Diagnosed -Pt 02 (Reliant Universe)

10 - ROBBIE

The following months were the best of Robbie's life. Every minute he could, he spent with Harry. And the more time he spent with him, the more he liked him. The more he felt like he could maybe even be falling for him.

Every night he would go to sleep, his cheeks hurting from smiling, his eyes tired from texting with Harry far later than he should.

They'd ride out on Robbie's bike and spend all day exploring together, hunting down cafes, bakeries, pizza parlours and more. They'd share milkshakes with two straws and do all the stupid stuff that Robbie thought was just in movies. And everywhere they went, Harry would take photos.

Robbie smiled as he looked at a photo he'd pinned beside his bed that Harry's printed for him. It was a photo he'd taken of them both lying down in the grass, laughing. It was a little blurry, and Harry's arm took up a lot of the frame where he held the camera up above them. But the look in Harry's eyes, the cheesy grin as he posed for the photo. It made him smile every morning when he looked at it. Beneath the photo Paolo the Penguin stood proud, a memory of the first day he'd met Harry.

He looked at his watch and stood, checking through all his belongings a final time before heaving the backpack onto his shoulders and heading downstairs.

"What on earth," his mum commented as she peered at him from the living room, eyeing the enormous backpack. "Where are you off to?"

He glanced at her, noticing that she didn't look so tearful today. He hoped that maybe she was finally turning a corner.

"Camping," he shrugged, "remember I asked you?"

"Who with?" She asked and he paused.

"A friend," he replied vaguely. She smiled conspiratorially.

"Ah, a friend. Well I hope you and this 'friend' have a lovely time. Be safe."

"Thanks mum," he said, bending down to kiss her cheek before snagging his bike helmet from the bottom of the stairs. "See you later!"

He clambered onto his bike with some difficulty and began riding up to the viewpoint. He'd told Harry to ask his parents if he could stay out late, to wrap up warm, but that the rest of the evening was a surprise. He cycled through town, eyeing the Christmas tree that Harry had dragged him to the night before and after making sure no one was about, had kissed him right in front of. Right there in the middle of town. He grinned and pedalled a little faster.

The cool December day was already beginning to turn to night as he finally reached the viewpoint. He made sure that Harry was nowhere insight and hadn't turned up obscenely early before he began setting up.

He pitched the tent first, then the blow up mattresses and the sleeping bags. Then he pulled out the bag of crisps, the drinks and finally the sweet baked goods he'd purchased from the bakery, making sure to get all of Harry's favourites.

He even hung up some fairy lights around the tent as it grew darker, smiling down at the colourful festive lights shimmering along the streets in the town below.

Then there was nothing to do but sit and wait for Harry to arrive. He hoped he'd like it.

He heard the sound of approaching footsteps through the trees and stood, grinning widely as Harry stepped into the clearing eyes wide.

"What's all this?" Harry laughed, looking around at the tent, the food, the fairy lights and smiling. "You did all this for me?"

Robbie nodded, "you like it?"

"I love it!" Harry replied, walking forward and hugging him. Robbie closed his eyes, relishing the hug.

Harry pulled back, laughing as he touched the fairy lights gently.

"This is proper cheesy romantic," he said.

"Yeah well, I like being 'cheesy romantic' for you," he said gruffly and Harry's eyes slid to him, bright with amusement.

"Cheesy," he laughed. He kissed him gently, and Robbie sighed into it, barely noticing the cold chill across his skin.

When they finally broke apart he frowned looking at the navy blue jumper Harry wore, and then smirked.

"Are you wearing my jumper?"

"Yep," Harry replied and Robbie grinned, surprisingly enjoying seeing Harry wear his clothes.

They settled on the blankets he'd laid out in front of the tent and began to eat. He asked about Harry's day, and they chatted for a while about upcoming Christmas chaos and plans for the month.

Harry texted his mum asking to stay out overnight, coming up with a story about feeling weak today and needing some extra time with his Tueri friend to feel better.

"What?" Harry shrugged when Robbie raised an amused eyebrow at the message. "There has to be some advantages to this virus."

Robbie laughed softly.

"See," Harry said flashing his phone. "She already said it's fine."

"So we're sleeping together tonight then?" He said it innocently, but watched Harry's reaction carefully.

This had been his idea after all. He desperately wanted to progress their relationship past just kissing, but his mum never left the house these days and Harry shared a bedroom with his six year old brother. He'd considered just progressing things right here on the viewpoint the other evening, but it felt quite exposed and... well Harry already made him cold, adding in a December chill and he worried that taking his clothes off would give him pneumonia.

