"Ohh you don't know that, he's comin' at us already, and he's definitely very angry," Atlas said quickly to Emrys. He looked around and spotted Harley as well, looking calm as can be. He glanced between Cadmus, Harley, and Emrys before tightening his grip on Em's hand and pulling him to Harley in a run.
Cadmus broke out into a sprint when he realized they were running, but by the time he caught up Harley had already tossed an arm across their shoulders, pulling them close. "No dismemberment in the lobby, Cadmus."
Cadmus pouted. "But babe, they totally deserve it!! They're late, they were probably making out all over the stupid overstarched hotel pillows, why can't I punish them??"
"Well, first of all, Harley is right. If you must do something, at least not in the lobby where anyone and everyone can see you. But second, we were just laying on the bed, talking. Once we realized how late it had gotten, we literally jumped off the bed and into clean clothes." Atlas explained in an overdramatic calm tone. "But, you know who probably was making out all over those pillows? You and Harley just like you did in the pool." He said almost mockingly. Glancing at Emrys with a silly grin. "But we should get going, princess, don't want the uber to wait while we argue about nothing."
Cadmus gawked at Atlas, but before he could say anything Harley shoved himself to his feet, grabbing Cadmus by the back of the shirt and dragging him out the door. "Come on guys," he said over his shoulder, gesturing with his few hand while Cadmus squawked and struggled. "Uber's here, we can argue in the car. I'm gonna sit up front."
Em laughed, lacing his fingers with Atlas' as they walked out the door. "Aww, Harley, you can't just leave us in the back with Cads. He'll kill us."
"Damn right I will ya' fuckin' horndogs!"
"Well, I guess this is goodbye, love. I'm so glad I got to be your boyfriend and if you escape Cadmus, please do something nice with my ashes. I love you so much." Atlas said in a jokingly serious manner as they followed Harley and Cadmus to the Uber.
Em laughed and, after glancing around quickly to make sure nobody was watching, pecked him on the lips. "No can do, I'm afraid. I'm gonna be just as dead as you are by the time the ride's over, we're gonna have to rely on Harley to carry out our last wishes."
"Well, then we'll get to be together at least. I can take the middle seat you won't be in as much danger that way." Atlas continued. They got outside and the Uber was in sight. "See in another life, my love." He said, in an attempt to be serious, not really, but he broke and started giggling.
Em giggled as he slid into the car, buckling up as Cadmus seethed on the curb. Once they were inside the car, safely tucked away from the outside world, he let loose, turning to Atlas with a gleeful smile. "Oh y'all were *totally making out, c'mon, spill the details!!"
"Ah nope, you're still wrong. I mean obviously kissed a few times, but we don't make out as much as you may assume. Most of the time we're too lazy for it and we just lay in bed together not doing anything but enjoying being closer to one another." Atlas calmly explained however he did have a slightly silly smile on his lips. He reached for Emrys' hand again, lacing their fingers. "Just exactly how long did you guys stay in the pool and exactly how long did you hang out in your room? Huh? I bet you and Harley did more that Em and I."
"Oh Harley and I went all the way to third base, nobody's denying that!" Cadmus was nothing if not enthusiastic, much to the distress of the poor uber driver. Harley choked on his coffee. "All I'm saying is y'all were gone for a suspiciously long time and you came back all ruffled and Em always blushes when anything happens and he's all pink just look at him." He leaned over to poke Emrys on the cheek, earning a playful slap for his trouble. "See? Totally flustered!"
"Okay, no one actually needed to know that, princess… look what you did to your beloved, he could die from drinking coffee," Atlas said, turning to Emrys. "Oh you are a little flustered." He murmured as he leaned in for a soft kiss. He smiled sweetly and leaned his head on Em's shoulder.
Cadmus rolled his eyes. "Please, Harley's a big boy, he can take care of himself."
"Not when you talk like that I can't," he muttered, dragging himself into a meandering half argument with Cadmus.
