First off, you guys are AMAZING!!! 101 reads! I can't thank you enough! So here's chapter 9. Luvs you guys so much! Laika out.

-Seto's POV-

I woke up to the heavenly smell of bacon frying. I opened my eyes groggily. I groaned and propped myself up, taking in the unfamiliar surroundings.

I was lying across a cushy back leather couch, a warm blanket strewn over me. The room was painted light blue and the carpet was a deep navy colour.

The coffee table and furnishings were sleek and black, all modern looking. I got up and stood in the middle of the room.

The shaggy carpet felt soft against my bare feet. I curled my toes into it and looked around. There was a door adjacent to me and as I neared it, the wonderful smell increased.

I heard soft humming coming from the other side. Cautiously, I opened the door and stepped in.

I was standing in the kitchen. Brice was shirtless, wearing grey sweatpants and a maroon apron.

He had his back to me, fiddling with something sizzling over the stove. He was humming a familiar tune, which made me stop in my tracks.

It was the same song he sang to me when I was in hospital. What was the name of that song again?

I then remembered what happened when he came to get me. He seemed so sad.

I wished I could comfort him, speak to him, let him know properly that I was there for him as he was for me.

I tried talking, I really did! My head willed me to speak, but when I opened my mouth no words come out.

I was wrenched from my thoughts by Brice yelling my name.

"Seto! You ok dood?"

He was in front of me, scanning my face, brow creased with concern. I smiled at him and threw my arms at him, tackling him to the ground. He laughed as we wrestled on the ground, before pushing me off.

"Well good morning to you too!" he grinned, standing up. He stuck out his hand to help me. I grabbed it and he hauled me up.

"Ya had me worried there for a second dood! Come on, I made breakfast!"

He grabbed my hand and dragged me over next to the stove, where I could see two plates sitting on the side. My mouth watered as he piled them up with scrambled eggs, crispy bacon, sausages, baked beans, grilled tomato, the works!

He saw me drooling and laughed. "I thought I'd treat you to a full English for you first day at Casa del Solace!" (Please excuse my Britishness :P)

I grinned and we both walked back with our plates to the living room. I almost immediately felt shy and anxious again.

I saw the carnage left on the couch I had been sleeping on and hastily set me plate down on the coffee table and started tidying up.

I was busy folding the blanket, when Brice came up to me and took it out of my hands. I looked at him in protest, but he said

"No, I insist Seto. You're my guest and I'm not letting you lift a finger around this house. You don't have to clean or anything, I'll take care of it, ok?" he said gently. He put the blanket away in a cupboard and came back.

I was still standing there fidgeting with my hands, unsure of what to do. Brice came back over and set me down on the sofa. He handed me my plate and cutlery. He sighed.

"I know it must be hard for you to adjust Seto, but don't feel uncomfortable here. This is your home now for as long as you want it. Don't feel obliged to do anything. Knowing that your safe is payment enough for me." he said, squeezing my hand.

He looked into my eyes sincerely. I smiled gratefully and nodded, relaxing into the sofa more. We both tucked in to our food and I had never been happier.

Throughout the meal, I couldn't stop staring at Brice. He had been so kind to me, so caring. We had shared deep moments with each other, we held each other during our dark times and still were supporting each other.

I felt so happy and relaxed in his presence and just empty when he wasn't there. I missed his tender blue eyes, his beautiful golden hair, the way he smiles that brightens my day.

It suddenly hit me. The reason I felt this way around him.

I was head over heels in love with him! Not just a small crush, no, bitter-sweet, heart wrenching love.

I had never felt this before. I had butterflies in my stomach every time I see him now, his smile was dazzling and his laugh, his laugh was music to my ears.

I finished eating and took my plate to the kitchen, the thoughts of Brice swirling in my head. I pit the plate in the sink, resisting the urge to wash it, remembering what Brice told me.

I turned around just as Brice came up behind me. We bumped into each other and I could feel electricity building in my hands.

Oh no, not now, it couldn't be happening right now.

I recoiled and slipped to the ground, my hands glowing. I stood up, staring at them in horror.

No, it can't be. It's not time yet, I'm on,y eighteen.

My head started throbbing as I backed away from Brice. I looked at him and I saw him standing in shock, eyes huge. A sudden instinct came over me.

'Brice' I said in my mind, totally catching me off guard. I heard him gasp and look at me shaking.

"I-is th-that you S-Seto?" he whispered, trembling. I nodded, dumbfounded. My instincts broke through once more.

