Tranquility

Chapter 3: "You Remembered"

"The forest?" Daron looked at Serj and laughed. "This is the most cliche spot."

Serj playfully pushed Daron. "Shush, will you?" They stood for a moment. "It's very tranquil here." Serj noted. Daron looked at Serj and blushed.

"You remembered." Daron couldn't stop smiling if he wanted to. It was just something about how Serj was so interested in learning about Daron and actually listening to him, it felt nice to Daron.

"Of course I did, I like learning new words." Daron ended the conversation there and kept following Serj deeper into the forest. If he wasn't so trusting with Serj, he would've never went deeper into the woods with him. It's creepy.

After around 5 minutes of silence Serj stopped at a clearing, Daron followed.

"We're here. Beautiful, isn't it?" Serj was right, Daron thought it was very captivating. He wishes he could draw so he could draw scenery like this.

"Wow, it really is." Serj, without warning, grabbed Daron's hand and dragged him to a log, so they could sit. They made it halfway before Daron pulled his hand back, "Woah there- chill out. I can walk myself."

"Whatever, just hurry up." They both sat down and listened to the nature. Serj almost didn't want to speak and ruin it, but he really needed help with this whole challenge. "Can you give me a hint? About the challenge." He turned to face Daron.

"Hmm, but it wouldn't be much of a challenge then, would it?" Serj sighed.

"Please?" And then proceeded to give Daron the same look as earlier that day.

"Fucking fine! Stop giving me that damn look." Daron pushed away from Serj on the log. He looked up trying to think of a hint that wouldn't help that much. "My name has an 'A' in it."

"But there's like tons of D names that have an A in them!" Serj exaggeratedly threw his hands in the air, disturbing the peace that once filled the atmosphere. Daron side eyed him for being loud, and Serj quietly mumbled "sorry."

"Hey, I never said that my name started with D." Daron smirked.

"You're just trying to make this hard for me, aren't you?" Serj laughed.

"Serj, It's a challenge. It's not supposed to be easy." Daron shrugged and looked to the ground. The sounds of nature now filled both boys ears. No voices, no cars, no nothing. Daron moved closer to Serj and rested his head on his shoulder. This made Serj's breath hitch in shock. He looked over and the sight of Daron calmed him. Serj put an arm around Daron, and also leaning his head slightly on the latter.

"Do you think I'll ever be able to date any one, Serj? Or am I just too undateable?" Serj rolled his eyes at that.

"D, I don't see why John or anyone would pass up dating you." Serj laughed quietly, "You probably make straight men and lesbians question." Serj felt a vibration on his shoulder, Daron was giggling at that comment.

"Oh? So have I made you question?" Daron, still giggling, sat up and looked at Serj.

"Uh, no. I was just trying to make you feel better!" They both started laughing in unison. They returned to their previous position, with Daron's head on Serj's shoulder and Serj's arm around Daron. "Y'know," He leaned his head on Daron's again. "We just met the other day, but I can tell we will be good friends." Daron sighed.

"What about all your other friends?" Daron shrugged.

"What about them?" Serj lifted his head back up.

"I- I don't know, it's just.. they're pop-"

"D, if you bring up me being 'popular' again I will leave. Just enjoy the moment now, care later." Daron sighed, he just didn't want to be a burden on Serj and make him lose all his friends.

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An hour passed in silence. Daron had suggested that Serj should go back to Daron's place and plan some stuff about John. Serj agreed and that's where they now were.

Daron unlocked the door. "Welcome to my crib." Daron stepped in and the tallest of the two followed. Serj scanned the first room and nodded.

"It's nice in here," he paused. "Where are your parents?"

"They're assisting my aunt for a couple day's, she got injured." Daron shrugged and led Serj up to his room. When they entered Daron went towards his bed and dug around underneath it.

"Uh, watcha doing?" Serj questioned, seeing as it was a very odd sight. Daron ignore the question, instead asking his own.

"You smoke?" Daron asked, pulling out his stash of weed. Serj smirked.

"Don't know if I expected any less from you, and yes." Daron nodded, picked up his stash and headed towards his window. "Wait, what are you doing?" Serj followed.

"My roof. Follow me." Daron crawled out to the mini roof outside his window and waved for Serj to follow, "Just don't fall, you might die." Daron giggled.

"Don't say that it makes it worse." Serj followed and they sat together.

Daron set it up and in no time they were both getting a little high. "How did you know you weren't straight?" Serj asked looking over, Daron tensed now looking uncomfortable. "If you don't want-"

"I never was attracted to any one besides John, that's not a very straight thing." Daron joked. "But yeah, I don't completely hate the idea of being with a girl or any boy, but like I said I have only been attracted to John." Serj almost felt mind blown, he needed more than ten fingers to count the amount of people he ever liked.

"Are you sexually attracted to him?" Serj, now fully turned to Daron. Daron blushed at that question, and turned his head away from Serj.

"I guess," Was all Daron said. To Serj it almost sounded if he wanted to elaborate but decided against it. Serj nodded, ending the conversation.

Hours passed, they discussed Daron's flirting ability and lack there of. Serj decided that he needed to teach Daron, they were going to start the next day after school. He also needed to figure out Daron's full name, but to be honest, Serj almost liked not knowing. Usually friendships start with the names and moved on to more personal stuff, he was getting to know who Daron was as a person before he knew who Daron even was if that makes sense.

Daron packed up all the stuff and they made their way inside his room. As Daron was putting the stuff back under his bed Serj spoke. "I best be going now." Serj stated. Daron nodded and walked Serj down to his door.

"Today was nice, thank you." Daron said, almost blushing. Serj laughed.

"No problem, D." They stood in complete quietness for a couple of seconds, Serj then jumped when Daron hugged him.

"Stay safe. Y'know, walking back." He spoke into the others neck. Serj smiled.

"I'll be fine don't worry," They pulled back. Serj walked out the door, and Daron closed it behind him.

"Wow," Daron whispered to himself.