True to his words, Lav focused on practicing his violin. He would lock himself in his hotel room all morning and would only go out during the night, when the miracle would happen and he would be able to touch Keith. It was still very mysterious for the both of them that the miracle would only happen whenever the sun is out.

Keith was happy to spend every time he had with Lav. And seeing Lav all too excited was something that made him even gladder. He didn’t think that it was possible to love someone more and more each day, but that’s exactly what he was feeling for Lav. It was also great that Lav had seemed to forget what happened the night the miracle first happened. Keith wanted him just to forget such an ugly memory.

It was only a few days before the contest, and the two of them were out in the park for a breath of fresh air after a hard day of practice. Everything was going so well until Lav saw three familiar figures. “It’s them…” He said in a shaky voice.

When Keith turned to where LAv was looking, he saw the three men who tried to rape him. Keith got worried and held Lav’s hand tight, but to his surprise, Lav didn’t look scared at all. Instead, Lav looked very angry. Lav tried to walk towards the three, and Keith knew that he would do something crazy to get back at those three. “Lav, don’t… You might just get into trouble. You might get hurt.” He said as he held Lav’s hand tighter.

“I just can’t let them get away with what they tried to do to me.” Lav sounded very angry. “They should be taught a lesson. I’ll make them regret what they did.” Keith couldn’t hold his anger anymore. He was angry himself, and hearing Lav that angry made him even more furious at those people.

“Just what would you do? When they attacked you that night, they easily overpowered you. What made you think that you could handle them now?” Keith was angry. He was angry that Lav would not even think of his own safety. He was angry with how easily Lav could put himself into danger. But most of all, he was angry because he wouldn’t be able to handle it if anything happens to Lav.

“I have you.” Lav said. “That’s why I am sure that I wouldn’t get hurt this time.” Keith saw how serious Lav looked. There was no stopping him anymore. Hearing Lav says those words just made him feel responsible for him.

Keith was defeated by the determination in Lav’s eyes. “Fine, but you’ll have to wait until they’re somewhere crowded, that way, they wouldn’t be able to do anything.” Keith said strictly.

“Why can’t we just get to them now? We could handle them. I would psyche them up and then you beat the hell out of them.” Lav said bravely.

“Or they could run. Or worse; they beat the hell out of us even before you could open your mouth. It’s three against two, Lav.” Keith said. He wasn’t confident that he could handle all three of them. He didn’t want Lav to fight either. Lav was just too frail.

“Fine, I get it.” Lav said, defeated. “We’ll follow them until they get somewhere crowded then I’ll make them pay.” He said with a smile. That smile made Keith very uneasy. He could just tell that Lav was already planning something. He couldn’t say no to Lav, he couldn’t stop him, because honestly, Keith wanted to make those men pay as well. Maybe even more than Lav does.

They followed the three men for a while. Keith felt like undercover police of some sort. They made a breakthrough when the three men went into a convenience store and met a woman. Keith and Lav saw the three men arguing with the woman before accepting an envelope from her. The envelope was filled with money for sure.

They wait for the woman to leave and when she exited the store, Lav’s eyes flared in intense anger. That woman was Cara. “Her…” Lav hissed. Keith could the anger in Lav. Admittedly, Keith was pretty angry himself, but he couldn’t let Lav act rashly.

“Don’t.” Keith said strictly when Lav was about to walk towards Cara. “We can’t act rashly this time. We need to think things through.” Keith said. “I know that you’re angry. I am angry as well, but we shouldn’t let that anger get the best of us. Besides, we don’t have much evidence to corner her.”

“Fine. But I wouldn’t let her get away. I’ll find evidence against her and make sure she regrets what she did.” Lav said angrily.

Lav’s anger was diverted to Cara, from the three men. He couldn’t care less for those three men anymore. They went back to the hotel room and Lav was still flaming in anger. Keith was really worried. He didn’t like seeing Lav that way. “Why don’t you take a shower first? It might cool you down and you might calm down a bit.” Keith petted Lav’s head.

With a small smile, Lav agreed to his suggestion. While Lav was in the shower, Keith was waiting patiently outside. He was thinking hard on how to cheer Lav up, but he couldn’t come up with a solid idea. He was pacing in the room when the doorbell suddenly rang.

