Best + Bitter = Better

Thirty Six days after

Waking up in bed with Awsten in Awsten's childhood home is weird for Geoff. It almost feels like Geoff snuck out of his house as a love-sick sixteen year old and their hiding their relationship from their parents. God, what he'd do to be with Awsten. They're so close, but yet so far. Fuck Geoff would die just for a chance to be with Awsten in the afterlife.

Geoff knows Awsten is awake because he turns in Geoff's arms to face him. He looks up at him briefly then buries his face in his chest.

"Well, good morning to you too." Geoff exclaims, peering down at Awsten.

"Good morning." Awsten groans.

Geoff laughs and kisses his head. He frowns at the sight of a small purple bruise appearing on his cheekbone. They fall back to sleep together.

-

Leaving Awsten's house shouldn't be as hard as it is. He stands in the doorway with Awsten hugging him. It feels like he's tearing himself away from his future. His future with Awsten.

"Stay." Awsten pleads with a pout. He's holding onto Geoff as if he's never going to see him again.

Geoff sighs, patting Awsten's head gently, "Baby, you know I can't do that."

Awsten looks up at him with wide eyes and whispers, "But what if he comes back?"

The fear in his eyes tells Geoff anything. He's scared to be in his own house. For that, Mark will pay.

"Okay, honey, do you wanna come with me?" He asks, neatening Awsten's fringe. Awsten nods. "You can even sleep over if you want."

Awsten nods and takes off upstairs, assumedly to get clothes.

-

Geoff's house is full. His entire family was squeezed into one small residence.

As soon as he opens the door, his little cousin runs into his arms. He picks him up and puts him on his hip; at the age of five, he's a lightweight. He pushes further into the house and the sound of talking comes from everywhere. He takes Awsten's hand and leads him into the kitchen where his mum is.

"Hey mum, is it cool if Awsten stays the night?" He asks, giving the boy on his hip to Geoff's aunt who was previously talking to Geoff's mum.

"Ahh, the allusive Awsten." His mum smiles. Geoff blushes. He always talks about Awsten because he never thought they'd actually meet him. "Of course he can, the more the merrier. Although, you guys will be sharing the room with your sister and cousins."

Geoff nods, "It's gonna be a little awkward with everyone in the same room, but I'm sure we can make it work." He says to Awsten, who is happy just to be with Geoff. "Come on, I'll introduce you to everybody."

He leads Awsten to the living room. It's completely decked out for the holidays, but not as fancy as Awsten's house. The majority of the family are in there talking, however when they enter it goes silent.

Geoff smiles, "Hey guys, this is Awsten. He's staying the night." He introduces Awsten (who awkwardly smiles and waves). He introduces his family to Awsten by pointing at them individually.

Geoff has three cousins: the boy from before (Lucas), Sarah - she's sixteen and very sweet, and Ryan who is twenty three.

-

The day is spent socialising and catching with each other. Geoff's mum wants to know a lot about Awsten, so he is victim to one of her 'peaceful interrogation's'. No one mentions the bruise on Awsten's face and for that he's thankful; he doesn't want to have to explain what happened to anyone.