Chapter 31

It was the middle of the night, Fergie and Tor woke up with a jolt, their cover on the floor, both of them shivering.

"Sorry." Fergie whispered, "Bad dream."

"I know." Tor muttered, kissing him softly. He got up to find their blanket, and wandered unthinkingly over to the window. "Hey look, look at all the stars."

Following him, Fergie got up, and, slipping his arms around Tor's waist, stared out of the window. "Make a wish."

Seiji woke up to find Art's arm wrapped tightly around him. He was grateful for the older boy�s warmth, as a freezing November wind was blowing in through the open window.

�Stupid, gay albino,� he muttered as he struggled free of Art�s grip to go and shut the window.

�Stupid, gay, vegetarian albino,� Art corrected, muttering sleepily. He half opened one eye and looked up at Seiji. �What did I do now?�

�Your random obsession with opening windows, even in the middle of winter.� Seiji laughed softly as he crawled back into the warmth of Art�s bed, and his arms.

�Don�t you think it�s nice though?� Art�s gentle hand brushed a lock of hair out of Seiji�s eyes. �I mean, spending a few years in an eight by six cell makes you appreciate the wind.�

�Art?� Seiji grinned, �I spent over three years in an eight by six cell with you, and I�m not sick of you�yet.� He added, laughing. �And I do love the wind, but not at fucking,� he glanced at his watch, �half past six in the morning.�

�Hey Seiji?� Art muttered, kissing Seiji�s frozen skin. �Did you just say you weren�t sick of me?�

�Mmmm� agreed Seiji, lulled by the warmth of Art�s breath on his skin. �Never sick of you.� He smiled.

�Awww, bless.� Art�s fingers traced the smile on Seiji�s lips, �You are the sweetest kid on this planet.� He grinned, before kissing his boyfriend, his hands sliding down Seiji�s muscled body.

They were interrupted by a knock on the door.

�Uh, who is it?� Art asked tentatively, afraid of being caught with Seiji.

�Only me.� Andi whispered, �Can I come in?�

�Uh sure.� Art answered, but only after checking that the bedclothes were covering certain parts of his and Seiji�s anatomy.

�Um Art?� Andi asked, tring to ignore the boy who had his arms around the waist of her colleague.

�Yeah?�

�I know it�s early, but we need to start getting stuff ready before the parents arrive. I thought I�d give you a wake up call.�

�Gee, thanks.� Muttered Art sarcastically, only to be jabbed in the ribs by Seiji, who actually had a lot of respect for Andi.

Andi turned to go, and then stopped. �And Art?�

�Yes?�

�It�s kind of hard to ignore the fact that you�re naked in bed with a student.� She carried on, ignoring the sniggers from Art. �A message from Sir: He requests that any displays of,� she giggled slightly, �affection, between you and Seiji must be kept strictly behind closed doors, none of the parents must know. Ok?�

�Yes miss.� Art chanted sardonically.

On the way down the corridor, Art was stopped by Fergie.

�Um Art?� he asked nervously.

�Yeah?�

�Can I ask you a favour?�

Art shrugged, �Sure, what?�

�Um,� Fergie blushed slightly, and stared intently at the floor, ashamed of what he was about to ask. �What ever my David, my step-da, whatever he says, whatever he does, can you just not interfere, yeah? I know it might look like you can help, but you can�t. It�d just make things worse.�

Art reached out a hand to Fergie�s cheek, shocked that the boy who usually craved for his touch, barely even seemed to notice. �You do know you, or I, could call social services, don�t you?�

Fergie laughed, a hollow, bitter laugh. �Don�t think I haven�t already thought of that one. Because he�s my step-dad, they�d probably take me, and maybe Tor, away from him. Which would only mean he�d do it to my step-sister, or worse, my sister.�

Art placed a gentle kiss on the boy�s forehead. �A true martyr then.�

Fergie grinned, �You�ll meet Frankie, Frances, my little sister today. Then you�ll figure why.�

Fergie slipped back inside the dorm, and into his brother�s arms. �Yeah, he�s promised.� He smiled.

�Caley?� Tor whispered.

