Foster Child.

The following week had gone by quickly, one of the quickest and most confusing he had ever experienced before. Frank had finally talked to him on Wednesday, well, he grunted. But Bob convinced himself that it was a happy grunt at his extremely funny joke.

His favourite subject so far was Photography, which he took with Michael on Wednesdays and Fridays. He couldn't help but enjoy taking photos of the gorgeous brunette and try to convince him that he looked amazing. The self conscious teenager wasn't having any of it, though, and constantly mocked Bob in a voice so unlike his own which left them both laughing hysterically and clutching at their sides.

On the third morning of school, Bob finally felt accepted. Ray crashed into him, wrapping his arms around Bob and squealed the name 'Bobby-Bum' affectionately into his ear. While the others all smiles and echoed words of greeting. Frank had even managed another grunt.

It was at dinner on Thursday night when things finally slowed down. As the whole Way family sat down to eat dinner at the large oak table, Donna opened her mouth to drop a bombshell on Bob.

"Bob, I understand you've only been here a week, but since your arrival was so unexpected, and we have time to make other plans for Gerard and Mikey's grandmother, I'm afraid I'm going to have to ask too much of you," Donna said quickly, rambling on.

"The boys' grandmother is coming to stay with us for a night on Saturday and I'm afraid I'm going to need the guest room. The room you're currently sleeping in. But if that's too much of an inconvenience, I could always ask one of the boys to sleep on the couch and she can take one of their beds-"

Bob cut her off, not wishing to put her through any more discomfort after all she had done for him. "Of course, completely understandable. Where would you like me to sleep instead?"

Donna looked relieved, "Well, I was thinking that the boys' have a spare bed in their room, perhaps you could make use of that space?"

Bobs smile fell slightly. He enjoyed Michael's company to an extent, and Gerard had been as welcoming as he could, but he certainly did not want to be sharing the same space as them for the majority of the day. He wanted his own personal space, a place to get away from it all, from all the craziness. Not only was sharing space an issue, but he had heard what the Way brothers got up to in their spare time, and he certainly didn't want to interrupt or worse, be asked to participate. He almost shuddered at the thought.

Bob quickly snapped out of his train of thought when he realised everyone's eyes were on him, waiting for a response.

"If you want your own space for longer, that can be arranged also?" She chuckled to herself, "I know how these two can be." She elbowed Gerard gently and continued chuckling until her warm laugh, probably the most sincere one Bob had heard since arriving, was frozen by Gerard's icy glare. Bob saw Michael in his peripheral vision, choking on his spaghetti in amusement.

"I don't mind sharing," Bob quickly replied, desperate to interrupt the awkward silence that had blanketed itself on the table.

"Brilliant! I'm sure Gerard and Mikey would be happy to help you move your stuff tonight." The fake smile was back on her face.

Michael and Gerard happily ignored her. Her fake smile faltered.

*

After dinner that night Bob gathered all of his belongings into his bags, happy that he had not bothered to unpack much yet, and attempted to haul the bags down the stairs. Gerard and Michael, after hearing the heavy thumps, went to go and assist him.

Gerard opened the door dramatically, before pushing Bob inside. Bob opened his mouth in shock at the room, the only other time he had caught a glimpse of the room was when he had looked through a crack in the door and even then, he only saw a bit of a bed. Though now, he could take in the massive space Gerard and Michael called their room. The massive room held three queen sized four poster beds, each with heavy black curtains and black sheets. Two of the beds had been pushed close together, and the other was on the far side of the room. He assumed the latter would be his bed.

There was a large white rug in the middle of the room and two bookcases which ran from the floor to the roof, each of them stacked with a variety of books from Shakespeare to Harry Potter. Near Gerard and Michael's bed there was a vanity, crammed with makeup of all types and other beautifying products. Next to the vanity was a high tech looking computer and a bunch of computer games of all types. The only thing left in the room was a door on the opposite side of the room, leading to what Bob assumed was a bathroom.

Gerard smirked happily at Bob's reaction and went to put his suitcase at the end of the bed Bob had assumed was his. Michael followed shortly, mimicking Gerard's actions with another suitcase. An awkward silence enveloped the room as Bob continued to take in his surroundings. Bob had a strange feeling he was intruding in a place in which he was not welcome, but if that was the case, the Way brothers did not show it.