So he'd come up with this. He wouldn't put any pressure on Harry if he didn't want it. But it was still nice to have the option available. Hell, it would be nice to just lie down and cuddle together.

Harry eyed him curiously, and his smile grew.

"I suppose so," he replied coolly.

They sat and chatted as they ate through the mountains of food Robbie had brought, watching the sun setting in the distance. The town was lit bright tonight, the Christmas lights shining down every street, the top of the Christmas tree in the centre of town just visible over the rooftops.

As the temperature cooled, Robbie felt the shivers begin so suggested heading into the tent. They lay on top of the sleeping bags, and Harry laughed a nervous laugh.

"You know you're just bringing the cold in with you?" He teased.

Robbie smiled, "turns out I quite like the cold. Besides, you feel warm. It's me that feels cold when I'm around you. does that make sense? Like your body to the touch I can tell it's warm despite your effect. I like it."

"It's okay, you don't have to lie," Harry mumbled and for a moment he saw a flash of sadness in his eyes. He reached out, lifting his chin.

"I'm not lying Harry," Robbie said, gazing into his green beautiful eyes. "Do you really think I'd be here, I'd have done all this, if I didn't like spending time with you?"

Harry smiled reluctantly, and Robbie grinned back.

"Besides, when it's summer I won't be able to keep my hands off you. You'll be like my personal cooling device," he chuckled.

Harry smiled at that, as if pleased to hear that Robbie intended to stick around that long.

"I'll try to take that as a compliment," Harry mused.

Robbie held out an arm, and Harry hesitated for a moment before shuffling closer. Robbie felt his heart speed up as Harry's body pressed against him, his face lifted so they were only millimetres apart. It felt like the most natural thing in the world to kiss him. Pulling him closer, always closer.

He tasted something sweet as he kissed him and for a moment thought it was the virus with something new, but then he realised it was the sugar from the jam doughnuts that Harry had just eaten. The sweet sugar on his lips, the cool whispers down his neck, and the increasingly noticeable glow from

Harry's skin made the moment feel beyond perfect.

Harry's hands wrapped tighter around him, slipping beneath his clothes to feel the bare skin of his back. They ran up, higher, exploring him as his tongue delved deeper into his mouth.

The kiss was only broken momentarily as he yanked Harry's clothes over his head, leaving his chest bare. Harry panted for a second, gazing at him, before kissing him with a newly increased vigour.

He pulled desperately at Robbie's clothes, and slowly, layer by layer they undressed each other, still kissing hungrily the whole time, unable to help themselves.

Robbie shivered, and Harry sat up with a frown, then turned, unzipping the tent.

"What are you doing?" He asked.

But Harry didn't reply, instead he just reached out of the tent flap and pulled in one of the blankets he'd put on the grass outside.

Robbie chuckled, but accepted the blanket as Harry gently wrapped it around his shoulders.

He pushed Robbie down into the blankets, straddling his waist as he kissed him, his hands pressing against Robbie's chest. They moved lower and lower, and then Harry shuffled so he was straddling his legs, sitting up to look at him.

Robbie gazed back up at him, breathless, completely under his thrall as his hands pressed against his boxers and began to rub him. He shuddered, but this time it wasn't just from cold. He closed his eyes and gasped as he stroked him in long firm strokes.

Then, his hand slipped deftly under the fabric. He couldn't hold back the moan as he felt Harry's hand close around his cock and begin to pump up and down. It was slow and firm and-

"Fuck," he muttered, furrowing his brows. "That feels so good."

Harry's touch was warm on his cock, and yet it felt as if cool sparks were shooting from it across his entire body. He loved it.

He leaned up to kiss Harry, pulling him down before gently guiding him onto his back. It was his turn. He reached down, finding Harry's cock immediately, delighting in how Harry's eyes grew wide.

He shuffled down, the blanket still draped over his shoulders and lowered his face, never tearing his eyes from Harry's as he closed his mouth on him. Harry moaned instantly, throwing his head back in pleasure as Robbie sucked.

He'd thought about doing this so many times, but now it was actually happening. He licked up his cock languishing in the taste. But the best bit of all was watching the pleasure on Harry's face. The satisfaction that he'd put it there.

"Robbie," Harry mumbled, "Robbie I- I-"

Robbie lifted his head, "do you want me to stop?"

Harry shook his head.

"Tell me what you want," he whispered, moving up to stroke his face, gazing at him, examining his expression. He looked breathless, his cheeks flushed, and his skin was glowing brighter than ever. He didn't look like he wanted to stop, he looked like...

