i'm alive

Flashback: Feeling Thankful @Oliver

Eli obliged, thankful for the extra time to settle on what he was actually going to say. As often as he had imagined proposing, the scenarios changed from daydream to daydream, and if this year had taught him anything, it was to throw all plans away. He would just blurt the question out if it wouldn’t make for such a short story.

In all his thinking and internal back and forth, Eli barely registered the potatoes’ taste. He wasn’t sure if that was a good or bad thing, but at least it could be worse? So instead, Eli said “They’re good.” He smiled, and then thought better. “They’re perfect.”

Because anything involving Ollie was perfect.

Eli took a step back and leaned against one of the counters, trying to look casual. “Hey, so I want to talk to you about something.”

“Okay good. Because as we know, Koby shovels all food in...but the potatoes are his favorite.” he lifted the giant pot off the stove top, shutting it off. Eli seemed...on edge. He kind of looked like he was zoning out every once in a while, but Oliver didn’t know how to approach his recent concerns without sounding accusatory. Between the moving concern and recovering from the virus, Oliver was hoping that Eli wasn’t reconsidering moving in with him. Yeah, 2020 was a nightmare...but it wasn’t a nightmare because of him, right? 

Flashback: Feeling Thankful @Oliver

The cufflink box wasn’t heavy, but it was impossible for Eli to not think of its subtle weight resting in his front right pocket. He felt his back pocket buzz — probably another text from Bailey, wondering if he’d done it yet.

His original plan had been to wait until Koby and Peter had arrived. Their little hodgepodge family. Had things been different, they probably would have been at the Faline’s house, but things weren’t different, and there were babies to protect, so here they were. Ever the dramatic, Eli had wanted an audience to bear witness. But underneath even his love of theatrics was the relentless drive to get whatever it is he wants. Eli didn’t think he could wait.

Another buzz from his back pocket sealed the deal. Koby could pop in at any moment, but Eli had a feeling since Peter was involved, they’d be a half hour late, and he’d been dying to ask the question ever since he’d decided that this was the year it was going to happen.

The time was now.

“Hey, Oliver?” 

Oliver stirred the pot of mashed potatoes, doing his best to keep the mess contained inside the massive pot before Koby and Peter had the chance to dive in. Thanksgiving was always An Affair between Koby and Peter eating twice their body weight and Oliver found himself trying to make this year special for them since everything else normally reserved for them—the 4th of July blowout, Theo’s Halloween warehouse bash, and their birthdays...hadn’t been able to happen. So in order to give Eli and the others a special Thanksgiving, Oliver was willing to put in more elbow work than he usually would.

He missed hiding in the kitchen drinking wine with Bailey and avoiding all the work.

Hand to god, February is the worst month.

I didn’t know you prayed.

You should be. You’re self-centered, dude.

…but I kinda don’t wanna have this fight right now. Are you staying in the city or going to Jersey?

I....hm. Yeah.

Could have told me before the boxes came. Text, post-it note, email, carrier pigeon…

Im...I’m sorry.

You’re moving out, that’s splitting up. I see the boxes everywhere. I’m not dumb.

What? I don’t think you’re dumb...I just..never had the chance to bring it up

And…you wanna split up, right?

Eli...and I talked about getting a place together.

Oh my GOD jesus Koby.

Surprise, bitch.

Where did you even come from

I’m never sleeping with Simon again. I think he has plans to ruin me.

OHHHH MY GOD. YOU’RE PREGNANT AGAIN?