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 Posted: Fri Nov 11, 2022 5:12 pm
Elliot had been pacing nearly the whole time Atticus was gone. They’d agreed they were going to meet up ‘in an hour or so’, and in that time he’d plead with his father to help him make something to take to lunch. So, of course Oliver had been excited to help him make chocolate cupcakes. He’d run to the store to grab something and was back well before time to meet up with Atticus, but he was still jittery. He packed the blankets and drinks and dessert for their lunch, and then waved goodbye to his parents before running off to meet Atticus.
He had a full basket and was dressed in an extra jacket–just in case it got cold–and texted Atticus when he was at the driveway. He could have come through the back, but he thought that might risk drawing too much attention, and the less he had to interact with Michael, the better! It was hard enough already keeping secrets from his parents.
He’d texted Atticus all along the way–when he was almost ready, when he was heading over, when he was down the driveway. They’d coordinated it, and he rocked on his heels as he tried to look everywhere but the front door. He didn’t want to seem too excited, but–
He was.
His heart was pounding, more than before a debate, or a race, or a game. He knew he was excited, but he sort of just wanted to run up and down the road while he waited.
The bouquet of flowers he’d gotten Atticus were well hidden in the basket, because he wanted to surprise him, and also he didn’t want either of their parents to see, but it was hard not to just pull them out so he could present them as soon as he saw Atticus.
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Posted: Fri Nov 11, 2022 5:24 pm
The closer it got to meeting up with Elliot, the more nervous Atticus felt. Not a bad nervous! More like an excited nervous. He’d never been on a date before. He’d never had someone like him before. Nor had he ever liked someone as much as he liked Elliot.
He’d asked Devyn to help him, even after they’d gotten back home from the store with flowers and a small box of chocolate. Oh, and a poem that he’d found. Oh! And the subs they’d ordered to help save time.
Once they were home, they packed everything up in a fabric cooler Michael let Atticus borrow, and then Atticus practically tore his closet apart trying to find something to wear. He could have just worn what he’d been wearing, but he wanted to look nice! Or, like… maybe to make it look like he was trying. Or something.
Devyn helped him with braiding part of his hair, and clipped it with a hair pin that had some flowers on it-- No, that had to go. He was giving Elliot flowers, but it was fall and he needed something-- okay, some crystals were nice. He could work with that.
He’d pulled on some leggings and a loose, ruffley shirt that could swish if he twisted back and forth, and finally some ankle boots, not too unsimilar from what he used to wear as a Page.
With his jacket on, he quickly hugged Michael and Devyn and ran out of the house so he could meet up with Elliot. After double checking he had everything with him in the cooler.
“Hi,” he greeted once he was finished jogging down the sidewalk. He tried not to sound too out of breath. And if only his heart would calm down.
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Posted: Fri Nov 11, 2022 5:45 pm
Elliot stood a little taller when Atticus came out, and he extended his hand instinctively–partly because he knew Atticus liked to hold hands, but mostly because he’d been waiting for like, an hour already.
“Hi,” he greeted, and gave Atticus a quick look over.
Not that he needed to, but he looked a little more dressed up than before.
“You changed clothes,” he observed, but was quick to assure, “You look nice. I made some cupcakes for us. Well, dad and I did.” He started swinging Atticus’ hand immediately as he began to lead him towards the park. “I brought extra blankets, too. In case it gets cold. And hot cocoa, so we can hold that if our hands get cold.”
There were a million things he thought he could say, but he wasn’t sure anymore. It didn’t feel awkward, but he wasn’t sure if going on a date was supposed to feel any different than hanging out, and he didn’t want to mess things up by too much formality–or a lack of it. “What type of sandwiches did you bring?”
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Posted: Fri Nov 11, 2022 5:53 pm
Atticus absolutely liked holding hands, especially Elliot’s, and took it immediately. He felt his cheeks warm when Elliot said he looked nice, because he noticed he was wearing something different! Oh, but that that was normal, right? It wasn’t, like, a huge compliment, just an observation. But that was okay, because it was from Elliot.
“You had time to make cupcakes?” he asked with wide eyes, impressed by the feat, although he realized he didn’t quite know how long it took to make cupcakes, so it was probably entirely possible with someone as skilled as Oliver helping.
