IT au (Self insert)

CHAPTER ONE, PART NINE.

GOOD MOOD

The next day, a knock on Athiens' room door.

"Come in.." He sniffled. Crying. His mother walked in.

"I've been worried, love. You haven't been eating and I haven't seen you leave your room since yesterday." She has an anxious look on her face. Athien remained silent, he sat on his bed with his knees to his chest, holding himself closely.

"Sebastian's here.." Behind her, Sebastian walked in and smiled.. He was actually kind of scared and upset seeing Athien like this.. He wore a white tank and jorts.. Athien shoots his head up and wipes away his tears.

"Oh.. Hi.." Athien sits up normally. His mother allows Sebastian to walk into the room and she closes the door.

"Hey.. You didnt come back to the spot." Sebastian smiles and sits on the edge of Athiens bed, Athien slightly flinches away..

"Sorry.. Haven't been feeling well." Athien shrugs.

"Are you okay..?" Sebastian asked

"I dont know." And that's all Athien could really answer.

"I leave tomorrow," Sebastian said quietly, sympathetically. The weight of his words hung heavy in the air. Athien started to tear up, his sniffles breaking the silence. Sebastian looked around the room, his gaze landing on the Grease shirt. It was placed neatly over Athien's chair, unlike most of his clothes that were scattered haphazardly on the ground.

An idea sparked in Sebastian's mind. He grabbed the shirt and pulled it on over his own, the fabric smelling faintly of Athien's cologne. He dramatically ran his hands through his hair, trying to mimic the cool, slicked-back look of the Grease characters.

"Sebastian, not now..." Athien sniffled, wiping at his eyes with the back of his hand.

"Now what? I'm just—" Sebastian pretended to pop his collar, rolling his head in an exaggerated circle before dropping his chin to his chest and snapping it back up. "Bein' me." He shrugged with an exaggerated coolness, trying to coax a smile from Athien.

It worked. Athien smiled a little, the corners of his mouth twitching upwards despite his tears. Sebastian noticed and cleared his throat, jumping slightly in place to gather his energy.

"Why, this car is automatic," he sang off-key, his voice more enthusiastic than melodic. Athien started to giggle, the sound like music to Sebastian's ears.

"Oh god, stop—"

"It's... systematic," Sebastian continued, posing dramatically with every word. Athien sighed, feeling embarrassed but also amused.

"It's hydromatic... Why, it's Greased Lightning!" Sebastian attempted a high note, his voice cracking humorously. The effort made Athien snicker more, his laughter breaking through the sadness. Sebastian smiled triumphantly, taking off the Grease shirt and handing it to Athien.

"C'mon, let's hang out with Aspen," Sebastian said, standing in front of Athien with a hopeful expression. Athien just smiled, slipping the shirt on as if it were a piece of armour against his sadness.

"Last one there has to lick the bathroom floor!" Athien called out, his voice filled with playful challenge. He darted out of the room, the sound of his footsteps echoing in the hallway.

Sebastian hesitated for just a moment, taking in the sight of Athiens retreating figure. Despite the looming farewell, this moment felt perfect. He sprinted after Athien, his heart lighter than it had been all day. They ran through the house, their laughter mingling with the summer evening air.

The screen door slammed behind them as they burst outside, the twilight sky painted with hues of pink and orange. Aspen was waiting by the train tracks, a grin spreading across his face as he saw them approach. The boys skidded to a halt, out of breath but smiling.

Athien reached Aspen first, triumphantly turning back to Sebastian. "Looks like you're licking the bathroom floor, Seb!" he teased, his eyes sparkling with joy.

"Not a chance," Sebastian painted, a grin breaking across his face as he joined his friends.

The three of them stood there, basking in the fading light of day, their bond strengthened by the bittersweet knowledge that moments like this were fleeting. But for now, they were together, and that was enough.