Song for the chapter- (really sets the mood, by the way) "No One Does It Better" by 'You Me At Six'- actually I'll try and set up a soundtrack list for the story.

Mussed hair, straight clothes, confident smile- but he'd never looked so vulnerable.

His eyes caught the light at just the right angle and it made them shine. The glare so bright, it became as transparent as a window. Clear as glass, clear as day, the emotions were trapped behind the double glazing- behind unshed tears.

"When did you take this?" The question was as monotone as it could be. Layered on so thick, it became so easy to shatter.

"When you weren't looking." It was silent. "When you thought no one was watching." He blinked. A sigh cut through the tension. "When you were crying-"

He shot up, his hands finding their way to his friend's collar and tugged as hard as he could, yanking the boy to his feet. "I don't cry." It was a fierce, nostril flaring growl. One that made it harder for them to keep control; the ice breaker as it were.

"You do." And his voice was as calm as ever. As honest as it'd always been.

He shook his head slowly, releasing the boy from his grip. His face was downcast- dejected. "I don't. I'm strong." He paused, his gloved hand brushing at his eyes. "I'm a man."

"You do." He leaned forward, his fingers digging into the slender shoulders of his friend. "You're human." It was silent, and suddenly they chuckled, voices thick with suppressed agony. "Do you think that you're the only one suffering?" His head dropped as he pulled the boy into a hug. He pressed his face into the shorter boy's hair, a mumbled laugh matting itself into the golden locks. "Why does it always feel like you're comforting me?"

"Maybe, it's because I am." Tears rolled steadily down his cheeks, dampening the fabric of his friend's shirt. They smiled together, basking in each other's pain and the comfort that the other brought. Both looking their worst; mussed hair, straight clothes, reddened eyes. But both feeling that little bit of peace, that only a best friend could bring. They were by no means healed. It was temporary refuge. No, not healed yet. Not an overnight thing. But then, nothing ever is.

"I miss him."

"Me too." Neither could really tell who'd said it. But it didn't matter- it was what both were thinking. "He completed us." He pulled away, wiping his face with a slightly trembling hand.

He held out a hand. "C'mon."

"I'm not gay." He grinned.

He laughed, once; a short but by no means harsh sound. "So like you," he mused. "Making jokes at a time like this." His friend shrugged, taking his hand without much fuss. He pulled him up, dragging him to the rooftop.

"What-"

"Scream with me."

"Dude-"

"Dude, just do it." He smiled. "Okay?" His smile grew as he received the nod of consent. "Okay. On the count of three." He glanced mischievously between his friend and the dark horizon of the sleeping city. "One. Two." He stopped. "Three."

And then he felt release. An indescribable sense of fulfilment. Lungs bursting, throat burning, tears streaming from the exertion and it felt incredible. He sucked in a breath. Before unleashing the pain out into air once again. He felt his arms raise, in triumph- his mouth open wide- and he glanced over to the boy beside him- looking as free as he felt. He jumped, danced, bounded, along the small expanse of the roof. Feeling his friend shake out his hurt and loss, with him. And then he collapsed, his chuckle frequently interrupted by the short burning gasps that he had to take. The laughter didn't stop. Not once- it just became quieter and quieter. He rested head on the rusted metal- closing his eyes, and let his tongue loll. There was stillness for a moment; the only sound permeating the air, were their fast breaths.

"Get up." He felt a nudge, and sighed before opening his eyes.

"Why?

"Let's go eat some soup."

"Soup?" He smirked. "Really?"

"Yeah. I want soup."

He shook his head. "Fine." He mused, his finger tapping his lip, thoughtfully. "Do you eat soup, or drink soup?"

This is kinda implied slash (implied m/m). And I don't really wanna reveal anything- I just wanna say that these two guys are close, but necessarily gay. Okay?