Chapter Text
Trent didn't know what to do in this situation. Because God forbid he be in a situation. He tapped his foot and looked at the disheveled man standing at his door, asking him for help.
He was drunk, obviously, and his face was red and wet from crying. Trent felt extremely uncomfortable. But wasn't this what he wanted? The man he tripped and fell for, at his door, asking for help.
Well. Trent needed to think about that.
Fuck it. Yes. But Trent only dreamed of this happening. And in those dreams he was dating Ted, and holding him like a child while kissing his cheek.
They weren't dating, and Ted wasn't drunk in his dreams. Or crying. Trent didn't know how to help people who were crying. He tried to avoid them, send those people elsewhere.
But Ted was there, and he needed to do something. Say hello, for fucks sake.
"Um, Ted, I...," Trent stood there, awkwardly.
"Please," Ted whined.
"Come in," Trent moved away from the door, allowing Ted to come inside, "Sit down. I'll get you some tea, err water. Water."
"Thanks," Ted croaked. He seemed tired, out of breath. He sounded congested. Trent sighed and looked at him, then he handed him the cup with water, and Ted's hand trembled as he held it up to his lips.
Trent felt bad. He wanted Ted there, but in a better state.
"What happened?" Trent finally asked.
"My mom died."
Well, fuck. Now what. He wanted this to be a quick, 'It's okay,' and send Ted home. But now. Trent gritted his teeth. Now he felt guilty.
"When?"
"A few hours ago, I just got a call from the police. She collapsed and her neighbors found her after she didn't let the dog back inside, and it got out."
"Are you okay?"
"No," Ted whispered. "And I'm supposed to take the dog. But she's at home. And I have to go home, to her funeral, and take her year old German Shepherd."
"Do you need a hug?"
"I need a whole lot of things, Trent. But yes."
Trent opened his arms next to Ted on the couch, and Ted collapsed into his chest. "Can I do anything?"
"Can you come with me?" Ted whispered, it was muffled, and Trent didn't know if he was supposed to hear it.
Going to your friend's mom's funeral? In another country? Not even dating yet, and that felt like a step too far. He shouldn't feel responsible for going. They weren't dating, or even close friends. Sure, yes Trent did want to date Ted, but go to his mom's funeral didn't feel like a step towards that.
It wasn't a step away from that, either.
"Fuck—Yes, I'll come with you. I just have to ask my ex if he can handle the little one for a couple days," He pulled out his phone, and rang his ex-husband.
"The fuck are you calling me at 10 pm for, Crimm?"
Trent sighed, "I have to go to America, for a friend's funeral. Can you handle her a couple days without me?"
"Can I handle her? She's my fucking daughter. I can handle her."
"Great, but please don't curse that much around her, she'll start saying it at school."
"She's three."
"She'll remember them!"
"She'll be fine, Trent."
"I know."
He hung up. Trent smiled.
"When do we leave?" Trent asked.
"In the morning. I left my suitcase at my flat though, I packed it, drank some...bottles," He bit his tongue, "of whiskey, and came here."
"Alright. What time does the plane leave?"
"11:00 a.m."
"Great, we can wake up at 8, and I'll get your stuff from your place on the way to the airport."
"You mean, I'll stay the night?"
"You can't go out like that. Just sleep on the couch."
Trent started to pack his stuff, and Ted sat down on Trent's bed.
"How many days will we be there?"
"Three days, tops."
"Great," Trent tossed a couple of outfits and his toothbrush into a bag and zipped it. That should work. He tossed it aside and got into bed.
It took a few moments. "Can I..." Ted looked at Trent.
"Fine," Trent sighed, and Ted happily climbed in and snuggled Trent's head up to his chest. Trent blushed and buried it deeper.
He felt Ted start to sob, his chest shaking. Ted grabbed Trent's sleeves tightly, whimpering.
Trent sighed, he was tired. Sure, he was being selfish by being upset by crying, but he had a right to his emotions. Probably. He wrapped his arms around Ted, gently stroking his back.
It was difficult to fall asleep, knowing someone was in your bed. And you were still figuring out your feelings. And maybe your heart was beating out of your chest at every little touch.
Trent's heart was beating out of his chest. Now he did want Ted there, because he was so warm, and comfortable. Trent didn't ever want to move. He felt safe there.
Ted started to toss and turn, squirming and writhing. He groaned in his sleep, as if he were in pain. Trent tried to soothe him and calm him down. He whispered reassuring words in his ear, and it went on for hours. Finally he settled down and slept peacefully. Trent sighed and started to close his eyes. The alarm beeped. He growled.
“Ted, come on, time to get up.”
Ted opened his eyes with a snap and stretched immediately. He practically sprang out of bed.
Trent closed his eyes, it was going to be a long day.