"Let's sit down." Tyler took Robin's hand and pulled him down on one of the benches in the auditorium. As the organizer on the stage concluded the presentations, Tyler leaned against Robin's shoulder, making unkempt curls spill over Robin's blazer.

"We want to thank all students for their well-researched presentations," Professor Royce announced from the stage. "We will announce the winner during the coming weeks."

People started to shuffle around him as they exited the auditorium. Muffled conversations and rapid steps echoed around them. "I'll go make sure that Liza actually left," Des stage-whispered into Robin's ear, rising from her seat beside him. A wink from his friend told Robin that perhaps her real reason for leaving was to give Tyler and him some alone-time.

So this was it. Now Robin just had to wallow in anxiety until that announcement. Easy peasy.

A squeeze of his hand reminded Robin that he wasn't alone in his worries. "I'm sure you'll win, Robby," Tyler encouraged him. " You did so well up there, cutie. You were awesome, smart, and super hot."

Robin was doubtful that his hotness would matter for the result concerning the scholarship.

"Maybe not well enough," he mumbled.

"You're always good enough for me," Tyler replied, showering Robin's cheeks and forehead with kisses. It was like sitting next to a happy golden retriever.

When Tyler said those words, Robin believed them. The words ingrained themselves into his soul and made him a little bit more confident each time. That was one of many reasons he needed Tyler by his side. Together, they were stronger.

"You should have told me about this, Robby." There was no blame in Tyler's voice, only concern. "About everything, I mean."

"I just..." Robin sighed, turning his gaze toward his boyfriend. "I didn't want to worry you or be a burden for you."

"Silly Robby." Tyler flicked his hand through Robin's hair. "I want to worry when you worry. Because if we both worry, the burden is less on you. So please let me worry about you, okay?"

Robin nodded, hot tears of relief trickling down his cheeks. He buried his face in Tyler's shirt, which smelled wondrously of powdered sugar and vanilla. Perhaps his boyfriend had eaten donuts earlier that day.

"What if I don't get the scholarship?" Robin mumbled into the pastry-smelling fabric.

"Then we'll figure something else out. We'll figure it out together," Tyler replied. "Because I'm not leaving you hanging like this. You won't have to go back to staying with your mom, alright? I'm not letting it happen."

Hearing Tyler be so protective of him made Robin's heart pound faster. It was quite a turn-on. But this probably was neither the time nor the place for such things.

"How did you even get here?" Robin asked, realizing that his boyfriend should be elsewhere. "You need to be at the hospital for the prosthetic fitting. You can't miss that for my sake."

"The fitting isn't until tomorrow. So my cousin Lance drove me here this morning. He's promised to drive me back afterward." Tyler turned and pointed toward a handsome guy with blond short hair and a military uniform. "He's back there, talking to Miss Horn."

"You shouldn't let him wait too long. It's quite a drive back."

"Nah, he's fine," Tyler assured Robin. "He needs to get out more anyway. And he seems to be enjoying the conversation."

It did indeed seem like Tyler's cousin was enjoying talking to Miss Horn, who smiled widely and fiddled with the bobby pins in her hair as Lance laughed at something funny she must have said.

"Mr. Erie, you did really well up there." Professor Royce's voice made Robin turn from the flirty conversation behind them.

"Thank you," he replied, not quite knowing how to take the compliment. "I did my best, I guess..." Robin looked down to hide the blush rising on his cheeks.

A nudge of a shoulder against his made Robin look up again. "You did awesome, cutie," Tyler reassured, quickly turning into Robin's biggest cheerleader. If given a pair of pom-poms he would probably soon be performing acrobatics while chanting Robin's name.

The professor nodded in agreeance. "I knew I was right in recommending you for the scholarship," he said, before turning his attention toward the boy by Robin's side. "Mr. Caster, glad to see you're well. I trust that your tutor here will help you catch up once you're back in school."

"My boyfriend will help me catch up," Tyler emphasized, making sugary jitters cascade throughout Robin's whole body. How he'd missed that word being uttered by Tyler's irresistible lips. "He's super smart."

"Of course, your boyfriend. I didn't want to assume." Professor Royce had probably figured out their intimate relationship from the pet-naming and slightly inappropriate touching during class. "And I agree that he is very smart. Unfortunately, I'm not the one deciding on the scholarship, but I would say he got a good chance at least." The man looked around, mischievously. "Don't tell anyone I said that though..."

"Are you saying things you shouldn't again, darling?" A man with dark hair that was turning silver around the temples walked up to Professor Royce, putting a hand affectionately on his shoulder.

"When have I ever done that before, Alejandro?" The burly man protested.

"Well, I recall that one time at the wine bar..."

"You don't need to tell my students about that..." The professor put an arm around the other man's waist. "Robin and Tyler, this is my husband, Alejandro. Who should probably shut up right about now."

Alejandro did a zipping motion across his mouth.

"I didn't know you... were married." Robin looked at the two men, so normal and comfortable in their marital bliss. Being sheltered from the world, he'd never known any gay adults while growing up, so it was all new to him. New and aspirational.

"Well, professors can be... married too you know." Professor Royce laughed lightly.

Alejandro's jovial expression turned more serious as he looked toward Robin. "Was that your mom leaving before?" he asked.

