Chapter Text
“I’ll be back at our place in a week, okay? Don’t burn the house down trying to make Mum’s chicken again,” Zane said, smiling under his mask. Garroth rolled his eyes, “Please, I’m not that bad! Have fun! I’ll see you when you get back.” Garroth smiled. The brothers said their goodbyes, and Garroth put the car in drive. He watched his baby brother enter the house, waited a few extra moments, and finally drove away.
In truth? Garroth didn’t want to be alone. After everything that happened, all the death and misery he had witnessed. Being alone was the last thing he wanted. The one thing he had to look forward to was Laurance. They hadn’t seen each other in months, though it felt much longer. Laurance would be just what he needed, the perfect change of pace, the sense of normality he was craving.
After everything that happened, Garroth just wanted to get back to normal. He missed the banter between himself and Laurance, the gentleness in his friend’s voice when he wasn’t feeling well, the competitiveness. He missed all of it.
Most of all, he just missed Laurance.
Even with his anger issues, Laurance was so kind. Even if he didn’t like someone, he didn’t seem to mind helping. When they first started living with Zane, they couldn’t stand one another, but that didn’t stop Laurance from reassuring him.
Garroth remembered how he came home one night to find Laurance and Zane in the kitchen. It was 3 AM. He remembered what Laurance said; “I don’t hate you, Zane. I don’t hate anyone besides my birth mother. If you need help, don’t ever hesitate to ask. I know you and Garroth are on thin ice, but I’m more than willing to listen.” it was the first time he had heard that from Laurance.
Garroth remembered when he had to go to Laurance. He hated it and was thankful that it only took Laurance one glance to realize something was wrong. Laurance sat him down and listened. Laurance’s touches were soft, gentle hand holds, delicate shoulder rubs, and soft hugs. Laurance let Garroth sob into his shoulders and chest, and he didn’t complain. Laurance coaxed every sob out of Garroth, encouraging it. “Let it out,” he’d say. Above all else, Laurance was gentle and kind. It felt a bit wrong to ask Laurance for help, given that he was willing to give everything. “It doesn’t matter what happens. I will always be here,” Laurance had said. Garroth hoped he still felt that way.
Garroth pulled up to the house. He shivered at the silence, the darkness that enveloped the house. Garroth forced himself out of his car and towards the door. This place didn’t feel like home. Garroth fiddled with his keys, pressing the correct one into the lock and opening the door with a long creak. He shivered again.
It felt wrong.
Garroth closed the door behind him, flicking on the lights.
CRASH
Something in the house shattered, followed by several clanks. Heart racing, Garroh pressed onward, walking towards the source. The kitchen was dark, only the light above the stove lighting the room. Garroth felt around the wall for the light switch, grabbing something else instead. Something soft to the touch but solid, almost like a sweater?
Hands suddenly lept out from the darkness, hitting Garroth in the face. Garroth staggered back, nearly falling. He lunged forward and shoved the stranger. They hit the ground with a loud thud, letting out a loud yelp.
Recognition flashed in Garroth’s mind, a few old memories from High School. He quickly flicked the lights on, blinking a bit so his eyes could adjust. Laurance was on the ground in front of him, rubbing the side of his head. When he opened his eyes, the two stared at each other for a while. Laurance forced himself off the floor, hands grasping onto the counter behind him as if he had seen a ghost.
The air went from fearful to incredibly stiff. Garroth felt slow as he approached his friend, who met him in the middle. Garroth found himself embraced in Laurance’s arms, a hand in his long brown hair. They held on to each other for a long time, too afraid to let go.