length: 775 words
warnings: swearing, some angst
requested: yes
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Clayton sat next to you on the couch, both your legs under the warm, wooden blanket and the twinkling lights of the Christmas tree casting small, colourful beams on your faces.
Snowflakes were dancing outside and creating a sheet on the grass but you were solely focused on Jake, Clayton's brother. He was animatedly telling you a story from his childhood and when he finally reached the climax of it, you burst out laughing before grinning widely at him.
"That's hilarious," you said and you felt Clayton tense up beside you.
"I'm going to go to bed now," Clayton said curtly and quickly stood up.
"Are you okay, babe?" you questioned, reaching out for his hand.
"Yeah. I'm just tired," he glared at you before walking up the stairs and slamming his bedroom door shut.
"I'm sorry, Jake," you murmured, "I'm going to go and check on him."
You bid his parents goodnight and retraced Clayton's steps. Once you got to his door, you knocked tentatively. "Can I come in?"
When you received no answer you slowly opened the door and saw him with his face buried in the pillow. "What's wrong, bub?" you sat down on the bed and ran your fingers through his brown locks.
"What's wrong?" he spat out, sitting up suddenly. "What's wrong is that you've been all over my brother ever since we got here yesterday."
"I wasn't-"
"Could you just try not flirting with him for one fucking minute, (y/n)? You just have to smile at him all the time and laugh at everything he says, huh?" Clayton said harshly and clenched his fists in the duvet.
"I-I just really want your family to like me. I honestly wasn't flirting with Jake," you whispered, eyes watering slightly.
"It doesn't matter whether or not they like you. I love you and that's the most important thing."
"It does matter though. I've never had a family, Clay. My own parents didn't want me and I spent my life bouncing from one foster home for the next. I want to be part of your family because I love you so much and I know that I want to be with you for as long as you'll have me," you cried softly and Clayton pulled you into his arms in a tight embrace.
"I'm so sorry, baby. I knew how important this was to you and I ruined it by being jealous," he murmured into your hair.
"It's okay," you smiled against his neck, happy that he was no longer upset.
Clayton eventually moved away from you and reached a hand into his bedside table drawer, grabbing a small box. "I was, uh, planning on doing this later but I really can't wait," he looked at you nervously, opening the box to reveal a small ring and you gasped, tears springing to your eyes once again. "It's a promise ring, (y/n). I want to be with you forever. You make me so damn happy and no amount of time with you is enough but I'm settling for forever, if that's okay with you," he smiled and removed the ring from the box.
"I love it, and I love you. I'm so lucky to have you," you moved to kiss him but Clayton held you back, slipping the ring onto your finger. Once that was done he looked into your eyes, placing a hand on your cheek, before pressing his lips to yours. The other hand moved down to your waist, fingers brushing against the hem of your shirt and the warm skin underneath. The two of you kissed slowly and in harmony, gently nipping at each other's lips before Clayton coaxed your lips open with his tongue. Meanwhile, the hand under your shirt began to gradually inch upwards as you quietly moaned against each other. However, realising what he was doing, you drew away and placed a hand on his arm.
"You parents are downstairs," you whispered but Clayton began kissing down your neck, sucking softly.
"I don't care."
"One, you should, and two, I care so please stop," you giggled, pushing his head away.
"Fine, babe," he whined. "Can we cuddle then?" He lay back and opened his arms for you.
"Yeah," you crawled under the duvet and rested your head on Clayton's chest while he pulled you closer to him.
"You smell nice," he inhaled deeply.
"That's because I don't play hockey," you joked back and felt his chest rumble as he chuckled before kissing the top of your head.
"I love you."
"I love you more."
"That's impossible," he whispered as you drifted off.
