Lukas escorted Charlie home the next morning before they headed off to school. Charlie had to change into his uniform and grab his bag. Lukas was there to make sure his father wouldn't do something to him again. He never did anything when Lukas was around. The only problem was Lukas couldn't always be there.

“I’m ready.” Charlie joined him at the entrance after getting ready. “Bye, mom. I’m leaving.”

“Bye, Charlie. Bye, Lukas.”

“Bye, Miss Heather.”

Charlie closed the door behind them quickly as they left before his dad could say anything. He exhaled loudly as if he had been holding his breath that entire time. Lukas playfully nudged him with his shoulder. Charlie smiled at him lightly as if to tell him he was okay.

They exited their apartment complex and started walking along the street that led them straight to school. Lukas felt pretty good that morning. He had managed to sleep more than the day before, and he got to walk to school with Charlie. Only those two things were enough for him to be happy. He took a deep breath letting the fresh air in his lungs.

Today’s gonna be a good day, he thought. Lukas smiled to himself. It had been a while since he felt that way. He exhaled and had that sudden sensation that someone was looking at him.

“Charlie. You’re staring again.”

“I’m sorry. It’s just. Are you sure you’re okay?"

"Yeah, why?"

"You've been acting really weird since last night." Charlie gently touched the back of his hand. “I mean. You took two showers.”

“Oh.” Lukas suddenly remembered what had happened the night before and the dream that followed. “Yeah, I woke up really sweaty. Felt gross.”

“Are you having that nightmare again?”

Had it been any other day, Lukas would have told him yes. But the night before, he didn’t have that nightmare. Though he wasn’t sure if having a wet dream of Tate was how he wanted to forget about it.

“Yeah.” He lied. “I’ve been getting a few of them lately.”

“Are you gonna be okay? Should we call your mom?”

“No.” Lukas shook his head. “I don’t want to worry her. I’ll be fine.”

Charlie’s brow slightly frowned. Lukas wasn’t in the habit of lying to Charlie. He wasn't planning on keeping silent for long anyway. He would tell him eventually. He couldn’t keep secrets from him long. For now, he just needed time to think. Process his thoughts.

Lukas noticed a car parked in front of the convenience store. It was the same car that had dropped Charlie off at school the day before. Lukas grabbed Charlie's arm, stopping him.

"Um... I'm going to go get something." He pointed at the store. “Do you want anything?”

"The usual."

Lukas nodded as he quickly left and entered the store just as someone exited the parked car. He hadn’t told Charlie, but he actually texted his boyfriend. Hiro had made him promise that he would whenever something happened to Charlie.

Lukas went around the store. Grabbing things for the day, all the while taking his time to make sure they had time to talk. He had so much stuff he had to carry it with both hands. Lukas slowly lowered his hands on the counter and released the items.

“How many people are you planning on feeding Lukas?” The cashier laughed as he started to scan the items.

“Just me and Charlie.” Lukas smiled. “Oh. Can I get a bottle of Aspirin too?”

“Yeah, sure. You okay?”

“Yeah. Just a slight headache.”

The man nodded as he added the Aspirin to his things. Lukas briefly glanced out the window. Hiro and Charlie were still talking. Hiro wrapped his arms around Charlie. Lukas smiled. He was happy his friend had someone like Hiro in his life. Loving and warm. Someone who would leave everything in a heartbeat to make sure he was okay.

“Here you go, Lukas.” The cashier drew his attention back to him. “Have a good day.”

“You too.”

Lukas grabbed the bag and went out as he slipped his wallet back into his pocket. He stepped foot out of the store and looked at them. He hoped he wasn't disturbing them. When it seemed they were done, he took that as his cue that he could join them.

"Hey, Hiro."

Lukas walked over to them. He was on good terms with Hiro, so he never felt like he was too much when they were together.

"Lukas."

Charlie had a scornful look on his face when he stopped next to him.

“What?”

"You should've told me you called him."

"That would defeat the purpose."

"How's your head?" Hiro asked as he pointed towards the wound below his hairline. "Did you go see a doctor?"

"No. I'll be fine."

“You know it’s really annoying when you say that.” Hiro sighed. “Look, if you have headaches and you’re puking, let me know. I’ll book you an appointment at the clinic.”

“Sure.”

Lukas didn't want to tell him he already went through that the day before. It would only make both of them panic.

Hiro shook his head and turned back to Charlie.

"I'm gonna go. Please call me later."

Charlie nodded. Hiro pulled away and slipped into his car. Charlie and Lukas waited until he drove off. When Hiro was gone, Charlie turned to Lukas and hit him.

"Ow. What was that for?"

Charlie didn't say anything and started to walk towards the school. Lukas smirked. Charlie was giving him the silent treatment. He rummaged through the plastic bag and grabbed a sandwich that he started to eat as he followed him. For fifteen minutes, neither one of them say a single word. They stepped onto the school grounds when Charlie grabbed onto Lukas's arm, holding him back. Lukas looked at him.

"Thank you."

"Anytime."

Lukas smiled, and Charlie smiled back. Lukas handed Charlie the bag, and he started digging through it.

“Jesus, Lukas. How much were you planning on eating?”

“I don’t know.” Lukas shrugged. As they got closer, he noticed Tate was about to enter the school. Lukas’s heart raced, and he felt agitated. The impulsion to run after him came over him, and before Lukas could even try to talk himself out of it, he started moving. "Hey, Charlie. I'm gonna meet you in class. I have something I have to do first."

"Okay?"

Lukas quickly ran off, leaving Charlie behind.