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Travis smiled widely as he looked through the many photos he took, the pictures slowly became weirder and weirder, and that was because they ran out of poses, they tried to be creative with the poses, and came up with very weird ones. They had to stop snapping pictures earlier than they'd planned because Travis' camera was about to die, and Gregory would be the witness, and Travis would be the murderer.
"Oh! This one! It looks beautiful." Gregory beamed, pointing at the picture Travis just scrolled past. Travis couldn't help but widen his smile, looking into Gregory's blue eyes that sparkled like stars he sees every night, except those stars were in a blue sky. They looked so beautiful and unique, because you can't see stars in the morning.
Travis didn't understand why would Gregory think his photographing skills are so great as if he's a professional or something, Travis looked closely at the picture Gregory pointed at, trying to spot out anything that makes it so special to Gregory, but he couldn't find anything special about it, it doesn't look that nice. Then, why does Gregory like it so much?
Damn, it feels so great to have someone that loves everything you do, even if it's bad.
It's like Gregory is a big fan of Travis, or an air conditioner now, from the look on his face. Yup, he doesn't look like he's only a big fan but something more. Which is an air conditioner.
Travis wished he had anyone that loved everything he did as much as Gregory. I guess Gregory's the first and last one to love and fathom my work, Travis thought.
"Awh, I wish you could send them to me! But I don't have my phone right now." Gregory whined, furrowing his brows. Travis' smile instantly dropped, what did Gregory just freaking say?!
"What?!" Travis almost screamed, "You don't have your phone?! Then how are you gonna go back home, Gregory?! Plus, who doesn't always carry a phone around these days?!"
"It's just, my phone is so old, and it barely works, so it's basically useless. I also know my way home, I can manage without a phone, it's okay." Gregory explained, forced to look into Travis dark eyes, because Travis put the camera away.
Travis squint his eyes, staring at Gregory a bit longer, studying his expression. Trying to figure out if that was a joke or not. Did Gregory just say that not using a phone is okay? Then why'd Gregory's parents get him one in the first place? Travis just shook his head and sighed, he walked over to his desk and put his camera on his desk.
While Travis was searching for his camera's charger, Gregory stood there wondering what made Travis so upset, it was Gregory's phone anyway not his, plus Gregory can live normally without a phone while Travis can't, so what's making Travis upset?
A loud laugh from down stairs reminded Travis that he still needs to introduce Gregory to his family, Travis was sure that Gregory heard it too, so he turned to Gregory, and indeed, Gregory knew, and Travis was able to tell because Gregory was so anxious, fidgeting with the ends of his shirt.
They walked down stairs into the warm living room, Gregory had no idea how this amount of people were able to sit altogether in one room, there were plenty of people in here, which made Gregory more nervous and also kept him wondering, is Travis' entire family here? No way, Gregory would meet Travis' entire family.....
"You're lucky today. Or maybe unlucky..." Travis said after looking at Gregory, they now stood at the bottom of the stairs. "Uncle Blue and grandmother Jude are here, you'll see them, and I'll introduce them first then you, is that okay? Or do you want to speak yourself and do all the introduction?" Travis smirked, he already knew Gregory's answer.
"No, it's okay, you can do the introduction." Gregory said, itching the back of his head nervously. Travis just nodded, took a deep breath, then smiled. And they both walked into the living room.
This time, the room didn't quiet down when they went in, there were so many people, and they're all having different conversations with each other. Loudly.
Travis paused for a moment, wondering where to begin, and just settled for starting with his grandmother, then his uncle and kids and so on, putting his hand on Gregory's back, to guide him, Gregory slightly tensed under his hands, instantly tearing his gaze from the packed room to Travis who gave him a reassuring smile, pushing him a little, guiding him to on old woman sitting on a wheelchair.
