They were best friends ever since they got put into the system around the same time. They wanted to protect each other in a way they hadn't felt before.

No matter how much the social workers tried, they couldn't split the pair up. They had a bond that no one could break, not that anyone actually wanted to.

"Ryan!" The little boy cried. It didn't take long for a brown haired boy to come running down the hall. He was instantly on his knees, pulling the other into his arms.

"Brendon, what happened?" The child asked as he wiped away Brendon's tears.

"I fell," Brendon sniffled and motioned to his scrapped knee. Ryan pulled them up and led him to the bathroom.

"We're gonna clean it okay." Brendon nodded and sat on the toilet as he watched Ryan. Neither boy knew what they were doing, but it was more the thought that helped soothe the pain.

Ryan grabbed a wet towel and wiped the scratch clean before putting a bandaid over it. He leaned down and kissed Brendon's knee for "extra healing." Brendon told him his kisses made everything better.

"Better?" Brendon nodded with a giggle and pulled Ryan into a hug.

"Thank you, Ry."

"You're welcome. Now, no more crying. Birthday boys shouldn't cry." Brendon nodded again. "We have to go now. Mrs. Shonka is bringing out your cake." They heard their foster mom calling them from downstairs.

"Brendon! Ryan! It's time to cut the cake." The pair raced to the dining room where their foster family had gathered around the table.

Brendon took the empty spot in front of the cake and Ryan sat down in the reserved seat beside him. Brendon smiled as he looked around the table before landing on Ryan.

"Make a wish sweetie," Mrs. Shonka said after the song was finished. Brendon gave Ryan one last glance before closing his eyes and made his wish.

I wish I can spend the rest of my life with Ryan.

Everyone clapped as Brendon's wish drifted into the air with the smoke.

~~

A loud clash sounded from outside their window. Brendon bolting up in his bed when he heard the sound of whimpering in the bed above him.

Immediately, he climbed the ladder of the bunk bed and saw Ryan curled into a ball. He laid beside the boy and pulled him into his arms.

Ryan was always terrified of thunder. It reminded him of his family before he was put into foster care.

"It's okay Ryan. You don't need to be afraid anymore." The boy still trembled in his arms.

"I love you a bushel and a peck. A bushel and a peck and a hug around the neck," Brendon started singing quietly. He felt Ryan begin to relax instantly in his arms.

"A hug around the neck and a barrel and a heap. A barrel and a heap and I'm talkin' in my sleep."

Ryan always loved Brendon's voice. It was so calming to him.

***

Brendon heard screaming coming from the next room. He leaned against his closed door and waited for it to stop. He learned not to interfere after Ryan screamed at him the last time he tried to help.

He flinch when he heard the sound of flesh hitting flesh and a body hitting the floor. The sound of painful whimpers followed. Loud boot steps began walking away. Brendon waited until the front door slammed shut. He was instantly on his feet and out of his room.

He saw Ryan on the floor curled into a ball. He walked over and gingerly picked the boy up. He walked back to his room and laid the injured boy on his bed.

This had been a routine ever since Ryan brought his boyfriend to their place. Brendon pulled out the first aid kit he now kept under his bed. He cleaned the blood dripping from Ryan's cut lip.

Neither said a word while Brendon inspected his wounds. Once he was finished, he crawled onto the bed and pulled the trembling boy into his arms the same way he would do when they were kids.

Ryan clung onto Brendon, gripping the front of his shirt so tightly his knuckles turned white.

"Why do you let him do this to you?" Ryan only whimpered in response.

He knew why. This was the only love Ryan truly knew. It was aggressive and unkind and it pained Brendon to think this is what Ryan thought he deserved.

"You deserve to be treated like a king, Ry." He heard soft sniffled coming from the fragile boy. Brendon sighed. "I love you a bushel and a peck," Brendon started off softly. The children's song still helped calm the boy.

"A bushel and a peck and a hug around the neck. A hug around the neck and a barrel and a heap. A barrel and a heap and I'm talkin' in my sleep."