"Uh.. Thanks for helping with my bags, I might go down and feed my kitten."

Gerard swallowed and nodded, looking distracted, while Michael just started at his nails rather intently.

Walking out of the room as fast as he could, he made his way to the laundry where his new kitten was living until she was toilet trained. He sat down on the laundry floor, his back to the door and waited for the kitten to come to him. He didn't want to scare the poor thing since it was still getting used to it's surroundings. A bit like him, he supposed.

As the kitten slowly edged forward with the temptation of food, Bob allowed his mind to wander. A year ago he had been more alone than he had thought possible. But he had the comfort of his own room, and was allowed to do whatever he pleased as long as it didn't inconvenience his family in any way. They encouraged him to stay as far away from them when they found out.

He suppressed a shudder at the thought of that night. He had always stupidly believed that his once loving family would have respected his privacy enough to not go through his things, let alone his journal. He thought they would never find out his biggest secret, and most importantly, trusted them enough not to inform others. Bob was still suffering from his mistakes.

The kitten had reached Bob's knee and was purring softly, almost cautiously. Bob held out a hand and stroked her thick black fur.

"I think I like the name Ebony." He smiled at her fondly. "And I think you and I are going to become great friends."

Bob spent another hour with the kitten, enjoying watching her become more and more confident with him, and then slowly made his way back up to his new room.

*

Just like the day before, Bob heard hushed voices coming from inside the room, and was torn between making his presence known or allowing the two brothers to continue their obviously private conversation. Not wanting to overhear something he wasn't meant to, he decided to make himself know. Taking two steps forward, he hesitated with his hand on the door knob. He overheard two sentences before opening the door fully.

"It - It's just bringing back bad memories."

"I know, Michael. But we'll get through it, babe. Give it a day or two and you'll get used to it."

As the door creaked open, both brothers looked up in shock and jumped off the bed guiltily from where Bob assumed they had been hugging.

"Robert! Fancy seeing you here again! Any plans for the rest of the night?" Michael smiled up at him from the bed, his face devoid of any other emotion.

"Uh, no. Can't say I do," Bob replied hesitantly, not wanting to be rude after their obviously tender moment.

"Karaoke!" Bob squealed in delight.

Bob just smiled politely as he was dragged downstairs and into the living room with the Way brothers. Gerard browsed through several CD racks happily, before selecting one which he apparently deemed worthy enough.

"It'll be Rent. He always chooses Rent," Michael whispered, his mouth just centimetres away from Bob's ear. Bob suppressed a shudder.

Sure enough, seconds later the opening bars of 'I'll Cover You' was playing and Gerard was pulling Michael to his feet while simultaneously thrusting a microphone into his hand.

Gerard winked at Michael before starting to sing.

"Live in my house, I'll be your shelter. Just pay me back with one thousand kisses. Be my lover, and I'll cover you." Gerard's voice rose above the music and flowed like warm chocolate. Bob couldn't help but be mesmerised.

"Open your door, I'll be your tenant. Don't got much baggage to lay at your feet. But sweet kisses I've got to spare, I'll be there and I'll cover you." Michael joined in, his voice similar to Gerard's but lower and not as confident.

"I think they meant it when they said you can't buy love, now I know you can rent it a new lease you are my love, on life. Be my life." Their voices complimented each other as they joined in together for the chorus.

"I've longed to discover something as true as this is"

"So with a thousand sweet kisses, (If you're cold and you're lonely), I'll cover you. With a thousand sweet kisses, (You've got one nickel only), I'll cover you.
(With a thousand sweet kisses), When you're worn out and tired, (I'll cover you). (With a thousand sweet kisses), When your heart has expired, (I'll cover you).

"Oh, lover. I'll cover you..."

Both boys finished the song panting and staring into each other's eyes as if they were physically unable to tear them away.

Gerard and Michael had seemingly forgotten about Bob as they stood, captivated with each other. Bob couldn't help but look on in amazement at the warmth in both of their eyes.

He couldn't help but dream about someone looking at him in a similar way one day.