�Yeah?�

�Love you.�

A few minutes later, Seiji returned (with trousers on now) and climbed into his own, cold, un-slept in bed. He shivered, and longed for Art�s strong, protective hold, dreading the day ahead of him like so many of his peers, and knowing, that worst of all, he would have to face it alone.

Raven woke up, just in time to see Alex leaving the dorm. She climbed down the ladder of her bunk and, shivering grabbed one of Matt's jumpers. Pulling it on over her nighty (Matt's t-shirt) she followed Alex out.

She caught up with him in the common room, grabbing him by the waist, and holding him close. "What's the matter?" She asked, whispring softly.

"Nothing"

"Liar." Raven headbutted him gently, "You're scared of something."

Alex shrugged, "My mum, she," he frowned, trying to find the best words, "She isn't the best of people. She drinks far too much, all the time and, and" he paused, not knowing how to go on.

Raven smiled, buring her face in his chest, "And you're not sure if you want to see her or not?"

"Precisely." Alex smiled, flopping into a chair, and pulling Raven onto his lap. "I don't want her to come, because she'll embarass me, but I do want her to come, because I want to see her, and" he faltered, wandering whether to go on or not, "and it means she hasn't topped herself yet." he finished finally.

"You know what you should do?" Murmered Raven, snuggling against his strong body. "You should think of it differently."

"Think of it differently?" Alex repeated, confused.

"Yeah, If she comes, you've got to be think well that's good, because I wanted to see her and if she doesn't come, just think well atleast she didn't embarass me"

"So basically, I should just be optimistic?"

"Yeah," Raven grinned up at him, "I love how you always know the proper words."

Alex grinned back, "Even so, you're much better at explaining them that I am."

For a moment, they sat, silent. She, relaxing into his althletic body. He, wrapping his strong arms around her delicate frame.

It was Alex who broke the silence, "Raven?"

"Yeah?"

"Why do you always wear Matt's clothes?" He asked, pulling at the jumper which was miles too big for her.

"I don't, well, I do, but only in bed." She giggled softly. "That doesn't sound too good. It's a long story basically."

Alex grinned, "We have time."

"Well, I used to wear Eagles clothes in bed, cause I hate pajamas, so I just used to nick his old t-shirts, and then when we were about 12 or so, Matty turned up. And you know Matt practically lives at our house?"

"I didn't but I do now."

"Yeah, his parent's kind of hate him." Raven dismissed the remark, "and so he basically lives with us, and his and Eagle's clothes get mixed up, all the time, so I ended up wearing his aswell. Anyway, so since Eagle's started going to school here - I'm guessing now maybe it was Art's influence on him? - Anyway, he's become a lot more fashion consious, and he doesn't let me wear his clothes anymore, so....I just wear Matty's." She laughed, "The End."

"So I'm guessing Matt's parents won't be turning up today then?"

"No, Matty would like them too, but we all know they wont."

"Your parent's coming?"

Raven nodded, "Mum. Don't have a dad."

Alex raised his eyebrows in question

"Well, I do, but he has new kids now. New wife, new family."

"Awww poor Raven." Alex hugged her tightly, kissing her hair.

"It's ok." Raven grinned, her hand reaching out to touch Alex's face, "I have new Alex."

By 9 o'clock, all the kids were downstairs, in the common room, waiting for their parents to arrive, and dreading it.

"Hey Ally?" Mikey grinned at his friend, "Are our parents coming together?"

"Probably...you know what they're like."

"Right." Andi grinned as she came down the stairs, "Lets have a look at you all."

Suspiciously, they alll lined up. Andi walked up and down the line. "Hmmm, well, some of you look like right scruffbags, but, I suppose you'll do." She turned towards the stairs, as Art thundered down them, two at a time. "Art?" She frowned, "Where's your tie?"

"No fair. None of them are wearing ties." Art gestured to the L6. "It's in my pocket."

Andi laughed, "You are hopeless. You have to look vaguely respectable, put it on, now."

Art scowled, but did as he was told, as Andi was beginning to look a little pissed off.