She looked around seventy or eighty years old, holding her mug with both hands speaking to a young lady, some parts of her face where a shade darker than the rest of her skin, her grey hair was tied neatly into a small bun. Her laughter slowly died down, both her and the lady looked up at them, which made Gregory nervous. However, the old woman was still smiling widely looking at the pair with black eyes twinkling with happiness.
"Grandma, this is my friend Gregory. Gregory, this is grandmother Jude." Travis introduced pointing at Gregory, who tried to return the big smile Travis' grandmother displayed, but his nervousness took over, and Gregory just gave her a small smile instead.
"Hello Gregory, I'm very happy to finally see one of Trav's friends, if he even have any." Grandma Jude smiled, holding Gregory's wrist. Her hand was warm from the green tea in her mug, Gregory felt awkward when Travis' grandmother clutched his wrist, so he just stood there awkwardly not knowing what to say. While grandmother Jude's smile widened.
"Come on, boy! Don't be so shy! Consider yourself part of the family now! Tell ya what, call me grandma from now on." Grandma Jude said happily, finally releasing Gregory's wrist. Travis stood next to Gregory, waiting for him to interact and say something, but Gregory's brain stopped.
Why do they keep saying that Gregory's part of the family now? It makes Gregory feel like he's married to Travis already, and that thought made an embarrassing blush cover his pink face.
Grandma Jude just laughed, and Travis just stared at Gregory amused by how he's an open book, or is he really? Gregory just smiled, then Travis looked at the young lady next to grandma Jude. "Oh, and this is my second eldest sister, Tracy. Tracy, that's Gregory my friend."
Tracy gave Gregory a bright smile and shook his hand, Tracy had wide eyes like Travis, light brown hair tied very tightly into a high ponytail, and shiny hazel eyes, she over all looked pretty, wearing a camo crop top and black leggings.
"Nice to meet you, Greg." She smiled dismissively then turned back to grandma Jude. Travis took Gregory to the couch which had three people seated, Travis and Gregory stood in front of the couch.
"Uncle Blue, my friend Gregory. Gregory, Uncle Blue." Travis pointed at the obese man that took up two seats on the couch, the man, who Travis said is Uncle Blue, gave Gregory a toothy smile, which creeped Gregory out a bit.
"Ello Gregoreh, how you doin'?" He said in a raspy tone, smiling happily at Gregory, who is now freaked out.
Travis pointed at the woman next to Uncle Blue,"That's Uncle Blue's wife, Auntie Maya." Auntie Maya didn't smile like the other members, she just eyed Gregory up and down, then cleared her throat.
"Is that your friend?" She said, adjusting herself on the couch to sit a bit more properly instead of leaning on her husband's arm. She gazed Gregory again. Gregory never felt so unsure about his appearance that much until now. Travis just gave her a small nod, smiling sweetly, Gregory wondered if that smile was real or just a façade.
"Hmmmm, that's nice. Call me miss Maya." Miss Maya, smacked her lip that were covered with dark red lipstick, and just gestured for them to go away. Gregory just swallowed the lump in his throat and followed Travis to the child sitting next to them.
"My cousin, Axel. Gregory." Travis introduced lazily. Then they walked to the next couch, where four people are seated. "Charlie, Hunter, Tanny and Alex. This is Gregory."
Tanny gave them a small smile while the others just looked at them or nod their heads. They walked to the kitchen, where Becky stood stirring something on the stove, speaking to a lady who held a newborn baby. The second they stepped into the kitchen. Gregory relaxed, the smell was so nice, but there was something missing.
Becky turned to them, she looked tired, but happy.
"Oh, hey Trav, hey Gregory, need anything?" Becky asked looking from Travis to Gregory, then she turned back to stirring whatever is on the stove, Travis turned to the lady sitting on a stool, holding a baby.
"This is Auntie Hailey, Uncle Blue's second wife, and her two months old baby, Noelle. Auntie Hailey, this is Gregory." Travis said monotonously, then his face softened and he walked over to Noelle and kissed her forehead smiling at her. Gregory made sure to study every aspect of Travis' face, so Gregory could remember how adorable his expression is.
