First of all, I just want to thank everyone of you who took the time to review my story. You guys rock! Mel, thanks for your encouragement. Druffine, I’m crazy honored that you like my story cuz your writing is amazing. That goes for all of the authors who have given me reviews. I read your work too. That’s why I started writing. I know my style is a bit quirky to some, but I hope that you are all able to follow along. Enough sappy shit! Without further ado,

William felt a slight weight across his chest slo slowly opened his eyes to find out what was holding him down. He realized that he was currently being spooned in the embrace of another man. Shit Will! You know better than to fall asleep on a job! In a panic, he went to ease out from under the other man’s arm. He had just lifted the unknown person’s wrist when the event’s from the previous day flooded his brain. He released his hold, letting the arm fall back to his flesh with a dull thud.

“Liam?” William turned around to view his now waking bed partner. Liam arched his back, and disengaged his hold on William in order to stifle a wide yawn. He wiped the back of his hand across his eyes and reached behind him for the alarm clock on the nightstand,

“Hmmm, Will,” he mumbled groggily. “What time is it.” He gave up trying to feel around blindly for the clock and reluctantly rolled to his other side to look at the blaring red numbers on the clock. 3:35 am God! He turned back to the boy who he had cradled while sleeping, wondering what had caused him to awaken. “You OK?” He blinked his eyes a few times trying to wake himself up. “Do you need anything.” William stared ahead blankly, not knowing what to say. He shook his head not daring to look at the other man. Liam could understand his friend’s predicament. He reached over and cupped his friend’s chin gently.

“Listen, nothing happened, alright.” He waited until William looked up to continue. “Gunn and I found you in the alley behind The Factory, we’ll get back to that in a moment by the way.” William swallowed nervously. He really didn’t want to talk about what had happened. “Anyway,” Liam went on. “I brought you back to my place, cleaned you up and put you to bed. End of story.” He rolled over again and opened up the night stand drawer removing a pack of cigarettes an a lighter. He sat up, adjusting the pillows behind his back before lighting one up and taking a long drag. He blew out a plume of smoke before offering one to William. William accepted the offer graciously. In truth he was dying for a fag. He sat up beside Liam and leaned in for a light. He closed his eyes and inhaled deeply, holding in the smoke for a long moment before slowly releasing it on a long sigh. Liam looked on in silence waiting for the other man to speak. Knowing that his response was inevitable, William opened his eyes and turned to his friend.

“Don’t you ever get tired of it Li?” William said plaintively. Liam furrowed his brow in confusion at his friend’s words.

“I’m not sure that I really know what you mean?” Actually he was afraid that he had understood boy boy all too well. He knew that William wasn’t cut out for life on the street. He was just to damned gentle. William shrugged. He slumped down further into the covers and brought his hands up to cover his face. He groaned miserably before lowering his hands to reveal his tear stained face. Oh, Will. Liam hated to see his friend in pain. He carefully removed the cigarette from between William’s fingers. He turned to stub it out in the ashtray which held his own crushed butt. He then pulled William up into his arms settling the smaller man across his chest. He held him close, rubbing his chin back and forth across the his curls. After placing a chaste kiss on William’s brow, Liam began to speak to his friend sincerely. “Will, I told you before that this wasn’t the life for you. You’re too good to be anyone’s whore.” William tried ull ull himself free of Liam’s hold. “No. Listen to me.” William shook his head pitifully. Wiping his tears across Liam’s chest in the process.

“You don’t get it.” He complained, only to cut off by Liam.

“No Will, I do get it. I know what you meant kid I just hoped that it wasn’t that bad for you out there.” He chuckled dryly. “I know how hopeless it all seems. How you might think that it would be better just to end it all instead of keeping up with the bullshit.” William lifted up on his elbow, and looked down at Liam in shock. “Yeah,” Liam sighed. “I get it.” He pulled William back down to his chest. “You just can’t let those feelings win.” He pulled the boy closer. “You’re better than that.” William lay quietly on Liam’s breast, listening to his words and watching the rise and fall of his chest as he breathed. After several minutes in this position he finally spoke.

“So what would you propose that I do?” He really didn’t have too many options. Liam braced himself before breaching the next topic. He knew before speaking that William was not going to react well to what he was about to suggest.

“What about that uncle of yours and his son, Weston or whatever?” William jerked out of Liam’s embrace and glared at him before throwing off the covers to stand.

