My Safe Person (X Drake x Hawkins)

{VIII}

"No, don't go over there!" Ace yelped, squinting his eyes in fear. "He's behind the corner!" 

Despite Kid assuring them that Outlast was "a game for whiners", Drake had to admit it was a strong one. Sabo being the one holding a pad and steering the main character, the fact that it was already getting darker behind the windows not really lifting up the overall mood. 

Ace was the most scared one, that was out of question, with Koala following closely behind on the Scared Shitless Scale - her nails digging into Sabo's shoulder as she sat right behind him on the couch, her body pressing against his. 

"Scared much?"

Drake flinched a little at Hawkins muttering in his ear. He surely wasn't used to this kind of closeness as the male occupied a seat on the floor beside him. 

"You wish," he retorted, forcing out a brave tone. Admittedly, more than the game itself scared him the perspective of facing his father - since Hawkins still hadn't returned his phone, not that Drake particularly wanted to get it back, the consequences could be bigger than what he would be able to withstand. 

"I wonder what's bothering you so much." 

A strand of blond hair brushed against his arm and Drake had to restrain himself from touching it. It must have been really soft. 

He couldn't help but think that Hawkins might, only might have been the one to understand - but what if he doesn't care enough to help? And besides, how could Drake even want to pass such an emotional burden to his friend? 

"I just...don't want to go home. That's it." 

Hawkins nodded, as if he already understood everything. The shouts of their friends ringed somewhere in the distance and despite the blonde's voice being rather low and quiet, it was crystal clear to Drake. 

"You don't have to." 

That was it, that was all it took to make his heart clench with emotion. He didn't have to go home. He didn't have to. 

"You can always crash at Kid's place, you know that," Hawkins continued, leaning over Drake's ear so that he wouldn't disturb the others, currently focused on the game. "Or at mine." 

Drake peeked over at his friend in surprise. A shiver ran down his spine when he met his eyes.

"What?" he just asked quietly, afraid he somehow misunderstood. 

"You heard me." 

He forced himself to look away, half-attentive of what the rest of his friends were shouting. 

"Fuck!" Ace screeched, now jumping on the couch in fear, his eyes glued to the screen. "He got us! Run, you fool!" 

"I'm trying!" his brother shouted over him, trying to keep his balance and not drop the pad from his hands, buds of sweat glistening on his forehead. "Get off the damn couch, Ace!" 

"Look out-" Koala gasped when the music changed to a lively rhythm, which meant that someone was chasing the main character. 

"The music changed!" Ace suddenly plopped down on the couch behind Sabo, as if all energy had been drained out of his system. "The music changed-" 

Meanwhile, Kid and Thatch were just observing the screen silently, both of them reaching for the same bowl of popcorn. 

Drake couldn't help but snicker upon witnessing this ridiculous scene. Hawkins words were still ringing in his mind, but he didn't dare to give him an answer yet. Instead, he reached for his hand, this time a little bit braver than the first. 

He exhaled with relief when the blonde reciprocated the touch, squeezing into it lightly.