Ryan let out a shaky sigh as he relaxed against Brendon. Brendon kissed the top of his head and let the boy fall asleep in his arms.

~~~

Brendon had tears rushing down his face when he walked through the door. Ryan was on the couch working on homework. Ever since he started college, he spent a good amount of his time focusing on his studies.

"Hey Bren," Ryan smiled as he turned. His smile dropped when he met Brendon's face. He put his work aside and rushed to Brendon to pull him into a hug. Brendon buried his face in Ryan's neck. "What happened?"

"S-she broke up with m-me," Brendon cried out. Ryan ran his hand up and down Brendon's back.

"It's okay, Bren. It's her loss. She didn't deserves you anyway."

Truth be told, Ryan hated Brendon's girlfriend. She always gave him dirty looks when Brendon wasn't looking and threatened him because she thought Ryan was turning him gay.

Ryan took him to the couch. As they sat down, Brendon pushed himself on top of Ryan. The older boy didn't mind. He laid down as Brendon let himself get comfortable on his boy.

"No one's going to love me again."

"Don't say that. Brendon, you're so easy to love. You're amazing and so special. You always make things better just by being in the room. You're so smart and talented. Anyone would be lucky to have you."

"You really think so?" Brendon propped his head on Ryan's chest.

"Would I ever lie to you?"

"No," Brendon chuckled weakly as he got off Ryan. They both sat up and gazed at each other.

Ryan brought his hand up and cupped Brendon's cheek. His thumb wiped away a falling tear. Ryan sighed as Brendon leaned into his touch. He knew he should probably pull his hand away by now, but he didn't want to lose the warm feeling Brendon gave him.

Brendon smiled weakly as his eyes went over Ryan's features. The bruises from Ryan's last beating were finally healed. They were the worst they'd ever been because the guy was furious that Ryan was breaking up with him.

He was more excited about Ryan being single again than he thought he was going to be. Ryan's eyes flickered down to Brendon's lips before going back up to his eyes.

This was the first time they'd been single at the same time since they left foster care and got their own place together.

Ryan couldn't help himself as he leaned in. Call him crazy, but he swore he saw Brendon lean in just a little. Ryan brushed his lips over Brendon's and felt his heart ready to burst. Brendon's lips were soft and automatically moved against his own.

Ryan pulled away quickly. Brendon didn't kiss back. That was all in his head. Brendon's straight. Brendon's his straight best friend.

He shouldn't have kissed him. He shouldn't have these feelings that he'd been trying to bury for years now. He was going to lose his only friend because he couldn't control himself. His breathing quickened and he felt his pulse pounding in his ears.

"Ryan.." He heard from beside him, but refused to meet Brendon's face. He could already feel the rejection and it hurt more than the beatings he'd gotten his whole life. "Ryan look at me."

Ryan shut his eyes and willed everything to disappear around him. It wasn't until he felt Brendon's lips on his did he let everything come back into focus. When they pulled apart, Ryan stared with wide eyes.

"What did I tell you," Brendon questioned. Ryan was completely confused about the whole situation in general. "Your kisses make everything better," Brendon said with a smile.

"Y-you're not mad?" Ryan asked hopefully. Brendon shook his head and kissed him again. "You're gay?" Ryan mumbled against Brendon's lips, still in a bit if shock. The boy pulled away with a chuckle.

"I don't know really. All I know is that I like you." Brendon looked down sheepishly. "More than I probably should for someone who's only been with girls, but wasn't sure how you felt so I just kept it to myself."

Ryan breathed out a laugh. His hands went to cup Brendon's face. He stared into his best friend's eyes with the widest smile on his face.

"Will you be my boyfriend?" Ryan bit his lip nervously. Brendon's head slowly nodded, creating matching smiled on both of them.

They're lips connected again. Brendon sighed contently. Ryan's kisses made everything better.

***

The pair laid in the hospital bed, hanging onto each other. Brendon had his head resting on Ryan's chest, trying not to put too much pressure on him. Ryan had a weak arm slung over Brendon's body.

They spent countless nights in this position, but this time was much more painful. Brendon held onto Ryan's hand, careful not to hit his IV as he played with the boy's fingers to distract himself.

"Brendon," Ryan's voice is small and weak. Brendon clenched his eyes shut, not wanting to let any tears fall tonight. Ryan didn't like it when he cried. "Bren... look at me."

Ryan's mouth felt so dry. It took so much energy to talk, but he needed to say this. Reluctantly, Brendon turned his head and met Ryan's gaze.

"Promise me, you'll stay strong." Brendon's eyes instantly welled with tears. Ryan took a small breath that ached his insides. He felt so weak and exhausted. He didn't know how much longer he could hold on. He didn't want to leave his love, but he knew it was his time.

"Everything's going to be okay," Ryan whispered. Brendon shook his head as the tears began streaming down.

"What am I going to do without your kisses? I can't live without your kisses, Ry." Ryan lifted Brendon's hand to his lips and kissed his wedding ring. Brendon let out a sob he was trying to hold back.

"You'll be okay Bren. If you ever feel a breeze against your skin, just know that's me trying to give you kisses."

Brendon was making no attempt to stop his tears now. They were free falling and soaking Ryan's hospital gown.

"I love y..," Ryan was interrupted by a cough that shook his weak body.

"Shh, baby. Don't talk anymore. Save your energy." Brendon ran his hand over Ryan's chest. Ryan nodded, leaning his head back on his pillow and let out a tired sigh.

Brendon laid his head back on Ryan's chest. He heard his husband's heart beat getting slower as his breathing felt more shallow. He opened his mouth and tried to stop his voice from cracking as he whisper-sang.

"I love you... a bushel and a peck..." The heart monitor beeps became more distant. "A bushel and a peck... and a hug around the neck..."

He no long felt Ryan's chest moving as the beating silenced. When the sound of a long beep echoed against the four white walls, Brendon shut his eyes tightly and let a new wave of tears fall. He clung tightly to the front of Ryan's gown and burried his face into his chest.

"A hug around the neck... and a barrel and a heap..," he continued in a broken whisper. "A barrel and a heap... and I'm talkin' in my sleep..."

---

A/N:

Alright, but why did I cry writing this? I knew what I was getting myself into when I started. It was no surprise to me!