As they watched another movie, Andrew kept them comfortably close, occassionally, affectionately, nuzzling their soft hair that they pulled out of the small ponytail they had worn.

He rubbed along their thigh gently, no ulterior motives, just light contact, even though they couldn't help but think about how those fingers would feel on their skin. With that thought in their mind they couldn't help but press their face into his shoulder willing the thought away.

"Are you all right, Artie?" He asked in the silence since he was trying to pick another movie.

"I'm okay." They promised softly, "Just thinking about things."

He smiled softly. "I'm sure you and I have been thinking about the same things," he teased softly his lips pressing to the top of their head. "And I want to... but I'd rather let things start slow," he whispered, "as important as sex is in life... I would rather take my time getting there."

Hearing him say it was a comfort and they let out a relieved sigh, and looked up at him. "Thank you," they whispered, sounding genuine. They were aching because all they could think about was how they knew they weren't quite ready for that. Even with Andrew.

He cupped their cheek, removing his hand from their thigh by doing so, petting their cheek softly. "Whats the matter?" He asked gently even in the soft glow of the TV he could see that they weren't okay.

They leaned into his hand closing their eyes. "I'm happy you arent rushing me. I know I'm not ready. I'm just about ready but..." they hid against his hand, holding it to their face not wanting him to see the tears in their eyes.

"Its okay," Andy whispered, "You don't have to talk about it if you're not ready." His other arm merely pulled them closer as he rocked them slightly, kissing their head softly.

"People don't just flit off to foriegn countries just for fun when they need a change..." he whispered, "but I'm not going to push." He breathed and kiss their head softly once more, instead of another movie he put on music, letting them relax and silently cry.

-_-_-_-

The next morning, they both woke up slowly despite Elwood's whines to go out. Fully clothed and tangled with each other, they both groaned and slowly sat up groaning. "I'm coming, I'm coming, El..." Andy grunted and Artie flailed sightly as they tried to untangle themself from him.

Finally he got up and let the dog out, going to the kitchen to make coffee.

Artie groaned checking their phone and messaged the group.

Artie: So he saw me cry last night because i had an emotional reaction to being told he wantrd to wait to go further.

Beamomentssilence: oh no are you okay? What happened?

Artie: just suddenly realized i wasnt ready to go further than cuddling.

Rema: im sure hes not going to hold it against you. And he told you what hes expecting.

Sunshine: agreed. And obviously he didnt kick you out.

Artie smiled at their phone softly before tucking it away as Andy stepped into the room holding two cups of coffee. "I just assumed you liked really sweet and milky coffee," he said as they took the mug. "Judging by your order at the cafe," he said warmly sitting down with them again as they yawned before sipping the coffee and hummed softly.

"I do." They sighed softly and rubbed their eyes, waking up slowly.

They drank their coffee in silence, the two of them just enjoying the momentary silence.

The air grew a bit heavier, but Andrew looked them over, taking in their slightly red eyes from the night before, and their messy hair from sleep that they had yet to fix.

Their grey blue eyes looked back at him as they yawned. "Something on my face?"

He smirked, "Just trying to pick where I would like to kiss first."

They laughed, and set their empty cup aside to crawl closer, leaning on his shoulder. "You're a terrible liar."

"I was trying to flirt!" He said defensively before breaking into laughter. He looked at them fondly, "You know... when you're ready to talk... I'll be here to listen." He whispered kissing their head softly.

"I know... I just don't know if I'm ready yet." Artie whispered.

"I understand. No rush." He whispered, wrapping his long arm around their shoulders.