AN: Hello! Just wanted to let everyone know that William will be back soon! <3 ^_^

~

"Hi everyone! Great turn out today! Thanks for coming despite the craziness of exams starting."

Lucas tapped his foot nervously, watching as Lisa addressed the room.

The sign club was held in one of the science classrooms and most of the tables were filled with people Lucas didn't know.

"We have a few new people who still don't know the basics, so everyone please help them."

As she spoke, she moved her hands, so fluidly and easily it looked like a dance. Lucas didn't think he had the coordination for that.

Her speech complete, everyone began to talk, some slowly, some quickly while waving their hands around in impossible ways to follow.

Okay he could do this. Just had to start at the basics.

Lucas turned to the thick book that Lisa had set on their table when they'd first arrived and flipped through the first few pages, ignoring the writing in favor of the pictures. He awkwardly tried to sign hello by giving a little salute.

Someone snickered behind him.

 Lucas glowered at his friends.  

"What exactly are you guys even doing here?" 

Grace and Alex and Blake were sitting around the table with Lucas, looking even more out of place then he felt.

"Moral support," Grace said at once. 

Alex nodded enthusiastically.

"Plus it could get weird if you're bringing your mute boyfriend around all the time and we can't speak to him."

Lucas didn't even know where to start.

"Since when is William mute?" he asked but Alex was already ignoring him, practicing what looked like a really rude gesture with Grace who was giggling madly.

"And have you seen him coming around?" Lucas grumbled under his breath, turning back to the book. "Because I haven't."

A chair scraped closer to him and when Lucas looked up, Blake was leaning forward, trying to read the page Lucas was on upside down from the other side of the table.

After a moment, he looked up at Lucas and saluted him.

Surprised, Lucas saluted back, a grin forming on his lips.

"I think we just had a conversation," he said.

Blake smiled at him and leaned over the book again.

"What's next?"

Lucas flipped the page to read.

"How are you," he said.

"Fine thanks, and you?"

"No, that's the next--"

He caught Blake laughing and rolled his eyes.

"You are so hilarious," Lucas said, flatly.

Still smiling, Blake stood up and moved into the empty seat next to Lucas to read along.

They bent over the book, reading in silence. Blake was faster, already practicing movements by the time Lucas was done, but that worked for him, since the other boy was a surprisingly patient teacher.

By the time they got to 'my name is', some of the others in the club came over to sit with them, showing them the letters for their names and introducing themselves over and over again until Lucas could spell everyone's names and Alex started spelling other things at everyone.

If it was anyone else, Alex probably would have gotten punched by now, but for some reason that boy's innocent charm and enthusiasm just made everyone laugh while he told them to do disgusting things to monkeys, imitating the humping and then spelling the objects to insert wherever he pointed.

"This isn't charades!" Blake chastised, but that just made everyone laugh harder.

By the time the club was over, Lucas had a smile plastered on his face that he couldn't lose and felt like he could actually be friends with all of these people. If only William had been here for it.

"I'll walk you home again?" Blake asked.

Lucas shrugged.

"Sure."

Grace and Alex looked at each other.

"Since when did this whole, thing develop?" Alex asked, waving his arm in a circle around Lucas and Blake.

Lucas felt his cheeks heating and shoved Alex.

"There is no development," he said and then grabbed Blake by the arm and dragged him away before anything else could be said. He chose to ignore the way Alex pointedly lifted his brows at that.

As soon as they were out of sight, Lucas let Blake go.

"What did you think?" he asked, trying to change the subject.

"It was fun," Blake said.

He was still looking at his arm where Lucas had been holding it.

"I'll come again next time."

"Really?" Lucas asked, uneasily. 

Up until a few minutes ago, he had been buzzing from all of the fun. Now suddenly, he felt awkward with Blake again.

It came and went. Sometimes he was at ease with the other boy, sometimes he remembered how they use to be and didn't want him around. Sometimes he felt guilty for what he'd done, but right now it was just strange and tense. Lucas didn't know what to say.

Unfortunately, Blake didn't seem inclined to break the silence either because it stretched on and on.

