You're Known //DNF\\

Ready to be More

Clay was on edge for the rest of the night after George's nightmare. Whenever he felt George shift in his arms, he immediately would awake and check up on him. He gave up trying to fall asleep around 5am, waking up to the smaller tossing to face towards him.

Clay smiled when he saw a relaxed smile on the brunette's face after he hugged him close. Being this close to George, he could smell his lavender scented hair and he could feel George's calm breathing. He kept George close to his body until around 6:30am, when he could hear George's parents come out of their room and soon leave the house.

He decided to leave the bed and George at 7:13am, seeing that they would have to go to school very soon. Clay quietly shut the door to George's room and walked carefully down the stairs, to the kitchen where he would begin making a simple breakfast for them both.

Clay was just finishing up when the brunette came down the stairs lazily, his hair all messy and his eyes all droopy. For having at least a few good hours of sleep, he looked like a mess. Clay didn't blame him though; he felt the same especially after barely sleeping at all.

"Good morning Georgie." Clay welcomed him as he stumbled over to the bar stools. George shrugged and hummed a small, good morning back, laying his head down in his arms after sitting.

Clay pushed a small plate with a fried egg on it towards him. George looked at it, then at Clay. He didn't want to eat, his appetite gone after the dreadful night. Clay kept his closed concerned smile, urging George to at least have a couple bites. So, George ended up fixing his posture and grabbing the plate, soon picking at the egg and taking a few bites. Clay joined him soon after.

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The boys sluggishly entered the school doors, this time Clay didn't dare leave George's side. If he couldn't protect him during classes, he would do his best any other time. George gave him a weak smile when he noticed him walking with him to his locker.

Clay was very warry of his surroundings, taking in everyone who past them and what looks were on those people's faces. When George closed his locker door and they walked down the hallway, Clay saw Clarance and his fellow friends (if you could call them friends) walking past. Clay couldn't help but notice Clarance's evil eye on George, skimming the brunette up and down.

He hated it. It brought not only the need to protect George, but also jealousy. Clay acted quick through his emotions, grabbing George's left hand tightly before continuing their walk down the halls. Clay let out a small snort when he saw Clarance's eyes move down to their hands and his face turn nefarious.

When George felt the large hand around his, he looked down and saw how perfectly, how naturally, their hands intertwined with another. He couldn't stop the faint blush that found its way onto his cheeks. George walked closer to Clay for the rest of the time being.

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The whole morning moved what felt like an hour for each minute as both boys ignored their teachers in each class and focused on each other. George was feeling better and waking up after seeing Clay in the halls after each period, ready to walk hand in hand to their next classes.

The whole relationship between Clay and George right now, was fragile as thin ice but strong as the giant Moai on Easter Island. It could be easily broken over loss of trust or someone breaking their routine but could easily become stronger over hardships and pain. It was confusing yet understandable as it prospered into something steadier and more secure.

Lunch now came around the corner, both boys entering the lunchroom hands intertwined and bodies brushing lightly against each other. George still seemed cautious, but Clay found this better than him distancing himself, or even trying to escape whatever bothered him. He liked that George was trying to jump out of his comfort zone and push through.