Authors notes: Thanks so much for the comments guys. I really like this chapter, we kinda get a look at what Chester and Mike were both like when they were young ^^, Anyhoo hope y'all enjoy.

Lady Shinoda: Aw I liked Crank but I like Jason what's his name, he's cool. Yeah both men are blind as hell XP Glad you like Joe and hope you like this chp Vixenla: I wanted a kinda instigator between the two so Joe plays that part XP Glad you like him. Rob?...I don't wanna ruin it but...next chapter XP TYshangshan: Glad you liked it hun! Joe's pretty smart and Rob? Aw...I really don't wanna give him away at all. Yeah Chester is afraid of thunder, I quite like this next chapter actually, hope you do too hun Vampire Princess: You're welcome hun :3 I actually updated my other fic to this took longer XP NalaNyaSilmaRyl: Yeah Joe is gonna be nice in this. I LOVE Joe so I wanted to make him nice! Rob, yeah he's an ass but....Damn! I ain't giving anything away. lplover22: Thank hun! Joe? Yeah he's a sweetie and people were so suspicious of him XP Rob? So many people don't like him. Hope you like this chapter hun :) DarkestOfShadows: Chester getting a clue? Yeah but he's too nervous that everyone else is wrong. Chester in this actually doesn't have that much confidence in himself in that way. Hope you like this hun Drakanaa Byzanthum: Rob, yeah he thinks Mike is replacing him. Brad? Well he doesn't actually appear for a while, deff not until chp 15 or 16 at least but he has a big part and Dave appears too :) .:=Miss-Gah-gah=:.: Don't worry hun if you missed it, as long as you enjoyed it :D Dodge? Yeah but he's a pp, much more excitable. Aw you love the story? *hug* hun that means so much! Hope you like this :)

axl adamic: Really? It's surreal to think people really like my writing cause it's not like I try too hard. I write and I don’t stop, I don't really contemplate every sentence to make it sound cool so the fact that people still like it is AMAZING! Thank you so much hun *hug* Rob? Well the chp after this he kinda...well his motives are clear XP Hope you like hun :) BlackFairy: Chester? Mwahaha! I might as well ruin it for ye now...You wanna know when Chester makes his move?...really?....nah, I'm not that nice hun XP Rob? Yeah he really is an ass! Hope you like this one hun Chan.xx: Yeah Rob's being mean XP Hope you like this hun stefy: Yeah Joe's smarter than everyone else XP chp 8?....Ah I'm so tempted to tell ye what chp Chester finally makes a move but I can't

Mike smiled as Dodge barked loudly, the now familiar scent of Mike's apartment block overwhelming the guide. Chester laughed at the excited pup as it leaped before sniffing his way towards Mike's door.

"Woah boy!" Judy, being older and possible because she was female wasn't as excitable or energetic as his current dog who pulled him towards his apartment door with force. Mike smirked as Chester's tell-tale, musical laughter followed him to apartment 6. "Just give me a minute." Mike stated, slipping Dodges leash around his arm, feeling for the lock while his other, free hand sought out his key. Per usual it took him a few minutes but Chester smiled, keeping his patience intact. He never pushed Mike as he never found a need to.

Mike grinned in triumph as the door opened and a whimpering Dodge rushed in. Chester allowed the youth to gather clothes as he made his way to the studio where his model was heating in an oven. This had to be done so they clay wouldn't crack. On the way in the car Mike told Chester how to get it out and while the younger man was getting some attire Chester cautiously removed the finished piece.

He almost burnt his hand but managed to get the look-alike out in one piece and without serious injury to his hand. He lay it out to cool as he made his way to Mike's bathroom. He knew his way around the small apartment well by now and had become more than familiar with the small bathroom. When he walked into it Chester knelt his elbows on the sink and gazed into the mirror.

The swelling on his face had long gone down by now and the impressive bruise was hidden by makeup. Chester looked flawless, makeup shielding any blemish. He sighed and lowered his head. Still at least Mike couldn't have noticed.

