bursts into tears

[oversea]

Comments

[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.

[oversea]

[ okay but it would be interesting to thorns because he is at the point where anything elysium says will make him smitten. maybe after a few days he'll go back to thinking certain things are stupid, but right now it's the honeymoon period of their reunion. ]

I tell you everything...

[transmit]

I also tell you everything…

[ swings their hands cutely.



does he. ]

[oversea]

[ does he

thorns looks at their hands... this feels so forward? they haven't done this in so long. ]

How are your parents?

[transmit]

[ thorns kills the vibe so quickly with that one, a blank look washing over his face the moment his parents get mentioned. oh boy. ]

They're fine. [ … ] They think you're a phase.

[ a phase elysium has had for five years and counting but.

anyway. ]

Are you?

[oversea]

[ a phase... the way that thorns can't tell if they are homophobic or just don't want elysium to date poor people.

he squeezes his hand. ]

I don't know, am I? Are you over me before we go to Denny's?

[ they are not going to denny's ]

[transmit]

If you want Denny's more than sushi, we can go for Denny's…

[ he squeezes thorns' hand back. not the homophobia and/or classism… he frowns. ]

But at that point, I'd rather make you a Grand Slam myself. Is that answer enough for you?

[ thorns deserves everything and anything elysium can give him… ]

[oversea]

No, let's get sushi.

[ they can eat at home whenever they want for the next week, so it'll be fine to do something nice now.

... ]

They'll have to accept that it's not a phase.

[transmit]

[ will thorns take care of him if he gets disowned? he can barely take care of himself. elysium's gaze flits over to thorns briefly before he just breathes an embarrassed laugh, leading them both to the car.

does thorns know what he'd said sounded like a marriage proposal…? ]

That's what I told them. After you.

[ opens the door for him. romance. but has thorns been using it. is he going to find out the hard way what happens when a car is not turned on in months. ]

[oversea]

[ it may be naive, but thorns isn't remotely thinking of things like breaking up. yes, there were moments where he wonders if getting together might have been a bad idea, but those moments are overshadowed.

he likes to think that they're here for the long run. whatever that means.



anyway he has not been driving this thing ]