Blanket Forts
Characters: Finley and Grayson
Tw: none
Just some straight up comf for a sad soft boy, enjoy!!
_<3_
The sound of sobbing startled Grayson as he entered the house. Dropping his keys and bags in the entryway he tried to locate the sound of the crying, frantically opening doors as he got closer.
“Finley?” He called out, fear obvious in his voice. Grayson was terrified of what he might find when he found the boy.
Finley had only been with them for a few weeks and progress was slow. He was frightened beyond belief most of the time, no thanks to the disaster of a rescue that happened. His emotional state was constantly teetering and neither side was positive.
The first few days weren't so bad, Finley quietly followed them around and did as he was told, but slowly he started to warm up to them a little. Mistakes were met with gentle words and a way to fix it rather than a punishment. No one was forcing him to hold a schedule or do work around the house, and when he asked what he was supposed to do he was always told that he wasn't “supposed” to do anything.
But progress isn't linear and this was only the beginning, Grayson knew it would take a years for Finley to even get to a point where he could totally trust them, if that was something he could do.
Finally Grayson found him, curled up on the floor of his bedroom in a corner. He looked pitiful and tiny, trembling as sobs wracked his whole figure. Hands were gripped tight in his hair, holding with white knuckles. His whole face seemed wet with tears and snot and his breathing was awful, voice likely hoarse from crying for a long time.
“Hey, Fin. It’s Grayson, I’m gonna come in, ok?” Finley flinched at the sound of another voice, curling in on himself impossibly closer. Grayson took soft, small steps towards Finley.
“Bud, I’m gonna get a pillow under your head, alright, something soft.” He wasn't sure if Finley’s crying got softer or if it was just in his head, but all he really knew was that Finley always gravitated towards his bed or a couch or a pile of blankets whenever he got upset or stressed.
If Grayson could get him feeling comfortable and at least a little safer than that was fine, anything to help Finley. He grabbed a small pillow from the bed, made from a fluffy but smooth material. It felt cool to the touch but very soft.
As carefully and gently as he could he lifted Finley’s head until he held it up on his own and got the pillow down, watching with a broken heart as his head thumped back down. His hands moved to cover his face now, the sobs slowly starting to calm.
“I’m going to go grab blankets, ok? I’ll be right back Finley.” Within a second a hand shot out but stopped short of reaching him, and Grayson could've sworn he’d fallen apart right then and there in that very moment. Finley’s eyes were open wide, bloodshot and swollen.
“Hey bud it's ok, I’m right here. I’m not gonna leave the room, I’m just gonna stand up and grab your blankets off the bed alright? I won’t even leave your eyesight.” Finley gave the slightest nod, as if his poor tired mind had barely even registered he was listening to something.
Grayson made it a point to stay right in front of Finley as he grabbed the blankets. He hadn't gotten to learn much about what Finley had gone through, and while he had done this twice before it never got easier. It always hurt so fucking bad to be with these people as they started to work through their trauma.
He couldn't even begin to guess what had happened to Finley. The unimaginable hell he had been put through, the torture he survived for over twenty years.
Blankets in hand he returned quickly to Finley’s side, recognizing that reaching out most likely meant that Finley didn't want to be alone right now. If he could figure out why, that would help, but they were taking this one step at a time. Even the smallest step was progress to be celebrated.
“I'm going to lay one blanket on you, Finley, over your arms and legs but I’m going to leave your hands, shoulders, and head uncovered.” Finley closed his eyes in response, taking in an extremely shaky deep breath.
He whispered something, frowning immediately and Grayson guessed it wasn't supposed to be that quiet. He gave him a second to see if he would try again, not sure if he would need to encourage him to try and talk louder or if he’d do it on his own.
“Too bright..” Second try’s the charm and an idea popped into Grayson’s head.
“Hey, ok. how about this. I’m gonna go turn the light off, and then we’re going to make you a little blanket fort in the corner here.” Finley reacted to that, and Grayson was relieved to see him starting to come around.
He was able to get up and get the light switch without much fuss from Finley and he was back in just a few seconds. Grayson tossed a few pillows into a comfortable pile in the corner before he sat down again.
“Finley, do you think you can sit up for me?” A small nod, and a feeble attempt to get up. Grayson gave Finley a hand to support him up and he could tell he was able to breath better.
A few deep breaths later and Finley lead the next movement, crawling over to the blankets since he seemed to be too shaky or weak to stand up and walk. Grayson was with him each step of the way.
“Alright, you can lay down or help me out with the blankets, no pressure for either option Fin.” Finley looked up at him, green eyes soft and tired. He reached for one of the blankets and held it out for Grayson.
A few blankets and a little furniture moving later and the bare bones of a little hiding spot had been formed, and both Finley and Grayson were tucked inside of it.
“We can add some snacks and lights and whatever else you want in here later on, yeah? Is there anything else you want right now, Fin?” Finley shook his head, obviously trying his best to relax. Grayson had just put all that work into the fort, after all, so he had to at least try to calm down.
“Stay..” The word was quiet but Grayson heard, and he listened. He laid down right next to Finley and when his eyes closed, Grayson followed suit, giving Finley the same show of trust that he’d just been given.
