Nah, he'd rather be comfortable

"... but!" protested Cedric.

"I'm not coming back here with clothes for you or something, you know. I'd be getting a nice, warm shower before heading to bed," Keith said matter-of-factly. George quickly nodded, not bothering to cover up a yawn.

"... I guess that does sound better than lying out here waiting for the sun to rise," Cedric reluctantly agreed.

Ethan sighed. "Let's just go along with it. It's not like we have a better option right now... and honestly, I don't think anyone would even want to steal your car in the first place."

"I mean, my dad would straight up nag and complain for hours if I got even the slightest scratch on it. A grounding would be the least of my worries if I lost the car... but yeah, you're probably right."

And with that, the duo piled into the back seat of Adrian's Honda Civic, still resolutely protecting their modesty and avoiding all eye contact, and went back to Adrian's for the night.

About a quarter of an hour later, Adrian pulled into his driveway. Streetlights dotted the stretch of quiet suburbia, with nary a vehicle on the road. Unlike the others, Adrian didn't stay on-campus; his family lived close enough to college that he could easily make the daily commute to classes, but were in an area secluded enough to avoid the early hustle and bustle of the roads feeding the inner city streets. This certainly worked out in Cedric and Ethan's favour, being preferable to having to endure teasing and ridicule from those in their dorm who were awake - and given that it was a Sunday, there were bound to be a handful of them.

"Right," said Adrian. "My family should be asleep, so I don't think you guys have to be worried about anything. Try not to make too much noise, though - my mother's a pretty light sleeper."

"Can we at least wait in the car until you get the front door open?" Cedric asked.

"No one's awake at this hour, now hurry up." Adrian opened the back door and shooed the two boys to the porch, where they nervously waited for Adrian to allow them sanctuary from any prying eyes.

"You're sure that none of your neighbours are awake, right?" Ethan's eyes darted to the windows that oversaw the street. There really was no place to hide.

"Even if you're seen, it's not like they'll know who you are... and I'll be the one copping it for bringing naked guys home, anyway. I should be the one worrying about my dating life being ruined." Adrian opened the front door with a soft click. "Up this way." Cedric and Ethan quietly followed behind Adrian as he ascended the stairs and headed down the hallway on the second floor.

That was when one of the bedroom doors in front of them opened and Adrian's older sister stuck her head out into the hallway, rubbing the crust out of her eyes.

"Adrian? What - AAH!" came the shocked squeal.

"Fuck!" Ethan yelped and quickly darted behind Adrian. Cedric hurriedly did the same, and peeked out from behind him.

"Shush, Alanna!" Adrian quickly shushed his sister. "You'll wake mum up!"

"Why did you bring two naked guys into our house in the middle of the night?! And why do you look like some sort of wet dog that's just run through a sprinkler?" Alanna hissed.

"Long story," Adrian replied, as Cedric felt his face blush. Earlier had already been bad enough, and now his friend's sister had seen him naked. The day was only five hours old, and yet it was already one of the worst days of his life. "Mind if I get these guys into my room first? I'll explain later."

She raised her eyebrows. "Go on, then, but I want details. I can already tell this is going to be interesting."

Of course, as Cedric and Ethan had already found out - when it rains, it pours.

"Adrian, you're back la- oh wow," came a voice from behind them.

"EEP!" Cedric jumped, his head spinning around so quickly he nearly gave himself whiplash. Standing in the doorframe on the other side of the stairs and holding a palm to her mouth was a tall, slender, middle-aged lady with a kind-looking face. She had a pair of reading glasses on, and her hair fell naturally about her face in waves. Cedric felt his face quickly bypassing pink and turning maroon in his embarrassment; he sank to the floor, trying to make himself as small as he possibly could, and buried his face in his hands. Ethan leant back against the wall and hunched over with his hands over his groin, trying to get his breathing back under control after that jump scare.

"What on earth-," Adrian's mother muttered, pinching the bridge of her nose. "I'm getting too old for this."

Cedric had never before wanted to be invisible so badly.

We'll talk when you boys are done dealing with whatever you college kids do these days," she gestured. "Go on, shoo. Adrian's room is at the end of the hall, if he hasn't told you that yet."

Cedric and Ethan squirmed past Adrian, still trying to preserve the last vestiges of their modesty.

"Oh, you don't need to hide, dears. I raised Adrian myself; I've seen everything there is to see already."

The sound of Adrian facepalming was unmistakable.

Once in Adrian's room, Adrian drew the blinds, closed the door and turned on the lights, the sudden brightness sending a lance of momentary pain through the boys' dark-adjusted eyes.

"Fuck me," Ethan released a sigh as he slumped to the ground. "That was fucking TERRIBLE."

