kieren walker:

Simon can’t pretend it doesn’t mean something to have Kieren lean into his touch; the way he’d been rebuffed last time isn’t exactly some lasting, sore memory, but to have it different now - to see Kieren coming towards him and instead of away from him - sets a warmth in his chest that makes him smile at Kieren with what he’s entirely sure is too much affection. Like maybe everything will be worth it if he can just keep his hands on this beautiful boy.

"Today," Simon says, without really thinking about it, then clears his throat and gathers up the idea in his head to explain it to Kieren. "We could leave… today. Pack a bag and just get on the train and keep going until we see a stop we like." A song hums at the back of Simon’s mind, come get lost with me, slip away discreetly, you’re my love so come away with me — "And come back whenever you’re ready."

And that was the condition of things, really, part of the deal where Simon goes where Kieren goes - if Kieren never wanted to come back, wanted to go be a starving artist in Paris or Berlin — Simon would go with him. He wonders why that doesn’t frighten him, the depth of dedication he’s given to Kieren in so short a time. He wonders if it frightens Kieren sometimes.

He pushes the thought back. It doesn’t matter right now. “We could go now. If you wanted.”

Whenever you're ready. Attention to you're. Times like this, it really dawns on him the length to Simon's affection and whilst he's beyond relieved that how he feels could possibly be reciprocated in any way -- such devotion in such little time; it's still overwhelming to witness. Though not overwhelming in a bad sense. A 'how did I even land myself such a beautiful human being' kind of overwhelming, the kind of overwhelming that sits at the bottom of your gut and eats away at every dissatisfied part of you. The kind of overwhelmed that catches you in your solitary moments whilst there's no-one else around and draws a smile up onto your face just because.

One word. "Now." Of course now. They could be gone this second and it wouldn't be a moment too soon. He didn't need anything else; he had Simon.

The kiss he next places on Simon's lips is unlike the two prior; this time brief, just the most fleeting press to the corner of his mouth, thumb at the inside of his elbow whilst his fingers curl around his arm. It's barely even a few seconds before he's dropping back from where he'd subconsciously lifted himself up onto his tiptoes, one more kiss being pressed to the corner of Simon's mouth before he's turning; heading for the door leading out onto the roads of Roartan with what can only be perceived as smugness in the secretive upwards curve of his lips. 

"I’m trying, I’m trying… Really am." It was the truth, of course, he truly wanted to help Kieren out and sit still so that his work would turn out the way he wanted to, but it was a difficult task. All he wanted to do at that moment, was to remove the portrait so that he would be able to look at the other, which was something he enjoyed doing, despite it being something he often did without realizing it. Whenever Kieren appeared from behind the portrait, Simon felt excited and couldn’t help but move ever so slightly because of it. He wanted to see the portrait, but finally being able to move around freely again seemed like something to look forward, too. The moment Kieren spoke up, he got to his feet, curious to see what he had created. He stood beside him, placing a hand to his shoulder and said, “You’re very talented, Kieren. I hope you realize that.” Of course, he was extremely proud of the result, but he would’ve been no matter how good or bad it had turned out. “What are you going to do with it?”

If blushing were within his capability, Kieren was sure his cheeks would be aflame right now, but as it were, instead he just presses his lips together to catch the smug smile that threatens to draw up his mouth. "I don't know. Stick it to my ceiling. Lay in bed. Stare at it for hours on end." 

A beat. "I'm joking."

He looks up through his fringe at Simon beside him, eyes revealing every facet of adoration he has for the man, before shrugging, gaze turning back round to the painting. "You can have it if you want." His voice is small, hesitant this time. "I can always make more." After all, if he were picking up painting again, what better muse than Simon? Already he had a million and one paintings of Rick and whilst he was -- and always would be -- important to him, this was the start of a new chapter. He had to move on eventually. "If you want it, it's yours."

A light smile spreads across her lips as he climbs her way toward the supposed unknown. As she lands, Amy turns on her heels to face her BDFF. Lifting her fingers, she notions for him to follow. “C’mon Kieren! If you let every obstacle that tells ya that you can’t do somethin’ get in your way, then you’ll never get anywhere!” She calls, stepping backwards to continue on her journey.

"Well, if anywhere's a trip back to the rehabilitation centre for trespassing maybe I've got the right idea." His words are sarcastic and sulky albeit half-hearted as he scrutinizes her with pursed lips and furrowed brows. Eventually hefting a heavy sigh, disapproval gives way to reluctance and he joins her with an uncoordinated hop over the gate himself. "You're a bad influence." He mumbles after her distancing figure, voice just loud enough for her overhearing to be ensured.