#anyway flash forward to today im drying the dog & im looking at feet thinking that for some reason they just dont look right

[goethitee]

i didnt even mention the fucking nails

[leelee10898]

Born to Love you: There she goes. (2/?)

Leo & Alicia

This is from the cgw (Cordonians gone wild) universe. A collaborative AU effort by @ao719 @speedyoperarascalparty @cocomaxley @riseandshinelittleblossom and myself.

If you haven't read the OG when Leo met Alicia, I suggest you do so . This takes place the moments between some of the eventa and situations mentioned. Read it HERE

Leo laid in bed, tossing and turning. The night playing over and over in his mind. Her smile, those big brown eyes, her laugh, from the moment he saw her it was like time stopped it was an odd feeling to him. sure he had been attracted to many women, he wasn't dubbed the playboy prince for nothing, but this was different.  He wasn't sure what to think, but one thing he was sure of was the need to see her again, to hang out with her and lucky for him, she was staying in the palace for the next 2 months.

“Anything I can help with?” Liam eyed him suspiciously “you want to help? You hated this stuff, that's why you abdicated.”

The next morning he got up, his mind going a mile a minute. Thinking of ways to spend some time with her. He showered, dressed and headed to Liams office. “Hello little brother, what's on the agenda today?” Leo flopped down on the couch, resting his feet on the desk. “Several proposals to look over, a meeting with the zoning committee for a new park and dinner with Anitah.” Liam nudged his feet off the desk.

“No, I don't mind helping Liam. And we all know i abdicated so I didn't have to marry Madeline.” Leo shot him that cocky grin. Liam shook his head and smiled “touche.” He rubbed his chin sitting back in his chair. “Ok Leo, if you are serious I could use an extra set of eyes and hands on these. Aside from our father you have had the same training as I so I trust you to help.”

Leo poured over the papers with Liam, pointing out several things that should be negotiated to better benefit the country. Liam was happy to have the help, it meant getting to dinner on time, and Anitah would be happy.

“So dinner huh? Is it just you and Anitah?” Leo nonchalantly asked.

“There it is. Leo I warned you stay away, she has a boyfriend. And she's Anitah's best friend.”

Liam tossed his pen on the desk.

“Had. She had a boyfriend,  she's single. And i'm not doing anything. She seems like a fun girl, I'd like to get to know her better.. as Friends, dad!”

Liam let out a long sigh. “Yes, she will be there. I'm assuming you want to join us?”

Leo shook his head “Don't mind if I do.”

“Leo im serious, she's not like these girls at court. She doesn't care about titles or wealth. If you hurt her Anitah will kill you. And then me.”

Leo put his hand up in the air “Let me stop you there Li. I am wanting to hang out with her, to have fun. I said nothing about getting into her pants.”

Liam shook his head standing as they walked out of the study.  “This has disaster written all over it. We leave at 6.”

Liam made reservations at the best restaurant in the capital. They lead them quickly to a private dining room, secluded from the other diners. “Allow me.” Leo  pulled her chair out. “Thank you.” she grinned as he took a seat next to her. Liam doing the same for Anitah.

“So Alicia. how are you enjoying Cordonia?” Liam asked.

“Well, its beautiful from what I've seen. But i have seen the airport, and some of the capital.”  she giggled. “I can show you around, if you'd like. I know many secret spots that aren't on any of the tourist list.” Leo smirked. Liam gave him a pointed look “Really? That would be great. Can we go tomorrow?”

“I don't see why not.” Leo grinned.

They spent the dinner talking laughing and joking. Leo and Liam spilling embarrassing stories from growing up.

Anitah and Alicia crying from laughing so hard. Leo had told them a story from when Liam had just turned 7 Leo had just turned 13 and they were in hawaii for his birthday.  There was a chocolate bar in the hotel and Both boys snuck over sneaking treats. Leo found a lizard on a windowsill, he picked it up and put it on Liam's back. Liam freaked out and crashed into the table,  sending a whole vat of chocolate across the room landing right on Constantine.

