[ it wasn't decorated because thorns was not remotely thinking about any of that on his own, if elysium leaves while the decorations are still up, it will take thorns a while to get them all down.
but he does want to give this a try. and spending a holiday together is a big step, even if it's something they might have done if they weren't together. maybe. ]
truly the timeline of them being innocent virgins forever. but it's funny, since even things that thorns would normally want nothing to do with sounds fun if elysium is involved. is that what it means to like someone? their presence is enough to lift your mood? ]
[ who needs k*ssing or whatever else to define how much they like each other? they can just hold hands and go on cute dates for the rest of their lives, it's fine. it feels strange to ask for anything more when elysium is already happy, beyond happy, doing what they are. ]
Mhm. [ they tuck in to the building on their right, and elysium pulls open the door with his free hand. ] After you! We're here.
[ whoa... a gentleman... but in they go. thorns walks inside, tugging elysium in after him. it's the level of lateness that the group of patrons inside are varied and would be fun to people watch if thorns was into that. which he isn't. ]
[ there's a group of teens trying to see who can stack the most plates… elysium remembers those days fondly and would be nostalgic about it if he weren't so thoroughly thorns brain. ]
This specific location? A couple of times. It would've been nice to walk through the mall if it were earlier…
Not really. There's nothing wrong with being a homebody.
[ he sends his order in and settles back… they're getting their own looks from how overdressed elysium in comparison to thorns, but he couldn't care less about what's going on with other people. ]
I'm just trying to catch up on lost time and learn more about what you like.
[ people will think this is a pretty woman situation...
thorns isn't even sure what he can say that has been interesting. when school was still in session, his life was going to class, to his internships, to the lab–and now quiet. granted, the only reason he is not still going to the lab is because the campus has shut down entirely for the holiday break, so he can't get in... he has tried... ]
[ thorns can stop being lawless for the holidays okay ]
That's fine. It just means we can pick up where we left off before I got busy.
[ and if thorns is confused by what he means by that, he won't be for long. all those conversations they once had as pillow talk—about his experiments and papers, surface again, elysium deliberately circling back to them just to hear thorns speak of what he's passionate about.
he is heart eyes. this is the look of someone deeply in love, wanting to be part of thorns' world in any way he's allowed. ]
but thorns will answer any question, perhaps in way too much technical detail about certain things involving his work, but at least it is definitely the easiest conversation topic for someone who is generally antisocial except for when he is forced to touch grass.
when he is in the middle of explaining how something blew up– ]
at this point, at least a few plates of sushi have already arrived. he takes a piece and casually tries to feed thorns with it by holding it up to his mouth. that is distraction attempt #1.
distraction attempt #2: ]
Can you finish what you started first? You were saying something about a chemical reaction?
[ and he will explain the process, pausing every now and then to eat some sushi. if anyone is eavesdropping, this conversation is so boring. but it's fine. ]
[ it might be boring to everyone else, but to elysium it is the most fascinating thing in the world because it is thorns who is explaining these concepts…
sorry. this just goes on for as long as until thorns can reach a natural conclusion with elysium constantly prompting him to keep going. ]
[ okay but the difference here really is comparing one person who is pursuing his passions and the other who is not. he tries not to let his expression stiffen, but there isn't much to say about something he'd rather leave at work (everything relating to work).
he doesn't think it's worth talking about still, but— ]
My family owns a bank, yeah? [ he straightens out his posture. ] At an upper level, the role is largely what you'd expect: managing escalations, liaising with shareholders, and overseeing our branches while addressing issues as they arise. Final approval tends to land with me when others don't want the responsibility. [ … ] It's pretty political, especially when it comes to lending decisions.
[ their mothers may be friends but that can only go so far when generations worth of wealth is on the line. and once again, thorns isn't sure what he has done to deserve something like that. logically, he knows that's not how relationships work, but it still seems like a lot to ask for. ]
![[personal profile]](https://www.dreamwidth.org/img/silk/identity/user.png){kind=small}
![[community profile]](https://www.dreamwidth.org/img/silk/identity/community.png){kind=small}
no subject
but he does want to give this a try. and spending a holiday together is a big step, even if it's something they might have done if they weren't together. maybe. ]
I forgot to.
no subject
[ just calls him out. with this, he dares to step a little closer, until all that's left between then is the smallest sliver of space. ]
But that's why it means a lot. I'll make sure you have fun.
