"Hey, get off him!" Kian turned his head slightly to see whom it was. He knew though, the only person who cared enough about him to say something to the bullies.

"Oh, yeah, what you gonna do, Chippie?" the oldest and strongest boy taunted, giving Kian another kick that made his stomach contract; he felt like throwing up, tears burning in his eyes.

"Leave the boy alone Johnny, and don’t you dare threatening my brother." Liam, one of Shane’s older brothers, had appeared out of nowhere.

"Oh, sorry, my mistake," the leader bully made a mock bow. "Come on fellas," the 6 boys disappeared around the corner and Shane kneeled beside Kian.

"Are you ok…" his hand touched Kian’s shoulder lightly, as if he was afraid to hurt him. Kian managed a faint nod. Liam looked at him and then offered his hand.

"I think your pride is more hurt than anything else." He smiled, a warm and friendly smile.

Kian smiled back, shyly. "Thank you."

"No problem kid," he turned to Shane, "Mum wanted you, you can bring Ki over to the house." Shane nodded and put a protective arm around Kian, "Let’s go."

"Things are kind of hazy
And my head’s all cloudy inside
And I’ve heard talk of angels
I never thought I’d have one to call mine"

Kian watched as Shane cleaned the restaurant. His stomach still hurt a little, as did his lip, but other than that he felt fine. Thanx to Shane. He smiled, butterflies over filling his stomach as he looked at the brunette. Shane was everything you could ever want in a friend. Smart, funny, caring, kind, forgiving and… cute, good looking, gorgeous. Yes, Kian liked Shane in more ways than friendly ones. Oh how he wished it could be more than friendship…

"Penny for your thoughts…" Kian jumped as Shane’s cheek brushed against his own. He blushed slightly.

"What were you thinking about?" He blushed even more.

"Nothing much."

Shane smiled slyly, "Ok, if you say so… Anyway, do you want to stay the night?"

Kian shrugged, "If I’m not-"

Shane put a hand on Kian’s shoulder, "You’re never in the way Ki. Go call your mum and tell her you’re staying here tonight."

Kian smiled as he got up, "Thank you…"

"Anytime Ki, you’re my best friend you know." Kian smiled as the warm feeling filled his body. Shane was cute, popular and talented… and he had just said Kian was his best friend!

"See you are
Just too good to be true
And I hope
This is not some kind of mirage with you"

They spent the evening watching telly, Friends to be exact. Shane thought it was good to see Kian laughing again, he hadn’t looked too good before.

Shane couldn’t help himself and discretely, or at least he tried to be discreet, slipped an arm around him. Kian tensed at first, then relaxed into the embrace. God, it felt good. He wished he could stay like that forever.

"Room service…" Shane’s mum came into the room with milk and cookies.

Shane smiled, "Thanx mum."

"No problem, now, don’t stay up all night boys."

"We won’t." She smiled and left again. Kian realised that Shane’s arm was still around him. His mum had seen. He looked questioning at him but Shane’s eyes were on the telly.

"Am I dreaming

Am I just imagining you’re here in my life
Am I dreaming
Pinch me to see if it’s real ‘cause my mind can’t decide"

Shane reached for a cookie. "Those ones are delicious, you should try one…" he held it in front of Kian’s mouth.

Kian looked at him, a bit uncertain of what he was being asked to do. The look in Shane’s eyes convinced him and he took a bite out ofthe cookie.

"Nice, innit?" Kian nodded wordlessly as Shane moved closer. He felt as though his heart had all of a suddenly jumped up into his throat and his head was spinning.

Shane reached his hand out. "You got a crumb right… here," he brushed against Kian’s lower lip with his finger. He left it lingering for a while, then traced his lip with the feather light touch.

Kian shivered slightly. Shane took away his hand and leaned forward to place his lips on Kian’s. The kiss was short and soft, the kind that leaves you wanting more. He turned off the telly and stood up, reaching his hand for Kian.

"Let’s go to bed, it’s late."