"I want you to fuck me," Harry breathed. "I need to feel you. Please. It's killing me."

Robbie's smile was triumphant as he looked down at him.

"I'd really hoped you'd say that, I brought something along just in case."

He grabbed his backpack from the corner of the tent and fished out the lube he'd bought. Harry swallowed as he looked at it, but smiled faintly. He could understand him being nervous, Robbie too felt the nervous energy filling the tent.

"You okay?" He asked, stroking his hip gently.

Harry nodded.

"You sure you want to do this?"

"More than anything," Harry whispered, sitting up on his elbows to kiss him again. Robbie let himself be lost in him for a moment longer, distracted once again by his perfect mouth, touching him everywhere.

When he finally felt sated by their kissing, he reached again for the bottle, squeezing some of the cool gel onto his fingers. He reached down, giving Harry an encouraging smile. He smiled back, still looking a little nervous, biting his lip as he felt the gel touch his skin.

He massaged it in gently, opening him up slowly, before squeezing some onto himself. He leaned over Harry, his hard cock brushing against his ass. They both gasped at the brief touch, eyes meeting, lips lifting.

He didn't tear his eyes away from him as he slowly pushed forward. Harry whimpered slightly as he first began to stretch him open, and he paused, worried he was hurting him. But Harry nodded, pressing his lips together in determination as Robbie moved forward again. Slowly, they took this step together. It didn't take long for Robbie to be almost fully inside him. He rocked out and back in, grunting in pleasure.

"You feel so fucking good Harry," he breathed.

He leaned down, claiming his mouth again as he rocked deeper and deeper with every slow thrust.

He felt Harry begin to moan softly against his mouth, and he could feel his own mouth lift in a smile as he began to thrust faster. Harry's moans became louder.

"Oh fuck Robbie," he whimpered.

He could feel the Tueri part of him practically purring in delight, egging him on, somehow only increasing his desire for Harry, his complete overwhelming adoration. Maybe even... love?

He moaned, both at the feelings in his cock, across his body, and at the thought as his pleasure began to inexorably build. But he wanted Harry to go over the edge with him.

"Moan for me," he whispered in Harry's ear.

He whimpered in response.

"Robbie," he whispered, his name like a plea.

"I'm here, I'm yours," he said, kissing his jaw, nibbling at his ear. "Are you mine?"

"Yes," he mumbled, "I'm yours. All yours. Don't stop."

He didn't. He kept going, listening as Harry's moans grew louder and louder, until finally he gasped.

"I'm gunna- I'm"

Robbie could feel it too, however hard he had tried to hold it back, he couldn't last much longer. Then suddenly, Harry was clenching tightly around him, his face spasming. The feeling sent him falling.

Together they climaxed, Harry's eyes flickering closed as they both came hard. Robbie pumped in once more, twice and then collapsed against Harry's chest. The coolness he provided a blessing in the hot sticky tent.

He looked up at Harry, who was still panting, his mouth parted, his eyes glazed.

I love you. The words were right there on his lips, branded in huge letters across his mind. But he didn't say them. Instead he leaned up and kissed him softly, hoping that the action would fill in for the words he so desperately wanted to say.

11 - ROBBIE

The next morning, waking up and seeing Harry's sleeping face beside him, was bliss. He watched as he stirred, opened his eyes and smiled sleepily, closing his eyes again.

"Morning," he mumbled.

"Good morning," Robbie replied, leaning down to kiss him. At first Harry's kisses were sluggish and sleepy, but then he began to wake up, lifting a hand to twine through Robbie's hair.

"I could get used to waking up like that," Harry grinned when they finally parted.

"Me too," Robbie replied, pecking him once more on the lips before sitting up and pulling on some clothes.

"No," Harry moaned reaching for him, "don't get up yet, stay."

"I need to pee," he grinned and Harry sighed.

"Fine," he grumbled, "but then more cuddling."

Robbie smiled, more than happy to oblige.

When it was finally time to leave, Harry helped him pack everything up until the viewpoint had been returned to bare grass and trees.

"Thank you," Harry said when the last things were zipped into Robbie's bag. "Last night was incredible. Not just the sex, the whole night. No one has ever done something like that for me before."

Robbie smiled, "you're welcome. I had an incredible night too."

They walked together back into town, Robbie wheeling his bike as the bulky backpack left little room for Harry behind. Plus, it was an excuse to extend this perfect moment just a little longer.

But all too soon, they stopped outside Harry's house.

