(Flower shop//college au
This was technically requested by
@OIIO_OIIO 

Who requested a platonic ship way back, and I've finally gotten around to doing request ^°^, also I sorta self projected all my insecurities and sadness onto Etho...I may or may not had a slight depressive episode yesterday, hence the rant ,so sorry for that! But also thank you! Thank you all so much

Warnings: Panic attacks, insecurities ,fluff

Hurt/comfort

Ship: Platonic Grian & Etho)

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It was an unusually calm evening for the white-haired florist, normally the flower shop the young boy ran was quite busy, as it was the only flower shop in the small town, he lived in, and the young boy, Etho, couldn't be happier, don't get him wrong, he loved working, and making bouquets and more wonderful flowery designs, the part he doesn't like, is interacting with people.

You see Etho is a more closed off and quiet person, he'd rather talk to flowers than talk to people, now he does have friends, who he loves hanging out with, but even with them he was still quiet, he would love to be as open as Beef, as talkative as Bdubs and as confidente like Doc.

But he's not like them, when he interacts with new people, he clams up, and his body freezes up, and he stutters and mumbles his words, that's the main reason he hates talking, is his stutter.

Every time he talked, he would fumble over his words, to the point of we're sometimes he would get so frustrated he would just cut himself off mid-sentence and just overly refused to speak at times.

Sighing, the white-haired boy forced himself to look happy, as he haired the Bell ring above the door, signifying a new customer has entered the store, looking up from what he was doing, Etho noticed the person who came in, the person was looking at the flowers on display, in their own world, Etho felt genuine joy when he realized who it was.

It was a boy Etho knew quite well, the boy was shorter than him and had dirty blond, messy hair, he was one of Etho's acquaintance, Grian.

Etho mainly knew the other boy from his college, and they would speak occasionally, mainly joking around and each interaction they had, was full of pure chaos.

Etho cleared his throat slightly, gaining the attention of the shorter boy, Grian looked up at Etho, a giant smile gracing his lips

"Etho! Buddy, nice to see you!" Grian exclaimed excitedly, bounding up to the slightly nervous boy

"H-Hey Grian" Etho managed to stutter out, internally cursing himself for stuttering and slipping up

"H-How may I-I Help You?" the white-haired boy continued, he fidgeted with his hands slightly, trying to calm his nerves

"Ah well you see, I actually came here to visit you!"
Grian replied happily, his crystal blue eyes signing with mischief

That statement made Etho freeze up slightly and felt his cheeks heat up, ....Grian came here, to visit him? Why? And for what, looking at Grian, Etho tilted his head in slightly, confusion shining in his heterochromatic eyes.

Grian's grin turned into a gentle smile, grabbing Ethos slightly shaky hands, what in turn made Grian even more flustered, the pale boy was still not used to this much platonic affection,

"Well of course! Why wouldn't I visit my friend, during his workdays? Plus I've got a slight question to ask of you "

Etho couldn't help but keep looking at his hands, that Grian had grabbed in his own, shaking his head slightly, he looked back at Grian, noticing his patient smile, that's when Etho realized Grian expected and answer

"O--Oh? Y-yeah sure, what is it?" the pale boy rushed out

"Well! I was wondering if you wanted to hang out together, we normally don't hang out after school and it would be nice to hang for a bit?"

Etho could feel himself shake, even more, he was internally panicking, he couldn't believe it, Grian wanted to hang out with him??, Etho could feel his breath starting to quicken, and his shaking getting worse, he could hear someone call his name, but it just came out as a static mumble, he felt a soft hand upon his shoulder, Etho tensed at first before forcing himself to relax, realizing it was likely Grian...Grian! How could he forget, in his hazy mind, he tried to get his breathing in control, slightly afraid to show how weak he really is, in front of one of his friends.

"Etho, Hey Hey.. its all right, your fine, I'm here for you"
Grian gently reassured the panicky boy

Etho just shook his head,

"N-No, I-It's N-Not, I'm sorry, I'm sorry, I'm sorry" Etho stuttered out, he continued apologizing under his breath

Grian just frowned, bringing the white-haired boy into a hug, gently guiding him to the background, and helping him sit down in a chair.

After awhile of Grian gently rocking Etho back and forwards and gently reassuring the boy, eventually, Etho managed to calm his breathing, and just rested his head upon the shorter boys chest, Grian was gently racking his fingers through the white-haired boy's hair, Etho raised his head slightly, and Grian smiled gently down at Etho eyes shining with nothing but kindness,

"hey, how are you feeling? And before you apologize, don't, it's okay,"
Grian spoke gently and calmly

Etho just nodded slightly, gratefully

"Thank you, I'm feeling a bit better" the white-haired boy mumbled out quietly

Grian nodded, gently petting Etho's soft hair

"I'm glad...do you mind telling me why you had a panic attack? I won't judge? But I need to know, so I know how to avoid triggering another, one next time" Grian questioned softly

Etho froze slightly, before taking a deep breath and nodding his head

"I--my stutter and anxiety-- I don't like it?" Etho rushed out

Grian nodded gently, now understanding why Etho has been so nervous and panicky

"That's fine and understandable Etho, as someone who suffers through anxiety, it's understandable how you feel, especially I'm assuming you've been going through this alone?"

Etho nodded solemnly, agreeing with Grian's suspicions before the realization hit him... Grian has anxiety, him of all people? The chaotic and outgoing gremlin

"Y-You have anxiety?" Etho questioned

Grian's smile brightened

"Yep! Social anxiety, like yours I assume?" Grian responded

"Yeah...but wait you don't seem like you have it, just shocking" Etho continued

Grian just giggled slightly, what in turn made Etho smile beneath his mask

"Just because I don't seem like I don't have it, doesn't mean I don't, plus I'm getting help" Grian responded happily

"If you want I can help you or we can get you help?" Grian continued gently and attentively as to not trigger the other boy

Etho nodded

"I'd like that" He responded

Grian smiled gently, helping Etho up, gently guiding him back to the main room, Etho made his way back to the counter, and Grian made his way to the front door

"Well I should get going, for now, Etho, can't keep you from work for too long! But remember ill pick ya up after you get off, so we can hang out !" Grian smiled

"Alright G, I'll see ya later....and thank you" Etho responded

Grian nodded excitedly, opening the door, the bell jiggling lightly,

"Oh and Etho, I don't care about what anyone says about your stutter, I find it cute and anyone says other wises can fight me"

and with that, the gremlin left, leaving an overly happy and flustered Etho behind.

Etho sighed gently to himself, resting his head on his hand, today may of started off as an anxious day for the young boy but he was now left with a happy feeling in his chest, and he was glad to have a friend like Grian, he couldn't wait for his work shift to now be over, for once he was excited to hang out with someone out of work, he doesn't know what he had done to do to deserve a friend like Grian but he was happy still, today couldn't get better than it already was.

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{Thank you all for reading and supporting me , every comment and vote brings me joy, any criticism is welcome! Hope y'all have an amazing holiday ,bye~}