“I don’t need to hold anything but your hand if mine get cold,” he promised-- oh, was that weird? He was nervous for no reason.
He cleared his throat and looked down at the cooler he was holding by the straps.
“Oh, um… Grilled chicken,” he said, hoping he hadn’t remembered wrong what kind of food Elliot liked. “Just the basic toppings though. Lettuce, tomatoes, cheese. I think I put some onions on one. Oh, and there’s fries. Um… Devyn and I ended up ordering sandwiches,” he admitted rather sheepishly, hoping that wasn’t going to disappoint Elliot.
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Posted: Fri Nov 11, 2022 6:09 pm
“Yeah, they’re mini cupcakes. We preheated the oven while we made the batter, they only had to cook for twenty minutes. But they were too hot to put icing on, so dad packed us some to go” He didn’t know why he was explaining it, it wasn't like it was that fascinating. He wasn’t nervous! He just didn’t know how to describe it. Excited. Like being at the starting line, waiting for someone to yell go. “You had time to go order sandwiches and get back? That sounds really good, my mouth is watering already. I didn’t know I wanted fries until you said you had them.”
He drew in a breath and it calmed him somewhat; it was cold and refreshing and he smiled at Atticus as he swung his hand with a bit more enthusiasm.
“I would have been happy with a peanut butter and jelly sandwich though. Are you nervous? I feel kind of jittery. But in a good way. I wonder if this is how Devyn feels, I kind of want to just run to the park,” he laughed. “How were they doing when you went home?”
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Posted: Fri Nov 11, 2022 6:22 pm
Even if Elliot didn’t think explaining cupcakes was very fascinating, Atticus hung onto every word, nodding enthusiastically when he explained that they were mini and he gasped with sudden clarity when it was mentioned the frosting was packed to go.
“That’s very clever. I would have never thought of that,” he admitted, in awe of Elliot and his dad’s ingenuity.
“We ordered them from an app Devyn had on his phone,” he explained, trying not to trip as he shuffled excitedly beside Elliot as they made their way to the park. “Then we walked to pick them up. We could run if you wanted. I feel kind of jittery and nervous, too. I don’t know why. I’m not nervous about you,” he had to explain, but knew that Elliot understood.
“They were fine. The same. I promised we would tell them if we got hurt, and they’d tell us so I can use my magic on them. I hope you don’t mind. I mean… we don’t have to if you don’t think they should know.” He was just trying to be a good son and make sure Devyn trusted him! “Devyn said we wouldn’t get in trouble, they just want to know.”
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Posted: Fri Nov 11, 2022 6:32 pm
“I don’t want you to have to run,” he laughed. “I know you don’t like it as much as I do. We’ll be there quickly. I’ve never been on a date before and I didn’t want to ask my parents or look anything up online. So I don’t know if I’ll even do this right, but I’m happy I’ll get to spend time with you. I think that’s the most important part, anyway.”
He hoped.
This was only their first date, anyway; they could only do better with practice!
He smiled at Atticus and continued at a speedy pace, but nothing too fast. He didn’t want to stress Atticus out or risk either of them tripping. “I won’t make you break your promise. If you told them that we’d let them know when we got hurt, we’ll tell them. Better safe than sorry, I guess. And I’d rather tell them than my parents. I love them, but I also know that neither of them are Knights or Senshi, and both of them sort of worry a little too much. Which I love about them,” he insisted, but Atticus knew that they were both guilty of worrying a bit. Oliver was always high strung and doing his best to make sure that Elliot–and Atticus–were safe and protected and had all the resources they needed to be happy. Asher had spent most of his life looking after Oliver, and that translated to looking after his family, too.
They were good natured and well meaning, and Elliot would tell them; he didn’t like to keep secrets. He just also wanted to make sure that they knew everything was fine, so he’d probably rather tell Michael first, anyway.
“But thank you for asking me. I don’t like secrets very much, myself. I’ll probably wind up telling them that we went on a date today pretty soon. I just wanted to have it first, you know? But I can wait to tell them if you’d rather. I just don’t want to lie to them about things.”
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Posted: Fri Nov 11, 2022 6:57 pm
Atticus smiled and laughed in quiet amusement and understanding as Elliot insisted on loving his overprotective parents, but when it came to keeping secrets he cringed a little.
