Hey everyone!!

:hugs you all: I’m really sorry I haven’t gotten a chapter up lately! Life has been unusually busy. :x

Please note: In this chapter, I created a den at the back of Tory’s house. The den is necessary. :0

Okay, on with the show!

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Chapter Five: The Completion

They busted through the front door at ten after five, the delicious scent of turkey heavy in the air.

“Sorry we’re a little late mom!” Tory called into the apartment as he hung his coat on a wooden peg. They kicked off their shoes.

“Oh that’s all right honey,” Mary’s warm voice reassured from the kitchen. “Do you think you could set the table? Dinner’s just about ready.”

“Sure mom.” Tory smiled at Colin and gestured for him to follow.

“How’d the project go?”

“Really well! We got most of it done,” Tory said happily.

“Oh that’s great, sweetie.”

As they walked into the kitchen the hearty smells grew in strength, making Tory’s stomach growl impatiently. He blushed a little as Colin flashed him an amused smirk.

Opening the cabinet above the microwave, Tory pulled out four fine white dishes.

“Why isn’t Paul here yet?” Tory asked.

“Oh, yes. I nearly forgot! We only need three places tonight. Paul called while you boys were out and said that his girlfriend’s family invited him to dinner a few hours ago. He said he’s sorry to disappoint you.”

Tory’s mind reeled.

Awesome! He thought excitedly. Now I don’t have to worry about Paul ruining my plans!

Colin raised an eyebrow at Tory’s obvious glee. Tory quickly turned away to hide his grin.

“Someone called for you, as well, Colin. A fellow by the name of Dr. Garrets?” A surge of alarm squelched the mirth.

“He wanted you to call him back as soon as possible. It seemed urgent.” Tory tossed a worried glance towards Colin who stood rigidly beside him.

Carefully taking Colin’s wrist and mumbling a “thanks” to his mom, Tory led him into the den at the back of the apartment. Colin meandered behind him.

Tory picked up the black portable phone and handed it to him. Colin took it wordlessly and stared at it for a few seconds.

“Do you want me to leave?” Tory asked gently. Colin turned his back to Tory and walked a few feet towards one of the windows facing the park.

“No,” Colin murmured as he dialed his number.

Tory wanted to be closer to Colin, but kept himself at a healthy distance, not wanting to intrude.

Colin held the phone to his ear and waited.

“You called?” Colin said blatantly, his voice hard.

(Leave that boy’s house immediately and come home.)

“No,” Colin hissed. Tory silently wished he could hear what Dr. Garrets was saying.

(You come home right now or so help me, I will come over there and drag you out myself!)

“I’d like to see you try.” Colin’s voice was low and his words were thick with ice.

There seemed to be a pause on the other end.

(Well fine. Then don’t expect to come home tonight.)

Another pause.

(What do you have to celebrate anyway? You have nothing.)

The line went dead.

Colin clicked off the receiver and stood in place for a few long moments.

“..Colin?” Without moving, Colin began to explain, his voice much less harsh.

“Dr. Garrets told me not to come home tonight. Because I won’t come home right now, he’s locking me out.”

Tory felt something inside him drop.

“I’m sorry. This is my fault you’re in so much trouble.”

Colin turned around and moved until he was face-to-face with Tory.

“Are you saying you regret inviting me?” Colin’s expression held a twinge of playfulness, as if trying to move off the subject off of Dr. Garrets.

“N-no! Of course not!”

Colin reached out and absent-mindedly brushed a few rogue strands of hair out of Tory’s eyes, causing Tory to blush profusely.

“Good,” walking past the red-head, Colin put the phone on the hook and walked towards the door. “Let’s go then.”

Tory grabbed Colin’s hand. “Wait.”

Colin stared at him curiously.

“You can stay here for the night,” Tory’s cheeks were singed with pink. “I mean, you don’t have anywhere else right? And I do have a bunk bed.”

Colin’s face remained blank and Tory let go of Colin’s hand.

Maybe it was wrong of me to offer? Tory thought shamefully.

“I don’t want to be a burden,” Colin murmured.

“No! Not at all!” Colin’s eyes flickered hesitantly as he stared down the hall.

“Well, what about your mom? Won’t she mind?” Tory leaned into the hallway.