"I'll see you soon," Robbie said, pulling Harry in for a hug and kissing the top of his head.

Harry squeezed him tightly before parting.

"Text me?" He asked.

"As soon as I get home," Robbie promised.

Harry nodded and turned, walking down the path to his front door. He opened it and turned to wave as Robbie climbed onto his bike and rode home.

He felt so happy as he pulled up at home, still reliving the perfect night with Harry. He got off his bike and stored it in the usual spot, and was about to open the door when it was wrenched from his hand.

"Where the fuck have you been?"

Robbie's eyes grew wide.

"Dad?"

He stood in the doorway, arms crossed, an expression of absolute fury on his face.

"Your mother rang me worried sick! Why haven't you been picking up your phone?"

"It died," he said, pulling it from his pocket to show the lifeless device. "She knew I was camping! I don't understand what's-"

"Inside. Now. You've got some explaining to do kid," he grumbled. Robbie bristled slightly at being called a kid, but pushed past him inside the house in search of his mum.

"What the fuck is this Robbie?" His mum asked the moment she saw him. Her eyes were red with tears as she shoved a letter into his chest.

He glanced down at the letter, reading the words, his eyes catching on 'further testing required regarding your recent diagnosis' and then at the torn open envelope on the coffee table marked 'Private & Confidential'.

"I- what-" he stammered, "this is private!"

"Fucking hell Robbie!" She cried, "Most kids tell their parents when they receive a life changing diagnosis!"

"I was going to!" He said defensively.

"When?! Jesus, how long have you known? A week? A month?"

Robbie was quiet a moment before answering, "since September."

"September?!"

"Before I left?" His dad added, making Robbie jump. He'd forgotten he was still here.

"No," he answered, "just after."

"Does it have something to do with this new 'friend' of yours?" His dad asked and Robbie looked down at his feet.

"No," he lied.

His dad laughed, shaking his head.

"A Reliant then, I told your mum as much."

"It's not like that!"

"I don't know much about all this virus crap, but I do know it's almost always like that," he answered.

Something about the conversation turning to Harry made Robbie's anger bubble up, anger he didn't know he had.

"Shut up!" He yelled, both his parents stepping back in surprise. He glared at his dad. "You don't know him! You left! What gives you the right to march back here and start calling me out on my life! My decisions!"

"This isn't healthy, this isn't you kid," he said warily, and Robbie's eyes narrowed.

"I'm not a fucking kid anymore," he hissed.

"No, but you're my kid. And you're not acting like you."

Robbie opened his mouth about to yell again, clenching his fists tightly when his mum grabbed his arm.

"Robbie," she said sharply and he turned to look at her. "Breathe."

He stared at her, and as he did he realised his hands were shaking and his heart was racing. She didn't break her stare, strong and stable in a way he hadn't seen her in weeks. Slowly he felt his anger begin to dissolve, his heart slow. This wasn't him. His dad was right. He didn't get angry, or blow up at his parents. That wasn't who he was. His shoulders slumped.

"I'm sorry," he whispered, glancing at his dad. "I'm not mad at you for leaving. I shouldn't have said that." Then he turned to his mum, giving her an imploring look.

"Mum, I promise I wanted to tell you, I really did. But you were hurting so much when dad left, I didn't..." he paused, "I didn't know if you could handle it."

Her eyes welled with tears and she nodded, "you're right Robbie. I haven't been here for you since your dad left. I've been too wrapped up in my own heartbreak I didn't see that you were going through something this big. I should be the one saying sorry."

Robbie hugged his mum tightly, "I love you, Mum."

She cried and then pulled away standing straight, nodding as if she couldn't quite speak yet.

When she finally did speak, her voice was full of barely repressed emotion.

"He's right Ben," she said firmly to Robbie's dad. "He is not a kid anymore. It seems you've grown up into just the sort of man I hoped you'd be one day."

He smiled slightly, glancing from his mum to his dad who looked between them with a sigh.

"You need to talk to us k-, Robbie. Just promise me you won't keep anymore secrets like this."

"I promise," he said wholeheartedly.

"And I need to know... how things are here. I don't like that everything has gone to shit since I left," he said uncomfortably.

"I promise to talk more too," his mum said, and Robbie smiled. Who'd have thought him becoming a Tueri would be the thing to get his parents talking civilly again.

"Okay," his dad replied with a nod, and then his face lifted into a grin so similar to Robbie's own. "So who is this 'friend?'"

Robbie felt his face redden and his mum laughed.

"Leave him alone," his mum chastised, "I think we've done enough interrogating for one day. Just... be careful Robbie. Don't let things go too fast."