But he did. As Mike gathered some clothing he thought about when he found the swelling on Chester's face, the night Judy died. Chester had been restless beside him all night, getting up for frequent toilet breaks but for a period of about twenty minutes the youth had fallen into a deep sleep and Mike couldn't resist just touching. There was swelling on the right side of the models face and that worried Mike. Who in their right mind could possibly hit someone like Chester?

Still Mike kept it to himself. For one he didn't want Chester knowing he had been touching him and another was that he understood enough about Chester to know the youth was too proud to seek help when he didn't want it.

"You ready?" A voice called from behind him. Mike turned towards his door where he knew Chester stood and threw his carrier bag over his shoulder while gripping onto Dodges leash.

"Course." He smiled as Dodge led him out of the room and Chester patted his hand on his friends shoulder.

"Awesome, I'll just go get the piece." Mike nodded and allowed his guide to guide him to Chester's Lamborghini. He sighed when he realized it was locked and chose to lean on what was either the bonnet or trunk. Dodge leapt up on his leg and he scratched his ear as a ridiculously strong, cool breeze whipped by. Mike almost thought he felt a light raindrop on his nose but he shook it off and cocked his head to the right as he heard someone jogging towards the car.

The Lambo's lock beeped off and Mike turned to open it as Chester rushed into the drivers seat with his clay piece tight against his chest. Dodge leapt over Mike's lap onto the back seat and the youth felt Chester shiver beside him.

"I don't like the look of that. Here can you hold this while I drive?" Mike nodded and accepted the clay piece as Chester started the car.

"Ok...what don't you like the look of?" Mike asked.

"The sky." The car started to move. "It looks really bad but I didn't hear anything about a storm or that but it's suddenly really windy, there are dark clouds and I think it's gonna rain."

Almost as if on queue Mike heard rain splash against the windscreen, lightly at first but after they drove two miles the rain was pelting down on the windshield. Chester had slowed the car to a crawl.

"Shit." He hissed. "Err...it might take a while to get to my place." Chester cringed but Mike smiled and shrugged.

"I really don't mind." Even more time with Chester this close to him.

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

Dodge was first to bound in the door of the large home, escaping the torrential rain. Mike was second, still clinging the clay model to his body. He was followed by Chester who had an arm around his friends shoulder, guiding him to the large house.

Mike panted after their quick dash through the sudden rainstorm. He felt Dodge shake the water off and he frowned.

"Dodge!" He cried out. "Don't do that!" But Chester placed a hand on his friends shoulder.

"It's ok dude." Chester smiled but Mike still tapped Dodge's nose. He understood the home they were be standing in must be large and expensive which it was.

"No he has to learn." Mike insisted, standing to feel Chester's presence draw close.

"Thanks for not breaking this, man." Chester smiled, taking the clay piece from Mike before he flicked on the light switch with his elbow. Thanks to the sudden, unexpected rainstorm it was quite dark already although night was still approaching.

Chester turned to see Mike looking around, despite not being able to see anything. Mike felt a little lost. Now that he had gotten over his guided sprint from the car to the house he felt how lonely this place was. There was an aura here, something not nice, something that made him almost pity Chester. No wonder the youth had spent that last two nights at Mike's place, Mike wouldn't like to be alone in this house.

Chester didn't say anything but wandered around his large hall, looking for somewhere to put the clay piece. He wanted it in the lobby, he wanted people to see it instantly. He wanted people to gaze, ask who did it and for him to be able to say Mike. He wouldn't mind talking about Mike anytime.

He decided to move the procaine figurine of a greyhound that cost a ridiculous $200 from it's space on the cabinet directly across from the door and placed Mike's art there.

"Perfect." He smiled before hiding the greyhound underneath the cabinet.

Chester then felt Dodge sniff at his leg and he looked to see that Mike had been dragged by his dog closer to him. He smiled as Mike looked around.

"Chester?" He called.

"Right here man." The model smiled, stretching out a hand to rest on Mike's shoulder. Mike visibly blushed and lowered his head.

"Oh." was all he could manage.