“Giles and Wesley!” He stared at Liam as if he’d grown a third eyeball. “Fuck you!” He began to pace the floor furiously. “Yeah. I can see it now,” he laughed mockingly. “Hey Uncle Rupert, Cousin Wes. I know you haven’t seen me since you and mum fell out when I were six, but I’ve been whorin’ meself out for the past seven years or so and I was wonderin’ if you could take me in so I won’t have to suck cock anymore?” He stopped pacing and stood for a second before crumpling to the floor to his knees, shoulders shaking in misery. “God Li,” he whimpered. “I’m so sick of this shit. I’m tired and I just want to rest.” He turned powerful azure eyes toward the bed where Liam sat looking on helplessly. “Can I rest now, please.” Liam was on the floor by his side in an instant.

“Let’s go to your uncle Will,” He pleaded. “Please.” The blonde nodded, causing his curls to shake riotously. “Good.” Liam silently thanked the God that he had little faith in that William had agreed. “Come back to bed, and we’ll take off at a more decent time, alright?” William looked up at Liam and wiped his hands across his face.

“Yeah.” He followed the bigger man to the bed where they both climbed in and rearranged themselves beneath the covers. After a few moments William spoke up again. “What am I going to tell them when we get there?.” Liam didn’t want to lie to his friend.

“Honestly Will,” he began. “I don’t know.” William nodded and turned over on his side. Liam snuggled up behind him and pulled William into his arms until the teen’s backside sat cradled in the brawnier man’s front. “The truth always seems to work.” Yeah. William thought to himself. But how will they take it? Eventually William was able to fall asleep again. When he and Liam woke, they took turns in the bathroom, and Liam offered to take William to the mall for some new clothes for his trip.

“It’s the least that I can do.” Liam stated sheepishly. He really did love William. William pulled the other man into a soft kiss., shocking him. He pulled back and smiled.

“Li,” he began nervously. “Sometimes do you ever think about me in a more intimate way?” Liam blushed and looked down. He didthinthink that he’d been that obvious.

“Will, I care for you,” Liam said. Sensing that he had over stepped his boundaries, William turned away embarrassed.. He quickly hid his hurt behind his street punk personae.

“I mean if you ever wanted to have a go round we could.” He shrugged. “It’s cool if you don’t want to.” Liam grabbed his arm and pulled him close until the tip of his nose grazed the smaller man’s forehead. Oh fuck! William wed. ed. But his face didn’t betray his inner concern.

“Let’s get one thing straight kid,” Liam growled through clenched teeth. “If all I wanted was to fuck you, I would have done that long ago and been done with you.” He pushed the boy away from him and turned his back trying to reign in his anger and hurt. How can he think that I’d hurt him after all I’ve tried to do? William felt like an ass. He went up to Liam and wrapped his arms around his waist.

“I’m sorry. Forgive me Li?” He was scared that he had mucked everything all up, when Liam didn’t respond immediately. Liam turned around and kissed William’s forehead.

“Of course I forgive you. I love you Will.” When the boy tensed in his arms, Liam pulled back to look at him. “You don’t think I’m lying do you?”

“No,” William shook his head. “I just never knew ya know?” He grinned shyly. “I love you too Li.” Liam smiled widely.

“I just don’t think that it would be wise for us to get involved physically.” Liam stated sadly. “You deserve a better life, far from this place.” Having said this. Liam made his way to the hall closet and grabbed his jacket. “Let’s get out of here.” William nodded and followed his friend out the door. They made their way to the mall where Liam purchased an adequate amount of clothing for William to get by with until he was settled with his uncle. The boy had argued that he really didn’t need much, but Liam ignored him knowing that he probably wouldn’t get another opportunity to treat him so well. An hour later, the pair parked Gunn’s black SUV in the front of a small cottage style home in the nicer section of Sunnydale, California. Liam squeezed his passenger’s knee reassuringly.

“Ready, Will?” William looked at the house through the car window and sighed. I can do this.

“Right,” he began opening the car door. “Here goes nothing.” The two stunning men made their way up the walkway. They made a striking combination, one dark one light, one tall and broad, the other of a smaller stature. William boldly reached out and rang the door bell. Several tense seconds later, the door opened to reveal a handsome older man of medium build. He looked at the pair of young men in curiosity.

“Yes. May I help you?” Liam took the initiative and spoke first.

“Are you Rupert Giles?’ Intrigued the man nodded. Digging up courage that he didn’t know that he had, William stepped forward.

“Hello, Uncle Rupert,” he began. “I’m your nephew William.”