Word Count: 1038

i.

He stays at the graveyard a little too long. God knows it isn't because Piers actually misses his parents. If anything, he likes to linger, to try and process that they're really gone, and the abuse is over. Even after two years of freedom from their toxic ways, he has trouble processing that they're really gone.

By the time he reaches Magnolia Crescent, the sky is inky black. Stars dot the darkness, adding a soft glow to the night.

That's when he notices him. Piers has seen his new neighbor around, but he hasn't paid much attention to him. Now, the boy is outside, arms folded under his head as he stares up at the sky. Maybe Piers should keep walking. They're strangers, and he likes to keep to himself. Instead, he pauses at the edge of the Thomas family's yard. "You actually like stargazing?" he asks, and it sounds more insulting than curious. Piers' cheeks burn. "I just mean… You know… I've always found it boring."

His neighbor laughs. "I could lay out here all night. It's peaceful," he says. He sits up, studying Piers silently for a few seconds before offering him a smile. "I'm Dean."

"Piers."

"Want to join me?"

…

It goes like that all summer. The two of them watch the night sky together, laughing and talking for hours. Piers' cousin-turned-guardian, Max, never minds Piers staying out late, as long as he's safe. It's just another refreshing taste of freedom, and he loves it.

…

The night is theirs. He feels at peace when he's with Dean. World is tough and cruel, but Dean is good and kind.

He doesn't know when the shift happens or what causes the change, but Dean kisses him, and Piers feels a flutter in his stomach. He hadn't even known that he'd wanted it until it happened.

"Sorry," Dean mutters. "I…"

Piers leans in and kisses him again. "I liked it."

ii.

Piers is halfway asleep when he hears the noise at his window. He grabs the nearest object-a shoe, hardly a good defense against some creepy monster-and sits up. A moment later, Dean's face appears in the window, and Piers feels a flutter of relief.

He climbs to his feet and crosses the room, opening the window. "What the hell are you doing here?" he asks. He hadn't even realized Dean was back from his fancy private boarding school for the summer. "It's nearly midnight."

Dean crawls through the window, shrugging. "It occured to me I've never snuck through your window," he says.

Piers rolls his eyes. "You're an idiot."

"I'm just saying, we've been dating for two years now. Seems like it's time for me to do it." He takes Piers by the hand. "Come on. I've got something amazing to show you."

…

He doesn't actually expect to fall in love with Dean. Loving him is one thing, but being in love is a big deal.

And yet he's falling. Gravity seems to fade, and he's so scared he's going to float away if he isn't careful.

Somehow, he doesn't care. The fall is comfortable, and he is in love, and he thinks that maybe Dean feels the same way.

iii.

"Oi," Piers says, playfully nudging Dean as they walk through the streets. The snow glistens in the moonlight as it crunches between their feet. "It's not my fault I lost the tickets."

Dean laughs. "You would lose your head if it wasn't attached to your neck," he teases

Piers is silent for a moment. He scowls. "Fine. Fair point," he concedes.

Dean smirks at that, wrapping an arm around him. "Because I'm always right."

"Don't push it."

…

Piers stands before his parents' graves. They would be so ashamed of him if they were alive.

Somehow, the thought is funnier than it should be. It makes what he has with Dean feel even more right.

"At least I'm not like you were," he whispers.

iv.

When they're seventeen, Dean appears at his window at night again. Piers looks up from the plate of birthday cake he had been nibbling on. His smile fades the moment he sees the look in Dean's eyes.

"What happened?"

Dean doesn't answer. He slides though, hurrying to Piers and guiding him to his feet. Their lips meet, and Piers can taste the goodbye in his kiss.

But it isn't goodbye yet. Dean holds him close, kissing him again, harder and more desperate. "Please," Dean whispers. "Please."

Piers doesn't understand, but he knows he will be whatever Dean needs him to be.

…

When he wakes in the morning, Dean isn't beside him, though his West Ham jersey is. Piers holds it to his chest and breathes in the familiar scent. Dean wouldn't just leave it by accident; it's his favorite shirt, practically his second skin.

Piers doesn't know what to do, so he just pulls the jersey over his head, trying to ignore the tears that cling to his lashes.

v.

It's nearly a year before he sees Dean again. One night, Piers is staring at the stars, making wishes on each and every one of them. He wishes for the same thing every time, but he's starting to give up hope.

"I guess stargazing isn't so boring anymore."

The familiar voice sends a jolt through his body. Piers bolts upright, blinking rapidly. Dean is standing before him, exhausted but smiling. It's him; it's really him.

"Where have you been?"

Dean collapses beside him, laying back in the grass. "Have I got a story for you…"

…

By the end of it, Piers is still confused. Wizards, magic, potions. It doesn't make any sense. Somehow, he doesn't care. He doesn't believe in fate, but he can't shake the feeling that they're meant to be, and nothing else really matters.

"While I was on the run, I got to thinking. I was… I don't know. I realized that I don't want to do this without you." Dean holds up a gold ring; the moonlight washes over it, illuminating it beautifully. "Take a leap of fate. Marry me?"

Piers pulls him close, kissing him and allowing Dean to slide the ring on his finger. "Nothing would make me happier."