Work Text:
James is laying on his bed with his phone, again. He’s watching TikTok videos, again. He comes across a video:
„ Hey, you! Do you want to know how strong is your relationship with your current partner? Let’s find out! Introducing a challenge called "10 quests for strong couples"
James was interested.
„If you would like to join, click on the folder to see the quests! And also, don’t forget to do your own videos related to the challenge with the hashtag #strongcoupleschallenge!”
James clicked on the folder and watched what the 1st challenge was about:
„Challenge 1: sleep separately for a whole week.”
- Hah, easy peasy! - says James to himself – I’ll ask Aiden what is his opinion about this.
He goes to Aiden’s room and knocks on the door:
- Come in! – shouts Aiden. He was writing and drawing in his diary.
- Guess what Aidy baby! – Said James in an excited voice
Aiden knew why James called him like that:
- You have an idea for a TikTok, haven’t you?
- Wha… How did you know?
- You don’t say "Guess what Aidy baby!" for no reason, whatever type of challenge you would like to do I’m not interested.
- But this one is different! It’s called "10 quests for strong couples" I was thinking about doing this with you to test if our relationship is really strong indeed!
- Hmmm… Although it’s a TikTok challenge, which I despise, you got my attention this time. Okay, babe! Tell me about this one.
James got really excited and sat next to Aiden showing the video to him:
- Sleeping separately for a whole week as challenge one? That doesn’t seem that bad. I think I wouldn’t mind sleeping in my own room for a week. I think it’s going to be easy for us.
- Trust me Aiden, this is going to be a lot easier than you think. We have such a great relationship so this challenge would prove that we’re not just great, but a strong couple too.
- Well... I see this more as a relationship test and not a TikTok challenge honestly. So I think I’m in this time! – Said Aiden confidently
- Great! I can’t wait to start, and the beat challenge one!
- But… Are you sure you can endure not sleeping and cuddling together in your bed for a whole week? – asks Aiden
- Pfft honestly even for a whole Month! We will only sleep separately not like living separately! Maybe I’ll miss it a little, but I’m sure both of us will beat this part - Said James proudly - like, better than anybody else!
- Okay, you have convinced me.
The night came fast. They had their dinner, put on their PJs, went to the bathroom, said goodnight to each other, and went to their own room this time. No sleeping together, (also no cuddling) like the challenge said. James went to his bed and was thinking about how easy this challenge is and that this would prove that he was an awesome boyfriend and their relationship is truly strong. He starts daydreaming about Aiden, their moments in Disventure Camp, and everything.
„ I’m so thankful for him being in my life. I never thought we actually became a real couple after Disventure Camp. Haha, it’s so nice thinking about those amazing and fun moments we had. Especially when we slept in a tent together. That was our real 1st night together and also the time when I first cuddled with him. Man, did I really say that I couldn’t replace his teddy bear, but I could try? God that was kinda cheesy, wasn’t it? But I could tell he liked it. Comforting him for the 1st time was also a great feeling for me, and I’m pretty sure for him too.” – said James to himself while blushing. " I’m so glad I finally have a great boyfriend who truly loves and cares about me, unlike… - His smile suddenly turned into a frown - … him. That jerk. (he suddenly stopped talking to himself for 3 minutes) I still remember those awful times when he called me nasty things and insulted me all the time, and did not allow me to kiss or hug him if it was not for a photo or a video. I tried to insult him back but I felt he always had something to say back. I’m honestly glad we never cuddled and gave each other pet names. Ugh, being in a relationship with him was truly a mistake, but I got so many followers, until… We broke up and started to talk shit about me and a lot of people… unfollowed and turned against me. But everything is alright because Aiden is right here with me… oh wait! Yeah, he actually isn’t because of the challenge. I want him to be by my side at the moment. I want to kiss him hug him, feel like I’m finally loved like, truly loved.”
He and his ex-boyfriend never had honest and true romantic moments, their whole relationship only existed for internet clout. James never had true romantic things before Aiden. He never had cuddles and kisses that he truly enjoyed. He never realized how desperate for cuddles and kisses from someone. He got it from Aiden, but he really needs it right now. But Aiden isn't here. Realizing cuddling with Aiden and sleeping together at night was an escape for him. Not to think about his awful past relationships. Especially the latest one. He starts crying but also says to himself:
" Be strong James, you need to pass this challenge!"
