A New Beginning

Chapter Eighteen: Apology

CLAY POV

TIME CHECK: 10:12 AM

Clay is obviously beating himself inside the room, literally. He punches the wall and kicks it to release the anger directed at himself for not putting George's well-being first.

I hurt him when I wanted to protect him.

Clay is now on the bed lying down. He is wondering what George is doing right now.

Probably hating me now.

He continues to overthink that George might start hating him from now on. He also thinks that George will leave the house because of him until his eyes give up on him.

GEORGE POV

TIME CHECK: 10:20 AM

After talking to Nick about what happened and why was he walking around. He apologized for not informing, but he didn't expect Clay to be so mad at him for that. He has been crying this whole while talking to Nick, sniffling non-stop. All he can think of is making it up to Clay. He wants to apologize and seek forgiveness.

"It's really okay, Georgie. If you are still terrified that Clay might hate, go and talk to him."

"men, but I'm scared if he sees me, he will hate me more."

"Just go, George. You will find out yourself."

"Okay," George said softly and weakly before going to Clay's room. 

George quickly goes up as he can't wait to see Clay and see what he has to say, but at the same time, he is afraid of the negative outcomes. He is already outside of Clay's bedroom before he knows it. 

He takes a deep breath before going, only to find out that Clay is on the bed, snoring and sleeping. George starts walking towards Clay, knowing that he is asleep, slightly relieved.

He then started tearing up more after scanning through Clay's body. He could see Clay's bleeding knuckles. He then sits down beside and stares at Clay before taking a first aid kit to help bandage it. He is used to bandaging since his dad was always beating him.

He cries while fixing the wound, thinking that everything is his fault. He sobs on Clay's hands after finishing with the aid.

"I'm sorry, I'm sorry, sorry, s-s-sorry." He kept repeating it.

CLAY POV

TIME CHECK: 10:35 AM

Clay starts to stir in his as he heard people mumbling, and his hands felt warm. Lastly, the sound of people crying. He quickly opens his eyes and looks at the small body sitting down on the floor while resting his head on Clay's hands. He is shocked at first but then quickly transition to a crestfallen state.

Clay's heart felt as if someone had punctured it as he starts to sit up, not moving the hand that George was lying on. George felt the bed's movement and looked up at Clay with his puffy eyes and tears streaming down.

"I-I'm sorry Clay, p-please don't hate me." He quickly looks down again, avoiding the gaze from Clay. Clay couldn't take it anymore. He carries George to his laps which clearly shock the small boy as he jerks straightaway when Clay carries him. George accepted it, though. He misses the warmth of Clay's body since he left the house. Unknowingly he just lies on Clay's shoulder, moving his head closer to Clay's neck until he finally touches it.

Clay did not expect. He definitely did not expect.

Not the time, Clay, NOT THE TIME.

He screams to himself. It takes a while for him to compose himself.

"George, I'm not mad at you, and I definitely won't hate you. I couldn't take it when you left without informing me. The fact that I hurt you too. Even though I'm supposed to protect you, so please, stop crying. It's not your fault. I'm sorry."

Clay wraps his arms around George's tiny body, enveloping him in a warm embrace, and George reciprocated by wrapping his hands around Clay's neck. George starts calming down.

"Really, you swear you're not going to kick me out."

"Yes, I swear, I will never kick you out and never let you out of my sight."

George blushes and hums at Clay's words but did not think further into the question, happy that the small conflict is over.

"Is your wrist okay?" Clay questions in a sombre voice.

"It's fine. It doesn't hurt at all."

"You better not lie to me."

"It's seriously not."

"Better"

"How about yours? Does your hand still hurt? Why are you so dumb to go and punch the wall" George asks in a very gentle voice while moving his head to hold Clay's injured hand.

"It's much better. I didn't know you could do it so well. I was just angry at myself just now."

"Stop hurting yourself for me, it's not worth it, and I'll be sad. And I could do it well because my father used to beat me. I need to learn something."

Clay's heart sank, reminding him of George's depressing childhood and his parents' abusive manner.

"You are hundred per cent worth everything of mine, let me tell you now."

"And it's okay, George, as long as I am alive, I will never let them hurt you."

"Thankiew dreamy" George giggles and sniffles a little.

Clay definitely did not expect that at all, especially the pet names.

His giggles and pet names make me wanna melt here. How can someone be so adorable?

Clay hums to his response with a red face that, luckily, George can't see.

They stayed in that position until George falls asleep, slowly laying George on the bed. 

Clay stares at him, staring at the ethereal being in front of him. 

"He's mine." He whispers to goddamn who knows who. 

His mood has improved by 1000 per cent, and he decided to stream since it has been a few days. He cuddles with George for a while, taking advantage of George sleeping to do it before slowly leaving the bed to on the computer.

He has to be soft and try not to wake George up. He also texted Nick that everything is fine and he is going to stream, warning Nick not to come in.

He starts streaming with a content heart.