Fenner and Albion were curled up together on Fenner’s bed, Albion as the little spoon, as Fenner preferred to cuddle rather than be cuddled. Albion’s head was tucked beneath Fenner’s chin, as they lay in comfortable silence whilst Fenner’s laptop played a movie that neither were really watching.

Fenner had a lot he wanted to ask and say, but his day had been emotional enough as it was, and he felt like he could do with a break. Albion was in a similar position, deciding to leave things until tomorrow. For now, they would both enjoy the other’s company in silence as they were snuggled together.

At dinner time, the boys made their way downstairs to greet Fenner’s father, who had just arrived home. When he saw Albion, he pulled him in to a hug. “Ah, you must be Fenner. It’s nice to properly see you. You look very familiar, maybe I do remember you!” He exclaimed excitedly.

Margaret gently tapped him on the shoulder.

“My love, that’s Albion, Fenner’s boyfriend. You’ve met him before, which is why he’s familiar. Fenner is still invisible.” His face fell as he pulled back from Albion. “Sorry. I- I’m going to…sit over there.” Albion looked at Fenner sadly. He knew his father forgot him each time, but actually seeing it made his heart ache for his boyfriend.

He locked fingers with Fenner, giving him a shy smile before walking them over to the table. Dinner was even more awkward than the previous time; Margaret was the only person talking, with occasional comments from Albion. Fenner and his father said nothing.

After dinner, Albion called his mother. “You sure you’re alright Albie?” She asked, worried after yesterday’s incident. “I am, don’t worry. I wouldn’t have gotten so worked up yesterday if I had remembered I’d told him. I-I must have panicked or something, causing me to forget in that moment.” He bit his lip, hating lying to his mother. Can’t really tell her the truth though, he thought.

They talked a little more until Fenner walked back in to his room, collapsing into his bed. Albion said goodbye, then hung up, turning to look at the other boy. “How much sleep did you get last night, by the way?” He asked, pulling Fenner’s head onto his lap. “Hmm, I went to bed super early, so probably a lot more than usual. Like 7 hours I think.”

Albion smiled, leaning down to give him a sideways kiss. “That’s good. You still look pretty tired though.” Fenner reached up, holding Albion’s head in place to peck him on the lips. “I’m permanently tired.”

“Want to go to sleep then?”

“Not really, I’m paranoid I’ll wake up and something’ll have happened.” Albion thought for a moment. “I have an idea, hang on.” He rummaged around his bag, before producing his sketchpad. He opened it to a random page and scribbled ‘istg you better not forget your boyfriend Fenner again ya twat’ and then drew an angry caricature of himself.

“If for some reason I do forget, I’ll see this, in my handwriting, with my drawing, and I’ll know something’s up.” He grinned triumphantly at Fenner, who just laughed, sitting up to kiss him again. “That’s fuckin stupid, but perfect.” Albion giggled into Fenner’s mouth, holding him so that Fenner was straddling him as they kissed.

Fenner laced his fingers through Albion’s whiskey golden curls, as Albion’s arms held him steady. Fenner pushed his tongue inside Albion’s mouth, surprising him before kissing back. Their tongues roamed around each other’s mouths until both were pulling back, panting for air.

“Can I draw you?” Albion blurted out. Fenner smiled warmly. “I don’t know, that’s a pretty gay thing to ask…” Albion rolled his eyes, pecking him on the forehead. Fenner rested his head on Albion’s shoulder. “Sure, that’d be really cool.”

Albion smiled widely. “Can I draw you sleeping?” Fenner nodded in to the crook of the other boy’s neck. “I probably look like shit, but you’re welcome to.” Albion shook his head vehemently. “No way, when you used to nap in the library you always looked…angelic almost.” Fenner scoffed, pulling back a little. “Ok then, lover boy.”

He thought for a moment, then looked Albion in the eyes. “Did you mean it earlier? When you said you loved me.” Albion’s heart beat a little faster. “I did. I do. I love you.” He blushed, causing Fenner to blush also, closing his eyes. “Um…you said…you might love me…” Fenner snapped his eyes open. “I love you too, I was just scared to say it…you didn’t remember me, and I thought you’d think I was crazy if I told you I loved you.”

A bright grin spread across Albion’s features, as he pulled Fenner in to another hug. His heart felt like it might burst with happiness, so he buried his face in his boyfriend’s shoulder, hiding his extremely pink face. Fenner laughed lightly, “I guess I’ll have to tell you more frequently if you’re going to be this adorable about it,” he said as he slid his fingers through Albion’s hair.

Albion hugged him a little tighter. “Please do.”