544 words
"oh my- WHAT THE FUCK!" ethan yells, slamming his controller. he was so close to getting a victory royale but had accidently fallen while building. his teammates who had been spectating him groaned disappointedly as his opponent L danced on his loot.
"sorry. 'fucked up." he sighs. at least his teammates try to be somewhat encouraging. ethan mutters his goodbyes before leaving and immediately he queues in for another game. that was easily his tenth round that night, and he should really be sleeping right now, but he's frustrated and he was so close to getting a win that he absolutely has to try again.
he zones out as the familiar lobby music plays in his headest, deep in thought about the things he could have done better. he doesn't hear the door creaking open or the footsteps gently approaching him.
his train of thought is interrupted when he feels a soft nudge on his shoulder. ethan looks up, and his eyes widen in surprise.
"oh, grayson." ethan says, dumbfounded, and removes his headset. "what's up?"
grayson looks as if all the energy had been sucked out of his soul. he's paler than usual, has dark prominent circles under his eyes and has his hair unkempt. he looks like he's just gotten out of bed.
it's odd for grayson to be up this hour. so odd that ethan is immediately concerned, because it's nearly four thirty in the morning and gray would never be up this late; unless something were to happen.
fortnite long forgotten, ethan swivels to fully turn to grayson. "are you okay?"
ethan patiently waits while grayson takes a few moments to respond. he searches his eyes for an answer, mind running through the worst possible scenarios.
grayson mumbles something under his breath. ethan doesn't hear it.
"what's that?"
"..can I sleep with you tonight?" grayson asks softly. there's a hint of desperation in his voice and it's clear he means it.
"i.. okay." he nods. grayson seems to sag in relief, like a weight has been lifted off his shoulders. ethan wonders what could have happened for him to suddenly want this, but he doesn't question it.
"just give me a second to turn this off." ethan adds. grayson cracks a tired smile and walks over to drop onto ethan's sheets. he gets comfortable while ethan finishes shutting off his computer.
soon, the lights are turned off. ethan carefully climbs into bed. no words are spoken until Ethan breaks the silence.
"couldn't sleep, huh?" ethan asks gently.
a beat of silence.
"yeah. i don't know." grayson croaks. "i guess I was feeling lonely."
something tells ethan that grayson's holding back his thoughts, and he can tell he's hurt, but again ethan doesn't push it. if grayson wanted to tell him something he'll do it when he's ready.
grayson shuffles closer and presses up against ethan, and he realizes they're cuddling. he's surprised at first but he hesitantly leans into him back. maybe what grayson needs right now is someone to merely be there for him, and ethan will gladly be that person. he loves him after all.
"goodnight." grayson mumbles into ethan's shirt.
he yawns. "night." ethan absently plays with grayson's hair as they both doze off to sleep.
