Take a Picture, It'll Last Longer

• Chapter Seven •

×Trigger Warning×
⚠️Mentions of Sexual Assault⚠️
⚠️Mentions of Past Trauma⚠️
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Ted whipped his head around the sound of your cans clanking on the ground. He expression turned to one of concern, crouching down in front of you. "(Y/N)? What's wrong?" Ted asks sweetly. You peek your eye out from under your hands to see him in front of you. You sigh and look down between your legs. "It's a long story. The creep that touched me, he reminded me of past trauma." You say as you feel Ted's hand lay ontop of your knee.

"I'm always here for you, you know that right?" He says as you look at him in the eyes. You smile lightly. "I know, and I'm thankful for that. In my past uh- I was sexually assaulted and that just triggered a lot of PTSD, not a huge topic I wanna get into but. I'll probably talk to you about it when I'm more comfortable." You say laying your hand on his, smiling at him. He smiles back, lightly rubbing his thumb on your knee. "Please, Take you time. But for now, are you okay to head back? Do you need me to call one of the boys and let them know what happened?" He asks as you lift your hand off of his, as much as you didnt want to let go of that feeling. "I.. I dont want the boys to know until I feel comfortable telling them. But yeah, we can head back." You say as you grab your grocery bag, whilst Ted stands up, extending his hand out to you to help you up. You graciously grab it and are lifted up rather easily by the lanky man. "Thank you. And.. thank you for being there for me." You say looking straight into his eyes.

"Anything for you." He replied. Making you blush, looking away with a smile. You both began to walk back towards the Grump office, mostly silent on the way back. Occasionally pointing things out that made you two laugh or seemed interesting. As soon as you get back inside the building, the first thing you hear is Schlatt complaining. "Took yous long enough." He said smiling, that way you knew he was joking. "Well fine Schlatt I might as well keep your drink." You say with a smile, reeling back the grocery bag and putting it behind you.

Schlatt starts getting dramatic, fake crying whilst Charlie jokingly comforts him, drinking his water directly in Schlatt's ear. Which make Schlatt freak out a little cause it "sounded weird". Ted still a little silent, shakes his head and smiles. "Ethan just texted me that he's here, what perfect timing." He says looking out the peep hole of the door, his bag in hand. As you turned your head to look at the brunette at the door, you heard footsteps approach him.

Ted quickly opens the door, effectively scaring the shit out of Ethan. "Oh jesus christ- As I was just about to grab the handle too!" He says taken off guard. "Sorry I had to, I heard you comin. How's it goin man? Nice to meet you." Ted says with a slight chuckle at the beginning. You, Schlatt and Charlie all exchange small chuckles at the ordeal. Once Ethan and Ted became aquatinted, Ethan came over to you and the boys. "Hi I'm Ethan." He says extending his hand out to you. "I'm (Y/N), pleasure to meet you." You say grasping his hand and giving him a firm handshake. "You too." He says with a smile. He moves over to Schlatt and Charlie as they also greeted him kindly, you took this opportunity to walk over to Ted. "I'm feeling kinda tired so, I might sit this recording out. Re-cooperate after the whole shit show at the gas station." You say placing a hand on his shoulder. "That's totally fine. Incase you don't wake up when we're ready to leave I'll come get you." He says placing his hand on top of yours for a split second. "Thank you." You say with a smile, as he returns one back go you.

As the boys all make their way to the recording room, you give them their drinks and snacks. Leaving you with your stuff in your bag. You walk over to the lobby couch, exhausted and stressed from today. As you enjoy some of your food and drinks whilst scrolling through Tiktok, you begin to fall asleep rather quickly.

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After hearing some indistinct chatter, you slightly stir, turning over to go back to sleep. You heard a door close and footsteps approach you. "(Y/N)? We're getting ready to leave. Ethan just left." You hear as you get lightly shaken. Completely stirring away and stretching, you rub your eyes to look up at Ted and just flop back over. Throwing a thumbs up for him to know you heard him. Earning a chuckle from Ted he lightly rubs your arm and gets up. "You guys ready?" Ted says to Charlie and Schlatt. "I gotta use the bathroom real quick and then we can head out." Schlatt replies walking towards the bathroom. "Those Monster Energies really go right through you, don't they?" Charlie jokes, as Schlatt flips him off while closing the door to the bathroom. Earning a laugh from both the boys.