heartlands | limelight inbox

[ Phoenix still thinks going to school feels weird to do when they don't know when they'll have to go back to ship but he did promise - it was not a promise, he just takes it seriously - to try and it offers a welcome distraction. ]

[ Turns out half of what he needs a distraction from! Also now roams the halls in the form of someone nearly identical save the white hair and green eyes. Which he should be happy to see and he is, but there's some nervous bundle of energy to untangle as he texts Gingham as the last bell of the day rings. ]

Hey.
When you're ready to leave would you want to walk back together or something?

Of course. Meet you at the entrance in like five?

Five it is.
I'll drop this paper off with a teacher rq and be there.

[ and roughly five minutes later he'll make it to the entrance! and take out the single earbud he'd kept in for most of the day when he sees him. ]

Have a good day?

[coming his way with a grin]

Pretty good, yeah. How about you?

[ dramatically drops his head on his shoulder in greeting! ]

It was sooo long and tiring. Why do we like school again?

[laughs a little]

We are beholden to our future career goals which mostly means capitalism. You okay?

Screw capitalism.

[ said with an equally dramatic groan as he straightens and reaches for his hand. ]

Yeah.

[ This is such an obvious lie even without the scattered worry thoughts that he tries to amend - ] I'm trying to be?

[pauses for a moment, looking at him more intently]

Did something happen?

Not exactly?

[ He smiles a little more easily as he tilts his head in the direction of outside to at least get away from the crowd of late leavers who might listen in. ]

Just been a lot to think about and he's in one of my classes, so a lot of staring. Thankfully, I only had to hear the whispers not the anything else.

A lot to think about feels right. How are you feeling about everything...?

- Is trying really hard not to feel anything a bad answer?

There's no bad answer to that question.

Then, honestly, that's my answer.

[ he offers a weak sort of shrug. ]

I know I should be happy because that was a whole goal I had? To find him.

But even knowing that a couple people were looking for him and that a lot of things happened to make it happen, it feels too easy? Fast? I don't feel prepared for it at all - like conceptually a whole family being involved did not register in my brain.

You don't need to feel like you should be happy if it's complicated. There's a lot of nuance, especially when there's more people than you bargained for.

[after a moment]

Do you want me to meet them? I mean, would that help, or would that just be more overwhelming?

There's so many more people.

[ The offer makes him go silent as he looks away. He squeezes his hand and then asks: ]

Do you want to meet them?

They did ask if I could come by for dinner as much as possible while we're here - which is, totally fair. And I know they're trying really hard not to put too much pressure, but it does get overwhelming.

I only want to meet them if you think it would help you out. If you think it would just make things more complicated or overwhelming, I don't mind at all just listening to you vent.

[gives a hand squeeze in return]

And keep in mind you can say no to dinner with them whenever if it's too much.

... I want you to meet them, too? Especially him. You're just as important to me and - You'll say it won't sound stupid, but it kind of sounds stupid. A reminder there are a lot of important things to me in the life I have now in the middle of it is nice?

[ smiles softly, ducking his head. ]

I kind of already have been. Aside from the first meeting - but it's starting to feel like running.

Nooooo, it's not stupid. I promise. And I'd be glad to meet them whenever you want.

[shakes his head]

I don't think keeping your own limits in mind is the same as running. You know?

One of them you might meet rather we mean to or not since he goes to our school now. [ which is an impossibly weird feeling. he pulls out his phone with a glance at it. ] How about in a little while - if you're free?

Also, no, it's so kind of running when your first thought is "maybe I'll be back on ship tomorrow and I won't have to face it".

I don't have work this afternoon, so - in a little while works.

[bumps against him a little]

At the very least, if you need a break while we're there, I can pretend something came up and we can bail. Fair compromise?

If you're sure. We can get ice cream or something after? My treat.

[ huffs a tiny laugh at the bumping but otherwise looks appreciative when gingham speaks. leaning down to press a quick kiss to his cheek. ]

Fair. And in case I haven't reminded you lately: You're amazing and I love you.

I'll never say no to either hanging out or ice cream.

[shifting a little to kiss his cheek]

I love you, too. [teasing:] And I guess you're pretty cool.

[ he was smiling a little at that as he started to look at his phone, but okay THAT earns an abrupt laugh ]

We can both admit my coolness points are nonexistent.

[ it's a joke and not at all self-disparaging. ]

Nope. Not allowed. One thousand cool points at the very least.

Okay, but how does that work if I'm not the cool twin?

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