Grayson had first met you after Tobias left in his will that you could stay at the Hawthorne House because you were a student that was sponsored by the Hawthorne Foundation that he had funded for years at this point.

You and him grew close, just a little too close at moments. Maybe the too close faces, holding of hands, and crying in arms weren't just friendly. But of course, neither of you acting on it. Until Grayson had enough.

He did what he did best. Run away. Distance himself before anyone became close, including someone he did genuinely love. There was no sense of relief than running away. And drinking.

His head perked up slowly as he heard you come in, his finger tracing the rim of the glass of alcohol in front of him. His lips quirked up into a small drunken smile as if he didn't have dried tear stains on his cheeks.

"You know, I love you. I can't resist you." His voice was raw as he sat back in his chair, laughing a broken one. "But fuck I'm not going to do this. Not again."