“I think Devyn figured it out. I didn’t tell him!” he quickly promised, not wanting Elliot to think that he went against what they’d planned. “He… suggested some things that made me realize he must have known, so I told him it was supposed to be a secret and he said that he would keep it. Sort of. He said he didn’t know what I was talking about, but I do know he knew what he was-- what I was…? Talking about. It’s hurting my head thinking about it,” he sighed, but squeezed Elliot’s hand in the hopes that he wouldn’t be too upset with him.
“We can tell them. I just… it’s nice that we don’t have to keep looking over our shoulder to check for your dad riding behind us on his bike.”
Atticus paused and looked over his shoulder, but giggled when there was no one there. He did pause in their brisk walk so he could lean over and kiss Elliot’s cheek in gratitude.
“Being with you is absolutely the most important part. I don’t know what is supposed to happen on a date, but we’ll figure it out. I just want to be with you.”
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Posted: Fri Nov 11, 2022 7:15 pm
Elliot couldn’t be upset; instead, he just laughed. “Ugh, that’s the worst!” He looked over his shoulder too and then laughed again. It was a good opportunity to return Atticus’ kiss by planting one on his cheek, too.
“It’s okay if Devyn knows. We’ll just have to find a good spot to hide for our picnic.”
He wasn’t actually planning on hiding, but he did want to go somewhere a little private. Just so they could forget about the world and have a moment where it was just them.
“If you don’t know what’s supposed to happen, and if I don’t know, I guess that means we get to make our own rules. So I figure we’ll probably start by eating.” That was a given, and he was hungry! “We can talk some. And watch videos on my phone while we stay close under a blanket. For warmth,” he insisted playfully, but he didn’t want Atticus to think that was the only reason so he added, “and so I can hold your hand. Oh, and we can talk about Halloween, some. I don’t know, I’m just happy to hang out with you. I’m really glad we got to be friends, Atticus. And Knights, too. That’s been fun.” Mostly. “I don’t know if I ever would have gotten to do that if it weren’t for you. And now we get to go to the Moon whenever we want. Anyway, you just make my life pretty magical, so thank you for that.”
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Posted: Fri Nov 11, 2022 7:40 pm
He liked the idea of them making their own rules, so he nodded enthusiastically, his face still red from the kiss. But his heart was also fluttering wildly. He liked it. He wanted to keep feeling that way.
“That sounds like a good idea. Maybe we can hide by the berry bushes?” he suggested, although he wasn’t sure how hidden they would be. He liked the idea of being somewhere with Elliot without having to worry about anyone else.
“But I would very much like to hold your hand.” At the very least hold his hand. Probably also snuggle close, especially if it was going to be cold.
“You definitely make my life magical, so that just means we’re pretty good together, right?” he smiled, although he felt a little anxious because he wanted so badly for this to go well. He didn’t think it wouldn’t! He just wanted to have Elliot in his life forever. He couldn’t imagine it without him.
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Posted: Sat Nov 12, 2022 7:02 am
“You read my mind,” Elliot laughed, because he’d also been thinking about the berry bushes. “The trees might stop some of the breeze, too. Now that we’re out here, I wish I’d brought some marshmallows, we could have toasted them. But we’ll do that on another date. I want to do exciting things with you all the time. And also, not exciting things. Just fun things. I think we’re pretty good together. But I’ve been thinking that for a while. I mean, probably since even a little before my house got attacked.”
He had to mull it over for a moment, and even then he couldn’t clearly remember exactly when the thought first struck him. He just remembered that it had, and then when they’d awakened as Moon Pages together, it had only solidified it.
“And I think, the more we grow, the better we’ll grow. I know we haven’t been friends for that long, but I can’t even imagine what I’d do without you. The first thing I do in the morning is check to see if I have a missed text from you. And then when I’m playing on the phone, I always think about you. That’s probably why you I send you so many links,” he laughed. “I don’t know, I just like you. You make me really happy. I’ve had a lot of friends before, but you’re just really special. I never had a friend like you. And you’re my first crush, so maybe that’s what it is,” he laughed.