"Don't worry about it. C'mon, you want something to eat?" Mike shrugged.

"I donno. Do you only have that healthy shit you eat?" Chester laughed and gently gripped Mike's wrist.

"I'm sure we can find you something."

Chester brought Mike to the living room with his perfect cream carpet and white L, leather sofa. Mike smiled politely but immediately felt the loss as Chester left the room to search for something in the kitchen. He shifted awkwardly and called Dodge up so the pup leapt on his lap. He hugged and rubbed his dog, trying to fight off the lonely aura of the home.

Chester hummed to himself as he looked for something substantial to eat for Mike. Nothing, all protein shakes and rabbit food. He cringed as he saw the dreaded carrot juice in the fridge and celery sticks.

"Maybe I could call in a pizza...just once." He wondered aloud, the agency would never know, he should be allowed a treat every now and then. Chester silently decided he would indulge and called the pizzaria on his cell. He caught the answering machine.

Sorry but due to a sudden storm Luigi's will not be delivering pizza's tonight. If you wish to order and collect please leave a message along with your name. beep.

Chester sighed and shut off the cell. Driving in that weather would be nothing short of suicide. He growled, wondering what to do when suddenly the lights went off. Chester looked around, fearing the worst. He pulled open the fridge, the light didn't come on, his landline wasn't working and his wireless internet had been shut off. The power was out.

"Shit!" Chester cried out, using his cell as a light as he sought out candles and matches.

"Chester?" Mike called from the living room. "Something wrong?"

"Power's out." Chester called back, checking under the sink.

"Really?" The reply came back as Chester's cell went on standby. Rather than press the menu button to turn the light back on Chester paused. Darkness. He couldn't see anything.

"Poor Mike.." He muttered to himself before turning the light on again. "Yeah!" He called to his friend. "I'm just looking for some lights." Unexpectedly a flash of lightening light up the room for a moment and two seconds later there was a low growl of thunder. Chester shivered and shut his eyes tightly for a moment, a feeling of nostalgia overwhelming him.

He opened his eyes to find a bunch of tea candles within reach. He smiled and took them. There were more in his bathroom. He knew he had at least four, large cinnamon scented candles on the window by his bath. Candles and bubbles, his guilty indulgence.

"You ok man?" Chester asked as he came into the living room, shining his cell light on Mike to check he was there before setting about lighting the tea candles around the room. They worked but the light wasn't great.

"Yeah why wouldn't I be?" Mike smiled but Chester felt his heart render. He felt for Mike, this feeble light made no difference what-so-ever to the beautiful male.

"G-good." Chester stated, blowing out a match. "I'll just be a minute, I gotta get more candles." Another flash of lighting.

"Oh there's candles?" Mike smiled before thunder clapped.

"Yeah." Chester couldn't help the small smile towards Mike followed by a shiver at the thunder. He rushed to the bathroom before running back to the room with candels in hand. Mike was still sitting on the couch, Dodge on his lap and the small lights illuminating his flawless features beautifully. Chester couldn't help the sigh that escaped his lips.

Another few minutes later and Chester had the four new candels lighting and a fine fire roaring. Mike felt the warmth of the blaze and smiled. Chester leaned back on the carpet and looked to Mike.

"You wanna sit closer to it?" He asked and Mike nodded. In an instant Chester was on his feet and leading Mike towards the fire. He noticed Dodge still on the leash. "How about you let Dodge go? He might as well get used to the place." Mike's eyebrow raised.

"Get used to it?" Chester felt his cheeks burn.

"Y-yeah I...I mean....I thought you could come over more...only if you want to..." He felt like an idiot. He had so desperately hoped Mike would come over more and chase away the loneliness of the house. He was able to breathe when Mike smiled.

"Yeah of course man." He stated, letting his guide dog off the lead. Dodge bounded away, keen to explore all the unique scents. There was more thunder and lightening and Chester shook again.

"Do you want some beer or something?" He asked, leaning up.

"Sure." Mike smiled and nodded. "Are you allowed alcohol? It's fattening." Chester shrugged.