no subject
truly the timeline of them being innocent virgins forever. but it's funny, since even things that thorns would normally want nothing to do with sounds fun if elysium is involved. is that what it means to like someone? their presence is enough to lift your mood? ]
I will. Don't worry.
no subject
Mhm. [ they tuck in to the building on their right, and elysium pulls open the door with his free hand. ] After you! We're here.
no subject
Have you been here before?
no subject
This specific location? A couple of times. It would've been nice to walk through the mall if it were earlier…
[ their conveyor belt sushi… ]
Have you? Or the one closer to our place?
no subject
[ it is very much the mentality of 'why would i go over there when there's one closer to me' even if this area is nicer...
but hmmm. ]
You go with your friends?
no subject
[ but he just goes out of his way to explore in general, gesturing for thorns to start ordering. ]
What other places do you normally go to?
[ he doesn't know what thorns doesn't like other than his smoothies, apparently. ]
no subject
he knows not to say this because elysium is already aware of this fact. ]
I don't know. The park?
no subject
… And when was the last time you went there?
no subject
[ there's a too long pause.
before he shrugs. ]
I don't know. Does it matter?
no subject
[ he sends his order in and settles back… they're getting their own looks from how overdressed elysium in comparison to thorns, but he couldn't care less about what's going on with other people. ]
I'm just trying to catch up on lost time and learn more about what you like.
no subject
thorns isn't even sure what he can say that has been interesting. when school was still in session, his life was going to class, to his internships, to the lab–and now quiet. granted, the only reason he is not still going to the lab is because the campus has shut down entirely for the holiday break, so he can't get in... he has tried... ]
Oh. I'm not great at answering vague questions.
no subject
That's fine. It just means we can pick up where we left off before I got busy.
[ and if thorns is confused by what he means by that, he won't be for long. all those conversations they once had as pillow talk—about his experiments and papers, surface again, elysium deliberately circling back to them just to hear thorns speak of what he's passionate about.
he is heart eyes. this is the look of someone deeply in love, wanting to be part of thorns' world in any way he's allowed. ]
no subject
but thorns will answer any question, perhaps in way too much technical detail about certain things involving his work, but at least it is definitely the easiest conversation topic for someone who is generally antisocial except for when he is forced to touch grass.
when he is in the middle of explaining how something blew up– ]
Wait. You haven't said how work is for you.
no subject
at this point, at least a few plates of sushi have already arrived. he takes a piece and casually tries to feed thorns with it by holding it up to his mouth. that is distraction attempt #1.
distraction attempt #2: ]
Can you finish what you started first? You were saying something about a chemical reaction?
no subject
he eats the sushi... chews... ]
Uh. Yeah. It made the fire alarm go off.
no subject
[ it may seem like he is trying to stall indefinitely but he genuinely wants to know these things, okay… ]
no subject
[ and he will explain the process, pausing every now and then to eat some sushi. if anyone is eavesdropping, this conversation is so boring. but it's fine. ]
no subject
sorry. this just goes on for as long as until thorns can reach a natural conclusion with elysium constantly prompting him to keep going. ]
no subject
it lasts for a while then... but eventually thorns has given every lab update he can give, considering he hasn't been in a while. ]
And you?
no subject
he laments the end of it. ]
What about me? What do you want to know? I've just been working.
no subject
[ thorns waits for his asmr... ]
no subject
he doesn't think it's worth talking about still, but— ]
My family owns a bank, yeah? [ he straightens out his posture. ] At an upper level, the role is largely what you'd expect: managing escalations, liaising with shareholders, and overseeing our branches while addressing issues as they arise. Final approval tends to land with me when others don't want the responsibility. [ … ] It's pretty political, especially when it comes to lending decisions.
[ takes a sippy from his soda casually. ]
You should let me fund your lab.
no subject
[ their mothers may be friends but that can only go so far when generations worth of wealth is on the line. and once again, thorns isn't sure what he has done to deserve something like that. logically, he knows that's not how relationships work, but it still seems like a lot to ask for. ]
What would you even get out of that?
(no subject)
(no subject)
(no subject)
(no subject)
(no subject)
(no subject)
(no subject)
(no subject)
(no subject)
(no subject)
(no subject)
(no subject)
(no subject)
(no subject)