Julian had yet again lied to his parents that he would sleep over at Ren's that night. He was curled up in Wynter's lap, watching a horror movie that had somehow managed to make his heart beat as fast as it does while he kisses Wynter. Julian peeked through the gaps between his fingers, waiting for the jump scare that would definitely follow the dark silence.

Wynter ran a hand through the other boy's hair gently, his other hand holding a can of Pepsi that he sipped on occasionally. When Julian sighed tiredly, Wynter stared at the green-eyed boy for a moment...admiring his beauty. The colours of the movie reflected in Julian's eyes and his lips glowed. Julian was so fucking beautiful.

"I think I'm going to have nightmares tonight" Julian mumbled, lifting himself into a sitting position.

Wynter smiled and leaned into him, throwing an arm around his waist in a hug, "You're such a scaredy-cat"

"Am not" Julian protested with a slight pout, earning a kiss from the dark-haired boy.

When the doorbell rang, the green-eyed boy slid off the couch lazily onto the ground. Wynter laughed at his boyfriend and blew him a kiss that the other boy dramatically caught and pressed to his heart.

"I'm coming!" Julian yelled when the bell rang again. Whoever was ringing the bell sounded impatient.

"Julian go! They'll wake up Hayden up with all that ringing" Wynter said, switching off the movie and starting to clear empty liquorice packets from the couch.

Julian stretched his arms and yawned. The muscles in his neck were tight. It hurt to move them

"Yeah?" Julian swung open the door with a welcoming smile.

For the first time in history, the smile of Julian Sanders faltered. The man looked exactly like Wynter. The full lips and high cheekbones. The curved eyebrows. Eyes the exact shade of Hayden's.

"I-who are you?" The man asked with a slightly apologetic smile.

For unknown reasons, Julian instantly disliked this man. He kept his smile intact and let out a laugh "I'm Julian Sanders. Wynter's...friend. And you are?"

"Andrew Black. I'm Wynter's father"

A hand landed on Julian's shoulder. Wynter swallowed and slid behind Julian to make space for his father to walk in "Come in, Dad"

Julian looked into Wynter's eyes. Wynter shook his head: Nothing's wrong.

Julian sighed: Are you sure?

Wynter nodded and leaned forward, pressing a small kiss to the other boy's lips. Julian pursed his lips before hugging the dark haired boy. Wynter smiled, feeling the green-eyed boy leave a kiss on the side of his head.

"Go home. I'll see you at school" Wynter assured.

And Julian went home. He shouldn't have.

"Hey mum!" Julian greeted, entering the kitchen and wrapping his arms around his mother's shoulders. He put his chin on her shoulder, smiling when she reached up to ruffle his hair.

"Help me do the dishes, Juli. Did you have dinner? Starla said she made pizza for you and Ren"

"Yeah, I had dinner. What did you and dad eat?" He asked, hoping to divert the topic. Lying to his mother made him feel guilty. But just until he introduced Wynter to them, he would have to keep on lying.

It was midnight and Julian couldn't sleep. Something was bothering him. A nagging voice in the back of his mind. Julian exhaled tiredly, turning over to lay on his back to look up at the ceiling. His arm reached for his phone hesitantly.

He clicked on Wynter's contact, pressing the phone to his ear. He heard it ring in that dull and monotonous way, eyes falling shut at the prospect that he wouldn't pick up.

A breathy voice, low and smooth "Julian?"

"Hey...I can't sleep. I'm sorry were you asleep?"

"No. No I wasn't. What's wrong?"

"Nothing. I just can't sleep. I should cut down on screen time" Julian chuckled, "What are you doing awake?"

"Thinking. About a lot of things. Like why my dad is back. He wants me to leave town with him"

Julian frowned "Sorry in advance, I'm gonna curse. But what the fuck Wynter?"

Julian heart was beating hard in his chest. What was happening? Why did Wynter sound like someone was dying? Was he breaking up with him? Why? Why was his dad doing this?

"He says...we should start over again. He wants to leave town next week...take me and Hayden with him"

Julian pressed his lips together, controlling his erratic breaths "Next week? That's too soon. Wynter, you can't be okay with this. Are you actually considering this?"

Silence.

"Are you?" Julian asked in a louder voice.

"I don't know. He's my dad you know? He's actually important in my life..."

"And I'm not?"

"Julian...I never said that. Stop over thinking"

"Wynter you can't leave! You can't shift schools in the middle of the year! Hayden'll have trouble fitting in again! What about your job at the pool?" Julian asked. But all he wanted to ask was, What about me? What about me Wynter? Do you think I'll be okay without you?

"I don't know...."

"Okay...." Julian hung up. He covered his face with his hands. Wynter was leaving. And there was nothing he could do to stop him.

Rapid knocks sounded on his door, "Juli?"
"Come in!" He yelled back.

Julian's mother walked in slowly, shutting the door behind her. Her eyes washed over his face in concern "What's wrong baby?"

Julian swallowed, his slight smile turning downwards against his will. Chin quivering as tears flooded his eyes, he looked upward at the ceiling taking deep breaths "I'm okay mum...I'm okay" he breathed out, throat burning.

A single tear left his eye and he wiped at it, attempting another smile.

"Don't pretend" his mother said, brushing back hair from his forehead. She looked on as her son broke down, wailing in pain, curling into himself. As he tried to shield himself. Face flushed and traces of salt in the tears, Julian was breaking again.

Julian was breaking and he couldn't help but wonder if he would ever find someone who wouldn't leave. Someone who would stay. Maybe he just wasn't worth staying for.

A/N- We have crossed 1K reads!!! Thankyou sooooo muccchh! Please vote and share so that Julian and Wynter get all the love they deserve <3