But he feels like he can't. He really wants to just go to Aiden's room at that moment and tell him that he needs him.
„ I feel like, I can’t do this challenge, I don’t think I can handle another night without being with him. Being next to him. Hugging him.
He looks on his phone for pictures of him and Aiden together. He opened the folder in his gallery which he labeled "Me with Aidy baby *heart* In case it helps him to sleep. He was smiling every time he saw a picture.
„ I love him so much!” – said James with tears in his eyes
He hardly but finally fell asleep.
Meanwhile, Aiden was also thinking about their relationship:
"This challenge is kinda interesting and I truly believe it can improve our relationship, I can do it even if I… miss cuddling with him, I can do this, I have my teddy bear with me, that's enough... right? " - thinks Aiden.
He's thinking about what James is doing right now. Checking Instagram... or watching TikTok videos? He probably tweeting about how he's gonna ace this challenge, and how easy this going to be for him. He honestly thinks James can handle this and can sleep well without him. He's strong he probably did this challenge with his previous boyfriends.
„ I can do this. If James is strong then I’m strong too. Hmmm... I really want to just go to his room and tell him I miss cuddling with him...C'mon Aiden you can do this! For James!"
He also starts to think about their wholesome moments and how he helped to fight his dysphoria. He's so thankful for those supportive moments when he needed them. He fell asleep easier than James.
Aiden wakes up the next morning but realizes he is in his bed and James isn't by his side. He opens his bedroom door and goes to the living room to check if James woke up too. He's at the dining table with his breakfast. He's also on his phone, checking social media. Aiden goes to him:
- Good morning James!
- Morning Aiden - said James in a tired voice.
Aiden was surprised by James’ current mood.
- Looks like we both beat day one out of seven. It wasn't that easy for me I could tell, but I'm really sure this was really easy for you, and slept as well as any night where we slept together. Haha. - said he in a confident voice.
But James just stood up, went to Aiden said nothing, and hugged him, just... hugged him. He even gave a kiss on his cheek and continued to hug him. Aiden was kinda confused.
- Is everything okay? - asked Aiden.
- You have no idea how TERRIBLY I slept Aiden. I was thinking about you all night. I missed you. I missed your voice, I missed cuddling with you, heck I even missed your teddy bear. I never want to have another horrible night like this... EVER AGAIN! Sorry baby, I just... I can't continue this challenge anymore. I'm not ready, I'm not strong enough... I.. I... I'm sorry. Looks like I couldn't prove that our relationship is strong. Maybe next time - says James with tears in his eyes.
Aiden was surprised. He had NO idea that James would give up a challenge. To give up this challenge after day one. But Aiden was glad. He was also glad that James is telling this to him instead of being quiet to prove, that he was strong, that he was a master of beating challenges. But Aiden knew he had to comfort his boyfriend.
- Look, we don't need a damn TikTok challenge to prove that our relationship is strong. I understand everything. This isn't gonna invalidate our relationship, don’t worry. What really matters is how WE see our OWN relationship and not how others see it. And I'm also really proud of you for telling me immediately that you can't do this challenge, instead of continuing it otherwise, for "internet points". I won't see you as weak, don't worry. And also, there shouldn't be a "next time" but if you really want to do this challenge again, I wouldn't mind.
James was really surprised by this. He started to have tears in his eyes again, but they were happy tears. He was happy that his boyfriend handled it maturely and understood it. He is so glad that his boyfriend isn't a social media freak like his ex. That jerk. He would probably shame and make fun of him for being „weak” (More like a "pussy" he would say). But Aiden wasn't like him. He hugged him again and just said:
- I love you, baby. Thank you so much... for everything you said!
- I love you too babe! - said Aiden in a soft voice.
Then they kissed. It was a long and sweet kiss.
After their breakfast they continued their average everyday life things, except James was very cuddly this time. All day he just wanted to do things with Aiden together, no matter what, he just wanted to be with him all day. All day he wanted to cuddle, kiss, and hug him more than usual, for a reason. Aiden noticed that as well and he tried to come up with an idea as, to why he might act this way today. Late afternoon James suggested Aiden go to bed super early which was weird to Aiden because he knows James is a night owl. So they went to bed earlier than usual. When Aiden came back from the bathroom and went to James' bed, where his boyfriend was waiting for him, heturned off the light. He laid down and James gave him another big hug like in the morning, but he was hugging him really strong this time.
- Ouch JAMES! - Aiden raised his voice
- Oh sorry sorry, I didn’t mean to… - said James in a scared voice - It was an accident I swear!
- I’ve noticed that you were extra cuddly this day. You wanted to hug and kiss me more often than usual. Are you okay? Is something… troubling you?
- I just, I don’t know why I’ve felt like this today
- Is that had to do about last night? When we slept together separately for the challenge?
- ... Maybe. Look, I’m sorry if I’m acting weird it’s just, I… - starts to have tears in his eyes - ... shit I can’t find the words for what I’m feeling
Aiden starts to have a worried expression:
- …You said to me in the morning that you slept terribly last night, that you’ve missed me, even if it was only just one night without me. I think have an idea why. You are REALLY lovesick, aren’t you?
- I… I don’t know, honestly. I think… Maybe you’re right, but… Why did it bother me so much that you weren’t by my side that night? I wanted to start the challenge, so I suggested sleeping separately for a WHOLE week. Then I was the one who gave it up. That doesn’t make sense!
- Hmmm… Maybe it DOES actually. Did you have nightmares or bad thoughts that night? - Asked Aiden
- Well… I was thinking about the good moments we had in Disventure Camp, but then… I started to remember those awful days with my ex. They started haunting me all night, and it didn’t stop. His insults, the way he treated me the moment when we pretended to love each other only for our followers to say that “we are so cute together”... But the thing is… I didn’t have these bad thoughts when I was sleeping with you. Since I’ve started to feel genuine love for you and my ex from my mind just… disappeared. But the last night, it came back… Or maybe I’m just obsessive and creepy, but I swear I don’t want to be or act like a… - Said James in a sad voice and just, broke down crying.
Aiden had never seen James crying this hard before. He noticed that James was crying like he was when he had meltdowns about his body image and insecurity. He realized that at this moment James opened up about his problem and not him. At this moment James broke down crying not him. At this moment James needed to be comforted not him. He noticed how the table was switched. So he tried everything to comfort him like how James did with him.
- It’s okay babe, I’m here to help you. - Said Aiden in a comforting voice - I think sleeping together is a coping mechanism for you, an escape from the bad memories, I get it. Don’t worry it’s not creepy and obsessive what you are doing, it is completely understandable, or at least to me. Now that you told me what’s bothering you I finally had a better view of your situation. You’re not a creep, you are just lovesick. Our relationship is still fresh and it's a new one for you. I've never had a partner before, you are my first and true boyfriend and I'm glad about that. But I know I'm not your first boyfriend and I know you had a really bad relationship with your latest ex. You're also experiencing new things, aren't you?
- Heh, I sure do. Seriously I started to feel new things I hadn't felt when I was dating my previous boyfriends. You are my first boyfriend who I cuddled with at night, who I had honest conversations with, who I really care about, and who I truly fell in love with. The truth is, that every time I see you, talk with you, or think about you, I get really nervous, but in a good and romantic way. I feel like I could scream in joy and my face is turning red every time. It’s just… I love you, honestly and that's why I need you. Because you may not be my first boyfriend, but you are my first REAL boyfriend. And I'm really thankful for that - Said James while sobbing but slowly calming down at the same time. There were still tears in his eyes, but he was happy. Aiden was so proud of himself, he could finally comfort James.
- Maybe you will be “strong enough” not to be with me all the time one day, but from now on, we should enjoy these moments when we kiss and cuddle. It’s a new relationship for both of us and I think we shouldn’t stop doing what we like to do just because of challenges, couple tests, and bad thoughts. I like night cuddling, you like night cuddling, so let’s continue it until we want!
James was so happy again. He stopped crying and just looked at Aiden in his eyes. He appreciates his maturity. He’s REALLY glad that his boyfriend is a true one. That he helps him realize new things. He feels like his whole face is turning red again. He gently touched Aiden’s face and held it softly. Aiden knew he wanted to kiss him so he let him do it. It was another slow and soft kiss like it was in the morning, but this one was longer. Waaay longer. While kissing James gently and slowly pet his boyfriend’s face while his other hand was touching the back of his head, while Aiden’s hands were touching James’ shoulders. After they were ready to fall asleep, they knew they had to say one last word to each other:
- I love you Aidy baby!
- I love you too, Jamey!