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 Posted: Sun Sep 18, 2016 1:09 am
just something that we wanna try
"I can agree with that," Chris says, giving Thorne a rather dry look. "You are one to push limits, even when any normal person would have stopped."
He pauses, then gives a laugh of his own. "I suppose I'm the same too though, with everything our lives are."
He hums idly for a second, thoughtful, considering. His hands are back to fussing with the sleeves of his shirt, not out of nerves for once though. Just simple thought.
"Is it wrong to say somewhere I've already been?" He asks, amusement in his voice. "I think I'd like to go take a visit back home, to Jejudo. But if that doesn't count, then all across the states. See everything I haven't seen just being here, play tourist."
Chris thinks again for a second, then says, "For Jejudo it has to be a plane, then a ferry to get on the island. Not a lot of choice there. But for the states... I'd like to do a roadtrip. I like driving, you know. It's nice. What about you?"
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Posted: Sun Sep 18, 2016 1:21 am
just something that we wanna try
Thorne grins at the dry look.
"Come on," he says, "You wouldn't have me any other way."
He pauses to listen though, his eyes lidded as he watches Chris. That same raw intensity burns through him, focused on Chris, lulled away from its sharp edges by the sound of his voice.
"I hope you get to," Thorne says, but his voice shutters a bit. The concept of Chris gone, Chris across the ocean, drives a soft spike of fear through him. Fear and something else. But his voice stays rhythmic, stays solid. He makes it stay solid, because he was selfish enough to drag Chris this far. He wouldn't tell him his fears, not when they were as greedy as this. "If it would make you happy, I'd hope nothing else. Jejudo sounds beautiful."
He pauses at the mention of a road trip.
"America," he answer easily, "by car. Nothing else. Planes take you too fast. I want to see it all. Everything. I want to go to the West Coast. California, and then Washington if I can make it."
He looks down.
"There are old haunts overseas, places I'd like to visit one day because they meant something to my mother, but - " He smiles crookedly at Chris. "Not yet. Your turn."
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Posted: Sun Sep 18, 2016 1:34 am
just something that we wanna try
Chris tries to hold out, to keep his dry look, but his facade breaks eventually. "No, I wouldn't, but it's a tempting thought," He replies, with a bit of a laugh.
He likes the feel of Thorne's gaze on him, the intensity, the attention. To know he's being paid attention to, being cared for. Actions always spoke louder than words to Chris, even when he knows it isn't always that way.
"It is," He says honestly, a bit wistful. But he looks at Thorne and he realizes that he would want him to come alone too. To share the expierence of it all, to meet his sister, his family. To take him to Seoul too, to explore Korea. "I'd like you to see it too," He says, before he can chicken out of the thought. "But it's a trip for the future, not now. Just because I want to go, doesn't mean I can."
Chris smiles at that. "A roadtrip as well, huh? I agree though. I want to see it all."
He quiets at that, snakes out a gentle hand to rest on Thorne's arm. An understanding not said outloud, but still present. He's quiet for a long moment and then - "Why Ashdown? Why a sleepy, small college town?"
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Posted: Sun Sep 18, 2016 2:18 am
just something we wanna try
Thorne snorts again, and this time the laughter is liquid and warm, his cheeks red from the spiciness of the hot pot and something else.
"Tempting?" He retorts. "How cruel."
There's a stutter though, his eyes widening slightly, at the comment. He blinks away surprise, his ears warming slightly, and hums softly, tilting his head. He wonders at Chris, wonders at why. At how. At if he realizes just what impact those words have on him.
"I would like that," he can only reply, and smiles. "For the future then."
He laughs at the mention of a road trip and says, "Well, perhaps one day we can steal a car and drive."
It's a tempting thought, a fascinating one. They could dump the cats on the grandpas and hire Nathaniel for the plants. They could -
Thorne cuts the thought off before it can go too far.
