Put your head on my shoulder
Wordlessly, Andrew gently put Neil’s head on his shoulder. “Thank you,” Neil whispers, exhaustion clinging to his every being but Neil will always have enough energy to thank Andrew for every thing he does for him. “Sleep,” and Neil sleeps better than he for the past few nights. The upperclassmen and the rest of the monsters know better than to look at the back of the bus and give them the privacy they need to be vulnerable to each other.
“Neil, oh my god look, are you watching-“ Nicky cuts off abruptly and has to bite back a grin. Neil’s cheek is pillowed on Andrew’s shoulder, though Neil has to slouched slightly to rest his head on Andrew’s shoulder, they do make a adorable sight. Not that Nicky will ever say that out loud. Nicky has enough common sense left to turn his attention back to the movie, turning down its volume and ignoring the glare Andrew is giving him.
“I never really looked at the stars,” Neil says laying his head on Andrew’s shoulder, “we were in the countryside a lot and the sky’s always clear but yet I’ve never really look at them.” Andrew offers after a few moments of comfortable silence, “I read a few books on stars, but I see no point in looking at them. They are just fiery ball of gas in space that had already died.” Neil only hums in disagreement, he is wise enough to not point out that they have driven all the way out of palmetto just to star gaze.
“Tell me what you need Andrew,” Neil says calmly, his voice not betraying an ounce of concern he is feeling right now. Andrew continues to stare blankly at the wall, breathing small quick breaths. Neil has no idea how many minutes have passed before Andrew gestures at him, beckoning him to come closer. Neil sits down on the couch, leaving a few feet between them. “Andrew, You have to tell me what you need.” Neil asks once again, gently. After gods know how long, Andrew croaks out, “Put your head on my shoulder,” without a word, Neil slowly rest his head on Andrew’s tense shoulder. It takes a long while before Neil feels the tension slowly seeping out of andrew and then Andrew’s head slumps against his. Andrew’s breaths have returned to normal and Neil closed his eyes.
“Can I rest my head on your shoulder?” Neil asks, tucking his feet underneath him on the sofa. “Yes.” Andrew relaxes almost immediately, “I wrap an arm around you, yes or no?” Andrew asks. “Yes.” They cannot feel more at home.
+1. Andrew’s eyes are drooping and can feel sleep creeping up on him. “You can put your head in my shoulder,” Neil says. Andrew thinks about it, it is taking every effort of his to keep his eyes open and they still have six hours before they will arrived to palmetto. Andrew rests his head on Neil’s shoulder. It took an hour before Andrew falls asleep and he only slept for two hours, but Andrew has never felt more safe.
