(A/N: can i get some fuckin uhhhhhh,, pointless smut towards the end of this chapter? hell yeah i can)

Jeremy was greeted with a friendly hug from Christine, a fistbump from Rich, and a tentative smile from Jake. That's progress, he thought, remembering how uncomfortable their last conversation had been. A smile was better than an awkward wave, anyway.

He quickly gravitated towards Michael, who slung a protective arm around his shoulders. The group all studied Jeremy carefully, as if he may burst into tears at any moment.

"Uh... guys? What's up?"

They exchanged glances, and Christine spoke up first. "Michael told us what happened. We're so, so sorry, Jeremy." She patted his arm in a comforting gesture. "Are you gonna be okay?"

His time with the Squip had prepared him for this kind of acting exercise. Jeremy took a deep breath and nodded as though he were trying to be strong, though he honestly had no idea what was going on. "Yeah, I think I'll be alright."

"I know how hard this is on you, Jer," Michael said pointedly. "It's always hard to lose a family member, and to find out from a phone call in the car..." He shook his head. "Just try to remember that your grandma's dog is in a better place now."

Jeremy nodded again, this time biting his lip and pretending to blink back tears for added effect. He buried his face in Michael's chest as he tried not to laugh at his own attempts to act serious.

"Shh, I know," Michael soothed, rubbing his back. "We could go home if you want, you don't have to stay -- right guys?"

The group agreed, in full support of Jeremy, who was quietly marveling at how genius Michael's coverup was. He'd given them all a reason for Jeremy being late, an explanation for his tear-stained face, and he'd even planned Jeremy an escape route in case the Squip encounter had gone badly. For a story that was formed in the thirty-second walk from the car, it was pretty impressive.

Jeremy stepped back from Michael the Genius. "No, it's alright, we can stay." Michael gave him an are-you-sure look that was likely genuine. "Really, I'm fine. Let's talk about something else, okay?"

The group began discussing what kind of pizza they were going to get as they walked through the mall to Sbarro. They finally settled on the toppings, ordered, and sat down with their food. Nobody mentioned Jeremy's grandmother's imaginary dog.

"So, anything new going on?" Jeremy prompted as they dug in.

Christine launched into the story of an audition she'd had the previous day.

"It went really well! I think I've got a real shot at the role I want."

"Yeah, totally," Jake beamed. "I bet you did amazing."

Michael nodded enthusiastically. "You'd make a perfect Heather Duke, honestly. You've got the voice for it."

"And the look," Rich chimed in. "Speaking of looks, have you guys seen Jake's arms recently? I dunno what the hell he's been doing different at the gym, but it's working. Show 'em, babe."

Jake smiled sheepishly as he stood and flexed for the group. "Ooo"s and "ahh"s erupted along with a wolf whistle from Rich. Jake took a bow and sat back down.

"Aw, you're not gonna do a twirl?" Rich teased.

Jake laughed and picked up another slice of pizza. "Bro, lemme eat -- "

"Don't you 'bro' me, Jacob," Rich interjected. "My dick was in your mouth twenty minutes ago, we aren't bros anymore."

"Rich!" cried Jake, smacking him on the arm. "Don't call me Jacob!"

Michael cracked up. "That's the part you're objecting to? Really?"

"Wait!" said Jeremy. "Twenty minutes? We've been here at least an hour."

Rich winked at him. "I know," he said, then grinned. Jeremy nearly choked on his pizza.

They finished their meal and headed to the nearest bookstore at Christine's request. Michael and Jeremy browsed the comics as the others went their own way; Christine perused the small Shakespeare section, and Rich and Jake pretended to be looking at the cookbooks in the corner while they were actually just making out.

When the two finally separated, Jake surprised Christine by buying her a brand new copy of Othello, and Rich came over to hang out with Michael and Jeremy until they moved along.

Their final stop was the ice cream parlor at the back of the mall, which had been decided on after a brief debate over whether to have frozen yogurt instead. Jeremy and Christine shot down the idea as soon as bad memories began to resurface.

They stepped up to the counter, where a very disinterested-looking girl stood, popping her gum. A familiar voice called out from the door behind her.