"It's that light shit but it's still alcohol." Chester grinned, making his way back to the kitchen and taking some cans out of his no longer running fridge. He returned and handed Mike a can, the youth smiled.

"I just remembered something." Mike grinned at the youth.

"What's that?"

"You promised you'd play me a song for the art piece." Mike was grinning like a child. Chester cringed. "So c'mon, you have to."

"Aw Mike please no." He begged and Mike pouted.

"C'mon! You wouldn’t deny a blind guy of a song would you?" Chester gasped in surprise.

"What? No! You can't throw that in my face!" Mike smirked.

"Yes I can if it'll work." Chester frowned and pushed Mike lightly but he sighed.

"Fine...but only cause it's you, ok? I'll be back in a minute." Chester stood up, leaving his unopened can by the fire as he made his way to his bedroom where his guitar lay. He sat on the bed and made sure it was in tune before he brought it to the living room.

Mike smiled when he heard Chester sit beside him and strum the guitar lightly.

"I haven't done this in ages." Chester smiled, making sure again it was in key. "Ok, so you got a song you wanna hear?" Mike smiled.

"Did you ever write one yourself?" Chester paused for a minute before he grinned slightly.

"Yea...when I was younger." He looked down at his guitar and adjusted his fingers.

"You ok?" Chester nodded and strummed.

"People come around

People let you down

Anywhere you go

Anyone you see

It's real

It's up to you to make it happen

It's up to you to make it real

And you know how it feels

To bleed some, to need some

Tell me what you know

Tell me how you feel

It doesn’t matter when you're down

When you look at me with your eyes

That smile on your face it seems happy

Are you happy?"

Mike sat with his can to his lips and a smile on his face.

"Wow..." Was all he could say. Chester blushed. "Chaz that was amazing."

"Thanks." Chester whispered before frowning when his cell ran. Mike raised an eyebrow and looked but Chester saw Rob's name and shut it off. "He can call later." Mike couldn't help but smile as he heard the cell beep, indicating it was off.

"Awesome..." Mike whispered quietly to himself.

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

"Kumbaia my lord, KUMBAIA!!!" Chester finished off the song with aloud, hilarious wail that made Mike laugh loudly into his can. It was hours later and the two were just having fun. About twenty minutes ago Chester had gone to check on Dodge who had disappeared and found him asleep in one of the spare rooms.

Since then it was just them, laughing, drinking and of course singing.

Flash! Bang!

Chester jumped as the stormed worsened. Mike looked to him.

"You did it again." He said suddenly.

"D-did what?" Chester asked, genuinely unsure what they were talking about.

"You jumped...are you afraid Chester? Every time the thunder crashes you jump." Chester bit his lip and lowered his guitar to his side.

"I guess I'm afraid."

"Guess?"

"Well I'm not as bad as when I was a kid." He defended. Mike tilted his head to the side, seeing this as an opening to get to know Chester even more.

"What were you like?" Chester was shocked at the question but in a good way. Usually when asked about home life and childhood it was by reporters he didn't want to answer. "You know, when there was thunderstorms or whatever?"

"I cried." Chester admitted, lowering his head but laughing lightly. "I was fucking petrified of the dark and the thunder." He bit his lip as he remembered back as a child. "I used to hide in my room with my brother's flashlight and cry." Mike felt his heart grip and a genuine 'aww' escaped him.

"Didn't your parents comfort you or something?" A loud laugh escaped Chester, one he couldn't hold back. Within moments he was wiping tears away.

"M-my parents? God no! Dad used thunderstorms as an excuse to drink. He claimed alcohol was no good warm so as soon as the fridge went out he was fucking inhaling that ale and my mom? Heh, she just told me I had to be big and brave like Brian."

"Brian?"

"My older brother." Chester smiled. "I looked up to him...I still do. He's thirteen years older than me and he's in the army. I was always his annoying little brother though...you know, the one who just follows you around everywhere?" Mike laughed.

"Yeah, I have a little brother." Chester's eyes widened.

