Adrian rolled over in his bed, woken up in the middle of night as he couldn't stay asleep. He looked over and saw that Brody was peacefully asleep next to him, after having the tiring day that was Thanksgiving finally over.

After hearing an unusual faint noise downstairs, Adrian tried to be careful when unwrapping himself from Brody's embrace, prying the arms off of him so he could check it out.

As soon as Adrian positioned Brody's arm by his side, he had placed both of his own feet on the ground when Brody seemed to wake up.

Brody was still sleepy as his eyes were still closed, he was barely awake but he had felt the bed move and the presence besides him disappear.

"Adrian?" Brody whispered out loud into the darkness.

"Yeah it's me. I think I heard something downstairs so I'm going to check it out, and I want a glass of water anyway."

Brody seemed to understand as he then rolled over to face the other way, trying to get comfortable again so he could go back to sleep. "Hurry up back when you're done."

Adrian gently treaded downstairs as he tried to be quiet and not make too much noise. He looked outside first and saw that the streets were completely empty.

He then saw the lights on in the kitchen and decided to investigate. When he walked in, Adrian saw his mom at the table, fork in hand and the apple pie from the Thanksgiving dinner.

"Mom? What are you doing?" Adrian asked, indicating towards the pie during the middle of the night.

Sally apologised as she looked slightly guilty when she was indulging in her unhealthy habit. "Sorry, did I wake you? I couldn't really sleep so I thought a midnight snack would be a good idea."

Adrian sat down with his mother as he grabbed a second fork. "Me neither."

They were both silent as they ate the leftovers, still enjoying the taste of it when they weren't able to try it earlier since they called an end to Thanksgiving early.

"This was probably the most eventful Thanksgiving days we've had, am I right?" Sally asked, to make small chit chat with her son.

Adrian snorted as he laughed. "No contest. I don't know if I can call it one of our best or one of our worst."

Sally started boiling some milk for them to drink, to go down with the pie. "How on Earth do you think this is one of the better Thanksgivings we had?"

"Well now we don't have to put up with grandad Julian's crap anymore." Adrian then blushed as he was fidgeting by scratching his arms aimlessly. "And I umm, told Brody I loved him."

Sally dropped the spoon she was using and turned back to face Adrian. When she saw that he was being serious, she was overcome with joy. "Oh sweetie, bless you. Come here."

Adrian always pretended he was fed up by being hugged by his mom a lot, but it couldn't be further from the truth as he sought out her comforting hug again.

"I am, so happy for you Adrian. When you find love, you want to hold onto it tight and never let go."

Adrian heart seemed to relax as he felt like he was in a state of bliss. "Yeah, that's kind of how I feel right now."

Sally pulled back from the hug and held Adrian's face up with her hands, having a good look into her son's eyes. "Don't ever let Julian's words sink into your head, your father would be just as happy as I am for you."

Sally then chuckled to herself as she imagined what Calvin's reaction would have been. "Knowing your father, there would be an endless amount of teasing from him."

Adrian smiled softly after hearing that. "You really think he would be happy for me?"

Sally kissed the top of Adrian's head. "Darling your father would be so proud of the young man you've become."

Sally poured the milk into 2 glasses and passed one to Adrian as they sat back down together.

"Adrian, you've had to go through so much in a short amount of time. With your father gone, you were forced to grow up early and become so mature at a young age. But look at your actions today, you were by my side all day, helping and showing me support when I was having it tough. You also proudly stood up for your boyfriend, and your mother against horrible prejudice. You make me so, so proud to be your mother Adrian."

Adrian felt a little bit choked up as he listened to his mother. "I could only be the man I am today because of you mom. No matter what grandad said, you really are a testament of an amazing mom. You had to do so much for me on your own, and you gave me everything I needed in this world." Adrian said honestly.

The heart to heart conversation ended as they gave each other a long, needed hug. The love in the room was overwhelming as they both knew that they could rely on each other for the support they needed.

"Love you Adrian."

"Love you too mom."

"And you looooove Brody." Sally sang in a playful and joking manner.

