All of a sudden, the power cut back on, causing seemingly the entire town to light up.

Despite it only being the late afternoon with the sun shining behind the gray clouds which covered the sky, the sight was oddly magical.

The boys still sat, chattering whilst pressed together on the bench, which developed a layer of snow despite them wiping it off before they sat.

Jeremy wrapped his arms around Michael's neck and kissed him. The whole situation seemed like something out of some sappy movie, which perfectly matched the current state of their relationship.

Jeremy was complaining about getting frostbitten despite wearing adequate clothes, but Michael agreed to just go back to his house.

When they got back to Michael's house, Jeremy took off his shoes and sprinted to the couch where he bellyflopped. It was slightly painful on his part, but he ignored it.

He turned on the TV where the news was still on from the other day.

Michael sat down next to Jeremy and reached for the remote, about to turn the channel when he heard something peculiar from the news anchor.

"A series of several strange deaths happened in the area yesterday, all within the same minute. Autopsy results claim that the brain of these victims were severely charred, with no damage to the body of the victim. No sources have confirmed this, but it seems as if the cause was a mysterious foreign drug called..."

The news woman paused, wondering if there was a typo. "..a SQUIP?"

Both Michael and Jeremy's jaws dropped collectively. "Was that when you had that huge headache last night when the Squip returned?"

"Uh I-I think so," Jeremy whimpered, only now realizing the consequences he could have faced as he took the Squip.

"Hey, Jeremy. You knew to take the Mountain Dew Red last night, you're okay. I'm proud of you for staying strong throughout everything that has happened recently."

"Y-you are?"

"Hey, look at me," Michael coaxed.

Jeremy looked up at Michael, tears threatening to spill.

"Jer, you are one of the strongest people I know. Not many people would be able to put up with what you did, starting with the Squip. Words can not describe how proud I am of you all the time. Mahal kita, sanggol na lalaki.

After the mini rant, even Michael started tearing up, unsure if Jeremy would believe him. The thing is, everything Michael said was a hundred percent true.

Michael traced his thumb under Jeremy's eyes, wiping away the couple of tears that fell.

Jeremy lunged forward and hugged Michael tightly.

"Thank you for that, I really needed it. You're so nice to me, I love you."

"Anytime, Jer Bear," Jeremy smiled at the nickname. "I don't want to see you upset, of course I'd always be there for you. I'm not going to let anyone come between us again."

Michael leaned over and softly kissed Jeremy, butterflies still coursing through his stomach. Michael grew to love the buzzy feeling he got whenever any contact was made with him Jeremy. He heard stories about the feeling as a kid, but never really believed them until he grew into the sappy hopeless romantic that he was.

He did experience a small flutter in his stomach when Jeremy had hugged him when neither of them were aware of the other's feelings, but he ignored them. He thought it was for the best, he just wanted Jeremy to be happy as he pined for Christine.

That didn't turn out so well.

Michael and Jeremy sat for a while, perfectly content in the silence that developed.

Again, Michael was stroking Jeremy's hair, which was always able to calm the boy down.

Eventually, Michael ordered Chinese takeout for the two for another date at his house, which the two were beginning to prefer.

When he got back from picking up the food, he joined Jeremy who was playing a video game in Michael's basement.

The two did what they usually did: eating and playing video games.

Neither could describe how happy they were to be back together.

A/N: Not sure when it's going to happen, but you guys definitely aren't prepared.