June Hicth Prompt: Part 1.5 The Missing Scene
Hey everyone, so in the first part of my June Hicth Prompt story, there was a part near the end, which spoilers if you haven't read it, that referenced Tel going to our favorite clockmaker's shop to pick up the beautiful watch he'd ordered for Dorian as an apology/Christmas gift. Well... @writingforfishes and I collabed on how we thought that interaction would pan out. Lo and behold, this beautiful 13k word work of art was roleplayed, edited, and now shared for the community to see!
Our characters today are Tele.machus, Otto, and Mitch
Mention of missing parent
Young man crying and being vulnerable
Otto adopts a 20 year old (/hj)
Found family trope, my beloved
Tangents including Napoleon, ADHD statistics, and more!
Encore of hiccups due to excitement
Mention of alcoholism (very slight)
Cloud's amazing ability to edit a very disjointed rp session! (Aww, shucks - âïž)
Thank you again @writingforfishes for collabing this idea with me! It was a blast!
And now, without further ado, we bring you...
June Hicth Prompt part 1.5: Tele.machus Picks Up His Watch
Usually, Otto went to his shop in the back of a Watch and Jewelry store around once a week to work on more delicate pieces from customers. More often than not Otto worked out of his house, but for special customs and older more delicate watches he and the owner of the store had an agreement so he could have access to an area separate from the messier larger clock movements to work in. Otto paid a considerably low rent on the space, and he helped Mitch with older watch repairs and tricky battery changes. It was a pretty symbiotic relationship, and some months Mitch even told Otto he didn't have to pay for all the work he'd done for the store.
Otto was at the store a lot this past month after receiving a really interesting request for a custom watch from a young guy out of the city who'd found him online. Now, he finally got to unveil the final product, though he'd been sending progress pictures.
He was excited to work with a younger member of the queer community. He'd even asked Atticus to review his designs before committing to them. They had been very helpful in nailing something down for the design and suggesting changes.
Otto had bought some supplies off of Mitch to complete the vision. It actually ended up being a surprisingly cheap build and Otto was excited for Telemachus to see what it looked like and sounded like (or didn't sound like) in person.
This had also, a bit unfortunately, already been a bit of a hiccup-y day. But Otto was learning to be more comfortable with his body's inclination for hiccups and, regardless, the meeting had already been scheduled. Even while he waited for Telemachus to arrive as he chatted with Mitch near the front of the store, he felt pressure in his throat just waiting to trigger a case.
He'd told the kid to meet him at the front, and he'd take him back to his shop to see the watch.
Tele.machus felt his heart pounding excitedly at the thought of picking up Dorian's apology gift as he drove down the highway. He couldn't wait to see the official product in person. He'd seen all of the progress shots and loved every photo.
He really hoped that Dorian would forgive him for avoiding them and giving them the silent treatment. They didn't deserve that. In Tele.machus' eyes, they deserved the world.
Making his way to the exit, he turned down his radio and leaned up to focus. He didn't want to get lost, knowing how bad he was with directionsâunknowingly, just like his father.
Spotting the building, he smiled and parallel parked right in the front. Turning off the Altima, he sent a quick text to his mom to let her know he'd made it safely before grabbing his keys and sky blue wallet with clouds decorating it. He got out of the car, locked it, and opened the door to the shop.
He spotted two guys chatting near the front and slightly felt his heart pound nervously before awkwardly walking over to them. He cleared his throat, "erm, e-excuse me, sorry to bother you, but I'm looking for a Mr. Otto?" He fidgeted with the bottom of the black hoodie he was wearing.
The shorter one, bald with dark skin and an incredibly well-groomed goatee, subtly signaled Otto as he stood leaned up on one of the displays to chat with him as Tele.machus entered. By the time the young man had alerted him, Otto had already turned around and given him a grin making sure to reel his features in to give an open and friendly look.
"Hey, man! Hey, good to meet you in person. This is Mitch. He owns this place. Let's me squat in the back sometimes," Otto said as he came up to Tele.machus and held out a hand.
"Uh, yeah, hey, nice to meet you too, sir," Tele.machus smiled shyly back, taking the hand and shaking it, his palms slightly sweaty. "Thank you again for making the watch, I really appreciate it. I can't wait to see it."
"Don't let this guy humble himself. The watch you're getting from him is probably the most bad-ass watch I've ever seen. I'm jealous..." Mitch said, voice smooth and easy.
Otto laughed, a little embarrassed. He also swallowed thickly as he felt a shift in the pressure in his throat. He tucked his head while doing this, pushing against the spasm starting.