He looked through the peephole and saw an unfamiliar girl outside. “Who?” The girl rang the doorbell again, with an excited smile.

“Hey, Laverne! Open up!” She suddenly shouted.

“She knows Lav…” Keith mumbled. “Just who is this girl?” Keith wondered what relationship had with Lav. He also was thinking what she was doing there in the middle of the night. Is she that close to Lav to visit at that late hour?

Keith opened the door reluctantly. “Finally you open up….” The girl sounded very surprised. “Ehhh… who are you? Did I come to the wrong room?” She looked at the number on the door. “This is the right room… Just who the hell are you?!” She sounded panicked.

Keith was about to answer her when the door of the bathroom opened. “Hey, Keith who was it?” Lav asked. Keith turned and saw Lav half-naked. The only covering Lav had was the towel around his waist. Keith’s heart started pounding. He felt nervous and excited. Lav’s skin looked so soft and smooth and Keith couldn’t help but be tempted to touch it.

“Ahhh…!” The girl suddenly shouted in surprised. Keith regained his senses back. The girl pushed him aside. “What are you doing, walking half-naked, with this man in the room? And who is this man anyway?!”

Lav looked nonchalant and unsurprised. “What the hell? What are you doing here? Didn’t I tell you not to follow me here?” Lav said.

Lav stood there without moving. Keith didn’t like the fact that it was fine for Lav to be seen half-naked by that girl. “Can you put on some clothes first?” Keith asked, irritated.

“Ahhh… I’m sorry, I’ll do that now.” Lav said and then ran back in his room.

“You haven’t answered my question yet. Who are you and what are you doing here in Laverne’s room?” The girl asked as she took a sit on the couch.

“I can ask you the same question.” Keith replied in a serious tone.

“Can you just go home?” Lav said in an impatient tone as he walked out of the bedroom. “And you can’t stay here in my room.” He said.

“Don’t worry. I already knew you would say that so I booked a room.” The girl replied. “So, who is this man?”

“He’s the reason why you can’t stay in this room. He’s staying here with me.” Lav said with a mischievous smile. Keith only shook his head. Lav was at it again. “His name is Keith. And by the way, this is Melanie, my very obstinate cousin.” Lav said.

“Wait. You’re staying together? Does Evan know about it? Why are you two even staying together?” Melanie asked.

“Ahhh… Evan? He was cheating on me, so I broke up with him.” Lav said seriously.

“What, he cheated on you? So now you’re staying with this man?” Melanie asked curiously in a confused and judgmental tone.

“Right.” Lav said.

“Are you kidding me? How can you move on so fast? Hey, did you possibly go even crazier than you already are?” Melanie sounded very hysterical.

“Do I look like I’m kidding with you? I’m very serious right now.” Lav replied.

“Hey, you shouldn’t be like that. She won’t understand if you keep talking like that.” Keith whispered gently to Lav. He didn’t want things to get blown out of proportion. Besides, Melanie sounded genuinely concerned.

“Then when I knocked… Ahh… were the two of you about…” Melanie said in a scandalous tone. Keith knew what she was thinking and he was a bit embarrassed. He was guilty as well because he was having impure thoughts when he saw Lav half-naked.

“Hey! Don’t just conclude things by yourself!” Lav complained. He was blushing and looked very embarrassed.

“What are you acting so embarrassed about?” Melanie said naughtily. “It’s alright, I completely understand.” She said and then smiled. “Well I could see how you could easily get attracted to him, he looks great.” She said and then winked at Keith.

“Stop that, before I throw you out.” Lav said in a very irritated tone. Melanie smiled at Keith again and Keith felt really uncomfortable. “I said stop it!” Lav complained.

“Alright, alright, no need to get too jealous…” Melanie said.

“I’m not jealous!” Lav complained. He was blushing so red. Keith was actually happy that Lav seemed so jealous, and he was even happier that Lav was overprotective of him. It was obvious that Lav didn’t want anyone else to flirt with him, and Keith was all too happy with it. “Why are you even here?”

