-Seto's POV-

When Brice kissed me, I felt something I'd not felt in a long time.

Love.

As cheesy as it sounds, I really did get butterflies every time I thought of him. This day was the best day of my life, and things could only get better.

We were snuggled up on the sofa, my head resting on his chest, his arm over my shoulders, mine snaked around his waist.

A blanket was laid over the both of us, a bowl of popcorn balanced between Brice's knees, watching a Sunday night movie.

We sat watching the movie in silence, sweet, blissful silence, totally content with just being in each other's presence.

At around 11:30pm the movie ended. Brice flicked the remote and turned off the TV. He stretched, extending his arms above his head, his joints popping and his chest sticking froward, letting me climb off and sit up.

"Time for bed babe. We need some shut eye ready for school tomorrow." he mumbled.

Wait, school?! I totally forgot we still had three weeks of school left until the Christmas holidays.

I stood up abruptly and started to fret, wringing my hands pacing the room. What's everyone else going to say? Will I get beat up more? Will Brice get beat up? What will Brice think?

Brice must have seen how anxious I was because I then felt two strong, protective arms reach around my waist from behind and press me close to him. He rested his head on my shoulder and I felt his hot breath on my neck.

"It's going to be fine Seto. Nothing's going to happen. I'll protect you. We can walk in heads held high, because who gives a damn about what they think? It'll be ok I promise. Don't let it get to you babe." he muttered softly, swaying us both side to side.

I shivered when he called me 'babe'. I love his new nickname for me. I put my hands over his and rested my head back on his, sighing loudly.

He withdrew one of his arms and turned me around, and lead me by the waist to his bedroom.

I stopped walking when we reached his door. We're we going to sleep in his bed? I wasn't ready to take our relationship to a physical ready, was he?

I fiddled with my thumbs thinking about Brice's intentions. Surely this must be innocent, just us two cuddling together, nothing more... right?

He turned to look at me, slight concern in his eyes. Almost instantly understanding, he sighed.

"You don't have to sleep in my bed if it makes you feel uncomfortable. I just wanted to snuggle that's all. Do you want to go to your room?" he explained softly, running his thumb over my knuckles as he held my hand.

I bit my lip slightly, then shook my head. I didn't want to be alone tonight and I wanted to get myself more used to doing 'coupley' things, just generally get more comfortable around other people.

Brice gazed at me kindly. "You sure?" he asked and I nodded.

We walked in and Brice led me to the bed. He sat me down and started to undress. I could feel my face getting hot and I looked away, turning awkwardly. Brice chuckled.

"You don't have to look away ya know, I don't mind." he smirked. I glanced back and Brice was standing in front of me in just his boxers.

I squeaked quietly and blushed. He chuckled some more and sat down next to me.

"You're so cute when you blush." he cooed. He kissed my cheek and I went a deeper shade of red.

I stood up and started to undress nervously. I pulled off my jeans and placed them next to the bed, and ran my fingers over the hem of my tshirt.

I didn't want Brice to see my scrawny body. He looked amazing, with taught, muscular arms and shoulders, and well-defined toned abs. Next to him I looked like a stick. He'd dump me when he saw how bad I looked, I was sure.

He stood up and I cringed as he placed his hands over mine. He brought them up to his lips and kissed them.

"Come on Seto, let's get some sleep." He let go of my hands and lays on his side on the bed watching me expectantly. I gulped and reluctantly tugged off my tshirt, gasping sharply at the sudden chill.

Brice just looked at my shivering body, no expression on his face. I folded my arms across my chest in an attempt to cover myself up, and conserve heat, as I neared the bed.

Brice made eye contact with me and I looked away ashamed, mentally cursing my wretched body. He sat up and pulled my arms down and sat me down next to him. He looked me up and down and again stared lovingly into my eyes.

"You're beautiful Seto. I love you so much. Don't ever think that you're not." he said earnestly, pecking my nose.

I smiled, but I still felt insecure, even after the comment. I bit my lip. Was he just lying to make me feel better?

'What's beautiful about me?' I signed to him, adding with difficulty emphasis on the 'me'. He looked taken aback slightly before answering.

"What isn't? You have a perfect, smile, eyes that make me have butterflies whenever I see them. You're the perfect height and you're hair is so soft and fluffy."

As he was talking I scratched the scars on my wrists and glanced at the floor. He saw and lifted my chin with his index finger until I gazed into his lovely blue eyes.

He whispered "I don't care about them Seto. No matter what you think, you're always beautiful to me, inside and out." He leaned in and pecked my lips.

Pulling back and smiling he lay back down. I got up and moved over to the other side off the bed.

