The next morning, Matt opened his eyes only to see Ryan's sleeping form. He smiled and watched Ryan sleep. It seemed the only time Ryan looked innocent, was when he slept. Matt put a hand on Ryan's face, stroking it slightly. Ryan let out a small noise and then opened his eyes. He smiled upon seeing Matt. The sheets were draped over both of them, hiding their bare bodies. Matt blushed when he thought of what had gone on between them the following night. Ryan laughed and kissed Matt softly, then put his forehead to Matt's. "Do you regret it?" He whispered.

Matt shook his head no, winding his fingers in Ryan's hair.

"Good, because it was amazing."

Matt grinned and kissed Ryan back. Then, his smile faded. "Shit," he muttered. "We have school tomorrow."

Ryan shrugged his shoulders. "Yeah, so?"

"So? Ryan. . .we can't let anyone know. The guys on the team would kill me."

Ryan nodded his head, smiling to hide his disappointment. "I know, you told me. Don't worry. We'll be. . .just buddies in school. No worries."

Matt sighed and shook his head. "No worries," he repeated.

For two months, they pulled their act off perfectly. To the people around them, they were still just best friends. They only let out their true selves around each other. Not even their families knew. They never even suspected. Everything was going amazingly well, which should've been the first sign that something would go seriously wrong. They graduated, feeling a weight lift from their shoulders. Everything would be better now. . .

It was in early July when everything came crashing down. Matt had recently gotten a job working at the gym. It wasn't the most glamorous of jobs, but it paid well. The only bad thing about it was that every Wednesday and Friday the guys from his old basketball team came in to throw some hoops before leaving for college. Matt did his best to stay out of their way, but they always seemed to find him.

One afternoon, he thought he and Ryan were alone. He would've laid bets on it, he was so sure no one else was around. They kissed each other, saying goodbye until Matt's shift was over. Ryan had gotten used to driving Matt to work, and Matt never complained. Ryan left, telling Matt he'd see him at three.

"Well, well, well." A voice said from behind Matt.

Matt looked away from the employee entrance, his heart dropping to his feet. When he turned around, he saw the captain of his basketball team and a few other players grinning at him. Matt felt his cheeks flush.

"Look who's a little light in the pants boys," Greg said. In his mind, because he had been captain, he could still order them around. They stupidly listened to him.

"Wow Matt, I never would've seen this coming." One of the other boys said.

"Yeah, please tell me you never snuck a look at our junk in the locker rooms." Another added, his face showing his disgust.

Matt backed against the door, his sensible thoughts leaving him. All he could think of was to run, to get away. He'd seen the predatory look in their eyes before. They had it every time they knocked the shit out of someone "lesser" than them.

"Leave me alone." Matt told them, trying to keep his voice strong.

"Leave you alone? Why should we Matty? Tell me, how long have you been. . .this way?"

This way. . .like it was a disease or sickness. Matt felt his stomach lurch. No, I won't feel bad for what I feel damn it! "You can't catch you, you assholes." He murmured.

Greg arched an eyebrow. "Excuse me?"

Matt stood straight and cleared his throat. "I said, 'you can't catch it'. And I believe I called you assholes. How many times have you gotten hit with a basketball Greg?" He replied. He knew he shouldn't antagonize them, but he couldn't help it. He couldn't stop the words from coming. He was so sick of hiding who he was in fear of what people would think. Well, I'm done hiding.

"Maybe we should see if we can. . .kick it out of him. Boys?"

"Sounds good Greg."

They approached him, and suddenly Matt didn't feel so strong anymore. "Go away Greg."

Greg shook his head, and before Matt could think of defending himself, he was thrown backwards by Greg's fist. His head slammed into the glass door, a burst of white flashed behind his closed eyes. Pain like he'd never felt before flowed through him. A tear leaked from his eye. "Stop it," he whispered.

They didn't listen. A foot connected with his stomach, another fist with his arm. He cried out, more tears streaming down his cheeks.

"Hey!" A voice suddenly exclaimed. "Get off him, you assholes!" A girl pushed Greg out of the way and knelt beside Matt. He could barely stay awake to see her.

"Fuck, what did you dicks do to him!"

But they were already leaving. "Cowards," she mumbled. She put a hand on Matt's cheek and said, "Hold on, I'm calling the cops now. Just. . .stay conscious okay?"

Matt shook his head, but could feel himself slipping. "I love you," he whispered, visioning Ryan's face in front of him. Then, he was gone.