He nodded, his mind drifting to last nights events and feeling a dark cloud of doubt drift over the once golden bright memory.

12 - ROBBIE

A few days later, Robbie sat in a quiet waiting room awaiting his 'further testing'. He had been given a survey to work through with questions that seemed to go on forever.

'Have you experienced any mood swings since your diagnosis?'

He winced, remembering his anger yesterday and sighed as he circled 'Yes'.

'The following questions involve close associations with a Reliant, if you have not had any, please skip to question 32.'

'Do you find yourself often thinking about the Reliant?'

Robbie's mind drifted easily to Harry as he circled 'Yes'.

'Do you feel a strong physical reaction when in the presence of the Reliant?'

'Do you feel an emotional connection to the Reliant?'

'Do you feel protective or defensive of the Reliant?'

Yes, yes and yes, Robbie thought, circling down the list, feeling increasingly uncomfortable as he did so.

'Have you engaged in sexual activity with a Reliant?'

He paused, frowning. This felt way too personal. Why did they have to know that?

He leaned back sighing heavily, briefly catching the eye of the only other guy in the waiting room. He was older than Robbie, probably mid twenties and also a Tueri. Robbie hadn't met one knowingly before, but he found he could sense an aura around him. He wondered if he was diagnosed late too.

"Some of those questions get a bit personal huh?" The man said with a grim smile.

"Yeah," Robbie replied, "do they really need to know all this?"

The guy shrugged, "Guess so. I'm Paul, what's your name?"

"Robbie," he smiled back politely.

"Nice to meet you," he said. "So, how come you're here?"

"I got diagnosed the other day," he explained, "but I'm nineteen and thought I was Null."

"Shit," he said with a grimace, "that sucks. How'd you find out?"

"I have a friend, he's a Reliant and sort of figured it out. Suggested I get tested again and, yeah. What about you?"

"All my tests are Null," he shrugged, "but I'm clearly not Null as you can probably tell."

"That's... weird," Robbie frowned.

"Right? So this reliant you're friends with, how's that going? Still your friend?" He asked.

"Sorta," Robbie said awkwardly, and Paul smirked.

"Smart, you should keep your distance. I mean, it's the one thing they tell us right? Don't get attached. The guy who was in here before you, he was getting engaged to one of them! Absolute idiot."

"Yeah," Robbie laughed, avoiding his eyes. "Stupid."

Robbie felt relieved when the doctor appeared, and called Paul away. But his mind had already started playing Paul's words on repeat, the seed of doubt growing stronger than ever in his gut.

13 - HARRY

It was fast approaching Christmas, and Harry was feeling good. Max was a bundle of excited energy, and his parents seemed more relaxed now that Harry's condition had stabilised.

They'd teasingly asked to meet this 'Robbie', more than once but Harry was enjoying keeping him all to himself for just a bit longer.

Robbie had seemed a little on edge when they'd met up yesterday, although Harry chalked that down to his hospital visit earlier that day. It was understandable to be a little off when you've been poked and prodded with needles and apparently put in an MRI machine to look at his brain.

"Not much to see there I'd imagine," Harry had teased, attempting to lift his mood. He had expected a laugh or a chide in return, but Robbie had just smiled a small smile and said nothing.

They were meeting up again that evening, on a cinema trip date. Harry was excited as he waited for Robbie, pulling on a scarf and a hat against the bitter evenings chill. He wondered if it might snow.

He heard the crunch of gravel and looked out the window to see a figure on a familiar bicycle. He grinned.

"Bye Mum! Bye Dad!" He called before running out the door.

Robbie too was wrapped up tightly against the cold night, a scarf over his mouth and chin. Harry kissed his cheek, and he could feel Robbie's smile, see it in his eyes.

"Hey," he said.

"Hi," Harry replied, then glanced at his front door. "Go quick, before my parents come out and insist you come inside."

"Going," he said, kicking off with Harry safely on the back.

They eventually reached the cinema, and Robbie secured his bike before they both headed inside.

Harry grinned as he pulled off his hat, shoving it in his pocket, and undid his scarf, looking around.

"Snacks?" He asked.

Robbie nodded, following Harry quietly through the queue. Harry felt a little disappointment fill him that once again, Robbie seemed distant and unlike his normal buoyant self that he loved so much.

"What do you like? Popcorn? Chocolate?"

"Popcorn I guess," he shrugged and Harry nodded.

"Sweet?" He asked with a grin, knowing that Robbie had a sweet tooth.