They filed outside, as the parents started to arrive. Before long, there was a little squeal of delight from Raven, and a "Mummy!"

Matt turned, and grinned shyly at Eagle, and the two of them sprinted over to the woman, hugging her tightly.

"Hello my dears." Mrs Yue smiled, a wonderful, friendly smile. "How are you all? Did you have a good term?"

"Yeah, it's so cool here." Raven babbled. "I've met loads of really cool new people, and the teachers are really nice, and Eagle looks after me, so don't worry. And Matt was friends with bad people, but now he's friends with us again. Aren't you Matt?" She grinned up at him

Mrs Yue raised her eyebrows at Matt, "Bad people called Ariadne?"

Eagle frowned, "How do you know that?"

Another heart warming smile, "Because Matty is the only one out of the three of you who ever bothers to write to me."

"Me and Eagle draw you pictures though." Raven stammered, her eyes brimming with tears.

Angela smiled, wrapping an arm around her daughter's shoulders. "And very nice pictures you draw too. Now who's this Alex?"

At the mention of Alex's name Raven's face lit up. "I'll go get him, he can come and meet you. I think he'd like that."

As she ran off, Angela noticed Eagle, gazing at Matt, a faint smile on his lips. "And how's my Eagle?" She asked, glancing pointedly at Matt, knowing how hard this term must have been for Eagle.

"I'm good." Eagle grinned, "Really good."

Alex was being dragged across the playground be Raven, "My mummy wants to meet you."

"Ok, ok Ray, I'll meet your mum, but can you not pull my arm off." Alex laughed.

Raven stopped, "Sorry." She gazed at the floor, truly remorseful.

Alex grinned, she really was adorable. Wrapping his arms around her, he brushed a stray strand of hair out of her eyes. "That's ok."

Raven grinned up at him, delighting in the warmth of his body against hers, her brown eyes brimmed full of love.

Alex laughed out of sheer joy, and took her by the hand, "Now lets you meet your mum, before your brother tells me off, for even looking at you."

Raven giggled as they walked together, "Don't be silly, Eagle wouldn't do that."

"Wouldn't do what?" Eagle asked,

Alex grinned, "Tell me off for looking at your sister."

Eagle grinned, "No, of course not." Then, for a second his face was mock serious, "You weren't though, were you? Cause if you were I'll kill you."

Both boys laughed.

Raven tugged her mother on the sleeve, interrupting her conversation with Matt. "Mummy, meet Alex."

Angela turned to meet the boy, standing shyly before her, and held out a hand. "How do you do." She said, laughter sparkling in her eyes.

"Nice to meet you Mrs Yue." Alex muttered, blushing bright crimson.

"It's Angela." Angela smiled, he seemed like such a lovely boy.

Eagle turned to Matt, hands pressed to his mouth, "Awwwwww. I've never seen Alex be so cute."

Matt rolled his eyes, "He's Raven's and you mustent steal him."

"Oh Matty." Eagle laughed, roughly hugging the younger boy. "You're the only man for me."

Instead of lauhging back, Matt turned away, gazing into the distance, an incurable ache in his heart.

"ASSSSHHHH!" Came a rather high pitched squeal across the playground. Running towards the kids was a woman, in a long flowing hippy style skirt, long, bright blue hair, really high heels and loads of glitter. She grabbed Ash and hugged him tightly, "Oh Ash! Ash my sweetie, how are you?" She had the amazing talent of being able to speak in italics.

Ash grinned, and in true Ash style squealed back, "Hello mummy!" He laughed, hugging the woman. "How are you? How's Anastasia?"

"Oh Anastasia came with me!" Ash's mother turned and started yelling across the playground, "Anastasia! Anastasia come and say hello to your brother."

From nowhere appeared a girl, hair died black, hacked short. Ripped jeans, very definately boy's jeans hung off her hips, a black, ripped t-shirt showing off the skull belly button bar in her stomach. "My name is Anna" she scowled as she sauntered across the playground. If anyone was ever the exact opposite of Ash, it would have to be Anna.

"Anastasia!" Ash squealed and hugged his sister closely.

