Don't even pretend you don't know

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

"But..." Tom said in a small voice. "Mike would kill you."

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

Michael looked a little surprised. "Why would he do that?"

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

"Because they kicked me out because William liked me." Tom said, a hand in his almost dry hair. "The publicity for us two dating - and more - would not all be good."

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

"If you don't think we should then we don't have to. I don't need a legal paper to prove how much I love you," Michael said quietly.

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

Tom looked away, staring miserably at the ground. "I want to." He whispered.

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

"Then we should. I want you to marry me," Michael said in a steady voice despite the rapidity of his heart beats.

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

Tom blushed. "Is that a proposal?" He asked innocently.

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

"Will you marry me, Tom? I don't have anything to give you right now but when we get back..." Michael smiled.

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

Tom blushed even darker and nodded, leaning in to kiss Michael. Tears sparkled in his eyes.

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

"Yes?" Michael wished his hands were free so he could touch Tom's face, but he enjoyed holding Marlee. He liked that Tom trusted him with the baby even more.

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

"Yes." Tom whispered against Michael's lips.

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

Michael smiled, unable to express how happy he was. They were a family.

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

Tom pulled back, slipping an arm around Michael's waist. "I have this." He held up his hand, motioning to the ring on his ring finger.

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

Michael smiled and shifted Marlee in his arms slightly. "Good."

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

Tom suddenly pulled away, remembering. We can't. he realised with an astonishing degree of reluctance. Well, astonishing for him.

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

"What?" Michael frowned at the loss of Tom's touch, wanting him to come closer again.

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

"We can't." Tom said in a choked voice. "You wouldn't want to, if you knew what I was. What I did."

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

"What are you talking about?" Michael looked down at Marlee for a moment, not wanting to put her down yet wanting to take Tom into his arms.

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

"I killed a man." Tom whispered. "It wasn't an accident."

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

Michael stiffened, "What?"

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

"I smashed his head in with a baseball bat." Tom stared miserably at the ground, not daring to look at Michael. "And I've shot someone. Here. On the island."

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

"Why are you telling me this?" Michael's heart sank. "Are you proud of it?"

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

Tom shook his head. "Not at all. But you had to know." You really don't know me at all if you thought I was proud of it.

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

"Are you trying to push me away?" Michael asked in a hushed voice. You have to be or you would have explained.

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

"No!" Tom ran a hand through his hair. "Would you prefer I hadn't told you? William knows, Gabe knows, Mikey knows. Mikey's mom knows. I just thought you'd... you'd like to know what sort of person you claim to be in love with."