Chapter Text
Clay typed an email on his phone as they drove. It was drafted to his advisor, letting him know Clay’s plan. He was positive he was dropping out, but he figured it would still be smart to talk it through with his advisor first. He made sure to remove the ‘sent from my iphone’ at the bottom, something that he’d gotten trouble with many times in the past.
“Do you think flowers would be overboard?”
“The whole point is to make a big gesture, I say go for it. I’ll stop by the store.”
“Thanks Sap, you really are a great friend.” He looked at the brunette who was rerouting to the grocery. “I am sorry by the way, for leaving school on such short notice. I know we planned to room together until we graduate.”
“You are the reason I chose to go here. It was between this university and another similar one, the fact that my best friend attended this one finalized my decision.” He pulled into the store parking lot. “But it’s okay. It’s obvious how much you care about him.” Nick parked the car and turned to Clay. “No matter where you live, we’ll always be best friends.” They both unbuckled. “Besides, if you're dating Davidson I’m sure you won’t be far.”
“You’ll know where to find me.”
“Perfect. If you ever ignore my discord messages I’ll make sure to come over and kick your ass.”
Clay laughed. “Then I’ll make sure to answer your messages.” He got out of the car, leaving Nick in the car. “I’ll be back in a minute.”
He hurried inside the store and over to the flower section. I wonder what flowers he likes? Some blue cornflowers caught his eye. “I’ve never seen such bright flowers.” He murmured.
An employee overheard him. “They are our most flashy! Are you buying for someone special?”
“I am.” He picked up a small bouquet. “They’re perfect.”
The employee smiled at him. “I’m sure whoever it is will love them.”
“I hope so too.” Clay paid for the flowers and left the store, rushing back to Nick’s car. He got in quickly and fastened his seatbelt. “Let’s hit the road!”
Nick started his car and left the parking lot. Clay guided him to George’s apartment building. “Do you want me to wait here?” Nick asked.
“Nah.” Clay was already getting out. “If all goes well, I won’t be heading back so soon. And when I do I’m sure George will drive me.”
“And if it doesn’t go well?”
“Then I’ll call you. Thanks, again.” Clay gave one last smile and waved Nick goodbye.
It’s time. He looked up the building, hoping to spot George’s apartment. He knew it was on this side of the building. On the fourth set of windows he spotted it. He recognized the fan in the window. And beside that he could see a figure at a desk. That must be him. Clay contemplated throwing rocks like in the movies but figured that would be a bad idea considering the window appeared to be open.
Instead he took a deep breath and mentally prepared himself. Just be honest. “GEORGE!” He shouted. He saw the figure move but nothing happened. Round 2. “GEORGE DAVIDSON, DON’T YOU IGNORE ME! I KNOW YOU CAN HEAR ME! I-”
George leaned out the window. “SHUSH!” He realized that it was Clay who was shouting. “CLAY? WHAT ARE YOU DOING HERE?” He yelled back.
“I CAME FOR YOU!”
“I THOUGHT I TOLD YOU TO STOP CONTACTING ME?”
“YOU KNOW I’M BAD AT LISTENING. AND HOW DO YOU EXPECT ME TO STAY AWAY FROM THE PERSON I LOVE?”
Another tenant leaned out their window. “WOULD YOU TWO SHUT UP?!”
“I’M TRYING TO CONFESS MY LOVE!” Clay shouted.
The tenant looked at the window George was at. “YOU HEARD HIM! HE LOVES YOU! GET DOWN THERE AND STOP DISTURBING THE ENTIRE BUILDING! UGH!” He shut the window forcefully.
“WHAT HE SAID! GET YOUR ASS DOWN HERE SO I CAN STOP YELLING, IT’S HURTING MY THROAT!” He couldn’t help but grin as George left his window. He’s coming.
About a minute later the brunette burst through the front doors of the apartment. “Clay!” He jogged over, cheeks red. “Can you tell me what you're doing here, now?”
“I- I wanted to give you these!” He held out the bouquet of flowers.
George’s eyes shined as he took it. “Wow… they’re beautiful. How did you know I like the color blue?”
“I didn’t.” Don’t start a relationship with lies. “I just thought they were pretty… like you. I didn’t know you liked blue.”
“It’s my favorite.” George touched the petals delicately. “It’s one of the only colors I can see clearly…”
He can’t see colors? “You’re colorblind?”
“Yes. I can still see some colors, like blue, but many other colors are difficult.”
Clay felt glad he picked the blue flowers. “I never knew that. Even now, when I feel so close to you, there are still things I need to learn.” He took one of George’s hands. “And that’s why I’m dropping out. I know you think it’s stupid, and that I’ll regret it. But as long as I’m with you, I won’t regret anything that allows me to be with you.”
“And what about when you're not with me? What if we fight?”
“I still won't regret it. The time spent with you would be worth it.”
“How can you be so confident?”
“It’s simple… it’s because I love you.”
“You know I love you too.”
“There better not be a ‘but’.”
“You know me so well.” George rubbed his thumb on Clay’s hand. “If you're serious about this, about us, I guess there's not much I can do to stop it, but I do have a request.”
“And that would be?”
“Don’t drop out until you have a plan. Formalize your next steps before you leave. Can you do that for me?”
“Yes.” So he’s okay with me dropping out? “Anything you think is best, I’ll do it, as long as you promise to be with me.”
George looked up at him. “I think I can make that promise. Only because I love you. And I trust that you know what you want for your future. I know you’re not naive, and I need to stop treating you like you are. It’s your life, I trust your decisions.”
“I’m certain. I want to be with you.”
“I want to be with you too.”
It didn’t even feel real, it felt like a dream. “Is this really happening? Is the love of my life saying he wants to be with me?”
“It’s real.” He put his free hand on Clay’s arm. “It’s as real as my love for you. And trust me, that's incredibly real.”
Clay felt a happiness he’d never felt. He pulled George against him, not caring that he squished the flowers. “I love you so much. You mean everything to me.”
“I love you too. You mean the world to me.” George clung to him. “Please forgive me for all the things I’ve said to you. All the times I said you were just a kid, telling you to block me, and saying I couldn’t be with you. I just love you so much Clay. I thought I was ruining your life, I didn’t understand you. But now, I see how serious you are. I see how dedicated you are. You are my Dream, you’re everything to me.”
“Of course I forgive you! You were just doing what you thought was best. I know you only said and did those things because you cared about me. You risked everything for me; your relationship, your job, your future, all of it for me.”
“You speak so highly about me.”
“I think highly of you.” He broke the hug. “Now, can I come in?”
“Of course.” George smiled with a genuine look of joy. “Um- Since you're dropping out… it’s not like you have a place to live, so if you want-”
“Yes. I’d love to move in with you.” Clay slipped his fingers into George’s. “Nothing would make me happier.” It was the truth. “I want to spend the rest of my life with you.”
I love him.
“I love you.”