When they reached Lucas' place, Blake finally seemed to snap out of his thoughts.

He swallowed and looked up at Lucas' building.

"Can I come up?" he asked lowly.

Lucas didn't know what to say.

Blake had been in his place before. It wasn't a big deal.

"I really have to study," he managed.

"Oh," Blake said. 

He glanced at Lucas and then away again.

"Maybe we can study together some time this week?"

"Uh, yeah, sure," Lucas said.

It was suddenly getting really warm, even in the shade of the buildings and Lucas cleared his throat and shifted, trying to figure out how the hell to get out of here before he started sweating from nerves.

"Alright," Blake said. "See ya."

"Yup."

Blake gave him a funny look and Lucas was ninety percent sure he rolled his eyes as he started to turn away.

Still, he sighed in relief, watching Blake continue down the sidewalk, eyes glued to the back of his head. The harsh red was all but faded now in patches of orange and pink and blond and he found himself wondering idly what colour Blake would do next before tearing his gaze away and going inside.

"Okay," he admitted quietly to himself. "Maybe there is a development."

The thought alone made Lucas flush with guilt--and a bit of embarrassment when the building front desk man gave him a funny look for talking to himself.

Sighing, Lucas went upstairs and sat on his couch in a slump, staring at the wall.

There was nothing wrong with Blake, not really, especially since they'd made up, but...

He pulled out his phone, opening William's contact despite himself.

He stared at the other boy's name for a long time. Then he went into the messages and reread them. He read every single one back to the very start. Setting up a time to meet at The Grind Cafe. Lucas smiled at the memory. He could see it vividly, the way William had been looking at him so intently that now the memory made his gut twist with longing. He missed William. And it was stupid because they hadn't even known each other that long. They hadn't even really been together either aside from that weekend, their last weekend.

There was so little time between them and there were so few text messages between them that Lucas almost felt like all of this was in his head.

The last one was from a week and a half ago, a picture of Lucas' new notes being put to use on his desk with a caption that read, Studying. Thank you, and a short you're welcome in return.

There was nothing else between them now. None of the questions that Lucas wanted to ask. How are you? Are you getting use to your hearing aids? Are your new classes good? Have you learned a lot? Have you made new friends?

He wanted to ask all of that and more but William didn't ask anything either and with the erratic, cold messages between them, Lucas couldn't help but think the distance was what William wanted. He didn't want to find a way to make anything work between them. He thought it was too hard. He'd given up.

Lucas' grip had gone white on his phone, his hands were shaking because deep inside, he felt like it was probably true, despite how hard he wanted to fight it.

So why? Why did he feel so guilty with even the thought of someone else?

Groaning, Lucas flopped into the cushions.

He didn't get up or move until the thought of his exams pushed him grudgingly to his bedroom and the desk in it, William's notes spread out on it.

The next morning a text from William woke him.

From William:

How are exams going?

Lucas' heart fluttered and he sat up, fully awake.

To William:

First one is in two days.

He waited with baited breath for more. Was their silent standoff finally over?When the next message came it was like a flood gate of relief poured through Lucas with it.

From William:

Good luck! Are you nervous?

To William:

A little :$

To William:

How's your new school?

From William:

Good. Really fun.

Fun? Not the response Lucas was expecting. For some reason he'd thought of William pouring over books this whole time and doing make up classes through all hours of the day.

To William:

Have you made any friends?

Lucas' stomach squirmed, aware that before William left, he'd been his only friend.

From William:

Yes :)

Lucas was aware that jealousy was probably a ridiculous reaction. After all, he'd desperately wanted William to be happy since the moment he'd laid eyes on the shy boy.

He did want him to have friends but maybe, the issue was that he wanted to be William's main one. 

The idea that other people were spending time with William, learning his little habits, receiving his shy smiles and warm gazes, all while Lucas was here, left behind... he just didn't like it.

Lucas showered on auto pilot. He ate breakfast in a daze. 

By the time another text message snapped him out of his depressing thoughts, he was sitting on the couch again, staring at the blank TV.

From Blake:

When do you want to study? Tonight? I can come over or you can come to mine, or we could go to the library?

