Chapter Text
Telling others about the one you love doesn't have to be hard.
1)
"So let me get this straight, no pun intended of course. You, Gareth, are in love with meathead number two aka Andy."
Eddie teased while waving a dramatic finger in his face. Gareth looked at his converse in shame as his face flushed. This was a bad idea. The two boys were currently waiting outside the school for the rest of Hellfire to show up. Of course, Gareth had to ruin the comfortable conversation about the new Metallica album by talking about his kinda boyfriend.
"Oh, this is rich. THE Gareth the Great has a crush on a jock. A jock who to my knowledge is very painfully straight unless you want to enlighten me?"
Eddie asked with a raised eyebrow and resting his hands on his hips. Gareth looked up to his friends awaiting face and ran his hand through his hair to relieve the stress he felt. This was a terrible idea.
"Well how gay would you consider cuddling, hand holding, flirting, making out, dat-"
Gareth's rambling was cut off by Eddie bursting into laughter. Eddie soon composed himself seeing Gareth's face fall into a horrified expression. Eddie cleared his throat before continuing.
"Wow wow okay. Uh yeah, that's uh kinda gay man."
Eddie chuckled lightly and Gareth sighed throwing his head back and pinching his bridge with his pointer and index fingers. This was an awful idea.
"Look man, if you're happy then I am happy just-"
Eddie conceded and Gareth took his hand away from his face and dropped his neck back to upright, facing Eddie. He gave Eddie a go-on look which Eddie sighed while pursing his lips in response.
"Just be careful is all. This cow town is not too fond of us freaks."
Eddie played it off as a joke and laughed but he was completely serious. Gareth nodded solemnly.
"He better not still be friends with that ass Jason"
Eddie seethed waving another finger in Gareth's face. Gareth vehemently shook his head causing his hair to follow in waves.
"No no, he cut them out after the whole uh"
"Witch-hunting fest?"
Eddie supplied and Gareth nodded indicating he found the right word. Eddie smirked and brought Gareth into a hug. Gareth stiffened with the hug but melted into it eventually.
"Thank you, Eddie."
He mumbled into his friend's denim vest. Eddie patted his back before breaking the hug but keeping his hands on Gareth's shoulders. Their eyes met and they smiled at each other kindly.
"If he hurts you in any way, I'll make sure to break every bone in his body."
Eddie said completely serious pointing his finger at Gareth. Gareth snickered but nodded in understanding. A shout broke the twos moment and they turned to see a group of kids stumble out of Steves car.
2)
Chief Hopper was tired, to say the least. Caring for a physic teenager and being the chief of an overworked police department did that to a man. Being on night patrol was the worst part of his job by far. All you do is drive around and deal with idiot teenagers, drunks who were dumb enough to drive, and those insufferable couples that needed to make out in their cars. That last one was both his least favorite and his favorite. Mainly the reactions were his favorite part. The victims of tonight? Andy and Gareth.
Andy had convinced Gareth to see Aliens with him. It was quite easy actually. Andy knew Gareth couldn't resist since the dude was obsessed with all things supernatural or horror related. Andy couldn't understand in the slightest why but gave in to his boyfriend's obsession. Besides, it gave him an excuse to hold his hand under the letterman jacket he draped over their laps as an extra measure of protection in the darkness of the theater. Could never be too safe with the state of the world.
The two never visibly acknowledged that one of them would burrow closer to the other after a jump scare. They also wouldn't acknowledge Andy's thumb gently rubbing his knuckles in a soothing motion. They also wouldn't acknowledge Gareth constantly looking over to him.
They stayed a little while after everyone else exited to make their way out. Andy gently slid his letterman onto Andy's shoulders as they walked out of the theater and into the cold March air. Gareth tucked it around himself and shyly sniffed the collar. It smelt of Andy's sharp cologne and body wash. Andy slung his arm around his shoulder as they walked to his car.
The dark streets were lined with amber lights and store fronts were decorated with false flowers. Spring was Gareth's favorite season. It wasn't so in your face like fall and winter. It also wasn't sweltering hot or humid like the summer. Spring was the perfect in between.
Andy unwound his slung arm when they made it to his car. He opened the passenger door causing Gareth to blush at the gesture.
"You enjoy embarrassing me don't you"
"Yes, but I am also a gentleman."
"Shut it, Andy"
"Anything for you sweetheart"
Gareth sputtered at the name which caused immense joy to spawn in Andys chest. Red looked wonderful on him in this lighting.
