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Somewhere in his house, a clock tics with impatience.
The time is 2:03 am.
Jayden should be asleep by now. He knows that, of course he does.
…But he can’t.
A nagging worry pulls at his heartstrings, all thoughts leading back to Andrew.
He hadn’t responded to his texts all day.
Andrew was quiet, almost reserved in a way, but he would never leave Jayden hanging like this.
He checks his phone for the 50th time that night.
27 unread messages
6 missed calls
Jayden bites his nail anxiously, leg starting to bounce in place as he dials the number once again.
“Come on, Andrew… pick up, pick up, pick up!!!”
…
“The person you are trying to reach is not available at the moment. Please leave a message after-“
Beep!
Jayden hangs up and throws his phone on the couch in anger. He drags his hands down his face, rubbing his eyes in fatigue.
At this point Jayden was fully considering showing up to Andrew’s house in person and breaking down his door. Each passing second just made his worry grow, and he felt as if he would burst any moment.
“Fuck it,” he thought, “I’m tired of waiting.”
Jayden pushes himself off of his couch and throws on his jacket and shoes. The TV still sits there running as he rises, playing boring reruns in negative HD. He grabs his phone, checking it once again for any sign of Andrew.
Still nothing.
He was getting desperate.
Fortunately, he wouldn’t have to wait much longer. The moment he put his hand on the knob, a knock rang out from the door. Jayden immediately throws it open without hesitation, and freezes as he stares at the man before him.
Andrew.
Andrew smiles at him, tired and weak. The bags under his eyes are sunken into his skin and his hair is a mess. He looks like he hasn’t slept for days.
“…Hey, Jayden.”
Jayden blinks, completely dazed at his arrival.
“Andrew what-“ he laughs, beyond relieved that he was safe. “What are you doing here?… I was just- I was just coming to look for you!”
His joy is suddenly replaced by anger as he recalls the earlier hours.
“Why the hell didn’t you answer my calls??? Do you know how worried I’ve been? Do you know how- how…” His face softens a bit as he stumbles over his words.
“…I thought something happened to you, Andrew. Something bad.”
Andrew rubs his neck in shame as he shifts his feet, voice falling to a soft whisper.
“I’m sorry…”
Jayden groans internally, folding the second Andrew opens his mouth to speak. He could never stay mad at him for long, no matter what Andrew did.
“It’s okay, An, I’m just-“
He sighs, grabbing hold of Andrew’s fingers and squeezing them gently.
“I’m just… glad you’re okay.”
Andrew stares at him for a second before sniffing, momentarily taking off his glasses and wiping his eyes.
“Do- do you think I could crash here tonight?… I don’t feel safe… at my parents…”
Jayden flinches, taken aback by Andrew’s sudden shift in demeanor. His countenance is a swirl of emotion, too many feelings to pinpoint one alone. He takes a step back, leading Andrew inside.
“Of course, An. You’re always welcome here.”
Andrew smiles, his lip quivering a bit as he takes his shoes off and steps through the door. Jayden follows behind, locking it and staring at Andrew.
He watches as Andrew walks about the apartment with careful attention. He had been here many times before, but the way he was acting portrayed him as a stranger to it all. Still, he placed his bag next to the couch and gingerly climbed atop it.
Jayden frowned at his timid actions.
Something was up and he knew it, but he didn’t know what.
Jayden walks over to where Andrew rests and sits on the floor in front of him. His face was casted with a soft glow, given the only light present was that of the TV. Andrew looks at him with tears swelling in his eyes. Jayden notices this and tenderly takes off Andrew’s glasses and places them in his bag. Jayden then goes to wipe the tears from his friend’s face, stroking the soft skin under his fingertips. Andrew relaxes under his touch.
“It’s okay, Andrew. I’m here for you.”
Jayden stops stroking Andrew’s face and lets his hands rest on his cheeks, cupping them gently. The warmth radiating off of his hands gave Andrew a sense of comfort he thought he had lost. He sniffles before holding Jayden’s hands in his own.
“God, I’m so sorry, Jayden… I didn’t want any of this to happen…”
Tears start to fall from Andrew’s face once more.
“I just- I just don’t know what to do anymore… I’m sorry…I’m so sorry….”
Jayden wipes his face, speaking in a soft, tender voice.
“Shh shh shh… It’s okay, Andrew… it’s okay…”
He starts to lift Andrew’s head.
“Hey. Look at me.”
Andrew does as he asks, still holding onto the hands on his face.
Jayden brushes a strand of hair away from Andrew’s eyes as he speaks.
“Whatever you’re going through…”
Jayden tilts his head, smiling softly.
“I’m here for you.”
Andrew returns the smile, though his is rather weak.
He nods.
“Yeah… okay..”
Jayden, satisfied, releases his hold on Andrew’s face and pushes himself to his feet. He stretches for a moment before extending his hand, allowing Andrew to rise with him. He yawns.
“Alright. Let’s get you some rest.”
Jayden starts his way towards his bedroom, Andrew now walking close behind.
He stumbles a bit over his words before finally conjuring a coherent sentence.
“Wait I’m not- I’m not sleeping on the couch?…”
Jayden scoffs playfully.
“Andrew, you came to my apartment and had a mental breakdown on my sofa. You’re sleeping in a bed whether you like it or not.”
Andrew wipes his eyes to rid himself of the now chilling tears sticking to his face. He follows Jayden into his room, carefully stepping through the door as he remembers how the doorframe is higher than the floor. He still manages to trip, but catches himself just in time. Jayden giggles.
“You good?”
Andrew nods.
“Okay then! Well, you’re taking the bed. You need some good rest after what you’ve gone through today.”
Andrew nods and yawns, carefully climbing onto the bed and pulling the covers over his chest. Jayden watches him silently before throwing himself onto the bed as well, putting his hands behind his head and laughing. Andrew jumps as he feels the impact beside him, turning to face his disruptive friend.
“Uh… Jayden?…”
Jayden turns to face him, smiling.
“Yeah?”
“What are you… what are you doing?…”
Jayden hums in response, scooting a bit closer to where Andrew lies.
“I’m making sure you fall asleep, duh!”
Andrew scoffs, eyes drooping slightly in drowsiness.
“Why?…”
Jayden sighs, obviously finding Andrew’s many questions entertaining.
“Because I care about you. Is that so hard to believe?”
Andrew averts his eyes briefly in embarrassment, flushing slightly.
“That… makes sense, I guess…”
Jayden giggles for a moment before opening his arms in a welcoming gesture.
Andrew inhales sharply at the invitation, but takes it nonetheless.
Jayden smiles as he feels Andrew press against his chest, squeezing him slightly.
Andrew sighs against Jayden’s shoulder as he cuddles closer. He feels his heart start to beat faster, and internally groans as he swears he feels Jayden smirking.
“Comfy?” Jayden asks, smugly.
“Shut up. I’m trying to sleep.”
Jayden giggles and pulls Andrew closer.
“Alright, alright. I’ll be quiet”
Andrew smiles.
“Thank you…”
Andrew slowly starts to drift into subconsciousness, and buries his face in Jayden’s chest.
He sighs.
“…I love you.”
Jayden’s eyes widen in surprise, and he looks down at the man in his arms.
He can’t help but smile as his face starts to flush bright red.
He squeezes him tighter and puts his lips to Andrew’s head.
“…I love you too.”
And then all is quiet.