That's what you get when you let your heart win.

Number of posts : 525 Age : 44 Registration date : 2007-06-28

Pete staggered to his feet, unable to keep his balance as he trembled. What have I done? He could still hear Marlee crying. He cover his ears, almost ashamed of what he had just done.

Number of posts : 1888 Age : 40 Registration date : 2007-06-25

"Thanks for helping." Tom snarled hoarsely at Michael, snatching Marlee from him. "It's alright..." He cooed, his voice cracking. He suddenly put Marlee down on a rock and retched blood.

Number of posts : 525 Age : 44 Registration date : 2007-06-28

Pete stared at the scene with wide eyes. What have I done?! He continued gasping for air, unable to move, except for the urge to tremble.

Number of posts : 1888 Age : 40 Registration date : 2007-06-25

Tom wiped his mouth and directed a poisonous glare at Pete, picking up his daughter. He grabbed his suitcase and stormed off, ignoring Michael.

Number of posts : 525 Age : 44 Registration date : 2007-06-28

Pete kept trembling as Tom took Marlee and left. He remained silent, trying to avoid any looks from Michael. He quietly fell to his knees, tears forming at the borners of his eyes.

Number of posts : 1888 Age : 40 Registration date : 2007-06-25

[*cough*Michael*cough*]

The Australian gave Pete an angry look, before walking away into the jungle.

Admin Number of posts : 3252 Age : 39 Registration date : 2007-06-21

The first person William encountered was Pete. It certainly wasn't his first choice, but it was better than nothing. Noticing the man was crying, he assumed Michael had officially ditched him for good. "Pete?" William whispered. "Hey." He sat down next to him and rubbed his back. "It's okay."

Number of posts : 525 Age : 44 Registration date : 2007-06-28

Pete shook his head, gently pushing William away. "No it isn't," his voice cracked. He pulled his knees to his chest, trying to hide a few tears that threatened to fall.

Admin Number of posts : 3252 Age : 39 Registration date : 2007-06-21

"I know what happened," William said, tilting his head to see Pete's face. "Michael left with Tom." I was there when he cheated on you. "Gabe left me, too. I know how you feel."

Number of posts : 525 Age : 44 Registration date : 2007-06-28

Pete shook his head. "It's not just that." His voice was a hoarse, cracking whisper now. He kept his face covered, wishing that he could be left alone. I can't tell anyone about this!

Admin Number of posts : 3252 Age : 39 Registration date : 2007-06-21

"Then what happened?" Confused, William gently rubbed Pete's shoulder. "You can tell me." I don't have enough strenght left to be mad at whatever you did this time.

Number of posts : 525 Age : 44 Registration date : 2007-06-28

"I really can't," he whispered, trembling at William's touch. I've messed everything up again. I never should have done this. I never should have let that get too far with Michael...

Admin Number of posts : 3252 Age : 39 Registration date : 2007-06-21

"Alright, then," William finally said. He wrapped his arms around Pete and hugged him. "Don't worry. It's going to be fine."

Number of posts : 525 Age : 44 Registration date : 2007-06-28

"No it's not," he whispered. It won't be. Don't lie when you don't know what happened. He moved closer to William seeking some form of comfort.

Admin Number of posts : 3252 Age : 39 Registration date : 2007-06-21

William kept rubbing Pete's back as he held him. As much as he hated to admit it, the two of them were in very similar situations caused by the same person. "Whatever happened must have happened for a reason," he suggested. "Things will be okay again in a little while."

Number of posts : 525 Age : 44 Registration date : 2007-06-28

Pete kept silent, leaning on William. He shouldn't have been relying on anyone, but William didn't know what he had done. It was safe for now. He let a sniffle despite himself and frowned.

Admin Number of posts : 3252 Age : 39 Registration date : 2007-06-21

William took the man's silence as a sign that he was improving. "See? It's not that bad." He ran a hand in Pete's hair. "I'm here. I'm your friend."

Number of posts : 525 Age : 44 Registration date : 2007-06-28

Pete kept close to William, both for comfort and because he needed someone to stay with. He couldn't be on his own. He was too weak. Suddenly, he leaned to the opposite side of William and spit out some blood from his mouth before leaning his head on the other man's shoulders.

Admin Number of posts : 3252 Age : 39 Registration date : 2007-06-21

"Hey!" William brought a hand to Pete's cheek to lift his head and look at him. "Did you get into a fight? Is that it? Are you hurt?"

Number of posts : 525 Age : 44 Registration date : 2007-06-28

Pete sighed and nodded. "Yeah," he whispered, his eyes averting William's. How am I going to explain this one?

Number of posts : 1888 Age : 40 Registration date : 2007-06-25

Tom hunched up automatically, holding Marlee close. He had his head down as he entered the clearing, his blonde hair hiding the bruise on his cheek.

Admin Number of posts : 3252 Age : 39 Registration date : 2007-06-21

William smiled sadly. "Why do you always ending up getting beaten up, Pete? You never know when to shut up." He hugged the man again, only more carefully since he was probably badly hurt. "I thought I had told you to behave."

Number of posts : 525 Age : 44 Registration date : 2007-06-28

Pete cringed in William's arms as he saw Tom enter the clearing again. He groaned, afraid that William would leave him again.

Number of posts : 1888 Age : 40 Registration date : 2007-06-25

Tom raised his head and stared at them. "I left something." He managed a hoarse whisper. "Then I'm going."

Admin Number of posts : 3252 Age : 39 Registration date : 2007-06-21

William moved away from Pete to look at both men. "Tom...? You...fought with Pete?" He wanted to check if the other man was alright, but didn't know how Pete would react. "Where's Michael?"

» Like a handprint on my heart...