Oliver walked back in the direction of the others, since the only nearby exit out of the forest were past the others, and he didn’t want to get lost. He kept his hand close to his body to not move it to much, as he walked by where he knew Casper had been. He glanced over, hoping no one was there when he saw Casper. As if he knew Oliver was looking at him, he turned his head then looked at him confused, as he had probably noticed Oliver was slightly slumped over from the sore pain of his stomach. Oliver looked away, pretending he didn't see Casper but he didn’t get far before Casper had caught up to him.

“Dude, what happened?” He asked worried, walking beside him. Oliver shook his head which made him wince. Did he have a concussion? He wondered. “You didn’t have that bruise earlier,” Casper pointed out, hinting to the newly formed bruise on his face. “Did that guy beat you up?” he asked, his voice sounding angry.

“Just leave me alone” Oliver sighed, he didn’t even have energy to argue back.

“No!” Casper stepped in front of Oliver, forcing him to stop. “Are you just going to let that guy get away with it?” Casper asked, he was clearly angry. Oliver looked back at him slightly taken aback. This was the first time Casper had seemed pissed on behalf of Oliver, and he didn't know how to react to it. 

“It was a simple misunderstanding,” Oliver answered, which, in some ways were true. Oliver thought the guy wanted it just as much as he did, and that he didn’t mind having sex with a guy, but that was Olivers mistake.

“And beating you up makes it all okay?” Casper didn’t sound convinced, and Oliver frowned. He didn’t have the energy to argue but he was getting pissed.

“This shit happens, all right?! Being gay isn’t easy and shit happens,” Oliver hissed, keeping his voice down, as he didn't want to announce it to the world, “it was my mistake and now, please, let me go, I just want to go home and sleep,” he sighed, the fire inside of him extinguished, and he tried to sidestep Casper.

“Let me at least take you home,” Casper let Oliver walk but followed him. Oliver let out a loud sigh and looked at Casper.

“I don’t need a ride,” he replied, he rolled his eyes.

“Well I’m not going to let you go alone, looking like that,” Casper answered and looked ahead of them, his hands in his pocket, contempt to just walk with Oliver. Oliver chewed the inside of his cheek, trying to calm down as he had a feeling Casper really was going to walk him home.

“How drunk are you?” he suddenly asked Casper. Casper looked back at him in surprised, almost like he wasn't expecting Oliver to comply so easy.

“Not really drunk, only drank one beer. Why?” he asked. Oliver weighted his option. Walking home alone for at least an hour, with a pounding headache and maybe a fractured wrist, or get Casper to drive him home so he could quickly get some rest. For a few seconds he contemplated then sighed and went in the direction of Caspers car.

“Drive me home,” he ordered voice and Casper didn’t say anything, but followed Oliver. 

The ride home was quiet. Oliver looked out at the window, watching as things go by, but not really seeing it as he thought about what a shitty situation he was in, and how pissed his dad was going to get, for the hospital bills for his wrist. Casper kept his eyes on the road, but Oliver could swear he could feel Casper glancing his way. 

Casper had texted Jake that something came up and he had to go, but he would be back to pick him up if necessary. Jake had replied he was staying with his girl tonight, so Oliver knew he was going to be at home alone, since his dad was out of town for the night. A strange empty feeling was gnawing in his body, but he didn’t want to think of it, so he tried to push it aside. 

They stopped in front of the house, Oliver staring at the dark windows, hesitating to go inside but he didn’t want to stay with Casper. He didn’t want Casper to think he wanted his company, so he quickly thanked him and left the car. 

Halfway up the steps to the front door, the sound of a car engine turned off and then a door opening and closing behind him. He looked back to see Casper headed his way.

“What are you doing?” Oliver asked, trying to sound annoyed by his presence but his voice faltered. 

“Just making sure you are taken care of,” Casper replied as he walked up next to Oliver.

“What, are you going to be my babysitter?” Oliver scoffed. Casper flashed him a grin and continued up the stairs to the door.

“Maybe,” he replied. Oliver was taken aback since he hadn’t expected that answer, and it took him a second before he followed Casper to the front door, then he unlocked it as he glanced at Casper.

“Just don’t expect to get paid,” Oliver replied but avoided looking at Casper. It was embarrassing, but for some reason Oliver were relieved he didn’t have to be alone, even though it was with Casper. He still didn’t like Casper, but being with him were better than being alone, so he gestured for Casper to enter first and then they both went inside.

Oliver locked the door behind them and took his shoes off. He didn’t want to drag dirt all around the house and Casper followed suit. Oliver walked into the kitchen, Casper tagging along almost like a dog, and his drunken mind couldn’t help but wonder what kind of dog he would be if he was one. Maybe a golden retriever, then again, he seemed stronged willed. A German shepherd, a border collie? It was hard to find one that fitted as he opened the freezer and pulled out a pack of frozen peas, he knew had been in the freezer in forever, so it wouldn’t be missed. He then wrapped it in a dish towel before holding it up to his jaw. 

“How bad is it?” Casper asked and for a second Oliver had forgotten he was there, being caught up in his thoughts which he blamed the beer, his headache, and the pills, but he quickly composed himself, pretending he was fine.

