Two of a Kind | Grethan

V

"Hey." Grayson's groggy morning voice gave Ethan an unexpected awakening.

"Hey." Ethan replied, rubbing his eyes to rid them of their sleepy, burning sensation.

After their stargazing the previous night, they stayed up quite a long time. Grayson didn't want to send Ethan off so late, so Ethan stayed the night at Grayson's. Not that he was worried about Ethan getting caught by his mom, he just didn't want Ethan to leave him. After telling Ethan about his dad, Grayson felt like they were so much closer with each other. He felt a weight lifted off of his shoulders.

Ethan made him happy. He wanted Ethan to know it, too.

It took a few moments for Ethan to realize how close he and Grayson were in Grayson's bed.

Grayson didn't want Ethan to sleep in the guest room mainly in fear of being alone in a house with his favorite person who would be right across the hall and not safe in his arms.

Grayson's hand laid gently on Ethan's side, just in the dip of his torso.

"I don't know about you, but I'm starving." Ethan stretched and sat up, causing Grayson to groan.

"Don't leave me." Grayson whined dramatically.

"Food comes first." Ethan huffed with a light chuckle and rushed downstairs.

Within the first few weeks of spending time together, Ethan knew his way around Grayson's house like the back of his hand. And yet Grayson had never come over to Ethan's house. Ethan didn't want Grayson to come over to his house with the way his mom acts any time Ethan mentions Grayson.

Ethan shook his thoughts and grabbed a pan from the cupboard. He grabbed everything he'd need to cook breakfast and prepared Grayson's food while he remained upstairs. Grayson finally descended from the dark prison that was his room and slumped down the stairs lazily. Ethan had never seen Grayson so unenthusiastic.

"You okay, Gray?" Ethan asked as he fixed a plate for his companion. Once Grayson was in close view, Ethan saw the glossy, red, and swollen look of Grayson's eyes. Grayson turned his head away from Ethan.

"Yeah, just tired." Grayson lied. He really liked it when Ethan asked about his feelings, it made Grayson feel cared for. Ethan furrowed his brows.

Why was Grayson lying? He obviously knew that Ethan knew the truth. Ethan didn't want to meddle, but he could tell that Grayson had cried again while Ethan was in deep slumber.

"Hey, um, thank you." Grayson mumbled as he sat at the island in the kitchen.

"For what?" Ethan asked, turning to Grayson and handing him his breakfast.

"For being there for me last night. I really appreciate it." Grayson's sad face cracked into a smile.

"Don't worry about it Gray, I'll always be here for you." Ethan mumbled back, not mustering the courage to look at his friend as he made his own food. Grayson, not being able to control himself, gasped, causing Ethan to jerk around with a chuckle. Ethan returned his attention to the pancake cooking in the skillet in front of him.

Grayson could feel newfound tears in his eyes. Who knew that such a little thing could mean so much to him?

He glared at Ethan's bare back as he cooked, admiring the different puzzle pieces that his muscles created.

As Ethan was about to finish making his food, he was enveloped in the warmth of Grayson as he wrapped his arms firmly around Ethan's waist, pulling him closely into his chest. He rested his face onto Ethan's stiff shoulder blade, letting Ethan feel Grayson's warm tears slowly run down his back. When Ethan tried to wriggle free, Grayson only gripped tighter, so he didn't resist. Ethan sighed and reached back with one hand, petting his hair.