Authors notes: Guys your comments left me speechless! Thank you all so very much

vws_[lpfan]_83: Wow new reviewer *hug* So happy you like this hun :) It really means a lot! Lady Shinoda: I'm glad you liked this hun ;) Yeah, I think the similarity of their parents kinda eggs 'em closer together although it's not addressed in the story, at least not so far. Maybe later. We get to see what Chester saw now :) TYshangshan: Wow! Amazing? Thank you hun!! Yeah, Chester kinda seeks refuge in Mike because he loves him although he doesn't admit it XP silly man Hope you like this chp hun DarkestOfShadows: I'm so glad you're taking to the characters hun. I might as well say it anyhoo, the first more? chapter...aw no, I'm sorry I don't wanna ruin it but it's not this chp .:=Miss-Gah-gah=:.:I'm awesome? *dance* Thanks hun, you're awesome too cause your comment made me smile so much I was like Gealt. And I've never had a standing ovation before *bows* thank you, thank you so much XP Oh and thanks a MILLION for the banner :) BlackFairy: Hun I'm seriously hoping you got some sleep in between waiting for this, it'd suck if you didn't lmao. You'll jump up and down when they kiss? I think I will too when we finally get to that part XP SHOrTwiRED: *gasp* Hun that comment meant SOOOOO MUCH! You actually have no idea. Thank you soooooooooo much *hug* Vampire Princess: Yeah, i thought Chaz being scared of storms would be cute. it wasn’t planned till I wrote it XP lplover22: Hun, the fact that you just compared one of my stories to Astraloree's…astounds me. She's sooo my favourite author EVER on this site!!!! So special hugs to you for that *hug* and yea I was excited when I saw the ETR update too :) Rob appears here NalaNyaSilmaRyl: My writing is amazing?! Hun that means so much *hug* thank you, thank you :) Drakanaa Byzanthum: Yeah Dodge is a sweetie :) Skeletons? Well there's a few flashbacks here so we find out more about them, hope you like hun Kelly: I know. I was thinking of writing just a little lip lock but decided against it. I like torturing you all XP stefy: Mike? Well I never really found a point in mentioning it but he'd most likely get disability benefits, I don't know how things work in America either, I'm from Ireland XP axl adamic: Aw hun Thank you. I've gotten so much more confident in my writing since joining this site thanks to you guys. The Down Syndrome? Amazing song! You're so right there Chan.xx: MWAHAHA! I is evilz!!! >:D Glad you like this hun and thank you so much *glomp* Vixenla: Yeah poor Chazzy is scared, I wanted to give him and Mike a reason to snuggle up together XP

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It was hard to get out of bed the next morning. Mike woke first and smiled when he felt Chester in his grasp. Unable to resist he placed his hand on the beautiful models cheek. Chester stirred but didn't seem to wake. He then placed his palm on the male's chest, feeling the slow rise and fall of the male's chest.

"So beautiful..." He whispered incoherently but still enough of a murmur to have Chester move. He withdrew his hands and heard Chester mumble.

"Whu?...Mike?...You awake?" Mike smiled and patted Chester's head lightly.

"Yea..." He felt himself blush as Chester nuzzled closer to him with a tired moan.

"I drank too much." Chester moaned, rubbing his face into the tuft of hair on Mike's chest. Mike smiled and rubbed Chester's back, silently inhaling the faint smell of alcohol, aftershave and cigarettes from his smaller friend.

"You'll be fine." Mike smiled as Chester yawned against his skin. Mike thanked god he was in his pajama bottoms as this would have been a hard to resist situation if he had been only in his boxers. Chester rubbed the sleep from his eyes and reveled in the feel of Mike's arm protectively around him, it felt so natural.

"I don't wanna get up Mike..." Chester groaned and Mike smiled.

"Me neither..." He whispered but still he suddenly realized that this was dangerous territory, being so close to Chester this early. "...but I need a shower." Chester yawned and leaned forward.

"Ok...Might as well get some breakfast first." Mike felt the loss as Chester got off the bed. He moaned and stood out, the warm carpet felt soft under his feet. He smiled and flexed his toes before standing and allowing Chester to lead him to the kitchen. "I think I have some cornflakes." Chester said, looking through the presses as Mike sat at the table.

