gvnmetal

2020 was no joke, Edward thought, it started bad and kept getting worse every week. When you thought things were looking up, the month changed and a new catastrophe would hit them. Not that the coronavirus wasn't enough to keep him busy, stressed and constantly worried. 

He had lost muscle and the dark circles beneath his eyes made him look so unlike him, lacking energy and enthusiasm for life and people. Not only that but being an essential worker meant he hasn't been able to be in the same room or touch Finn for months now. If one knew Edward at all, even when they had to be a week apart he would already whine he missed his man so much. The only one that got even more distressed not seeing Finn around was Shaw, but thankfully he was in isolation with Finn at the clinic where he was staying.

Finn had to work as well, especially with the lack of donations from the community for the shelter he had to work because of the necessity of veterinarians being available for emergencies. Edward knew that him surrounded by dogs and with barely any people walking in to interact with him directly initially sounded like a good deal for Finn, but it's been months now. Months.

The hospital provided part of their employees with nearby temporary housing to make sure they all isolated from their families and were close enough to be easily available to work. The worst had passed, some had said, which is true they now have masks, gloves and other items that were quickly vanishing everywhere. They now had created a system to make the process less chaotic too, so that's how Edward found himself having a nice day off on a Sunday for once.

He was still in bed, happy he had rested but hating that this bed wasn't his bed and that this bed didn't have the person he wanted lying next to him. Or even a dog jumping and licking his face.

GOOD MORNING BABE! Day off today if u wanna video chat!!! Miss u so :(

He wrote first thing as he grabbed his phone to text Finn since there were no coffees to share together. Ed didn't want to complain or even think about how much this situation sucked but it fucking sucked. Not only that but it was likely to not end as quickly as most predicted. Right now, all there's left is wait for the vaccine and be as careful as possible.

Opening the photo app on his phone, he scrolled through trying to find the last picture they had taken together. A selfie of Edward kissing Finn's cheek as the other looked away, Finn wasn't as opposed to pictures as he was at the beginning of their relationship but Edward often pushes him too far. I can't help it, he thought, I love him too much.

On the more recent pictures there were only screenshots of them facetiming each other. It wasn't terrible but his whole body ached to feel Finn on his arms again, to kiss him before they left their house to work and to whisper words of love when they're in bed and Finn is warm and pliant already, ready to fall asleep.

But he couldn't have any of those things, could he? Sighing at the things he missed but knew he couldn't get them yet, Edward got out of bed to work out on the small room as best as he could for the next forty minutes.

There was no way he would allow himself to look any worse and have Finn worry about him, he knows he won't be able to go back to his form with the lack of resources and space but Edward would do his best to stay healthy and work, work, wooork enough to reach the end of this mess. He wasn't the most patient but given the circumstances he has behaved himself, he knows the world doesn't need him spiraling to contribute to the apocalyptic present.

He just has to work, help as many people as he can so it won't take many more months before he's allowed to go home to Finn again.

“What’s with the long face, flower boy?” Lauren’s voice reached him out of his daze. That and the ball of wrapping paper she had thrown in his direction, “Already missing ‘coffee beauty’? Didn’t he leave yesterday?”

He didn’t want to take the bait and squawk asking why he was “flower boy” when Shawn got to be “coffee beauty”, instead he threw the ball back hitting her forehead lightly and went back to counting the tips and separating the orders that got crumpled inside his jacket.

“Kids, behave.” Nora sang from the other side of the table, not even bothering to sound upset, hands moving swiftly used to the precision and carefulness of handling the plants, “But Bran dear, is Nishawn not spending the holidays in town? I thought you had invited him to spend Christmas with us.”

It was one thing to dismiss Lauren’s questions but his mom would not happily accept a grunt and a shrug. He shrugged anyway, feeling awkward about discussing why his sorta boyfriend wasn’t around, and said, “He already had a flight booked to see his family, I think. I don’t know the details, didn’t ask.”

