#juleswrites

The air in Orion’s apartment is best described as muggy. It’s the only real way Felix can explain it as a humid breeze enters through a window she only opened a few minutes before. A laugh resounds from beside him, the sensation shaking through the room.

The TV flickers to another scene, unable to catch what she sees but he still wouldn’t understand this anyway. She’s watched episodes without him in the same stuffy apartment she seems to enjoy. Leather sticking to his skin and creaking with every shift, lack of layers seems to not be protection from the transition into summer.

The vintage furniture is a choice but he knows what Nat has said about hospitality and opinions. Although he’s fairly certain that his partner would not eject him for some quips. They've built up an immunity to them.

Yet, he’s still hung up on that stupid joke. What made them laugh? How can he do that? He’s heard it so many times but it never seems enough.

“What’s funny?” he asks, tangling his fingers within theirs.

They don't turn to face him, instead squeezing at his palm. “Uh, that dude is having some breakdown about his mom not being able to make it for Christmas so they’re all claymation and this other dude gets eaten by bugs.”

Felix purses his lips for a moment, watching as the show progresses to show another character possibly dying. “Sitcoms are so weird.” Their body shifts on his lap and he turns to watch them. Sunlight grazes spots of sweat that they easily rubs away. “Why couldn’t we watch another Disney movie?”

“Because you wanted to watch Camp Rock and I am pretending to indulge you.”

A faux gasp leaves his lips and another laugh escapes them. He wants to listen to it again. How can he have it around him forever? “This is treason of the highest order,”

“Treason of the highest order is you watching me sing anything that has Shane Gray in it.”

“As if I couldn’t do an accurate Mitchie,”

Orion rolls their eyes before a bright smile tugs at their features. Squirming from his lap just so she can properly sit up to eat grapes. He's watched them do it before and asked about it, they only reply with "safety first". Small circular fruit doesn't appear like much of a choking hazard.

“Whatever, you’re more of a Gabriella.”

He chooses to lean against her propped legs, slightly opening his mouth to be fed a grape. “I would say you’re Troy just to be cute but you’re Chad.” His affection is then repaid with a green grape that he can barely chew through. Still, he can't help but admire their prideful expression (the corners of their mouth pulling into a wide smile that stretches out their cheeks enough to sore).

“I’m more of a Troy than you’ll even be.” They shift again, never seeming content to just stay in one place, and loop an arm around Felix's neck as if connecting them will bond their vision. “Charming leading protagonist that falls in love the freaky genius girl.”

He hums in thought as they watch him, leaning against his body. Waves of endearment pushing and pulling between them as if light touches and clinging onto whatever skin they can have is their own little language. Mannerisms to gather attention and to let one another know that they're there to be a constant reminder in the background.

Felix has never had a secret code with someone, it seems like him and Orion make it up as it goes. He wouldn't want it with anyone else.

He brushes strands of hair away from their shoulder before resting on it. Letting them still hold him even if the position is slightly uncomfortable. “This is starting to sound like Tina and Nat.”

"Are you implying that my coworker is more charming than me?"

"Noooo, maybe you're just so charming you're the side character who steals the show."

A huff escapes their nose and they don't take it any further, appearing as if the answer was enough to placate them. Still tangled together as their attention is driven back to the show. Another episode is playing but they don't seem bothered, he can only assume Orion isn't all too concerned about what they will remember.

Characters on screen buzzing around as two are jealous of each others relationship and there are strange connections between their fictional friend group. He doesn't see the appeal of sitcoms although that's something he's shared ever since Nat tried to introduce him to Seinfeld. He thinks it's humor made towards older generations.

He doesn't speak for moment but he finds himself a tad predictable. "Can we please watch Camp Rock? We don't even have to watch the sequel." Orion giggles at his request, not minding the childish sentiments, before picking up the remote.

"You're lucky you're so cute, or you'd be back at base right now." their expression is serious but there's a smile threatening to break through as he presses himself against them further.

"At least, the base has air conditioning."

"You want that, find a way to pay the bill."

He emits a long groan, his partner protesting as smothers them with his body. Promptly falling on their lap as if on his last breath. "Why do you hate me, Orion?"

"Because you're forcing my Jonas brothers phase to come back in full force." their hands move to caress his face, tracing the lines around his grin. Softly gazing even as the movie starts with a song opening. Their own little language, relishing the feeling of their calloused fingertips against his skin.

They lean down, delicately pressing their lips on his and capturing each others laughter through small pecks. Neither minding the lack of pensiveness that came from usual affection. Holding each other, feeling the ache that arises from separation, and exchanging sickeningly sweet whispers.