Gareth lightly swatted him on the chest but entered the car, nonetheless. Andy strolled to the opposite side of the car and got in the vehicle, finally escaping the cold. The letterman was a true lifesaver from the bitter weather.
Andy started the car which began playing the Iron Maiden tape Eddie gave to Andy as a peace treaty. Andy shifted the gear to reverse and then back to drive after pulling out of the parking slot. Whenever his non-shifting hand wasn't needed, it rested on Gareth's thigh gently. Their car ride was mainly quiet as they listened to the tape. It was a good silence though. Comfortable.
The drive back to Gareth's house was interrupted however by Andy spontaneously pulling over to the side of the secluded road. Gareth looked over to him in mild confusion, but excitement also edged his features.
"Your curfew isn't for another hour."
Andy pointed out facing his passenger who gave a smug look back.
"Oh, whatever will we do with so much time."
Andy smirked at his boyfriend's remark and leaned over the center console. Gareth inched closer and regretfully peeled off the heavy jacket which slid down behind him onto the door and seat.
Andy gave a slight chuckle before he closed the space between the two. Their lips mashed messily together causing sparks to shoot up one another's spines. Their bodies buzzed in excitement and the beat of the music playing. Andy separated their lips but kept the space between the two minimal. Their breaths came out harsh and in puffs.
"Get over here, Gare"
Andy breathed out and Gareth nodded before shifting and moving over the center console. Andy assisted him as Gareth straddled his lap. Andy brushed a stray curl out of Gareth's face with his hand. Gareth sought out the warmth of the touch by nuzzling his cheek into Andy's hand like a cat.
"You're so pretty."
Andy murmured causing Gareth to giggle lightly. Their lips once again met for a longer kiss. Gareth's hands tangled into Andy's curly hair, which he tugged lightly. Andys hands found their way to Gareth's hips and began to slowly slide up and down his sides, giving shivers on his skin.
Gareth shivered at the sensation and pressed further into the kiss. Andy suddenly broke the kiss as the tape began to play the Tropper. Gareth gave a concerned look which fell into a sly smile at Andy's grin. His head bobbed lightly to the beat. Gareth moved his hands from Andy's hair to cup his crimson cheeks and stopped Andy's poor attempt at headbanging.
"Oh my god, I love this song."
Gareth barked a laugh at his boyfriend geeking out over a song. Gareth leaned his head onto Andy's shoulder as he continued to laugh. Gareth composed himself to giggles and looked up to face his also giggling boyfriend.
"Shut it you also like this song."
Andy argued back and Gareth snickered.
"Yeah, but I am not going to stop making out with my boyfriend to tell him that. Als-"
Gareth was interrupted by Andy initiating yet another kiss causing a sense of warmth to filter through his stomach. The warmth caused him to feel giddy. Andy's hands went from Gareth's hips down to his thighs and he began to run his thumbs over the jean-clad muscle. The rhythm of the music was beginning to affect their kissing rhythm which became rushed and feverish. The only sounds in the car were the bass of The Tropper and their violent breathing.
Until there was a harsh knock on the driver's side window causing both to split apart swiftly.
Gareth jumped back a little too aggressively and hit the horn on the wheel causing all three to jerk away from the noise effectively cutting it off. Andy would've laughed at his boyfriend's jumpiness, but the circumstances weren't permitting him to. Both Their heads snapped to see a very cranky chief Hopper and a flashlight shining light into the once dark void.
''Oh my god"
Gareth breathed out as he wiped his hands over his face. Andy led a shaky hand and rolled the window down letting the cold air envelop the two.
"A bit late isn't boys?"
Hopper said cocking an eyebrow at the two shaking teenagers. Both looked like they were about to explode from embarrassment and nerves.
"Uh yeah, sir we were just..."
Andy looked back to Gareth for answers, but he was currently hiding his face in his hands.
"You couldn't just wait to get home huh?"
Hopper lightly teased. Who said you couldn't have fun while working? They didn't laugh at his poor attempt at joking. Hopper sighed and turned off his flashlight clipping it to his belt.
"Look, I don't really care about this... situation between you two but I need you boys, to move long, okay?"
Both nodded in agreement even though Gareth still hid his face in his hands.
"Alright I am giving you a warning so if you pull this again, I will write you a ticket. Understood?"
"Uh yes sir"
"Uh huh got it"
"Okay, then you two have a good rest of your night... at home."
