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Did I…choke on a doughnut hole?
Well, that would be ironic. You don’t even like doughnut holes.
I don’t like doughnuts. Doughnut holes are made from their own material.
I’m out!
Trevor quickly steps out of the way to allow Pete up the stairs. He looks around at the other ghosts, concern written on their faces, but they make no move to follow Pete.
Pete reaches the top of the stairs and moves out of sight. Trevor hesitates, then quickly takes to the stairs himself. As he ascends, he notices that his breath has become raspy and that a peculiar feeling is surging through him.
It’s nothing, he assures himself. You’re just upset about Carol and that crazy turn of events, that’s all.
As he nears the top of the stairs, he experiences a strange sense of deja vu. Around a particularly recent Hanukkah, he distinctly remembered feeling like he needed to escape. In that situation, he had found Hetty and it had ended with a–
Trevor shakes this thought from his mind. No, this situation was completely different. This was with Pete; it wasn’t going to end the same way. That—that would be weird. Cause he’s not…like Isaac or something.
He reaches the second floor and glances into the TV room and the den before hearing what sounds like a low sob coming from Pete’s room. Trevor rushes over and glances in to find Pete sitting on the edge of the bed, his hands covering his face.
Suddenly, Trevor is caught in a moment of indecision. He looks down the hallway, his heart still racing despite the fact that no one else is upstairs right now.
What is happening to me? Trevor thinks. What am I so unsure of? Getting caught? Doing…what? I’m just here to comfort a friend. Nothing more, nothing less. It's literally not like the Hanukkah situation. At all.
He glances back over at Pete and vaguely spots him in his dimly lit room. Trevor rocks back and forth on his heels. Should he talk to Pete? Sit down and let him get his feelings out?
Trevor slaps himself across the face and reminds himself to calm the eff down. He shakes it out for a moment then takes a step into the room. After he adjusts his tie and runs his fingers through his hair, he finally decides to approach Pete.
He clears his throat and croaks out a low “hey” to Pete. When Pete doesn’t respond, he clears his throat again and walks closer. “Hey Pete,” he says in a slightly lower voice. “A-Are you okay?”
You idiot, Trevor chides to himself. Obviously, Pete is not okay.
“I’m absolutely peachy right now, Trevor. Thanks,” Pete says cuttingly. Pete then winces and apologizes. “Sorry, it’s not you.”
Trevor hesitates, then sits down next to Pete. He doesn’t know why he’s shaking a bit, but he places a hand on his knee to stabilize himself.
Trevor puts a hand on Pete’s shoulder and looks into his eyes—in a platonic, bro way. Duh, don’t make it weird. “Talk to me, Pete.”
Pete gulps and looks to the side. He lets his head drop and Trevor fidgets for a moment.
“I…I never wanted to speak to her again.” Pete lifts his head slightly. “I swear sometimes it feels like the universe is against me…”
Trevor tilts his head. “Aw, Pete—“
“And I know what everyone thinks of me. That I’m just this naive pushover who got cheated on because I’m some idiot who was never good enough for Carol. Or Alberta. Or any relationship in my entire, useless life—“
Trevor lets out a short sigh. It feels like his body is a puddle and he has no choice but to let it drift away.
He is stunned. He’s never heard Pete berate himself like this before. Pete’s always been the first person to hype someone up, or see the bright side to any situation.
Trevor wants to comfort Pete. What would Pete do in this situation? Probably something nice and uplifting, right? Even though Trevor knows it’s only been about a few seconds, it feels like it’s taking an hour to comfort his friend.
Pete buries his face in his hands again. “I mean, do you know what it’s like to feel like you’re never taken seriously? And that you’re never really appreciated no matter how much you just want people to, like, enjoy your company without feeling like they’re just…” Pete’s voice cracks and he shrugs. “Just…tolerating you?”
Damn. Trevor feels like a freaking hypocrite. He’ll admit he has been a bit short with Pete recently. He’s not really sure why; some people just tick him off for some reason. Especially if they make him feel embarrassed by trying to act like they’re closer than they are. Like during that whole email thing…
But he wouldn’t want anyone to feel like they’re just being tolerated. Especially not Pete.
Trevor rubs the back of his own neck. “Yeah, I hear that, Pete. You’re definitely not alone in feeling undervalued by the other ghosts—or livings—around you.”
Pete’s face is still hidden by his hands. Trevor frowns. Why isn’t he looking at me? Maybe Trevor needs to open up a little more.
“But you know…I’m me,” Trevor sighs and looks down, too. “I just have to let that stuff roll off my back 'cause I know who I am. I mean, it’s not like people didn’t roll their eyes at me when I was alive, or didn’t always invite me to stuff, you know?”
Pete still hasn’t moved. God, why am I being so depressing? Pete doesn’t wanna hear me just crap on myself. Maybe I need to make him feel good, like he would for me.
“But, Pete, you… you’re, um…uh,” Trevor’s words were caught in his throat. There were a million things he wanted to say but his brain was not working with his mouth. He was lost where to start, though Pete had finally turned an inch towards Trevor.
“I’m just…what, Trevor?”
Just what? What is he, Trevor? Come on! Think, man, think! Yeah, they might’ve drifted apart a bit, but he never wanted Pete to feel like this.
Like he’s just…
Like he’s not worth a damn. Because, dammit, of course he is.
Trevor was always better with actions than words. He leaned in and gave him the biggest hug that he possibly could, despite the arrow.
“You’re just Pete. But not just that. You’re Pete Martino!”
