(this one i just put on Tumblr a few hours ago so why not)
CW: Hurt/Comfort
Frenrey fic where Gordon is touch repulsed but Benrey is touch starved, Benrey ignores his own need for touch and affection to respect Gordon.
Gordon appreciates his efforts and doesn't think much of it, though he doesn't realize how badly Benrey literally needs affection.
At one point he starts noticing Benrey trying to get that touch from him, though pulling himself away at the last second and very visably feeling horrible.
Gordon in no way wants to touch anyone, but he feels really bad. He tries to reason with himself that Benrey gets plenty of affection from Tommy and Darnold, and occasionally Coomer.
Though of course Gordon is the person Benrey wants affection from the most.
But Benrey feels like he can't have it and it's killing him.
Of course Gordon ignores his guilt, not that he feels (or should feel) guilty for being touched repulsed. It's not his fault.
He's guilty because he actually reciprocates Benrey's feelings for him. He knows how Benrey feels but he's afraid to admit the same, he doesn't want Benrey's expectations of him to change just because they become romantically involved, alongside general relationship fears.
Though there comes a point where he realizes he needs to set aside his own needs, as Benrey had done with his for so long.
There's a lot of fear that goes into considering his options. Though he comes to the conclusion of starting with just the smallest things.
Which goes well. Gordon's definitely still touch-repulsed, obviously that's not going to change. But Benrey always seems so happy, even with the smallest of things.
This hadn't gone on for very long when one day Benrey comes home and has Very Obviously had a Bad Day™️.
With much doubt and fear, Gordon musters up enough courage to go to Benrey and give him a long, tight hug.
Benrey freezes up in a panic until Gordon reassures him that it's okay. That he deserves this.
Benrey relaxes, and asks if he can hug back.
Gordon considers telling Benrey he'd be pushing his luck, but decides to let him.
All the things he previously assumed about what giving Benrey a hug was like? Completely different.
The most surprising thing?
He thinks he wouldn't mind letting this hug last longer. He thinks he wouldn't mind doing it again once in a while.
Benrey starts crying. All that pent up want and need surfacing in the form of tears, hiccups, and sobs. Frantically apologizing. Gordon has never seen Benrey cry before. And yeah, it gets him a bit emotional too. He tries to apologize as well, though Benrey says he doesn't have to be sorry for something he can't help. Though Gordon dismisses that, and tells him no, he's sorry for not doing this sooner.
And proceeds to give him a kiss.
This is the moment Gordon realizes Benrey's touch feels different from everyone else. He doesn't know if it's because of his feelings or because he's not human, he doesn't know how to explain it but it's just different.
We see the story skip to later in time, they've come up with a compromise:
Benrey can ask for affection
Touches need to be firm and grounding, unless otherwise specified
Benrey needs at least 1 big hug a day. The rest can be as short as Gordon needs
Benrey can ask for affection
Gordon can request to not be touched
Gordon asks Benrey from time to time if he needs affection.
And so on and so forth. It's all about that good communication. We also see moments of Benrey being protective over Gordon when other people try to touch him.
We also see over time as they get more comfortable with each other, some of the "rules" go slack. And over time perhaps they fade completely, Gordon becoming accustomed to all of Benrey's touches and not minding them, and even enjoying most.
Tommy is the only person that comes close this level of comfort with Gordon.
Coomer is next in place.
Dunno if we include Joshua in this fic, but if we did he is pretty close too. But he's a kid loud and rowdy and as much as Gordon loves him, he still makes him nervous sometimes. He only sees him sometimes so it's not too bad.
[End]
