Geoff was coming over to Awstens house any minute now. they had organised it to be the day before his chemo, because Awsten didn't really have many reliable friends and he needed to tell someone. Awsten was really excited because 1, Geoff had amazing cuddles, 2, Geoff would definitely listen to him rant about how excited he was he could reach the bottom of a Pringle's Can without getting his hand stuck and 3, he just really liked geoff. Geoff was so sweet and kind to him. He didn't really know why, they had only been friends for about two weeks.
He was in his room with his legs crossed, thinking about Jawn. What was he going to do? He had broken it off with the boy (traitor, more like), and blocked him everywhere. He wasn't sure why Jawn deleted the emails, but he was glad he did.
"Awsten, love, Geoff is here!" His mother called. "I'll send him up."
Awsten would have gotten up himself but he was really achey from some medicine Jack had given him to ease his body into chemo. He had bruises all over his tender, pale skin, which probably added to the achey factor. He watched as Geoff walked in, which made him grin. "Hey," he moved over and laid down, patting the side of his bed. "Cmon, bear."
Geoff wanted to cry at the nickname because it was so much better coming out of Awstens pretty pink mouth. He climbed onto Awstens bed, his breath hitching when Awsten pulled him close. "S-So we're really doing the nickname thing, huh?" He giggled at the look of enthusiasm from Awsten. He gently booped Awstens nose, a blush creeping up his neck at the happy look on Awstens face.
"Only if you wanna do the nicknames. I like it," He said softly. "Bear suits you."
Geoff blushed again, swallowing thickly. "W-well, baby bear suits you too." He basically choked out, refusing to look down at Awsten.
Awsten reached up, gently running his fingers over Geoff's stubble. "You're cute," He said softly. "Hey, wanna know a secret?"
Geoff nodded, forcing himself to look down at Awsten. His heart melted at the sight of the boy. Big, pretty eyes. Gorgeous brown hair. Pretty cheekbones. An adorable smile. He just wanted to smother the boy in cuddles and kisses until he knew how much Geoff absolutely adored him. "Of course," He said softly, running his fingers through Awstens hair.
Awsten smiled, waving Geoff closer. He held a hand up to Geoff's ear, whispering in. "I have cancer." He had no idea how to break the information to anyone, so he just got it over and done with. "Leukemia. I'll probably die."
"Y-you what?" Geoff's eyes widened in alarm. "You're joking, aren't you?" He laughed nervously. The look on Awstens face told him otherwise. "A-Awsten-" Geoff burst into tears. "No, no, no. You can't! You can't, you're not allowed to!" He rested his head on Awstens flat chest, face down into the boys shirt. Tears leaked through Awstens thin pyjamas as Geoff sobbed. "This isn't fair! Y-you're so beautiful, you can't, you ca-can't!" His smooth voice cracked, sending him absolutely hysterical. Geoff clutched onto Awsten tightly, trying to even out his breathing. It was impossible. He could feel Awstens chest shaking. He looked up at the small boy, his heart shattering more because Awsten was crying too.
"I-I'm so scared, Geoff," Awsten whispered as tears leaked down his cheeks onto his pillow. "They don't know if it's terminal. Or maybe they do, but they won't tell me."
Geoff pulled his head off Awstens chest, hating the loss of contact. He pulled the fragile boy into a hug, burying his face into Awstens neck. "I-I'll be with you if you need me to be." He whispered, smoothing out the boys hair with one hand. "I'll always be there for you."
"I need you now." Awsten whispered, feeling his heart pound in his chest. Tears rolled down his cheeks. "I need you with me. I-I need a friend."
"It's okay. I know," Geoff held onto Awsten as tightly as he could without breaking the boy.
This wasn't the first time he had lost someone to cancer. As he closed his eyes, he thought about how he lost his mother.
—
"Geoff, baby." She said to him. "I love you so much. No matter what. Don't forget that, okay?"
Thirteen year old Geoff nodded. "I wont, mom." He said. "Why are you crying?"
"Because I'm about to become an angel, sweetheart."
—
"I'll keep you safe." Geoff whispered. "You're safe. You're so so safe, baby bear. I'll protect you as long as you want me to."
Awsten cried harder. He clutched onto Geoff as tightly as possible, tears streaming down his cheeks. "Thank you." He whispered.
It was in that moment that Geoff realised how much Awsten needed him, and how much he needed Awsten.
