You mean this wasn't why you invited me? So I could redirect the attention from you?
[ teases. but they can go back to their table now. ]
If you replied to your messages more often, I doubt they'd be as curious about how you're doing now. They're trying to what, get several years of updates from you in the span of one conversation? If they aren't going to get it from you, they'll get it from someone who knows.
I'll tell them you've become a delinquent who blows up lab rooms for fun.
You're going to make them start doing wellness checks on me.
[ well, he probably also blew things up in high school. chemistry class is likely what got thorns interested in this sort of thing in the first place... science teachers feared him.
back to their seats! now that they're both seated, the other occupants of the table immediately try to drag them into conversation.
[ thorns taking the hyper-diluted chemicals in high school labs and concentrating them enough that they eat through their tables and flooring just to feel something
unsurprisingly, elysium slips into the conversation easily. they're talking about school! how it's hell, how they have so many assignments, and how the stress of job hunting looms overhead. every so often, he nudges thorns with an elbow, coaxing him to join in, then lets him be until enough silence passes that he decides it's time to prod again.
and if thorns looks lost, elysium will just leans in to murmur the missing context under his breath. isn't he such a good friend… ]
[ he's such a good friend... unfortunately it looks more than just friendly to people watching. before one of them asks, though, the servers come over to set plates down for them to eat.
thorns reaches over to steal some cabbage off of elysium's with his fork. this is platonic. ]
[ why are they doing this to people (and elysium) when they aren't even dating.
the way elysium is the only one who's thinking about this while everyone else is just like oh. that answers that question. and while elysium is sorely tempted to steal a fry back, being able to watch the gears turn in front of him isn't really something he wants to think about.
so! he just downs the rest of his cooler while shifting his plate closer to thorns. there is more cabbage where that came from… it's fancy sautéed cabbage. as long as thorns is enjoying himself, it's fine?
[ he can't even appreciate how cute this behaviour is properly there are sooooo many eyes on them and every pair is thinking about how they've never seen thorns act like this before. this is such free entertainment.
elysium gets up. ]
I'm getting myself another drink.
[ IGNORES!!!! which means thorns is left without his meat shield. have fun. ]
[ he watches elysium escape and is left to the wolves. they immediately start quizzing thorns on how long they have been dating for?
he explains they're not... other people at the wedding were told that elysium is seeing someone, so eventually these two stories are going to collide... people will leave this wedding thinking thorns is trying to homewreck. ]
elysium leaves thorns for two seconds and things explode. at least, it was only supposed to be for two seconds. the next dish comes out and elysium is nowhere to be seen? the people at the table wonder if they'd scared elysium off, but that doesn't seem right for who he is…
he gives it another minute but will eventually get up to go look for him. he isn't extremely paranoid like he is in the other thread, but he is concerned about elysium's alcohol consumption so he'll still go be a bro.
[ elysium is not at the bar…… however! if thorns asks the bartender for his whereabouts, they will say he was headed in the direction of the restrooms.
[ he wishes he were drowning in a toilet, actually. instead, he's stuck on the phone, clearly mid-argument with whoever's on the other end. if thorns listens closely, he can catch snatches of it—something about how he'd kept the promise he made and yet is still being hassled anyway. he snaps that he'll make it up like he always does then cuts the call short.
it's thorns. his mood lights right away, and then there'll be a sudden weight across his shoulders: elysium's arm, draped over him without hesitation. ]
Missed me so much you followed me here? What's up? Socialising with your cousins couldn't be that bad.
[ his phone rings again. it's a unique ringtone if thorns pays attention to these things—and elysium quickly puts it on do not disturb. ]
Imagine if that went off during speeches. Talk about embarrassing. But since you're here, we might as well grab a drink together on the way back. C'mon!
well, back to the bar they go. thorns gestures at elysium when they reach the bartender to signify that he found him... this shows that thorns really was Looking looking for him. ]
[ if the alcohol in this context is one can of beer, then sure, yeah, thorns can hold his alcohol.
they make it back and the table asks if thorns hated talking to them that much that he had to look for elysium… thorns is so funny. but there isn't much time to make him the brunt of the joke when speeches follow right after.
when it comes time to the best man's, elysium genuinely wonders to himself if he'll ever be able to deliver one for thorns. he kind of has to. should he start preparing early…? ]
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no subject
[ teases. but they can go back to their table now. ]
If you replied to your messages more often, I doubt they'd be as curious about how you're doing now. They're trying to what, get several years of updates from you in the span of one conversation? If they aren't going to get it from you, they'll get it from someone who knows.
