Comfort in Silence // dnf

Bye

The dreaded day had come, George was standing just outside the terminal for his plane. He had his suitcase clutched in his hand, he looked sad, even though he had a little smile.

Clay was stood in front of him, watching the clock and savoring every last minute they had together. Nick had already departed 30 minutes earlier and they had a very teary goodbye, and now it was Georges turn.

Clay never admitted his feelings. He kept them from George, which part of him regretted, but he also thanked his anxiety because that meant that they wouldn't have this awkward space in between them if George did or didn't reciprocate them.

What he didn't know that George had started to realize his own feelings, which made their depart even worse, because they both had unspoken feelings for each other. They would live so far from each other, both pining through a computer screen. And neither of them had the balls to admit them over the computer for fear of being ghosted. Admitting them now would have the same result if things took a turn for the worst, so even that wasn't an option.

They just looked at each other, a foot distancing them.

"Flight for London departing in 15 minutes. Please board now." Sounded over the intercoms. Clay watched Georges smile leave as he realized he only had a couple minutes left. He let go of his suitcase and approached Clay, holding his arms out.

Clay gladly accepted, walking forward and wrapping his arms around the other, placing his head on top of Georges. His eyes squeezed shut as he felt Georges head lay against his chest. He didn't want to let go. He didn't want to lose this. George felt the same as he squeezed as hard as he could, internalizing the feeling.

He pushed back, looking up.

"I'll miss you. Promise you'll text me please." George pleaded, knowing that a call was unlikely for the moment, so he would settled with a discord message. Clay nodded hastily, showing his overwhelming agreement. George smiled, letting go.

He had to get going now, he needed to get himself situated on the plane and as much as he wanted to stay with his friend, he knew he had to go.

"We still have Twitch Con in 3 months. I'll see you then." George said, smiling hopefully. Clay had resolved to make this his first one, hoping to push past his anxiety and attend. He would do his face reveal in 3 months and he was no where near ready. But if George and Nick were by his side when it happened, he was sure he would be able to do it.

Clay smiled back, watching as George grasped the handle of his suitcase.

They made eye contact one last time, before George turned around and started towards his terminal.

"George." Clay said, not wanting to have an unspoken goodbye. George turned around surprised, seeing Clay looking nervous. He didn't talk in public places, not even singular words. He barely made any exceptions and both times had been for George.

Georges eyebrows upturned in question.

"Bye." Clay said with a weak smile.

George smiled back with a "goodbye."

Clay sat and watched as Georges back slowly got smaller as he walked through the gates of his flight.

_______

"Sweetie! Dinner is ready!" Clays mom called from the kitchen. Clay was occupied at his desk, editing a video while talking to Nick and George in a call. He himself wasn't talking but he was listening in on their conversation. He would pipe in occasionally with small quips, but other than that he was quiet.

Over the past 3 weeks he opened up a little bit after completely shutting down after the fire. He still barely said anything but he could at least talk a little bit. He was more open in a call alone with Nick but even so, he was still a little bit more reserved with himself.