* OLLIE / FLASHBACK ; manon’s party .
“ i can tell. “
ollie’s careful. he’s not sure how tightly kurt has micah’s heart hooked– so he plays his words safe. “he’s always liked to talk, and the drinks don’t help, huh?” he drops the words quiet like it’s a secret between the two of them. he doesn’t know micah well– but unfortunately kurt’s in his fraternity. a year younger, more with the sports crowd so they’re not close. but he’s heard enough to keep his distance.
rumor has it kurt gets a bit heavy handed when he doesn’t get his way– and it gets worse with the liquor.
but he doesn’t see any signs of it on micah. so ollie rolls his shoulders. brushes the thought off because he’s too drunk and too interested in the way micah’s mouth moves when he speaks, and the endearing way his eyelashes flutter when he’s uncertain. “i’ll do you one better.“ he strolls over to the bar set up by the kitchen, snatches a bottle of whiskey, and with a quick glance over his shoulder to make sure micah is following– he leads the way out to the pool.
ollie walks completely past it.
it’s nearly pitch black by the parking lot. it’s a cloudy night, and the streetlights don’t work in this part of the lot. ollie settles on the sidewalk and pats the spot next to him. “sorry. didn’t want to share with anyone else, so. nobody else out here but us.” if he’s talking about the liquor or micah’s company– he leaves that up in the air.
THAT PULLS a chuckle from him , eyes almost like crescents as a grin stretches across his face — before he’s catching himself and folding in , brushing fingers through his hair . still , micah offers the other a genuine smile . ‘ you could say that . ’ because the truth in those words , they sit too heavy and it picks at micah’s sanity . but all he can really do is smile and nod , because everything’s fine — it's supposed to look like it is .
so micah says nothing further as he follows the taller male , eyes always looking around , a bit paranoid and who can blame him ? he startles at the other’s words , eyeing him as he takes up a bottle from the make - shift bar , merely letting out an amused chuckle as he follows .
but when they completely by - pass the pool , the confusion makes his brows furrow . he opens his mouth , question on the tip of his tongue , but they die on him . micah’s mouth stays open , still processing , fully flushing when the words finally sink it .
it’s dark out here . and private . way too private for someone like micah . but the thought doesn’t scare him as much , makes him feel relieved instead — relieved to be away from prying eyes . the paranoia dwindles as he throws caution to the wind . micah swallows , clearing his throat . and before he knows it , he’s sidling up to the other with a heavy breath of — ‘ thanks . ’ and he doesn’t know why he’s saying that but it beats being in a house surrounded by people . at least this way , he can breathe for a moment .
micah looks at his companion , squinting . he’s seen him before , for sure . and yet — ‘ sorry if this comes off rude but.. i didn’t.. quite catch your name — ? ’