Watching Ethan go through something you felt you couldn't do anything about made you feel like crap. As much as you loved the fans and the amount of time he and Grayson devoted to Youtube you couldn't help but think that they put themselves second to their work. You knew that the Dolan fanbase is a family to them and they would understand if either of them needed a break even if it meant not uploading on a Tuesday. But somehow that always flew past the both of them and it particularly hit Ethan worse from what you could tell when you would spend time with him.
Ethan wouldn't smile or laugh as much, he was stressed beyond belief and he wouldn't talk to you about what he was going through. Sometimes he'd come over without sending you a message and crawl into bed just to hold you. His breathing would be slow and he didn't say anything but you knew asking questions wouldn't make him feel any better so you didn't. If the only way you'd be able to help him go through whatever it was that was making him feel this way by laying with him, you would do just that for however long he needed. Sometimes he'd fall asleep and be gone the next morning leaving a note behind with a simple 'thank you x - E'
When he didn't fall asleep on your bed, Ethan would wait until he thought you were sleeping and quietly remove himself from you after he had given you one last hug before he left. You felt him peck your cheek and the sound of his heavy footsteps walking towards to door almost made you want to call out to him but there was no doubt in your mind that he would be on his way to Grayson's as soon as the door shut behind him.
You wanted to do something more for him that would allow him to forget about his worries even if it were just for a second. So you put together a plan that would be ready when you'd go by the apartment to pick him up. You didn't have a picnic basket so you settled for a backpack and you began stuffing it with various containers of food and desserts not really knowing what he would be in the mood for but hoping that he was bound to like something that you brought along with you.
Before you head out of the door you remember to get a blanket for the both of you to sit on and you send Grayson a message telling him that you were going by their place to pick Ethan up for a small picnic date. He responds saying that a surprise picnic date was definitely something his brother needed to lift the tension for today. The next call you make is one to Ethan's favorite local pizza place and order a pineapple pizza for the both of you. You go to pick up the pizza once you get a call notifying you that your order was ready and head in the direction of the apartment.
You take the elevator to the correct floor and knock on the door. Ethan opens it and Grayson shoves him out of the door closing it and yelling "Have fun!" Ethan, still looking tired but better than the last few days makes an effort to smile "That's a start, c'mon let's go." You pull at his sleeve and take the elevator down to the first floor and head to the car. You take the driver seat and turn to him, "From here on out nothing but good vibes okay? I don't want you to think about anything except maybe how much fun you're having" You grab his face the palms of your hands cupping his now pink cheeks "Think happy thoughts"
He closes his eyes smiling, his first genuine smile in awhile. You're happy with your small progress and thank him. He leans in a turns on the radio and you try not to laugh but fail, "I was hoping you'd do that." He doesn't get why at first until the intro to fireflies by owl city begins to play. "Tell me you did not." Ethan looks a you attempting to remain serious and all he could do is lean his head against the window and laugh. You begin driving to the location you picked out and one that you were very proud of yourself for finding it.
"Why does it smell like pizza in here?" He tries to look at the back seat to which you tell him that it was a surprise. "Are we-"
"STOP GUESSING, nope I'm not going to answer you." September by Earth Wind and Fire comes on next and Ethan laughs even louder this time. "Did you make a playlist of happy song for me?" You nod yes keeping your eyes on the road taking a left turn and the park comes into view. You park the car and hand Ethan the blanket allowing him to choose where in the park he wanted to sit down on. It was practically empty seeing that it was late in the afternoon when you decided to go pick him up.
