Chapter Text
The next morning Henry's waiting for him outside his house with a silly smile plastered on his face.
They greet each other as usual and walked in silence, the whole trip to the school was quiet, just like the rest of the day.
Ralph went to his chemistry class, which he absolutely hated. The teacher was now talking about how they had to study for the finals but he couldn't bring himself to care. Class passed by in a blur, so did the second and the third one.
The day went by slowly, but the bell finally rings indicating that the school day was over and he finally met Henry at the east exit. They walked, talking and complaining about their classes and the up-coming finals, laughing over the weird things that happened —to Henry, to be more accurate— that day.
They finally arrived at Henry's house, the mentioned unlocked the door and checked the surroundings to see if there was sign of his parents or Peter, and then led Ralph to his room.
As Ralph followed Henry through the stairs it got colder and colder, but he felt warm. It was weird, how he felt here and how different it was from how he felt when he's at his home, cold and alone; but at Henry's he feels... Well, he wasn't sure.
Thump thump.
When Ralph entered Henry's room the latter had already thrown his backpack away, rummaging through his closet for a change of clothing.
"I really don't wanna study" Henry confessed in a grumble, picking out some clothes for Ralph and handing them to him, a pair of sweatpants —that were a little too long for him— and a hoodie. They turned their backs to each other like routine so they could change.
"Okay," Ralph agreed "I don't think I can handle chemistry right now" he said as he tied the sweatpants. No matter how much he pulled the clothing pooled around his ankles. It annoyed him to no end how Henry had a sudden growth spurt.
The two of them settled on Henry's bed as the horrid boy took out his laptop to play a movie. He had asked if they could watch a movie that had just been released, a CD Henry's dad had bought —and that Henry had stolen from him—, something related to Chernobyl. Ralph wasn't feeling in the mood to really argue against it, and he didn't have a movie choice of his own, so he agreed.
"We are running out of movies to watch huh?" He asked, turning his head to look at Henry, who was engrossed by the movie. It made Ralph giggle out of endearment —much to his horror— as he turned to face the screen again.
"We are" Henry replied with a sigh, like the idea genuinely bothered him.
"Maybe we could go to the DVD store tomorrow?" Ralph suggested "I've got extra money so we can go and buy a couple more movies.."
"Oh yeah! Let's do that" Henry turned to look at him, flashing a smile. It was quick, almost immediately turning again to continue watching the movie, but it left Ralph's heart in a frenzy.
Thump thump thump thump—
He grabbed a pillow, finding himself feeling like this is a déjà-vu, but this time he wasn't dozing off and his heart felt like it was about to jump out of his chest.
It felt like the movie lasted forever, but Ralph was now watching the ending credits. They passed by quickly, but he wasn't really concentrating on them, his hands finding each other to pick on his fingers.
"Ralph?" Henry asked as he caught on his quietness, voice soft "'S everything alright?"
"What?" Had Ralph been acting weird? His face blushed, mortification washing over him, but he tried to play it off with a hun "Oh yes! Never been better" it was a really obvious lie, but Ralph could only hope that Henry was dense enough to dismiss it and let it go.
Thump thump thump—
They sat in silence, making Ralph feel self-conscious. He was sure the pounding of his heart could be heard from across the room. The tension was unbearable and he wanted to say something, anything, but what could he say? Was there something he could say without making everything fall apart? He does not want this to just disappear. He wants to keep this forever; coming to Henry's house and study, or pretend to study, until one of them got bored and decided that it was time for a movie; walking to and from school with Henry talking about everything and anything; practice whatever song Henry came up with, just goofing around with their instruments; being with Henry—
What would Ralph do if all of it just ended?
Henry just stared at him with this stupid soft look, eyebrows furrowed in concern, but he didn't say anything.
Ralph turned to face him, even if he felt ashamed.
"I'm scared" Ralph confused in a whisper "I'm scared all of this will come to an end because-" his voice was trembling and he cut himself off.
Henry didn't said anything, not pressing him into speaking, just waiting.
"Please don't be mad" Ralph sounded like a little kid again, scared— helpless.
"Why would I be mad?" Henry questioned, sounding concerned and hurt, like Ralph had betrayed him. Had he really done that? Did Henry hate him already?
Why wouldn't Henry hate him?
Henry only lifted his hand, palm up. Ralph eyed it before lifting his gaze, catching Henry's eyes before looking back at the hand. It took a moment before he lifted his own trembling hand, extending it to Henry.
Thump.
His hand is warm, just like the rest of Henry.
Henry squeezed his hand, an encouragement.
Ralph knew Henry wouldn't make him feel estranged in this type of atmosphere, but he couldn't help it, a knot was already forming inside of him, sinking, it made him feel heavy.
Thump thump—
"I think.."
