meet me in the woods ☾grayson dolan au

e l e v e n

[ 11 ]

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Back at home, Grayson watched from the kitchen island as Ryder filled a small pale yellow vase with water. A bundle of petite purple flowers laid nicely in a pool of sunshine upon their marble countertops. A post hiking shower had left them both refreshed and comfortable as they pulled on some matching outfits consisting of sweatpants and an old tshirt. A few droplets of water hung from the wet strands of hair on the front of Grayson's head, dripping every now and then and creating a small dark circle onto his sweats. Ryder however had twisted up her wet hair into two long, brown french braids and the water had created large circles of dampness onto the back of her shirt. She was oblivious to them, but Grayson laughed silently as the circles grew a bit every few minutes.

"This is a cute vase," Ryder complimented as she carried it to the middle of the island and placed it in front of the boy. "The color will go well with the petals."

Grayson nodded and took in the design of it. White designs almost blended in with the pale appearance, but with a closer glance he could see cartoonish flowers all connected by a thin stem of the same color. He remembered when his mother would use the vase. It usually held weeds and wild flowers found in the yard or woods, but it had a special meaning when they were held for their mother to see. You would think possessions once belonging to Grayson's mother would be triggering in bringing up old memories, but the sight of the vase was actually nostalgic. To him, it brought memories of when his family was whole and light hearted. To him there were bright smiles and warm hugs from various members of his family etched into the small piece of pottery. Times when his mother would read books before bed, and his sister would play ball with them in the yard. A time when Ethan wasn't trapped in his own mind. It was his early childhood about as far back as he could remember. A time that signified freedom and youth; two things that he felt he was at a lack of at times now. His dry eyes slightly stung as a thin layer of tears flushed into them, he wiped them away with the back of his hand.

Grayson felt a presence at his left and he turned abruptly to see Ethan sit in the empty bar stool next to him. They made eye contact before Ethan broke it to glance at the vase full of wild flowers. He heard Ethan take a deep breath at the sight, a cold puff of air hitting his hands, and only a few seconds later he stood up to dismiss himself from the room. His feet lightly dragged and his shoulders weren't high. His eyes lowered to the floor and Grayson couldn't believe it when the light from the windows reflected off of a tear as it rolled down his hollowed cheek. There was an almost uncontrollable urge to reach out and pull his brother into a hug, but he still wasn't sure if he could touch him.

"You okay, Gray?" Ryder's mood fell as she saw Grayson staring into the empty living space with a look of sadness.

Grayson nodded but said nothing back. He watched Ethan walk into the hall and moments later the faint sound of a door opening and closing signified he had gone into the only room that was constantly closed. Ethan's own room.

He wondered if Ethan had had a rush of the same feelings and memories, until he realized Ethan had been in his mind the entire time. His thoughts were also Ethan's, and he realized in that moment that his brother was in another way similar to him.

He was broken too.

A/N
I told myself I would make shorter chapters so I could update more but yet I'm still writing my normal amount. I'm going to try to cut these up a little more.