Micah had to admit it had taken some coaxing from his friends to go to the party. What would have been a no-brainer last year was suddenly a struggle. He'd skipped a few earlier in the semester, waved off questions or concerns with things about still needing time with the breakup. But now, he knew his time limit for getting over it was quickly approaching.

He stood in the living room of the frat house, swaying lightly to the rhythm of the music, bringing up his drink to sip it slowly. No need to reach intoxication too early. After all, he was tempted enough to try to forget, and it would be easy to make stupid decisions without addling his reasoning skills.

His friends had all found their own niches. People to dance with or talk to. Girlfriends to makeout with. Micah sighed and moved towards a corner, tempted to just spend the rest of his time there.

He was distracted by a body slamming into his chest.

A boy had stumbled directly into his arms. Micah dropped his mostly empty cup without even thinking, intent on avoiding any further damage as he grabbed hold of the boy.

Brown eyes found his, looking up and blinking as they stared into his face.

"You all right?" Micah asked.

"Maybe," the boy whispered. He continued to blink up at Micah, eyes glittering and bright behind square frame glasses. Micah had to stop himself from really checking the boy out, finding his heart rate speeding up as he noted how nicely that thin body fit in his arms, how firm the muscles felt beneath his hands.

"Well," Micah said, about to let go now that balance seemed to be regained. "Be more careful, all right?"

The boy gave a smile before he stood a little taller.

Before Micah could say another word, the strange boy had captured his lips in a kiss.

He couldn't say it was particularly pleasant. Definitely more than a little sloppy. And the other boy tasted mostly of alcohol and not much else.

But it had been two months now. Two long months without kissing or touching. He moaned a little and responded, hand coming up to cup the other boy's face, fingers brushing against surprisingly soft caramel brown hair.

The other boy responded with equal enthusiasm, pressing his chest a little closer, arms wrapping around Micah's neck and back. Micah let his other hand slide down to grab at the boy's hip and pull him closer.

They broke apart for a moment to gasp for breath before the other boy smiled and leaned back in for another long kiss.

Well, perhaps this party was turning around.

Micah found himself in a corner with the boy, thoroughly enjoying a gratuitous makeout session. He gave it a few more minutes before his pants became uncomfortable. And while he didn't object to kissing for a bit, he knew there was no way he was going to demand sex out of this clearly plastered boy.

"This was nice," Micah said when he pulled away for a breath. "You have a good night, all right?"

The boy blinked at him a few times. His tongue darted out to lick at slightly swollen lips. They glistened with saliva, half tempting Micah in for another go. Pity it had to be like this. Some drunken boy at a party, not someone he was truly interested in pursuing.

He stepped away before he could have second thoughts. Better to go move on now.

Micah found a few friends again and circled in with them. He grinned as someone pressed another drink into his hand and he was invited into the dancing.

A few hours later he told his friends it was time he got home. After all, he had an audition coming up in two days and it'd be better if he was rested for it. Not stressed and fatigued.

He was walking towards the door when he noticed him.

The boy from the party. Wobbling down the sidewalk, stumbling once or twice. Micah glanced at his phone and then sighed and walked over to the boy who had ended up in front of a car where he was fumbling with keys.

"Hey," Micah said.

The boy looked up. His eyes seemed a little unfocused, but he did seem to smile on seeing Micah.

"Hi."

"Hi," Micah said. "Um...I don't think you're really in any shape to drive."

The boy frowned as he tried to put a house key into the door to open it. "What no. 'M fine."

"No," Micah said, catching his wrist. "You're not. Come on, I'll give you a ride home."

The boy stumbled even as he took a small step. Micah sighed and wrapped an arm around him to keep him steady. He walked the next block to his car still supporting the other boy's back.

He had to carefully help his charge into the car, making sure he didn't bump his head on the way in. The other boy groaned and sank back into the seat, eyes closing slightly.

"Come on, stay awake," Micah said as he slid into the driver's seat. "I've got to take you home. Where do you live."

"S around the corner," he muttered. "Um...near the place with the...burgers."

"There are a lot of burger places in town. You need to be a tad bit more specific."

"I think it's tall," the boy said again and then his breathing deepened. And before Micah could say another word he was asleep.

"Fuck," Micah muttered.

He reached over to shake the boy, watching his gorgeous eyes flutter back open.

"What?"