“I will forget the look on his face.” Leo sighed as he wiped a stray tear from his eye from laughing so hard.

“How pissed was your dad?” Anitah said through laughter.

“Very, he grounded us for a month.”

“Yeah, that was around the time I started sneaking out with Damien.” Leo leaned forward forking a chunk of chocolate cake he began lifting it as Alicia leaned down, taking it off the spoon. His jaw hung open on shock. “Gotta be quicker than that Rhys.” She winked and smirked. “She just. She just ate my cake, of my fork.”

“You can't leave chocolate cake around her Leo.” Anitah laughed.

Alicia scooped a spoonful of her chocolate mousse lifting it to her mouth, just before she reached her lips Leo leaned in his mouth inches from hers as he ate it off the spoon. He leaned back. “Two can play that game.” He gave her his signature smirk and sat back in his chair.

“Ok, ok. It's your turn the two of you.” Leo pointed at the two.

“Us?” they said simultaneously.

“Yes, you two. Time to spill some embarrassing situations. We've been doing it all night, it's only fair.”

Liam looked to Leo, and the two women.  “He has a point love, it's only fair. However we don't have time here.”

“So we go back to my quarters, have a few drinks and continue this party.” the 3 nodded in agreement and they headed towards the exit.

They walked out Liam with his arm around Anitahs waist. Leo walking next to Alicia. a huge grin on his face just as they were bombarded by flashes. The security detail held them off as Bastien hurried them to the waiting car. They slid and and speed away. Leo turned to Alicia. “pull out your phone and delete all of your social media, now!”

“What? Why?” Alicia looked at him confused.

“Alicia, he's serious do it now.”

“those photos they took, will be in all the tabloids and papers tomorrow morning. Their websites by midnight. They will find out who you are and your entire personal life will be at the fingertips of any person in this country.”

“He's not lying, when Anitah came here she had to do the same, until we were able to go in and make all of her accounts private.” Liam spoke sympathetically.

“Ok, fine. You mean everything?”

“Yes.” all 3 said at the same time.

Alicia went through deactivating all of her social media accounts. They pulled up to the palace Anitah and Alicia going to change, Liam and Leo heading to Leos quarters waiting on the girls.  

“So, what do you think the headlines are going to be?” Leo leaned against the table, taking a swig of his scotch.

Liam let out a sigh “Oh probably something about a double date. They don't often catch you out with a woman. And you were with Anitah and I.”  

“You're probably right. They are going to have a field day with this.”

“She's Anita's best friend, and here for two months. It was only a matter of time before they got to her. Anitah was warned about this, we should have debriefed Alicia.”

Leo snorted “Well, its done. They should be back any minute, lets not let this ruin our night.”

As if on cue Anitah and Alicia walked in. Anitah holding a bottle of jagermeister, Alicia a few cans of redbull. “We thought we could spice up this party a little bit.” Anitah grinned.

“Where did you get that? Liam tilted his head.

“The bar in the ballroom.”

She sat the bottle down on the kitchen counter and went over to Liam wrapping her arms around him.

“where's your shot glasses?” Alicia called over to Leo. He walked over to the dry bar pulling 4 out.

He watched as Alicia poured the dark liquor into the shot glasses. Filling each cup with redbull. “You ever have one of these?” he nodded his head. “Yup. Liam on the other hand, I don't think so.”

“well, this ought to be good then.” She giggled as she called Liam and anitah over.

“What do we do with this?” Liam questioned.

“Lets show him Nitah.” Alicia winked as the two dropped their shots into the cup of redbull and drank it down quickly.

“Fuck that's good.” Alicia whooped.

“Hell yeah, let's do another one.” Anitah high fived her. Leo and liam both shared a look and drank theirs down. A few drinks and shots later they were all laughing hysterically.

“Ok ok. What about the time I got pulled over going the wrong way, down a one way street.” Anitah giggled.  “Oh my god, yes when we left that party. Dude we were so wasted. I don't even know how you drove.”

