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Every single day without fail Laurance smells like oranges, and it drives Garroth insane. Laurance eats an orange with his lunch everyday, but he doesn’t understand how the smell lingers for the next 24 hours or even over the weekend. They even taste like the citrus fruit. That’s what he noticed first. When they first kissed it was hours into the night, long after lunch. He didn’t understand it, but he knew he wanted more. He never dared to tell Laurance knowing that he would hold it against him in any way possible. But the smell already held him in a chokehold. He’d be in public with his family when he would smell citrus in the air and immediately think of Laurance if he wasn’t already.
Laurance is late to lunch. It isn’t uncommon, but Garroth still misses them in the few minutes he’s gone. He always got to their spot first. Laurance would follow a few minutes later. And everyday, Laurance would be carrying an orange. Today is no exception. Sometimes words just aren’t needed, today is just one of those days where silence is needed for a few minutes. Garroth just watched the other as he sat down next to him with a defeated sigh. He wasted no time and got right to peeling his orange. The way Laurance peeled them was fascinating, he’d gotten so good at it that he could peel it in one go.
Putting an orange carpel in his mouth he looks to Garroth, “You’re staring.”
It took a moment for Garroth to realize what they said, “Oh.. sorry.” He doesn’t look away.
Laurance just smirks, eating another. The sweet smell of citrus has taken over and it’s the only thing Garroth can smell. He remembers when they first started sitting together during lunch, he remembers not daring to tell Laurance he hated the smell of oranges. Now he can’t get enough of them. He could spend every second of every day only being able to smell oranges. It's comforting, it’s Laurance.
Soon the silence started to bother Garroth, “So do you have any plans for after school?” Garroth knew the answer, but it was a good way to start a conversation. He knew that they would hang out together, it didn’t matter what they did.
Laurance took a minute to respond, “Every single class was just homework after homework. I wouldn’t be surprised if it continued after lunch. Might even get a project thrown in there later. So I have work to do.”
“I don’t have much homework, we could hang at your place and I could help you with it.” Garroth took any chance he could get to be around Laurance. They only have one class together and less than an hour around Laurance a day, plus lunch, was not enough for him. Some days they didn’t even have that class as it drops every three days.
“Hmmm,” They eat another orange carpel, “I’d like that. Your company is nice,” His voice is quiet, just barely above a whisper.
Garroth smiles softly, he loves when Laurance says small things like that. They’re small but very significant words. He repeats them in his head over and over again. He didn't notice for a few seconds but Laurance was offering a piece of his orange. Garroths smile grows as he accepts the orange. They sit in silence for the rest of lunch. Later the orange scraps thrown away only to be replaced the next lunch.
The rest of the school day goes by very slowly. It’s boring without Laurance. Even when they sit in silence it’s much preferable over not being together. The last bell rings and Garroth goes to find Laurance. He finds them standing next to his locker, even more exhausted than before. As Garroth approaches, Laurance lifts his head to greet him. He smiles, but doesn’t say anything. Garroth takes that as his afternoon classes went just as he thought they would. He walks over to open his locker, placing his books in it. He turns to face Laurance slowly opening his arms offering a hug. Laurance looks at him with heavy eyes, taking a step he accepts the hug. Garroth tentatively wraps his arms around the other. He hates when Laurance gets like this, but he understands it.
They stay like that for about a minute before Garroth interrupts, “Hey, come on. Let's head to your place, we can take a small nap.”
Laurance groans, reluctant to let go, “Fine,” They grumble but let go of Garroth.
He doesn’t leave Garroths side, waiting for him to gather his stuff from his locker. Which wasn’t much, at least not as much as Laurance. Once Garroth is ready he looks at Laurance, noticing their bag is almost overflowing with his books and papers. He offers to switch bags to take the load off Laurances back.
Before the weight is even taken off they look incredibly relieved, “Thank you.” He slips the bag off his shoulders and they switch. There's a huge difference in the weight of the bags, obnoxiously so. But Garroth would do anything to even slightly improve Laurance’s mood. He looks lighter now without the excess weight dragging him down.
The car ride to Laurance’s house is the opposite of quiet. Garroth normally drives so he always gives Laurance control over what they listen to. So on the way home he blasts music as a way to take his mind off of all the work they need to do. They have very different music tastes but Garroth doesn’t mind. He’ll listen to anything Laurance plays or suggests to him.
The Zvahl residence is anything but fancy, but it doesn’t need to be. Just one look at it and it feels like home, that’s what’s important. It’s relatively small but big enough to house the 4, now 3 residents living there. The front has a small garden that overflows with brightly colored flowers, props to Cadenza. The small front porch has a few chairs and a table normally used for late night conversations and stargazing.
Garroth takes in the fact that Haydens car isn’t in the driveway, “Is Cadenza not home either?”
Laurance shakes his head, “No, she went out with her friends and probably won’t be back until late,” It isn’t unusual that they have the house to themselves for a while, sometimes even the whole night. Hayden normally works late hours, and Cadenza typically spends a lot of her time out with her friends.