"Ugh, get off me, freak." She muttered, pulling away from him. She glanced around at all his friends, and her eyes rested on Seiji. "Seiji, mate....................... 'sup?"

Seiji shrugged, "............Stuff."

Anna nodded in agreement".......................Sound."

"Ooooh Oooooh OOoooh!" Ash squealed breaking the monosylabic conversation, "You KNOW each other."

"Ashley." Anna turned to him, "Turn the volume down. And yes I know The Kid. Who doesn't?"

Art suddenly appeared, "The Kid? Haven't heard that name in a while." He grinned sliding an arm around Seiji's. Suddenly he remembered he wasn't supposed to and snatched it away, hoping no-one niticed.

Anna raised her eyebrows, "You Art?"

Art nodded.

Anastasia turned to her brother, "Ash! You know Art and the Kid? And you didn't SAY!"

"Are they important? Ooooh!" Ash squealed, yet again, he was very high pitched on this particular day. "Do you all have secret codenames, that's why Seiji's called the kid?"

In the distance there was the sound of a helicopter. Satu gazed up into the sky and saw the "Satu Kaida Corperations" logo on the side. He smiled to himself, walking across to the helicopter as it landed, touching down only breifly before a small boy practically flew out of the door and into his big brother's arms "OH SATU!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!! I've missed you big brother. I love you big brother."

Satu smiled benificantly, "I've missed you too Mokie."

Mokie stared up at his big brother, his big brown eyes filling with tears, just one single solitary drop spilling over and rolling down his cheek. "It's horrid without you big brother. I want you to come home."

Satu thought about it, for just a fraction of a second, before saying. "Ok little Mokie, I'll take you home." He picked up his laptop, which he of course had with him, turning back to the rest of the students. "Get them to send my stuff on will you? Goodbye."

Mokie grabbed hold of his big brother's hand, swinging it "Oh big brother Satu, I love you so much, when I die, I want to die in your arms."

As they climbed into the helecopter, Satu grinned and said, "Come on Mokie, lets take you home and put you to bed."

"Oh Seto"

Ally and Mikey walked over to see their parents, both of them hugging their mothers, Ally shaking his dad by the hand. "Hey dad."

Phillip Richards frowned slightly, he'd just noticed Art slipping his arm aroud Seiji's waist. "Who's that bloke, the pale freak."

To his own suprise, Ally didn't laugh, he liked insulting Art, but other people insulting him, that was different. "That's Art, he's our head of year."

Phillip raised his eyebrows, "You have a poofter as your head of year? What the fuck is he going to be teaching you, how to suck?" He arrogantly laughed at his own joke, "although most of your year look like they are."

Ally laughed, feeling like a judas, "Yeah, they are."

Alex felt his phone vibrating in his pocket, turning away from the rest of the group, he picked it up and hit answer. "Hi, Alex Madoc."

"Hi." The voice came over, it was a man, a little crackly over the bad phonline, "It's Jeff, Jeff the paramedic."

Alex's heart sank, he knew what was coming. "Hi Jeff, I'm guessing Mum asked you to call."

"Yeah, she left a note this time, saying to call you and say sorry. Nothing else."

"It's parent's visiting day at school, she was probably sorry for not coming." Alex tried to smile, forcing back the tears choking him. "What was it this time?"

"Um," Jeff thought about it for a second, "I really shouldn't tell you, but you are next of kin, so, it was painkillers, again."

Alex nodded, trying to be adult about it, "Yeah, that's her favourite at the moment. I take it she's ok?"

"Yeah. Having her stomach pumped right at this very minute. She'll be in psychiatric for a month or so, is that ok?"

"Yeah, I'm at shcool until the start of December, so it shouldn't be a problem. Will she be out for christmas?",

"Dunno." Jeff bit his lip, the poor kid, having to put up with a crazy mother like that, "Depends how well she gets on."

"Ok, well, thanks Jeff. I'm sure I'll see you again before long."

"Wait, Alex." Jeff stopped him hanging up, "Is there some-one there with you. I mean, a friend or someone."

For the first time, Alex did genuinly smile, faintly, but ti was a proper smile, "Yeah, my girlfriend's here."

