Albion grabbed his phone, clicking on ‘Fen:)’. He bit his lip in anticipation, his hands still trembling from the dream. “Albie?” Fenner’s voice shakes Albion from his own thoughts. Hang on, isn’t that the first time he’s called me by my name? Normally he just looks at me and talks.

“Hi Fen, I’m so sorry, I took a nap and didn’t set an alarm.” He ran his hand through the longer hair on the top of his head, smoothing down the shorter sides. “No worries, I didn’t realise the time either.” Albion breathed out, relaxing slightly.

On the other end of the phone, Fenner fiddled with his paper - he’d been waiting for Albion to ring on his doorbell for the past hour, constantly checking the time in anticipation, but in the end was too nervous to call Albion and ask where he was.

Albion was silent for a moment, then spoke up. “So, am I still ok to come over now?” He bit his lip again; it was a nervous habit at this point. “Sure. You could even um…stay for dinner if you want.”

Fenner mentally smacked himself again. Stop getting close to him you idiot! He’s gonna break your heart in a week when you go invisible.

Albion sat up very straight. “What really? That’d be awesome!” Smiling slightly to himself, Fenner lay back on his bed. “Yeah, my dad’ll be here though, just a heads up.”

“Oki doki, let me just check with my mum, I’m sure it’ll be fine though.” Albion hurtled downstairs and into the living room, where his mum was reading a book. “Mum, can I eat dinner at Fen’s?” She smiled, glad to see her son looking happier after the emotional appointment that morning.

“Sure sweetie, let me know what time you want picking up, I’ll come get you, I don’t want you walking home in the dark.” Albion ran over to his mum, kissing the side of her head. “Thank you thank you, I’ll see you later!”

“Your mum seems nice,” Fenner’s voice spoke up. Albion blushes slightly, realising he was still on the phone with his…friend. Not crush. “Sorry, I’ll hang up now if you want,” he pulled his shoes on, and propelled himself out the front door.

“Nah, I’m tired of maths, this way we can chat until you get here.” A massive grin spread across Albion’s features.

—————

“I’ve worked more today than I have in literally years,” Fenner complained, moving from his desk to his bed. Albion sat next to him, leaning against the wall. “You’ve worked really hard and come a long way. I’m certain you’ll pass!”

“You just want that free coffee I promised.” Albion laughed brightly. “Well, you’re not wrong haha.” Fenner closed his eyes. “Fuck. I only got 2 hours sleep, feeling it now.” Albion glanced at the wall clock. “Your mum said dinner at 7, so if you want an extra hour now’s your chance.”

Fenner opened his eyes, peering at the boy out of the corner of his eye. “Dude I’m not abandoning you for an hour - if this was your house maybe, but nah.” Albion pouted, then placed his hand on Fenner’s head, pulling it down to his shoulder. “Maybe I want a nap too,” he said, grinning.

Fenner rolled his eyes, but didn’t move his head. “Pretty sure you had a nap before you came to mine but sure.” Albion didn’t want another nap; the memories from his dream still vivid in his mind. But, he’d pretend he wanted a nap if it meant Fenner could sleep a little. “I’m actually super sleepy, so just close your eyes, I’ll wake you up in an hour.”

Eventually, Fenner caved, closing his eyes, and soon sleep claimed him. Albion smiled at the weight on his right shoulder, and drew digitally on his phone, as he couldn’t reach any paper without disturbing Fenner.

True to his word, after an hour, Albion woke Fenner, and the two trailed downstairs for dinner. Albion was introduced to Fenner’s dad, a quiet and serious man, who said very little. Fenner’s mum did most of the talking, Fenner would occasionally contribute with short answers. Albion and Fenner’s mother got on very well, and chatted a lot about family life.

Albion observed quite quickly that Fenner and his father interacted very little, the latter would barely even look at his son, and when he spoke, it was to his wife. Albion, who didn’t have a father, found this rather sad, but decided not to ask Fenner why they didn’t interact.

He had no idea they didn’t talk because Fenner’s father didn’t remember his son, and regarded him as a stranger living in his house.

After dinner and dessert, it was 8pm. Albion was about to call his mum, when Fenner’s mum spoke. “Darling, why don’t you stay over? You could go to school in the morning together.” Albion considered this for a moment, and after glancing at Fenner, whose expression was more hopeful than the usual blank stare, decided to accept.

He called his mum, deciding in the morning before school, they’d drop by his house to grab his school bag. Fenner had completely given up on trying to not get too close to Albion, after their phone call earlier, he had decided it was a lost cause - he was already crushing on the boy.

“Might as well enjoy it while you can, sweetie,” his mum had told him when he confided in her. She knew her son had finally found someone worth going through the pain of being forgotten for, and she wanted Fenner to be as happy as he could now, even if it meant eventual heartache.

“G’night Albie,” Fenner said as he climbed in bed, on the side next to the wall. Albion smiled warmly at him. “Goodnight, Fen.” They both turned their backs on each other, blushing furiously.

Well fuck me, I like him, Fenner and Albion thought in synchrony.