Becca is not pregnant in this story.

The Shadowhunter cast will not be in the first couple of chapters.

Chapter 1

Grizz slowly opened his eyes to find the sun streaming in through the windows, creating bright patterns on the carpeted floor. Glancing at the clock on the nightstand, he groaned at the early hour and pulled the covers up higher around him. He closed his eyes, attempting to get a few more minutes of sleep before hearing a soft sigh behind him. Memories of last night came flooding back to him and a small smile appeared on his face. Rolling over, Grizz came face-to-face with the sleeping redheaded boy beside him.

Sam's eyes were still closed as he breathed deeply, relaxed. All the muscles in his face and body were totally at peace as he dreamed on, blocking out the dangers and questions of the outside world that they were currently trapped in.

Careful not to wake the boy, Grizz ran a hand gently through Sam's soft, dark hair as he bit his lip gently. He, along with three other volunteers, were going to be trekking off into the woods in just a couple of days to search for land to farm. He had just gotten Sam, and he felt a tightness in his chest at the thought of having to leave him for a few weeks.

Hearing the sounds of some of his housemates moving around downstairs, Grizz decided he should probably be getting up. He still had some things to organize before leaving for his trip.

Getting to his feet, Grizz tucked the covers around Sam's shoulders before getting himself dressed and heading downstairs to find Bean standing in the dining room with her back towards him. Spread out around the table were stacks of toilet paper, a few cans of food, some granola bar boxes, and a couple first aid kits.

"Are those for the trip?" Grizz asked, entering the room.

Bean glanced at him over her shoulder and sent him a small smile in greeting. A dark blue hijab was wrapped around her head. "Yeah," she nodded before turning back to the supplies. "I'm trying to work out how much we should pack."

Brushing his hair out of his eyes, Grizz stepped up next to her at the table. "Where are Gwen and Mickey?" he asked.

"I told them to start getting some stuff together too. I figured we could all meet up at the school gym later today and divide everything up between us."

"Sounds good," he said with a nod.

"Are you guys hungry?"

Grizz and Bean turned around to find Will entering the room with two plates of hot food. As the smell hit him, Grizz felt his stomach growl.

"Yeah, thanks."

As Grizz took the plates from Will, Bean cleared them a spot at the table to eat.

Grizz and Bean were just starting to pack up the supplies they had gathered to bring to the gym later when they heard footsteps coming down the staircase.

A huge grin grew on Sam's face when he locked eyes with Grizz. Getting to his feet, he couldn't help but return the bright smile.

"Good morning," Grizz greeted when Sam had ventured close enough to read his lips.

"Morning," Sam returned, signing the word as well and Grizz made a point to store the gesture into his memory for later use.

Bean sent a small smile Sam's way before turning to address Grizz. "I could take these bags by the school if you want. I made plans to meet up with Kelly before we leave. She's going to help me go through some basic first aid stuff in case something goes wrong on the trip."

"Probably a good idea," he noted as he watched her lift the strap of the heavy duffle bag over her shoulder. "I'll meet you there in a few hours."

Once Bean had made her way out of the dining room and towards the front door, Grizz turned back to Sam to find a slight frown on the boy's face.

"When are you leaving?" he asked, slurring his words slightly.

"Tomorrow, probably. I'm hoping to make it back before it starts snowing," Grizz explained.

He hated seeing the sad look in Sam's bright blue eyes. It made his stomach twist uncomfortably.

"Hey," he started, hoping to get the sad look on the boy's face to falter. "Are you hungry? Will made breakfast."

The side of Sam's mouth perked up a little at the mention of food and he nodded his head before Grizz turned to lead the way into the kitchen.

"–And what authority do I have to tell them to do that?" Grizz overheard Allie's voice as he drew closer to the kitchen. "The fact that my sister died five months ago and that I inherited her job?"

"If you're so worried about it, why don't you call elections?" Will spoke up just as Sam and Grizz entered the room.

"What?" Allie asked, sending him a disapproving look.

"You want the authority?" Will continued. "Ask for them to give it to you."

"Hey, sorry to interrupt," Grizz spoke hesitantly, and waited until Will and Allie looked up before gesturing towards the redheaded boy that was just a step behind him. "Sam hasn't eaten yet. Is there any breakfast left?"

"Sure." Allie pushed away from the island she had been leaning against, obviously thankful for the subject change. "Take a seat, Sam," she added, pointing towards one of the chairs on the other side of the granite surface and then made a gesture with her hands that Grizz assumed meant 'sit' in sign language. Allie then turned away from the group of boys to retrieve a plate from the cabinet and got to work filling it with food.

"So . . . We're holding elections for a new mayor?" Grizz asked slowly, sensing some turmoil between the two people on the other side of the cabinetry.

"Possibly." Will drowned out the word as he eyed the woman's stiff posture at the question. "She's feeling a bit anxious about the idea of having to force teenagers to work in a field if you end up finding land for us to use."

"But we'd be asking them to pick sides. It would be us against them," Allie stressed her point as she slid Sam's plate across the counter towards him. "With everything else that is going on right now; winter right upon us and the food supply starting to run low . . . The last thing we need right now is someone else possibly moving into the leadership role."

After Allie and Will had left the two boys alone in the kitchen, Grizz got up to get a jug of apple juice out of the fridge. Turning back to look at Sam, he made sure the boy was looking at him before shaking the container in the air in a silent offer before pulling two glasses out for them.

"How long are you going to be gone?" Sam asked once Grizz set the glasses down in front of them.

"Hopefully just a week," Grizz said, leaning against the island, "but we are packing for two just in case."

Sam had turned his head to look down at his half empty plate, so Grizz rested his hand on his wrist to grab his attention.

"Look, Sam . . . I think we need to talk about what happened last night."

Sam sat up straighter in his seat at this, concern flashing across his face. "What about it?"

Grizz waved his hands at the scared look on the boy's face. "No, I don't mean . . . Last night was great and I certainly don't regret what happened between us or anything, it's just . . . I think we should talk about what this means, you know? Like, what are we now?" he stuttered through, hoping Sam was able to catch everything that he was saying.

Sam glanced down at the granite in front of him, tracing the patterns with a finger. "I care about you, Grizz. I was hoping this meant we were more than friends."

"I want that too," Grizz admitted, and bit his lip gently before continuing. "It's just . . . I haven't come out as gay yet, Sam, and I don't think I'm quite ready to go public just yet."

Sam shook his head quickly. "I don't care. Honestly, I am little worried about how Campbell will take the news."

"Your brother? Why–"

"I told you, he's a psychopath. He has tormented me for years . . . He hates to see me happy."

"You think he would do something to us?" Grizz asked slowly, studying Sam's features for signs of fear but the boy simply shrugged in response.

Grizz thought about it for a moment before nodding his head. "Okay, we'll just keep this between us for now."

"Is it okay if I tell Becca?" Sam asked. The sparkle had returned to the boy's eyes as he mentioned his best friend. "She won't tell anyone."

Seeing Sam's face light up again after the conversation they had just had, Grizz couldn't help but nod his head in agreement. Anything to keep this boy of his smiling.