"Ok." Mike smiled as he waited for a few minutes for Chester to get him a bowl of cereal. Soon they both sat across from one another, still too tired for conversation so they ate in silence. Half way through his bowl of cornflakes Chester turned back on his cell to see a bunch of messages, most from Rob.

Dude thers a blckout. U OK?

Man IM worid, cal me bak.

Dude cmon! R U alrite?

Chester sighed, he'd have to call him but then he saw another text.

Chaz. UR phone must B off. Its Joe. Cal me wen U get this. I tink I hav anothr actin job 4 U. Its nt a movie tho. We can tlk if U call. Thanks!

Chester raised an eyebrow and Mike sensed a change in the youth.

"Something up?" Chester shrugged and punched Joe's number into his cell.

"I don't really know." He confessed. "Just give me a minute." The cell ran and Chester waited, tapping his left index finger on the table as he waited.

"Hello?" The director mumbled into the cell, obviously Chester woke him up.

"Hi Joe it's Chester." The model smiled into the cell. "Sorry, I only got your text now."

"Oh Chester." Suddenly Joe sounded more awake. "Great to hear from you." Chester heard some rustling from the other end of the line and someone talk to Joe. "Just a minute Karen ok?" There was then an obvious kiss and Chester sighed. "Sorry man, is this about the job offer?" Chester nodded, forgetting Joe couldn't see him.

"Y-yea, what is it?"

"Well I think you'll like it. I've been asked to direct a music video." Chester nodded and spooned some cereal in his mouth.

"Weally?" The muffled reply came.

"Yea, do you know this band, they're pretty under-rated, Juilien-K?" Chester almost spat out his food.

"Seriously?" Chester gasped. "I love their music!" Joe laughed on the end of the line.

"So I'll take that as a yes?"

"Of course!" Chester was a little giddy now.

"Well great. There's a perk, it's in Paris. I mean, I know you've been there a lot with fashion shows and stuff..."

"No that's awesome!" Chester was grinning broadly.

"Great. We'll be there a week but the video shoot should only take like...two, three days. There's this awesome club we wanna shoot it in there. I'll send you two plane tickets, I assume pets travel free." Chester was confused.

"Pets?"

"Well yeah. I guess I assumed Mike would be coming. C'mon Chester think about it, you and him in the most romantic city in the world." Chester's eyes widened and his cheeks flushed madly.

"J-Joe..."

"Don't worry, Karen fell back asleep. Aw g'on Chester."

"O-ok..." The youth took the cell away from his ear and looked to Mike. "Mike?" The youth looked his way. "You wanna come to Paris for a week?" Mike's eyes widened ridiculously wide and his mouth fell open.

"Are you serious?" He gasped. "Like...You're not shitting with me?!" Chester laughed.

"No. Joe said you could tag along."

"I couldn't aff..."

"Think of it as payment for the model." Mike laughed loudly and bit his lip.

"W-wow...tell him yes! Absolutely! Wow...I've never been outside California before."

"Well you will be now right?" Chester smiled before returning to his cell call. "He said yes."

"He's there with you now? Ohhh, did he stay the night? Chester you bad boy!" Chester's cheeks were bright red.

"W-what? Joe! I....beh..." He was lost for words. "Just go Joe!"

"I will. I'll send the tickets. It's next month. So...have fun with Mike."

"Go Joe!" Chester half laughed before hanging up. Mike was looking in his direction and he smiled. "Joe's just being stupid."

"I don't think giving you and me tickets to Paris is being stupid." Chester laughed and nodded.

"Yeah you're right. So you're sure you're in?"

"Dude of course." After Mike's words the front door slammed and Chester turned around to see Rob walk through the door.

"Chester!" He snapped. "C'mon dude why didn't you call back I was fucking wor..." Rob's words stopped when he copped Mike sitting at the table. "Ohh..." For the first time Chester noticed Rob's uncomforted around his friend. He bit his lip and sensed he and Rob needed to talk alone.

"H-hey Mike?" Chester asked quietly. "You wanted to take a shower right?" Mike nodded slowly and stood up. "You want some help?" Mike shook his head and stretched out so his hand ran along the wall.

