The walk to Jebediah's home was only a few minutes, and Carl and Jebediah walked in peaceful silence side by side. To anyone who didn't know them, they looked to be nothing more than friends. 

Jebediah's home was the first one on the housing estate, a semi-detached home, small and well maintained. It was his mothers pride and joy. He had been born in this house, and had lived here his entire life. His father had helped build this house, that is what his mother had told him. But Jebediah had never met his father, though he had learned a lot about him, and there were many pictures of him around his home. His father had died when Jebediah was very young. 

'I always liked it here' Carl said to him, as Jebediah opened the freshly painted white gate for him. 'The flowers are growing nicely.'

'Yeah' Jebediah said half-heartedly, glancing briefly down at the flower beds around them. 

He continued down the path towards the home, ringing the doorbell once before entering, as was his habit, just to let his mother know it was him coming home. 

'Hello dear' his mother said to him as he entered, Carl following after him. 'Carl its good to see you.'

'You too' Carl smiled back. 

'Can I get you both anything?'

'No thanks mom' Jebediah said to the floor. 'We're just going to hang out in my room.'

His mother watched him silently. She was a short woman, with neat jet-black hair that reached her jawline. She was young, both Jebediah's parents had been young when they had him. 

'Could you not disturb us?' Jebediah said to his mother, as he crossed the small kitchen, putting his bag down on the table as he went. 

'Of course' his mother answered. 'I'll be going out then. I'll get us something to eat.'

Jebediah didn't reply, but walked on into the hallway, marching up the stairs. Carl followed close behind him. 

They reached the top of the stairs. 

'I'm going to have a quick shower' Jebediah said as Carl walked past him. 'Do you want one after me?'

'We could have one together?'

'Or not.'

Carl sighed wearily. 

'I'll have one after you.'

Jebediah nodded. 

Carl lay back on Jebediah's bed, resting with his hands behind his head, staring up at the ceiling. He could hear the water from the shower running on the other side of the wall in the bathroom, besides from that, all else was still and silent within the house. And outside, he could hear children playing.

Carl closed the bedroom door, wearing only a towel now, Jebediah who had been sitting on his bed waiting turned to him with a calm expression. 

'You're dressed?' Carl noted. 

'In clean clothes' Jebediah answered. 'I thought you would like to undress me.'

Carl grinned slyly at that, eyes bright and shining. 'You know me too well' he said. 

Jebediah reached for the string of the blinds beside him, pulling them shut without taking his eyes off Carl. 

'I like you best in your school uniform' Carl told him. 

'Only because you like to use my tie to gag me.'

'And many other things...'

Carl moved across the room, leaning over Jebediah and kissing him. 

Jebediah allowed himself to be pushed back, Carl bearing over him, one knee upon the bed.

He opened his eyes slowly, staring down at Jebediah.