Robbie looked over at the popcorn, shrugging again, "I had sweet and salty last time I came which was good."

"Sweet and salty it is then," Harry smiled tentatively, trying to coax one out of Robbie. He did smile back, but it didn't look like his normal smile, and his eyes looked distracted as he glanced around. Now Harry looked at him properly under the well lit foyer, his face was pale and drawn, like he hadn't slept well at all.

They got the popcorn and then looked at the films on offer.

"Okay so we never decided, are we doing the cheesy Christmas film or the action blockbuster?" he asked as he took a bite of his popcorn. "I think the cheesy Christmas film could be funny, and it's festive."

"I don't know, the action film has some good reviews."

"Okay," Harry said, not really bothered what they watched as long as Robbie was happy. "Then let's watch that."

"No," Robbie sighed. "Don't do that."

Harry blinked at him, "do what?"

"Just agree with me, you do it all the time. You should have your own opinion."

"I do," Harry laughed defensively, "but I really don't care what film we watch."

"It's not just the film though," Robbie insisted, "you always just go along with what I say like you don't matter."

Harry glanced around, pulling Robbie out of the queue and towards a quiet corner.

"Seriously Robbie, what is up with you?" He asked and Robbie crossed his arms avoiding his gaze.

"Nothing," he said defensively and Harry scoffed.

"Come on," he said exasperatedly, "you've been acting off recently."

"I just," he said raising his voice in frustration, "want you to make up your own mind on things."

"Okay," Harry said gently. "I will. But Robbie, just because I agree with you on things sometimes doesn't mean I don't know what I want."

"But how do you know?" Robbie insisted.

Harry frowned. "How do I know what?"

"That it's what you actually want."

"Because I'm the one who wants it?" Harry said, laughing incredulously, but Robbie's face stayed firm, desperate.

"Harry, I'm being serious."

"So am I! I don't understand what you're asking?!"

Robbie looked pained as he said, "Do you ever wonder whether what you feel is really yours?"

Harry just stared at him.

"What?"

"I just don't know how much of us is really... us."

It felt like a punch to the gut. After everything they'd done, every magical moment, every date, every kiss, even having sex in the tent. Suddenly it all rung with a falseness that maybe Robbie hadn't enjoyed it as much as he thought he had. Maybe Robbie had been questioning their relationship all along whilst he had been slowly falling in love. He had been a fool. Again.

"I thought you were happy," he said, blinking away the burn of tears that he wouldn't let fall.

"I thought so too, but..." Robbie said, his voice miserable.

"Now you don't want me?"

"No," Robbie moaned, "you know that's not what I'm saying."

"Then what?" He asked. "I can't prove that what I feel for you is real any more than I already have."

"I'm not asking you to do that," he sighed.

"So what will make you believe me? In us?"

"I-" he paused, looking around desperately as if something, someone would give him the answer. "I don't know."

"Right," Harry said, nodding with a grim smile on his face.

Robbie looked close to tears.

"Harry-"

"No, it's fine. You wanted me to have my own opinion? Well, I've made up my mind. I'm going home."

"Please don't do this."

Harry gazed at him, wanting him to carry on, to apologise, to say that he was just being stupid. That of course he knew that what they had was real. Perhaps even that he loved him.

But instead he just stood there, dropping his gaze to his feet in shame.

Harry's voice was barely more than a whisper as he stepped close, making sure he could hear him.

'If you don't believe we can be real, Robbie, then what's the point?"

Then Harry turned and walked away before he could answer.

14 - HARRY

The moment he got home, that confidence he always felt around Robbie had well and truly faded, leaving a hollow emptiness in its wake.

He slumped against his bedroom door as the tears took him. He wished that Robbie had fought for him. That he could see that this wasn't just the virus, this was something special. Harry knew in his gut that he would have loved Robbie regardless. It devastated him Robbie didn't feel the same.

Then, with a slow dawning horror, he realised that he was now without a Tueri to rely on. Would he be able to get by with the spray alone? He walked to his wardrobe and pulled out one of Robbie's jumpers that he had given him. He smiled at it sadly and buried his face in it. It hurt. The smell made him feel like Robbie was here, like he'd wrap his arms around him and tell him everything's fine.

But he wasn't here.

He sat down on his bed, crying softly into the jumper.

"Harry?"

Harry looked up to see Max sitting up, squinting at him sleepily from his bed.

"Go back to sleep Max, sorry I woke you," he croaked.

Max slipped out from his bed and padded towards him.

"You're crying," Max said, reaching for his cheek.