“Mom! Can Colin sleep over? Please?”

“That’s fine as long as his parents don’t mind,” came the response. Colin looked wearily at Tory.

“Why are you doing all this for me?” The question, and Colin’s shielded expression, caught Tory off guard.

Tory blushed deeply.

“I- I don’t know. I... I guess it’s because—”

“Kids! Dinner is ready! Come on while it’s still hot!” Mary called cheerfully down the hall.

Tory turned back to Colin, not sure what to say.

After a moment, Colin nodded and fixed Tory with a distant, yet tender stare.

“All right then. I’ll stay.”

Tory watched discreetly as Colin helped himself to one last dollop of mashed potatoes.

His mom had already finished and was sitting back in her chair with a satisfied smile.

“We always make a great team when it comes to feasts, huh Tory?” Mary chuckled as her son nodded with a smile.

Tory scooped the last bit of butternut squash from his plate into his mouth before laying his fork down for good.

He was so full he thought his stomach lining would burst. But it sure was good.

Overall, the dinner had gone really well. Colin answered any questions my mom politely tossed at him and even looked like he was enjoying himself. Colin tried just about everything offered to him and ate much more than he had the first night he’d come over. A comfortable silence drifted over the table.

During the course of the meal, Tory became acutely aware of how content he was. He almost felt.. like he was complete. Like for the first time in his life, he was experiencing what it meant to be incandescently happy.

A warm rush of giddiness bubbled within him as he remembered that Colin was spending the night.

His mom stood from the table, breaking his train of thought, and collected various empty dishes into her hands.

“Well thank you for joining me, boys. I hope you all enjoyed!” She radiated satisfaction. “And I’ll clean up, so don’t worry,” she added as she saw Colin and Tory picking up their plates.

Ignoring her comment, they brought them over the sink.

“It’s no trouble mom.” She giggled cheerfully in response.

“Well thank you.”

The two friends wandered into the living room.

“So what do you want to do?” Colin asked casually. Tory shrugged, thinking back to his original plans.

“How about a movie?” Colin nodded, a small smile crossing his lips.

“Okay. Did you have anything in mind?” Tory shook his head.

“Nah, not really. Come on,” He gestured for Colin to follow and headed for his room. “All our movies are in my room.”

They meandered down the hall, one after the other, to the door at the end of the hall. Opening it, he switched on the light.

“Well, here we are.”

Colin smiled at Tory, an amused twinkle in his eyes.

“You act like I’ve never been in your room before.” Tory laughed, somewhat nervously, as he walked to the other side of his room.

“Yeah, well..” he trailed off, crouching in front of the large rack of dvds.

“What kind of movies do you like? I have just about everything: horror, comedy, suspense, action, romance..” Tory glanced over his shoulder, only to see Colin focusing on something on his bed.

What is he looking at..? Tory thought cautiously. He tensed. Oh crud! Please tell me that’s not my journal..! He quickly stood and rushed to the book lying open on his bed. Shit!

He scooped it up and looked bashfully at Colin, his face ablaze.

“Sorry about that,” Tory muttered. Colin smiled shyly.

“Do you always plan out your days like that?” Colin looked at him with a gentle curiosity, although already knowing the answer.

“Ehh, well, sometimes..” Colin seemed to consider for a moment.

“What do you have for suspense?” Colin asked smoothly. Tory sputtered.

Why does he always have to change the subject like that? Tory thought, feeling a little dazed. Mentally pulling himself together, he started to list off his suspense movies. He only had four after all.

“Hmm,” Colin squatted in front of the dvds. “I heard ‘Mind Shaft’ was good.” He turned to Tory for an opinion.

“Yeah, that’s the best suspense movie I have. It’s actually one of my favorite movies in general.” Colin slid the dvd from its snug place on the small shelf and stood.

He handed it to Tory, their fingers brushing momentarily. For a brief second, Tory marveled at the softness of Colin’s hands. Their eyes locked just long enough to ignite a spark.

Colin turned and proceeded to the door.

“Coming?”

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Chapter five? Done. Yosh! Only one or two chapters left. Probably two. I gotta get back on the ball and start writing again. DX I won’t make you wait as long as this chapter again. Thank you for sticking with me! I love you all. ;.; :heart: