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“Shut the fuck up Tess,” Grey yelled. He was sick of Terrence’s commentary on the true crime podcast the group was listening to. It had only been two hours into the three-day roadtrip, and Grey was just about ready to murder someone. That someone was most likely going to be Terrence if he didn’t stop talking. It was already loud enough as Ren had her window down in the front seat and Lazuli, to Grey’s judgement, wasn’t doing a good enough job as the oldest person in the car, to make sure everyone was happy.
“Alright fine, I’ll be quiet,” Terrence surrendered. Grey was preparing for him to do something else annoying as usual, like start kicking him, or eat chips in somehow the loudest way humanly possible. But, to his surprise, Terrence put on his headphones and turned towards the window to sleep. Grey felt a little bad, as Terrence hadn’t reacted like this before. However, he said nothing and continued to listen to the podcast.
Later that evening, Lazuli had directed Leah to drive to one of the rest stops so everybody could eat, go to the bathroom, and stretch their legs after being cramped together in the car for almost a whole day. With the events from earlier still in his head, Grey leaned to whisper to Ren, who was eating a subway sandwich.
“Do you know what the deal with Tess was earlier?” Grey asked. Ren tilted her head in confusion.
“What do you mean?”
“Earlier when we were listening to the podcast. When I told him to shut up, he wasn’t acting like himself.”
“I don’t know, go ask him yourself. Why do you care anyway?” Grey shook his head.
“Never mind.”
Terrence didn’t speak for the entire time they were at the rest stop. He kept to himself on his phone and didn’t even bother to acknowledge Ren’s jokes. Terrence always laughs at Ren’s jokes, that’s just how it went. However, one thing that he did do, multiple times in fact, was make eye contact with specifically Grey. The first time Grey could’ve sworn it was on accident, but the multiple instances after that indicated otherwise.
He had lost count of the number of times their gazes met at some point, and that is when Terrence stood up without warning. He mumbled a quick 'I’m going to go sit in the car', held his hand out for Lazuli’s keys, took them and left. Grey furrowed his eyebrows and watched Terrence exit the building before being interrupted by Ren.
“What’s been up his ass today?” She asked the others. The reply was a mutual mumbling of “I don’t know’s” and then complete silence as they continued eating their meals. Grey knew it was his fault but what he didn’t understand was the reason he was acting so shitty about it. And he was adamant about finding out.
“I’m going to head back to the car too,” Grey told the others while picking up the rest of his and Terrence’s food and belongings. And off he went in pursuit of Terrence.
When he got to the car, Terrence wasn’t sitting in the car, but on the ground leaning against it. The overhead road lights illuminated the space around them, lighting up Terrence’s reflection in the puddle next to him. He hadn’t seemed to notice Grey yet, so the latter stood a short distance away trying to think of something to say. His brainstorming was for nothing, though, as Terrence had become aware of Grey’s presence.
“Did you come out here because of me?” Terrence was looking up, his eyes glassy. Grey brushed a hand through his hair before walking forward to sit down. He looked at his own hand holding the food Terrence had left behind in the building and held it out.
“Uh. Yeah. Brought this too, didn’t know if you still wanted it.” Terrence took it from him tentatively and murmured a ‘thank you’ of sorts. They sat in silence for a couple minutes while they ate, and when Grey was finished, he texted the group chat to ask the others when they were meeting at the car. Lazuli texted back that the other two had gone to the bathroom, and that they were going to stay inside for a bit longer and order some desserts.
Putting his phone into his pocket, Grey turned to Terrence. “I’m sorry about earlier. If that’s, uh, that’s what you’re upset about.” He fumbled with the sleeve of his shirt. Terrence glanced at him for a moment before looking away.
“It’s not just that. It’s a little more complicated. Uh…” Terrence trailed off, not sure of what to say to Grey. “This past week has been so hectic, and I just haven’t been able to think properly. Ugh, I just–I don’t know.”
Grey nodded and shifted himself, so he was slightly closer to and facing Terrence. “You don’t have to tell me if you don’t want to.”
Terrence huffed. “But I want to. I’m just being stupid, is all.” He covered his face with his hands and slumped over. Grey moved even closer, holding his hands out for a hug. Terrence leaned into his embrace, closing his eyes. In his head, Terrence was freaking out. Why was he getting butterflies from this? Tess needed to get his shit together.
He spoke up after a while. “The reason I haven’t really said anything is that I… I like you. Maybe a lot. I don’t know. And I want to say that the way you shouted at me earlier, it was uh,” he cleared his throat, “kinda hot.” Terrence buried his head into the comfort of Grey’s shoulder to hide his flushing cheeks.
Grey was at a loss for words. It was a surprise, and not an unwelcome one at all. He moved his arm carefully as to not interrupt, and held Terrence’s jaw. Terrence caught on to what was happening and gasped quietly.
“I’m sorry, we don’t have to–” Grey said softly before being pushed against the side of the car. His mouth made an ‘oh’, but no sound came out.
“May I?” Terrence uttered. Grey hummed a yes and Terrence put a hand on the back of his neck, closing the gap between them. It was slow and sweet, and Grey could feel the weight of Terrence’s body relax and melt into the kiss. When they pulled away, Terrence was bright red. Their eyes met for a mere moment before they both looked away and snickered out of pure nerves.
“Can we do it again?” Grey whispered after a minute, trying his best to keep himself composed. Terrence nodded and this time their lips met with more confidence. Grey pulled Terrence in closer to deepen the kiss, his hands running through Terrence’s hair as if he could never get enough of it. Their private moment of bliss was the most important thing in the world at this very moment. Though, of course, bliss can’t last forever.
“What the fuck happened between you two?” Ren called out to them as the rest of the group followed behind her. Fuck. Terrence pushed himself off Grey hastily and stood up to neaten himself up.
“We were, uh. Yeah, there’s no explaining this,” Terrence chuckled dryly. He leaned down towards Grey to help him up. Lazuli sighed, holding his hand out for the keys which Terrence threw back, and they all got in the car. They all took the seats they had before and off they continued on the road, though this time with Terrence and Grey sitting closer than they ever had before in the car, sleeping soundly with Terrence's head resting on Grey's shoulder.