Chris hadn’t even realized he played overtime. But tis the life of a musician, endlessly caught in their songs.
Or, at least, that’s how elegant he thought he felt.
“Oh,” he said, looking down to his watch, then back up to Alex. “Hadn’t even noticed. We can go, if you want. I don’t really see a reason for us to stick around… I mean, if you’re hungry..? We don’t have food back at the place yet.”
He paused for a moment, tapping his finger on his lips. “Or we could grab takeout and go back? Your choice, really.”
"Let's get something on the way back," Alex pulled a beanie out of his pocket and pulled it over his waves. "Any ideas? I'll pay."
“Oh-no, you don’t have to pay,” Chris said, waving off his hand. He got up, checking the time loosely.
“And we can get whatever you’d like. There’s a pretty good place just down the block, on our way back. Or we could order from here… but, you might be sick of the food here?”
"It's up to you," Alex awkwardly stuffed his hands into his pockets. "Um, whatever is fine."
“Alright, then let’s get outta here,” he said with a smile, brushing past Alex slightly too close. Though he shook it aside, continuing to walk, but letting his gaze linger on the other boy for just a quick moment. He made his way to the door, holding it open and giving a slight bow. “After you.”
Alex stared at the floor as he blushed, stumbling out the door. "Where should we go?"
“Dunno,” Chris replied plainly. “We could grab something from… The Block? I think that’s what that restaurant’s called.”
He paused for a moment, his footsteps filling up the momentary silence. Their shadows cast on the street, the lamp lights providing continuous yet dull light in the darkness.
“Or…,” he murmured, checking his watch again. “We could grab… Bisquick from the store? Make some late-night pancakes? I don’t have anything to be up early for tomorrow, so should be fine— Saturdays are nice like that. Depends on how fast you need to get back and sleep.”
Alex grinned. "Late night pancakes? Uh, duh! I don't have any money on me–" he blushed, remembering that Chris had to drive him to the apartment, "but I'll definitely pay you back. We should get some plates, too. Maybe a few pans. A spatula."
“Don’t worry about the money,” he said, waving his hand. Although, Chris didn’t have much either. Sure, his dashing suit and pristine watch would say otherwise but, one glance at the apartment… well, not so much.
“Here— I knew you’d be fun,” Chris said with a grin. He glanced back and forth, then gave a small tug to Alex’s arm, letting go and jogging across the street. “Store’s this way. You comin?’”
"Sounds good!" Alex replied, following the other boy.
In that moment, Alex made a decision he hoped he could blame on the darkness if things went wrong.
He grabbed Chris's hand as they ran.
(Sorry I haven't been active lately. Mental health isn't great and I just haven't had much inspiration.)
(It’s totally fine— really, take all the time you need)
Chris’s heart almost stopped as the boy’s hand filed into his own. It was a sort of awkward hold, but his mind was too clouded to care. He had to resist the urge to freeze, stop running, and just stare while trying to desperately slow the beating of his heart.
But, whether he was aware of it or not, he wrapped his own hand around Alex’s, shooting him a smile and turning back to the sidewalk. People had always told him he ran warm— his hands especially. Or at least, that’s what his little sister had told him every time he held hers.
The store wasn’t far, but Chris wouldn’t mind it even if it was. He enjoyed the other, keeping pace and jogging at his side.
Alex blushed at Chris's warm hand wrapped around his own, but smiled as they ran. He only removed his hand when when they entered the near empty grocery store, a few employees looking at them menacingly.
"What do we get first? Pancake mix? Syrup? Plates?"
“I’ll grab the mix and syrup, if you wanna go grab some paper plates. And maybe a few plastic forks and knives. And maybe like.. a spatula and a pan. I didn’t think this through,” he gave a tight laugh, his cheeks noticeably red. He wasn’t the kind to flush easily, but here he was. Just held hands with him.
They both probably looked out of place— both looking noticeable anxious but wearing the most formal attire in the whole store. Chris slightly more so, but they both looked sharp. Sharply unnatural.
“Honestly, just grab whatever. I’ll meet you back here. Deal?”
Alex nodded, blushing slightly as well. "Deal," he responded before grabbing a squeaky cart and running off into the store, grabbing a few plates, some forks, and a bright pink pan. He couldn't resist the throw pillow with a picture of Nicolas Cage's face on it, so he threw that into his cart as well.
Chris clapped, running down to the adjacent isles like a football coach that had just told his team to break. He yanked chocolate chips, pancake mix, and syrup from the shelves, debating blueberries before saying “heck it” and yanking them as well. He was getting paid tomorrow, it was fine. This was fine.
He met Alex back at the counter, unfolding his arms so the supplies fell onto the belt. The cashier gave them a strange glance— quite the odd combination, and the fact that Chris was in a full-blown suit. But Chris just stood there confidently, slipping out a wallet and giving Alex a cheesy wink.
Alex blushed, grinning as he placed his own items onto the belt. "oh no, I'll pay," he offered, reaching for his wallet before remembering he didn't have any money on him. "Um…"
“Don’t— please don’t worry about it,” Chris said lightly. “I got it. But… should I be asking about the.. uh— pillow, you got there?”
Before Alex could reply, Chris shook his head and continued. “I mean, I don’t mind it, it’s an interesting decoration choice and I’m okay with it…”
Alex grinned. "What is there to ask? I'll pay you back." With that, he winked and walked to the water fountain to get a drink while the other boy payed. "Ready to go make the best pancakes of all time?"
(Sorry for the delay!)
“You know it,” he said cheerfully, accepting the challenge willfully and hoping the other boy wouldn’t pick up on his crimson-tinted face. Picking up the bagged supplies, he brushed past Alex, giving him a smile on his way out the automatic door. “You comin?’”
(no problemo!)
"You know it!" Alex grinned. "You did get blueberries, right? Sprinkles???"
Chris’ face went blank.
“I— I may have forgotten the sprinkles,” he mumbled, but rushing before Alex could reply he continued, “but I do have the blueberries and chocolate and syrup and whatnot.”
He gave a sheepish smile, the bags jostling slightly at his walking as his feet tapped quietly on the sidewalk.
Alex chuckles, shaking his head. "Ah, Chris. I'm disappointed. Last one to the house is a rotten egg!" With that, Alex sprinted towards their apartment, hoping he remembered the way correctly.
Chris shook his head, beginning to take up a slight jog.
“Unfair!” he called after Alex, voice shaky with each labored step. “I have the bags, man!”
Yet he tried his best to break into a run, following the other boy back to the apartment. Upon arriving, Chris gave Alex a mocking smile, nodding toward the door handle.
“Could you give me a hand, please?” he asked kindly, although his expression was teasing.
Alex laughed, pretending to think. "Hmm. You forgot sprinkles. Maybe I shouldn't let you in."
At that moment, his stomach growled loudly, and he laughed again. "Okay fine. C'mon." He opened the door for Chris and followed him in.
"So where do we start?"