"Yeah," he sniffed. "Bad day. But I'll be okay in the morning."

Max clambered up onto the bed beside him and hugged him. Harry wrapped an arm around him, and they sat for a while in silence.

Eventually Harry heard the telltale sounds of Max's soft snores and smiled to himself. He leaned back onto the pillows, pulling Max with him, who sighed and cuddled into him. Harry hadn't expected it to be such a comfort, but it was.

And with Max's steady breathing keeping him grounded he slowly drifted to sleep.

The next morning, he awoke to find Max gone. By the sound of it, he was already in his mother's bed, wittering about Santa coming tomorrow night.

Harry checked his phone and sure enough it was the 23rd December. The day before Christmas Eve.

He glanced at his notifications without being able to help himself. No messages. He sighed, and stood. He got dressed and headed downstairs to the kitchen to make breakfast.

He bumped into his dad on the way up the stairs who nodded his head at a bag by the foot of the bottom step.

"Mornin'. Bag of clothes left on the doorstep, assume it's yours."

Robbie. Robbie had been by. Not just by, but home and then back again with clothes so that Harry didn't get sick. It almost made him cry all over again. He wondered if he'd done it last night after their fight or early this morning. He considered texting him thanks, but decided he wasn't ready for that yet.

If Robbie wanted him, really wanted him, he knew where he was.

He ran down the stairs, grabbed the bag and then took it back up to his room. He pulled out one of the jumpers, painfully recognising it as the one Robbie had been wearing last night. Hastily he put it back and leant back in bed. He gazed at the ceiling, not sure what to do with his day without Robbie to look forward to.

Miserably he leant over the side of the bed and pulled out the shoebox he'd stored underneath. It was full of photos, stickers, pens and of course a large, almost full photo album.

He opened up the album he'd been working on for weeks that was supposed to be Robbie's Christmas present. He flicked through every photo, feeling an ache at each happy smile and memory they brought.

He stopped on one. It was recent. A photo of Robbie at the viewpoint, a beautiful sunset scene behind him, the perfect golden glow sending his hair aflame.

He'd turned just as Harry had taken the photo, and the look in his eyes...

He'd thought that maybe Robbie had been falling in love with him too. He traced his face in the photo with his fingertips. His wide smile that usually came so easily, his eyes crinkled with it were twinkling and bright. His freckled face and slightly turned up nose complimenting his mischievous demeanour.

He flicked to the last few pages of the album, where he'd slipped in a note that read: 'I've saved these pages for the adventures that are still to come. Love, Harry x'

He closed the album with a wince clutching it to his chest. He didn't want this just sitting under his bed. It was always supposed to be for Robbie. But would Robbie even want it?

He tried to imagine what he'd do if Robbie were here, what he'd decide if he was feeling that confidence that Robbie gave him. And suddenly the idea came to him.

He ran down the stairs, shouting a quick apology to his startled aunt, and grabbed a plastic shopping bag from the kitchen cupboard.

He put the album inside and wrapped it up tightly. Tucking it under his arm he grabbed his shoes and a coat and left the house at a quick walk. He kept his eyes open for Robbie the whole way, but he wasn't surprised when he didn't see him.

Breathless, he finally reached their viewpoint and looked out at the stunning view across the whole town. Turning he looked for a good spot to leave the parcel. He turned back towards the trees and tucked it right at the roots of the last tree before the clearing edge. He smiled to himself. He had to hope that Robbie would return here.

He had to hope that he'd find it and... well he didn't know what would happen then. Maybe he'd never see him again. But at least giving him this felt like he was doing something. It was all the proof he had that this had been real, every second. If it wasn't enough, then he would just have to move on.

He sighed heavily, resolute in his decision looking back at the viewpoint one more time before walking away.

15 - ROBBIE

"Merry Christmas!" His mum said brightly, passing a present to his dad who smiled.

"Thanks love," he said kissing her on the cheek.

Robbie watched them from the sofa, still a little uncomfortable with their newly mending relationship. Neither of them had said anything to him about it, and his dad hadn't officially moved back in, but this? This was more affection than he'd seen in months.

Who knew Robbie's life going off the rails could bring them back together.

He looked down at his phone, pulling his hood lower over his head.

"Robbie," his dad chastised, "phone away."

He lifted his gaze to glare at him, before sighing and pocketing the phone, crossing his arms across his chest and gazing out the window. It was snowing.

Normally he would have been the first to suggest heading outside, building snowmen, having a snowball fight, or even just going for a walk. But this year he found he couldn't muster the energy. Besides, the cold just made him miss Harry.

