p data-p-id="1a1b1435a6cddb0d2102d6322625cfb6""Your dad really is uh, okay with me coming over?" Tavros said softly, pulling on the older's jacket sleeve. Gamzee just nodded lazily, looking outside the window of the bus. The Juggalo didn't actually drive much, and perfect to take the bus home as the ride was a lot more calming. Gamzee had lived quite a bit out of town, and into the woods. Tav was a bit nervous on meeting Gamzee's dad, but he was also extremely excited. Gam hadn't told his father about them yet, so it was more of a hush hush thing between the two, and it wasn't like his dad was expecting him to bring home a /It hurt Tavros just a bit, but he was alright with it. br /The bus halted to a slow stop, the brakes screeching in protest as they both got up, the taller taking Tavros' hand and leading him down the aisle before the mentioned teen gave an awkward nod of thanks to the bus driver, who brushed it off nonchalantly. It was quiet, most likely for lack of things to say as they walked a little farther. The smaller didn't want to say anything wrong as the feeling of anxiety started to bubble in his stomach. It was like this every time they went out together. Tavros got shaky and mute, and almost acted like a child. Though, I wouldn't blame him. Being placed in an environment that you don't know can be quite terrifying, and seems to rattle him to the bone. br /But Gamzee was there. br /The Ravenette made him feel safer when he was out and about, and maybe that's why he's learned to depend on his friend so much. He just felt more at home, like he wasn't an intruder, walking in on everyone else's plans. Tavros did feel like a burden sometimes, but never when he was with the other. Gamzee has a habit of pointing out when he apologized for something he couldn't control, or telling the younger that he was not worthless, and that he valued him so much. But never an "I love you." br /Boys don't say I love /At least, most boys don't, or won't. Why has always been a question on his mind. Maybe they were just all afraid of being called soft for confessing feelings with such a verbal way. But they had no problem when it came to fuckin'. Oh no, most teenage boys will definitely be down for that kind of "loving". But honestly, it wasn't really loving in any way, just a heat. Just a lust for the devour of human contact, and skin so contrasting coming together. So maybe they were different. But maybe that's why Gamzee invited him over in the first place. He didn't really mind, as long as he could politely say no. br /The duo got up to the steps of a two story house, the garage bay closed and all the curtains drawn. It was a pretty nice house, just a standard white house, blue trimming and a shingle roof. The older dug around in his backpack before finding his set of keys, and jamming the specific key with a clown smiley face carved into it into the lock and opening the door to an empty house. So his father wasn't home yet. But his brother was most likely home, not that the two would hear anything from him. Gamzee's older brother Kurloz had taken a vow of silence in honor of a terrible accident involving his girlfriend. The said college student silent walked out of the kitchen as Gam put his bag on the stools underneath the kitchen island. The two brother waved before Kurloz signed,br /"Who's that?" He smiled briefly at the visitor, waving as Tavros waved back sheepishly, hand holding his other arm in the crook of his elbow. br /"That's Tavros, he's my best motherfuckin' friend." Gamzee replied, motioning to the said boy as Kurloz stepped forward and held out his hand. Tav took it gently and shook hands with the older, noticing something strange. He looked like he had piercings all around his mouth, all lining up perfectly. He let go of his hand, not wanted to be impolite and stare at the older brother. Kurloz turned back to the younger brother, pointing over at a note that their dad had left on the fridge for him when he had gotten home. Gamzee pulled it from under the magnet, scanning it briefly before putting it back. He leaned towards Tavros' ear and whispered,br /"My dad's coming home late tonight we gotta make dinner for ourselves and then it's just you and me."It was a simple statement enough and he smiled and nodded and mumbled a small, "Alright." before Gamzee took his hand and guided the two of them up the stairs and down a hallway, pushing open a door and letting go of his hand. br /Gamzee's room was nice. It was cleaner that he had expected it to be, but he did probably clean before he came over. Some alternative band posters were plastered on the wall, along with drawing and painting he had done, plus a small piece of notebook paper. Tavros shuffled quietly over to it, running a finger and smiling at an older memory. br /It was a drawing he had given Gamzee a few months ago during lunch period, a portrait he had done of Gamzee. It was a side view, Gam's curls dipping just in front of his beautiful eyes, which were closed, eyelashes seeming to kiss his skin. It was a bit fading now, the pencil smudge from sitting in his binder when he waited to give it to Gamzee. He had no idea Gam had liked it that much. br /"You put it on your wall?" Tavros asked turning around as the mention man smiled and walked over to him, wrapping loose arms around his shoulders and tugging him into an awkward back hug. The taller laid his lips on the back of his neck, smile still present. br /"Of course I did. It's a beautiful drawing by the most beautiful little bull I've ever seen." He murmured, making Tavros blush and hold up a hand to the arm around his neck. It was silent for a few heartbeats, just the two of them standing near a wall of beautiful art. It had taken him so long to even admit to himself that he could love his best friend, and even longer to accept it. br /"Gamzee I love you." Tavros said barely above a whisper as he heard a small laugh escape Gamzee's mouth, and he pressed kisses to the others neck /"I love you too, Tavros." br /So maybe boys can say I love you. /p