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Posted: Sat Nov 12, 2022 9:34 am
“I like every link you send me,” Atticus said a bit breathlessly. They hadn’t even been walking very fast, but every kind thing Elliot said was making his emotions build and --
No, he wasn’t going to cry. He was just going to be grateful that Elliot was such a kind young man and that they’d met. And that they’d both been lucky that they wanted to be with each other more than just friends. Although there was nothing wrong with just being Elliot’s friend!
But Elliot admitting that Atticus was his first crush…? Oh… no, he was not going to cry. He was happy! He was happy to be Elliot’s friend, and he wanted to continue being Elliot’s friend. And maybe even more than that.
They were both young! They both had their whole lives before them. They would meet countless people. And yet, Atticus was happy now.
“I really like you, too,” he choked a little on the words, but showed Elliot a bright smile and squeezed his hand to show him that he was okay. Really! He was just blushing a lot now, because his crush had a crush on him.
“We’ll definitely do marshmallows next time,” he agreed, taking a breath to settle himself. Thankfully they weren’t too far from the park and they’d be able to set their baskets down soon.
“I hope you’re hungry because we have a lot of food,” Atticus said, because if he kept talking about how wonderful Elliot was, he would definitely start crying.
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Posted: Sat Nov 12, 2022 9:41 am
“I know!” Elliot laughed, and squeezed Atticus’ hand. “You already told me that you liked me, I just wanted to make sure you knew that I did too! I mean, that’s why this is a date and not just us hanging out or something. This is special.” But then, Atticus knew that, too.
He wanted to reach over and put his hands on Attiucs’ face to help warm him up–but realized shortly afterwards that he might not be red just because of the chill. He squeezed his hand instead.
“I’m super hungry right now, so lunch is coming at a perfect time. Those sandwiches sound really good. Hey–I know this is tacky, and I sort of was like, super exasperated because I said my dads would want to take pictures, but. I don’t know, I kinda do want to take a picture. When we get everything all set up.”
They were close enough now that he could think about things like that, and he was excited to get to their hidden berry bushes so they could set up. “But like, I know we’re going to have a whole lifetime to make new memories, but I was thinking this is special. And maybe if we take a cute one I could set it as my phone background. You know. Since we’re dating, right?”
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Posted: Sat Nov 12, 2022 9:57 am
Atticus just smiled sheepishly when Elliot reminded him that he knew. He couldn’t help it! He just liked telling Elliot that he liked him, because… he did!
“I think I would really like to take some pictures,” he agreed, because it was special and they should take pictures to remember everything. He didn’t think it was tacky at all.
“We’ll take photos of, um, us too…? Oh, I just didn’t know if you only wanted to take a picture of our picnic, which we should definitely do! I just, um, would like a picture with you on my phone background, too. That way I can look at you if you’re at home or somewhere else,” he tried to explain, which was probably pointless because Elliot was probably thinking the same thing.
But they were finally close enough to the berry bushes for Atticus to pause and try to decide how best to get through without having Elliot sacrifice himself to the brambles.
“We can use our baskets to push against the bushes at the same time?” he suggested, because that seemed like the best way to avoid getting pricked.
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Posted: Sat Nov 12, 2022 10:08 am
Elliot released a breath he didn’t remember holding, and he wasn’t even sure why it was so important that they have pictures. Maybe it was just because he wanted to remember this moment if they got married, or maybe it was so he could show off his cute boyfriend, or just to show his parents that he was still thinking about them and that he and Atticus were fine.
“You are so smart,” he praised, and held his basket up to create a little barrier as he pushed his way in. He waited for Atticus, and then when they entered he kept himself at an angle so his backside could protect Atticus’, and they could each defend against the brambles as they pushed past them. He went slowly, just to make sure that they were being careful and no one accidentally got hurt, and then once they made it through he was practically beaming at the nice, open space they had, secret and hidden away from everyone else.
“I was hoping we’d take photos of us. I mean, I’m sure the picnic will look nice, but I only want to look at you.” He glanced over his shoulder and smiled, and he was so happy about the idea of it all that he couldn't even find it in his heart to be sheepish about any of it.
“Oh, but. I got you something, too. I’ll have to give it to you now because it’s on top of the blankets so, um.”
He set his basket down off to the side. “Promise you won’t think I’m silly and I’ll give it to you.”
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