It has been a few weeks since Sam and Nick have been hanging out. Nick was in 12th grade and Sam was in 11th. Sam learned things about Nick. Nick liked to wear those pink hair clips to keep his hair out of his eyes. Sam asked why they were pink and found out it was because they were Nick's little sister's. She died of leukemia when she was 10, and there hadn't been a day where he didn't wear them. Nick found out that Sam was a straight A student ad never got a grade below a B+. Nick asked why and Sam replied with "To please my family." He asked whats wrong with his family, but Sam didn't reply.

Nick's favorite color is ruby. Sam's favorite color was navy. Nick's hobby is watching anime and playing video games. Sam liked to write down random equations and he liked to read history books for fun. Nick called Sam a nerd and Sam punched Nick.

Everyone knew they were best friends. Nick walked Sam to all his classes, despite being late half the time. Chris was always pissed about them hanging out together all the time, Nick lied and told him they weren't really friends and that it was a facade. Chris bought it and didn't mention it, but he kept a close eye on Sam.

*****
Sam was walking down the hallway when he felt someone practically jump onto his back. He squeaked and turned quickly to see a grinning Nick. Sam punched Nick's arm. "Don't do that.." He whined.

Nick laughed started walking beside Sam. "Sooo, what're you doing this weekend?" He asked, taking a bite of his apple.

Sam sighed. "I don't know, my parents have been home more often." He said glumly. Even though Sam and Nick were best friends, Sam never told Nick anything about his personal life, except saying that they were super strict.

Nick pouted. "Aw maan.." He mumbled.

Sam smiled apologetically at Nick. "I'm sorry." He apologized, grabbing Nick's hand so that Nick looked him in the eye.

Nick grinned and ruffled Sam's hair. "Its fine, pipsqueak." He teased.

Sam felt himself blush. "A-Am not.." He defended helplessly.

Nick laughed. "Well, I guess we should be heading home. Want me to walk you?" He asked, though he already knew the answer.

Sam frowned and shook his head. "No. Its fine, my parents would kill me." He replied.

Nick nodded and gave a little wave. "Well then, see ya Monday! I'll text you later." He stated, walking off towards the opposite direction.

"Kay, bye..." Sam said quietly. He slowly trudged through the school's gates and was heading 'home'.

*****
Sam arrived at a very shabby looking house. The brown paint was peeling, the fence and gate were broken, beer bottles scattered in the yard, some windows were cracked, and the smell of alcohol and cigarettes filled the air.

He sighed and walked up to the door. He unlocked it and quietly turned the knob and entered the house. He looked around and saw no one there. He was about to breath a sigh of relief when, a hand slapped him across the face, hard.

Sam yelped and looked up to his dad. "Just where the FUCK have you been?!" His dad asked with a slur.

Sam whimpered and bit his lip to suppress tears. "I-I was at s-school.." He replied quietly.

Sam's dad growled and knocked the books from Sam's hand. He grabbed Sam's hair and dragged him to the living room. "You're getting a punishment for being so damn late." He stated.

Sam's eyes widened. "But I-I wasn't even l-late!" He defened, bad idea.

Sam's dad growled and punch Sam in the gut, making Sam topple over in pain. Sam cried out in pain and begged for his father to stop. Sam's father ignored his pleas and continued to punch, kick, and smack the poor boy.

"F-Father!" Sam cried out, coughing up blood. Nick. Save me. Please save me, Nick! He squeezed his eyes shut, tears trickling down his cheeks.

Sam's father yelled at Sam for crying, so grabbed a beer bottle and smashed in on the table. He took the top part and raised it to mercilessly hit Sam with it. Sam's eyes widened in fear. Sam's father raised the bottle and was about to hit Sam when, a fist came and connected with his cheek.

Sam's father's eyes widened in shock. He turned a glared at his attacker. It was..Nick?! Nick stomped over and smacked to bottle out of Sam's father's hand. After he was done taking care of Sam's father, he walked over and picked Sam up bridal style.

Sam squeaked in response, but he wrapped his arms around Nick's neck to prevent from falling. Nick was fuming with rage. He was worried because Sam seemed a little..off, so he followed him home. He waited outside until he heard yelling and a cry of pain. He looked into the window and saw a beat up Sam with an older pudgy man with a beer bottle, about to use it as a weapon.

Sam nuzzled into Nick's chest. "Th-Thank you.." He whispered softly.

Nick looked down and smiled sympathetically at Sam. "Its fine. He won't bother you as long as I'm around." He declared, softly nuzzling Sam back.

After what seemed like hours, but it only was like twenty minutes, Nick carried Sam to his front door. His mom opened up and her eyes widened in shock and fear. "Nicky! What happened?!" She asked, quickly going over and helping Sam onto the couch. Sam had fallen asleep in Nick's arms on the way there.

Nick sighed and explained the whole situation. His mom's eyes widened and she looked over at Sam sadly. "He can stay here if he wants." She offered.

Nick's eyes widened with happiness. "Really?! Thats great!" He cheered, silently because Sam is still asleep.

She laughed. "Yeah, I'll set up the guest room beside yours for him." She said, walking to the stairs.

Nick nodded and walked over to the couch. He sat down on the floor and held Sam's hand lightly. Oh Sammy, I'm so sorry..He thought staring at Sam's bruised face.

A few hours later, Sam fluttered his eyes open and saw Nick on his couch eating popcorn while watching Tenkai Knights. Sam rolled his eyes. What a kid. He thought with a giggle.

He got up and walked over to Nick and he flopped down onto Nick's lap. Nick yelped in surprise, but then chuckled at Sam. "Geez, you don't have to scare me like that." He teased.

Sam shrugged and rolled onto his back so he was looking up at Nick. Nick's eyes were like a fiery opal color, his hair strawberry blonde with those hair clips in, his face was slim and his cheekbones were enhanced looking, and his teeth were absolutely perfect.

Nick looked down at the quizzical Sam. "You okay?" He asked.

Sam snapped out of his daze an he nodded shyly. "Yeah." He replied. He sat up and sat beside Nick as he curled up in a ball and started to weep.

Nick sighed and wrapped his arms around Sam and whispered things thy made Sam happy into his ear. Sam sniffled and looked up at Nick.

Nick blushed, slightly. Sam's eyes were shining with admiration and had a glassy look, his cheeks were pink and tearstained, and his lip was quivering. All in all, he was pretty damn adorable.

Sam felt more tears coming and he shoved his face in Nick's chest. Nick sadly and wrapped his arms around the sobbing boy, cradling him. Sam sniffled as the last of his tears ran out. He jut sat there and let Nick hug him. He felt protected in Nick's arms.

Sam looked up at Nick and Nick looked down at Sam. Sam and Nick leaned forward, their lips close to touching. Sam felt Nick's breath and shivered slightly. Sam closed his eyes and prepared himself.