I'll tell them you've become a delinquent who blows up lab rooms for fun.
no subject
[ well, he probably also blew things up in high school. chemistry class is likely what got thorns interested in this sort of thing in the first place... science teachers feared him.
back to their seats! now that they're both seated, the other occupants of the table immediately try to drag them into conversation.
thorns sips his drink... ]
no subject
unsurprisingly, elysium slips into the conversation easily. they're talking about school! how it's hell, how they have so many assignments, and how the stress of job hunting looms overhead. every so often, he nudges thorns with an elbow, coaxing him to join in, then lets him be until enough silence passes that he decides it's time to prod again.
and if thorns looks lost, elysium will just leans in to murmur the missing context under his breath. isn't he such a good friend… ]
no subject
thorns reaches over to steal some cabbage off of elysium's with his fork. this is platonic. ]
no subject
the way elysium is the only one who's thinking about this while everyone else is just like oh. that answers that question. and while elysium is sorely tempted to steal a fry back, being able to watch the gears turn in front of him isn't really something he wants to think about.
so! he just downs the rest of his cooler while shifting his plate closer to thorns. there is more cabbage where that came from… it's fancy sautéed cabbage. as long as thorns is enjoying himself, it's fine?
kill him ]
no subject
he is not remotely thinking about the optics of this. he pats elysium on the arm. ]
Drink more slowly.
no subject
elysium gets up. ]
I'm getting myself another drink.
[ IGNORES!!!! which means thorns is left without his meat shield. have fun. ]
no subject
he explains they're not... other people at the wedding were told that elysium is seeing someone, so eventually these two stories are going to collide... people will leave this wedding thinking thorns is trying to homewreck. ]
no subject
elysium leaves thorns for two seconds and things explode. at least, it was only supposed to be for two seconds. the next dish comes out and elysium is nowhere to be seen? the people at the table wonder if they'd scared elysium off, but that doesn't seem right for who he is…
hmm. ]
no subject
he gives it another minute but will eventually get up to go look for him. he isn't extremely paranoid like he is in the other thread, but he is concerned about elysium's alcohol consumption so he'll still go be a bro.
he will go to the bar... ]
no subject
this seems pretty normal!!!! ]
no subject
he will go there to make sure that elysium isn't drowning in a toilet. he's truly being a good friend. ]
no subject
afterward, he just stands there with himself… ]
no subject
he can just leave and go back to his seat. instead he walks further in after a moment. ]
Here you are.
[ it at least sounds like thorns just walked in and not like he heard anything...? ]
no subject
it's thorns. his mood lights right away, and then there'll be a sudden weight across his shoulders: elysium's arm, draped over him without hesitation. ]
Missed me so much you followed me here? What's up? Socialising with your cousins couldn't be that bad.
no subject
[ was elysium even gone long enough for all of that to happen? who knows.
he almost wants to ask what was wrong, but also literally anyone can walk in here so thorns holds his tongue for now. ]
They were asking for you.
no subject
[ his phone rings again. it's a unique ringtone if thorns pays attention to these things—and elysium quickly puts it on do not disturb. ]
Imagine if that went off during speeches. Talk about embarrassing. But since you're here, we might as well grab a drink together on the way back. C'mon!
no subject
so he follows after him back to the bar. but as they're walking, ]
Didn't you just get a drink?
no subject
No? I had to use the restroom first.
[ urges thorns along. don't think about it. ]
no subject
well, back to the bar they go. thorns gestures at elysium when they reach the bartender to signify that he found him... this shows that thorns really was Looking looking for him. ]
no subject
We have to pace you or you'll be drunk in the next hour.
no subject
[ he can't.
however he still takes the sprite and goes back to the table. they're going to start speeches soon so they need to get seated. ]
no subject
they make it back and the table asks if thorns hated talking to them that much that he had to look for elysium… thorns is so funny. but there isn't much time to make him the brunt of the joke when speeches follow right after.
when it comes time to the best man's, elysium genuinely wonders to himself if he'll ever be able to deliver one for thorns. he kind of has to. should he start preparing early…? ]
no subject
... Do I have to do this for you and Kitten?
[ he is just going to remind elysium that he is het and has a girlfriend who he never talks about ever. ]
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elysium just openly frowns. ]
I guess…
[ this is so noncommittal. ]
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