“I heard about the contest that you’re joining. Your mom was really excited about it and she asked me to film it for her.” Melanie said proudly. “The contest is this weekend, right. I’ll be cheering for you, so break a leg.” Melanie said and she stood up.

“My mom is doing something unnecessary once again…” Lav sighed. “I don’t need you cheering for me. You’ll just do some embarrassing stunt for sure. Besides it’s not like your cheering could make me win if anything it might get kicked out of the competition.” Lav said coldly.

“Sheesh…” Melanie said when she looked at Keith. “Okay, I could take a hint you know. You could have just told me to leave so that you could have Keith all to yourself.” Melanie walked towards the door. “See you tomorrow. You two could… have fun now.” She said with a meaningful smile and then winked.

Keith felt embarrassed and guilty. It’s just after seeing Lav’s smooth body fresh out from the shower excite him. And because of Melanie’s suggestion, he was starting to have impure thoughts about Lav.

“Hey, why are you like that? What are you thinking about?” Lav asked when he looked at Keith. Suddenly, Keith felt embarrassed. Was he that transparent? “Don’t tell me? HEY!” Lav covered his chest by crossing his arms in front of it. “You perverted ghost!” Lav went to the bedroom and shut the door.

Keith felt really guilty and really bad. “Lav… let me explain… I’m sorry…” Keith said when he knocked. “I just… I just…” Keith sighed. He couldn’t think of any explanation at all. “I just am really attracted to you… I can’t help myself… I’m a guy too… I have desires…” He said honestly.

“I can’t believe that I let myself get complacent around you… What was I thinking? You were the perverted stalker ghost that watched me sleep…” Lav said in a very complaining tone. “But… I must be a pervert too.” He opened the door. “Because I am starting to think about the same thing...” He said shyly with very red cheeks.

Moving closer to Lav, Keith looked at Lav straight in the eyes. Then, without any warning, he pulled Lav closer for a hug. “It’s alright. I won’t try anything to you, until you’re ready until it’s the right time.” He said and then tightened his embrace. “But, there is something that I really want to ask you.”

“What is it?” Lav asked.

“Can I kiss you?” Keith asked. His heart was pounding really hard, just by the pure thought of it. He felt guilty for asking Lav, and he was quite unsure what Lav’s reply would be. But Keith really wanted to kiss Lav. He had wanted to, for a very long time. Thinking about the kisses that he had stolen from Lav before, Keith became guilty but at the same time very nervous.

Lav pushed him gently away. Keith looked at Lav and he couldn’t read Lav’s expression at all. He wondered what Lav was thinking. Suddenly Lav tiptoed and put his arms around Keith’s neck. “You don’t have to ask me. You could just kiss me whenever you want.” Lav said, in a gentle tone, and then pulled Keith closer for a kiss.

Time froze for Keith. His heart stopped beating all together because of the uncontainable happiness he was feeling. That kiss was the single most amazing thing that Keith had ever felt. Each moment lasted forever and he wanted it to last even longer. His mind was floating in total bliss that nothing else mattered.

Lav led him inside the bedroom, still lip-locked. They fell on the bed with Lav just under him and they parted lips for a moment. Lav was blushing and he looked so happy, and Keith was the same. “I just told you that I wouldn’t try anything on you, but if you kept on doing this, then I might lose control.” Keith said.

“We don’t have to do anything. We’ll kiss and we’ll cuddle. And we’ll sleep together in an embrace, and that’s all we’ll do. Don’t worry, you’re not taking advantage of me. On the contrary, I’m the one taking advantage of this situation.” Lav said with a sly smile and then pulled Keith for another passionate kiss.

+++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++

Laverne slept peacefully in Keith’s embrace. He used Keith’s arm as a pillow as he buried his face on Keith’s chest all night. He expected to wake up with the feeling of cold touch throughout his body as the ghost Keith lie beside him. But that didn’t happen.

When Laverne opened his eyes, Keith was nowhere to be found.

Panic invaded his mind instantly. He looked for Keith everywhere in the hotel room and left no corner unturned. But he found no sign of Keith at all. His heart began to sink as the thought and suspicion of Keith passing on to the next life came into him. He didn’t want that, he didn’t want to be left alone without Keith. He felt scared that he wouldn’t be able to see Keith anymore, he was afraid that he won’t be able to touch Keith anymore, and he was really frightened that he won’t be able to simply be with Keith.

