I Was Really Good

"Yeah, yeah." Tom said, bashfully as he scrunched his face. Nathan and Tom might have declared their love for each other quite sometime ago now, but he still found himself with those butterflies when in his company. He'd been everything he'd wanted in a partner and well, it so happened that he'd been that for Tom. "You know, not to sound errogant but I sort of assumed so." He said, the smile on his face only grew. Of course, Nathan had found himself concerned on making such he could make it rain on the drag performers that evening. Tom reached into his mandatory night out fanny pack to pull out a stack of bills. "I think you might just leave tonight as the crowd favorite."

"Oh you are my angel!" He pressed a kiss to Tom's forehead as he saw the dollar bills. He really was going to have the best night. "That leaves us all prepared and you protected them from the water. I love you and your fanny pack," he added, dropping his head against Tom's shoulder as they looked out at the dancing crowd. "Can you believe we've spent so many pride months together?" He brought his drink to his lips as he thought about it and smiled. "I feel like we've evolved. I mean I was always around the drag queens and we may have always been this drunk and high-actually maybe much hasn't changed. But we've changed, right? It feels like we have."

"I-I love you," Tom let his friends know, just overflowing with love in that moment. Well that, several shots handed to him by a sickening Sea Witch, a mixed drink or three and perhaps he might have indulged in some other drugs. But when in Rome or well, in their case, Atlantis. "No, seriously. I love you, g-guys." ( @nathan-rhee @chuck-diaz @pitifulgerald @knoxiousoverman )

"You don't say? You know I don't think I knew that." Nathan smiled as he kissed the side of Tom's head in return. Nathan had been looking forward to this year's pride. He was in a good place, genuinely and he was actually focusing on celebrating more this year. At least he was trying. The alcohol and drugs were doing their job though and he had been smiling all night, not at all thinking about the headache he was going to have tomorrow. "I love you too," he replied and ran his fingers through Tom's hair. "Did we bring enough singles? I want to make sure we tip the drag queens. You know I like to be the favorite in the audience."

"Can't imagine there are any criminals walking around using that as their opening statement," Tessa noted, immediately realising it was Nathan who had entered. Probably even worse for her productivity than a stranger, but not unwelcome in the slightest. "In the interest of your cholesterol I'll decline that little experiment. Unless you enjoy drinking straight melted butter..." It was an unnecessary detour for him to take but it made her feel appreciated to know he'd remembered something she'd said in passing. "I'm just preparing for the morning. Nothing too strenuous," she waved him off, not one to accept help in general, much less when she was the one being paid to do the work. "You can entertain me though, that would be helpful. There's only so much I can sing to myself before I get sick of my own voice. Remind me why you set yourself this challenge with the librarian... Are there secret library perks?" Cocking her head so he'd follow her she went back to the bench where she'd been mixing literal buckets of buttercream. "Mostly smooth sailing, minus the table of influencers who tried to suggest they be fed for free in exchange for tiktok exposure. As if Magnolia's hasn't been an institution in this town since before we were all born. They were awful. Maybe even worse than the nosy old ladies who bring up the fire every chance they get. If you really want to help..." she drummed her nails on the side of the bucket sitting on the bench, then glanced sidelong toward the cold room.

"I mean I've never drank melted butter but there's a first time for everything. And entertainment I can do. I have so many topics for us to catch up on. Speaking of, what are you watching these days? I'm trying to think of a long show I can start and lose myself in for the next couple of weeks. And yes, there are always secret library perks. Ones you don't even know of until you make friends with one. Especially when it comes to finding out what new books are coming out. Or where the best places to read are. Access to employee bathrooms or snacks. So many things," he said with a growing grin as he thought about it. Honestly, he was thinking about applying for a job to be a librarian himself. "Oh no, has the infleuncer invasion started? Maybe you should mess with them by turning off off the wifi. See them really lose their minds." He looked at the bucket and laughed. "Do I actually get to be useful for muscle for once? Finally, my time to shine and show my yoga with adriene sessions are having an impact."