Adrian looked back at his mom with a grossed out look after being teased by her. "Not cool mom."

~~~~~~~~~~

Adrian gave Ollie a quick cuddle as he was stirred awake in his bed outside Adrian's door. After a quick kiss, Adrian walked back into his bedroom and settled back down into his bed.

Almost like a reflex, Adrian felt Brody move around in the bed as his arms circled his waist again. "Were you just waiting for me all this time to do that?" Adrian chuckled.

"Mmm." Brody reached forward slightly to kiss the back of Adrian's neck. "I sleep better when you're with me."

"So cheesy." Adrian muttered, still enjoying the comfort that was being in Brody's arms.

"And that's why you love me."

Briefly smiling, Adrian turned himself around so he could cuddle himself closer towards Brody's chest. Before he closed his eyes, he felt Brody's lips on his with a gentle and loving kiss.

"Why do you taste so sweet?" Brody genuinely asked, unaware he could taste an aftermath of the apple pie.

"Because I'm with you." Adrian joked back.

"Dork."

~~~~~~~~~~

The next morning, Adrian was carrying a bouquet of flowers as he left the car with his mom shortly behind him.

Walking into the cemetery together, they went to pay respects to Adrian's father as they spoke last night about seeing him since it's been so long.

When they got to his tombstone, Sally immediately began clearing up the old and wilted flowers that were there from her last visit.

She left momentarily to speak to someone about headstone maintenance, when she had noticed it seemed to be chipped a little bit. She then left Adrian alone so he could have private chat with his father.

Adrian placed his hand on his dad's headstone for a moment, embracing the comfort of being spiritually close with his father. He then put the fresh flowers in the vase to brighten up the area a little bit.

"Hey dad. Sorry I haven't been here for a while, but things have been busy."

Adrian sat down on the grass more comfortably as he crossed his legs so he could talk to his dad.

"I hope you're doing well at least, probably having a riot watching the mess that is my life right now. You're probably sitting up there and laughing at me, but did you at least see my last win on the ice? I hope you did, and that you're watching me, guiding me through life somehow."

Adrian then imagined all of the other things his dad would have seen if he was around. "But whatever you do, don't watch me when I'm alone with Brody in my room. I don't want to scar you."

After he finished laughing to himself inappropriately, he began to speak more seriously to his dad.

"I'm doing good so far, I have exams soon and I never was the brightest kid was I? But I'm trying, Brody's making sure of that." Adrian then imagined what it would have been like if they were ever in the same room together. "I think you would have liked him dad, at least I hope so, because I really like him too."

Adrian swallowed down the lump in his throat as his eyes began to water. "And mom's doing good too, I think. I'm trying to look after her like you asked, like I promised you before you passed away."

Adrian wiped away the tears that were falling as he began to sniffle more. "Thanksgiving was rough again without you, kind of like every holiday. But this year was even rougher. Mom had an extra tough time yesterday so I tried to make things right. I just hope I'm doing you proud dad, because I miss you."

After Adrian had finished talking to his dad, Sally walked up to Adrian and noticed the tears that stained his precious face. Immediately she went to comfort her son, holding him tight and showing him how much both of his parents loved him.

~~~~~~~~~~

Sally was speaking alone to her husband as Adrian gave her some peace and time alone at his tombstone.

He was standing far away that she was still within his vision but far enough that he couldn't listen in.

A still emotional Adrian decided to call the only person he really wanted to see right now, no games or anything behind the phone call.

"Brody? It's me."

Brody heard the melancholy in his voice as he answered his phone. Adrian had told him where they were going today, and so Brody was giving him some space alone with his mom. "Hey Adrian."

"Sorry to ask, but can you stay over again tonight? I just kind of need you tonight." Adrian asked.

Brody was quick to reply back as he didn't need to think about it. "Whatever you need. I'll see you tonight alright?"

"Okay. Love you." Adrian said hesitantly over the phone, not use to saying those words out loud.

Brody answered back with all of the warmth in his heart that he had for Adrian. "Love you too."

===========