Thump thump thump—
Something inside of him was clawing at his stomach, as if the butterflies in his tummy had transformed into bees and decided to go into a full rampage.
The room was silent and Ralph's shoulders tensed, he knew there's no going back from this, and he'll have to live with whatever the outcome was.
"I think I... I like you"
Thump thump thump thump—
He said it.
He finally said it.
A weight had been lifted off of his shoulders, but they still felt tense.
The moment of weightlessness was brief, the crushing weight of the situation hit him.
Henry hadn't said a word, just starring at him. It unnerved him, and he was close to begging the other to just say something.
Thump—
"Sorry" Ralph said as he retrieved his hand from Henry's grasp, but it didn't last long as Henry grabbed him by the shoulders.
"Why are you sorry?" Henry asked, face flushed red, big eyes filled with something— maybe shock, maybe disgust, Ralph wasn't sure. The grip on his shoulders tightened, but it didn't hurt, it was grounding, and comforting.
Ralph sniffled, his eyes prickled and he didn't want to but he was about to cry "I ruined everything... Didn't I?" His voice was no higher than a whisper, sounding pathetic. A single tear fell from his eye, directly hitting his calf, followed by another, and then another, and another until Ralph was full on sobbing, shoulders shaking as his head hung low in shame.
Thump thump thump—
"No," was Henry's response as he scooted closer to Ralph, hands moving from Ralph's shoulders to his cheeks, cradling his face and using his thumb in an attempt to wipe away the tears "you didn't ruin anything Ralph"
Thump—
Ralph's heart almost skipped a beat and he looked up, being met with Henry's eyes that were filled with an emotion completely different from anything he had ever seen "I.. didn't?" Ralph was confused, he was convinced that this would ruin everything.
"No" is Henry's final response, still wiping away the tears on Ralph's cheeks.
Thump thump.
Ralph wanted to say something, but he just couldn't form any word as he opened his mouth.
"Can I tell you something, Ralph?" Henry asked, voice gentle.
Ralph opened his mouth once more, forcing a response out of himself "Yeah..."
"I like you too"
Thump thump thump—
Ralph hadn't expected that, the weight on his shoulders had been lifted and the ugly sensation on his stomach was disappearing. It felt like he could breathe again.
"Are you... Are you sure?"
"Why wouldn't I be?" Henry scooted even closer, legs now touching, and Ralph took hold of Henry's hand in his own, he needed something to keep him grounded.
"I- I don't want you to feel pressured to like me back Henry," Ralph said "I-I thought you liked Margaret"
Henry smiled, and Ralph didn't understand that, was it something funny? Should he find it funny too?
"Ralph, I don't feel pressured, okay? And did you really think I would like that boogey brain? Ridiculous!" He said with a laugh "I may or may not have been spending more time with her as of lately because I was seeking some... love advice"
Ralph finally let himself relax, and he couldn't fight a smile of his own. He leaned forward and touched Henry's forehead with his own.
Thump.
His cheeks now hurt from smiling but he didn't really care, Henry was smiling too.
The room was quiet, but this time it was different, there's no tension, and Ralph felt as light as feather.
They separate and Ralph caught a glimpse of the outside world from the window, shades of yellow and orange mixing with pink are painting the sky. It will be dark soon.
Ralph really didn't want to talk, the silence too comfortable to break it "Is it okay if a spend the night?" It's all he said, a soft whisper, although he knew he didn't really have to ask.
Henry nodded with a quiet "Yes"
The rest of the night was spent in quietness, they didn't really talk apart from Henry's jokes or some trivial commentary about the movie they were now watching. Ralph found himself looking at Henry even more than before, from his messy hair to his lips, and so on.
Thump thump.
He's so gorgeous.
As the movie came to an end, and their eyes begin to drop, they settled on Henry's bed. The both of them snuggled below a warm blanket, arms wrapped around each other.
Thump.
Ralph pressed his face against Henry's chest, hearing his heartbeat, slightly tightening his arms around his ribcage.
Thump thump thump.
Henry sighed and held Ralph closer to himself, safe and sound. The soft creaking of the floorboard indicating there's other people in the house, the coldness of the room, the moonlight greeting them through the cracks of the curtains, nothing mattered. Nothing mattered to Ralph, he didn't ruin anything and everything was fine.
Henry was gently drawing patterns on his back, only to bring his hands up to Ralph's hair and kiss him, catching him off guard "Go to sleep" he gently whispered before starting to comb his finger through his hair.
Thump.
Ralph closed his eyes, body finally giving in to the exhaustion. The past few days —or weeks, Ralph couldn't remember— had been stressful, and his body felt heavy, so he finally let himself drift off. A small smile decorated his face, knowing the next day everything will be right where he left it.