Chapter Text
Finney waited eagerly by the door while Vance talked to Bruce about some new action movie that was coming out. Robin laid half on the couch and half on the floor, the few beers they all had caught up to him quick. Even though Robin made fun of Finney for being a lightweight, he was truly the lightweight one but Finney never said anything.
Finney’s head perked up at the sound of their signature handshake happening, they were finally about to leave. He started bouncing on his heels, almost falling over before catching himself, “C’mon baby,” Vance chuckled, wrapping an arm around his shoulders, leading a wobbly Finney out to his truck. The cool, night air gently caressed Finney’s flushed face providing some relief.
When they were almost at the truck, Vance stopped them before bending down to throw Finney over his shoulder. A gasp followed by laughter filled the empty space surrounding them. Vance swung the door open and ungracefully got Finney inside and buckled before running around to the driver’s side before Finney made an escape. This has happened a few times now, Finney was a drunk runner.
The truck revved to life, music from the radio playing softly as Vance rolled down the windows. “Can you,” Finney hiccups, head rolling to one side, eyes closed. “Can you believe that we have been dating for…almost…for so long?” Finney laughs, he tried doing the math but all the words jumbled in his head.
Vance chuckled, trying not to laugh too hard and make Finney think he was making fun of him. Finney was already a sensitive boy but drinking made it so much worse. Luckily, Vance was exactly everything Finney needed; reassuring when needed without being too much and was genuine. Both boys helped each other out in ways no one could imagine.
As they drove, they both reflected on their time together from the first date junior year to their graduation plans. Graduation plans that are happening in a week, god they were so scared yet so excited. Finney got into his dream school (on a full ride) for aerospace engineering and Vance found a job nearby as a car mechanic. They even found an apartment nearby for cheap, granted it was super run down and above a gas station but it didn’t matter, they had each other.
Finney opened his eyes that he didn’t know were shut to begin with when he realized the truck stopped and the silent night became deafening. Every cricket, every ribbit, every tree branch amplified through the air making them feel not so alone. Vance opened his door and turned to Finney, “Morning sleepy, c’mon got something to show you.”
Finney blinked awake to consciousness a few times before following Vance outside the truck to the back where he was standing with a poorly hidden smile. Leave it to Vance to always try to be nonchalant.
Finney looked around at the vast grassy plain with a small farm a few miles away, the small, gentle barn lights provided a sense of warmth. If he squinted he could pretend that the barn was a small candle. “What…where…what is this?”
Vance smiled, leaning on his truck. “I wanted to find a place for us, mainly you, to look at the stars without all that light pollution that keeps bothering you.”
Vance dropped down the trunk bed door, “So I drove around at night over and over until I found the perfect spot. Then,” Vance paused to lift Finney effortlessly onto the tail. “I wanted you to be a little more comfortable than us just snapping our necks back or laying down in wet grass again.” Memories of sore necks and damp jeans filled their minds.
Vance lifted himself up while Finney just watched on with his mouth hung open, he felt like he was on top of the world. He felt so seen and loved. He tackled Vance down onto the mountain of blankets and started kissing him with all the love he felt. The kiss was uncoordinated and full of laughter.
“Vance!” Finney pulled back looking down at the boy, their faces mere inches from each other. “I don’t even know what to say.” He sat up right to throw his head back in a disbelieving chuckle and all those late nights are so worth it now. Vance doesn’t think he could name a more beautiful thing than Finney right now: sitting on top of him, head back looking up, wild curls going every direction, and the moon casting a halo of light around Finney like he was an angel.
“C’mon,” Vance laughed to himself, pulling Finney down and up the bed so their legs weren’t dangling down. “I didn’t bring all these blankets for you to break your neck.” Vance stretched his arm out for Finney to lay down on, his hair tickling Vance’s soft arm. Vance pulled on a blanket and Finney grabbed a corner to help cover themselves from the chill of the night.
Finney rambled off the constellations, praising Vance when he would name one of them even if he got one wrong. Their conversations began to fall silent as the night progressed, yawns became more frequent. Finney eventually turned over curling his body around Vance who wrapped his arms tight around Finney. They stayed like until Vance noticed Finney’s steadied breathing and closed eyes. He heavily debated waking him up but ultimately decided that this secluded area would be their bedroom tonight.