“Anitah, seriously?” she waived him off.

“So did you get out of it?” Leo grinned.

“mmhmm, the cop that pulled us over took my license and seen my address.  He asked us what highschool we went to. Turns out his niece went there too and we were actually friends with her. He let us go.”

“Yeah after he told you to let someone else drive.” Alicia snorted, Anitah slapped her leg.

“oooh what about the time we snuck out to see nsync at the beach?”

Anita's face blushed bright red. “NO. Alicia.”

“Nope, spill Alicia. I want to know what kind of trouble my soon to be Queen was.” liam grinned, feeling tipsy.

“Well, we were in Atlantic city during summer vacation. Nsync was performing. My parents wouldn't let us go, but we scored tickets.”

Anitah looked at Alicia.  “I hate you so much right now.” She buried her head.

“Oh you act like you're the only one who was embarrassed. Anyway. So we snuck out and met up with a few guys we had met on the beach earlier in the week.” Alicia continued.

“kyle and Chris. They had a car and were hot.” Anitah added in.

" Anita!” Liam shouted giving her a stern look.

“Ok. So the four of us went to the concert. They had a convertible and some mad dog. We got drunk and ended up taking our shirts off down the highway. We pulled into a parking spot and we had a makeout session with the guys.  Only, we were in a parking lot of a casino.”

“Anitah! Seriously?” Liam shook his head, face reddening.

“oh god. Anitah buried her face even deeper.

“so. Clothing was coming off, things were heating up when we heard someone shout our names. Turns out my parents date night was at that casino and they were parked right in front of us.”

“Oh shit. How much trouble did you get into?” Leo grinned. “Leo!” Liam turned glaring at his brother who was clearly enjoying it.

“Oh that's not even the best part. they forced us out of the car, I tripped over the seatbelt and fell out on the ground,  boobs popping out of my bra. Anitah here, climbed out crying because she was so drunk and puked, all over my dad.”

“Anitah Elizabeth Brooks! That was horrible, irresponsible, reckless behavior.” Liam shook his head “Thank god you've outgrown that.”

Alicia busted out laughing, Anitah shooting her a warning look.

“So what did your parents do?” Leo said grabbing her attention.

“Oh. Well they didn't want to ground us because that would mean someone had to watch us. So, they made us wear full piece kiddie bathing suits the rest of the vacation, and my mom brought us long shorts and baggy tank tops. It was torture.” Alicia snorted.

Anitah placed her hand on Liam's thigh sliding it higher. “Anitah.” He groaned as her hand slid up his leg. “What my king?” she cooed as he leaned in kissing her.

“Im gonna get another drink.” Alicia stood up walking to the kitchen area. “I'll join you.” Leo stood following her. “scotch is gone, so is the jager and vodka.” she assessed the bottles on the counter. “Got anything else?” Leo walked over to the bar pulling out a bottle of gin.

“I can work with this, got any 7up?”

He shook his head “No, but i have a couple cans of lemon lime soda over here. She grabbed the cans tossing a few ice cubes in the glass, adding a few shots of gin, topping it off with some soda. She took a sip as Anita's shirt hit her feet. She looked over to see Anitah straddling Liam on the couch, his hands in her hair. She rolled her eyes. “How about some air?” Leo motioned to the balcony. “Get a room you two.” Leo shouted as he walked Alicia out onto the balcony.

He leaned up against the door frame, watching her as she leaned over the railing, loose strands of hair that fell out of her messy bun blowing in the nights breeze. She wore a pair of loose fitting sweat pants and a tank top, he had only known her for two days but he couldn't help but think how sexy she looked like that. “It's really beautiful, this view.” She broke the silence, looking straight forward. “Yeah, it is.” was he talking about the scenery or her?  He walked up joining her. “I spent most of my time running from here, from what was expected of me. But now.” He paused, looking out into the nights sky.

“Now what?” She turned her head to face him.  “I don't know? It's like, everything feels different. Better almost.”

“Did you really mean it when you said you'd take me out sightseeing tomorrow?”