Hopper clarified before tapping the hood of the car and pursing his lips into a fine line. He stepped away and walked back to his car promptly getting in. Andy heaved out a heavy sigh and rolled up the window. Gareth finally dropped his hands looking into his boyfriend's eyes.
"I think my heart stopped"
Gareth croaked, and Andy rubbed his shoulder to comfort him.
"Yeah, I think mine did too."
He chuckled, and Gareth laughed lightly with him.
"Wanna stay at my house? My mom has a shift at the hospital."
Gareth asked, and Andy smiled and nodded.
"Sounds great baby, but I am gonna need you off my lap to drive."
Andy joked causing Gareth's face to grow redder than it already was. Gareth gently kissed his cheek before clambering into the passenger seat. He rewrapped the letterman onto himself as Andy began to drive away back onto the road. So much for being subtle.
3)
"So, are you ever going to let me meet this friend, Andy?''
His mom spoke causing Gareth to almost drop the stack of plates he was placing in the cupboard.
"Ugh, Mom please don't."
Gareth groaned out before turning to face her. She was currently drying a plastic cup with a baby blue towel. They had just finished dinner and she was still in her light green scrubs and her hair was pulled up messily. She was raising an eyebrow at him.
"Listen, sweetie, ever since you two have become friends, you seem much happier. Besides I want to be able to thank him for giving you a ride to school and your clubs.''
Gareth sighed as she made a great point. He has been slightly excited to finally introduce his "friend" to his mom. He only rejected the idea because he wasn't sure if their relationship was ready for his mom's knowledge of it. However, he now sees little risk to introducing his so-called friend as his boyfriend instead.
"I'll see when he's free."
His mom nodded and smiled at the compromise.
The conversation put a new sense of nerves into Gareth that rolled over into the next day. He was vibrating with excitement and nervousness all throughout his morning classes. Even into lunch he felt like he was floating.
"So, my mom..."
Gareth began as he looked up from his late math homework to Andy who was sitting but leaned back onto the bleacher stairs eating an apple. They were spending their lunch together in the empty gym which became a daily tradition for the couple. Andy looked over to his boyfriend with a go-on look. Gareth breathed before turning back to his homework to avoid his nerves.
"My mom would like to...meet you... if that's okay with you?"
Gareth peeked over to him to see Andy's mildly shocked face. He quickly hid the look with a smile.
"I'd love to."
So, it was decided that after Gareth's Hellfire meeting on Friday that Andy would drive them both back to Gareth's house. Gareth's mom wasn't going to be home till dinner time which meant the two had at least an hour to just be by themselves. They spent the hour in Gareth's room listening to tapes that Eddie recently gave to Gareth. Andy didn't understand the appeal of all the screaming but Gareth's face lighting up in joy made it worth it. Their last tape was interrupted by the sound of the front door opening.
"Gare, I am home!"
His mother's voice traveled through the walls into Gareth's room. Gareth looked over to Andy who looked mildly horrified. He gave a comforting smile.
"She'll love you don't worry."
Andy nodded and swallowed the lump in his throat. Both of them carefully stalked up the stairs from Gareth's room and into the main floor. Gareth held out his hand to Andy who took it with his trembling one. Gareth led them down the hall and into the kitchen area.
Gareth's mom was again still in her scrubs and had her updo. She had her back to the two and was facing a counter. She was beginning to work on the preparations for their dinner. Gareth cleared his throat slightly louder than intended which caused her to turn and face the two. Her face was etched in surprise, but she put on a big smile.
"Uh Mom... this is Andy he's...he's, my boyfriend."
Her face slightly shifted to surprise but completely turned to excitement. Before Andy could hold out his non-held hand, Gareth's mom was already enveloping him in a warm hug. Gareth couldn't hold the grin back as he let go of Andy's hand so he could hug her back. Gareth's mom pulled from the hug soon and looked at Andy.
"It is wonderful to finally meet you! Gareth talks a lot about you.''
His mom teased causing Gareth to turn red from embarrassment.
''Mom"
He gritted out looking away from the two as they laughed lightly at his obvious discomfort.
"I mean it though you make him so happy. I also wanted to thank you for being kind enough to drive him to school it has helped me out tremendously."
She thanked him as he ducked his head lightly.
"Of course, ma'am it has been no issue"
''Oh, please call me Sandra. Ma'am makes me feel old. I hope you like ravioli for dinner?"
She asked kindly, and he accepted the offer eagerly.
"Sounds great."
''Perfect.''
Gareth smiled at his two favorite people finally meeting.