Anxiety had never been one for physical contact. He had a fear of it, he could even say, one he didn't understand. He flinched away any time someone simply tried to put a hand on his shoulder, even when they accidentally brushed past him.

Which had become a problem ever since he had developed a relationship with Prince. Of course, Anxiety understood that his boyfriend wanted to be close to him, to cuddle, to hug, and to kiss him. He wanted to do those things too.

He just didn't know how to initiate it, or even respond to it. He still found himself flinching away, even at something as simple as holding hands. He could see the hurt in Prince's eyes each time, and he desperately wanted to explain, but knew he couldn't. It didn't make any sense, even to him.

One day, as the two were sitting on Prince's bed watching a Disney movie, still leaving a bit of distance between them, Prince decided to speak up about it.

"Why do you shy away from me when I try to touch you..?" Prince asked quietly. Anxiety felt his stomach drop, the little color in his face now nonexistent. He wasn't quite sure how to respond, looking at Prince with his mouth open, wanting to speak but nothing leaving his lips.

"I.." Anxiety started, looking down. He couldn't keep the eye contact between them. "It's hard to explain.."

Prince smiled assuringly, albeit sadly. "You don't have to tell me if you do not want. I just.. I want to know. I'm worried it is because you don't love me."

Anxiety's eyes widened, and he looked back up at Prince, frantically shaking his head. "No, no! That's not it at all! Roman, I.. I do love you. I just.."

He trails off, looking down again. Prince waited patiently, he certainly wanted to hear him out. He wasn't going to not listen.

"I'm afraid." Anxiety finally said, looking up at Prince and showing all the emotions in his eyes. Prince could see the conflict he was in, could tell it bothered him as much, if not more, as it did Prince. "I can't explain why. I do want to be with you, I do want to do things like hold hands, and hug and.. kiss you, but it's.. it's hard."

He sighed, and Prince took in what he had said. He still didn't fully understand, but he was trying to.

"What exactly are you afraid of..?" He asked. Anxiety took a while to respond.

"I guess, I've just never experienced it before.. it's new to me, being.. loved. Accepted. I'm scared it won't be.. like I have imagined it."

There was silence again, Prince taking a minute to process his answer, and decide on what to say. "But you would like to try..?" Anxiety looked up at him, and very slowly gave a nod.

"I just don't want it to go too fast. All of this, it's mew to me. And terrifying."

"I understand, Anxiety." Prince smiled at him, and Anxiety managed a small smile back.

"Thanks.." he whispered. The two went deep into thought again.

"Well.. for now, if you want to try.. why don't we start with really small things, like holding hands? Only after I've asked your permission to, of course." Prince offered, and Anxiety's smile widened a little.

"That does sound nice.." he nodded. "You can.. hold it now, if you want." He glanced away, blush rising to his cheeks.

Prince smiled brightly. "Are you positive you're ready?" He asked first. After receiving a small nod, he took a hold of Anxiety's hand, linking their fingers together carefully. Their hands fit together perfectly, they both thought.

They both looked at their hands laced together, then slowly up to face each other, wide smiles in the both of their faces. "I love you.." Prince mumbled. He never assumed he would be nervous about holding his boyfriend's hand, he was very confident for the most part, but he was. He was so helplessly in love with Anxiety that even just holding his hand made him fall deeper and deeper, a blush staining his own cheeks, possibly a darker red than Anxiety's.

He was just so happy to have him. They were both so happy to have each other.

****

It had been a few months since their first conversation about touch. By now, the two had kissed, and hugged, and cuddled for hours and hours, and were both incredibly happy and incredibly in love.

Despite him being very comfortable around Prince now, Prince still found himself asking the others permission to simply give him a kiss on the cheek, every single time he wanted to touch him. Anxiety found it very sweet, he was still always watching out for him and how he felt.

The two were lying together, holding each other close in their bedroom, lights off as they tried to sleep. As they were settling in and starting to relax, Prince turned to Anxiety with a smile, hugging him tighter and whispering. "Permission to kiss you goodnight, my love?"

Anxiety laughed and leaned forward. "Permission granted, dork."

Once again I need to sleep but I'm writing fanfics
Disappointed in myself

Oh well. I thought this was cute, it was fun to write. Hope that you liked it. Bye!-Bob