"Ok. See you Alex."

"Bye." Alex hung up, slipping the phone back in his pocket. He put his head in his hands, gently massaging his temples, clenching his jaw. He knew she would do this, he knew, but no, he too bit his lip, fighting back the tears, it wasn't her fault, she was ill. He fought against the tears, tears of pain, anger, fear and sadness, he mustn't let the guys see him cry. He feircly brushed away the one tear that had escaped, and as he did, he felt arms slipping around his waist. Turning to face her he smiled, and kissed her softly. "Oh Ray, whatever would I do without you?"

Raven grinned and headbutted him in the stomach, "You don't have to be without me though, I'm here. Is your mum not coming then?"

Alex shook his head, "No, she's in hospital again."

Raven hugged him tighter, "Poor Alex, I'm sure she'll be fine." She looked up at him her brown eyes filling with genuine tears, "She will won't she?"

Alex nodded, "Yeah. And so will I. I've got you."

Raven took him by the hand, "Come on, for today you can share mine and Eagle's mummy."

Alex grinned, "Well I don't know about sharing your mum, but I want to come and talk to her some more, she's really nice."

"It's ok, Matt shares her too."

Alex thought about this for a second, "Yeah, he does. Why does he?"

Angela grabbed her son's hand and pulled him to one side. "How's my Eagle?" she asked.

Eagle grinned, "Good, me and Matty are friends again."

"Are you ok with Matt being at the same school as you?"

Eagle shrugged, "Sort of. I like it that I can see him all the time, but I hate it too. Because we're just friends, and he's so close, I mean, he sleeps on the same bunkbed as me. I can look down and see him asleep at night, and," He blushed slightly, "You know how I feel about Matt, and I wish he was mine."

Angela smiled at her son, "I'm sure things will work out between the two of you. Just tell him how you feel."

"I do, but he always thinks I'm joking, and he keeps on mucking around, and, I can't just tell him. Oh it's awful. I love him so much."

"I know." Angela sighed, she wished she could intefere, but she shouldn't.

Angela caught Matt on his own, just for a second.

"I take it they didn't want to come." Matt said, staring downcast at the floor.

She put a friendly arm around his shoulders, "Oh Matty, I'm sorry. I did remind them."

Matt shrugged, "It's ok." He grinned at her, "I've got you. That's much better."

Angela laughed, she'd always think of Matt as her own son, he practically was anyway. "And how's my Matty been this term?"

"Awful." Matt sighed, "I, well, you know all about what happened with Ariadne, and I only did it, I did it to make him jealous, 'cause, he's so happy here, and he's got..." he faltered, realising what he was about to say couold get a lot of people into trouble.

"I know about Art Matt."

"Yeah, well he's got Art, and, I wish it was me. It's awful," Matt's eyes started to fill up with tears. "Every day, all the time, he's asking me if I'll go out with him, and he's only joking, and what he doesn't realise is that I want to say yes. I hate the way he messes with my feelings."

"Oh Matty," Angela reached up a hand and brushed the tear from Matt's cheek, "He doesn't mean to hurt you. I know that. He does love you."

"Yeah." Matt scowled angrily, "He loves me as a friend." For the first time he met her eyes, "But that's not how I love him."

Fergie and Tor stood, Fergie chewing his nails, trying to hide his fear. In the distance, they saw their mother, holding their little sister's hand, their step sister beside them, and no sign of David.

Fergie grinned and his brother, and rand towards them, all fears forgotton.

On seeing her favourite big brother, Frankie giggled, and started to run towards him.

Laughing, feeling like something out of a cheesy movie, Fergie picked her up, swinging her round. Grinning at her laughter, he held her on one hip, kissing her forhead. "And how's my favourite girl in the whole world?" He asked.

Frankie grinned. "I'm favourite girl. Aren't I?"

"Yep." Fergie walked over to his mother, hugging her with his free arm, "How are you?"

"I'm fine."

"Where's David?"

"He's parking the car." She looked apologetic, "I'm afraid he's had a little bit to drink."

Fergie frowned, "And you let him drive?"