“Probably a concussion, maybe a broken wrist” Oliver answered casually, like he was used to it, and looked at Casper. He walked closer to him, which made Oliver freeze in his spot, when Casper took his broken hand and looked at it. He gently pressed his fingers against Oliver’s wrist, which at first didn’t hurt then a sharp pain spread throughout his hand, and he hissed.

“Shit!” he cursed, and Casper quickly let go of Olivers wrist.

“Sorry!” he apologized, then looked at the wrist “but it doesn’t seem broken” Casper continued and took a step back. “I think you might have sprained it, but I suggest you go to the hospital tomorrow,” he said and gave Oliver a tight-lipped smile. He nodded but didn’t say anything else. They stood there in awkward silence, as neither of them knew what to say or do.

“Well,” Casper broke the silence “you said you might have a concussion,” he said, “do you have nausea? Dizziness? Feeling sluggish or confusion?” he asked. Oliver shook his head carefully, since he didn't want the headache to get worse.

“No, only a headache,” he answered. 

“Okay, good to know, but if you feel any of the symptoms, please say it,” Casper said and Oliver shrugged.

“It’s fine, it's not the first time I hurt myself,” Oliver said, then placed the bag of peas on the table to feel for his cigarettes, but he couldn’t feel it in the pocket of his hoodie. “Fuck,” he cursed frustrated and sighed.

“What’s wrong?” Casper asked, noting the sudden change in mood.

“Lost my last pack of cigarettes. Must have dropped it on the ground, after…” Oliver didn’t have to finish the sentence, knowing Casper understood what he was going to say.

“How are you even getting them? You aren’t old enough to buy it,” he raised his eyebrow and Oliver shrugged.

“I got my connections” he smirked as he looked at Casper, who look back before he shook his head.

“I’m impressed you haven’t been caught yet, I mean you are on some heavy stuff” He said and Oliver had a feeling it wasn’t only about the cigarettes.

“Well I’m very good at being sneaky” Oliver winked playfully and Casper had to suppress a smirk.

“Yup, so sneaky, smoking in the open, getting into bars you aren’t supposed to get into, and popping pills like they were candy,” Casper pointed out. “One of these days you are going to get caught and you will end up in problems,” he finished and went to the cabinet to get a glass before filling it up with water.

“Not if you save me again,” Oliver replied without thinking about it as he picked up the bag of peas and placed it on his wrist. Casper suddenly coughed as he choked on his water, placing the glass on the table before looked at him surprised. 

“What?” Oliver asked, confused by his reaction, not realizing what he said. 

“You want me to be your knight in shiny armor?” Casper asked teasingly. Oliver frowned and shook his head.

“What? No,” he replied then blushed slightly when he realized what he had said. “I just said that because last time I was in trouble, you helped me,” Oliver reminded him. “Even now, you helped me get home,” Oliver shrugged, “besides, I still haven’t paid you back for last time.” 

Casper looked confused at Oliver. “What do you mean, pay me back?” Casper asked curious, this time walking closer to Oliver, leaning his hip up against the kitchen table.

“Well, I said last time I would pay you back and I don’t like being in debt to others, so…” Oliver paused, thinking as he looked into Caspers eyes. “What do you want? I don’t have much money but tell me what you want, in return and I will see what I can do.” 

Casper didn’t say anything, he just looked at Oliver like he had grown two heads. Oliver frowned, as he didn’t like the silence and shifted on his feet. “What?” he asked hesitantly.

Casper shook his head and crossed his arms, “I wasn’t expecting to get anything in return, that’s not why I was helping you” he replied. 

Oliver looked at Casper then sighed and shrugged, “that’s fine and all, but I still don’t like feeling in debt, so you better start think of something or else I will find something myself to give you” Oliver moved the bag of peas from his wrist to his jaw and turned on his heels, heading towards the stairs. He could hear that Casper was following behind him.

“Well, then show me your room” Casper suddenly said. Oliver stopped at the first step of the stairs and looks back at Casper.

“What? Why?” he asked. He didn’t know what Casper was up to, but he had a strange feeling about it. He knew  Casper wouldn't want Oliver to pay wit his body, that didn't fit him, so what else could he want from his room?

“Well, if you really want me to choose something, then I’ll want something from you specifically, and what better place than to pick something in your room” Casper came up to Oliver, standing next to him with a smile on his face.

“You want something from my room, as a payment for helping me?” Oliver couldn’t believe what he had just heard. He got to be kidding, right? What could he possibly want from his room, Oliver thought. 

“Yup, since you aren’t old enough to buy me booze, nor do I want money from you” Casper pointed out, “so, if I pick something from your room, then that should be enough” he finished, looking at Oliver, almost like a challenge, to see if he really wanted to pay Casper back.

“You are so strange," he cocked his head as he was studying Casper. "What could you possibly want from me,” he asked, quickly following as Casper went up the stairs.

“That’s what we are going to figure out,” Casper stopped at the top of the stairs, gesturing to Oliver to lead on, since he didn’t know what Oliver’s room was. Or maybe he did? He has been here a few times, probably been in Jake’s room, so that meant he had to know where his room was… right? Oliver went ahead and stopped at his door, which was the one closes to the staircase. He glanced back at Casper who was looking at him, smiling. Oliver shook his head and opened his door then they went inside.