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

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

Tom shrugged. "Why would I know?" He asked. Marlee whined hungrily in his arms, tugging at his chest hair. He pushed her away gently, coughing again.

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

"Because you're dating him?" William reminded him, forgetting about Pete for a minute. "You got in a fight, and now you're alone with the baby. What's the Aussie doing?"

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

"I have no idea and I couldn't care less." Tom snapped, the words painfully scraping against his throat. "Now, if you don't mind..." He made a hand motion to signal he couldn't really talk.

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

William let go of Pete and stood up to have a better look at Tom. Moving closer, he ran his fingers on the bruises covering Tom's neck. He glanced at Pete in horror and disbelief. "I can't believe you did this..." He lifted a strand of Tom's hair to reveal another bruise, significantly bigger. Since the man had trouble speaking, he tried to ask him simple questions. "Do you think anything's broken?"

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

Tom nodded mutely, jerking his head away when William's fingers got too close to the greenish bruise.

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

"I'm sorry," William whispered. Where the fuck is Michael? I trusted him to take care of Tom. "Do you need my help with anything?"

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

Tom shook his head fervently, eyes skimming across the clearing. His lip slipped between his teeth as he began to search it.

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

"You're looking for something that belongs to Marlee?" William guessed. He knew Tom wouldn't have come back only for himself. He started looking as well.

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

Pete remained silent. The less attention, the better. He knew that William would leave him all alone again. It would be better if he left without yelling.

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

Tom nodded in response to William's question, trying to find the bottle. The baby in his arms whimpered hungrily, battering Tom's chest with her tiny fists.

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

William saw something that could have been Marlee's bottle. He went to get it, and brought it back. "There. Is that it?" He felt kind of silly for helping Tom while Michael was nowhere to be found.

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

Pete staggered to his feet once more. Maybe I can leave without anyone noticing.

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

Tom nodded and took it from William's hands. "Thank you." He whispered hoarsely. The little girl stopped crying and reached for it, eyes wide.

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

William smiled. "No problem, but...you shoul go find Michael now," he suggested. "You're badly hurt." He turned around, and caught Pete's attempt to leave. "Hey!" He ran for him before he could even move, and grasped his arm. "I try to trust you but you always play the victim like it's some big fucking joke. I'm sick of it."

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

Pete glared back at William. "Let me go," he whispered flatly, his voice still hoarse and cracking. He held back his tears this time.

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

Tom chuckled bitterly. "Michael doesn't give a damn about me." He corrected William, before looking down at Marlee, who was waving the bottle round giggling.

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

William looked at Tom, refusing to let Pete go. "Don't say that. You and I both know he's good and caring. He loves you. I'm sure he can justify everything. Just...go find him."

Number of posts : 1515 Age : 42 Registration date : 2007-06-27

Michael stopped suddenly and turned towards the sound of voices even thought he was unsure how their owners might welcome him, if they did at all.

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

Pete kept glaring at William, wishing that he could just go before Michael or anyone else had the chance to show up.

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

Tom gave William a jaded look and turned to go. He froze when he realised Michael was there.

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

William tightened his grasp on Pete's arm when he saw Michael. Don't ruin their relationship. Tom needs him.

Number of posts : 1515 Age : 42 Registration date : 2007-06-27

Michael froze and stared at the three of them. Now that he had finally found Tom he had no idea what to say to him. He didn't know what to tell Pete either because 'I'm sorry I don't really want you anymore' didn't seem like a good option.

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

Pete glanced over at Michael before turning back to William. "Let me go," he hissed. I want to get out of here.

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

Tom glared at him balefully. "She's hungry." he croaked. "I'm leaving." He gently tugged the bottle from Marlee and filled it with water, before leaving the clearing again, shoulders still drawn protectively.

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

William frowned. "Let's skip the details. Michael, you love Tom. Pete, you're an asshole." He took a deep breath and stared at Michael. "Tom is badly injured. Please take care of him." Don't make me regret letting him go with you.

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