bursts into tears

[oversea]

Comments

[transmit]

[ …

he tugs thorns back, the motion clumsy and instinctive, like he's trying to pull him into him. being face-to-face like this is suddenly a lot more embarrassing than he'd prepared for. hm. ]

No hi back?

[oversea]

Hi.

[ it's said a little sheepishly. thorns could turn this into a tug of war, but instead he goes along with elysium's pull. perhaps he should have realized elysium was coming but for some reason he was sure that he would have told him beforehand... because thorns would have like someone who is too practical.

... ]

Welcome back.

[transmit]

[ oh.

thorns is so unbearably cute that any attempt at composure dissipates. he pulls him in the rest of the way, arms closing tight as he buries himself into thorns' neck. ]

I'm home.

[ this is, perhaps, the most physical contact they've had thus far, if they set aside when they were sick and delirious. ]

[oversea]

[ while this is not the first time thorns has seen elysium since he left, considering their attempt at a date before elysium was kidnapped, it's the first time where it genuinely feels like he's back.

it will be short lived, but it's better than nothing. ]

Did I mess up your attempt at flirting?

[ he hugs him back tightly, leaning his weight against him. ]

[transmit]

This was your wish, wasn't it? You messed up the timing, but all's well ends well…

[ truly surprised thorns would want him to go in when the odds are so high that the moment he takes a step into the apartment, whatever romance they have is truly and well dead. still, he hugs thorns for longer than necessary, just because he likes the feeling of it, until it unfortunately reaches the point where he remembers how to be embarrassed.

…

has he been holding on too long? not long enough? oh god. ]

Um. Did you end up making the chili dogs, or should we go on a date?

[ it's a little shyer than usual for him. the longer thorns looks at him, the more apparent certain factors might be: the thin sheen of sweat at his brow, the way he's slightly breathless. he'd rushed to get here… ]

[oversea]

I didn't make them yet...

[ he took the ingredients out, but he got too distracted with texting elysium to actually start anything.

thorns does not move away from him, so they can both be awkward together. ]

How many days did you get?

[transmit]

[ i forgot to mention that he's also still in the same suit from his earlier selfie. he pulls away if only because he wants to see thorns' face… and whether it is healthy…

that's his baby boy… ]

Are you that desperate to count down the days until I leave?

[ pinches his cheek. ]

[oversea]

With you gone I can practice texting.

[ thorns looks the same as he always does, whoa. but he rolls his eyes to emphasize what a dumb question that was.

he tries to swat his hand away but then his own just stops there, his fingers gently brushing against elysium's.

... before he lefts it drop to his side in embarrassment. ]

You look nice.

[transmit]

[ he feels a spark at the brief brush of contact, fingers moving on reflex to catch thorns' own. he only realises he's too late when his hand comes up empty. oh… ]

You didn't say that when we modelled together. Does that mean it's a yes? I can help you put stuff away.

[oversea]

Oh, yeah. Come in.

[ he gestures for elysium to go inside. it feels odd inviting him in, when it's his place, but he hasn't been there for so long... the place is neat, at least, with just a few things scatted around that's normal for someone who is inside a lot. the ingredients for the meal are on the kitchen counter, untouched.

the other thing is thorns is basically just in sweats so he is not remotely matching with elysium. ]

[transmit]

[ he looks comfortable, and that's what matters. elysium isn't thinking about their differences in dress at all, only about how good it feels to finally be with thorns again. even just being in the apartment is overwhelming for reasons of its own; just a few months ago, they were idly passing time together in this very space.

it's frightening how quickly things can change. he stalls in the hallway. ]

… From everything you told me, I was expecting to get back to a mess.

[oversea]

I know how to clean. I'm not a child.

[ admittedly, he did clean the whole place fairly recently, since he was aware that elysium would be here for christmas, even if he didn't know exactly when he'd arrive. elysium does not need to know that though. ]

If you have anything you can drop it off in your room.

[ elysium technically didn't need to pack clothes since he has a wardrobe here still, but who knows... ]

[transmit]

Everyone knows how to clean. [ he ribs thorns on the way in. ] It's a matter of how willing they are to do it.

[ well! that saves a day from having to deep clean. he can't help but look around anyway, idly curious if he can spot the defunct blender somewhere, on a subtle hunt for thorns' crimes.

and yes, he'd packed incredibly light. you can't get stuck waiting at baggage claim if you don't check anything in to begin with. all he has is a carry-on which he just leans against the wall. ]

I'll have some water. Actually, you should get changed while I clean up. It's chilly out.

[oversea]

Alright. Help yourself.

[ he gestures towards the fridge and wanders off to his own room.

the fridge is... it's not empty, but it is in a pathetic state compared to when elysium is in here. there is definitely not enough food in here for thorns to be having three healthy meals every day, so he's definitely doing a lot of takeout or something. ]

[transmit]

[ they're going to have to go to costco during peak holiday season. good job, thorns. this truly is just you win some you lose some. what started off as simply putting things away has evolved into elysium intensely going through the pantry and typing away madly on his phone.

thorns should be scared. ]

[oversea]

[ thorns returns, shrugging into a coat. he is still nowhere near as dressed up as elysium is, but it's better than sweatpants. he pauses when he sees what elysium is up to though. ]

What are you doing?

[ get away from the pantry ]

[transmit]

What does it look like I'm doing?

[ he closes the door very gently. ]

Tomorrow morning. We have errands to run.

[ IT'S CHRISTMAS EVE?????? ]

[oversea]

Do you want us to die?

[ that is what the hot dogs are for!!

this is such hell. thorns decides to change the subject. ]

... Where did you want to go for a date?

[transmit]

I think you're the one who wants us to die. You remembered to clean, but not to get groceries?

[ they can reward themselves after by waiting an hour in line for $1.50 hotdogs yippee

there is no changing his mind. ]

What's even open at this hour… Denny's?

[ our denny's meme ]

[oversea]

[ denny's really isn't any better than chili dogs but alright. thorns supposes this is where romance is taking them. elysium in a suit ordering a moon over my hammy.]

... We can go there.

[ there's an awkward pause, and then he holds his hand out. ]

[transmit]

[ oh my god. ]

Wait, wait, wait. Why are you agreeing so easily? I said the word 'date', didn't I?

[ that's one way to make elysium forget about the pantry. he takes thorns' hand with a measure of chagrin. ]

I'm taking you somewhere nicer…

[oversea]

[ thorns really accepted that elysium was taking him to denny's for a date. he actually looks surprised when he tries to correct the situation. whoa... somewhere nicer than denny's? ]

Oh. Where are we going?

[ buffalo wild wings....? ]

[transmit]

[ OKAY THAT IS MAYBE LIKE ONE STEP ABOVE DENNY'S

still, it would be extremely funny if those were their only options… but they live in the miracle that is a big city, so they're spared. ]

We have to go for something light or you won't be able to sleep later. Sushi?

[oversea]

Sushi is fine.

[ is this good sushi or cheap sushi... thorns does not have it in him to ask because he fears the answer. ]

You can tell me about your trip on the way.

[ that's small talk but it is nice to hear elysium's voice in person instead of over the phone. ]

[transmit]

[ HE IS HERE FOR A WEEK AND YOU WANT HIM TO BUY THORNS GAS STATION SUSHI…? give him more credit than that. they can end up at a kura since he's at least somewhat socialised as a normal person. ]

My trip that was just me booking the first flight out? I feel like whatever you've been up to's probably more interesting to hear about.