Habits Of My Heart

Chapter 15

Adrian came in and slammed the door shut behind him, muttering to himself.

He sat down on his bed and saw Tristan and Bailey staring at him, both of them sitting with their backs against the wall, Bailey's head on Tristan's shoulder. He clearly hadn't bothered getting ready yet since he was still not wearing a shirt.

"You were crying." Adrian said to Tristan, who let out an airy laugh.

"Yeah." he said, and wiped his eyes.

"What happened, Adrian?" Bailey asked.

Adrian rolled his eyes, "Fucking Tyson." he looked at Tristan, "You showed him?"

Tristan nodded, and Bailey flushed, hiding his face.

"You saw that?" he said in a small voice.

"Yeah." Adrian said, and stood up, joining them on Bailey's bed, "I know you didn't want that, okay? Don't worry. This picture only reflects on him, what a terrible person he is. Not on you. You can see how much he hurt you."

Bailey looked up unsurely and Adrian put his arms out for him.

"Can I?" he asked, and Bailey nodded, blushing up to his ears.

Tristan watched with a smile on his face as Adrian pulled Bailey onto his lap, hugging him tightly, Bailey hiding his face in the crook of his neck.

"I told him that if he touches you again I'll kick him off the team." Adrian said.

Bailey smiled against his skin, "You're amazing." he whispered.

A part of Tristan didn't believe what he was seeing. Adrian showing affection? That was something he thought he'd never see, specially not with another boy.

The other part of him wasn't surprised at all. He'd heard about how much Adrian cared and seen the way he looks at Bailey, like he's the most beautiful person in the world. Had Adrian realised he was falling for a boy or was he still in denial?

He narrowed his eyes slightly, wondering. Then he realised he was a little out of place between them, and felt awkward.

"I should, uh, leave you two alone." he said, standing up, "I need to go get breakfast before class starts anyway, there's only, like, 20 minutes until they start packing up the food downstairs."

"No! Don't go, I haven't eaten either, let me go with you." Bailey said, raising and turning his head to look at Tristan.

He looked even smaller than usual, curled up in Adrian's arms, and Tristan felt his heart melt a little. They fit so perfectly together.

"You should get dressed." Adrian said to Bailey, his eyes raking down his body and back up to his face. He smiled at stroked his cheek a bit before his eyes fell to the piercings, making sure they were okay, "Doesn't seem to be infected." he touched one lightly, "Does it still hurt?"

"Not as much as before." Bailey said, hardly being able to talk, he was so flustered.

Tristan looked at the two in wonder, "Actually, Adrian, can I talk to you for a sec?"

Adrian looked at Bailey, as if asking him, and Bailey nodded, standing up.

"Yeah, okay. We'll wait outside while you get ready, okay?" Adrian said, "Don't forget to clean up the piercings."

"I won't." Bailey said, and went into the bathroom.

Adrian sighed, "He's doing okay. Thanks to you, I guess."

Tristan hummed, "You help him more than you know." he turned towards the door, "Okay, let's talk outside." he opened the door and gestured for Adrian to go first, then going out after him and closing the door.