Tele.machus noticed Otto tucking his head, but made no comment, thinking it could potentially be a tic of some sort. 'He's tall...' he thought to himself.
With Tele.machus being 5'11", he'd always been the tallest person in the room. It was somewhat intimidating to have someone taller than him, but his smile and friendly demeanor reassured him that he wasn't a threat.
"Eh, don't listen to him. I pay him money to squat, so he's not exactly impartial," he said as he forced a swallow again with some effort.
"Hey, do me a favor real quick and say your name?" Otto asked. "I just want to make sure I pronounce it right. And, sorry, remind me of your pronouns?"
"Oh, um, it's Tele.machus (pronounced Te-lem-a-kus), but if it's easier, just Tel is cool too. And, uh, I use he/him pronouns, thank you. Can you remind me of yours, too?" He smiled shyly.
"Tele.machus," Otto said easily. "Nah, I think I can handle that. He/him for me. I think I remember, I can't be sure, you referred to your friend Dorian as...them? My partner's nonbinary."
Tele.machus nodded, "yeah, they use they/he pronouns and your partner's nonbinary? That's really cool."
He smiled, blushing slightly at the thought of someday referring to Dorian as his partner. Butterflies filled his stomach and he quickly shook his head. 'Focus, Tele.machus, no zoning out,' he scolded himself internally.
Otto put a hand on his chest as the pressure he associated with his hiccups became sharper. Nah, he decided, there was no way he was going to avoid a case, now. Of course, they'd shown up when a customer was present.
"Also, you can just call me Otto. No need for mister or sir-HUM'K!," Otto stopped as the hiccups started and looked a little world weary for it. "Excâscuse me!-Hip!"
He patted his chest as he muffled a cluster with mild frustration.
"And just Otto," he corrected, "you got-" he'd heard the first hiccup and froze in his tracks. His mouth opened slightly, eyes glossed over as more hiccups followed. His heart was pounding and racing even more. He closed his eyes and silently took a deep breath to calm himself.
"Oh-Hup'k!-sorâry abâbout the-Hip!-these. Been Himp'k!-geâetting them Hu'ulp!Hilp! getting them aâall daâay!" Otto said apologetically. "C'moâon back. Hilmp!"
Otto made a gesture for Tele.machus to follow him and gave a smirking Mitch a good-natured glare that looked a lot less good-natured with Otto's features as they passed him.
Mitch just chuckled and shook his head.
Clearing his throat, Tele.machus quietly followed his lead to the back, observing the way his body jolted with every hiccup. Running a hand down his face, he forced himself to try and keep a calm demeanor, "i-it's okay...they sound r-rough...are you a-alright?" He'd tried to look around through the store to find something else to focus on, but nothing quite piqued his interest more than the hiccuping man in front of him.
"Yâyeah yeah-Hulp!-uh. Jusâst annoy-Hingk!" Otto said as he turned toward the nervous kid. He hoped his hiccups weren't somehow making the inherent anxiety Tele.machus seemed to have worse.
"Proâbably more s-Himp!-so for Hngk! you thâan me. Hmpk!Mk!Hm'mk!Hulp!-uh, parâpardon, jeeze Hu'ulp!" he said, trying to just get through the conversation without paying them much mind, but they were putting on a show today.
Tele.machus could barely focus on anything, thinking, âannoying's not the word I'd use...calm down, you can get through this.â He cleared his throat, going for his go-to conversation starter for someone with hiccups, "D-Dorian gets them a lot too...they, um, hold their breath to cure them...m-maybe that'd work for you?"
Otto chuckled lightly, shaking his head at Tele.machus' hiccup cure suggestion.
"That's noânot reaâeally something Hulmpk!-uh, that worâorks for me. Hilp!" Otto said, thinking, 'Understatement of the year.' "They'll seâettle down Hyump!-uh, in a liâittle wh-Huck!-little while. I knâow they c-Humk!-can be distâracting. Sorâry aboâabout that! Hulp!"
'Distracting...but in the best way,' Tele.machus thought to himself. He wanted to offer another cure, but didn't push the matter. "That's okay...you can't control it." He shrugged, trying to seem nonchalant about the situation.
Otto put a fist on his mouth at another cluster, muffling it while he retrieved the watch with the other hand.
"Mp!Hm'mp!Hmk!Humpk!Mk!-mm. Reaâeally sorâry about Hip! about theâese. Hup! Ah," he groused as he flicked on a bright overhead light and opened the box to Telemachus.
