Chapter Text
Clay had been in love with his best friend George for what felt like an eternity. He had never told him, fearing that it would ruin their friendship. Instead, he kept his feelings buried deep inside, pretending that everything was normal.
Clay sat on the couch in the living room, staring at the Christmas tree in front of him, lost in his thoughts. It was a few days before Christmas, and George had just come back from his last final looking miserable.
Naturally, Clay checked in with him. “Was it that bad? At least, it’s over and we can go …”
George suddenly dropped a bombshell. "I told my parents that I have a boyfriend," he said.
Clay looked up, surprised. "What? Who?"
George shrugged. "Just someone I made up. I didn't want them to ask me any more questions about why I'm still single."
Clay felt a pang of jealousy at the thought of George dating someone else. "So, what's the problem?"
"The problem is that my parents are expecting me to bring my ‘not-so-real’ boyfriend."
Clay couldn’t make out what George was feeling. “Why can’t you tell them that your ‘boyfriend’ can’t visit.”
George sighed. “They begged me.” Then, George mumbled, “I kinda promised ‘em he was coming.”
“What was that?”
“I promised them he was coming!”
For a moment, the room fell quiet with George and Clay staring at each other. Clay couldn’t bear the silence and felt a pang in his chest. He knew exactly what to do, but he didn't know if he was brave enough to do it. "I'll do it," he blurted out before he could change his mind.
George looked up at him, eyes wide. "What do you mean?"
"I mean, I'll be your fake boyfriend. It's Christmas, and I don't want you to be alone. Besides, it'll be fun, right?" Clay tried to keep his voice light, but he was terrified of what he had just agreed to.
George looked at him for a long moment, then a slow smile spread across his face. "Are you sure? I don't want to ruin our friendship."
"I'm sure," Clay said, hoping that his voice didn't sound as shaky as he felt. "It'll be a blast. And who knows, maybe we'll even fool your family."
They made a plan to pack and leave first thing tomorrow morning to start the 8-hour trip to George’s home. Clay never really understood why George had chosen to attend Florida State University when he lived in North Carolina. But, Clay would travel to the ends of the earth with George if he knew it would make him happy.
As Clay paced around their apartment, George finished packing their bags for their trip to his parents' house for Christmas break. He could hear Clay's anxious thoughts from down the hall. After living with Clay for a year, George knew Clay’s ticks. The pacing was a tell-tale sign that his best friend's nerves were eating at him. Clay had always been a fidgety person, but this time it was different. This time they were going to George's parents' house, and Clay was going to have to pretend to be his boyfriend.
George finished packing his bag and made his way to Clay's room. He found Clay staring at the wall, lost in thought. Without a word, George wrapped his arms around Clay's waist. The sudden pressure caused Clay to still and lean back into the touch. George rested his chin on Clay's shoulder and held him close.
"What's wrong, Clay?" George asked softly.
Clay's breathing was shallow and unsteady. "I don't know if I can do this, George," he said, his voice barely above a whisper. "What if I mess up? What if I say the wrong thing? What if your parents figure out that I'm not really your boyfriend?"
George tightened his grip around Clay. "You won't mess up, Clay. You're the most charming person I know. And even if you do, it's just for a few days. We can get through this together."
Clay nodded, but his anxiety didn't dissipate. George turned Clay around to face him and placed a hand on either side of his face. "Hey, look at me," George said. "You're going to be okay. I promise. And even if something goes wrong, I'll be right there with you."
Clay took a deep breath and leaned into George's touch. "Thanks, George," he said, his voice still shaky. "I don't know what I'd do without you."
George smiled and leaned in to place his forehead against Clay’s. "You'll never have to find out," he said. "Now let's finish packing. And we can order from your favorite restaurant - my treat. Then watch a movie."
Clay nodded and took a deep breath. He knew that George was right. They could get through this together. As they finished packing their bags, Clay's nerves began to settle. He still felt anxious, but he knew that George had his back. And that was all that mattered.