"Nah, it's a chance to explore." He smiled. Chester stretched out a hand and rested it on his shoulder.

"The bathroom has a tiled floor, you could feel it if you took your socks off." Mike smield and nodded, doing as recommended before he walked along the house with his hand along the wall, leaving Rob and Chester alone.

He walked slowly along the fluffy white carpet of the hall, seeking out the bathroom. Mike felt lost again as he was alone in the house. It was the fifth door he checked when he finally felt tiles under his feet. He smiled, feeling triumphant. Something was different thought.

There was the soft sound of swishing water echoing in what felt like a ridiculously large room, the tiles on the ground were wet and there was a smell of chlorine. Mike was cautious and walked incredibly slowly forward, baby steps. His heart gripped when he felt a sudden decline under his feet but thankfully he hadn't stepped forward enough to fall. Still he could feel the warm water touching his toes.

"No way." Mike gasped. "A pool?" Indeed it was. Chester had an indoor, thirty foot pool in his home, beside which was the gym which was required according to the agency. Mike couldn't resist, a shower could wait and surely Chester wouldn't mind.

Mike stripped the pajamas off so he stood in his underwear. He sat down slowly and dangled his feet in the pool. From what he could make out this was the shallow end and he slipped in carefully. It came up to his waist and he smiled. The water was warm and Mike was careful. He understood not to go out of his debt and yet still his heart sank.

"Brad get in the water, it's great!" Fourteen year old Brad looked to Mike splashing Dave in the river, laughing. He threw his eyes to heaven and turned back to Stephanie, his girlfriend. Mike frowned at his friend and swam over, he flicked some water on the bank, wetting them.

"I'm gonna kill you Shinoda!" Brad cried, tearing off his tee and diving into the river. Mike laughed as his friend dunked him underwater. Everything was muffled but he could clearly hear Mark Wakefield swim over to help him. Bubbles erupted from his lips as he laughed and accidentally swallowed water. Mike pushed Brad off him and surfaced, coughing and wheezing loudly. Mark banged him on his back as he threw back up the water.

When he could breathe again he heard Dave's tell tale laugh from the center of the river.

"You're going down Phi!" Mike cried out, gazing at him before swimming towards his friend who tried to get away with a feeble doggie paddle. Mark and Brad tried to catch up with Mike but he was the superior swimmer in the group.

After Phoenix's punishment by ducking Mike suggested a race across the river but Dave could hardly swim and Brad wanted to get back to his girl.

"C'mon Mark!" Mike pleaded. "Please race me!" Mark swam over and patted Mike's shoulder.

"Sorry dude. You're so competitive and so am I and the current's pretty rough. I wouldn't want to hurt you in any way." He smiled before swimming away and recommending Mike come back into his dept.

*~+~+~+~+~+~+~+~*

Chester watched Mike leave the room with a small smile. He wanted to help him but he sensed he and Rob needed to talk. Once Mike was out of earshot he looked to Rob.

"What's up man?" Rob was frowning.

"What do you mean what's up?" Rob glared as Chester cleared his dishes away.

"Rob we never had a problem before." He sighed as he dumped the cutlery in the sink. "I mean...we've been best friends for so long, I know when something's wrong." Rob frowned.

"Some best friend you are!" He snapped before he could stop himself. Chester's eyes widened.

"W-what?" He gasped. "What are you talking about man?" Rob looked behind to ensure Mike wasn't there.

"I just...we haven't hung out in so long...since Mike came." Chester walked over and shut the kitchen door before gripping Rob by the shoulders.

"Look at me man. No one will ever replace you as my best friend, no one. It's just...Mike he...he doesn't treat me like I'm some huge celeb, he treats me normally." Rob sighed and patted his friends hand.

"I treat you normally...don't I?" Chester smiled and moved away.

"Course man." Playfully he punched Rob's arm. "It's just...with Mike...I...I really like him..." Chester's words grew faint as he spoke and he was blushing. Rob couldn't help the laugh that escaped his lips. Chester glared at him. "What's so funny?"

"It's just you two seem like such an unlikely pair." He smiled and Chester shoved him again.

"Hey!" he said defensively and Rob's eyes widened when he got what Chester meant.