“Yeah, I figure we get an early start.” She gave him a look. “ Ok semi early start.” he chuckled. “Maybe grab some breakfast.”

“Sounds good. Maybe we should go check on the two horn dogs.” she giggled.

They walked in, no sign of Anitah and Liam except her shirt. “Looks like they got a room.” she nudged him. “wanna watch some Tv?” He asked, not ready for her to leave yet. “Sure, as long as I get to pick.” she giggled running over grabbing the remote as she plopped down on the couch. She flipped through the channels until she found friends. “Ever watch this?” she asked. “a time or two.” He tossed himself down next to her. After a while she had leaned against him, making herself comfortable. Before he knew it she had fallen asleep. He laid her down,  careful not to wake her. He grabbed a blanket and pillow for her, shutting off the tv and went into his room, pulling off his shirt, and putting on a pair of pajama bottoms. He climbed into bed falling instantly asleep.

The next morning he woke up, He opened his eyes to a frock of brown hair in his face, his arm draped around her waist. Stunned as to how, or when she got there. He had left her on the couch, what was she doing in bed, with him. He carefully slid his arm off of her, she started to stir and then she rolled over. Her big Brown eyes locked on his bright blues. “Ah, good morning.” He cautiously said, not sure how she would react. She blinked a few times “Morning. How did, um what am I doing in your bed?”

“Good question.” He chuckled. “You fell asleep on the couch, I put a blanket over you and came in here. And I woke up, there you were.” they got out of the bed, and made their way to the kitchen Leo brewed a some coffee.

“I really don't know how I Ended up in your bed. I remember getting up to use the bathroom, and.” Her hand flew up over her face. “Oh god, I thought I was home, so I climbed into your bed. I am so sorry.”

“No, its ok I don't mind.” she gave him a questioning look. “not that I wanted to sleep with you. No, that came out wrong. I um, it was ok that you did, I just didn't want you to think I was trying to take advantage of you,  that's all.” He stumbled over his words smooth, real smooth Leo,  now she's going to think you're a creep.  “I don't think you'd take advantage of me. I climbed into your bed on my own." She gave him a look.

What was that look for? What did she mean by that? Did she want him to make a move, he was good at reading people, but when it came to her, his mind was cloudy.

A knock came at the door, Liam walked in. “papers are here, they think you're dating.”

Liam stopped dead in his tracks seeing Alicia sitting at the kitchen table. His head snapped over to Leo, anger written all over his face. “I didn't know you were still here Alicia. I wasn't interrupting anything was I?”

“Nope. I passed out on the couch.” liam took notice of the blanket and pillow. “I'm going to go shower and change, see you in about an hour?”

Leo nodded his head as she walked out.

“You're playing with fire here Leo. And she's the one whos going to get burned.” He tossed the papers on the table and left.

Tag: @annekebbphotography @carabeth @moneyfordiamonds @give-me-ernest-sinclaire @3pawandme @indiacater @ooo-barff-ooo @ownworldresident @tornbetween2loves @perfectprofessorherokid @stopforamoment @editboutique @wannabemc2 @zaffrenotes @enmchoices @lauradowning29 @lodberg @smalltalk88 @gibbles82 @heatherfilliez @drakesensworld @nikkis1983 @sweetest-marbear @classylady1234 @daniv2278 @jlouise88 @jared2612 @liamxs-world @notoriouscs @blubutterflyy @captain-kingliamsqueen @whenyourheartskipsabeat @lynne1993 @coldcollectornight08 @be-still-my-aching-heart @dcbbw

@kennaxval @hopefulmoonobject

[froggiedog]

Okay!! So!! Merry (a lil’ late) Christmas (or all that other jazz) @vndoom !!!!

Your prompts were SO STINKIN’ CUTE and I immediately fell in love with the first one. I realized a lil’ late I’m bad at keeping things short, so I had to really push myself to leave out some extraneous detail.

I apologize that it’s towards the end of the deadline, but I hope the wait was worth it!! I’ve never been great at deadlines anyways,,,

Enjoy!!