Laverne wasted no time and searched for Keith everywhere. He went out of the hotel and went to all the places Keith had brought him, but he did not find Keith at all. His heart was beginning to sink even deeper. It was aching so bad that it was unbearable to him. Slowly, Laverne felt tired of searching, he felt hopeless and helpless. He went back to his hotel room in a very depressed mood.

He was very disappointed. Have I really lost Keith? I haven’t even told him yet how much I love him. Laverne thought as emotions started to overcome his mind and heart. All of a sudden tears came falling down from his eyes and it didn’t take long for him to fell on the floor with his arms around his knees as he sobbed.

It was the worse feeling that Laverne had ever felt. It was even worse than the time his father left him, worse than the time he saw Evan kissing Cara, worse than the two events combined. That’s only when he realized how much Keith meant to him.

“I love… Keith…” Laverne said as he sobbed. He felt that saying those words were already useless. Keith wasn’t there anymore to hear it and he wouldn’t see Keith’s smile and excited face after hearing him say that. It was useless, meaningless…

“Say that again…” Laverne looked up in surprise and more tears came falling from his eyes. There was Keith standing in front of him, with the same expression on his face as Laverne imagined. “Why are you crying?” Keith sounded and looked very worried. He knelt in front of Laverne as reached for Laverne’s eyes.

Keith’s touch felt so cold. Laverne wanted to hug Keith tightly, but he knew that he wouldn’t be able to touch Keith in the morning. “I woke up and you were gone, I looked for you everywhere but I couldn’t find you. I thought that…” Laverne sobbed even more.

“I’m sorry. I just went out to find some information about Cara, I thought that the sooner we corner her the sooner you’ll feel better…” Keith sounded very guilty and he reached for Laverne’s face and traced his fingers on Laverne’s cheeks. “Don’t cry anymore, I’m already here, I won’t be gone anymore…”

“We promised to stay by each other’s side always. Why did you leave without saying anything?” Laverne complained. He was relieved that Keith was with him again, but he still couldn’t stop crying. “Cara is not important, just don’t leave me again… I’m afraid that I might lose you…”

“I understand. I promise that I won’t leave again, so don’t cry anymore.” Keith said.

“I love you.” Laverne said as he looked at Keith straight in the eyes. He was still crying a little bit. “I really really love you, so please, don’t leave me.” He said almost pleading.

“Lav… I… really love you too.” Keith smiled and blushed. “It sucks that I can’t even touch you right now, because I feel like kissing you right now.” Keith said gently. “I wonder if you’ll stop crying if I kiss you.” Keith said smiled gently at Laverne.

“Then do it.” Laverne said. He was quite serious. It sounded absurd to him as well, but he was already crazily in love with Keith that it doesn’t really matter anymore.

“We both know that, right now, I can’t do that.” Keith sounded disappointed. Laverne was truly disappointed as well. But he had an idea.

“We’ll just make our lips touch. I know that you can’t feel anything, but isn’t it enough to know that our feelings are connected?” Laverne said.

“It would be really cold for you…” Keith sounded very worried. He looked very hesitant and Laverne understood why.

“And I’ll cherish that coldness. From now on, everything that I feel and experience because of you, I’ll cherish forever.” Laverne said and then closed his eyes.

Nothing happened for the first few seconds. He didn’t feel anything. He had guessed that Keith was still hesitating, still worried about him. He was about to open his eyes again to plead Keith when he felt the coldness invade his lips. Laverne kept his eyes closed and felt the cold for a few more moments. And then Keith moved away.

“As I expected…” Keith said with a disappointed chuckle. “I want a proper kiss… I think I really am perverted about you. I always end up wanting for more.” Keith chuckled awkwardly.

“Then we’ll wait until the sun falls. Then we can kiss properly, and then you can…” Laverne said seriously in a gentle tone as he opened his eyes.