"Courtney, take your break, it's my shift. Oh, wait, can you -- " Brooke stumbled through the door, struggling to tie her apron behind her. Courtney didn't stop to help. "Bitch," muttered Brooke. She noticed the familiar faces in front of her. "Hey, Jeremy! Jake!Rich! Michael! Christine!"

"Hey, Brooke!" Christine waved at her with a friendly smile. "I didn't know you worked here."

"Yeah, I just started last weekend. The discounts are unbelievable." She put on her customer service face. "Anyway, welcome to Super Scoop, how may I help you?"

They ordered their dessert and convinced Brooke to join them at the table for a few minutes, since the shop wasn't very busy. They all caught each other up on what had been going on in their lives -- Brooke's new tattoo, Christine's audition, Jake's biceps. They joked and laughed and had an amazing time together as friends for the first time in a long time.

Sadly, it started getting late; the mall was nearly empty and Jake had to be home soon for dinner. Rich was his ride -- and Christine's -- so the three of them had to leave. Michael and Jeremy walked them to the door with hugs and goodbyes and the promise that they would do this again soon.

Jeremy waved at their car as they drove away. The two boys headed back into the mall, and Jeremy turned to Michael to ponder something that he couldn't earlier.

"Do you think Rich was joking about, uh... you know," he laughed awkwardly. "When he said twenty minutes?"

"Nope," Michael replied simply, starting toward Spencer Gifts.

"But when did they -- "

"They took a bathroom break halfway through lunch, dude. Together," he laughed. "I'm surprised you didn't catch on."

Jeremy stopped in his tracks. His face went red. "They... in public? Isn't that kinda risky?"

"Oh, Jeremy, you deceptively naive little boy," Michael sighed. He leaned down to whisper in his ear. "That's why it's hot."

Jeremy cleared his throat violently as he blushed darker and darker. "Uh, shouldn't we be -- be heading home, soon?"

"Yeah, it's getting kind of late," Michael replied, his tone far too innocent. "Do you have to use the bathroom first, Jeremiah?"

Well, that did it. Jeremy threw out what was left of his dignity and nodded eagerly, following Michael into the nearest men's room.

It was single-stall (and empty, thank God), so they went right in. As soon as the lock clicked, they were kissing passionately, pressing as close to each other as possible. Michael grabbed Jeremy's hips and pushed him against the door, locking his thigh between Jeremy's and grinding against him.

Jeremy's moans were muffled by the kiss, so Michael moved to his neck instead, wanting to hear every sound. It worked. Michael couldn't wait any longer, and from the sounds of it, neither could Jeremy. He quickly unfastened first Jeremy's jeans, then his own.

Michael sank to his knees, and the sight of that alone was enough to give Jeremy goosebumps. Michael slipped one hand down his own boxers and wrapped the other around Jeremy's length. He moved them both together, too slowly.

Jeremy whined desperately. "Fuck, please..."

"Please what?" Michael teased.

"More, please, Mich -- " Jeremy cut himself off with a groan as Michael suddenly took him into his mouth. He started to bob his head, stroking himself and humming softly around Jeremy. "Michael -- " His name poured from Jeremy's lips and echoed on the tile.

Michael pulled away to take a shaky breath, still working his hands back and forth. He looked up at Jeremy with a smirk. "Say my name again."

"M-Michael?" he tried. Encouraged by the little moan this elicited, he kept going, almost giddy as Michael went back to sucking him off with even more enthusiasm than before. "Michael, Michael, Michael..."

Michael finished first, each sound he made bringing Jeremy closer to the edge until he came too, gripping Michael's hair and crying his name one last time.

Jeremy closed his eyes and leaned his head back against the door as he came down from his high. "Wow," he said, trying to catch his breath. "That was... wow."

"Yeah," Michael agreed. He stood and zipped up his jeans.

They cleaned up as well as they could, and though they were still noticeably disheveled on the way to the parking lot, they managed to avoid any suspicion from the mall staff.

The boys hopped in the car and Michael drove them both home. Thankfully, the Squip wasn't there to yell at him. If I'm lucky, it's the silent treatment.

As they pulled up to Jeremy's house, Michael turned serious once more. "I'm coming over tomorrow, okay? Have the Mountain Dew ready, and uh..." His eyes swept over Jeremy. "Your dad'll be at work, right?"

Jeremy nodded. "Until five."

"Good," Michael purred. "Seeya then."