Tele.machusâ eyes widened at all the clusters. How was he going to survive this? His heart felt like it was about to explode. But at the same time, he felt concerned, which somewhat quelled the arousal he was feeling. Did they hurt? Could he breathe? Were they uncomfortable? He wanted to know, but he didn't want to seem weird or too invasive, so he kept quiet and glanced at the watch.
Otto placed the watch level with where the young man could see it the best with the light, right above his spasming stomach.
The Swarovski crystals sparkled to the light he'd turned on.
Tele.machus gasped, letting the watch take up his focus, "holy shit-crap, sorry, that's freaking amazing! It's beautiful..." his gaze wandered to his stomach, feeling himself blushing at witnessing the spasms. He quickly moved his eyes back to the watch, hoping that Otto hadn't noticed his eyes drifting.
Then Otto grinned at Telemachus' reaction, nodding as he stroked his beard excitedly. This was the kind of reaction he loved to see.
Otto hadn't noticed his eye's direction as he was above him. If he had, he might have had a better idea where all this nervousness was coming from.
"I waâanna tell Hip! tell yâou a Himpk! litâtle more aboâbout the mechâanical Hmpk! parts but hâow does Hulp! does that look? Hm'mpk!" he asked as he handed the open box with the watch inside to Telemachus so the guy could see it without it jumping as Otto hiccuped.
Otto muffled his hiccups again to wait for his reply, putting a fist back over his mouth.
Oh, but Atticus would love hearing about this, he thought wryly.
Tele.machus cleared his throat again, "so sparkly and shiny...it's even prettier in person. It's perfect..." He gingerly took the box, moving it around and examining it with a huge smile on his face. He glanced back at Otto, seeing him muffling his hiccups. He bit his lip and nodded, "that shorter guy was right, this watch is so bad-ass...I hope Dorian likes it..." He looked away distractedly.
The clockmaker nodded at Tele.machus' continued gushing, eyes closing and opening slowly in happiness at his customer's reaction.
"Oof! Hulmpk! Do noâot let Herp! Mitch heâear you Humpk! call hiâim short! Got a comp-Huck! complex Napâoleon would Hngk! be jeâealous of! Higgurp!-mm," Otto paused in thought.
Tele.machus chuckled nervously, "oops, my bad. I'm just kinda used to everyone being shorter than me, so that's my go-to descriptor..." He paused, appreciating the hiccups that were interspersed in his sentence for a moment.
"You're the first person I've seen that's taller than me," he continued, scratching his arm. "Not gonna lie, I was kinda intimidated at first, though, that's with most new people I meet...but anyway, you had, well have such a friendly, happy vibe..."
"Reâreally?" Otto said to Tele.machus' comment about his height. "I guess I c-Hmp!-come frâom a pretty Hulp!Hip! pretty tall famâfamily. My broâbrother's 6 Hup! 6'4. My oldâolder sis-Hip!-ster is youâyour height!"
Though Otto definitely understood being one of the taller people in the room, he rarely noticed someone else's height unless it was in the extreme. Mitch, however, at 5'6 seemed very aware of his own desire to be taller.
Tele.machus chuckled softly, "really? I honestly don't even know where my tall genes come from, my mom's 5'6 and from what I've been told about my dad, he's 5'3."
Otto hmm-ed with interest at how short Tele.machus' family seemed to be. He decided it was wise not to comment on the height of his father both because that might've been seen as rude and also because how Tel mentioned it made it seem as though his father might be a sensitive subject. Otto knew a lot about parents being sensitive subjects.
"I woâork hard Hup'k! on that friâiendly Huck!-uh, hapâpy viâibe, by the Hngk! way," Otto said genuinely. "I know I câan seem Hi'ilp!-uh, pretâty intimdaâdating. Heh. Maybe the hi-Hip!-hiccups helâhelp?"
Tele.machus blushed, scratching the back of his neck, the grunts were driving him off the wall, "maybe, I mean, do you always get a c-case with everyone you meet?"
"I doâon't get the-Hilk!-them with everâyone I meet!" Otto said, amused. "This-Himp'k!-this is just one-Hulp!-one of the daâays I have th-Hic'mp!-uh, have them offâand on Hi'ulp! So, I guâuess you should feel privâprivleâledged to Himpk!Huck! see them!-mm"
Otto was trying to hide the discomfort that was building from them continuing so long.
Oh, Tele.machus definitely felt privileged to witness them. It was an honor to be in the presence of such powerful, fast hiccups. He then gasped, unable to hide his curiosity, "off and on? All day? How do you survive?" Then he realized how that question might've sounded and he backtracked, "shit, sorry, y-you don't have to answer that...I didn't mean to get too invasive." He avoided eye contact, feeling slightly ashamed that he'd let his curiosity get the best of him.