Em blushed harder when Atlas turned his full attention on him, kissing him back shyly. Their uber rating was gonna tank, but he didn't care all that much, reaching up to card through his lover's hair gently. "I can't help it, I just…" He shrugged helplessly
"Ohh no need to worry, love. I honestly find it cute. But I guess those two have been busy… in their first few hours of being together…" Atlas said to Emrys, not paying much attention to the others. "You wanna tip the driver extra with me? I felt bad for him before we even got in the car."
Em laughed. "Honestly," he murmured, quieting himself so the driver wouldn't have to hear, "I'm surprised Cadmus didn't drop to his knees right there in the pool. We used to talk about our respective crushes a lot and his train of thought was always a lot… less PG than mine. If you get my drift. And I think we kind of owe it to the driver to tip."
"Yeah, I see… I'm surprised as well. I always kept my crush on you to myself, no one knew until I accidentally told you that night. And I'm so glad I did, even if it was a little bumpy to start. I know I told you this already, but thank you so much for trusting me and despite your worries, you agreed to a relationship." Atlas said softly, lifting his head from Emrys' shoulder and instead looking into his eyes.
Em met Atlas' eyes for a seconds before he had to look away, cheeks warm and smile pleased. "Yeah, I… I feel the same way you do. I'd been crushing on you since before we met, but I… I didn't wanna fuck up our relationship and… and then you confessed and it was… amazing."
"I definitely can't say that about you. Cadmus did mention you from time to time, but I didn't know you 'till you joined the band. But you know how happy I am that you joined the band. First, we now have an amazing guitarist and the wouldn't be the same without you. And two I wouldn't have an amazing boyfriend if you weren't here." Atlas rambled. He had a soft smile on his lips. If he even thought back at all, he was overwhelmed with happiness. Doing something he loved with all his heart as a job all the while being with some of his favorite people.
Em laughed. "Yeah, I… um… I think people forget I was a fan of the band before I joined it. I was so into your music it was embarrassing, Cads teased me about it all the time. It was you guys who inspired me to pick up guitar again in high school, and… um… wow, that's really kinda dumb, isn't it?" His face went from pink to red as he looked down at his fingers, nervously tanged together in his lap. "I'm just glad we clicked when I met you properly."
"Ah that's not dumb at all. It's literally the epitome of a dream come true" Atlas said softly, pecking Em's cheek. He continued, adding a dramatic flair, "The biggest fan of a band gets inspired to play guitar again. He then joins said band and lives a dream, eventually dating the lead singer of the band." He let out a breath, smiling. "Doesn't that just sound like the dream of hundreds of people? I for one think it's a pretty amazing story."
Em laughed. "C'mon, it wasn't that dramatic. It was more like… average teen who loves local boy band starts learning to play their songs, eventually starts playing guitar full time until the incredibly handsome, suave, charming, overall amazing lead singer deigns to let him play for them at a concert despite the fact that he's never been on stage before and is also a huge nerd."
"But the fact that I had you play for us for a concert, as a fan that would be absolutely amazing, wouldn't it? Getting to play with your favorite band. I don't know, I think your backstory, getting into the band at least, is more interesting than Harley's, Cadmus', and mine." Atlas said, facing Emrys and smiling.
"I mean… It was pretty cool." Emrys met Atlas' eyes with a small smile, excited mostly because Atlas seemed to be. "But not half as cool as starting your own band from scratch and becoming one of the top groups in the country. That's… monumental. And super awesome."
"Well, I guess we're both right, each with our own cool beginnings, yeah?" Atlas said in a questioning manner. He slid his arm around Emrys' shoulder since his waist was pressed against the car seat. Atlas wasn't paying much attention to Cadmus and Harley at all, only Em or the city passing by outside the window.
Emrys laughed and kissed him softly, leaning up against Atlas' side with a pleased smile. It was so nice to be pressed up against his boyfriend's side like this, nestled together on the saner side of the car."Yeah, yeah, alright. We can both be awesome, I'll allow it."
"Oh good, I'm glad you'll allow it." Atlas said softly, smiling and laying his head on Emrys'. The aquarium was quite big, so it could be seen for a while. It finally came in sight, but it still would take a bit to get there. "Look, Em, it's the aquarium!"
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