we'll be a fine line

“look, you know how i am and i told you, it’s rude!” damien fought and laughed softly. and they both knew that damien was like that, and that was fine. it was just who damien was. “and you’re gonna love what i brought anyway, so a thank you would be great.” damien teased playfully. after all, michael told him not to bring it, so there was no need for him to thank him for something he didn’t ask for. “nervous? why? i thought this was a delicacy? so clearly, it’s been made a time or twenty.” he said and chuckled. “so you know what you’re doing obviously.” he said and then took another bite of his food. this was definitely one for the books. it was something that he’d never experienced before, but leave it to michael to change his perspective on something. when michael mentioned the time frame that had passed with them being apart, damien rose a brow and then said, “a year? really?” as if he didn’t fucking know. damien remembered the day michael left vividly, it was one of the worst days of his life if he had to tell the truth. then dan came up, and hearing that michael had broken up with him, his first concern was obviously michael. “are you okay?” he asked.

“well, thank you for inviting me to your’s so i can actually have this absolute delicacy. i truly do feel honored, like i should have brought more than strawberry rolled cake.” he said and laughed softly. it was certainly…. different than what damien was used to eating, but michael had clearly put a lot of thought and effort into this meal and damien wasn’t going to complain. for all he knew, this could actually be good. he looked over his plate after it was made up and damien had to figure out where he wanted to start first. so rather than continue if he was gonna eat it or not, the man just grabbed a piece and took a bite. his brows furrowed together because it shouldn’t have tasted like actual fried chicken. damien was expecting some sugary grease bucket, but this was… “this is really good.” damien said as he grabbed a napkin to wipe the grease from his fingers and the side of his mouth. and to prove his point further, damien went in for another bite. then michael spoke, and he heard that he missed him - and damien found himself smiling around his food. wiping his mouth once more, damien said, “i’ve, like, missed you too.” he said and offered a quick wink before he grabbed his glass of wine and took a sip. “feels like it’s been awhile since we’ve had dinner together, huh?”

“oh, you? say it isn’t so.” damien teased the younger male. damien wasn’t aware of the facade that micahel put on when he was being confident - damien always bought the act, so safe to say it worked. or he was just an idiot. damien slipped his jacket off when he walked into the living room and placed it over the back of the sofa so he wouldn’t get any food on it. plus, it was more comfortable to not be constricted by the denim jacket. he listened intently as michael spoke as he took his seat at the table, smiling as he went on. michael was certainly something, damien hadn’t found himself wanting to get to know any of his other sugar babies. but when it came to michael, damien did want to know whatever information he could learn. that alone should have been enough to knock some sense into him. hearing what was on the menu, damien’s brows furrowed in confusion for a moment before he chuckled. “i can’t say that i ever have. now, are we talking normal cap’n crunch or are we talking berry crunch? ‘cause that could definitely be an interesting meal.” damien said with a grin on his face. “i’m gonna say a rich white.” damien added with a smirk on his face. “well, thank you. i really can’t wait to try it.” 

damien smiled seeing michael opening the door, the way he looks is just as breathtaking as it was the first time damien saw him. the older man chuckled when michael answered the door and made his comment. “next time i’ll bring the more expensive stuff.” he teased. if there was even going to be a next time. damien had no idea why michael wanted to do dinner, he wasn’t even sure it was a great idea after the conversation damien had with daniel. and well, the drunken confessional to oliver he’d experienced as well had put a lot of things into perspective for damien. but he wasn’t trying to push his luck, and he wasn’t trying to wiggle his way into michael’s life and make it something he didn’t want it to be either. after all, damien and michael had their run, michael had moved on it seemed, damien was still trying to. so who knew what the hell this dinner would hold. damien walks inside and smiled at the compliment given to him, “i could say the same for you.” he said softly.  “you know, for as long as i knew you, i can’t ever say i’ve known you to cook ever. so i’m quite curious and nervous about what you’ve got planned for the night.” 

@hckinmuses·

by 6 o’clock, damien was getting himself ready to go to michael’s for this dinner that he planned to make them. he took half an hour trying to find an outfit that would be casual but at least dressy enough to make it seem like he’d put forth an effort to get ready. so he opted for a plain white tee and some dark jeans, simple enough. and he paired it off with a light jean jacket. at 7, he was out the door and on his way to a bakery that he’d found recently that held a lot of the higher class treats and delectables, so he figured it would be the best for him to find what he was looking for. one of michael’s favorite treats, something they shared a lot when they were together. it was just a simple lil strawberry cake roll, but it was made with the best ingredients and damien really hoped that michael would be okay with it, even though the man told him not to bring anything. but damien was a man that couldn’t listen, and he wasn’t showing up empty handed. he never did with michael. it took 30 minutes to finally decide on a treat, but by 8, damien was knocking on michael’s door. “i know you said don’t bring anything, but i couldn’t help myself.”

★

honestly, from the moment he’d come up with the grand idea of having damien over to talk, he knew it hadn’t been his brightest thought. he usually does the opposite of what oliver advises which, more often than not, wounds up being the smart decision. but feelings aren’t smart, and love is probably the dumbest one of them all. he wasn’t sure what all he’d be telling damien, but he’d rather play it by ear than have a script prepared. whatever needs to happen, will happen, and he knows that to be true because life gave the two of them a second chance. 

ollie: i suppose i get where you're coming from

ollie: so when are you gonna pull the plug?

michael: idk

damien: i honestly thought you'd seen a ghost when we bumped into each other

damien: though i guess in a metaphorical sense you did, huh?

damien: it's a small world after all, huh?

damien: i have to say though, it's been nice running into you again. knowing you're in the same state, let alone the same city as me.

michael: kinda felt that way

michael: i heard your voice first and i thought it couldn't be you. but also at the same time i knew it couldn't NOT be you lol.

michael: i think i /wanted/ you to be a ghost.

michael: but you weren't, ykwim?

michael: how did you even end up here of all places? lol

michael: ollie says it's not even a good spot for a bar

damien [unsent]: you always will be

damien: again, you make a valid point.

damien [unsent]: i wish you didn't have the stupid boyfriend, i just want you here.

damien: stop being so smart, yeah?

michael: i always do babe

michael: you know

michael: i freaked out when i first found out you were in town

ollie: what do you mean HAVE to

ollie: omg what is going on?!

michael: i've just realized that it doesn't matter that nothing's gonna happen w damien, it's still shitty to be with someone when i know i want to be with someone else

michael: yk?

+ollie: 👀

ollie: better watch what you say before daddy dan comes and takes your phone away

michael: doesn't really matter what i say now bc i have to breakup with dan either way

michael: i've said too much already

damien: when'd you get so wise huh?

michael: always been wise

ollie: i think that alone says how much and how he misses u i'm just sayinggggggggg 😇

damien: yeah.

damien: i'd like to, but you got your sights on someone else yeah?

ollie: well be sure to keep me updated eh?

michael: *screenshot of damien's last text*

damien: well

damien: i saw a lot in you

damien: still see a lot in you

michael: yeah?

michael: i see a lot in you too

ollie: i'll take your word for it

ollie: but if it happens, i'm gonna give you the biggest i told you so you've ever heard in your life

damien: it was a great one

damien: know so

michael: you know

michael: i'd never felt as pretty as i did when you would call me that

michael: never knew what you even saw in me