#gaint tiny

Print/trinket universe. More Xander and Grayson pre-relationship 🥺✨

A pair of footsteps started to trail past the table, then came to a sudden stop. “Hey, what are you doing out here?” It was Xander.

Grayson didn’t look up, gesturing at the screen before him.. “My job,” was his clipped response.

“Yeah, I can put two and two together,” Xander scoffed, making the table shake as he folded his arms on the edge. “But usually you’re off in a corner somewhere. Not right in the middle of things.” All around them, the stage staff was at work preparing for the concert.

“Well, tonight I’m here,” Grayson said. Without looking, he felt Xander’s shadow and stare linger. Any other day, the unexpected attention might have flustered him. Grayson wasn’t in the mood to explain that he welcomed the distraction of controlled chaos around him. He sighed. “Need something? It’s not like I’m in your way.”

“You’re not even working—you’ve been switching back and forth between the same screens.”

“I don’t see how that concerns you. Aren’t you supposed to be in warm-up or getting your pre-concert buzz on?”

Xander’s voice took on an edge. “What’s your problem?”

“None of your fucking business,” Grayson snapped.

The stage staff continued their noisy work, but silence may as well have surrounded the two of them. Xander straightened, both hands planted on the edge of the table. Grayson held his incredulous glare until intimidation took hold. Then he returned to his aimless screen navigation and held his breath until Xander stormed off.

“Great,” Grayson muttered. “Nice going.”

Fifteen minutes later, footsteps approached again. Grayson swiftly closed the message app on the tablet and did his best impression of a person hard at work.

“Hey.” Xander again.

Grayson braced himself and didn’t look up. “Okay, I’m sorry, I—”

“Here. This venue has really good fries.”

Frowning, Grayson looked up to find Xander wore sunglasses and had his hoodie up to conceal his identity. He slid a small tray of fries and a plastic cup of ice cream across the table.

“Why would you get in line at the concession stand?” Grayson said, a startled laugh bursting out. “You’ve got like ten assistants running around. You’re lucky you didn’t get mobbed.”

Xander shrugged. “I was bored.” He took a fry from the pile, dug it into the ice cream, and popped it into his mouth. “Anyway, whatever the hell your problem is, you don’t have to talk about it. Just have some comfort food and don’t be a dick.” He grabbed a smaller fry, coated half of it in ice cream, and held it out to Grayson.

“Thanks.” Grayson tried to ignore the fluttering in his chest as his hands brushed Xander’s fingertips. “But seriously, aren’t you supposed to be warming up?”

“Micah plays better when he’s annoyed. I’m doing him a favor.”