(And endless thanks to the ever-lovely @showtoons for beta-ing!!)

3,162 words, some mild swearing.

@dearevanhansensecretsanta

Evan has always hated field trips.

There was always too much to do, too much to remember, and too many people packed onto a tiny school bus.

He shivers in his seat, staring bitterly out the frosted window as the kid next to him leans out across the middle aisle, shouting something at his friends in a way that was just too obnoxious for Evan to be able to handle right now.

Evan had set his bag on the seat next to him, a physical marker of I don’t want anyone to sit here, find somewhere else, but the kid had shoved it to the ground and plopped himself right in Evan’s safe space without so much as an apology or an acknowledgement.

That was fine, he guessed. Evan also hated small talk.

The bus jostles to the side, throwing Evan against the window, and he reels back as the cool glass meets with the side of his face. Disgruntled, he raises a gloved hand to rub at it in annoyance. Today was already turning out to be fantastic.

Alana pops up over the back of the seat in front of Evan, flashing a bright grin at him. Evan looks up at her wearily.

“We’re almost there! Don’t forget your backpack this year— remember last time? You were so distraught—”

“Yes, but—”

“—and you called your mother, crying—”

“Okay, Alana, thank you.” Evan rubs at his temples. “Yes, that was— I remember that.” Evan reaches down to tug his backpack into his lap, faking a smile he’s sure looks painful on his face. “I won’t forget it this time.”

She only shrugs, sinking back into her seat, when Evan’s phone buzzes.

Connor

If i have to listen to this asshole make one more joke about my hair im throwing him out the window

Evan smiles down at his phone, cradling it in his hands like it was a prized heirloom from a time forgotten (in a sense, it kind of was). There had been too many seniors to cram them all on one bus, so the class had been split. Evan was left with Alana on this bus, and Connor and Jared were together on the other. Evan was fairly certain one or the other would arrive, throttled, at their destination.

Evan

I think all of us would appreciate that, except maybe Alana.

Just don’t get in trouble with the chaperones.

Connor replies with a simple “k”, and Evan tucks his phone away. It seems the others on the bus are becoming restless and noisy, squabbling around to get a look out the windows, so he figures they’re arriving soon.

Evan clutches the straps of his backpack tightly as they get off the bus, the cold air immediately whipping its way into his jacket and forcing him into a hunch.

God, he really hates the cold.

Evan jumps reflexively as a long, thin arm winds its way around his shoulders. Startled, he looks up into the grim, gaunt face of Connor Murphy. Who is scowling.

“What’s up?” Evan asks, relaxing into his side. “Missed you.”

Jared makes a distinct gagging noise somewhere to Evan’s left, beyond Connor. “Just get together already, you’re both fuckin’ gross.”

Evan wrinkles his nose, immediately detaching from Connor’s side. “Is it even worth it at this point to tell you we’re just friends?”

“That.” Connor says, pointing a thin, gloved finger at Jared. “That’s the problem.”

Jared places a hand over his heart, mocking a wounded expression. “‘That’? I must mean more to you than just ‘that’, Murphy.”

Connor doesn’t humor him, instead making a show of rolling his eyes.

As the teachers call everyone’s attention and wrangle them into place, they explain the nature of the tour, adding special detail to the notes they need to take along the way, reiterating as many times as possible that it isn’t a leisure trip. Everyone groans collectively at the assigned workload, with the exception of Alana, who seems to radiate excitement. They go on to say everyone should get themselves a walking partner, so nobody gets lost, and Connor immediately velcros himself to Evan’s side. It still gives Evan a warm feeling that Connor isn’t withdrawn about their friendship.

Evan gives Jared a bit of side-eye, watching for a moment as Alana grips his arm and chatters his ear off, before fixing his eyes back on the teachers at the front of the group.

Evan flashes Connor a meek smile and plops his mittened hand into his. He’d be just fine like this.

