It had been two weeks now and Vinny seemed to have grown used to life with Griffin.
That morning he sat at the table with a bowl of cereal, quietly chewing while Griffin sat across from him, watching with a soft intensity.
"How do you make everything look so effortlessly beautiful?" Griffin's voice was warm and reverent. "I could gaze at you for days without end."
Vinny flushed. He still had not gotten used to Griffin's constant comments about his beauty. He knew his features leaned toward the delicate and feminine, something he had once cherished because they reminded him of his mother. But ever since Lamar and the chaos that followed, he had begun to despise them. His own reflection felt foreign, almost repulsive.
And yet here was Griffin, someone who admired the very traits Vinny wanted to erase. Someone who found beauty in what Vinny considered flaws. The contradiction left him unsettled but warm, the smallest spark of comfort flickering in his chest.
Maybe it was the fear of the outside world. Maybe delusions born of his own mind. Or maybe it was his own growing obsession with Griffin. Whatever it was, he was already clinging tightly to it.
"Are you okay with just cereal?" Griffin broke the silence. "You know I'm basically your personal chef."
"I'm fine with this," Vinny said.
Griffin tilted his head. "Then what do you want to do next? Should I set up the controllers? I got a new game and thought we could play together."
Vinny's lips curled into a small smile. "Yeah, that sounds great."
Griffin smiled, collected the empty bowl, and carried it to the sink. "Alright then. Let's go."
In the living room the Fun Station 5 hummed to life. As they settled into the game, Vinny whispered in his mind, This is okay. This is fine. I like this.
He glanced at Griffin, who was grinning as if nothing in the world mattered more than playing with him. The sight made Vinny smile unconsciously. "This is fine," he murmured out loud.
"What was that?" Griffin asked, still focused on the screen.
"Nothing," Vinny said quickly, his face heating. "Just thinking out loud."
….
Later that evening Griffin knocked gently on the guest room door.
"Your bath's ready," he said. "I picked up some special bath salts last time I went shopping. Thought you'd like them."
Vinny rose and followed him. This routine had become familiar, evenings spent together in the tub with Griffin holding him, nothing more.
Griffin slipped in first and Vinny followed, undressing without hesitation. When Griffin wrapped his arms around him, Vinny leaned back against his chest.
"I wish I could do more," Griffin murmured. "But this will have to do until you ask me. I won't go further until you accept me, all of me. I want you, Vinny. Every part of you, including your love." He pressed a kiss to the top of Vinny's head.
Vinny closed his eyes. Everything felt unreal, like he had stumbled into the pages of a romance novel.
"After this, let's watch a movie," Griffin continued as they dried off. "There's a comedy Fipfop keeps recommending. I'll put it on."
"Okay," Vinny said softly, smiling despite himself.
Back in his room he slipped into the shirt Griffin had left for him. It draped down his frame, stopping halfway down his thighs. Griffin somehow knew all his shower routines, even the perfumes and mists he preferred and provided them accordingly. After finishing with his lotions and creams, Vinny walked to the living room.
Griffin looked up and froze, staring in awe. "I don't know how much longer I can keep holding back," he said, motioning for Vinny to sit beside him.
Vinny hesitated, then spoke abruptly. "I think I'm ready."
Griffin blinked. "What?"
"I'm ready to do it with you," Vinny said, voice sheepish. "I like you, Griffin. A lot."
His voice faltered but he pressed on, his expression tender and sad. "I've loved you for the longest time. I just didn't think you would want me. I'm a mess, and you are everything beautiful and graceful. I don't think I deserve your atten—"
Before he could finish, Griffin was on his feet, closing the distance, his lips crashing against Vinny's. The kiss was deep and desperate, like a starving man tasting food for the first time. Vinny gasped, struggling for air, but did not pull away.
Griffin broke the kiss, holding Vinny's shoulders and breathing hard. "Are you sure? I've never done this before. I don't know if I can please you. Do you still want me?"
Vinny's eyes did not waver. "Yes. I'm sure."
For a moment Griffin searched his gaze for hesitation. Finding none, he cupped Vinny's face with tender care. This time his kiss was soft, patient, deliberate. Vinny's arms slipped around him, drawing him closer as the two of them surrendered to the heat rising between them.