"I'd like to see it with you," he adds, devious, even though something else pulls at the corner of his words. The next question makes him quiet. Makes him think. Why Ashdown? There are plenty of excuses. Good location, a peaceful place to work on a new project. A change of scenery, a -
"I was running away," he admits, his voice burnt in his throat. He looks up at Chris. "I wasn't looking for a home or a true stopping point. Ashdown was just another blip on the map where I could be nameless for awhile, could be a ghost." He pressed one hand to his chest, working through the words.
"I could have used any number of excuses if someone asked. Most of my connections in the art world stay on the East Coast anyways, and what little of my family remains on the west I can fly to easily. So I could tell them - it's nice and quiet, it's pleasant, it's a change of scenery and maybe that's all I need."
He sucks in a soft breath.
"But I was really just running because I didn't know who I was anymore, or if I had anywhere to call home." He blinks and looks up at Chris. "And then I found myself. And then I found you."
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Posted: Sun Sep 18, 2016 11:27 am
just something that we wanna try
The hotpot is boiling by now, everything added, and Chris fishes out a piece of meat with clean chopsticks, eats it. It's spicy and it's good and hes content.
"You know I don't mean it," He teases, and then after a beat adds, "That much."
He's slightly embarrassed of his own words and he avoids Thorne's gaze to poke at the hotpot, to steal some vegetables out of it and eat. To pretend that the light blush on his cheeks is from the heat.
"That'd be lovely," Chris says and he means it fully, "Although are we literally stealing a car? Because that might be a bit much for me."
He realizes the minute he says it that he wants it, as much as he wants to travel with Thorne to Korea. As much as he likes them being together, spending time, because it sounds like a good trip. It sounds like hope and promise and like a break.
Like this trip to New York, where it's just him and Thorne and for a second, no magic. Ashdown doesn't even exist.
But he lets the thought drop and just smiles at Thorne, just nudges him to eat. It's quiet as he lets Thorne gather his thoughts to his question.
The answer he's expecting is not entirely what he gets, but as he looks at Thorne, Chris knows that it's true. He's quiet as Thorne speaks and quiet for a little afterwards, just thinking.
He shifts closer to Thorne though and rests his head on Thorne's shoulder, hooks a finger with Thorne's. Their constant question.
"I'm glad you found yourself," He says. There's a minute of pause and then he says, "I didn't have anywhere to call home either really, until you came along. I've moved so many times in my life that nothing felt.. real. Permanent. I was here but being here didn't exactly make it home."
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Posted: Sun Sep 18, 2016 12:30 pm
just something that we wanna try
Thorne rumbles, a wry and treacherous sound.
"So cruel," he responds, his voice heady and rough from wandering around the streets of New York in the chilly morning. "Whatever would you do without me?"
He smiles when Chris ducks his head to steal vegetables, noting the reflected blush but choosing not to comment. Not yet. He steals a piece of meet and makes a delighted sound of the spicy heat that blooms in his throat, decides they'll have to figure out how to do this at the warehouse sometime.
Not that he doesn't love taking Chris away to New York, but he wouldn't mind forcing the grandpas to endure a spicy meal together once in awhile.
"Go hard or go home," Thorne responds, deviously, before laughing. "No, we can take mine. I'm sure it can limp its way to the West Coast and back if I'm good to it. "
There's something senseless and wanting in his tone. A dream that feels just within reach. He holds it between his teeth like something soft and breakable. He doesn't dare put the depth of his want into words.
But then Chris rests his head on Thorne's shoulder, and he can't help it - he splays his fingers against Chris's, until thoughtlessly, they tangle together. A gentle connection. Yes, he thinks. Always yes with you.
Thorne turns his head and presses his mouth and nose to the crown of Chris's hair.
"To be honest," he said gently, "I didn't even know that was what I was searching for. For a home. And then I found you. I'm glad - you know, - I'm selfishly glad that I found you."
He pauses, laughs, gives Chris's head a slight nuzzle and leans back.