By this time Tor had joined them. "Hey mam." He grinned. "Kathy." He hugged his step-sister, something Fergie had pointedly not done.

By some weird sixth sense, Fergie sensed the figure coming up the driveway before he saw him. He felt the gentle comfort of Tor's hand against his cheek, before the nightmare of his childhood returned.

"Well well well Fergal." Davids horrid, creaky voice said.

"David." Fergie replied curtly.

"Who exactly gave you permission to hold my daughter?"

"Sorry." Fergie blushed slightly, ashamed of his weakness, and put his half-sister down. He instantly regretted it, as, as soon as Frankie was out of the way, David's fist came slamming into his face, catching his cheek and nearly knocking him sideways with it's force.

David grinned, "Did you miss me?" Without waiting for Fergie's reply, David hugged his other step-son. "Hello Tor." The voice had changed, it was nicer, friendlier. "Did you have a good half term?"

Tor nodded. Silently hating himself. "Yeah, this school's great."

David grinned, and turned to Fergie. "Do you like your new school Fergal?"

Fergie nodded. "Yes."

Again, David's fist came flying, this time hitting Fergie's stomach. Fergie clenched his jaw, struggling to stay upright, but managing.

"That's 'Yes thank-you'"

"Yes thank-you" Fergie muttered, but not without an insolent glare.

David smirked slightly. "I missed you too." he said sarcastically.

Fergie said nothing, staring at the floor in shame.

"Oh Fergal!" David laughed, his hand stroking Fergie's cheek, "You ashamed that all your friends see you for the stupid poofter you really are!"

Fergie turned his face away, hating his stepfather, but all his fighting spirit gone - years ago.

For a while, he stood, while his "happy" family chattered around him, before his spirits were suddenly lifted, by a strong voice , "Fergal Caley Nolan!" booming across the playground, in a thick Dublin accent "Get your sexy Irish arse over here this minute."

Fergie grinned, "UNCLE SEAN!" He yelled, legging it across the playground into his uncle's arms.

"Hello Caley," Sean grinned, trapping his nephew in a huge bear hug.

"David's a bastard." Fergie muttered, burying his face in Sean's jumper.

Sean place a rough kiss on the top of his nephews head, "We did already know that though."

Fergie felt Sean's gentle hand underneath his chin, lifting his face. He looked into his uncle's sparkling eyes, and had to grin.

"Now," Sean laughed, "I want to meet this sexy art teacher."

"No!" Fergie squealed, "You can't tell anyone I think that, I'm friends with his boyfriend, that would just be awful."

Sean frowned slightly, "How old's his boyfriend?"

Fergie's hand flew to his mouth, "He's my age, and you mustn't tell anyone, cause it's strictly against all the rules and everything. But they are a really cute couple."

Sean's coarse fingers brushed against Fergie's cheek, "Are you alright? I mean really alright?"

Fergie shrugged, "I miss Rory, a hell of a lot, but I always have done. And Tor's spending all his time with Mara."

"That his new girlfriend?"

Fergie nodded

"The one you slept with?"

Fergie blushed a bright crimson to the very tips of his ears, making his uncle roar with laughter. "It's OK Caley," Sean laughed, "We all make mistakes occasionally."

Fergie laughed, "She'd go mental if you told her she was a mistake."

Sean grinned, "I might just have to."

"You are incourigable." Fergie shook his head at his uncle."

"Ooh!" Sean laughed as he took Fergie's hand, starting to walk across the playground to where the other kids were. "Learnt all your fancy english words at your fancy english school eh?"

Fergie laughed again, his broken spirits lifted completely by the arrival of his favourite uncle.

Tor grinned, delighted to see his twin happy again, for however short a time. He too ran to his uncle.

"Tor!" Sean cried, grabbing Tor in a hug, and kissing his head.

"Don't kiss me." Tor furiously batted his uncle away, aware of all his peers around him, thinking they were all watching him. (They weren't, but doesn't one always think this when relatives are being embarrassing?)

Sean laughed his great booming laugh again and kissed Tor once more, just to annoy him.