Robin nodded in reply, squeezing Tyler's hand harder. The mere mention of his mother made him fear that his boyfriend would be taken away from him.

"I see..." Alejandro sighed. "I know a few things about disapproving mothers. I was hoping kids these days had it easier."

"She's... hard to deal with," Robin mumbled, not wanting to give away too much. Although perhaps his presentation already had.

Professor Royce slid his hand into his husband's grip. "We need to get going I'm afraid. But I will let you know as soon as a decision is made, Robin. And I'm rooting for you."

Robin's gaze followed the two men as they walked down the aisle hand in hand. Maybe that could be him one day. Maybe that could be him and Tyler in twenty or thirty years.

He leaned closer to his boyfriend, longing for a safe haven. The anxiety over his mother's threats and the nerve-wracking presentation made it feel like every nerve in his body still was on high alert. Sensing what Robin needed, Tyler unlocked their hands and instead put both his arms around Robin, rocking him back and forth while resting his chin on Robin's shoulder. While people poured out of the auditorium, they remained entangled and enamored with each other.

Soon the whole place fell silent around them. Not a soul remained in the half-moon-shaped space. Robin wondered if Tyler's cousin perhaps had taken Miss Horn out on a date over tea--the counselor's favorite beverage--as they had left as well. The high ceiling coupled with bare tile floors made every sound echo off the whiteboard-filled walls. It wasn't a romantic setting but right now it was theirs and theirs alone.

Placing a kiss on a curl-covered forehead, Robin sat back. "Looks like we're alone," he mumbled, finding Tyler's lips once again.

"So should we..." Tyler looked around mischievously "...get our pants off? You do look very hot in that suit." He tugged at the lapels of Robin's navy blazer.

Never before in his life had Robin been so torn between two emotions. Because the primitive side of him told him to throw caution, and his clothes, to the wind, while the anxious side of him warned him that someone could walk in at any moment.

Reading his boyfriend's deer-in-headlights look, Tyler added: "I'm just joking, cutie." He playfully placed a kiss on Robin's nose tip. "But let's just stay here for a moment. I like... just being with you."

Tyler's chin fell on Robin's shoulder, settling into the nook under his chin. Wispy curls tickled Robin's neck.

"I'm sorry about the other day. When you called, I mean." Robin reached out an arm to pull his boyfriend closer. "I don't even like Tristan. He's kind of annoying."

Tyler chuckled. "Some people would call me annoying... My cousin probably called me that a dozen times on the ride here, as I kept wanting to stop for snacks."

"You can never be annoying," Robin assured him, cuddling the warm body next to him even closer. He would definitely stop to get Tyler snacks anytime.

"I understand now why you had to get a job anyway, so it doesn't matter. I'm not worried about Tristan. I'm sure I'm way cuter than him anyway."

"You're definitely way cuter." Robin sneaked in a kiss on a stubbly cheek. "It seemed like maybe you wanted something when you called though. Do you... want to tell me now?"

Tyler sighed, fiddling with a string on his hoodie. "I was just a bit over everything. Being at the hospital and all that. It just made me feel... broken, I guess. And I kind of realized it would never end. I'll always be broken.

"You're not broken, Ty," Robin ensured his boyfriend with a kiss on the corner of his mouth. "You're perfect." He meant it. He couldn't even imagine Tyler being more perfect with two legs. Because to Robin, nothing was missing on Tyler.

Tyler shrugged. "I'm disabled, Robby. You can't deny that."

"You'll be able to use your prosthetic leg soon though. It will get easier then. You'll be able to walk again and people won't look at you all the time."

Robin could sense every muscle in Tyler's body tightening again. He'd been so excited about getting to walk again before, but something related to the prosthetic leg must be stressing him.

"I tried on a socket for a leg the other day at the hospital," Tyler revealed."And it just kind of felt... off. Like it wasn't part of me at all, it was just this attached contraption. Which I guess I should have realized. But it didn't hit me until then how different it would be." Tyler buried his face in Robin's well-ironed button-down. "What if I can't walk with it? What if it doesn't work?" The tone was rushed as he unloaded all his worries. "Because, that's it, Robby. Once I get the leg, then it won't get better. What if it's uncomfortable and weird?" A long sigh escaped his lungs. "Because I know it won't be... like it was."

"It won't be," Robin agreed and tightened his grip on taut shoulders. "But you'll get used to it. You're so damn good at sports and stuff. I'm sure you'll be really good at this too."

It appeared it was Robin's turn to bring out the pom-poms now, and he would do so to the best of his ability. As long as no dancing in public was involved he was up to the task. Although if such performances were necessary to cheer on Tyler, he would take on that task as well.

"I am quite good at crutches by now..." Tyler admitted. Robin almost thought he could discern a smile, hidden beneath cascades of blond locks.

"I'll come with you for your final fitting if you want me to," Robin assured Tyler. "I'll hold your hand and help you remember all the details. Since I've done the presentation now, there's nothing else I can do right now. I want to be there for you like you were there for me today."

Tyler peeked up, pressing his lips against Robin's. The intensity of the kiss made Robin wonder if the offer to get pants-less still was active.

"I would like that, Robby," he replied. "I think that would help." Tyler looked around the still-empty auditorium. "If we can only find my cousin and pull him away from Miss Horn's company, he can drive both of us there tonight."