"I need your address, so I can take you home," Micah said with a sigh.
The boy just frowned and then let out a groan before he leaned forward and promptly vomited into Micah's car.

Micah groaned and covered his eyes, letting his hand slide back down his face in order to fully express his exasperation. The boy just settled back into his seat, eyes closed again as he let out a series of pitiful sounding moans.

He sat there for a moment thinking about it. There were only a few options. One, leave the boy at the party and figure someone else could deal with it. Not much of an option at all. Two, let him drive home. Which was not happening. Three, drive around and try to figure it out, and in the process not get any sleep. Four… take him home.

It seemed ridiculous, but Micah realized that was about all there was to do. And besides, the boy probably did need someone there to keep him from choking on his own vomit. He'd obviously pushed himself a bit hard at the party.

Micah sighed before starting up his car and driving off.

He didn't speak until he was pulling up in front of his house. He just looked at the mess in the car and decided to leave it for the morning. Probably stupid, but he cracked the windows.

"So...I'm taking you to my place," he said after a moment. "Since you won't tell me where you live...um...yeah."

The boy just stared at the window, so Micah gave up trying to explain.

He stepped out and went to open the door, helping his passenger out and giving him the support he needed to enter the house.

Ian gave him a look inside, before breaking into a grin.

"Found someone then, Micah? Knew going to that party was a good idea."

"Don't worry about it," Micah said, shooting him a stern look before ushering his guest up the stairs to his room.

His heart was beating fast by the time he arrived. It was hard to stay calm when this beautiful boy was suddenly in his own bedroom. He closed the door and just as he did the boy caught him up in a soft kiss.

"Mm," the boy breathed. "Nice. Kiss me."

"No more," Micah said firmly.

"Why not?" he said, putting on something of a pout at the rejection.

"Because you're drunk," Micah said with a sigh. "And therefore you can't give consent."

"Consent's given," the boy said, even as he slumped over on the bed.

Micah moved to untie the other boy's converse, pulling them off one at a time before helping him put his feet onto the bed. He moved up instead, brushing a soft kiss to the boy's cheek instead of the offered lips. Before the boy could protest, he slipped off his glasses, laying them on the bedside table. Micah grabbed the trash can to pull closer before kicking off his own shoes.

"Just sleep," he argued. "I'm tired. I could use a good rest."

He considered for a moment, but gradually settled for leaving on his clothes as he slid onto the other side of the double bed. He closed his eyes, even as he admired the warm feeling of a body beside him. It had been too long since he'd last had this.

But there was no time to really enjoy it. With all the exhaustion, he finally succumbed to sleep.

Micah woke to a soft groan from beside him, before there was a retch and then the sound of liquid hitting plastic. He sighed and finally opened his eyes, just in time to see his guest sit up and wipe his mouth with the back of his hand.

"Fuuu-uuuck," the boy groaned out, collapsing back in the bed with his eyes closed.

"Hey," Micah said after a few seconds. 'It's all right. Um..why don't I get you some pain pills for that hangover, hmm?"

The boy snapped to attention the moment he spoke. Those lovely chocolate brown eyes found him and the boy stared.

"Where the fuck am I?" he demanded.

"Good morning to you too," Micah said with a sigh, sliding out of bed and going to his dresser to fetch the Tylenol. "You were pretty out of it last night. I don't blame you for not remembering."

He grabbed for a glass of water he'd left untouched on his nightstand and brought both over to the boy.

Those eyes darted back and forth for a moment before focusing on him. He took the offered pills and water, downing both quickly before fixing Micah with a stare.

"What happened last night?"

Micah noted the boy seemed to look to the bed for answers. He sighed.

"Nothing. Other than a very heavy makeout session," Micah admitted. "But...well you were...incapacitated. I tried getting an address out of you to take you home, but I'm afraid you were useless in that respect. So...well...I did the next best thing and brought you to my place."

The boy looked aghast. "Please say we didn't sleep together."

"If you mean sleep together as in have sex, no. But I did sleep here...it's my room...my bed. And I wanted to make sure you didn't die."

The boy rolled his eyes.

"Here's a fresh start," Micah said. "I'm Micah…"

"Thomas," the boy said after a long moment. "Though I really shouldn't tell you that. Fuck. Now you know my name and… can I pay you to keep this quiet or something?"

Micah frowned. That was a new one.

"What?"

"I don't want people knowing...I...got so drunk I went home with a guy," the boy-Thomas said.