Auntie Hailey looked at Gregory in the most loving way ever, Aunt Hailey's eyes were more comforting than Gregory's own mother. And Gregory gave her the most truest smile ever, Auntie Hailey smiled, "You have a very great taste, Travie." Turning to Travis and handing him Noelle, Travis took Noelle in a welcoming way, and left Gregory in the kitchen with Becky and auntie Hailey.
"Come here, Gregory. Have a seat." Auntie Hailey patted the stool next to her, Gregory took the seat, and nervously smiled at auntie Hailey.
"I'm good at reading people, Gregory. I know there's something you want to say, don't be afraid, we don't judge." Auntie Hailey rest her chin in the palm of her hands, spreading her fingers across her face. Gregory tensed a little, what does she mean by good at reading people? Is that a bad thing or a good thing? Gregory wondered, then turned to auntie Hailey.
"Auntie Hai—"
"Hale. Hale is easier and quicker to say."
Gregory gave up, looking at Hale for a moment.
"What are you cooking today?"
Travis was now fighting over Noe.
"Yeah, but Hale let me take her first, so let me at least play with her for at least five minutes!" Travis reasoned looking at his two younger twin brother's, Toby and Todd.
"But you played with her for long enough already!" Todd argued. Looking at his twin brother, Toby who just screamed 'Yeah'.
"No! It was only ten minutes! Just let me play for five minutes!" Travis said shielding a crying Noe from his evil siblings, Travis' favorite family members are only Hale and her newborn baby Noelle. Hale has always been kind, and her three other children, Hunter, Charlie and Axel, are very nice and observant like her too. Travis always wishes her the best, while miss Maya is a whole 'nother story.
"MMMMOOOOOOOOOOOMM!" Toby yelled, running to the kitchen, Todd after him, and Travis followed them to the kitchen to get their mother's opinion.
Toby stood at the kitchen door then froze, and both Todd and Travis froze too.
"Oh my, Gregory! You're so good at this! When did you learn how to cook so well?" Travis' mother exclaimed so proudly. Travis turned his gaze from his mother to Gregory who was now the one cooking, while Hale and Travis' mother stared at Gregory with so much pride.
"Mom?! Why's there a stranger cooking in our kitchen?!" Toby and Todd said in one voice. Their mother turned to look at them, her smile instantly dropping, "Toby, Todd, didn't I tell you both to brush your hair?!" Travis' mother walked over to the twins.
She pushed them out of the kitchen, and up the stairs to their rooms, while Travis turned back to Gregory and Hale, Travis walked up to them, smelling the amazing scent of cream soup.
Gregory smiled warmly towards Hale, from the way they're looking at each other, Travis realized that Hale and Gregory get along very well, and that was a great thing.
"So, you know how to cook? Or only cream soup?" Travis asked casually, getting Gregory's attention, Gregory smiled at him and shrugged.
"I know how to cook other things too. Plus, this is a chicken cream soup, it's very tasty." Gregory elaborated stirring the soup. Travis just hummed, it smells very good so it must taste great. Travis was too focused on the cream soup, that he didn't hear Noe's loud crying, Hale instantly ran out the kitchen to check up on her baby, leaving Gregory and Travis alone.
"When did you learn cooking?" Travis asked leaning his back onto the counter, facing Gregory, who was standing next to him and just turned the stove off.
"Ever since I was younger. I guess I always loved cooking." Gregory said slowly, pausing to look at Travis to see if he caught him or not, and Travis didn't notice, Travis thought Gregory paused to give his full attention to him.
"But why though? Are you gonna cook for your future wife and kids, or what? I mean, isn't your future wife supposed to cook instead?" Travis asked, wanting to know why would a male need to learn how to cook. While Gregory didn't expect Travis to ask such questions, so Gregory just stood there shocked.
