Chapter 3

Hi, I can't believe someone is actually reading this! Anyways dear reader, here's another chapter for you, I'm going to stop asking for comments, but please continue to anyways. Okay, right into the chapter then! Enjoy!

-Luna

He was interrupted by a gentle hand on his knee.

His mind didn't even have time to react before his body leapt into action. At the touch, his body jerked away, and his hand pulled a knife out from his bands. He pointed the weapon at the intruder of his personal space, the knife shaking as it was thrust into the air between them. As soon as he realized that the other person was Neil, the knife shook even more, but he didn't drop it, and his eyes started leaking again. Andrew furiously wiped the tears away, his lips thinned into a wavering line. He scooted away, one hand pressing against the ground helping him move, the other holding the trembling knife between them.

No, no, no. Neil can't see me like this, I'm the one who's supposed to hold him up, I can't show my weakness. This was Andrew's reasoning for turning and running, but he only made it a few steps before he was yanked back by his hand. He was pulled back so roughly that he heard his shoulder pop, the same way that Neil cracked his knuckles every morning.

Before Andrew could try to pull away, the hands gripping his forearms pulled him down, to kneel on the forest floor. This is when he started fighting. He put all of his strength into shaking Neil off, but to no avail. He was stronger than the redhead, but he had Andrew in an unbreakable hold. One that Andrew himself had taught Neil a few day ago for self defense.

Eventually, Andrew stopped fighting, the only counter argument for his previous reasoning being, Fuck it. He stopped moving but didn't relax. Neil noticed the tension in Andrew's shoulders and loosed his hold. This was the perfect opportunity to escape, but Andrew didn't take it. Instead, his mental gears started turning.

He had claimed to love this boy, didn't he? So why was he running away? Andrew didn't know much about love, but he knew it wasn't good to want to leave it behind. But then, he realized that he didn't want to run away. He wanted to collapse into his boyfriend's arms, and sob until he couldn't find anymore tears. He wanted to be held together like he had done so many times for Neil, and he wanted to feel Neil's heartbeat along side his own. He wanted it so bad he shook, or maybe that was the cold.

After a few minutes of deliberating, Andrew stopped. At some point, both Betsy and Renee had told him that everyone deserved to be loved. And so, he decided to tell Neil what he wanted. But he couldn't find the words. After his third try, he gets something out.

"Neil?" Andrew's voice sounded weak and dejected even in his own ears. His voice has become that of a broken man, scared and pathetic.

"Yeah?"

"I want..." but that wasn't true. He tried again.

"Neil, I need you to help me."

"Of course." But Neil didn't move.

After a moment, Andrew finally picked up that Neil didn't know how to help him. So Andrew made the first move. He leaned foreword and wrapped his arms around that taller boys waist.

And before Neil could ask, he said "Yes." And Neil started hugging him back.

Andrew started to cry again, this time not holding himself back. He sobbed, and Neil gently pulled Andrew's head into his chest. His warm palm rested on the back of Andrew's neck, a soft, but strong and reassuring weight, grounding him, and holding him together. Neil's fingers rubbed circles into his back and neck. Comforting him.

The only sound that pierced the night were Andrew's sobs and the splashing of water flowing through the stream behind them. Neil didn't speak, or ask him stupid questions like 'was he okay', or 'if he wanted to talk about it', and Andrew was grateful for it. But he was also conflicted. Part of him enjoyed this closeness, he enjoyed being held, and comforted, but the touching also reminded him of his childhood.

Before, no one asked for permission to touch him. They just did, without consent, and with malicious intent. But he knew that Neil wouldn't do that. Where the others hadn't stopped when he asked, Neil was afraid to in the first place, and would retreat at Andrew's first plea. Neil hesitated to touch him, and once he did he held him carefully, as if the slightest pressure would shatter him. Andrew wanted to be loved, and supported at his weakest, and to feel safe. And Neil would do just that for him. Neil would do anything for him.

Dun Dun Dun!!! I know this sound like the ending, but wait! There are more chapters coming!  NOW PLEASE READ THIS NEXT PART!!!

I'm getting on a plane soon to go back home, as I have been writing this on vacation, so there may be a pause in my uploads. I will try my best to get in a chapter before then, but if I can't, well I'm sorry. Anyways, when I get home, the next semester is starting, so I will have some work to do to help prepare the new students. I don't work there but helping administer the new students before the year starts is kind of an extra curricular thing I do. I am not old enough to even have a job, but I'm still trying my best to help out. Anyways, after that, I will also have LOTS of school work to do, but I will try my absolute best to update! I may have to wait until the weekend, but we'll see. Anyways, wish me luck!

Okay, I hope you enjoyed dear reader!

Luna