Stress Relief (Grizz x Nom Nom)

Chapter 14

Nom Nom sighed to himself in content as he leaned against Grizz. It was much past midnight, Ice Bear and Panda had been long asleep, and the two were on their third movie. The first was a murder mystery, the second was a futuristic action thriller, and the current one they viewed was a simple romantic. It seemed to be from a much older time, being without color. The main characters dressed in older attire and the setting seemed to be in France, given the french accents of most of the actors.

Grizz and Nom Nom watched the main characters on screen talking to one another at an outdoor cafe. It was night and there was a lady character wearing a dark coat with fur and a tall man in a suit and brim hat.

"Sometimes I wonder if this is all a dream?", the lady asked, stirring her coffee slowly.

"If it is, then it is the best kind", the man on the other side smiled warmly.

"But why here? Why me?", the lady asked, looking up from her cup.

"Why not here? Why not you?", the man responded placing his hand over hers. "From the moment our eyes met, you had stolen my heart."

The lady smiled as well and gazed into his eyes. The camera panned out to show the two leaning forward into a kiss.

"Aww, that's cute...", Grizz said gently. Nom Nom looked over at the bear's tired yet hopeful eyes.

"Yeah..", Nom Nom said softly. He was feeling just as tired as Grizz but both of them wanted to see this movie through to it's end.

As the movie continued and the main characters grew ever closer together, Grizz's paw slipped on top of Nom Nom's.

"Oh, sorry", Grizz apologized softly.

"Oh, no. It's okay", Nom Nom chuckled. Grizz took a breath and let his paw rest there. Nom Nom felt a gentle warmth spread through him. Grizzly's paw easily covered his, despite that it felt soft and warm. Grizz on the other hand was freaking out inwardly, feeling his heart race and hoping the paw over Nom Nom's wouldn't get sweaty. He tried to distract himself by focusing on the movie once again. It was a montage moment of the newly founded couple doing things together and building their bond.

"Grizz. I...I just wanted to say that I like doing things like this....with you I mean", Nom Nom said slowly, trying his best not to panic.

"I do, too. But I..... Well I like doing all things with you", Grizz admitted. "You make things so much fun."

"I...do?", Nom Nom blinked. He had heard many things about himself. That he was an inspiration, he was a king, but he had never be called fun before. It felt nice to him.

"Yeah, theses movies wouldn't be nearly as good without you here with me. And the way you help out my brothers. You're so great", Grizz admitted. "At like, everything."

Nom Nom felt a blush creeping across his face. "Y-yeah, well. You're fun too, Grizz. Somehow you make everything exciting. You make the mansion back home seem so boring."

"Aww, thanks", Grizz beamed. "You know, Nom. I really do like spending time with you and...I...." Grizz suddenly lost his nerve and fought desperately for something more to say to the koala. Suddenly Nom Nom pulled Grizz close with strength that the grizzly didn't know he had.

"Um, Nom?", Grizz asked quietly, feeling his heart skip a beat. Nom Nom said nothing, pulling the larger bear closer. The koala slowly cupped the bear's face.

"Uh, Grizz. The truth is....That I feel things for you. Things that I've never felt before..", Nom Nom said carefully, looking into the larger bear's eyes.

"Uh, what does that mean..?", Grizz chuckled, feeling himself starting to sweat.

Nom Nom, taking what felt like the biggest chance of his life, leaned forward to meet the bear with a kiss. In that moment Grizz's mind went completely blank. The next thing the bear knew was when he opened his eyes the koala was looking at him with an unreadable expression.

"I'm sorry...", the koala sighed, turning away.

"No, no", Grizz soothed and gently placed his paw on Nom Nom's shoulder. "It's okay.."

"It's just I....", Nom Nom's breathing grew heavy as he realized what he had done. He placed a paw on his chest and realized he was starting to hyperventilate.

Grizz gasped, seeing the koala take a step back and struggle to breathe. Without another thought in his head he scooped the smaller mammal up and pulled him in close and tight. He felt Nom Nom struggle against his grip and slow his movements. Grizz looked down at him and loosened his grip.

"Nom? Are you okay?", Grizz asked gently.

The koala let out a groan and took a deep breath. "...Grizz...I...I'm fine. Thanks... Grizz there's something I need to say.."

"What is it?", Grizz asked.

"Maybe it's the movie or maybe it's something else....but I think that I love you", Nom Nom whispered, looking away. He expected Grizz to say something but the large bear just remained silent.

"Haha! I'm so glad you said it! I thought you were gonna say something else.... Heh. Nom Nom I...I love you too", Grizz beamed. Nom Nom looked up at the smiling grizzly and felt his heart skip a beat. He was sure that the bear was going to reject him or maybe even worse.

"Ha! That's great! That's amazing! But...what do we do now?", Nom Nom asked. He had seen the romance movies and love plots in shows but the movies and shows usually ended by then. They never really showed what happened after.

"I...Don't really know....", Grizz also admitted. "I'm pretty sure if we do love each other then we'll figure it out."

"Hmmm. Okay, Grizz. We'll figure it out....", Nom Nom sighed, feeling happy but nervous at the same time. "Heh. It was already difficult enough to figure out this friend stuff and now I gotta figure out how to be a...boyfriend."

Grizz said nothing, but continuing to hold onto the smaller mammal. Much of the movie had passed while their own events took place. The two quietly watched the rest. Both of their minds were buzzing with questions and some worries about their newly formed relationship. Despite their doubts the belief that things would work themselves out between them was stronger.

Grizz held Nom Nom a little closer, feeling excitement well up in him that he had a boyfriend. Nom Nom felt the bear's soft arms wrap around him. They calmed him and made him feel like things would not be too bad.

It didn't take the duo long to fall asleep on the couch in each other's embrace, the rest of the night drifted away as both slipped away into their dreams. When Nom Nom woke up the next morning next to Grizz still fast asleep he smiled and continued to lay next to him. It was the best night of sleep he had in a long time and he was glad he knew the exact reason why. He listened to the bigger mammal's slow breathing and the steady thumping of his heart. It was in that moment Nom Nom smiled to himself and began to think that this could be his life from now on. It was a thought that was extremely tempting.