Nora hummed and let the subject drop. The holidays were there and the shop was busier as it always is by the end of the year. “Shame. I’m sure he would love to join me with the carols, he has a lovely voice.” she murmured after a beat.

–

“Alright, Brandon Wesley–“

“That’s not my name.”

“Brandon Wesley Murpheus–“

“Even worse.”

“Brendan Wesley Lady Murphy–“

“Lauren!”

“Wes.” she sighed and gave him a look.

“…Yes?” he conceded after finally getting a correct calling, “What. What?” he crossed his arms not enjoying the judgmental eyes he was receiving.

“Are you really upset about the Shawn deal? You guys met this year, I mean, maybe it is too early to spend the holidays together and he has family away.” she reasoned assuming that was the motive behind Wes’ gloomy behavior that day. He was efficient as usual, running up and down town to deliver everything in the cold weather and cleaning up the store afterwards but didn’t engage in conversations and seemed deep in thought during lunch and dinner.

His mouth formed an O shape not expecting the direct question but Lauren knew now that they were alone he was more likely to speak out what was bothering him, she would judge him but she would also try to help him.

Not that there was much to help, it was just his brain playing games and torturing him for no reason.

“It’s nothing. Well. It’s… Technically nothing but it’s annoying.”

She blinked unsurprised which should’ve been annoying if it wasn’t so comforting and made a movement with her hand, telling him to go on.

“So ever since I invited him to dinner last week I’ve had like, uh, three dreams about the exact same thing but in different scenarios. In all of them I’m doing everyday stuff, like riding my bike or crossing the street and then at one point Shawn shows up in the crowd, but he’s… different. His clothes, his hairstyle, his smell, his eyes aren’t– He’s different.” he sighs and takes a breath trying to sound reasonable, “And I always go to him and I either greet him or get closer than, yaknow, get in his personal space but he backs off and looks at me as if he has no idea who I am. It’s a dream, I know, but… you know.”

“Bothers you.” she nods.

“Yeah.” he nods back.

“A lot.” she snickers.

“Duh.” he rolls his eyes.

“It’s just a dream, Wes,” Lauren slaps his thigh and leans against him to sit on the couch, “Dude’s obsessed with your face, he wouldn’t forget you like that.”

“I know! …I think, I don’t know, it’s just–“

“Annoying, got it!”

“Yeah…”

“You’re more into him than you thought you were, huh?” she rolls her head to take a good look at him as she asks and smiles when he pulls his beanie to cover half of his face. “It’s gonna be fine, flower boy!”

–

He doesn’t know why he’s nervous.

He does know but he also knows he has no reason to be this nervous.

They’ve been texting and even FaceTimed a couple of times during Shawn’s time away. The last couple of messages were to discuss where Wes would be at the airport when he went to pick Shawn up and how it was better to take the van instead of the bike because Shawn was packed. So really, no reason.

Still his palms were sweating inside his pockets and his eyes scanned the crowd at the terminal. So many people around, hugging and talking and moving quickly but not enough for Wes’ liking. He pulled his phone out and checked the last text he’d gotten a good few minutes away – Landed! Picking up the bags now. – and yet where the hell was that flirty coffee assho–

“Who are you texting so good you didn’t even notice me making my grand entrance?” Wes heard the words as an arm pulled him in and he was enveloped by a familiar scent and body, “You cheating on me? You got yourself another man? I’ll steal you back.”

Wes hugged Shawn back as soon as the surprised faded, his heart still beating fast, “Hi. You’re here.” and he had clearly recognized him, all was good. Still Wes leaned in to breath into Shawn’s skin.

“Hi, you. Did you just smell me? I smell like airplane, eh?”

“A little bit, but mostly you smell like you.” Wes smiled and kissed the spot closest to his lips, Shawn’s stubbled jaw. Wes could see surprise in the affectionate gesture but Shawn’s eyes were warm as well.

Thomas: You think he knows what he's doing?

Thomas: Nothing is made to be broken.