Ryan paced the room, his hands in his pockets. His eyes were bloodshot from crying. Matt's parents were sitting beside him, holding his hand. "Come on Matty. You can pull through this." His dad whispered.

Ryan licked his lips and stifled back a sob. He hated seeing him like that. . .so vulnerable. "Jesus Matt," he said quietly.

"Who would want to do this to our son?" His mom cried. She looked up at Ryan. "Who would do this?"

Ryan clenched his fists, immediately seeing Greg and the "gang" in his mind. He'd told Matt to stop working there as soon as he found out they went there. Matt said they would leave him alone. . .he'd promised. "I don't know." He replied, not meeting her eyes.

"I'll be right back." Matt's dad said, standing and leaving the room.

Ryan took his seat, his eyes on Matt. He wanted to hold him, kiss him, and tell him it would be okay. But he couldn't, not with Matt's mother there.

"You love him, and he loves you." She suddenly stated, her eyes on Matt's limp form.

"Yeah, we're buddies." Ryan quickly said.

She smiled softly and shook her head. "No. . .no, it's more than that. You're. . .together. Aren't you?"

Ryan froze. Had she seen something? Had he shown his true feelings that easily? "How did you know?" He asked.

"A mother knows." She looked at Ryan. "And I accept it. But you have to tell me. . .is that the reason why Matt is in this hospital bed Ryan?"

"Yeah, I think so."

She cried out and hugged him, gripping him tightly. "I can't lose my boy Ryan. I can't."

He rubbed her back, finally letting his tears fall. "I know. I can't either."

The first thing Matt heard was the incessant beeping. His eyes flickered open, and he immediately saw Ryan beside him. He could feel his hand enwrapped inside Ryan's and smiled. "Hey," he croaked.

Ryan darted up, his eyes rimmed with red. The sight made Matt's heart hurt. "Oh my God, Jesus Matt." Ryan kissed him, all his emotions pouring out into that kiss. "You scared the fuck out of me."

"Sorry."

"Just. . .don't fucking do it again Matt. I can't. . ." He shook his head. "I can't go through that again."

Matt nodded his head and swallowed. "I'm sorry. . .I thought they wouldn't bother me. I thought-"

Ryan pressed a finger to Matt's lips and smiled through his tears. "Don't worry. They won't fuck with you anymore."

Matt's eyes opened wide. "What did you do?"

Ryan kissed Matt's hand. "I showed them a lesson."

Matt laughed. "You kicked their ass."

"I did. And one of them cried."

Matt laughed even harder. "That makes me feel better."

Silence passed over them, but it was a comfortable silence. Ryan stroked Matt's hand, so glad he'd woken up. "Two broken ribs, a bruised skull. . ." He murmured. "They were afraid you wouldn't wake up."

Matt put his hand on Ryan's head. "I'm not leaving you. Never."

Ryan smiled softly. "Your mother knows." He whispered.

Matt's heart pounded in his chest. "How?"

Ryan shrugged. "She said she could tell. Mother's instinct or something. . .she told your dad. He took it. . .oddly okay. They both said that if, when, you woke up, me and you could get an apartment together. They even have money saved."

"Wow. . .really?"

"Yeah. What do you think."

Matt grinned. "I'd love to live with you Ryan."

Ryan grinned back, relief flooding through his eyes. "I was hoping you'd say that."

"Come on. . .you had to have known I would say yes!"

Ryan looked at the floor. "I blame myself," he said quietly.

Matt struggled to sit up, his brow furrowing in confusion. "What do you mean Ryan?"

Ryan licked his lips. "I just. . .I started this. I should've left you alone. I should've held back my feelings. You might've gone on and found a good girl to settle down with and-"

"Shit Ryan, you have got to be fucking kidding me." Matt cut in, his mouth open in surprise. "I don't blame you for anything. I love you, and I'm so glad you showed me how you felt. I wouldn't be happy without you Ry, no matter how stupid and corny that sounds. I want you, only you."

Ryan nodded his head. "I love you too, and I'm going to take care of you Matt. Always."

Matt chuckled. "You better. You can start by getting me some food. I'm starving."

"And what fine hospital cuisine would you like?"

"I don't know, surprise me."

Ryan stood and pressed his lips to Matt's. "I'll be right back."

Matt put his hand on Ryan's head and nodded. "I'm not going anywhere."

And he wasn't. . .their life was just beginning.

A/N: Here's the ending. Review and let me know what you think :)
Faith