Micah stared at him for a moment. "What?"

"I just…" Thomas squirmed uncomfortably. "I'm not gay."

It felt like someone had punched MIcah in the stomach. This beautiful lovely boy who had been so eager to kiss him...possibly do more. And yet, here was this utter denial.

"But…" Micah broke off unable to even say any more.

"I get a little...handsy when I get drunk...with just about anyone," Thomas said smoothly. He rubbed a hand over his face before looking around the room. He picked up his glasses and slid them on before reaching his hand to his pocket.

"Seriously, I'll pay you," Thomas said again. "Name your price."

Micah just stared at him. "I won't talk. I have no interest in...outing you...even if you don't see it like that."

Thomas frowned. "I'm not gay. I...just because I haven't been with many girls...I mean it's not...it's just… I'm not okay?"

"Your sexual identity is your business," Micah said, though the words came out sounding more hollow than they normally would have. "Now, can I offer you a ride home?"

"I'll walk," the boy said with a wave of his hand. "Thanks anyhow."

The door to his bedroom opened and closed. Micah sank onto his bed, staring at the closed door. Well, the only good news was that at a big campus like UNL he'd likely never have to see the boy again. Micah sighed and rubbed his temple, hoping after cleaning his car he could just forget the whole thing.

The play had been one of the highlights of his year so far. Micah had put so much time and energy into perfecting his part, and enjoying the added benefit of the onstage makeouts with his costar.

He was delighted when Levi told him he'd be in attendance with Cath. So after a particularly good performance, he took off his costume and headed to the doors out to the auditorium with a smile on his face.

"Nice work," Jack said with a smile.

"You too," Micah said. "Though I thought we talked about you having those breath mints before act four."

Jack rolled his eyes. "Oh please, you couldn't get enough of me tonight."

Micah smiled easily. "Yeah, well imagine if you'd actually taken the breath mints?"

Jack reached out to shove him, eyes crinkling as he laughed. "God you're impossible. You go find yourself a nice boy to take care of you, you hear?"

"Yeah whatever," Micah said. "If only if only."

"All right, go see your friends," Jack said. "I'll see you tomorrow."

He nodded and headed to the door.

Levi was obvious amongst the crowd of parents and friends who were waiting to see the actors. He waved Micah over, smiling over most of the heads. Micah aimed a smile at him before noticing Cath tucked under his arm.

"So, why can't you just date your costar?" Cath asked, only a hint of a smile to let him know she was mostly teasing.

Micah brushed off the comment easily. He knew far too well Jack was probably only a one on the Kinsey scale, even being the flexible theater boy he clearly was.

"Oh, these are my friends," Cath suddenly said, pointing to the girl beside her.

Micah put on a smile and turned his attention to the enthusiastic girl, Lauryn. He waited patiently until she was done to glance at the other friend. His breath caught as he saw who it was.

"And this is Thomas," Cath said, though her face creased sharply as she spoke.

Micah swallowed and did his best to keep a straight-face. It was rare that his acting failed him, but in times like this it was certainly difficult.

He kept his goodbyes short and turned to go. It wasn't until he was in the hallway that he heard the voice behind him.

"Wait."

He turned to see Thomas standing there.

"What?"

"I...I'm sorry," Thomas said. "I don't think I said that last time, and I did want to make sure you knew. Um… I seriously can pay you...I mean not to keep quiet just...in case I caused you any trouble."

Micah sighed. "Look, don't bother. It's fine. I just...wanted to help out. It's not a big deal." He paused and stared at Thomas for a long moment. "I think my main issue is that I'm just sick of people who are in denial, all right? I just...I can't deal with this right now. So I get it...sometimes sexuality is confusing, and that's great if you need time to work it out. But I can't deal with someone who just...refuses to acknowledge who they are."

Thomas sighed. "Fine. Whatever. I just...I...It was good all right? Is that what you wanted? You're a good kisser. You...if I hadn't been drunk...would you have…?"

Micah froze. "What?"

"I mean," Thomas reached up and ran a hand through his hair. "Would you have...gone further?"

"Would you have wanted me to?" Micah said, allowing the edge to come into his voice. His fingers clenched.

Thomas's eyes fixed on his. "Yeah...yeah I guess maybe I would have. That doesn't make me gay, but I...I guess I wouldn't have been totally opposed. And you?"

Micah pursed his lips, but decided that his admission could do no harm. "If you had been sober I would gladly have had sex with you."

