Getting Along

"Do you need anything while we're here?" Liam asked as Simon and him entered the mall.

"Nope," Simon smiled. "We're not here to shop, just to walk around together."

"Won't that get boring?" Liam smirked.

"No." Simon shrugged. "Why don't you tell me something about your life? I feel like you're always in an out, how are things with Mary?"

"Oh Mary," Liam grimaced. "We're uh.. we're not together anymore."

"That's too bad. Did you stay friends?"

"Aw, of course," Liam nodded to himself. "We'll always be friends."

"That's good... I suppose she just wasn't your type." Simon pulled ahead slightly so Liam could no longer see his face as he held in a laugh.

"I guess."

"So Kit's a very nice boy, don't you think?"

"Definitely." Liam agreed.

"I guess all this just has me wondering... Can I ask you something?"

"Sure." Liam sped up slightly to meet Simon's stride.

"It's just that you've never really been so interested in ... girls." Simon explained. "I suppose I just wondered if there was a reason for that."

"What do you mean?" Liam flushed.

"Well... you know I like boys, and since you don't really seem to like girls, I wondered if maybe you.. also liked boys?"

"I don't think so." Liam cleared his voice. "I mean, maybe, I guess I've never really thought about it."

"That's fair. We've had things a little on the busy side," Simon chuckled. "But maybe you should. There might be some boys that are your type."

"There might be?" Liam's face paled.

"I think so." Simon shrugged. "I want you to be happy, and I think you've worried about me being happy for so long, that you should worry about yourself for a while. Obviously you don't want your happiness tied to romance, but I think you're in an emotional place where you might be ready now."

"I think that too."

"Is that Kit?" Simon quickened his pace. Across the mall he could see a familiar red-head bobbing about the crowd. "It is!"

"Oh?"

"Yes... oh but he's with Asher. We should... should we?" Simon stammered looking from Asher to Liam.

"We should at least say hi." Liam rolled his eyes, and Simon broke out into a smile. He sped up even more and met Kit in the crowd.

"Simon?" Kit grinned. "Fancy seeing you here."

"It is!" Simon pulled Kit into a quick hug. "And Asher! How've you been?"

"Good." Asher seemed taken aback that Simon had acknowledged his presence. "I've been very good."

"Is that Liam?" Kit asked, gesturing to the tall man silently making his way over to them. "HI LIAM!" Kit waved frantically.

"Oh.. Liam?" Asher shuffled his feet.

"It's alright." Simon squealed Asher's arm, "He's different now. I promise."

"Uh.. hello." Liam pursed his lips.

"You look amazing today." Kit nodded firmly.

"um.. Thanks?" Liam flushed bright red.

"So?" Simon interrupted. "What are you guys doing here?"

"We were just having some brother time." Kit answered cheerfully. "But Asher over here is mad boring. Do you mind if we join you? It's always more fun with a bigger group."

"Liam?" Simon turned hopefully.

"I don't see why not." Liam shrugged.

"That's so sweet of you Liam." Kit smiled, he then turned to Simon expectantly.

"Asher. I really wanted to go into a few stores, but I don't want Liam getting stuck going with me, would you mind going with me?"

"I'd love to." Asher smiled, happy to be included. Kit fell back falling into stride with Liam.

"Did you tell Simon about.. everything?" Kit asked.

"No."

"When are you going to?"

"I don't know. You don't think Asher will tell him, do you?" Liam asked, remembering that Asher and Kit had walked in on him at the Laundromat a few months prior. He didn't think Kit would tell him, but he didn't know Asher well enough.

"Asher wouldn't want to upset Simon like that," Kit explained. "So. What's new with you?"

"Nothing."

"No new ladies in your life?"

"Nope." Liam shook his head, earning a smile from Kit.

"That's good."

"Why?" Liam's brow furrowed.

"It just is." Kit lifted his chin. "You're awfully oblivious."

"I am?"

"Yes."

"I suppose you'll just have to explain things a little better for me." Liam smiled.

....

"So... you aren't mad at me any more?" Asher asked as they entered a random clothing store.

"I don't think so?" Simon raised his eyebrows. "A lot has changed since you did what you did. I guess I can't really be mad at the person you are for what the person you were did."

"Well.. thanks... from the both of us." Asher smiled. "I missed you, a lot."

"I think I missed you too." Simon grinned. Asher's smile was bright, and Simon was sure he hadn't seen it too many times before. In that moment, with the light shining through his blonde hair, and his eyes sparkling with hope, Simon noticed how attractive Asher was. Before he could really only see the mass of bad decision making and anger, but Asher was a different person now, a better person, and Simon was starting to like that person.

"You look better than ever." Asher bumped his shoulder playfully into Simon. "You look like you've let off a lot of baggage."

"I could say the same to you."

"I feel better." Asher stared off into space. "I feel lighter. I feel.. sunnier."

"You do?" Simon found himself looking at Asher. he was certainly a sunnier person then he'd ever been before.

"Thank you."

"For what?" Simon's brows furrowed.

"For working so hard with me.. I'm the person I am today mostly because of you, and I'm so grateful for that. I'm me because of you."

"That's sweet of you to say." Simon returned Asher's smile, and they stayed there comfortably for a few moments.

"Uh." Asher cleared his throat. "What did you need from the store?"

"Oh, I don't need anything." Simon shrugged and exited the store. Asher looked after him as he walked, before making his way out as well.

"Hey!" Kit called as they exited. "I need to run to the restroom. Come with me, Simon?"

"Oh.. yes. Let's go." Simon nodded, linking arms with Kit and following him out.

"So..." Asher and Liam found themselves leaning against the wall outside the bathroom in an awkward silence. "I wanted to apologize."

"What for?"

"For everything." Asher explained. "I'm afraid I wasn't very good to Simon."

"I'm afraid I wasn't either." Liam mumbled. "You like Simon, don't you?"

"I... I do. Yes."

"That's good." Liam whispered. "I spent so long trying to scare people away, that I worried I left him all alone. It's good that you like him."

"He doesn't like me though."

"Maybe. But you're much better than that stupid Shea. Simon will realize that eventually. When he does... promise me that you'll take care of him."

"Of course." Asher smiled slightly to himself. The idea of Simon liking him was comforting, Simon liking him of his own fruition rather than out of loneliness even more. "You know Kit likes you too, right?"

"I-" Liam paused. "I didn't know that."

"Yeah... he's still.. he's still just a kid.. He's obsessive like this... just try not to break his heart, he really does mean well."

"I know he does." Liam shuffled his hands. "He's a good friend to Simon. I'm glad they found each other."

"So am I."

"Liam." An angry voice boomed causing Asher and Liam both to turn.

"Shea?"