"It isn't Ashdown though," he says, "we could be oceans away and I would still call you home above all else."
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Posted: Sun Sep 18, 2016 1:04 pm
just something that we wanna try
"Possibly get work done," Chris says, but there's no heat in his voice as he flicks Thorne gently. It's just rough from the cold and from laughter, from the day.
Thorne's happy though so he's happy and it makes for the moment.
"That doesn't sound reassuring, but then again what's a road trip without a car trying its best to make it?" Chris laughs, already seeing it in his mind. Right now it's a dream, but maybe he can ask Thorne about it later. See if they really want it, if it's possible to go.
Not now, but later, and it sounds like a promise Chris wants to keep to himself.
Thorne's fingers interlaced with his are a comfort and he breathes, closes his eyes. Keeps the feeling to him, because he will never tire of it. Wants it as a warm memory.
"I'm glad you found me too," Chris says and it could sound selfish, but it's instead thankful. Knowledge that things could have been worse without Thorne.
"Yeah," Chris says and he means it. "You're home no matter what."
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Posted: Sun Sep 18, 2016 1:46 pm
so baby pull me closer
Thorne doesn't know how it happens, but the day slides away from them. In between hot pot and pointing out the exhibit (though they get distracted by street food and street performances and don't actually make it in), they somehow spend an entire afternoon in New York City, only thinking to call a cab back to the hotel when the storm clouds roll in.
Now, the city beyond the floor to ceiling windows that line their hotel room shimmer on one end with the light of artificial stars, bleeding into the sky above. Thorne appears from the bathroom, toweling off the damp bangs of his growing hair and flopping unceremoniously onto the bed Chris occupies. With leisure, he stretches himself out over the others legs, cat-like and exhales a pleased gasp of sound.
"So," he says, eyes sliding to the other, mouth set in a gentle, teasing line, "it wasn't that terrible was it, being dragged across the city with me all day long?"
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Posted: Sun Sep 18, 2016 2:39 pm
so baby pull be closer
Having just a day with Thorne is lovely and Chris doesn't even notice the time sliding so fast, with the way they enjoy each other and the fun on the street. It's only when the storm clouds pull in that he realizes what's happened and he's a little disappointed, a little thrilled all the same.
Thorne has the shower and Chris is comfortable with just staying on the bed, a book in his hands and lap as he reads idly. It's comfortable just being there, domestic. It's like home.
He grunts at Thorne's sudden appearance, frowning a little at his legs being trapped. "If you're going to act like a blanket, as least come up here where I can actually appreciate your heat," He complains, but it's not that frustrated. Just idle talk.
"Oh no, it was the worst," Chris deadpans, but the corners of his mouth betray that he's teasing. He laughs a little. "It was lovely, I enjoyed it tremendously."
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Posted: Sun Sep 18, 2016 2:51 pm
so baby pull me closer
Thorne gives a laugh at Chris's retort. He switches onto his belly, stretching up on the palms of his hands and tilts his head at the blond, entirely at ease. Here is just like the warehouse. Only there isn't magic. Only there isn't a threat.
Pushed up on his hands, Thorne is closer to Chris's face, fingers splayed on either side of the others hips.
"The absolute worst?" he responds, grinning ear to ear, "Well, that just means I'll have to try harder tomorrow."
He tilts his head, a bead of water sliding across his chin, his neck, the slow-drying bangs caught against his forehead.
"Demanding even in New York," Thorne retorts, though his voice is warm. He leans his forehead against Chris's. "Aren't you afraid I'll get you wet?"
To prove this, in a truly devious act, he shakes his hair out, spraying little droplets everywhere, the laughter in his throat mischievous.
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Posted: Sun Sep 18, 2016 3:57 pm
so baby pull me closer
"Yes you will," Chris hums, happy, content. Thorne's warm and everything in this moment is normal and nothing is likely to hurt them. He closes his book and leaves it on his lap, places his attention fully on Thorne.
