The night before couldn't have gone any more right. Austin woke up almost half an hour ago, but he kept his breathing slow and even and pretended he was asleep. He didn't want to have to leave the comfort of Alan's arms. The two young men had cuddled all night. Austin had opened up to the younger boy. The taller boy didn't know Alan very well, but he trusted the red headed boy. Alan didn't judge Austin or look at him any different than before, he just held on tighter. If anything, Alan was more determined to mend the broken boy in his arms than before. Austin may look intimidating but really he was the sweetest and most caring guy Alan had ever met. Austin was a gentle giant. Austin was the type of guy, when in love, to give you his entire heart. How could anyone be heartless and cruel enough to hurt a guy like him? The elder man breathed in slowly, opening his eyes. His stomach was tightening every so often in hunger and Austin did not want his stomach to growl and embrass him. He blinked a few times, his eyelashes brushing against Alan's bare chest. The red head's hold on the taller boy loosened and Austin felt Alan's face in his hair. The ginger kissed the top of Austin's head, suceeding in making the elder boy blush deeply.

"Goodmorning Aus." Alan's voice was soft and a bit dry from sleeping, but it was the best sound Austin could ever possibily imagine hearing first to start a new day. "Morning Alan." Austin blushed. Unlike Alan's smooth morning voice, his own was rougher and not so nice on the ears. However, Alan quite liked the elder boy's morning voice and hoped to hear it on future mornings.

Austin sighed softly and untangled his legs from Alan's and unlatched himself from the younger man's warm embrace. The taller boy gave the ginger a smile before he padded off to the bathroom to clean up. When Austin looked in the mirror he sighed and looked away immediately. Everday he looked in the mirror with disappointment. He slowly turned his head to look at his reflection again. The familiar weight settled on his chest and he felt as if he might cry. How could he think Alan would like him more than a friend? 'Just look at you', he thought to himself. He shook his head slowly, taking in everything he hated at himself. How come he couldn't have nice skin? Why did he have to have those wrinkles at the corners of his eyes? And he excersizes plenty, but no matter what he does he just can't seem to get rid of that skin under his chin that made a kind of double chin of sorts. Austin looked away again as the weight and thoughts began to be too much. He turned on the shower and made the water as hot as he could stand it, and got in. The hot water running over him eased him, but only slightly. His skin was itching terribly in the places he usually cut. He wanted to tear his skin so badly, but Alan was here and knowing that made the urge fade slowly.

When he was done he pulled on sweats and a band tee and brushed his teeth. He padded back into the bedroom to find the room vacant. Austin frowned and immediately began to assume the worst. Alan must have skipped out, not wanting to deal with the elder boy's baggage. Tears began to prick at the tall boy's eyes as the familiar emptiness inside of his heart began to errode some more, when a friendly voice called from the kitchen.

"Aus, I made you breakfast!"

It's amazing how fast Alan can stop Austin from feeling pain. The tattooed man walked into the kitchen to find Alan setting pancakes on the table. "I ate really quick, so I could take a shower and clean up while you ate. If thats okay." Austin smiled and nodded before replying. "C-course. You can b-borrow some clothes." Austin dug around to find one of his smaller pair of sweats and a shirt for Alan to where. The ginger thanked Austin and padded into the bathroom and did his business while Austin ate the very delicious pancakes. The elder boy quickly cleaned up his played and loaded the dishwasher. When he finished he curled up on the couch with Sophie and watched Supernatural, because there was nothing else on. After a few minutes he was getting pretty into it, but his concentration was immediately shattered when his favorite ginger's voice sounded from behind the couch.

"Oh I love this show!"

They watched the show together, curled up with Sophie tucked against Austin's side. Everything was warm and fluffy but all good things come to an end, as the saying goes. There was a knock at the door, four short raps to the faux wood that was actually rather annoying, because most people knocked once, twice, maybe three times at the most. Four just sounded a little over excessive. Austin reluctantly got up from the comfort that was Alan's side and traipsed over to the door, unlocking the chain and slider before opening it to reveal the very person who had destroyed Austin. She stood tall, her arms crossed, perfectly manicured nails resting on her arms. Her blond hair was straightened and fell down her shoulders, her make up done up completely. She smiled, flashing her perfect little white teeth. Austin stared in shock. What was she doing here? After all she she said, and all he couldn't be for her.

"Austin!" She yelled, like she was happy to see him. She leaned forward and hugged him, her arms wrapping around his neck. "Gielle?" He asked in a confused tome.

Out of reflex, his long arms wrapped around her waist. She pulled away and smiled at him. "Can I come in Aus?" He bit his lip and nodded, stepping aside. She waltzed in like she owned the place, her head tilted upwards in the classic Gielle, 'I'm hot shit' way.

He followed her into the living room where she stopped after seeing Alan.

"Aussie, why didn't you tell me you had a friend over?"

Austin cringed at the nickname. He never liked it and she knew that.

"Y-you didn't tell m-me you were c-coming over, Gielle."

Alan looked very confused, and when Austin addressed her as Gielle, his head snapped to her. The elder boy had told the red head all about her the previous night. He knew all the things she said to Austin, how she constantly put him down after they married, and how she left him with nothing. Alan's eyebrows pulled together in confusion.

"Oh I know, I'm sorry Aussie, I wanted to come by and see how you were doing!"

Austin looked at his feet, mumbling. "I'm f-fine."

Gielle sighed. "Aus, you really need to work on that stuttering thing. You have no idea how inept that makes you sound. Anyway, I was close by, and I wanted to let you know my good news!" Gielle touched her stomach. "I'm pregnant!"

Austin's mouth opened and closed, making him resemble a fish out of water. Before he could get anything out, she was talking again.

"The thing is, Ronnie doesn't have a job, so we're really short on money. Could you maybe help us out?"

Austin slowly shook his head. "No."

Her hopeful expression faded to anger. "Excuse me?"

"No, Gielle. Your not m-my responsibilty. You ch-cheated on me. I'm n-not going to help you."

"Fuck you then, you stuttering idiot. You're so useless, everyone would be better off if you'd just drop dead. God, and you wonder why I left you." She scoffed and picked up her purse before turning back to Austin. "No one cares about y-" She was cut off by Alan, who stood up, staring her down angrily.

"Enough! Don't talk to Austin like that!" The ginger continued to glare, pointing at the door. "Leave. Now."

Alan is the sweetest looking guy, but not when he's angry. He was visibly fuming, his cheeks flushed with pink. Gielle backed down immediately, sneering at Austin before turning on her heel and walking out. The front door slammed, confirming that she had left. Austin put his face in hands, letting out the sob that he had been holding. The younger boy's arms were immediately around Austin, pulling him onto the couch. The elder boy curled up against Alan, thankful for the small ginger. The relief Alan gave Austin was better than that of any blade.