Lucas blinked at the message a few times before his thoughts cleared.

To Blake:

I have to babysit tonight.

He felt a little guilty sending the message. Like he was blowing Blake off and quickly sent another one.

To Blake:

Do you want to come?

From Blake:

I'd rather kill myself then spend any more time around children. Thanks though. 

Lucas stared at the strange message frowning but before he could reply, another message came through.

From William:

What are you doing today?

To William:

Baby sitting :/

He sent the message with a bemused smile, wondering why the sudden change. Why was William suddenly so chatty? Did he decide he wanted to keep things going?

From William:

I'll come help again ;) I know you need me.

Lucas laughed out. 

He wanted to inform William he'd come up with a way to get the kids in bed on time, thank you very much, but the idea of William there with him again was too tantalizing a thought to brush aside.

To William:

Yes I do :)

His phone buzzed twice while he waited for a response.

From Blake:

On second thought, I'd kill to see you trying to take care of kids When should I be there?

From William:

<3

Lucas grinned like an idiot for the rest of the afternoon. Picking up some groceries, walking home, cooking lunch (mac and cheese), studying; the whole while his face kept splitting into spontaneous smiles that he just couldn't suppress. 

Just to test this new re-connection, he sent William a handful of messages, each more abstract than the next.

William answered every one.

By the time, Blake showed up at his building, Lucas was buzzing with excitement.

"What has you so happy?" Blake asked, then paled. "Don't tell me it's the kids. Do you actually like kids?"

Lucas couldn't help laughing. 

"Why do you hate them so much?" he asked. "I mean they're terrible, but they're not that bad."

Blake grimaced.

"Spend your entire life raising them and then tell me that."

At Lucas' raised brow, he sighed.

"I have four younger siblings," he said. "Both of my parents always worked late and I was stuck babysitting. Every single night."

Lucas grimaced.

"That sounds like torture."

Blake heartily agreed.

"Are you sure you want to do this?" 

Blake smiled at him and Lucas had the distinct impression that Blake wasn't really there for the kids.

The realization felt weird. Lucas wasn't used to being so aware. He never had been before, but he recognised that look now. Again, how had Lucas missed it?

With the kids, it was much easier. They took to Blake immediately in the same way they took to Lucas.

They tackled him, they called him names and only took a break from bothering him when he gave up fighting them. That was when they turned their attention back to Lucas.

"You're going to end up hurting yourself!" Blake nagged as they took turns leaping off of the couch straight onto Lucas' back in piggy back position.

"You're going to end up hurting yourself," Max mocked before leaping through the air.

Lucas caught Max on his back and couldn't help but laugh at the look of outrage turning Blake tomato red.

"Don't encourage them!"

Lucas spun Max around in a circle while the little boy giggled his head off and when he finally stopped spinning and the world righted itself, Lucas had an epiphany.

"You're a mom!" he said, jaw dropping.

Blake stared at him.

"Excuse me?"

Lucas's hands fell to his sides and Max slid off his back giggling.

"It all makes sense now..." Lucas said.

"What does?" Blake asked uneasily.

"All the... nagging. Always telling me what I should and shouldn't do. All the scolding... You're Mama Blake!"

Blake's brows slowly rose.

"Excuse me?" he repeated in a much more threatening tone. But it was too late.

The kids had heard.

"Mama Blake! Mama Blake!"

They ran around him screaming and giggling as Blake slowly turned more and more red.

"This is your fault!" Blake shouted over them.

Lucas fell onto the couch laughing and suddenly with a loud cry, Blake tackled him.

Lucas screamed and with shrill shrieks of joy, Tyler and then Max joined Blake, bouncing on top of him and pulling his hair and tickling him until he couldn't breathe and finally managed to shove Blake onto the floor.

The kids had gone wild though.

"Stop it!" Lucas shouted.

"Never!" 

They let out a series of gun noises as they ran around the living room, both boys pretending to shoot Lucas and Blake.

"What have we done?" Blake shouted in horror. Then to the kids. "It's bed time. Calm down!"

"Don't worry," Lucas said. "I've got this."

Twenty minutes later, both boys were quietly in bed. 