"Will this last for one night
Or do I have you for a lifetime
Please say that it’s forever
And that it’s not an illusion to my eyes"

Kian was nervous, Shane could feel it as they lay cuddled up under the covers. He kissed his forehead and pulled him closer, running his fingers through the soft blonde hair.

"‘Anyone ever told you you’re beautiful?" Kian shook his head. "Well, I’m telling you now Ki, you’re the most beautiful person I’ve ever known." He could feel Kian smile against his chest.

They lay in silence, until Shane realised that Kian was actually crying. He stroked his back, "Hey, what’s wrong?" Kian kept on crying. "Kian?"

"I’m scared Shane…"

Shane pulled away so he could look at his friend. "Of what?"

"Of this… of us…"

"Why?"

"I, I… I don’t wanna get hurt…"

Shane pulled him close and rocked him. "You won’t get hurt. I promise Kian, I won’t ever hurt you. Trust me." He kissed his hair, "I love you Kian…"

"And I hope
That you don’t run out and disappear
My love, I pray
That it’s not a hoax and it’s for real"

The next morning Shane woke up to find that Kian was gone. He sat abruptly and looked around, his gaze landing on Kian.

He was sitting on the sofa, intense blue eyes fixed on Shane, a smile resting on his lips. "Miss me?"

Shane sighed with relief as Kian got up and sat down beside him.

"You scared me…" Shane mumbled as he accepted Kian’s safe arms around his body.

"Sorry Shay."

"Don’t leave me Kian… don’t ever leave me."

Kian kissed his forehead, "Of course I won’t. Relax babe." Shane sighed happily and rested against Kian’s chest.

"Am I dreaming

Am I just imagining you’re here in my life

Am I dreaming …
Pinch me to see if it’s real

‘Cause my mind can’t decide"

He closed his eyes and listened to Kian’s heart beat. "I love you," Kian finally said.

Shane smiled, "Love you too."

"Good."

Shane laughed, "Mmm…"

"So, what were you saying about that band?"

"I want to start a boy band Kian, please join?"

Kian laughed. "A boyband?! Excuse me Mr Filan, I’m a rocker."

Shane put on his best pleading look, "Please?! Please, please? Pretty please?"

Kian shook his head, "No way. Who do you have in it?"

"Only me and Michael so far… but Kian, please?"

Kian moved from under Shane. "No, ask Graham or something, I don’t want to, k?"

Shane nodded with a sigh, "Okay, okay. I’ll just find someone else."

"Sometimes, sometimes [Sometimes, baby]
I need you to show me, show me that it’s not a mirage [No, baby]
[I need you, I need you, I need you to pinch me]
Pinch me to see if it’s real ‘cause my mind can’t decide [Tell me]"

Hard to believe that just a few years later those two boys would, in fact, be in a boy band. One of the biggest boy bands in the world. The first number one was fantastic. Kian couldn’t believe it…

They both had a good cry, of course. Sitting cuddled up on the sofa in their hotel room at the end of the day they still had tears rolling down their cheeks.

"Pinch me…" Kian said, breathless from all the crying.

"What?"

"Pinch me." Shane rose an eyebrow and gently pinched Kian’s arm. "Ouch."

"Erm, what was that for?"

"I just… you know… can’t believe this is really happening…"

Shane laughed. "Ya deutz! I bet you’re happy I convinced you to join the band?" Kian nodded silently and cuddled closer to steal a kiss.

"Am I dreaming [Am I dreaming, oh, yeah]
Am I just imagining you’re here in my life [You’re here in my life]
Am I dreaming
Pinch me to see if it’s real ‘cause my mind can’t decide"

Yes, Kian was happy. And so was Shane. They got their success. They had each other. And, of course, if the success would start to go down hill, they would still have each other. Of course they would. They will always have each other. Living happily ever after. Seriously. Why? Well, because this story has a happy ending, that’s why!

"Am I dreaming [Dream]
Am I just imagining you’re here in my life
Am I dreaming"