Glitter and Hate

Do You Trust Me

 "I want to stay in the room. You can go." Caleb plopped down on the bed with his legs and arms crossed. He looked so much like the old Caleb that Dyson almost called him pretty boy like he used to but he stopped himself. It was much too soon for that.

"We did that all day yesterday. It's time to go at least for a bit. Plus, we have a place to be in 30 minutes." Dyson said with a quick glance at his phone.

"I don't want to." Caleb shook his head like a stubborn child. Dyson knew that he was just scared but Dyson also knew that they needed to make their appointment.

"Caleb, I have ways of making you do things." Dyson cocked an eyebrow at him and Caleb almost, almost cracked a smile.

Caleb, I have ways of making you do things." Dyson cocked an eyebrow and Caleb blushed but still kept the costume tightly behind his back.

"I've grown up with Ruth as a sister; I know how to get my way. I'm not wearing something with that much glitter." Caleb smiled from ear to ear as he backed up and bumped into the wall. "Shit."

Caleb peered up at Dyson through his hair that was in his eyes. "Don't you dare," Caleb squinted his eyes.

"But, don't I?" Dyson wiggled his eyebrows and stepped slowly towards Caleb. He made sure to not go any faster than a glacier afraid that if he moved too quickly that Caleb would bolt. Dyson leisurely put one hand on the wall to the left of Caleb's head and then his right hand went to Caleb's side and he pinched lightly.

Caleb squealed and shifted trying to getaway. "Stop it! Dyson!" Caleb yelped when Dyson continued to tickle his side. Then as if realizing that it wasn't exactly normal guy friend behavior they both froze. Dyson didn't back up though and Caleb didn't push him away. They just stared into each other's eyes as if hoping their eyes could tell everything that they were feeling; hoping that the other one would admit the truth first.

"Caleb, we need to go." Dyson grabbed Caleb's hand and pulled him up.

Caleb shook his head forcing the memory away. "I told you I don't want to go."

"And I told you that you have to. Now get up or I'll carry you." Dyson smirked.

"We both know you would drop me." Caleb smiled back. Maybe it was the shadow of emotions from that memory, but Caleb felt like smiling and going out or the sort of high he had been feeling since telling Adrian about the kiss.

"Says the clumsiest person the world has ever known," Dyson rolled his eyes.

"Where are we going?" Caleb asked as he got up and pulled on his shoes.

"It's a surprise," Dyson said and moved to put his hand at Caleb's back out of the old habit that he thought he had lost. He wasn't hurt, much, when Caleb stepped out of reach. He at least didn't yell at him or vomit which was progress.

"As long as it's nothing crazy, I'm in." Caleb smiled again and for the first time in months, Dyson saw happiness reach Caleb's eyes. It made him want to shout for joy and at the same time cry. Finally, Caleb was allowing himself to feel again.

"You're beautiful," Dyson whispered with the reverence that was usually reserved for only the holiest of places.

Caleb blushed then frowned when he looked down at his arms. When he looked up with sorrow filled eyes Dyson still saw the beauty because he was at least letting himself feel and sadness came hand in hand with joy. Caleb had taught him that. If Caleb could admit that he was broken he could be fixed.

"We both know that's not true." Caleb finally said and opened the door.

"No, Caleb, I actually know that it is one of the truest things I've ever said," Dyson said to the empty room because he knew Caleb wasn't ready to hear that. It would probably hurt him more than help. Caleb wasn't in the position to believe in compliments, but soon he would be. Or at least Dyson would get him used to hearing them again. It had always been a big part of their friendship.