Part 4

After a long, hot, 30 minute shower, Chester got out and got into a new pair of pajamas.

Chester exited the bathroom as quietly as possible and turned to see Parker sitting up on his phone.

"Oh, did i wake you? Sorry," Chester whispered, trying not to wake Abby either.

"It's fine, i woke up to you yelling my name, are- are you okay?" Parker asked, putting his phone down.

"Just, just a nightmare, it's whatever," Chester admitted. Walking over to the bed.

"What was it about? Was i in it? You yelled pretty loudly im surprised Abby didn't wake up too," Parker chuckled a bit. Chester shuttered at the thought of the nightmare, he didn't want to relive that again.

Parker noticed and sighed.

"Would.. would you feel better if we cuddled? Like before?" Parker sheepishly asked, a small grin spreading across his face.

"Oh! Umm. I guess, yeah, it would help maybe," Chester replied, surprised and flustered at the offer. Parker could see this in the dim light and laughed a bit.

Chester awkwardly climbed into bed and under the covers as Parker lied down. Chester lied down next to him and looked over to Parker, unsure what at do.

Chester's awkward nature again made Parker laugh. Parker turned onto his side and wrapped his arms around Chester, pulling him close.

Chester shifted and turned on his side to now face Parker and looked up at him.

Chester's eyes met Parker's and the two looked at each other for a second before Chester looked back down at Parker's chest, his face red as a tomato.

Parker laughed at Chester's reaction, it was funny to him to see Chester so flustered.

"T-thanks" Chester muttered quietly.

"What do you mean?" Parker questioned, loosening his grip on Chester and looking down at him.

"For.. for everything," Chester whispered, placing his hands lightly on Parker's chest and looking up at him. He forced himself not to look away.

"Of course, and hey, im always here," Parker assured, pulling Chester closer and resting his chin on his head.

Chester smiled and nestled his face into Parker's chest and sighed with relief. He felt safe in Parker's arms, even if he'd never feel the same.

That morning, at about 7 in the morning, Abby got up to see the boys cuddling in bed.

"Aww, I'll let them sleep," she whispered to herself as she passed their bed to take a shower.

Abby got in the shower. However the sound of the water woke up Chester.

"Huh?" He hummed, rubbing his eyes sleepily. He tried to move, only to realize he was again tightly wrapped in Parker's arms.

Parker let out a heavy sigh, still asleep, and shifted slightly, pulling Chester closer.

Chester's heart raced faster than lightning McQueen. He looked up at Parker, he looked so peaceful sleeping. Then, his eyes drifted to Parker's lips.

"If only," Chester quietly sighed to himself, not finishing the thought out loud.

Parker woke up to Chester's words and looked down at him in time to hear him say 'if only' though.

"If only what?" He questioned in a gruff morning voice.

"O-Oh! You- you heard that!" Chester yelped, his face flushing red as he realized he had been caught.

"If only what?" Parker asked again, confused as he looked down at his best friend who was now avoiding eye contact.

"N-nothing! Don't worry about it!" Chester blurted out, trying to shuffle out of Parker's grip. But he didn't let go.

"You promised, dude what's wrong?" Parker stated, uncertainty flooding his voice.

'Chester holds good on his promises, he'll tell me, right?" Parker thought.

"Well, umm, you see- i just- it doesn't matter!" Chester grumbled, unable to wiggle out of Parker's arms and not wanting to answer the question.

Parker finally let go and Chester sat up, not moving away though, and turned so his back was facing Parker.

"Chester. Did.. did i do something wrong?" Parker asked, sitting up as well. Chester felt awful.

"No! Of course not! I just, am awkward on the subject," Chester stated, turning around to face Parker.

"Are- are you sure? Because if i did something then i want to know so i can fix it an-" Parker began rambling, worry knotting his brow. But he was cut off when Chester leapt forward and hugged Parker tightly to shut him up. Parker wrapped his arms around Chester and buried his face in the crook of Chester's neck.

This sent chills down Chester's back.

The two sat like this for a while.

"Parker," Chester sighed, letting go and sitting in front of him. Parker let go too, but not fully, and simply let his hands relax and rest on Chester's waist.

Chester blushed and opened his mouth to speak but the moment was interrupted when the bathroom door opened and out walked Abby, now dressed for the day.

"O-Oh! Abby! Hey!" Chester stammered, his face turning beet read.

"Hey boys," she chuckled back, looking down at Parker's hands on Chester's waist and giving a small thumbs up.

Parker noticed and pulled his hands away quickly and looking at the wall.

"Ha! Okay love birds, I'll be waiting by the car, turn in the key and meet me there," Abby teased, walking out of the room.

"So, you, wanted to say something?" Parker awkwardly asked, looking back at Chester.

"We should get changed and go, don't want to keep Abby waiting!" Chester announced, louder than needed, and climbed out of bed and ran to the bathroom. All his confidence was gone.

Parker sighed and stood up. Was Chester hiding things from him? What didn't he feel comfortable talking about with him?

'Wait. Why do i care so much? I mean yeah he is my best friend and i care about him, but up until these last like, 6 months, I haven't cared this much!' He thought to himself, getting up. Oh well, best get dressed.

Parker got out of his pajamas and pulled on some jeans and his shoes and started looking for where his shirt and hoodie had gone.

Chester came out, ready for the day, to see Parker looking around the room while shirtless.

"Hey, have you seen my hoodie?" Parker questioned, looking over at Chester, who seemed to be spacing out.

"Yo, Chester!" Parker called, walking up to him. As he walked closer, he noticed Chester wasn't just spacing out, but he was spacing out looking at his abs. He decided to tease him.

"Enjoying the show?" He asked with a laugh.

"Yeah." Chester instinctively answered. Parker wasn't expecting that.

"Wha-" Parker started, only to be cut off by Chester apologizing profusely and saying he didn't mean it and didn't know why he had said it.

"It's okay dude, don't sweat it," Parker chuckled, his cheeks now red. Chester covered his face and exited the room, absolutely flustered, leaving Parker alone.

'Why am I getting butterflies? Gah, what is wrong with me! I can't fall for my best friend! I don't want to scare him away!' Parker thought as he grabbed the rest of their things and the room key.

He decided not to worry about it and left the room, locking the door behind him.

He turned in the key and walked to the car to see Chester and Abby talking about something, but couldn't make out what.

Abby waved at Parker and Chester stopped talking.

"I want to go back to my place to see if that thing is still there, it it's not, i want to look for my family, it never let me in the basement so maybe that is where it is hiding them," Abby explained as they all got in the car.

And so, the trio started the car ride back to Abby's family home.

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That's it for part 4! More coming soon! Hope you enjoyed

(Word count - 1318)