resplendent *gawsten* ✓

Chapter Twenty-Seven

3.4.18
edit 8.25.20
tw; nfsw kissing, almost sexual content, mention of awsten's father
1,338 words

geoff p.o.v.

on day seven of our vacation, awsten was out of it. i could tell because when i woke up, i noticed he was already awake, staring up at the ceiling, and tear trails made their way down both his cheeks. my heart dropped at the fact that he didn't get any sleep; his eyes were so bloodshot.

i reached out to take his hand. "hey, baby, do you wanna go anywhere today?"

he shook his head and turned to bury his face in my bare chest. his right knee was brought up so that it nearly rested on my thigh, and his foot and ankle tangled with both of mine. i felt his fingers fumble against my abdomen, no doubtedly trying to find my shirt. i felt a tug in my abdomen at the sensation, but i forced it to stay down. instead, he got closer to me and pressed his hands between our chests. i had my head on my right arm, and my left arm was draped over his waist.

i traced my nails lightly on the outside of his shirt for a few minutes. it took me a moment to notice his trembling.

"hey, it's okay." i assured him. i set us up so that we were sitting across from each other. i didn't dare let go of his hands. "it's okay if you don't wanna do anythin' today. you can stay here while i go change plans wi-no, no, it's fine," i added, alarmed when awsten's breath hitched and new tears fell down his ashen face. "they aren't time-cramped plans, i made sure. this past week has been eventful, so i just planned a day out at a restaurant. william told me the reservations will be easy to fix in case we needed it."

"sshhould g-go." he whispered. "i d-don't wanna-"

i kissed his nose. "you're fine. really." i reassured him. "you can stay here and relax. i'm gonna go tweak the plans with william."

"sure?" he asked. i nodded and kissed his forehead. he hummed as i tucked him in, and i watched him snuggle into the bed. he kept his eyes open with blown pupils, and i saw him sneak one or two glances at me while i was changing. he was sleeping peacefully by the time i was finished. i quietly gathered the things i needed to go with william to perfect the plans for our last day, which was tomorrow.

we came back to the house later than i would have liked, nearly five pm. i kicked off my shoes by the door of mine and awsten's room, and went straight to the bathroom, after hanging up our rented suits. i figured awsten would still be asleep, so i quietly made myself a mug of coffee.

i nearly dropped my coffee when i heard awsten clear his throat. i sat my mug down on the table and turned to him. my jaw nearly dropped when i saw him sitting on the bed. he had a sheet covering his lower half, but that was just about all the coverage he had. his pupils were blown. i realized something with a sinking heart.

i cleared my throat, and he visibly perked up at the sound. "uh-azalea, how long have you, uh-how long have you been sitting there?"

the corners of his mouth turned down as he thought about it. "um...wh-what time i-is it?"

"five."

"o-oh. i-i think since...th-three? peed a-a fffew min-'inutes ag-go..." he added, really just rambling.

two hours.