I heard Brice giggle as I got in and shifted the duvet over me. He pulled me close to him and I gave him a questioning glance.

"You've also got a cute butt Seto." he giggled. I rolled my eyes, but my blush gave it away.

Brice put one arm around my shoulders and I leant on his chest, one hand on his lower back, the other on his chest, my head snuggled into his shoulder. He rested his free hand on mine, both rested on his chest.

"Love you Seto." he murmured sleepily, his eyelids heavy. I squeezed his hand in response, saying in my head 'Love you too Brice.'

As I fell asleep, I dreamt of the day I would be able to say that to him myself. I sighed and snuggled deeper into Brice, as I let sleep overcame me.

*

I woke up still in Brice's arms. I smiled as I thought about the night before. I got up, careful not to wake up Brice, and went to the bathroom.

Brice had put my wash bag in there. Searching through the bag he had taken from my dads house, I pulled out all the necessary things I needed for my shower.

I felt a cold, metallic object brush against my fingers as I rummaged around.

I froze. I forgot that I kept my razor in my wash bag.

My hands trembled as I pulled it out. It glinted dully in the light, dark stains on the blade from when I last used it. I quickly put it back in the bag.

I took off my boxers and stepped into the shower. I lent on the wall and closed my eyes, and let the warm water run down me.

I suddenly felt two arms around my waist. I flinched and cowered against the wall. I screamed as the arms pulled me around. I opened my eyes to face their owner. It was Brice.

I almost collapsed as relief flooded over me. I glared at Brice, but it couldn't conceal the fear I had felt. His eyes widened when he saw my expression.

"Oh my god Seto, it just me its ok!" Brice exclaimed worriedly and pulled me close to him.

"I'm sorry I scared you baby, I just wanted to surprise you that's all..." he mumbled guiltily as he hugged me gently.

Once I had calmed down, we pulled apart and I turned around. I handed the shampoo to Brice and he smirked, massaging it into my scalp.

Once I had done washing I got out and grabbed a towel, wrapping it around my waist. Brice got out the shower soon after and I had to avert my eyes.

"Erm, Seto? I... don't bring a towel. I was thinking... since you brought your clothes in here..." he trailed off, mumbling, staring at the pile of clothes on the floor, and then me. I nodded and motioned for him to turn around.

He pouted and I rolled my eyes. Once he was looking away, I quickly pulled on my clothes, letting the towel drop to the floor.

Once dressed I picked up,the towel, flinging it to Brice. He turned when it hit him and grinned. I gulped again as I watched him put it around himself, blushing at his glistening abs.

He chuckled and I dragged him out of the bathroom. I closed the door and turned again, following Brice back to his bedroom.

He pushed off the towel as soon as he entered and casually went over to the dresser, completely exposed.

I put my hands over my eyes with a squeak when I saw him. I left his room hurriedly and went to mine to get my things for school.

It felt strange to me, that just three days ago I was in class with Brice as just friends in awkward silence, hoping he could be mine, and now he was!

I also felt scared. If I was bullied for being gay, how would people react to Brice?

He was reasonably popular and usually had no problems walking around the halls.

Would he be beat up if he was with me?

I walked into the kitchen and grabbed an apple, biting into it and waited for Brice. Once he came down, I had finished my apple and chucked him one.

He caught it and we both headed to the front door. We left the flat, hands intertwined by our sides and made our way down the stairs and out of the building.

Brice got out the keys to his neighbours car - they had lent it to him while he was waiting for his to be fixed - and unlocked it.

We dumped our stuff in the boot and got in. As we drove to school, I rested my head on the cool window, and continued to worry about how people at school would react. Even if we could hide it, eventually they would find out.

I looked over to Brice and saw he was watching me out the corner of his eye. He reached out his free hand and held mine, tenderly rubbing his thumb over my knuckles.

We went the rest of our journey in silence, only the radio playing quietly in the background, us still holding hands.

Once we reached school, he parked in the student car park. He squeezed my hand and looked at me, and I stared back, terrified.

He saw this and leaned in, and pushed his lips against mine, in a deep, loving kiss. All the tension lifted from my shoulders as I melted into the kiss. We broke it off, and exited the car.

Pulling out our bags, we stood in front of the school doors, the tall building looming over, suddenly seeming very intimidating.

I reached for Brice's hand and took a deep, if somewhat shaky breath. He pecked my cheek and held my hand tight, standing close to me.

We looked at each other and Brice whispered "Are you ready?"

I swallowed hard and nodded. Brice grasped the door handle with his spare hand and pushed open the door, and we walked slowly, hand in hand, into the school.