A White Room

Chapter 12

A long awaited update I know. Sorry for the delay. Been focused on other stories.

At some point Chris fell asleep as well, cuddled close to Chandler. Chris was a deeper sleeper than Chandler, so when Jimmy started calling their phones at 9 am, Chandler easily awoke. He smiled softly at the sight of Chris cuddling close to him, 'Adorable,' Chandler thought as he carefully grabbed his phone. He answered it and groggily mumbled into it, "What is it Jimmy?"

"Any clue why Chris isn't answering his phone?" Jimmy asked.

"He's asleep still."

"Well we're headed out at 11. So get up, and get him up too if you guys want to be on time, Meet at the warehouse first," Jimmy said.

Chandler sighed, "alright. I will."

Jimmy quickly said bye, and Chandler returned it before he looked back down at Chris. Chris' arms were wrapped around Chandler's torso, and Chris' head was against his heart. Chandler was glad Chris was asleep and couldn't hear how fast his heart was thudding. Chandler was concerned his ribs were going to crack with how hard his heart must've been hitting them. Chris looked at full peace, and Chandler could tell that Chris had something bothering him. While awake, Chris looked different, more worried, more stressed. Chandler thought that was just how Chris looked while relaxed, he was wrong.

Chandler gently nudged Chris, "C'mon, you gotta get up Chris."

Chris mumbled in response, "Noo. I'm tired."

"I know Chris, but we gotta go film the video."

That made Chris wake up, he quickly looked around and then carefully pulled his arms away from being around Chandler, they both missed the other's warmth immediately. "I forgot we had the video today."

"Yeah, it's alright Chris. I did too until Jimmy started calling our phones."

"I thought yours was off though," Chris said as he sat up to rub his eyes.

"I woke up in the middle of the night and turned it on so I wouldn't be bombarded with notifications this morning," Chandler explained.

Chris nodded gently, "Smart choice."

"Glad you agree with me," Chandler said as he looked down at his phone to finally see the notifications. All sorts of stuff from various social medias, fans asking what he's been up to and such, and as Jimmy said, about a thousand texts from Tareq asking where he was.

"You're a popular guy huh Chan?" Chris said.

Chandler shrugged, "I guess so. You should run across the street to your house and get some clothes and such for the video."

"Right," Chris said, "Smart choice. You're a smart guy."

"Go. I'll wait here with my door unlocked for you okay?" Chandler reassured. Chris simply nodded before leaving Chandler's apartment. Chandler flopped back down onto the couch and groaned. "Fuck, fuck, fuckity fuck! I like him. I really fucking like him." He sighed. He didn't have the time to worry about that right now. He went to his bedroom and chuckled seeing his bed was made, he knew that after he sleeps in it for one night it'll never be made again.

Making a bed was so much effort that could be put into doing something else. Chandler quickly got ready to go film, grabbing a white hat and a jacket. He heard his front door open. Chris was back already. Chandler put the hat on and rushed out of the room. Chris was dressed casually but still warm. The sky was overcast, which was great conditions for growing orbeez as it would soon rain.

"Are you ready to go Chan?" Chris asked, "You'll have to lead the way as I don't know where we are headed."

"Jimmy's warehouse, it's where we always go before videos. Come on, I'll drive us. It's a bit of a walk," Chandler said as he grabbed his car keys.

"You haven't driven in two years," Chris said.

"So," Chandler said, "it's like riding a bike. I didn't forget. Let's go." Chris sighed but followed Chandler out the door. They walked down from Chandler's apartment to his car and they both got in. Chandler sat still for a moment, adjusting.

"Chandler, are you sure you'll be fine? I can drive if you need me to," Chris said.

"Can you drive?"

"I do have a license, I just don't own a car. If you need me to, I will," Chris offered again. Chandler nodded softly, and with that the two switched seats. Chris sighed softly, happy that Chandler gave in instead of risking their lives to try to appear okay. Chris took the keys from Chandler and their fingers brushed for half a second, Chris smiled.

Chris buckled and waited until he heard the click of Chandler's buckle too and then started the car. "You'll have to direct me," Chris said. Chandler nodded and did so, when they pulled up to the warehouse Chandler automatically recognized some of the cars. Of course Jimmy's was there, and so was Tareq's. But he also noticed Jake's car.

"You ready to meet everyone else?" Chandler asked.

"Nope," Chris said, "But let's do this anyways." Chandler smiled and they both climbed out of the car and Chandler led Chris inside. Chandler barely had time to process before Tareq was hugging him.

"Oh my god! Chan I have missed you so much. These two have nearly made me lose my sanity!" Tareq complained. Chandler hugged him back and Chris felt a small twinge of jealousy.

Chandler looked at Jimmy and Jake, "How have they done that?"

"They tried to cut a car in half with a sword Chandler."

"Sorry you had to deal with them Tareq," Chan said, a smile on his face. Still so happy to be around friends again. Jake gave a wave to Chandler and Chandler waved back.

"We're still waiting for Garrett to show up, and we're also waiting on a few other helpers because well..." Jimmy looked at the trailer of boxes, "We have a 100 million orbeez."

"How many?" Chandler asked.

"100 million," Jimmy said sheepishly.

"You should never be left unsupervised with money, Jimmy," Chandler said.

Chris nodded, "Yeah. Clearly."

"Hey Chris' first video and your first video back had to be a big one Chandler!" Jimmy defended.

"First implies there will be more," Chris said.

Chandler wrapped an arm around Chris' shoulder, "Believe me. There will be more Chris. Jimmy will bait you in by offering money."

"What do you mean?" Chris asked.

"The challenge videos..." Tareq said, "Those things take hours to days to film."

"Not for me," Chandler jokes.

Jake chuckled, "Twenty minutes on a good day for Chandler."

"Hey, I just spent two years sitting in an asylum and doing nothing. Maybe I'll be able to handle the challenges now."

"hm, maybe," Jimmy said. Chandler could tell by the look on Jimmy's face that he was planning something. He just didn't know what yet.