Tom found himself smiling fondly at the sight of Nathan with so many roses, you'd have thought he was a production assistant on the Bachelor. "Some might call it awkward, I happen to see it as a happy accident." Tom let his boyfriend know, a small chuckle leaving his lips. "Huh, I could have sworn I just heard my boyfriend but it can't be him cause he's currently not here." Tom said aloud, playing along with the scenario given to him by Nathan. "But I sure do miss him though, I wonder if he'll—" Tom gasped when Nathan reappeared from their bedroom. "I was just saying to myself how much I missed you and here you are." He nodded as Nathan asked if he was cooking. "I am, I mean, it's Valentine's Day. Yeah, it's our day," Tom pointed between the two of them. "but before it was ours, it was ours." He circled his hand, indicating it was a day the boys and him would always celebrate together. Tom smiled into his boyfriend's kiss, pressing another quick kiss to his lips just because. "A very long time, actually." He confirmed. "But Chuck and Gerald just got here, they are on decor duty. Food is almost done, so you can have the lovely task of just keeping me company in there."

"All I have to do is keep you company? Seems kind of bias. I'm absolutely in," he told him, cupping his cheeks so he could kiss him for longer. Moments like this used to cause him to feel a bit off balance but today he was feeling settled. Both feet on the ground and the feeling of Tom in his arms only made him feel that much more certain. "Chuck and Gerald are on decorations? Are you sure that's not a fire hazard?" He laughed and pressed a kiss to Tom's forehead. "What's on the menu, chef?"

"I'm sorry, we're closed," Tessa spoke up from the kitchen when she heard the bell at the door of Magnolia's tinkle in the evening quiet. It was her favourite time at both ends of the day; when the world was either yet to wake, or on its way to sleep. It was even cosier because the weather was predictably miserable– freezing, windy, and probably on its way to raining, the sky low with a thick blanket of clouds. The perfect weather to go home and sleep like a log. If she ever got out of work, at least. Having to prepare for the next morning was taking longer than she'd hoped, coupled with the last person to leave apparently having left the door open. "Someone must have forgotten to lock the door," she peeked around into the cafe, hoping it was just someone gone astray and not a criminal. "All I can offer is tea and maybe ten pounds of buttercream to snack on if you're really desperate."

"You know tea with buttercream in it doesn't sound entirely terrible." Nathan laughed as he stepped further inside, taking off the hoodie of his jacket so she could fully see it was him. "Or maybe it does, I don't know if that actually works. We should try," he suggested and set his bag down. "I remembered you said you were working late, figured I could see if you need any help. I spent way too long at the library today, I need to do something useful. But I do think my mission of becoming best friends with one of the librarians is starting to make some headway. She brought me candy today. How was the weekend rush here?"

"I-Uhm," Tom began as he'd thought he'd have at least another hour before the guys showed up to the apartment. But nope, there they were— staring at him and the half way decorated dining room he'd managed to put together. Valentine's Day was literally around the corner and the boys always found a way to show their love and appreciation for each other and he didn't want this year to be any different despite their busy schedules.

"Well...this is awkward." Tom froze with the two dozen roses in his arms, having been sure he would be able to sneak in without Tom seeing him. He had planned to set these up in their room and do the same of what it appeared Tom had already beat him too. "Just close your eyes and pretend I'm not here," he joked but walked further into the apartment and set the roses on the counter. "Are you cooking? You trying to take my job, Andwood? I'm starting to worry here," he teased before leaning in for a kiss, his arms sliding around him easily. "How long have you been at this? I knew you got up early for a reason."

"Fiiine, fine." Tom joked, playing up his annoyance even though he'd never be the person to spoil anything for anyone. It was the film connoisseur in him. "Yeah, with that reasoning, I can completely get behind picnic season starting now." He nodded, especially after especially heinous July they'd just suffered through. Now, he knew their apartment got hot during the summers but he didn't think it could double for an actual sauna. "You do know how to rock a light jacket." Tom smiled, happily reciprocating his affections. "Then we're getting the cutest basket." The guy said, intertwining his fingers with his partners. Tom found himself laughing as Nathan listed off the things he wanted to buy. "Is that all? I'm trying to gauge if I have to pull out my notes app or if I can commit it to memory."