Lucas was exceedingly proud of himself but Blake just gave him an unimpressed look.

"Giving them Ipads and tucking them in doesn't count."

Lucas' smile dimmed.

"Yes it does. They're in bed."

"Yes, but children need more sleep than we do. At their age they need at least--"

"Okay, Mama Blake," Lucas interrupted, rolling his eyes.

Sighing, Blake followed Lucas down stairs, still frowning grumpily when they sat on the couch and Lucas turned on the TV.

"Don't worry," he finally said. "They'll be asleep by the time their parents come home."

"That's not the point," Blake grumbled.

Lucas couldn't help chuckling at his friend. Even his grumpiness now seemed oddly cute compared to before when it use to make Lucas want to rip his hair out. It was weird how quickly his opinion of Blake had turned around. At first, after the fight on the hill, Lucas had been acting mostly out of pity. Now, he thought, maybe he really did like the other boy.

"What are you looking at?" Blake asked quietly.

Caught staring, Lucas just smiled.

"Thanks for coming today," he said. "It was kinda fun."

Blake smiled, eyes never leaving Lucas'.

Lucas swallowed and looked away, suddenly aware how close they were sitting.

They sat until it was time to go. Lucas thought maybe he should say something, but didn't know what. The air felt heavy between them, even on the way home.

"Wanna study tomorrow?" Blake asked in parting.

"Uh, yeah. Okay," Lucas said.

Lucas liked Blake. He did, but the way Blake looked at him sometimes, like earlier that night... It reminded Lucas of William.

He remembered the way William had looked at him, that day he'd showed up in his room. Trying to break up with him but never looking away, longing and affection obvious in his eyes.

Lucas found himself smiling softly as he went into his apartment. 

He missed William so much.

Yes, Blake was surprisingly nice, and way better than Lucas thought he was, but he wasn't William.

To William:

I wish you really could have been there tonight.

William didn't reply, but it was late. He would in the morning.

Except that morning came and went and still there was nothing.

Lucas sent a few more messages but still, nothing came.

Sighing, he wanted to chuck his phone against the wall. He thought they'd moved past this pretending not to talk stage. 

He didn't know why his mind was so incredibly preoccupied by the other boy. Maybe because they'd texted so much yesterday. Maybe because Lucas was spending hours on end reading William's writing, analyzing every swirl and dot when he was supposed to be studying. Either way, William was all he could think about. He wanted to know how he was, what he was up to, if he was happy there.

Well, if William didn't answer, maybe his mom would.

He arrived at the restaurant in the late afternoon, just before closing, excitement blooming in him as he neared. He was sure to get a good meal out of this, after all, not to mention answers to his questions.

The moment he opened the door the sight of William's mom packing up the buffet lifted his spirits. She saw him at once, a bright smile gracing her face.

"Lucas!" she said warmly.

She came around the counter and gave him a warm hug which he returned, grinning.

"I thought I'd be seeing you soon!" she said, beaming. 

Before Lucas could say anything, she went on.

"How was last night?" she asked eagerly. "Are you happy?"

"Last night?" Lucas asked, bemused. "What was last night?"

"Oh," she said, chuckling. "You know. Whatever you two get up to." She held up her hands suddenly, sternly. "I don't want any details though. Please."

Lucas's smile slowly left him as he watched her, completely confused.

"You two?" he repeated.

Slowly, she mimicked his expression, face falling into a frown.

"William said you two had plans," she said.

Lucas swallowed, his mouth suddenly dry.

"William--he's back in town?"

"You didn't know?" she asked, uneasily. "He came back for the weekend..."

Lucas couldn't look at her.

William was back. He was back and didn't want to see Lucas and didn't even have the heart to tell his mom.

"Lucas," she said, but Lucas shook his head. He didn't want to hear any of her comforting or reasoning.

He turned and ran and didn't stop until his lungs were burning and tears stung his eyes.

All this time he'd been worried that William thought this would be for the best; no more talking, no more seeing each other. 

The sporadic messages though... they'd kept him so hopeful. He hadn't ever really believed that William didn't want him any more. Not until now.