"Somebody kill me now," Cedric said through his fingers, face buried in his palms again.

"Come on, it's not so bad," Adrian said bracingly as he rummaged through his cabinet.

"Speak for yourself," Cedric rebutted. "How would you feel if my mum and my sister saw you naked?"

"Alright," Adrian conceded, a smile making its way onto his face. "It is pretty embarrassing. But it's all better now, yeah? I don't think they saw anything, anyway. Here," he threw two sets of old clothes at them. "I don't think you guys will want anything to do with my boxers, but you can put these on." Cedric and Ethan hurriedly got dressed.

"I'm gonna go take a long, warm shower. Make yourselves comfortable... just don't get on the bed; I changed the sheets yesterday," Adrian said. And with that, he left the room, towel in hand, and leaving the other two boys to contemplate their embarrassment.

When Cedric finally decided to look up, he saw a rather spacious room with two of its walls painted in navy blue and forest green. A queen-sized bed occupied one side of the room, with a drum kit, a keyboard and a guitar on the other. Adrian's closet, complete with mirror, and a shelf filled with various knickknacks, made up the final wall. It was certainly much neater and well-kept than the room he and Ethan shared, though not due to a lack of effort on his part.

Cedric glanced in the mirror. The clothes hung off him like they would a scarecrow - not that he was thin or short or anything, but Adrian, who was pretty tall, had nearly a whole foot on him. For Ethan (who was nearly six feet) the clothes weren't so bad, but for Cedric, the tee came down to mid-thigh and the shorts were knee-length.

"You look ridiculous," said Ethan.

"I mean, Adrian's basically a giraffe."

"And you're tiny."

"Five and a half feet isn't tiny."

"Okay. Minuscule, then."

Cedric aimed a quick, friendly jab at Ethan's stomach, which landed before Ethan saw it coming. "Height isn't everything."

"Minuscule and fast. Is that why you haven't gotten a girlfriend yet?" Ethan coughed.

"Weren't you dumped twice in three months? That's like getting a refund because the product sucks."

"Oi. Watch it, Tiny."

"Or what?"

...

Five minutes later, topless and still toweling his hair, Adrian returned. He was presented with a scene of Cedric with his cheek pressed into the ground, one arm pinned behind his back, and Ethan straddling him.

"Let me go, you big oaf!"

"Take back what you said."

"Get off me!"

*Smack*. Ethan reached behind and spanked Cedric on the ass.

"Take it back."

"You started it!"

*Smack*.

"Okay, okay, fine! I take it back!"

Adrian sighed and massaged his nose in a fashion reminiscent of his mother. The two boys, not realizing they had an audience, quickly sprang to their feet and dusted themselves off.

"If that's what passes as comfortable for you two clowns, I'm not sure I'd want to know what kind of kinky nonsense you get up to in the privacy of your own room."

Cedric scowled. "Three-three."

"You two are nuts." Adrian handed Cedric and Ethan a towel each. "And I didn't realize, but you got coated in gravel and sand earlier when you were canoodling in the carp-"

"Fuck off," Cedric and Ethan said in unison.

"-ark and now it's gotten all over my floor AND the car. Go take a shower. I'll lay out some fresh clothes for you after. Then sleep. We'll head back to the graveyard at nine."

"Yes, daddy," Ethan teased.

"... I swear, if 'daddy' is one of those things you two play around with as part of your unresolved sexual tension..."

"... fuck off."

A few hours later, after thanking Adrian's mother for her hospitality and the breakfast she'd prepared for her unexpected guests, they prepared to set off. Adrian's mother saw them off at the door with a smile and a wave. Of course, she didn't let Adrian go without her usual hug and kiss on the cheek. "Bye, Adrian. Mummy loves you!"

"Mum, don't," Adrian blushed, but he had a smile on his face nevertheless. Cedric and Ethan smirked.

"As for you two boys," she smiled innocently. "I don't know what happened last night and I'm not sure I want to know, but I sure do hope your day turns out... peachy." She winked at them before closing the door.

"C'mon, let's go," Cedric muttered, the smirk wiped off his face.

Adrian grinned. Love you too, mum.

Some time later, back at the graveyard entrance

"Hey, your car's still here. Told you there was nothing to worry about," Adrian said as he pulled up next to Cedric's car.

"Yeah, I guess. I don't like how that big guy by the church steps is eyeing it, though. Or eyeing us."

"What? Oh, yeah, that guy does look a little sus."

"He's coming over here..."

"Just act natural. As far as he knows, we haven't done anything wrong." The trio got out of the car and headed over to Cedric's. Cedric eyed his car with a critical gaze, but thankfully, found nothing amiss.

