Quick warning that there is a discussion of homophobia and negative reactions to coming out in this chapter.
(*~*)
Dec blinked softly, feeling the light trailing across his skin pull a soft smile onto his face. It was the first morning in a week that hadn't started with the invasive beeping of an alarm; the first morning where he didn't instantly feel a pit grow in his stomach. He shuffled beneath the bedsheets, stretching his legs out slowly as a rumble sounded from next to him.
"Morning."
His eyes slipped closed again and his lips dragged upwards even more. He rolled onto his side, head pillowed in the curve of one arm.
"Hey," he said under his breath, still blinking away sleep as the slightly bleary image of Stephen greeted him. He took a moment to admire the trail of sunlight on Stephen's cheek before shaking himself out of a daze. "How are you feeling?"
It was almost blissful, the sudden peace after their last semi-final the night before, like the walls of his house had suddenly got thicker overnight and blocked the outside world out.
"Better," Stephen replied, his hand appearing from beneath the covers to play with a stray strand of Dec's hair. "You?"
"Good," Dec smiled back, feeling himself tilt closer, seeking out his company. And that feeling wasn't going to wear off any time soon. "I've finally got you to myself, eh?"
"I suppose you can have a week," Stephen grinned coyly.
"Have you cleared out your diary for me?" Dec pretended to be flattered, constantly fighting to keep his eyes on Stephen's, to not let his gaze wander a little further down. The temptation was there, stronger than ever – they could go back to exactly how they had been as if everything in between had been nothing but a pause button.
"You'd probably have my full attention anyway," Stephen replied, close enough that every word left a trail of breath on Dec's skin, "Even if we were meant to be working."
"Yeah?" Dec murmured back, acutely aware of them moving towards each other, feeling Stephen's gravitational pull exerting a force he didn't want to fight.
"Yeah," Stephen said, his hand moving to cup the back of Dec's head. That closed the final gap and even though he took his time, even though it was just a brief brush of their lips, Dec felt every inch of his body warm through with a glow he'd been missing for the last few months.
They'd shared longer kisses over the past few days but this was the first that didn't feel like a comfort or reassurance, the first that was nothing but an expression of how the two of them felt about each other.
"We're out," Dec said eventually as he withdrew, glad that his own smile seemed to be infectious. It was a risk, saying something that could easily sour the mood.
"The world hasn't ended," Stephen replied, smiling lopsidedly. He made a show of looking around as if the ceiling might instantly cave in. "Yet."
"Plenty of time for that," Dec agreed jokily, letting out a long breath. "I suppose we'll just have to make the most of our time for now."
Stephen smiled to himself again, head rocked over on the pillow so he could appraise Dec. There was something thoughtful behind his expression, maybe a storm brewing in his eyes as much as he seemed happy on the surface.
Happier. Dec had to correct himself.
"What's on your mind?" he asked cautiously, letting their carefree mood go for the time being. It would come back – he was finally confident of that.
YOU ARE READING
As we fall apart
Fanfiction"Maybe it would be best if..." "What's that supposed to mean?" "I don't think I can do this anymore." It felt like it came out of nowhere. They'd had a lot to contend with for a long time but still, after it all, they'd had each other. Until they di...