'It's my powers Brice. When they start to arise when a sorcerer comes of age, they go through a stage of telepathy. It only lasts the first few minutes until all their powers come out at once, and it goes. After all my powers come, I'll be able to control them using my own will. But I'm scared Brice. This shouldn't be happening yet. I'm only eighteen! This is supposed to happen only when I'm twenty one! I don't unde-'

A blinding pain cut me off my thought and I gasped, clutching my head in agony.

"Seto!" I heard Brice scream. The pain subsided, but the new powers didn't. I felt myself begin to levitate, purple sparks erupting from my chest.

'Brice get down now! I can't hold it in much longer!' I yelled in my mind. He threw himself behind the couch in the living room just as I felt all the energy from me discharged, purple bolts of lightning shooting horizontally across the room in all directions.

The room shook and all the light bulbs shattered. It suddenly stopped and I feel to the ground, panting.

I got up and blinked a few times, clearing away the last of the sparks. I could only think of Brice and stumbled over to the sofa to see if he was ok.

As I lurched around the back of the sofa I saw Brice on his back staring at the ceiling. I crouched down and prodded him gently. He looked at me and scrambled up on all fours, and crawled over to me quickly.

"Oh my god Seto, are you ok? When you told me to get out I didn't know what to think and I-"

I cut him off my giggling. The worry on his face lifted, turning into a relieved smile.

We helped each other up and I picked up my whiteboard. Yet another kind gesture that made me love him.

I became serious all of a sudden and thought about what just happened. I started writing.

'Look Brice, that wasn't meant to happen. That should only happen when I'm twenty one. I don't know why my powers come out now.'

I showed him the board and he looked at me shrugging. We both thought for a moment before he spoke up.

"I dunno how these thing work but maybe something triggered it to start early? Or maybe it's a false start?"

His eyes suddenly lit up. "Try some magic Seto. If it works maybe we can understand better what this is!"

He grinned like a little kid in a sweet shop. So he wants a magic show huh? Then I'll give him one.

-Brice's POV-

I watched as Seto rose up from the couch, a slow purple aura descending upon him. He smirked and clicked his fingers, purple flames dancing in his palm.

I stared in awe as he made a plant next to me levitate and spin around my head. He laughed as I ducked to avoid the pot. He slowly came back down and lowered the plant pot.

His aura lifted and he lay back into the couch, a content smirk across his face. I had never seen him so confident, so happy. His eyes lit up and a huge grin was plastered over his face.

I had to say, I liked this side of Seto - I really like this Seto. Wait, was I falling for Seto?

I mean, he didn't know I was gay, it never really came up, but I knew next to nothing about Seto's 'intimate' life, past or present.

Was he gay, straight, bi, or none of the above?

I looked back at Seto, who was yawning, eyes half closed. Man, that magic must have taken it out of him big time.

I grinned at him. "That was freakin awesome!" I exclaimed, flailing a little. He nodded and yawned. I chuckled and shoved him playfully.

"Looks like you've worn yourself out with that little magic show. Come on, I'll show you to your room. You haven't seen it yet you've Ben here all day!"

I helped him up and walked him down the hall until I reached the room. I put my had on the knob and dramatically swung open the door.

"Ta dah!" I screamed. Seto's face made my say. His eyes barely popped out of their sockets and his jaw hung loosely open.

He stepped in the centre of the room and took it all in.

"It's not much, but I wanted to make it special for you. You've had to deal with so much shit in your life, it's time you deserved something special." I murmured.

He spun on the spot, face brimming with tears of joy, eyes like fireflies and ran back up to me, embracing me in a tight hug. I teared up slightly as well and hugged him back.

He quickly pulled back and went on looking through his new room, opening and closing draws, searching selves and cupboards, before plopping down on his bed.

He grinned at me, gratitude radiating from his features. It made my heart flutter to see him happy like this. I hope I get to see him happy for May years to come.

-Seto's POV-

I entered my bedroom and my jaw dropped. It was the most amazing thing I'd ever seen. The walls were painted violet and there was a comfy looking queen-sized bed in one of the corners.

There was a sturdy desk against the far wall with all my computers set up. There was a wardrobe next to the door which hung open, revealing all my clothes neatly folded and hung up.

The rest of my stuff was placed carefully on shelves or bookcases. I looked back at Brice. He stood awkwardly in the door watching me intently.

Next thing I know my arms were wrapped around his neck. This ins why I loved him. I never knew how much I needed him until now and here I was. I let go and giggled, wanting to explore my new room more. I was ecstatic!

Brice just watched from the doorway amused. I grinned back, silently thanking him over and over in my head sitting down on the bed. I gestured for him to come over.

As he did so I wrote something on my whiteboard. 'Thank you Brice. For everything! What you've done means the world to me. Thank you.'

He stared at the board and then at me. He leans in towards me and I find myself doing the same. Our faces were almost touching when the doorbell rang...