Quinn is in love with a very much taken Skylar. But after finding Skylar bleeding and unresponsive at the hands of his boyfriend, Quinn is sure the world is playing a cruel joke. Recovery is long and hard, but Quinn is determined to be supportive and caring for Skylar. He just wants the chance to show Skylar there is still hope for him, that someone cares and loves him. And Quinn will be there for Skylar, whatever he needs, even if it's just a hand to hold.<br><br>Skylar isn’t prepared for his whole life to crash down around his ears. The lies he told, the dark secrets he kept, the shithole his life had become. Now everything is out in the open and Skylar isn’t coping well. Quinn is the only reason he hasn’t completely shattered, guiding, helping, and caring for him in ways he had never expected or thought possible.<br><br>But with more and more secrets being revealed, can they navigate the shattered remains of Skylar’s life and, together, build something new?

Searching for Solid Ground

Quinn shifts, uncomfortable under the scrutiny. He turns back to the sink and hastily scrubs at the last dish, wishing the earth would open up and swallow him whole.


“Sorry, I didn’t mean to go all inspirational speech on you.” He chuckles, trying to lighten the mood. Awkwardness hangs in the air between them, heavy and dripping with Quinn’s heartfelt words.


Finally, Skylar tears his gaze from Quinn, coming back to himself, and shakes his head. “It’s alright.”


Silence falls between them, giving the awkwardness something to feed on. Quinn finishes scrubbing, rinses, and pulls the plug in the drain.


“I’m going to turn in for the night.” He puts the plate in the rack to dry and glances at Skylar briefly. “I’ll see you in the morning.”


Skylar just nods at him, eyes vacant, still methodically drying the same plate he had been when Quinn made his speech. “Yeah okay,” he answers.


Chapter 18