"You've changed."

☆

"Who is it?"

Mark turns, looking over his shoulder to see Bay approaching. He momentarily freezes, wondering if he should block the small screen, showing the familiar face. Wanting to keep the boy hidden. Afraid that what had just happened between them would be discarded as a moment best forgotten if Bay saw the face of his friend, but there was also a side to him that was curious. What if it made no difference? What Mark knew already of Bay was that he didn't take any action lightly. He knew his own mind. He stuck to his guns.

He finally steps back, allowing Bay access to the screen. The image of Archie staring at both of them as if he could see them. "What does he want?" Bay frowns, as if the image of the boy would answer the question.

Mark reaches forwards, pointing to a small panel with silver buttons on it. "Why don't you ask him." He says, as he backs away, suddenly feeling like he was intruding in his own home.

Bay presses the small button and leans into the panel. "What do you want Archie?" He moves his hand away, knowing the boy outside has heard him as a look of relief graces his face.

"You're ok."

"Of course I'm ok." Bay replies. "Why wouldn't I be?"

"You didn't answer your phone..." Archie stops his sentence as the gate in front of him begins to open.

Bay looks at Mark, whose finger was pressed on a different button. Mark forces a grin, though he didn't really feel all too overjoyed. "I'll go to my room." He says as he heads back up the stairs.

"No, wait, Mark...." Bay goes to stop the boy, but the knock on the door pulls him in the opposite direction. Bay heads that way and pulls the door open to reveal Archie, who looked how Bay must have looked on his first visit to Mark's house, as his eyes bounce around the grandeur.

"No wonder you want to be his friend." Archie utters without thinking, before noticing the absence of the male. "Are you here by yourself?"

"Mark is upstairs. What do you want Archie?" Bay pushes the door closed behind them.

Archie looks at Bay stood waiting for a reply. His mind felt a sudden emptiness as to why he was even standing there. "You didn't answer your phone," he ends up repeating. "I wanted to make sure you were ok."

"I told you I was here." He turns his back to Archie. "Did you think I was lying?"

"No, just." Archie takes a step forward. "This isn't like you."

"Then what is like me?" Bay turns back around to Archie, he takes a step forward, getting into his face. "You are not my only friend. I don't need you next to me all the time. I don't need to tell you my every move."

Archie holds his composure. He feels his lips going taught as his fists clench. He tries his best to not be affected by the words spoken. "Fine." He says with as much effort as he can to not raise his voice. He takes a step back and heads for the door, hesitating, wondering if Bay would follow behind. Raise a hand to stop him. To say he didn't mean it, but no such contact is made. Archie looks over his shoulder at Bay one last time. "You've changed." He says, before heading through the door. He heads to the opened gate and disappears down the street. Not once turning back.

Bay finds himself watching Archie walk away on the small screen as if it were a tv drama, not real. He only gets brought back to reality when Mark's finger presses the button to close the gate. The silent footsteps unnoticed. "I heard what you said. Did you mean it?"

Bay looks at Mark, forcing a smile. "You're my friend Mark."

"Just your friend?" Mark replies, feeling a nervousness in the question.

"What are you saying? You want us to be boyfriends?" Bay looks at Mark with surprise.

Mark smiles at Bay. "Why are you so shocked? You know I like you and you like me right? We kissed."

"Yes, but...."

"Are you still thinking about Archie? He's got Lena. Why should he have it all and you have nothing?"

Bay looks at the monitor. The trace of Archie is long gone. Did Archie mean what he had said? That Bay had changed? No, it was Archie who had changed. He looks back at Mark. "Ok."

"Ok?" Mark repeats, now his turn to be surprised.

"We can be boyfriends." He smiles, feeling a little shy at even mentioning it.

Mark matches the grin. He takes a step forward, placing a hand on Bay's shoulder. He edges closer a little more. "Bay, are you sure? Because....." he again hollows out his cheeks, blowing out air before continuing. "Once we start this, I won't be able to handle going back to just being friends. Do you get that?"

"I get it." Bay replies. "I know what I'm saying."

"Good." Mark says as he leans in, pulling Bay in for a hug. Bay finds his arms wrap around Mark's waist, feeling the warmth of his body as they pressed together. The smell of the fabric softener on his clothes seemed to permeate Bay's nostrils. Mark rests his chin on Bay's shoulder as he enjoys the moment. Eyes closed, grinning like a Cheshire cat. He leans a little towards Bay's left ear as he utters the words. "Remember. This is our secret, between us."