"N-no man! I didn't mean cause he's blind." Rob defended and Chester's features softened. He looked to his feet.

"I know you didn't."

"I just mean...how do you know he's even gay?" Chester was still examening his feet and he bit his lip.

"J-Joe Hahn thinks he likes me." He confessed, hands winding around his stomach. "And I really hope he does...I really, really like him Rob. A lot but in a way that's totally different from how I like you." Chester smiled at him. "You're my PIC." Rob raised an eyebrow.

"PIC?"

"Partner in crime." Chester smiled. "C'mon. Don't think I've forgotten who helped me through my parents divorce." Rob smiled but it was sad as he recalled those years of their lives.

Rob sat on the small, single bed of Chester's room with Chester on front of him, sobbing as he allowed his friend to wrap up his wrists in bandages.

"Why Chester?" He asked, thinking of the blood stained blades he had thrown out the window when he found Chester shaking in the corner of his room, vermilion stained sleeves dripping with bodily fluid. Chester shrugged.

"I tried everything else. They don't give a fuck!"

"Hurting yourself isn't the answer." Rob sighed as he was happy the bandages were tight enough. He then left the white, blood stained top by the door so he'd remember to bring it home and wash it for Chester himself rather than have the youths mom ask questions. He then sought out a long sleeved black top and helped Chester put it on.

"Thanks." Chester whispered as Rob gazed through squinted eyes.

"Are you wearing make-up?" Chester nodded slowly, still coming down from his self afflicted harm.

"Y-yeah...mom..." Rob threw his head back.

"Not another pageant!" Chester nodded. "She's putting too much pressure on you. No one can be perfect Chaz."

"I have to be..."

"And cutting yourself make's you perfect?" Chester looked up with shining eyes and allowed the single tear to fall down his cheek. "C'mon, we've been best friends for so long, I know when something's wrong. What's really up?"

"Dad came over.." His voice was faint. "He wanted mom to take him back." Rob didn't speak. "He..." Chester sniffed. "He was drunk."

"Did he hit you Ches?" Chester shook his head. "Your mom?" Again he shook his head. "Then why are you so upset?"

"It's my fault!" Chester whispered. Rob rested a hand on his friends shoulder.

"How? They're grown adults. This is their fight, you have nothing to do with it."

"N-no Rob...I do...he hates me...I'm the reason he left. He said he'd come back if I left." Rob's eyes widened.

"Chester what's going on? Why did he say that?" Chester buried his face in his arms.

"Oh Rob...I'm gay!" Rob's eyes widened adn he bit his lip. Still he sighed and placed a hand on Chester's shoulder.

"Chester, it's ok." Chester looked to him.

"You...you're not disgusted." Rob smiled.

"Hey man as long as you're not after me." They both laughed loudly and Chester felt comfortable for the first time in a week. He allowed Rob to give him a one armed hug and rested his head on his friends shoulder.

"Thanks man." He muttered. "You're my PIC." Rob smiled and nodded, not knowing what Chester meant but still glad his best friend was happier.

Chester stood by the door and scratched his elbow.

"Man...Im sorry if I've been ignoring you but...I'm just crazy about Mike. You know, like when you and Rebecca first got together and you kept blowing me off." Rob frowned, talking about his wife made him feel guilty that he didn't love her anymore. He had been having numerous affairs but he suspected she had been having them too.

"Yea.." His words were faint. "Yea..I guess I know."

"So...do you think maybe you could try be nicer to him?" Chester asked. "He's really nice and funny. I know you two would get along." Rob sighed and lowered his head in defeat. Still he smiled broadly and punched his friends arm playfully.

"For you man? Anything!" He laughed and they both left the room to see if Mike was ready yet. First of all Rob noticed the clay piece and complimented it. Chester smiled and told him about Mike making it and he was shocked. Rob claimed maybe if he and Mike became friends he could get his own.

Then as they walked Chester told him about Joe. Rob smiled, claiming he knew. That was one reason he texted Chester, to tell him because apparently Joe couldn't get through.

They walked to the bathroom and knocked on the door. The shower wasn't on and the bath empty, not to mention no Mike. There was no steam so the shower hadn't been on. Chester was confused but Rob was smarter.

