Exactly one day later, late in the evening, Pete stays the night at Mikey's house.

"What's wrong, Mikeyway?" Pete asks during the middle of a movie.

"Nothing," Mikey replies quickly. Pete doesn't believe him.

"Don't bullshit me."

"Nothing, I swear," Mikey protests.

"Mikey."

"Pete."

"Please?"

"There's nothing wrong! Look, let's just watch the movie."

"Okay." Pete looks at Mikey with a disappointed look and causes Mikey's heart to jump into his throat. Pete turns to watch the movie and rests his head on Mikey's shoulder, causing him to blush wildly. Mikey suddenly becomes very thankful for the fact that the lights are off. When the movie ends, Pete yawns.

"Tired?" Mikey asks, causing Pete to smile.

"Nah."

"Lies. C'mon, let's get to sleep. it's late."

"Okay," Pete lays down, and Mikey rolls his eyes.

"Pete, you're not sleeping on the floor."

"Watch me."

"Nope!" And with that, Mikey scoops up Pete with little difficulty and carries him to his bed, dropping Pete onto the messy sheets and throwing the duvet over him.

"I'm not going to sleep..." Pete murmurs.

"Why?" Mikey arches an eyebrow.

"I..." Pete trails off. "I can't sleep with a light on. But I'm terrified of the dark."

"That's okay, Pete. I'm right here."

"I get these nightmares, and I just-" Pete cuts himself off. "I can't..."

"Hey, everything's gonna be okay. Alright?" Mikey climbs into the bed and wraps his arms around Pete in what he hopes is a platonic manner.

"Th-thanks."

Mikey holds Pete close until he's certain that the boy is asleep. Soon, he feels himself begin to get drowsy. It isn't long before he falls asleep, too.

Mikey wakes up at 3:30 in the morning to Pete whimpering and shaking. Mikey realizes that he's having a nightmare and holds the boy close. "Pete!" He shakes Pete lightly, causing him to stir a bit. "Pete, hey, it's okay," 

When Pete wakes, he's crying and shivering violently. His breathing is ragged. "Fuck, I'm sorry, I didn't mean t-to-"

"Hey," Mikey pulls Pete even closer, and Pete clings to Mikey's shirt. He rests his chin on the top of Pete's head, and Pete soon calms down. "What was it about?"

"It was this guy that I have a crush on, he... he got kidnapped. Dragged right out of my arms."

So Pete likes boys. Mikey's heart starts to beat faster.

 "And I ran so fast to get him back. So fucking fast. But I couldn't get him back. I couldn't get you back, I couldn't-" Pete stops talking. "Fuck."

"Pete?"

"Fuck, I've gotta go, Mikey. Fuck, I'm sorry-"

"Pete!"

"You weren't supposed to know."

Pete runs out of Mikey's room and into the living room. He has one foot out the front door when Mikey runs into the room. "Pete, just listen-"

"Mikey, I'm so sorry-"

"Pete."

Mikey grabs Pete's shirt collar and kisses him.

It's sloppy and inexperienced, but Mikey doesn't care. All he cares about is the way Pete is puffing out little warm breaths through his nose. The way Pete's hands feel on his shoulders. Mikey doesn't care about anything that's not Pete. The way Pete is kissing him back.

Mikey pulls away and rests his forehead on Pete's, looking Pete straight in the eyes. "I hope to God I'm not dreaming," Mikey whispers, and Pete grins.

"Good think we're not," he says, leaning back in to kiss Mikey again.

And again. And again and again and again.