Leaving his two nephews Sean went over and hugged his ex-sister-in-law. Sean felt sorry for Cathy, she probably did love his brother, and, like him, hadn't seen him in 16 years. "Hey Kath."

"...rine" added David, "She's called Cathrine."

Sean turned to David, scowling. "Oh shut up you stupid little worm."

With everyone who's parent's were likely to turn up arrived Art and Andi gathered everyone to sit in the cricle of chairs they had already put out. Art carefully sat himself a few seats away from Seiji, where he couldn't quite see him, he was just too tempting..

"So!" Andi clapped her hands together, smiling brightly to cover her nervousness. She felt really akward, she knew the parents of the children at this school tended to be slightly eccentric, but this year's were just bloody odd.

Art saw her struggling and decided to step in and save her. "Hi!" he grinned, staring at Fergie, for two reasons, one: he reckoned Fergie wouldn't totally freak him out, and two: he felt Fergie needed the most moral support. "I'm the L6 head of year, my name is Art Tevelen, but I tend to let the kids call me Art, because, uh, I teach art."

"Ooooh!" Ash's mother squealed with laughter "That is such a co-incidence."

Art rolled his eyes at Seiji, grinning at him, before carrying on talking to the parents. "And I'm probably the teacher your kids see the most, um, for various reasons." He ignored the sniggers from some of the kids, and tried to ignore the temptation to snigger himself, "And so if you have any questions, you can ask me, uh, now."

Sean leant across and whispered faintly in Fergie's ear, "Is that him?"

Turning slightly red, and hoping no-one had heard, Fergie, almost imperceptably, nodded.

Sean grinned, "He is hot." he murmered.

Tor screwed his eyes up tight, eternally embarrassed by Sean.

"I have a question." Ally laughed.

Art raised his eyebrows, it was Ally, so it probably wasn't going to be a clean question, "A question you can ask infront of your parents?"

Ally shrugged, "Most adults know about, um," he coughed, "this kind of stuff."

Laughing, Art rolled his eyes, "Is it something you could ask infront of Raven?"

All the kids laughed, and Ally shook his head, grinning at Art.

"Well ask me some other time then." Art laughed, "Because I'm sure it's not entirely relevant. Are there any sensible questions? Feedback from you guys?"

"Um?" Ash put his hand up, "Did you find out anymore about the new kids?"

Art shrugged, "I know the guy is called Marcus and he's really hot, but apart from that, no, sorry."

Seiji rolled his eyes, gazing at Art, proud of him for taking control but at the same time hating him for ignoring him, even though it wasn't his fault. Absent midedly he slipped a knife out of his sleeve and started using the blade to clean his fingernails.

Out of the corner of his eye, Art saw the glint of the knife blade, and knew instantly was Seiji was doing.

"Sei?" he said firmly, struggling not to add 'baby' on the end.

Seiji looked up, looking totally unimpressed, "Yeah?"

"Can I talk to you inside for a moment."

Seiji shrugged, acting like a sulky teenager, and trying not to eagerly run inside.

They second they were inside the building Art grabbed Seiji by the hand and pulled him out of sight, hugging him close. "Sei," he muttered into the younger boy's hair, this time adding the "baby." He buryied a kiss in Seiji's hair, "Sorry I have to ignore you, yeah? But it's hell for me aswell."

"mmmmm" Seiji muttered into Art's shirt, "I know."

"And I know parent's day possibly isn't the best day for you, probably more than anyone, but" Art gazed into Seiji's bright green eyes, "I am here for you, and if you find it's getting too much, just let me know."

"Mmmm" muttered Seiji, not really listening, mesmerised by Art's gaze. He slipped his hand around the older boy's neck, and kissed him, relishing in the delight as their lips melted together.

Art slipped a gentle hand underneath Seiji's shirt, snaking aroud his waist, "You are utterly adorable," he whispered in the boy's ear. "But we have to go back."

"Awww," Seiji scowled, "I wanna stay here, with you."

Art grinned, I want us to stay too, but we can't. We have to go back, and you have to look like you've been told off."

"I know." Seiji stood on the tips of his toes, and placed a gentle kiss on Art's cheek.