𝘢𝘭𝘸𝘢𝘺𝘴, 𝘧𝘰𝘳𝘦𝘷𝘦𝘳 (𝘣𝘹𝘣)

fifty four

a/n: alrighty the one shot book is up now! It's called "in-between moments" and i hope you guys enjoy it. enjoy this chapter as well loves :)

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"I'm just...stressed." Noah sighed as he threw some clothes into a box. Lucas was there with him, helping him pack up his things.

"About moving in with Benjamin...or...?" Lucas folds up one of Noah's shirts.

"Just everything," Noah sighs again and takes a seat. "I don't know...it's just like. My life was at a stopping point a few months ago, and now I'm moving around, and things are going quickly."

"What's wrong with that?" Lucas asks. "I mean...you're moving in a good way. You and Benjamin are back in a good place; you're moving in together, you got back in school, and...your mom is doing good."

"I know it's just," Noah groans, leaning against the couch. "When I was eighteen, this wasn't what I had planned. Everything that I wanted was halted, and it still fucks with me sometimes."

"Not everything goes the way you want," Lucas says, his tone understanding. "When Tati told me she was pregnant...my life was thrown into a spiral. But I love Kehlani more than anything and wouldn't change it for the world. You remember how hard it was for me, right?"

"I'm sorry," Noah says as he continues packing.

"For what?"

"I wasn't there for you during that," Noah admits. "I was... drinking and angry and...I took it out mostly on you, which wasn't fair. And I got mad when you wouldn't let me around you, but...you were protecting your family."

"Hey," Lucas shakes his head. "You were dealing with major shit. I get it, and you were coping the way you could. No one holds that shit against you, man."

Noah smiles a little and nods. "Thanks, man."

* * *

"Gabriella!"

"What?"

Alexis watched from Benjamin and Noah's living room as Gabi brought in another box of things she had bought for them. It was a box of brand-new plates, utensils, and more kitchen supplies. She also supplied some bathroom essentials, cleaning supplies, and just about everything you'd need for a new apartment.

"What did I just say?" Benjamin crosses his arms.

"I bought this before you said that."

"You're a liar," Benjamin looks over at Alexis. "She's lying."

Alexis throws her hands up in surrender. "I plead the fifth...and the black."

Lucas, who was in the bedroom helping build the bed frame, laughs. "Hey!" He shouts from the room. "That's my line!"

Benjamin shakes his head as he looks back at Gabi. Gabi pouts a little and steps forward. "Look...I know I'm a bit much, and I overgive, but...You just started working again, and you guys just paid your security and application fee. Sue me for wanting to make sure you guys have what you need."

Benjamin leans down into the box Gabi brought. He lifts the brand-new, high-quality blender. "We needed this?"

"Perhaps?" Gabi questions with a smile. "Just say thank you."

"I am grateful, but Gabs, please stop spending your hard-earned money on me." Benjamin pleads.

"It's my love language."

"It's true," Alexis says. "On one of our first dates, she bought me new Beats cause I mentioned my old headphones had broken."

"Jesus, Gabs," Noah says as he emerges from the bedroom.

"Hey, you can't speak Mister 'i-bought-this-for-you-cause-i-thought-you'd-look-cute-in-it'," Gabi retorts. "Benjamin has told me countless stories of you spending useless money on him."

"Gabs, remember that time he bought that ridiculous hat?" Lucas chimes in from behind Noah, laughing. "And hey, I'm fine with Gabs spending money. She bought the donuts this morning."

Benjamin rolls his eyes at Lucas before turning to look at Gabi. "I am really thankful, Gabs. Seriously, I appreciate you...all of you for helping us move in. It means a lot."

"Of course," Gabi smiles as she leans in to hug him. "I love you Benny."

* * *

It was later in the night, and Noah and Benjamin were lying in bed. All of their friends had gone home, and after a takeout dinner accompanied by some wine, they called it a night. Noah sits up a little in bed.

"I'm kind of terrified." He admits.

Benjamin opens his eyes and looks over at Noah. "What? Terrified of what?"

"Life, I think," Noah gulps, his voice trembling. "I don't know, really. Life has just never worked out in my favor, and I'm afraid. What if...what if..."

"Hey," Benjamin sits up in the bed, grabbing hold of Noah's hands. "Hey...It's okay, Noah. Life is... unpredictable, and it sucks at times, but...we can't let it control us."

"I know, but," Noah frowns, his eyes filling with tears. "I don't wanna fuck up again." He whispers.

Benjamin tightens his grip on Noah's hands, bringing one up to kiss his knuckles gently. "Noah, look at me."

Noah's eyes, holding unshed tears, meet Benjamin's.

"Messing up is a part of being human," Benjamin says softly. "But people learn, and they grow. You're not alone."

"But," Noah takes in a breath, sniffing. A tear slides down his cheek. "But what if I can't handle it? What if I keep fucking everything up?"

Benjamin reaches up to wipe away the tear. "You won't. And even if things get tough and you make a mistake, it's okay. We'll get through it together."

Noah nods his head and holds his arms out. Benjamin is pulled into Noah's embrace. "Thank you," Noah says after a moment of silence.

Benjamin smiles and leans up to kiss him once. "Always, forever."

"Always, forever," Noah repeats.

* * *