Can They Know?

Summary: Collins and Angel meet in high school. Both are gay, but Collins isn't "out." They struggle with their relationship. AngelCollins, Romance/Drama, T. Angel Not In Drag!

Disclaimer: I don't own emotion, I RENT.

Thank You, Jonathan Larson

Chapter 1: Savior

Angel sat on the curb at the end of his street. His plastic tub sat in between his knees, and he drummed a steady beat. As the cars and people passed by, he sat in his own little world, just drumming and being happy.

Then came a sound. Not a loud sound, but a soft, yet painful sound, that drew him out of his blissfulness. The sound was as if someone was choking and coughing in the ally nearby. Angel tried to ignore it, but the sound stayed in his ear.

After a moment, he stood up, pulling on his backpack and carrying his drumsticks and bucket. He followed the sound back into the ally, only to find a body crumpled on the ground.

"Oh my God! Are you ok, honey?" he asked, rushing over. He sat down his bucket, and offered his hand.

"I guess so," the man said. He was about Angel's age, but a little taller, and a little darker. He wiped his bloody nose on the back of his hand, and Angel knew that he needed a little more than kindness.

"C'mon," he said politely, "let's get you cleaned up." The man nodded, following Angel.

The walked down the dark street together, as Angel lead him to his house. The man kept watching him, as if trying to place him in his memory.

"You go to my school, right?" he said at last.

"Probably," Angel said, smiling, "I'm Angel."

"Tom," the man said, "but my friends call me Collins."

Angel stopped, and turned towards him. With a grin on his face, he said, "We have history together!"

"Oh," Collins responded, not very interested, "huh."

Angel ignored his tone, and continued on up to his house. Once inside, he slipped off his shoes and sat down his bucket, motioning for Collins to follow him upstairs.

"Shouldn't you tell your parents?" Collins asked, looking around nervously.

Angel rolled his eyes. "Mama, I have a friend!" he called.

"Keep quite over there! I'm trying to watch tv!" came a sneered response.

Angel turned to Collins, "Doesn't matter," he said, and led the man up to his bedroom.