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[busybean]

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[busybean]

[he hasn't either in this lifetime, but the idea still feels comfortable enough. leo hums a quiet acknowledgement, flopping over perpendicular to nate, pillowing his head on his chest.]

You happy here?

[it's something he asks occasionally, can't help but to.]

[soicantlose]

[his arms wrap around leo, resettling so he can hold him close, a hand carding through his hair. he doesn't really need to think about it, answers quickly as he always does, voice calm and certain:] Yeah, baby. I really am.

[a beat, and then, a little quieter:] Are you? [he doesn't always ask, doesn't always feel like it's necessary, but right now he feels a little less sure.]

[busybean]

Yeah.

[it's just as easy, just as quick, even if leo is already a little faraway in his own thoughts.]

Just feels like - there's a countdown somewhere or something. [he knows exactly why he feels like that; it's still novel that they aren't on a timer. he tries to turn it into a joke.] Most young relationships are doomed, you know.

[soicantlose]

Most young people are dumb enough to give up. [joking. he nuzzles at leo, hugging him tighter for a moment.] I'm not planning on making that mistake.

[busybean]

I still remember your face when you saw me in that school uniform. [but he's leaning into that hug, not pulling away, his voice amused.] I thought I was cooked.

[soicantlose]

I thought you were too. [said with a little laugh.] But I guess you're just too hard to stay away from.

[busybean]

Don't say it like that. It makes it sound like we just happened naturally. I put a lot of work into manifesting this relationship, thanks.

[it's a joke! it's... 90% a joke.]

[soicantlose]

Yeah, you did.

[it's not really a joke. he doesn't know what he'd have done if leo had just given up on him, or actually moved on. regretted it for a long time, probably.]

...But both can be true.

[busybean]

[leo hesitates, picking at some grass with his fingers before admitting:] I banked a lot on you being too curious to stay away.

[soicantlose]

Well, you were right about it. Lucky for me.

[he's pretty sure he knew that immediately, even if he wanted to deny it for a while. he shrugs, hand running up and down leo's back absently.]

[busybean]

I kind of wish you'd be more bothered that I'm keeping you a secret from my family.

[he idly tosses the grass he's plucked down toward their feet.]

I think it'd make me feel better.

[soicantlose]

Feels kind of hypocritical, though. Considering mine's probably never going to know about you.

[he probably wouldn't hide it if he ran into them, but he hasn't spoken to them in longer than he's known leo and doesn't really plan on changing that.]

[busybean]

Are you kidding? They're gonna get wedding invites on extra special paper just to make them think we're loaded. [he hesitates, then amends:] With the wrong date just so they can't actually crash.

[soicantlose]

[that gets a little bit of a laugh out of him, nodding slightly.] All right, in that case, I'm all for it.

[the last thing he actually wants is to subject leo to his family. but holding it over them -- he's willing to be that petty.]

Still feels different than actually coming out to them, though.

[busybean]

I like that that's the part you complain about and not me planning a future wedding.

[but the laugh makes him relax just slightly.]

I'm gonna graduate college almost a full year early. I'll tell them then.

[soicantlose]

[the first part just gets a shrug out of him. it's not like he isn't not committed to leo already. he's not planning on going anywhere no matter what; kind of seems inevitable that they'll get there eventually.]

Baby, I'm not rushing you. You know that, right? [his tone is gentle, brushing a hand through leo's hair.] You can tell them when you're ready. I don't care.

[busybean]

[leo feels guilty about doubting their relationship at times, but - nate had spent so long running away from memories of his past life. he worries that he'll just remind him of things he doesn't want to know; he worries, too, about maintaining his interest without the years of history in his mind.]

I don't like hiding you.

[soicantlose]

You're not hiding me. You're -- waiting for the right moment.

[he leans up to press a kiss against leo's mouth, gently, trying to be reassuring.]

[busybean]

Baby, I'm hiding you. [he's happy to accept the kiss, to chase another one, and he doesn't seem upset - just matter of fact.] Oh - I guess I did come out to my sister a couple of days ago, dunno if I mentioned.

[not that they were nearly as close this loop, as he'd never been kicked out, but he was confident enough that her character had been unchanged.]

[soicantlose]

No, I think you skipped that one.

[he's a little amused by the fact that leo didn't say so at the time, raising an eyebrow at him.] I'm guessing it went well or you would have brought it up?

[busybean]

She knew. Or - she had a feeling? I kind of figured she did, anyway. [he kept forgetting she hadn't been told, if anything, the memory of living with her so vivid.] She said you better treat me good, though. So I guess you better watch out.

[soicantlose]

I think I can manage to stay on your good side. I'm doing pretty well so far, right?

[it's a joke. mostly a joke. sometimes he worries, it feels like there's something he's missing or not quite getting. but mostly he's not concerned about things fading.]

[busybean]

No surprise assassinations in the middle of the night. So you're doing okay, I think.

[said with the usual sort of quiet wryness, and he draws nate in for one more lingering kiss.]

I should let you unwind from work.

[soicantlose]

What do you think this is? [he gestures between them with a little grin, shrugging.] I'm okay, if you want anything.

[busybean]

I think this is you indulging me by lying in the grass. [he exhales, content to just watch the sky for a moment.] I think this is what I always wanted.