"But what if...." Gregory began after recovering from his shock, "My 'wife' was tired or something? Am I gonna just starve? What if my 'wife' died? Who's gonna take care of the kids? You're not gonna lose anything when you learn new things in general." Gregory elaborated.
"Well, you're right, but I hate cooking."
"And why is that?" Gregory wondered out loud, moving to the side, to stand in front of Travis.
"It's just difficult, and a lot of work."
"How's it difficult?"
"There are a lot of steps."
"But they're easy to learn once you cook that recipe a multiple times." Gregory reasoned, Gregory felt very brave now, 'cause he's only a few inches away from Travis' face.
Gregory could now see all the little details in Travis' face, his thick, short lashes, the way is eyes sparkle like the night sky, a thousand different twinkling colors, in Travis' calm black eyes.
"Then teach me."
Gregory inched a little bit closer, he could now feel Travis' breath on his cheek. This was the perfect moment to make a move, Travis' curious eyes staring into his calm blue ones.
"Step number one is......"
Gregory moved forward too much for Travis' liking, Travis almost flinched back, but Gregory's so quick, Gregory raised one hand and put it on Travis' cheek, which made Travis more confused, while Gregory knew what he was doing, Gregory tilted his head a little and moved forward. Gregory's nose brushed against Travis' cheeks as Gregory grabbed something behind Travis.
"Get a bowl." Gregory completed, moving away from Travis very quickly, showing him the bowl. Now, Travis was just confused.
"Then? What do I do with that bowl?" Was Travis' question, cooking was something Travis hated so much all because of his mother. Travis just wanted to get it over with, and just learn this one recipe to please his mother with it.
"Pour the chicken cream soup in them, of course." Gregory said as if it's the most obvious thing ever, as started pouring soup into the bowl, now Travis was just more confused. "Could you lend me another bowl?" Gregory asked, pointing to the stack of bowls on the counter.
"But aren't you gonna teach me?" Travis asked handing Gregory another bowl.
"No, you'll never learn anything when you don't enjoy it, when you truly enjoy something, you do your best." Gregory simply said, filling up the bowl Travis just handed him. "Also, your mom, Becky, asked me to pour soup into the bowls because we're gonna eat."
"Kiss ass." Travis muttered as he carried those two bowls outside to the living room.
"Hey! I heard that!" Travis heard Gregory scream from the kitchen, which caused Travis to giggle and spill a little bit of soup on the carpet.
Gregory helped with arranging the table, and setting the plates, Gregory met Travis' other siblings, Trystan, Tiago, Tinley and Trinity. Gregory did feel a bit anxious but with Hale and Travis by his side. Gregory, indeed, felt like he was part of the family now, they all loved his chicken cream soup and appreciated Gregory.
Gregory and Travis helped wash the dishes, and they played a few games and chat a little, until Gregory decided that it was time for him to go back to his home. Travis wanted Gregory to stay the night, but Gregory reminded Travis that he couldn't because his parents would get "worried" and that Gregory didn't want to bother Travis and his big family.
They all said their goodbyes, and Gregory walked alone at night, back to his home, hoping, once again, that his parents aren't awake or that they're not home for whatever reason.
Gregory came back home to find that both his parents were still asleep, he walked up to his small room and threw himself on his bed. Today, was probably the best day of Gregory's life, he almost made a move, but ruined it. At least he got to see Travis' face up close.
Gregory let out a dreamy sigh, and slid off his messy bed, he walked across the small room and opened his wardrobe to a messy pile of shirts stacked on top of each other, under all this mess, was his notebook.
Gregory's has been writing random sentences in hopes to use them when he buys a guitar again. Gregory sat on the ground, the moonlight shining on his notebook, Gregory looked around him, and found a pen on the ground, Gregory grabbed that pen and thought for a while, then began to scribble down a new sentence.
My light in the darkest of times.
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