[ he sends a cuter sticker after that which involves smooching and a copious amount of hearts. that should fix everything between them, right? right. they're both embarrassing.
and thorns can wait again but no one comes home that night……… ]
if he decides to look for elysium in the morning, he isn't anywhere to be found, either. whack. their last (in-person) conversation really had been an argument. oopsie. ]
hopefully thorns has his volume on low because that sure is a loud yelp as elysium just barely catches his phone in the process. otherwise, he seems fine, if not a little tired. he's suited up with the distant night sky as his backdrop, and it appears he's somewhere high up.
ahem. ]
… Hey. [ belatedly, he notices how much of a mess he looks on camera. panicked, he runs his fingers through his hair to tamp it down. ] You really weren't up to anything?
[ hopefully it isn't too obvious that he's already braced himself for some of these questions. he takes in the familiar scenery with a flicker of longing; it's only been a day since he left, and he already feels…
… ]
Out of town. I would've liked to make it back every evening, but it's better that I stay here for now until I wrap everything up.
[ he considers this enough of an answer, so! he moves on. ]
You're already all caught up with work? Don't forget to take out the trash and clear the lint from the dryer. I won't be gone that long—but still. You gotta do these things or knowing you, they'll pile up.
[ he means for it to sound annoyed, but it falls flat; he can't manage to hide his concern. if he's in another city then did he go back home to his family? ]
[ elysium stares into the camera for a long moment… then pulls back slightly, eyes flicking down as he starts tapping at his phone as if he's in the middle of typing out a message. ]
Yeah? What kind? I haven't had time for our usual grocery run. Did you end up going yourself?
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thorns stares at his phone, and then just quickly types out a response. ]
Okay.
I'll be home.
[ he will wait... again. embarrassing. ]
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and thorns can wait again but no one comes home that night……… ]
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thorns sends him some question marks and falls asleep on the couch. binch. ]
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if he decides to look for elysium in the morning, he isn't anywhere to be found, either. whack. their last (in-person) conversation really had been an argument. oopsie. ]
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thorns does not know elysium's classmates or who he works with so he can't really ask them. so he just sends another text. ]
Are you okay?
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signs of life!! ]
Yeah
Sorry for the late response
Just had something come up with family
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vague questioning should be fine though? ]
Is everything alright?
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But I got an exemption from the school in case you're worried.
[ … ]
I'll make it back for our date. For sure.
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Okay.
Let me know if I can do anything.
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then, nearly an hour later— ]
Are you free to video call?
It's fine if you aren't.
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he immediately calls him. ]
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hopefully thorns has his volume on low because that sure is a loud yelp as elysium just barely catches his phone in the process. otherwise, he seems fine, if not a little tired. he's suited up with the distant night sky as his backdrop, and it appears he's somewhere high up.
ahem. ]
… Hey. [ belatedly, he notices how much of a mess he looks on camera. panicked, he runs his fingers through his hair to tamp it down. ] You really weren't up to anything?
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[ he is sitting on the ever familiar couch. he was getting some work done, but his laptop was abandoned as soon as elysium texted him back. ]
... Where are you?
[ that might be easier to broach than just asking what happened, maybe. ]
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… ]
Out of town. I would've liked to make it back every evening, but it's better that I stay here for now until I wrap everything up.
[ he considers this enough of an answer, so! he moves on. ]
You're already all caught up with work? Don't forget to take out the trash and clear the lint from the dryer. I won't be gone that long—but still. You gotta do these things or knowing you, they'll pile up.
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[ he means for it to sound annoyed, but it falls flat; he can't manage to hide his concern. if he's in another city then did he go back home to his family? ]
Is everyone okay? Your mom?
[ it has to be serious. why is he in a suit. ]
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[ he taps his phone with his nail in quick succession to emulate prodding. ]
I told you everything's fine. Have you been eating? Sleeping? The ghosts aren't trying to get you now that they know I'm gone, are they?
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he will just believe they will circle back to it. ]
Ghosts aren't real. [ okay. ] I've been fine.
[ feasting on instant ramen and pb&js like god intended. ]
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What was for dinner?
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A sandwich.
[ he keeps it vague. ]
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Yeah? What kind? I haven't had time for our usual grocery run. Did you end up going yourself?
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[ he ignores the question of what kind because it was just peanut butter and jelly.
that is technically getting fruit? ]
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[ surprisingly
his tone isn't veering towards wanting to kill thorns? likely attributed to how he's still distractedly tapping away. ]
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thorns once again looks away from the camera for a moments ]
I guess your memory is bad.
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he glances back up at the camera. ]
We haven't seen each other in so long and you don't want to look at my face?
[ this is the wrong thread for elysium to be saying these words. ]
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this is... embarrassing? thorns pauses, before eventually looking directly back at the camera. hi. ]
I'm looking.
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