"Thank you for seeing it my way and for being so easily convinced." He batted his eyelashes dramatically before laughing. "I'm so glad you agree because we are definitely getting matching ones this season. It will be so cute," he added and reached out to give Tom's hand a squeeze. "You might want to pull up your notes so we don't forget anything. I have a joint on me so you know my munchies will be ravenous. What kinds of snacks do you want? We can get some wine or some lovely spritzers." Nathan laughed, if only because it felt bizarre to feel this...happy? It felt silly that such an emotion felt so foreign to him but it was true. It had been so uncommon that Nathan couldn't help but notice this giddy peacefulness making a home in his body. It was as terrifying as it was thrilling. "Kind of nice but weird for fall to be coming but for us to not be going back to any kind of school."

"I mean, some of those close-ups of Cillian Murphy, I didn't mind feeling a part of that," he joked. "Oh good I'm starving, and I had twice as much popcorn as you. You wanna do pizza? Or whatever, you know I'll eat anything."

"Okay fair, I'll give you that. I could totally see you in there with him. Tearing his suit off. Very hot," Nathan replied with a laugh, just glad they had gotten time together. "Perfect. I can do pizza, definitely mozzarella sticks too, the more cheese the better right now." He turned them in the right direction as they walked. "You know I gotta say, I can only aspire to one day write something that people would willingly watch for three hours."

"Go ahead and just rub that in, why don't you'' Tom found himself laughing as his partner spoke of how blissfully asleep he'd been. "You keep this up and I just might have to spoil what happens in chapter 30." He said, with a raise of his eyebrow. "And here I thought we were several months into picnic season already." He shrugged, as he couldn't say he was that proficient in picnics and the baskets they usually revolved around. "I'd say let's try our luck on Main street, but I like to think, a picnic isn't so much about the basket but the company you have during it."

"Oh no, no, I am only on Chapter 20 because I've been taking my time so you keep those spoilers to yourself." Nathan had expected Tom to finish the book before him and was enjoying watching him trying to keep all the little bits to himself. He would most certainly finish it within the next few days but it was fun to act like it could take longer. "Well kind of. But I prefer a cool picnic, not a sun beaming at full power picnic, you know? The cooler it gets the more I can wear a nice little light jacket. I love a light jacket. Okay, okay, main street it is. Aww, my love, that's so sweet." He leaned over to kiss him and laughed. "But we're still getting a cute basket. It pairs perfectly with a jacket," he teased as he took Tom's hand once they were walking outside with his coffee in the other hand. "We are definitely getting cheese and crackers and hmm some salami? God that sounds amazing, right now."

"I know IMAX is supposed to be loud, like that's the whole thing, but why?" Gerald tugged at his ears, more for dramatic effect than anything else, as he left the movie theater. "Destroyer of worlds, more like.. destroyer of ears."

“What?!” Nathan was tugging on his own ears before laughing. “I felt like I was in the movie and not in a good way. Is all of that rally necessary? I mean it was fun but my head is kind of pounding. And yes I did eat all that popcorn and yes I’m still hungry.”

"You did warn me, but you know how I am when I get to really good part of a book." Tom let his boyfriend know, soft laughter soon following. "Yeah?" He asked, before taking a small sip from his coffee. "Wait, Nathan, are you asking me out for a river park picnic?" He said, the smile on his face only growing brighter. "Because if that's the case, I'd definitely be saying yes."

"I mean I understand it, I would've probably done the same thing. But I slept soundly while you ran around a fictional world in your mind," he teased, knowing exactly the feeling that Tom was talking about. Though it had been a minute since he had gotten lost in a good book. Maybe it was time. "I am asking you out for a river picnic. I feel like we're very much moving into picnic season. We need to get a very cute basket too but I don't know where you get that kind of thing. But okay, picnic day, shall we go to the supermarket?"

"Huh?" Tom asked, as he'd found himself dozing off for a moment. "I'm so sorry, I just had a really long night." He confessed, with a yawn before taking a small sip from his iced coffee. "You were saying?"

“I told you that staying up to read those last chapters would get to you?” Nathan laughed as he sat across from him,halfway done with his own iced coffee. “I wasn’t saying anything important, just saying it should be warm today. Nice time for a river park picnic, don’t you think?”