"Really?" Mike nodded.

"Yeah, Jason, the baby Shinoda." He laughed lightly as he remembered how his brother hated being called that. "I mean there's only two years between us but I was a bastard of a brother to him, teased him all the time." Chester smiled. "I love him though...I mean I don't see him that much anymore...or I mean...well you know what I mean, not I don’t see..like...we don’t meet up..." Chester smiled.

"I get you." He grinned. "But I never understood older brothers. I mean...Brian was almost ashamed of me all the time thought...I mean I don't want to sound conceited but...everyone said he...that he was..."

"Jealous?" Mike filled in and Chester nodded.

"Yeah...I mean even when he had a girl over and I'd only be like...four or something and I'd remember his date would be all 'Oh what a cute baby' and 'your brother's so adorable'...I never asked for that attention Mike." Mike's hand was a little shaky as it held out, searching for Chester's to hold, he gripped his wrist-close enough.

"I know." He smiled.

"So what's your family like?" Mike's eyes widened and he leaned back.

"I'm not really in contact with them much anymore." Mike tried to finish conversation on his parents on that note. His father was angered when their blind son finally told them he was gay, he had been disowned with only his brother being willing to stay in contact with him.

"Oh." Chester nodded and strummed the strings on the guitar that lay beside him. "Wish I was as lucky as you. My mom was the most...I was never alone." Chester smiled and lay back on the fluffy carpet, basking in the fire.

"Why didn't you rebel?" Mike asked.

"I tried." Chester smiled. "Piercing, hair dye, tattoos." Mike looked to him.

"You have tattoos?" Chester grinned.

"Yea man, they're my babies."

"What are they?"

"Flames." Chester smiled but he tilted his head and took Mike's hand. "Here." Mike felt Chester run his fingertips along the slender wrists, tracing the blaze. Mike smiled.

"Cool." He tried to picture the new addition to the mental picture he held of Chester.

"They're red and a kinda aqua blue-green extending up my wrist." Mike's smile quirked to the side.

"Awesome." He grinned before biting back a yawn. Chester noticed and held tighter onto his hand.

"I think it's bedtime, what about you?" Mike sighed but nodded, he was wrecked and felt Mike pull him up. "C'mon, Dodge has already chosen your room." Mike smiled as Chester led him through the dark house to the large spare room with the bed, soft as a cloud. Chester gave Mike his bag, patted his shoulder and said goodnight before leaving to blow out all the candles in the living room.

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

Mike woke that night, hours later with a strange feeling in the pit of his stomach. Something just happened, something in the room was different. He moved and suddenly noticed the arm wrapped around him.

"Chester?" He whispered, turning around and holding out a hand to the bodies face to make sure it was him. It was Chester with a small, most likely embarrassed smile on his face.

"Sorry..." Chester whispered quietly. "I...I had a bad dream..."

"You want to talk about it?" Mike was unsure why they were whispering. Chester shook his head slowly.

"Not now." He didn't want to tell Mike the contents of his dream.

Chester woke in his bed which seemed larger, colder and harder than usual. He looked around the dark room and called Mike's name. No answer. He went to the room the youth was sleeping in. He wasn't there. Chester called his name, still no answer.

He got in his car and drove to Mike's. He wasn't there but Brad was. Brad was confused, he told Chester he didn't know a Mike and this was his apartment. There was no Mike.

Then Chester woke up in a sweat and now he lay cuddled by Mike's warm body.

"Was it the thunder?" Mike asked. "You can tell me, you know that." Chester forced a smile, Mike's fingers still underneath his lips, beneath his lip ring.

"I know...it was the thunder." He lied before smiling when Mike's strong arms wound around him. Mike made joking cooing noises like that of a mother soothing her baby.

"There, there Chazzy." Mike smiled, rubbing his back. "Mikey's here."

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

Authors notes: I like this ^.^ The song Ches sings is the Down Syndrome by his old band Grey Daze. I also have an idea for the next chapter which I also really like but I'm not giving anything away...actually I am:

Next chapter: "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.

R/R please