The snow on the sidewalks of New York City could hardly be considered snow— it was all slushy mush that seeped into the fabric of Evan’s Uggs as they walked, wetting his socks and making him intensely more uncomfortable the farther they went. The air seemed to be as bitter and sharp as his current mood.

“You okay?” Connor’s voice pulled him from his darkening thoughts. Evan turns his head to look up at him, and Connor’s eyes were knowing, but not revealing. To passerby, it wouldn’t look like there was a scene unfolding. Evan appreciates that.

He sighs, shoving his hands deeper into the pockets of his worn-out coat. The padding on the inside was so flattened by this point the damn thing barely kept him warm. “I’m just... cold. And not looking forward to this.”

Connor offers Evan a small smile, just for him. “You already know we’re in the same boat.” Evan nods, and Connor’s smile turns smirk. “Would me throwing a snowball at the back of Kleinman’s head make you feel any better?”

“It’d make you feel better,” Evan snorts, “It’d also get us in trouble.”

Connor groans like Evan had just denied him a free piece of candy, his shoulders drooping childishly. “You’re no fun when there are teachers around, y’know that?”

Evan pushes against his arm lightly, a faint smile on his lips, and he allows himself to chuckle.

—

After a while, the groggy uncomfortable feeling starts to feel worse.

The busy streets of New York are crowded and unnavigable enough to be walking through them with a pack of students, all of them loud and restless like a herd of scared sheep, jostling Evan as they walk and pulling him around like a ragdoll. The sounds from the traffic whirring around them melding with the multitude of voices surely don’t help Evan’s senses either, making his face contort into an ugly wince and squish Connor’s hand; his own uncomfortably sweaty inside his gloves despite the cold. He looks up from the pavement in an attempt to ground himself, focus on something else, but he realizes it was a futile attempt when the Christmas lights that are strung from the trees seem to spin and whirl in blurry circles before his eyes. Evan’s lack of attention on his footing makes him skid on a patch of ice. Connor’s fingers are suddenly around his arm.

It’s suddenly too much to take.

He doesn’t say anything for a while, just stops moving until the tangle of students pass around them and they’re at the back of the pack.

“Better?”

Evan nods numbly, though it really isn’t, but he lets Connor pull him forward by his arm anyway. His stomach feels like a bubbling cauldron, his mouth dry, and he tries very hard to swallow the excess saliva pooling in his mouth due to his sudden nausea. He feels Connor’s hand slipping down to grab his, continuing to tug him forward, yet Evan’s feet feel like they’re weighed down with cement. He finally gives in, shaking his head much like a dog, and tugs weakly on Connor’s hand until they’ve stopped again. He’s all too aware of strangers glancing at them as they pass, yet he can’t seem to make himself look at anywhere that’s not the dirty sidewalk beneath them. “I can’t, I feel sick, Connor, I can’t—”

Connor moves to Evan’s front, securing his hands around Evan’s arms and bending down slightly to peer into his face. Evan briefly considers he should feel babied by the action, slightly pissed off, but he realizes he doesn’t. “Breathe, Evan. Just take a moment, you’re alright.”

Evan tries, all the breathing exercises that were taught to him tumble around inside his mind desperately before he can even try to put one into practice. Yet, something about Connor’s strong grip on his arms and the strong scent of his deodorant make Evan feel like he can take his time, like Connor will wait for him, and the world won’t crumble as long as Connor doesn’t lose his grip on him. So he does. He closes his hands into tight fists, and gradually, Evan’s rapid inhales begin to slow. The world slowly stops spinning, things coming into focus, and it doesn’t feel like his entire stomach is going to climb out of his mouth anymore. He’s not great, but he’s slightly more stable, which is arguably better than how he started. The chill settles on his clammy skin, and Connor must notice him shivering because he straightens up and tugs Evan to his chest, wrapping his arms around him.

After a few more moments pass of Evan listening to the gentle beat of Connor’s heart, he pulls back and Connor releases him, his hands sliding back into the pocket of his hoodie.

“All good?” Connor asks.

Evan nods. “Good, this time, yeah.”

