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 Posted: Fri Jun 03, 2022 10:39 am
Elliot didn’t want him to go, and maybe that was evident when he was quiet for a moment and pursed his lips instead of saying anything immediately. Finally, he smiled, and looked at Chad.
“Well, okay. If you have to go. But know that I’m going to keep thinking about you, okay? But I’m really excited to see you at school tomorrow. I’m going to have a big breakfast for us, and lunch. And I’ll get there early so we can hang out some and talk. And hopefully you can come over for a while after school, too. We missed you. So even if you aren’t around just know that we care about you here and we’re always worrying about you. And you’ll be welcome at any point in time.”
One more little squeeze. “Try and sleep well tonight, okay?”
He didn’t make the first move to untangle themselves, he didn’t want Chad to think he was rushing anything. He didn’t want him to go, and he didn’t want him to think he’d ever be unwelcome.
“I can go get my dad when you’re ready. Do you want company on the way home?”
If he lived in the neighborhood it wouldn’t be too far away. They could spend a few more minutes together. Maybe it was silly, maybe it was desperate. Elliot didn’t really understand it, but he wanted to spend all the time he could with Chad.
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Posted: Fri Jun 03, 2022 11:27 am
“If you come with me, I’ll never want to get out of the car,” Chad smiled, pleased with himself for not bursting into tears yet, although he likely would once he was in the car and on his way home. Besides, it was probably dangerous for his father to find out about Elliot.
Chad sniffled quietly, and nodded. “Okay… I’m ready.” He wasn’t. He would never be ready, but it would be better. He didn’t want his dad showing up at the school looking for him the next day. He might never be able to hang out with Elliot again.
“Try to sleep well too, okay? Don’t worry about me too much. I’ll be okay,” he promised with another smile, and then because he couldn’t help it he reached up to gently fuss over how Elliot’s fluffy hair went in every direction. Oh, and it was so soft.
“I’ll miss you, but I’ll see you in the morning.”
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Posted: Fri Jun 03, 2022 11:36 am
Elliot didn’t want to say goodbye, and he looked like he was pouting. And yet, despite his disappointment that Chad had to leave, he still managed a smile when Chad fluffed his hair.
He didn’t even bother reaching up to try and smoothe it down; it was just going to be as bad when he went back to bed. “All right,” he agreed. “I’ll miss you but I’ll see you in the morning.” He could work with that. It was going to be okay. He did not promise not to worry about Chad, though. That was asking for too much.
Asher wasn’t really eavesdropping; he’d been in the bathroom trying to dry Chad’s shirt for him–and he’d succeeded greatly. There was an incredibly slight dampness to the shirt where Devyn had cleaned it but he didn’t think it would be really noticeable unless the temperature suddenly dropped.
When he poked his head out he could see the two of them saying their goodbyes, and there was a part of him that already felt disappointed that Chad felt like he needed to leave so soon. But, they wanted him to be comfortable here. He wasn’t going to invite him over and then refuse to take him home, so when Elliot broke away from the hug he’d decided to give Chad, he just smiled from the hallway. “Do you want to use the bathroom to change? I can make you a snack for the ride home if you want.”
Maybe he was still full for dinner but he just looked so skinny. And, Oliver had plenty of cupcakes to share, anyway.
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Posted: Fri Jun 03, 2022 11:45 am
Chad would have been happy to hug Elliot for hours, but knew it was his time to go. He looked up at Asher with a smile and nodded politely. “Please. Thank you, that’s very kind.” Even if he couldn’t bring a snack with him, he could at least eat in the car. It would be a good distraction from missing Elliot.
He took the now dried and mended shirt, holding it up and admiring how it looked as good as new. Devyn really was talented in repairing clothing. He would definitely have to thank him again later.
Changing in the bathroom was fast, especially with how loose Devyn’s shirt was. Whatever cream Devyn put on his arm made his injury much more tolerable than he would have expected, and got back into his own shirt without too much difficulty.
One more reach for Elliot’s hand once he was out of the bathroom. He squeezed it and smiled at him. “See you tomorrow.”
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Posted: Fri Jun 03, 2022 11:52 am
Asher was glad to take Devyn’s shirt; he could just give it to Michael tomorrow instead of going out of his way to take it back to Devyn. Although, maybe he should make an excuse to drop in and visit. Sometime. Not right now, right now Chad was his priority.
“See you tomorrow,” Elliot promised; a squeeze of the hand wasn’t enough and before Chad could leave, he wrapped his arms around his shoulders so he could give him a hug–a good hug. One for the road. One to last him until tomorrow morning.
It was enough time for Asher to get a cupcake and a bottle of water for Chad. He waited by the door, sad to have to see Chad go but glad to know where he lived–at the very least so he knew where to go to check on him if he didn’t seem him for a while.
“I hope you get to rest,” Elliot said softly, and then insisted, “Have good dreams, okay?”
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Posted: Fri Jun 03, 2022 12:03 pm
Oh… Elliot’s hugs were really something else. Chad’s heart fluttered wildly, and he felt frozen for a moment, before he wrapped his arms around Elliot in return and held him tight.
He wanted to cry. He was pretty sure if he didn’t leave in the next few seconds that everything would start spilling out. Chad tried holding his breath instead, and lowered his chin against Elliot’s shoulder for a few moments.
“I will,” he promised, or at least he would try to have good dreams. Dreams of seeing Elliot again in the morning, of being able to give him another hug. “Rest well, too.”
And with that, Chad forced himself to pull back -- and showed Elliot a little smile -- before turning to follow Asher to the door so he could take him home.
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