Vince sat in the back of the health class, as usual, trying not to be seen.

It wasn't that he wasn't good at classes - he was brilliant, in fact, acing most of his exams - he just didn't like attention from teachers. He'd rather sit in the back and daydream, or pass notes with Stuart, than pay attention.

Stuart, now there was a conundrum. He had known the boy for only a few months, but already they were best friends, seeing each other every day and sharing everything. Well, almost everything. Vince knew that Stuart was gay - Stuart told him all about his first time with his old teacher back in Dublin, and even told Vince about all the blokes he shagged here in Manchester - but Stuart didn't know Vince was gay, too. Even though he knew Stuart would accept and guard his secret, Vince hadn't been able to tell Stuart the truth about himself yet. It wasn't that long ago when he couldn't even say the words to himself - now he thought he needed time before he could tell anyone else. Like a decade or so.

It would be at least another decade after that when he told his friend about all the dreams he had featuring Stuart, and all the times he had to change his sheets because of them.

He smiled when Stuart chose the seat beside him, pulling him out of his thoughts. "Why are we here again?" Stuart asked with a sigh. Stuart had suggested skipping the class to smoke in the bathrooms again, but Vince had vetoed the idea. They had already skipped health once this week, and a second go would be pushing it.

"Because I want to pass this class," Vince told him. "Besides, we have math next. She doesn't care whether we're there or not. We can just ditch our last class and go home early."

Stuart still pouted. "So why couldn't we just skip the last two classes of the day?"

Vince did not think about how well his lips would wipe that pout off Stuart's face.

"Tomorrow's Saturday," Vince reminded his best friend instead. "We'll have the whole day to hang out."

"Fine," Stuart said, but only because their teacher, Mrs. Lowery, had just walked in and was beginning to lecture.

Vince wasn't really paying attention. After all, he'd read all he needed to know about CPR last night, hadn't he? Instead he was busily entertaining ideas about whether or not he should invite Stuart to stay over tonight - he never had yet, but he didn't think Stuart would be averse to the idea - and if he could finally come out to his friend. He was so lost in his worries that he didn't realize they were moving the desks toward the walls and pairing up until Stuart nudged him.

"You're my partner then?" Stuart asked rather needlessly.

"For what?" Vince asked as he followed his classmates and pushed his desk out of the way.

"Mouth to mouth resuscitation practice."

Great, Vince thought. Just what I need. Mouth to mouth with a boy - and Stuart of all boys! He didn't know whether to be excited or terrified, and settled for something in the middle. Still, he said, "Sure. 'Course."

"Alright, you first, then," Stuart said, pushing Vince down to the floor by his shoulder. Vince lay on his back, staring expectantly up at Stuart. "Close yer eyes, Vinnie," Stuart instructed, slipping into that sexy Irish brogue. Vince almost believed that Stuart wanted to do more than practice first aid on him as he let his eyes flutter shut obediently.

He stayed still as Stuart went through the necessary motions: shaking him, asking if he was okay, and tilting his head back. He pretended not to notice the feather-light touches Stuart used, and told himself that he wasn't excited in the least that his best friend was touching him in such an intimate way.

Vince was waiting for Stuart to hold his nose shut and perform the breathing, but instead Stuart kept his hand on Vince's forehead, the fingers gently running through his bangs. Stuart's other hand was on his cheek, the skin cool against his flush. He could almost feel Stuart's eyes on him, and he wondered what Stuart was waiting for.

Before he could open his eyes and ask, Stuart's lips were on his. They were softer than Vince expected a boy's lips to be, and gentler. Stuart took advantage of Vince's open mouth and slipped an urgent tongue between his lips. Vince couldn't do anything more than lie there and take in the sensations as Stuart traced his lips and teeth with his tongue, then finally dove in to press against his tongue, exploring it, challenging it.

Then, almost as suddenly as it began, the assault was over. Vince opened his eyes to see Stuart staring down at him, a wicked grin starting at his lips and sparking from his eyes.

Vince stared at him in shock for a moment, then pushed himself up off the floor. Could Stuart tell that he was gay? Had Stuart known all the time? What if his classmates had seen? How could he face them again, knowing they knew? He had to get out of there. Immediately. Sooner, if possible.