Except, as Connor moves out of the way, Evan can’t find where the rest of the class went.

They’re gone.

Frantically, he begins to weave between the people on the sidewalk, peering over and around them, and Connor calls out to him in confusion as he goes. They’re gone. They’re gone. The class left without them, and now Evan can’t see where they went, and they’re lost in New York, and he’ll never find his way home, he has no idea where he is—

Connor yanks on Evan by the back of his coat collar, which effectively gets his attention.

“Where the hell are you going?”

“I—” Evan chokes on his words, swallowing painfully, and turns to Connor. “They’re gone, Connor, they left— we’re lost—”

“So don’t just run off!” Connor stills himself, inhaling deeply through his nose for a moment. “It’s fine, Ev. We can just Google Maps the area, or whatever. Seriously.”

“Oh.” Evan blinks. “Right.”

Connor fishes his phone from his pocket and Evan inches closer to him, fisting a hand in the hem of his hoodie like a child. Connor blinks down at the action momentarily, but resumes swiping around on his phone.

“This way.” Connor stalks forward and Evan is hasty to follow, skidding through the slush, clutching to Connor as if though the minute he lets go of him, he’d vanish too.

There’s a stinging in his nose and a tight feeling in his chest, but Evan pushes down the urge to start crying because they’re in public, and he can tell Connor is already stressed by the rigid set of his jaw and the way he walks, stiff and brisk. He doesn’t need to upset him more— He knows if he goes off a third— fourth? (he’s already starting to lose track) time he might push Connor over the edge. Evan hates upsetting him more than he hates the situation they’re in.

They don’t talk much, occasionally twisting left or right, and eventually Connor slows his stomping. He punches a button for the crosswalk.

“I’m—” Connor’s nose crinkles up. “Y’know, it’s not your fault.”

Evan digs the toe of his soaked shoe into the bank of snow on the edge of the sidewalk. “Okay.” He says, because he doesn’t know what else to. A car whizzes past, spraying dirty slush behind it.

Connor’s hand comes up to scratch the back of his neck, flicking his wrist and tossing his hair out behind him. Evan’s eyes catch on the movement, and it distracts him from realizing the crosswalk light has turned green and Connor is already walking away from him. He lurches into the road, scurrying to catch up with him, and reattaches himself to Connor’s arm as he reaches him.

The taller of the two smiles down at Evan, amusement clear in the curve of his mouth. “Clingy today, aren’t we? If you’re trying to steal my heat it’s not gonna work— I’m too cold-hearted for that.”

Evan rolls his eyes. A smile creeps onto his face as well. “No, I just— I don’t want to lose you.”

A brief emotion Evan can’t place passes over Connor’s face before it shifts into something Evan thinks might be determination. “Here, let’s— Can we sit down for a moment?”

Evan stutters a startled affirmation, allowing Connor to lead him to the edge of an empty fountain. He brushes some snow off, and pulls Evan down to sit with him. Evan cringes at how cold the stone is. The look on Connor’s face says the same.

“Alright, bad idea.” Connor shifts a little, his knee knocking into Evan’s. “Um...”

Something small catches on one of Evan’s eyelashes, blurring his vision momentarily before he blinks it away. He looks up, as if he’d find an answer in the air, and... well, he does. Snowflakes are starting to swirl gently around them, settling gently in Connor’s hair and nuzzling into the creases of Evan’s jacket. Evan just now takes notice of the Christmas lights strung up through the small corner-park they’ve stopped at, twinkling, cheery blues and whites. Evan also takes notice of Connor.

His breath is exhaled in visible puffs like a dragon’s, clouding momentarily before dissipating into the cool air. There are snowflakes on his eyelashes as well, and it looks like someone sprinkled him with glitter. It takes a bit of willpower for Evan not to chuckle at the imagery.

Connor is looking at him. Looking into his eyes. Evan is bodily aware of the simple space where their knees are touching, where Evan couldn’t force himself to pull away if he wanted to.

Snow must make him really, super sappy.