Pete was blinking profusely. “I…I don’t understand. What’s so great about being ‘just’ me?”
Trevor leaned back and looked at Pete again. A small grin washed over his face. God, this is corny. Even for me. To Pete of all people.
“That’s just it, Pete. Sure, the other ghosts can lie and exaggerate about who they were in life, and I’m guilty of that, too. But not you, Pete. You’re the most honest guy I know.”
Pete looked away, looking a bit guilty or embarrassed. Like he’s trying to hide something. Trevor wants him to be able to open up. Feel comfortable. Cause that’s how Pete makes them all feel, even if he can be a bit too cheery sometimes.
Trevor grips Pete’s shoulders, grounding them in the moment. He speaks softly, because Pete needs to hear this. Admittedly, it’s a bit long overdue. For him—or anyone, really, to let Pete know that he’s valued.
“There is no one on this entire property who is like you, Pete. Not as supportive, not as nurturing,” Trevor looks away and hides his smile. “Not as nerdy…”
Pete just sighs that off. Trevor refocuses his attention and locks eyes with the scout troop leader beside him again. “But certainly not as genuine and honest. You are the most sincere ghost—no, person—I have ever met, Pete. Never lose that spark.”
But now Pete has a spark in his eye…or maybe that was just the moon. It’s hard for Trevor to properly read his expression. He hopes that Pete believes his words because Trevor feels pretty honest and vulnerable right now, too.
Now it’s Pete’s turn to feel stunned. And speechless. All Trevor can see is Pete glancing at him and away. Looking at him eye to eye—or his nose or, uh, cheek. Or—
Pete leans in and kisses him.
Woah.
He’s not sure why, but Trevor leans into the kiss, too, while placing a gentle hand on Pete’s cheek. It felt like the most natural thing to do…in this situation…probably…
Maybe this is kinda like Hanukkah…but with a different miracle. A completely different but…welcoming, comforting feeling, if Trevor’s being honest with himself.
Woah.
Trevor wasn’t quite sure what to do, but he didn’t want to make any sudden movements or spook Pete more than he may already have. Since there was a reason why Trevor was there…but he can’t seem to recall now.
Although, frankly, Trevor doesn’t know the last time Pete has looked so content. And confident. Or just, well…peaceful.
There was something blissful about that moment as they just sat there, gazing into each other’s eyes. But not in some “super big awakening way.” Nah, it didn’t feel like some big deal that would keep Trevor awake at night while repeating that Woah about a hundred times over.
Seriously, it wasn’t a big deal.
How the hell does this not feel like a big deal?
Maybe Trevor was just matching Pete’s calm, steady energy. Trying not to overthink too much. A much-needed change after the panic that he was stuck in downstairs just moments before.
The panic Pete was in. Only Pete’s panic. About someone irrelevant…
After the kiss, they turned towards the window, looking even more serene and bright than when Trevor entered. Super lit up, actually.
This better not awaken anything in him…
Trevor was good just sitting in this comfortable silence and lightly playing with Pete’s hand. He doesn’t feel like he needs to study his expression now. Trevor’s got the clue.
He’s just glad that he could be there for his bro. Cause that’s just what a good bro does.
…even if that means things shifted a bit.
But still in a platonic, bro way.
Right? Right.
…Right…
~~~
After what felt like a few minutes, or maybe a few hours, they heard a muffled sound. They shared a look and stood up together.
Trevor asks, “Are you ready to go downstairs and face Carol? You don’t have to if you want. I mean, it all happened…so fast.” Trevor clears his throat and looks away.
Pete graces his hand against Trevor’s, “I-I think maybe I can head down…”
Pete can’t help but stare in Trevor’s direction, even if it looks like he’s staring out into space. Trevor supposes that it’s his turn to reassure his good, old, friend again… (shut up)
“Well, I’m not leaving your side until you feel better, Pete. I know you would do the same for me if my ex randomly showed up at the mansion and became a ghost.”
Pete huffed, “You mean like Tara Reid?”
Trevor was a bit confused but laughed anyway, “Yep. You read my mind, Pete Martino.”
Pete managed to chuckle, too. Ah, there’s that smile, Trevor thought while trying to hide his own grin. He felt good that he was able to lighten the mood.
Trevor looks down and squeezes Pete’s hand, gently. “You got this.” Pete lightly squeezes back and tries to hide a smile. But no one can hide a smile from T-Money.
“You promise you won’t leave my side?”
Trevor locks eyes and leans in. “I promise,” he says before giving Pete a quick peck on the cheek.
Pete blushes and takes a shaky breath before Trevor helps lead him out the door and back downstairs, their hands still clasped together.
~~
Just as they get down the stairs, Sass is the first one to spot them out of the corner of his eye. Trevor notices and subtly lets Pete’s hand go, but gives him a reassuring look that he’s still there. Right by his side as they take a seat in a chair adjacent to, ugh, Carol.
He doesn’t want anyone to get the wrong impression. He was just being there for his bro!
…who kissed him…in his bedroom…
Well…what was I supposed to do? Not kiss him back? Pete had dealt with enough embarrassment when it came to failed relationships, the least he could do was not facepalm the poor guy.
Trevor’s just a really good bro, okay? And a good ally! Ask anyone (like Isaac)!
Anyway, yeah, no. Maybe that whole kiss thing is a can of worms he doesn’t have time to open right now.
Not until this new funny feeling goes away everytime he hears Carol speak. Maybe this is how Pete feels? This burning sensation needs to get out of his system so he can comfort his Pe—bro, again.