He wondered what he was doing right now. Was he opening Christmas presents around a a twinkling Christmas tree? Was he happy? He hoped he was happy, even if that made Robbie's own chest tighten painfully at the thought.

He hadn't realised his mum had approached until she sat beside him, the sofa giving slightly as she did. He turned to her and she gave him a small sad smile.

"Robbie baby," she said lifting a hand to push down his hood. "You're breaking my heart."

"I'm fine," he said as he brushed her hand away.

"No," she said firmly, "you're not. Talk. We promised didn't we?"

He sighed reluctantly, looking down unable to meet her eyes.

"It's Harry," he muttered. She looked confused so he added, "the 'friend'."

"Oh," she said nodding, "I see. So what happened with Harry?"

"I ended things."

She frowned, "did you like him?"

"Yes," he muttered.

"Did you love him?"

He paused, swallowing, "maybe. I don't know."

"Then," she asked hesitantly, "why?"

"It's complicated," he said.

His mum nodded, but she didn't move, still sat waiting. Robbie glanced across the room to see his dad was listening too.

"He's a Reliant."

"Okay?" She asked, and he blinked at her as if this was obvious.

"So I can't be with him," he said, barely holding back his frustration. "Because of what I am and what he is. I could be manipulating him and not even know it. I don't even know if my emotions, my thoughts are my own when I'm around him. How can I trust that it's real?"

His mum smiled sadly, looking between him and his dad.

"I don't know what your dad thinks, but I'd bet that you can trust yourself more than you think."

"I know we said you need to be careful," his dad added, "but that doesn't mean cutting out the important people in your life."

Easy for you to say, Robbie thought glumly.

"Why don't you tell us about him? How you when you're with him? Sometimes saying it aloud can make it easier?"

He fiddled uneasily with his fingernails as he glanced between them.

"Okay," he nodded and his mum smiled.

"So?" She prompted.

"I-" he hesitated feeling embarrassed, but both his parents just gave him encouraging smiles and he sighed. "He makes me feel happy, I don't think I've ever smiled as much in my life as I have when I'm with him. He's smart, and he takes really great photos. I think he'll probably be a professional photographer one day. And his Reliant influence always makes me feel cold and at first it was a bit strange but now I miss it. I miss him."

"When the cold goes away," his mum asked slowly, "do you feel any other emotions go away?"

He racked his brain, but shook his head.

"No, I feel the same..."

"Then why do you think that you can't trust your emotions?"

He bit his lip, "Because that's what they say about Tueri's, that we become obsessed and territorial and stuff."

"Some things you feel and do will be influenced by what you are, but you can't assume everything is. You can recognise when your emotions are getting the better of you. I saw you do it when you were angry at your father that day he came back. You know yourself, Robbie."

"Your mother and I are no experts on love Robbie, you have seen that enough to know it. But I have loved your mother through every up and down, and she has loved me too. We were probably wrong to end things the way we did. I don't know yet, we're still figuring it out and we're far older than you."

"Loving someone isn't easy Robbie," his mother sighed. "You need to trust your gut. I know you think you can't, but I think you're wrong."

"But how do you know? How can I know?" He asked.

"Take some time," she said softly, squeezing his leg gently, "and listen to what your heart is telling you."

He nodded. He wasn't convinced, but his mum had been right. Talking had helped.

"Thanks."

He felt like he needed to clear his racing mind, he was itching to ride his bike, to make his body ache the same way his heart ached.

"I'm going to go for a ride, clear my head," he said and his mum smiled.

"Great idea," she said, "wrap up warm and be safe on the roads, they'll be icy."

He grabbed his coat, scarf and gloves and headed out to the garden, putting on his helmet and unlocking his bike.

The moment he began to ride he felt better. His chest felt looser, his mind quieter, and he rode faster and faster away from his house letting the burn of his muscles slice through him.

Was he making a huge mistake?

He gritted his teeth and rode faster, turning a corner and feeling his tires skid a little in the thick snow.

Did he really love Harry? Truly?

He squinted his eyes against the white flakes, his breath coming out in small clouds. He rose in his seat, pumping his legs as hard as he could.

Could he live with losing him forever?

He grunted at the thought, at the exertion that was making his bones ache. His feet slipped on the damp pedals and he skidded, his bike sliding out of control into the road.

There was a flash of headlights, a loud horn blast and suddenly white hot pain.

.

.

.

Eek! Dont you love a cliffhanger?

I hope you are enjoying Diagnosed! Please comment below your thoughts - they make my day to read ☺️

Love,

Daisy x