He watched Thomas's face for any sign of disgust. Instead he saw him lick his lips and glance at the floor instead.

"Er...yeah...okay…"

"Have a good night, Thomas," Micah said with a sigh. "Take care of yourself. And figure this all out. I'm serious...it's so much easier once you...once you've accepted. Fighting it is only hurting you."

He turned and walked away, shaking his head.

The next time he saw Thomas, he was sitting with Cath at a table, his hand in hers. Micah had of course heard about the breakup. He'd called Levi more than once to check up on him, and knew he was pretty torn up about the whole situation.

He'd anticipated that Levi might eventually move on. Cath too he supposed. As someone who'd gone through a breakup himself not too long ago, he knew that there was a lot of temptation in just finding someone else and...well rebounding. Even if he hadn't quite hit that point himself.

However, Thomas was the last person he would have expected to see holding her hand. He did his best not to stare, even as he said hello to the both of them.

"You just really know how to pick'em huh?" Micah muttered to himself as he walked away.

He'd been tempted to say something to Cath, but all in all he couldn't find it in himself to betray Thomas's secret. It wasn't his to tell. In all likelihood, Cath would probably figure it out before too long.

There was a knock on the door around eight in the morning. Micah sighed and went to the door, opening it to find none other than Thomas, clutching a notebook to his chest and staring at him with his mouth open.

"Oh god is this...is this Levi's house?" Thomas asked.

"Yes," Micah said. "What do you want?"

"Is Cath with him? I need her. It's um...urgent."

Micah frowned. "Cath?"

"Yeah...um our friend Lauryn said she should be here…"

Micah frowned and turned around to see if anyone else was around. Sure enough Ian poked his head out of the kitchen.

"Ian is Cath here?"

"Yeah," Ian said. "Levi brought her home last night."

Jacob appeared in the stairway. "What? You've got to be kidding me! They're back together?"

"For sure, dude. You seriously didn't think a couple like them could be broken up forever, did you?"

"Nah, guess not," Jacob said with a frown. "Well I'll go get Cath then...um shall I?"

"Please," Thomas said. "I need to see her!"

He looked at Micah who moved aside to let him into the living room.

Micah motioned to the couch and took the chair across from it. Thomas sat down although his foot was tapping impatiently the whole time while he kept glancing at the stairs.

"So…" Micah said softly. "Looks like you two broke up?"

Ian headed towards the stairs, disappearing out of sight.

"Yeah," Thomas said, looking at his feet. "Um...I told her the truth."

Micah straightened. "Oh."

"Yeah."

"You...so you're…"

"I'm not going to date anymore girls and try to make myself pretend," Thomas said softly. "That's over."

"Oh," Micah said, and was unable to restrain a smile. "So...what are you here for then?"

"I need her to look at my paper," Thomas admitted. "For American lit."

"American huh? Well I'd offer to help, but unless it's on a play I'd probably do you no good."

"Yeah, no...couldn't do Shakespeare so I had to settle for a poem instead," Thomas said.

"What Shakespeare would you have picked?" Micah asked, settling back in his chair.

"Well...I love a lot of the sonnets…" Thomas said. "But my favorite play has to be Henry IV part One."

Micah felt his mouth split into a wider grin. Thomas brushed a lock out of his eyes and smiled too. It was difficult to concentrate, but Micah kept the conversation steered on Shakespeare. Honestly, Thomas clearly had no idea how adorable he was being.

Micah talked for a time, wishing only he could settle on the couch beside Thomas and take his hand and tell him how proud he was that he'd made progress. But that would be overstepping. Better not to get involved beyond a few Shakespeare conversations.

Cath appeared a few minutes later anyways. She gladly pulled Thomas aside to look over his paper. Micah only caught a small snippet of their conversation, but from what he'd gathered Thomas had decided to write about homosexuality as well. Micah sighed and turned to head to his room.

A few days later Ian poked his head in and stared at him, no familiar smile in place.

"Can we talk?"
"Sure," Micah said, setting the script he'd been reading aside. "What's up?"

Ian shut the door and came to sit down at Micah's desk. "So...I want to know who the guy is. I mean we all do."

"What?" Micah asked, sitting up a little straighter.

"There's obviously a guy," Ian said. "You've been...different lately. Come on, Micah. It isn't like you to hide these things from us."

Micah shrugged. "Well...he's...still closeted."