Garroth turns his attention to Laurance. A small amount of his energy has returned, but still exhausted. “C’mon, we’re gonna take a nap, you need it.”
“I’m not being given a choice am I?” They look grateful but he’s still stubborn. It’s one of Laurence's most defining traits.
“No, no you are not. C’mon hop to it,” Garroth gives him a quick peck on the cheek before exiting the car. As he grabs Laurence's bag from the backseat, he makes a small detour to the trunk. It was very common for them to make impromptu plans after school so Garroth kept a change of clothes in his car at all times. Staying in the uniform for more time than needed was awful. As he closes the trunk, Laurance has already opened the door to the house.
Garroth remembers the first time he came over to Laurance’s house. He remembers Laurance being extremely nervous, though he never knew exactly why. He always just assumed it was because he was a new friend being let into his home, his safe space, for the first time. He wonders if it has anything to do with their slight difference in social class. He hopes not.
The inside of the house is almost just as you’d expect it to be. It’s cozy and warm, and instantly makes you feel at home if you didn’t already from just looking at it. Garroth has grown very fond of the house over the past year. Laurance almost never goes over to his house, because quite honestly, Garroth feels more comfortable at Laurance’s house. He feels more comfortable in himself and his actions and words.
Laurance’s shoes are already tossed to the side by the door. Garroth can only assume they’re in the kitchen from the noise coming from that direction. He quickly takes his shoes off to follow. Laurance has discarded Garroths bag by the table, he does the same. He just watches. Laurance pulls out a bag of M&Ms from the back of the top shelf of the cabinet. He keeps them there so Cadenza doesn’t see and eat them. Although that doesn’t stop her. Laurance takes a handful and tilts his head back eating them. Garroth can’t help but laugh.
“Hey man! It’s been a rough day,” It sounds as if Laurance wants to laugh with him. Garroth is glad he can make them feel a little better.
“Yeah I know,” Garroth smiles, “I’m gonna go change real quick.”
“Alright, I’ll meet you upstairs,” That means he’s going to go change as well. The upstairs was smaller; both Laurance and Cadenza’s bedrooms are upstairs with a half bathroom.
Garroth uses the full bathroom downstairs to change. He found it funny, they’ve been dating for months but still change in different rooms most of the time. It’s not like they haven’t been in the same room before, they had gym together in Sophomore year. That was an awakening in itself for Garroth.
The uniform was a pain to put on and take off, from the buttons on both the blazer and the shirt, although Garroth always kept his blazer open, to the tie and belt. He hates belts, sure they look nice but they are a pain. Sitting with them on is uncomfortable and trying to take them off is frustrating. He’s glad to take it off and replace his trousers with sweatpants. Before heading upstairs Garroth places his uniform in his bag.
The stairs squeak as he walks up to the second floor. Laurance’s room is right next to where the stairs stop. His door is shut, Garroth lightly knocks. There isn’t a response, they couldn’t have fallen asleep already right? He knocks again louder this time. There's the sound of rustling coming from the other side of the door.
“Uhh, come in!” They sound almost hesitant but Garroth opens the door slowly anyway. The first thing Garroth takes in is the smell of oranges. As long as Laurance is around the smell will always follow. The room is relatively small but big enough to fit a double bed comfortably along with a dresser and a small desk. He has the walls adorned with posters of bands and movies and art that were drawn by hand. Most of the art was his own. Laurance was a very creative person, they loved making art of any form. Most of the art on his walls was made by him. Garroth loves the personality that their room radiates.
Laurance has changed out of his uniform and into something similar to Garroth, sweatpants and a tee-shirt. Garroth would take this Laurance over any other. As nice as Laurance dresses, he loves when they like this. It makes him look cuddly, and Garroth can’t resist cuddles.
“Sorry about the mess,” There is no mess. Well, there is, but only a little. A few stray articles of clothing and different art materials scattered around the room. He’s got several different projects around the room. One on their desk, one leaning against the wall and one hanging on the wall.
“No need to apologize, there isn’t much of a mess. Now hurry up I’m tired,” Garroth crosses the room and starts getting into bed. It’s warm, It’s always warm. Laurance just stares at him. “Well? Are you gonna join me or what?”
Laurance seems to not understand the request. They catch on eventually, slowly moving over to the bed. They’re much more of an affectionate person than Garroth is, taking any chance he can get to have physical contact. The bed dips more with the added weight. He doesn’t hesitate to snuggle right in Garroths arms. Garroth can feel him deflate in his arms, tension finally releasing. They’re always warm, he holds them tighter trying to absorb his warmth. One of Garroths favorite things is to play with Laurance’s hair. It’s incredibly soft, and the curls wrap around his fingers with each stroke. It has the strongest smell of oranges. He remembers when Laurance shaved it back in Sophomore year, when he found out he cried. Of course their old hair was very damaged and he wouldn’t trade their current hair for anything.
Laurance’s breath slows down and evens out. He fell asleep already? His day must’ve been more tiring than Garroth thought. All he can do right now is give him comfort while he sleeps. Garroth just keeps playing with their hair. Giving a soft kiss to their forehead Garroth closes his eyes and lets sleep take him.