"You said tiles right?" Chester nodded. "Maybe...you know..."

"The pool!" They both said.

Chester was first into the large, indoor pool hall. He stopped in his tracks and gazed in awe at what he saw. Mike getting out of the pool after a swim. Black hair plastered to his forehead and chest gleaming with droplets of warm water. Then there was something that made Chester almost squeal with excitement.

Mike's cotton white boxers had practically turned see-through, leaving some aspects of his body Chester had never seen before visible. Chester clung his hands to his now watering mouth and his breathing stopped for a moment. He felt his body react instantly to the sight as the blissfully ignorant Mike carefully searched for the towel he had ready and ran it first through his hair then along his chest, still shining with water.

Rob then entered and tilted his head as he noticed Chester holding his breath, gazing in awe and most likely getting hard at the sight. Rob threw is eyes to heaven and playfully shoved his friend.

"Perv." He whispered as Chester's eyes very reluctantly tore from Mike's perfect body on display to him. Rob then smiled and turned to the youth who was drying himself. "Hey Mike!" Mike looked up, only vaguely recgonising the voice. He hated moments like this, vulnerable times when he didn't know how long someone was by him or even who they were.

"Hey?" He more so asked. Rob looked to Chester, expecting him to pick up the conversation only to see the model still gawking wide eyed as Mike's briefs. Thankfully-for Chester-Mike was ignorant to the fact that his underwear had turned see through and he wasn't attempting to obscure anything from Chester's view.

"Err...it's Rob." Rob continued. "Chester's friend."

"Oh hi Rob." Mike smiled, glad it was someone who at least sounded friendly. Rob grinned and approached, his heavy boots splashing when they came in contact with the wet tiles.

"Yea..." Rob was careful, he almost slipped. "S-so Chester tells me you're coming to Paris with us, awesome." Mike blushed, grinned and nodded.

"Yeah. I can't wait. I've never been outside California." Mike confessed as he felt Rob come closer.

"Cool. Nah I was just thinking that we never really talked and...you seem like a nice guy and all." Mike grinned.

"Thanks, you too." Rob couldn't help the smile. There was indeed something very likable about Mike after all.

"Thank you." Rob grinned. "Hey Chester showed me the piece you did for him and I gotta say...it's amazing Mike. He's fucking delighted with it." Chester was able to tear his eyes from Mike's lower regions long enough to see the youth turn beetroot. He smiled, Mike looked too cute.

"Really? I thought he was just being nice." Mike smiled. "Speaking of which is Chester here?" Rob looked to his friend and before Chester had a chance to say anything turned back to Mike.

"No. He's clearing the kitchen, he'll just be a minute." Mike nodded.

"Oh ok."

"So Mike..." Rob grinned. "You like football?"

Chester grinned, feeling warm in his stomach with gratitude towards Rob. The youth really was attempting to get to know Mike and Chester appreciated that so much. Not to mention his friend managed to hold off Chester's immediate arrival so the model could at least get a good look at the object of his adoration.

*~+~+~+~+~+~+~+~*

Authors notes: Mwhaha! Chester's such a perv XP So Rob isn't bad, he just missed his friend and Mark, for those who remember he was the one who threw the bag that hit Mike, severing the nerve and making him blind.

Next Chapter "Ok, ok...I'll put him in his own room then. He's a big boy, he can take care of himself." Chester looked behind him at where Mike knelt, talking with Karen. What if something was to happen to the youth? What if he was alone in the room and fell or something?

"Maybe the room next to mine." Chester said, afraid that something could happen to his friend although he knew Mike was more than capable of minding himself. Joe just smiled and tapped his nose.

"Ah late night visits." Joe winked. "Ok then, I understand." Chester's face had turned pink and his mouth was wide open.

"N-no! I d-don't...stop putting words in my mouth Joe!"

R/R please!!

Hi guys a little note. Before ye review could ye please go here: http://chesters-linkin-lady.deviantart.com/journal/25475875/#comments It's just my journal but it kinda asks what story I should focus on when I'm finished this which I think will be more than 20 chapters. If ye could just mention which you think sounds better in your review it would be MEGA appreciated

Bekka x x x x x x x