His gaze is warm as he reaches out and swipes at that bead of water, the wetness on his fingertips. Thorne is fresh from the shower and warm and it touches on a memory Chris can't place, but he knows was happy. Was content.
"Not really," Chris laughs, the dampness of the bangs fully evident now that he's closer. His own hair was swept up that day and he has yet to take a shower himself, to brush out the gel and hairspray.
He flinches at the spray, laughing, and shoves Thorne a little. "Alright, alright you've made your point. Here, go get the hair dryer. I'll blow dry your hair for you, I don't want you to get sick."
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Posted: Sun Sep 18, 2016 4:12 pm
so baby pull me closer
Thorne clicks his tongue, a teasing noise, and draws closer, leaning up against Chris so that their warmth blends and bleeds together. He huffs a laugh and grins, eyes wild, mouth warm.
"Alright, alright," he acquiesces, "but only if I get to return the favor." He tugs gently at one of Chris's bangs to make his point clear and ruffles it before swinging off of the bed and standing. His tattoos are an elegant curve against his shoulder blades, the nape of his neck, his arms. He runs a finger along them absently as he retrieves the hair dryer and comes back to Chris.
"Here," he says, settling down on the bed, cross legged, head bowed, though his eyes find Chris and he smiles.
"I promise I won't get you wet a second time."
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Posted: Sun Sep 18, 2016 4:25 pm
so baby pull me closer
"You drive a hard bargain," Chris says, laughing as Thorne encroaches closer. "But I accept." He watches fully amused as Thorne leaves, his eyes appreciating the tattoos he has. He wonders about the meaning of them, but he'll ask another day. Another time.
"You better not," Chris warns, as he plugs in the hair dryer and sets to work on Thorne's hair. It's soothing, just running his fingers through Thorne's hair to make sure that everything dries evenly while it's just them. A little world of their own.
It's quick work though and when Chris is satisfied he turns off the hair dryer, sets it to the side. Scoots up close to Thorn and rests his chin on his shoulder, wraps his arms around his waist with his back to his stomach.
"What are we doing tomorrow?" He asks, eyes closed.
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Posted: Sun Sep 18, 2016 4:41 pm
so baby pull me closer
Thorne gives Chris a wry look, but bows his head and only purrs a soft lullaby sound as he's worked on, the hands through his hair a welcome comfort. He is at ease here, unwound. The tension slips away from his body and even though that quiet sorrow still lurks in his belly he's -
Happy.
He's happy.
He closes his eyes when Chris wraps his arms around his waist and leans back into the contact, melting into the blond like a puzzle piece connecting.
His breath evens out, in time with the others, and he hums.
"We never got to see the gallery, so I can still bring you there if you want..." he muses. "And I'll take you out for the best coffee you'll ever have in your life. After that - " he tilts his head so that his nose is pressed against Chris's hair, his mouth humming the words against his bangs. "There's a place I'll show you, if you want. It's full of plants, you'll love it. And then my brother will make the inevitable family dinner demand and if you're daring and I'm feeling fearless, I might not decline him for once."
He exhales. Leaves the options in Chris's hands.
"But if not, I know a place."
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Posted: Sun Sep 18, 2016 5:00 pm
so baby pull me closer
He gives a content sound at Thorne leaning back into his touch, warmth blooming again between the two. Thorne is pliant and soft and Chris is just as happy as he leans into Thorne.
"I'd love to see it," Chris says in reply, listening to the rest of the plan. The coffee sounds good, if it's anything like what Thorne took him to today and he does want to see the gallery. He hums, content, as Thorne turns his head, another point of contact between them.
He is very obviously being given a choice here, something that Thorne wants him to decide. He mulls on the decision for a minute and then finally opens his eyes.
"I think, that if you're up to it, I'll be willing to go. To meet your brother and see what he's like, find out more, if you want me along. No pressure though, if you find out at the end of the day, you'd rather not. I understand."
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