Ian sighed. "I thought after Chad we agreed that you'd stop going after guys in the closet?"

Micah turned back towards his script. "Yeah I did say that. But that doesn't mean it can't happen."

"You deserve better buddy," Ian said. "You deserve to be able to go out with him and hold his hand and all that romantic nonsense. It's not fair that you have to sacrifice that."

Micah shrugged again. "It is what it is."

Ian just stared at him for a long moment. "Don't do it. You deserve better. I'm serious."

Micah didn't say anything. But as Ian said goodbye and headed to the door, he knew one thing for certain. Ian was right.

Thomas met him in the library a few days later. He'd gotten a friend request and message asking to meet up. Micah smoothed his hair as he walked over to the corner table, clearly tucked away from the rest of the crowd.

"What's up?" he asked as he slid into his the empty seat across the table.

Thomas folded his hands, smiling a half-grimace type smile. "Um… I wanted to talk."

"Yeah figured as much," Micah said. He glanced down at his phone, pretending to check the time even as he tried to steady himself.

"I…might be totally off base here…but…I like you." Thomas took a deep breath before continuing. "I'm interested in dating. If you are. I'm not…I'm not going to try to be straight anymore."

Micah did his best to control his breathing. "Are you…asking me out?"

Thomas blushed. "Well…I mean basically. You did make out with me at a party… but I mean…it seems like we…click. You know?" He tilted his head and Micah couldn't hold back a smile.

"Yeah," he said, voice coming out a little choked. "I mean…I'd love to date you. You… um… you're coming out then?"
Thomas's face twisted. "Well…I don't know…we could keep it quiet right? Like I'm not dating anymore girls but…I'm not sure I'm ready for the world to know I'm…"

He gestured to himself as though that was an indication enough. Micah felt suddenly sick.

"You're joking."

"Nope. I mean…we could do it right?" Thomas said. "Just…you know…see each other in private. It wouldn't be that hard."

Micah stood. Thomas's eyes widened.

"No," Micah said softly. "I'm not going to be anyone's dirty little secret. I've wasted too much time on guys unwilling to come out for me. I understand if you're not there yet. Everyone has to do it at their own pace. But I can't go back in. I can't lie to my friends and pretend nothing is going on. If I'm with a guy I want to take him on dates, and hold his hand, and kiss him in front of the people we care about. I'm not interested in hiding. I'm sorry."

Thomas grabbed for his hand, catching it before he could disappear.

"I'm just not…I can't," Thomas said, looking pained.

Micah squeezed his hand. "I'm not asking you to. But I can't be involved if you're not out, Thomas. I'm sorry."

He dropped the other boy's hand and turned to go. Even though he wanted to, he didn't look back.

That day in the student union building, Micah had simply been looking to find some friends. What he hadn't anticipated was Thomas turning up there, pink cheeked and breathless. The mere sight of him made Micah's heart ache. However, what wowed him even more was the bright pink shirt with the words Thomas had seemed to find damning not too long before.

"I have something to say to you," Thomas said.

Micah felt his heart begin to pound. He nodded, and let Thomas continue. The words that soon filled his ears blew him away. How had he been so lucky? A boy who'd quote Shakespeare to him in public.

"I'm out," Thomas said.

Micah did his best to smile even as he felt tears in his eyes.

"Come here." He whispered, before pulling Thomas in close and kissing him.

When he pulled away he was only slightly surprised to hear applause. Well, as a theater performer he was used to that. But for once this was no performance. He watched Thomas blush and smiled, and knew at last that comedy awaited him instead of tragedy. He brushed his knuckles over one rosy cheek and grinned.

A/N: Sorry it's been so long folks! Oh my goodness I just lost track of time moving to Europe and getting settled in here. Between immigration and setting up a bank account (if someone had told me my first bank account I would set up would be in French I would have laughed at them). Anyhow...it's been a lot. But I've got this extra done and I'm working on the next chapter of Fangirl Meets World and even have a beta! Probably should have run this by her too...but I was too excited and besides, none of the rest of the fic is betaed so let's be consistent. :)

Let me know if you have any requests. I just felt like I wanted to add an extra chapter of Micah because he was too interesting and I won't get to see him much in the next fic (boo!). Anyhow, if you have any other extras you'd love to see let me know. I think someone asked for some of Lauryn and Thomas's fics so we'll see if I can do that.

Thank you sweet readers!