"Morning, boys." The broad-shouldered, silver-haired, close-trimmed gentleman who looked to be in his late fifties greeted them. He was about Ethan's height but about twice as large, with a waist that gently protruded past his belt. He was dressed in a plaid red, blue and white shirt and dark jeans, and had a deep, commanding voice.

"Morning sir," they chorused.

"Here to see someone?" he asked, a guarded expression on his face.

"Oh, er, yeah," Ethan lied.

An awkward silence ensued.

"Who?" The man crossed his arms, gazing sternly at them.

Another awkward silence.

"Uh..." Cedric began. "It was my great-grandfather. He died a couple years back and was buried here."

"If you're visiting your great-grandfather, why are you dressed so... irreverently?" The gentleman accused. "Not very respectful, is it?"

"No, no, it's not like that at all!" Cedric fibbed. "Actually... he..." he paused, thinking of how to excuse his attire.

"Yes?" The man said, drumming his fingers against his bicep. His patience seemed to be wearing thin. Adrian and Ethan stood back, unsure of how to continue the lie that Cedric had told.

"He... he passed today five years ago, actually," Cedric said in a soft voice. "I was his favourite."

The man stopped his tapping, leaning forwards to hear Cedric better. "Go on," he said, almost gently.

"I... I miss him," Cedric said, and a tear ran down his face. "I miss him so much."

The man listened intently as Cedric began to weave his tale. "I... I actually asked my best friends," he gestured at Adrian and Ethan, "whether they could be here with me. At midnight. Wanted to be here for him on the day he... you know... left. Wanted to let him know that I still love him." The tears were coming a little faster, now. "Brought a little rum, you know? His favourite. Got a little drunk. May have shared a little bit of it with him," Cedric laughed self-deprecatingly. "Storm came at around three, was really something fierce. Chased us off real quickly. My friend here drove us back to his place for the night because he was the only sober one." He let out a little sob. Adrian and Ethan looked up at the older gentleman, and were shocked to see that his eyes also looked suspiciously shiny.

"There, there," the older gentleman consoled. "It's okay, young man. I'm sure he knows you're here for him."

"I just... well..." another sob. "I'm sorry if... I wasn't meant to be here..."

"You know," the man started. "I've been the caretaker for this little church and its graveyard for the last... oh, probably 20 years. Watched my fair share of burials. Some of my own uncles and aunts are here." Adrian and Ethan were amazed at the change in his demeanour, which had done a near 180 degree turn. "One of their kids shared a wonderful piece of wisdom with me - 'The ones that love us never really leave us. You can always find them in your heart.' And from what I see, I think your great-grandfather, God bless his soul, still lives on in you."

"That's... wow." Cedric swiped at his tears. "That's beautiful."

"Go ahead, young man," said the caretaker. "Spend all the time you need with him. Bring your friends along, too," he smiled. "I'll even overlook the fact that you look way too young to be drinking." He reached out and patted Adrian on the shoulder. "Good job not letting him drive home by himself."

"Sir?" Cedric asked tentatively. When the caretaker met his gaze, he gave a small smile. "Thank you."

"You're welcome. I'd better not find any bottles of rum in there, okay?"

"Yes, sir!" Adrian snapped to attention and gave him a sloppy salute. The caretaker chuckled softly, before turning around and returning to the church.

"Holy fuck," Adrian said reverently, staring at Cedric with amazement as they proceeded down the road they'd escaped on earlier that day. "I never knew you could bullshit so well. And the acting!"

"Well, it wasn't a total lie," Cedric said, with a sad smile. "Everything I said about my great-granddad was true, apart from him being buried here. And the date he died, I suppose."

"Still," Ethan said. "That was fantastic. You even got him nearly crying, and he's probably seen thousands of people grieving already."

"Yeah, well," Cedric said. "Gotta make it count now, yeah? Better hope we don't run into him while searching."

"I wonder why he started off looking like someone stepped on his uncle's grave," Ethan mused.

"I mean, in all fairness, we might have," Adrian pointed out.

"Look, there's our stuff!" Cedric spotted his boxers wrapped in the midst of one of the lianas, which in turn was hugging a large tree trunk. He reached out for it and tugged - but just as before, they just refused to come free. "Shit. I was afraid of that."

"Don't worry, I came prepared," Adrian reassured, pulling out a pair of scissors. "We'll just cut them loose. Can't leave them lying around anyway; someone will know we've been here."

"What? Why? Why not cut the branch instead?"

"Hello? Earth to Cedric. What do you think these are," Adrian brandished the scissors, "some kind of machete?"

"Fine. But I want to try untangling them first."

"Come on, let's just cut them loose and be done with it. We've spent too much time here, and that caretaker could wander by at any moment."