When Garroth wakes up he sees that Laurance is already awake, they look like they have been for a while. Garroth can’t help but bask in the smell of citrus. All Laurance does is stare, his eyes darting around just taking Garroth in. At last their eyes meet his.
They hold eye contact for a little bit before saying, “I didn’t know you were awake.” His voice is soft, not trying to interrupt the quiet.
“I just woke up,” Garroth's voice is groggy and full of sleep. “Maybe a minute ago? You seemed to like looking at me though so I didn’t wanna interrupt.”
Laurance doesn’t hesitate, “Yeah, you’re nice to look at.”
“That may be true but, you’re nice to smell.” There it was. Something that’s built up inside Garroth for months, years even. That sweet citrus smell that lingers in the air when they enter a room. The smell that takes over Garroths senses even now, as he holds them in his arms. He never wants to stop smelling oranges. They’ve taken over his brain in the best way possible.
“Oh yeah? And what do I smell like?” Laurance knows, he knows exactly what he smells like there’s no way they don’t. But Garroth follows along with his little game.
“Oranges. The worst part? You even taste like them. Maybe it’s the best part, I’m not sure. I don’t understand it, you eat an orange everyday during lunch but the smell lingers. I don’t get how the smell stays on you, it should wash off after maybe an hour? But it doesn’t. It’s like an aura that follows you throughout the day. And it drives me crazy,” Garroth could keep talking about it for hours if given the chance, but he gives Laurance a rundown because they both just woke up.
Laurance just stares, Garroth can’t tell what they’re thinking. He’s about to say something before he’s interrupted, “I wear an orange scented chapstick. It used to be lipgloss but it was too sticky when we kissed.”
That’s what it was, the thing that drove Garroth insane for months. Chapstick. An orange scented chapstick. Well that explains why when they kiss he can taste it too. Was it really that simple? Garroth has watched Laurance put on that exact chapstick over and over. He never thought to read the label.
“Hello? You in there? Or did I break you?” Laurance breaks his thoughts. He realizes he was just blankly staring for a few minutes.
He doesn’t know how to respond, he can only look them in the eye, “Was it really that simple?”
Laurance looks shocked before bursting into laughter. Not long after Garroth follows, he can’t help it. Their laugh is contagious. It always has been, even if what was said wasn’t funny. In this case, it isn’t funny to Garroth. That doesn’t stop Laurance from finding it funny. As they laugh, they release from each other's hold and sit up trying to catch their breath.
The laughter settles only a few minutes later, but Laurance still smiles, not letting it go, “Did you really think it was something so otherworldly? It was only the smell of oranges, Garroth.”
This is exactly what Garroth knew was going to happen, he just didn’t know it was going to be like this, “I guess I did? Look I don’t know, it was weird.”
“Oh it was weird eh?” Laurance still has that smirk on his face.
“Not a bad weird! I swear! Just… confusing.” He finally had an explanation for something that has been taunting him for so long and now he can’t believe it, “And it isn’t just the smell..”
Laurance seems to forget that he also tastes of oranges. Garroth can’t blame them, he forgets it too until they kiss again and he’s reminded all over again. Of course it was more pungent after lunch, but it still remained through the night. Garroth could never get enough of it.
“Right, I taste of them too,” He pretends to think for a moment, “Are you sure of that?” Garroth knows exactly what he’s doing, and he’s going to fall right into their trap.
Garroth nods his head, “You do, I’m sure.” He wants to say he isn’t sure to follow along with Laurance, but he can’t lie. It’s finally out and he wants to keep saying it, he wants Laurance to know. He wants them to know just how much of his brain they take up.
Laurance just smirks, that’s all they do. Garroth wants to wipe it off his face and he knows he’s going to get the chance to, “I don’t know, maybe we should test it out? Maybe it’s changed.”
Garroth knows for a fact that it hasn’t. It’s been like that for months and there’s no way it changes just because he’s mentioned it. It couldn’t have, right? Garroths eyes flicker to their lips before maintaining eye contact. He still has that damn smirk plastered on his face. His next words come out slowly, just above a whisper, “Can I kiss you?”
Laurence's smirk grows into a smile, “Of course you can.”
Garroth doesn’t wait a second longer. Their lips are smooth and soft, softer than Garroths will ever be. Even after Laurance begged him to start using chapstick, it only helped slightly. Laurence's hands reach up to cup Garroths face, while Garroths go straight to Laurances hair. His hair even softer than their lips, he can’t help himself. And of course, Laurance still tastes of oranges. It’s a sensation Garroth can never get over, he could stay in this moment forever if he could. Moments have to end though, and that includes this one. They separate after only a short period of time. And of course Laurance is still smiling.
“So, do I taste like oranges?” They know the answer, and they just want to hear Garroth say it.
Garroth nods his head, “Yes, you do. Now can I kiss you again? Please?” He can’t help but smile back.
“Hmm, maybe in a little bit. I remember someone saying that he’d help me with my homework,” Laurance hops off the bed, snickering to himself. They stop right at the door before turning around, “Well don’t just sit there and mope. Come on, hurry up.”