didn't have the heart to tell them that the battle would end in tears and heartache for them. And possibly, knowing Ben's clumsiness, blood.

"Yeah, okay, I'll go find him. You just stay here and warm up. Not that it'll help." He muttered the last part just loud enough for them to hear. They were both spluttering half-assed comebacks as he left to find Tony.

The hallway outside the gym was empty, and Balth decided to head to the right. Hopefully Tony and Cleo had headed in that direction. He didn't have his phone on him, so calling his date wasn't an option. Walking down the school hallways at night was a bit creepy. The only lights that were on in this wing were the emergency lights, and Balthazar started to feel like he was in one of those American killer prom movies. On cue, a light a bit ahead of him flickered. He could feel his heart speeding up, and within a matter of seconds, it was racing. A noise from a classroom to his left made Balth literally jump. Against his better judgement, he crouch-walked awkwardly to the door and slowly peeked through the small window.

What he saw was possibly worse than a masked man with a chainsaw. No, it was definitely worse. He dropped back down before the kissing couple saw him. His heart was now racing for a completely different reason.

"What the hell do you mean Tony was making out with Cleo? Where's the bastard?" Pedro was still gripping Balthazar's shoulder, but his eyes were searching the courtyard as though Tony might be hiding out in one of the bushes.

"I'm not really sure. But don't be mad at him. You know he loves Cleo. He's been waiting for her forever." Balth had come to a realization while drinking his third cup of punch. As happy as he had been with Tony that night, if Pedro had asked him to drop everything and make out with him, Balth would have done it in a heartbeat. Hell, Balth would have dropped everything just to spend a few minutes alone with Pedro.

But here he was, alone with an angry, raging Pedro, and he only felt empty. His first crush besides his best friend ended up being in love, with a girl. Pedro was still hung up on Beatrice. Who else was there for him before he moved away after graduation? However, that was a different matter for a different time.

After a few minutes of talking Pedro down, Balth suggested they go back to the gym and enjoy the rest of the dance. The taller boy began to unfold from his crouched position when Balthazar reached out. Later, he would have no answer for what possessed him, but he pushed a piece of the ever-perfect hair behind Pedro's ear. Then the punch kicked in again, and he giggled.

"What?" His best friend was looking at him worriedly.

"Nothing. I just like your ears, that's all." Balth kept giggling as Pedro shook his head, smiled, and offered him a hand up.

Tony and Cleo had decided to pull the douche move of going back to the gym to dance, and Balthazar hated the sympathetic looks he got from his friends. Pedro wouldn't let him have any more punch, and he had also refused to move his steadying hand from around Balth's shoulders.

"Hey, you know what, I'm gonna head out if you want me to take him on my way." Ever the angel, Ursula gestured with her car keys in the direction of the doors.

"Nah, I've got him. He's small, but he might be too much for you to carry if he ends up passing out," Pedro said as he tightened his arm around Balthazar. It was hard for Balth to not melt into his friend's side.

Ursula left, and the two boys continued to stand at the edge of the gym watching the remaining students dance to music Balth would normally be making snide remarks about to Pedro. He just couldn't bring himself to care now.

"Okay, everyone, this is the last dance. So grab someone special!" The DJ started a slow song Balthazar wasn't sure he had heard before. It sounded nice, though.

A squeeze of his shoulder caused him to look at Pedro. "You wanna dance? It is the last one after all." The taller boy was holding his hand out in an offer Balth couldn't resist. Their hands fit perfectly together, not that Pedro noticed. He just dragged the musician to the dance floor and held him close. Balthazar closed his eyes and let the music wash over him.

And when you come close, I just tremble.

And every time, every time you go

It's like a knife that cuts right to my soul.

Only love

Only love can hurt like this

Only love can hurt like this

Must have been a deadly kiss

Only love can hurt like this.

Note: I'm really looking forward to being able to write happy stuff, but thanks for hanging in with me through all the angsty stuff!

Thanks for reading, and please comment/like/whatever if you're enjoying the story (or if you have any suggestions).