There’s a hand on his, and Evan looks down— It’s Connor’s— and Evan looks back up. Connor’s eyes are soft and warm, and there’s a pink dusting across his cheeks and his nose from the cold. Without much thought, Evan brings his free hand to cup the side of Connor’s face, to offer warmth, but Connor must have thought something different of the gesture.

He leans forward, fast but not fast enough that if Evan had wanted to pull back, he could’ve, and connects their lips.

Evan takes a brief moment to wonder how horribly chapped his lips are, but Connor’s are soft and they slide against his, Evan’s entire being forgetting how cold he was moments before; and just like that, the world is suddenly quiet. The cars are background noise, the chattering of strangers distant and fuzzy, the crunching and sloshing of snow are dim in comparison to the cacophony that is Evan’s heartbeat. It pounds out a steady rhythm in his chest and the hand he has resting on Connor’s cheek slides down to press against Connor’s chest, seeking out the same thing. It beats gently against Evan’s mittened fingers.

They pull away from each other and Connor’s face is lit up like a Christmas tree. It’s one of the most beautiful things Evan has seen, how relaxed and happy and ultimately at peace he looks. Evan’s heart stutters in its rhythm.

He knows he’ll ruin the moment if something comes out of his mouth. His mouth decides to work against his brain anyways. “Uh— I really, um—” He brings his hand from Connor’s chest (he’s a little mortified he left it there) to his own lips. “I’m— wow?”

Connor laughs, a real laugh, a laugh that wrinkles the corners of his eyes and shakes his curly hair loose from behind his shoulders. “You’re a real casanova, y’know that?” Evan’s face heats, and Connor grins at him. “I was gonna try to do a little more talking, but I think that kind of sums everything up.” He pauses. “Probably worked better than if I tried talking, anyways.”

Evan is still a little dumbstruck from the whole situation, not entirely sure how he’s supposed to sort out his feelings and what just happened and what it means. Are they... Does that make them boyfriends? Oh, Jared will have a field day—

Connor takes Evan by the hand and pulls him from the cold stone tile. Evan is still warm. Warmer than he’s ever been. The way Connor’s smiling at him makes him feel like he could burn up.

After Connor starts navigating with his phone again, maneuvering them through the grid-like streets of New York city as snow flurries blow into their eyes, Evan catches sight of the group of teenagers squawking and flocking around the meeting point. He and Connor casually slip into the back of the crowd, but not without Jared and Alana noticing.

“Where have you two been?” Alana pouts, planting her hands on her hips and leaning towards them. “You’ve missed all the fun!”

Connor snorts before he can stop himself. “We had some fun of our own.” Evan’s face must go cherry red, because Jared gasps like he’s heard the most scandalous news of the century.

“No way.” He lunges towards Evan and yanks down his coat collar to inspect his neck. “Did you score any hickies?”

“Jared!” Evan squawks, flapping his hands at him uselessly before managing to push him off. “No, we just... Got lost. Is all.”

Jared squints at him. He’s known Evan since he was a kid, he can probably see right through him. The falling snow must have him in a peace-loving mood, because he drops the subject. He turns to smirk at Connor.

“I don't like it,” Connor starts, “Whatever that look is, I don't like it.”

“Trying to sneak off for some ‘alone-time’, Murphy?”

The two bicker back and forth, something they always seem to be doing, until they relax into their usual group dynamic. Evan zones out for most of the speech done by the teachers, having Alana tug on his sleeve when they seemingly say something worth noting, and while he’s trying to pay attention to the sociocultural reasons of why the architecture of the old New York City buildings remain the way they are, Evan feels Connor’s hand fall into his. He stops himself from looking up to him, however, instead opting to squeeze his hand softly; an unspoken promise, as he does his best to rid his mind from piling thoughts of maybe kissing Connor some more. In private. When they have the time to make it last. Once Evan feels Connor’s amused eyes on him, though, he realizes he might have not done a good job at not letting them show on his face.

He briefly wonders if they could get lost together a bit more often.