lavender //dnf//

11

TW: angst, slight violence at the end

The bed was empty. George stared at the ceiling with sleepy eyes as the moonlight shone through the thin curtains. He wanted to check the time, but he didn't have his phone. He estimated that it was around one in the morning. Why wasn't Clay next to him? George remembered the message from a few hours ago, and his panic attack. The thoughts that had been forced out of his head when he passed out were now flooding his mind.

George wondered if Clay had slept on the couch to give him space. But in reality, he wanted Clay to be with him all the time. It was the only time he felt safe.

He forced himself out of bed, feeling much better than a few hours back, but the tight feeling of anxiety was still turning in his stomach. George slowly walked down the hallway and into the living room, rubbing his eyes and quietly yawning. He flicked the light switch and looked at the couch- Clay wasn't there. George's eyebrows furrowed and he could feel the anxiety getting tighter and tighter.

George could feel his dizziness coming back, so he walked to the couch and perched on the end. He put his head in his hands and tried to gather his thoughts. Where the hell was Clay? George was in deep thought when he felt his phone, that had been left there, buzz next to him. He took a deep breath, hoping it wasn't from his step dad, and looked over to the lit up screen.

Quackity retweeted

George sighed in relief and scooped up his phone, opening it with face ID. When the phone unlocked, the first thing that was shown were the messages. George's eyes were drawn to a recent message that had been sent to the unknown number.

A reply.

George's stomach fell to the floor and his heart pounded as fast as possible. His eyes stung with tears as he brought himself to read it.

I don't know who the fuck you think you are, but I am not going to sit here and let you do this to George. He doesn't deserve it. I want you to meet me at Miami beach at 1:30. Maybe we can sort things out. 1:05am

"Clay," George could hardly speak. His voice was croaky and quiet. His hands that held the phone were shaking the most they ever had before, and he could do absolutely nothing but sob. He wondered if Nick had gone too, and if they had left George alone to go and meet with his step dad. He knew what his step dad could do to them, and it physically hurt George that he knew it would all be his fault.

He tried to raise his voice as best as he could, "NICK!" His voice broke, "Nick please come here!" He tried his best, and finally heard Nick's bedroom door swing open. He ran in, with a concerned look on his face.

"George? Are you okay? What's happened? Where's Clay?" Nick ran over to the brunette and wrapped an arm around him. He noticed the tears streaming down his face, and his heart shattered into a million tiny pieces.

George didn't say a thing, except he handed the phone to Nick, who took it nervously. Nick read the message Clay had sent, and George noticed tears welling up in his dark eyes.

"D-did you know about this?" George forced out of himself, but his words were interrupted by small hiccups.

Nick instantly retorted, "no! I didn't George, really, I didn't," he paused, "I promise."

George nodded. "What did you two talk about last night?" He asked, curious as to whether Clay mentioned anything about meeting with his step dad.

Nick hesitated, wiping a tear from his cheek. "H-he said that he cares about you a lot, and he was really angry at your step dad. But George I promise you I knew nothing about this."

George believed him, why wouldn't he? Nick had been his best friend for so many years and it wouldn't be fair on him if George didn't believe him. George fell into Nick's arms and sobbed, he was so lost. So sleep deprived. So anxious. So scared. He just wanted Clay, he wanted to feel Clay's touch and feel safe in his arms.

He was terrified for Clay. He knew that his step dad wouldn't hesitate to hurt him, and George could do nothing about it. He stayed put in Nick's arms, doing nothing but sobbing and hoping Clay was safe.

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Clay slammed the car door shut and ran down the sidewalk as fast as he could. The air was cold and the blood in his body was boiling with anger. Half of his mind was full of regret; telling him to go back to George, but the other half was full of pure anger and he felt as though it was his job to keep George safe.

Clay ran through the wind until he reached a set of stone steps that led to the sand. He slowed down and walked carefully down the steps, until his feet connected with the cold sand. He walked a little further until he was stood, alone, in the middle of the empty beach. He turned around repeatedly, the nerves growing inside of him. The ocean ahead was crashing against the rocks but sent calming shivers down Clay's spine.

He waited for about ten minutes.

Alone.

He was scared.

Angry.

What do I do? Should I go home? God I hope George is okay-

"Not bringing George with you?" A man chuckled from behind him.

Clay spun around, sweat was beading across his hairline and his heart was pounding aggressively. He made eye contact with a tall, larger man. He had bushy facial hair and was about an inch taller than Clay.

George's step dad continued, "you're with me now, and you're telling me where George is."

Clay's anger took over him. He ran to the man and grabbed the collar of his shirt. "Listen here, dick. George is happy with me, so leave him the fuck alone or we're gonna have an issue. You don't deserve him, and I've seen what you do to him." His voice was quiet but strong.

George's step dad laughed. "Get the fuck off me."

His eyes were terrifying. Clay let go, but didn't break the eye contact between them.

The man repeated himself. "You're telling me where George is," he walked closer, "who the fuck are you?"

"I'm George's boyfriend."

The man's eyes widened and his face was now turning red with anger. He walked even closer to Clay.

"No you're not. Tell me where he is." He refused to believe what Clay was telling him.

"No. He's somewhere safe, where you'll never find him, okay? So go back to your shitty house and continue your toxic life without him."

Clay was interrupted by the man's fist connecting with the side of his head. The punch was hard, the hardest he had ever been hit. Clay suddenly went dizzy, and felt his body fall to the floor. His head flopped to the side, cold sand brushing against his cheek.

He'd been knocked out.

helloooooo. this chapter was slightly terrifying but i hope you liked it!
sorry i didn't post this a bit earlier, i slept for so long lol.

remember to eat something, drink water and take care of yourself, i love you.

1259 words.