"Got to go," Vince mumbled as he stood up. He saw the amusement drain out of Stuart's expression, but he couldn't think about it right now. Instead he ran out the door, ignoring the protests of his teacher and the stares of the other students.

He ran out of the school and didn't stop running until he was back at home, safe from Stuart and his classmates and anyone else who could possibly find out about him. He ran upstairs and locked himself in his room before falling onto the bed for a good cry.

He didn't even know what he was so upset about. It's not like Stuart would hate him for being gay. And he wouldn't tell anyone else, not if Vince didn't want him to. After all, Stuart hadn't even told his own parents yet; he knew how to keep secrets.

He was just in shock. And scared that everyone else had seen - and what if the teacher had noticed, and called Hazel? How would he handle his mother knowing? Hazel was cool as mothers go, and might understand - but what if she didn't? It was too much for him to handle.

Would Stuart hate him for not telling him sooner? Would he hate him for running away like that, or think he was some homophobe and never speak to him again?

Vince heard knocking on the door downstairs, but he didn't go down to open it. What if it was one of his teachers, come to drag him back to school? Worse - what if it were Stuart? How would he explain pulling a runner like that?

Vince curled up under his comforter, deciding to never leave his room again.

A few moments later, he heard a creaking of the tree outside his bedroom, then a thud and the muffled "Oomph!" of Stuart jumping from the branch to his windowsill. Vince ignored him. Maybe if he just hid under his blankets, Stuart would go away.

"Vince?" Stuart asked tentatively, sitting on the edge of the bed. Vince felt a hand on his shoulder over the covers.

Before Vince knew what was happening, Stuart pulled down the blanket and attacked. This time, the attack was with nimble fingers seeking out the most sensitive spots on Vince's body to tickle. Despite himself, Vince was laughing and rolling around on the mattress, trying to escape Stuart, all previous depression lifted.

Stuart kept it up for a couple of minutes until they were both out of breath and aching with laughter. Finally, stopped with Vince pinned to the bed and Stuart lying on top of him.

Vince looked up at his friend for a moment before speaking.

"You kissed me," he said. The words came unbidden, surprising Vince as much as Stuart with their bluntness.

"You didn't kiss back," Stuart said, almost sounding disappointed.

"I was in shock," Vince told him.

A small smile crept across Stuart's face. "I knew it," he said triumphantly.

"Knew what?"

"You're bent, Vinnie, same as me."

Stuart must have read the fear and aggression in Vince's eyes because he continued. "'Salright, you know, being gay. Nothing wrong with me, is there?"

Vine looked up at his friend for a moment and decided, no, there's nothing wrong with him at all. He'd been half in love with him since he first saw him, hadn't he? "Guess not," Vince said gingerly.

"See? Nothing wrong with you, either!"

Vince expected Stuart to roll off him after that, but instead he put his head down and just stayed there, his body heavy against Vince's. Vince didn't mind. He loved the feeling. He even put a hesitant hand on his friend's shoulder, just to see if he'd react. Vince relaxed when Stuart's only reaction was to lean into the touch,

"Why'd you do it?" Vince asked.

"What?" Stuart's voice was thick and sounded tired.

"Kiss me."

"Wanted to," Stuart told him. "I wanted to make sure you really were gay."

"Couldn't you have just asked?"

Stuart looked up at him with a devilish smile. "What would be the fun in that?"

Vince wanted to be mad at his friend, but he couldn't help himself. He laughed along with the Irish bastard.

"Want to try it again?" Stuart asked with a comically seductive waggle of his eyebrows.

Yes! Vince thought. But they couldn't. What if it turned into more than a kiss? Vince wanted Stuart more than anything in the world, but not if he was going to be treated like the other men Stuart fooled around with. If Stuart treated him like a shag and pushed him away after a one-off, he'd have lost a best friend. Several of his friends had lost friendships over sex during the past year of so, and he didn't want to make the same mistake they did.

"Get off me," he said instead, forcing out a laugh.

For a moment he thought Stuart looked disappointed, but he was sure he was just imagining things, because suddenly Stuart was laughing it off with him, then diving in to tickle him again.