“Stop, don’t say it.” Keith said and then stood up. He looked away from Laverne. “My heart can’t take it anymore. I think it’s going to burst.” He said in a cheerful tone “Seriously, Lav, you shouldn’t keep on making me feel too excited, I might really turn into a pervert.”

Laverne burst out in laughter. The way Keith said it was just too darn funny for him. “You never fail to make me feel better.” Laverne said as he laughed.

“That’s a relief.” Keith said with a warm smile. Seeing Keith’s beautiful smile once again made Laverne’s heart feel at ease. It made him calm and it made him really happy. He would do everything just to never lost sight of that beautiful sight. He would do everything just to always have Keith by his side.

When Laverne finally calmed down, Keith approached him with a small smile. “So, do you want to hear what I found out about Cara?” He said proudly.

“I guess so…” Laverne said. He was not that focused on the issue at that moment. He was still very relieved that Keith was back with him. Everything else seemed of very little importance to him.

“She’s joining the contest. The one that Thomas Green made you enter. She’s going to sing there and plans to impress a particular judge. That judge is supposed to be the director of a big talent agency.” Keith said.

“So she wants to make it big, huh…” Laverne said. Suddenly, a plan started brewing in his mind. He had just thought of something great to make Cara pay. “I think I know how and when Cara will pay for what she did to me.” He said with a wicked grin.

That night, Melanie forced them to come with her at a local bar. She wanted to have fun. Laverne made Keith wear a casual t-shirt that he bought instead of the dress shirt that Keith had been wearing ever since they met. “Why can’t I just wear my usual clothes?” Keith complained. He didn’t like the t-shirt that showed how toned his upper body was.

“Melanie would get suspicious. She doesn’t seem like it, but she’s pretty smart. Besides, I like the way you look in that shirt.” Laverne said. Keith looked really good. He looked like a college jock, very toned and sexy. Laverne felt more attracted to Keith, after seeing Keith in that shirt.

“I still am not comfortable, wearing this. And the idea of a ghost changing clothes is still very surreal. Usually, we wear one pair of clothes forever.” Keith said jestingly and then chuckled. Having those simple happy times with Keith was really precious to Laverne, he was glad by the simple fact that Keith was with him.

“Well, you’re not particularly a regular ghost, so I think it’s just fine. And you better get used to it, because I’m pretty sure that this wouldn’t be the last time Melanie would force us to come with her.” Laverne said.

“Hey, could you two stop flirting on the street and hurry up a little a bit.” Melanie complained as she stopped and looked back at them. “I am your guest; you should be taking care of me.” She added.

Melanie was very supportive of Laverne and Keith’s relationship. She was happy for Laverne and was pretty angry at Evan for cheating. Being out-of-control when angry runs in Laverne’s maternal side of the family, and Melanie was no different, it’s just that she’s more physical, while Laverne was more sly and cynical.

“You’re not a guest, Melanie. No one invited you here, and you practically forced us to accompany you with blackmailing me that you will tell everything to Mom.” Laverne complained.

“Is it really that difficult to come to have fun with me?” Melanie said sarcastically as she continued to walk in a hurry.

“Well, your definition of fun involves a lot of drinking, flirting, and in the end, fighting. So I would say yes.” Laverne replied sarcastically as well. The two of them might talk like that, but they are in fact very close.

“Oh please, we both know you like to drink.” Melanie added.

“Well, whenever I am with you I couldn’t do that because I have to look after you.” Laverne complained.

“I can look after the two of you.” Keith said. “But, Laverne can’t drink too much. I won’t allow you to get drunk.” He said with a meaningful smile to Laverne.

They went to a bar and Melanie started drinking right away. She complained when she found no guy that was of her interest. But still, she looked like she was having fun. Laverne was having a blast as well, Melanie kept on telling them stories of her crazy adventures and it was always fun to listen to.

Laverne and Keith were holding hands the whole time, with Laverne on the edge of the both by the walkway. He raised his glass of beer, about to take a drink when suddenly someone took held him by the wrist and tried to pull him out of his chair.

“What do you think you’re doing?” Keith sounded very angry as he pulled Laverne to his side. It was the first time Laverne heard Keith that angry, he was indeed very frightening. He glared at the guy trying to pull Laverne away. He was glaring furiously at Evan.