Otto chuckled breathily at the exclamation about his hiccups.
"Yeah Huck'uck!-uh. I actuâually get that Hrmk!-uh, reaction a lâot. Just Hmk! just how I hiccup Humgk!" he said lightly. "Fortâunately I don't Mgk!Hmk!-mm, get them thiâis frequentâly every dâday. Usually it's just Huh! just a few minâutes a couâcouple times a we-Heek!-uh, with mâmy morning Mgk! morning coffee."
Tele.machus smiled and nodded at the explanation, "that's a relief...I don't think I could handle that much stimulation...but coffee causes your case?" He tilted his head. "That's really interesting...is it iced or hot coffee?" He made a mental note to add this to his list of things to attempt induction sometime.
"Uh, hot-Hingk!" he answered about the coffee, clearing his throat at the higher pitched hiccup. "I usuâally get too Hmph! too excited aâand don't Hulp! let it coâool down enoâough."
He chuckled at himself at this and shook his head.
Tele.machus chuckled quietly and nodded, "noted- hey, maybe if you're in my area, by some random chance, there's this really nice café that just opened up! And get this!" His eyes lit up with excitement and he bounced slightly, "so you know those cat cafés where they have cats roaming around? Well, this one's dog themed! It's a dog café!" He cleared his throat, realizing his volume increasing. He quieted down slightly. "But, um, a-anyway, I haven't had the chance to go there yet, but I've heard that the coffee there is top tier. The name of it was...uh, I think it was something like Paws and Noms...no, Pawprint Café?...nah, I can't think of it now that I've brought it up...but I can totally let you know whenever I get back home."
Otto nodded excitedly with Tele.machus but decided to circle back to the café later as they continued their conversation.
"Actuâually," he continued, recalling their previous conversation about heights, "di-Hip!Hup!-uh did y-Hulp!-you know Hmp!Hmk!Hm'mp!-sorry, did Hulp! you knâow NapoâNapoleon was-Hngk! wasn't shorâort at all? He waâas how-Hup!-ever a liâlittle pri-Hic!"
Tele.machus scratched the back of his neck, realizing how sweaty and hot he was gettingâand not just from hearing the hiccups that were running the show. He removed his hoodie, revealing a cream colored, turtleneck sweater.
Otto noticed Tel's disrobing and nodded empathetically.
"The Hulp! one thâing I don't Humpk! love abâout this roâoom is how ho-Hock!-hot it gets! Hmp! I keeâeep the wind-hup!-dow open but Hmp!Hu'ulp!-mm, it stiâill runs Hyulp! runs hot. So doâSo do I, though," he said as he silenced a few more hiccups behind his lips.
"Ohhh, if it's this hot during Winter, then I can't even imagine how bad it gets during the Summer," Tele.machus cringed slightly. He was more of a Spring and Autumn enjoyer. Summer was too hot and Winter was too cold. Though the idea of cuddling up in a big cozy blanket with Dorian as they watched Christmas movies and drank hot cocoa did sound like quite the enjoyable date night.
Tele.machus shook his head, getting ahead of himself.
The clockmaker made a face to indicate Summers were not, in fact, his favorite. But then he watched the kid drift off a little and patiently waited for him to come back.
Wrapping his hoodie around his waist, Tele.machus remembered Otto's fun fact about Napoleon. Shocked, he gasped, "he wasn't? Wait, then why was he always depicted that way?"
"Yâyeah, so, ab-Huck!-about Napolâeon. Juâust like todâday's rulers Hmp!Mk! he liked tâto make Hup! for hiâis inadequaâcies by Hurp! by surroâounding himself Hm! with taller soâsoldiers. So, he loâlooked shor-Erk!-ter. Alsâso nothâing says impot-Hilp!-impotence bettâer than shoâort jokes! Higgulp!-scuse me!"
Otto rubbed his chest a little. The hiccups didn't hurt, but damn they were fast today. He was definitely getting a workout, and this poor kid was having to deal with the brunt of it.
Still, there had been something very familiar about how Tele.machus was reacting, and Otto couldn't quite place a finger on it, yet.
Tele.machus listened to Otto's spiel on Napoleon, but found himself more fixated on the hiccups. Typical. He noted how they'd seemed to be a bit rougher, maybe deeper? He then noticed him rubbing his chest. Concern showed on his face, "a-are you sure you're ok?"
Apparently, Otto hadn't been as subtle as he thought when Tele.machus asked if he was okay.
"Yeah-Huck!," he answered with some frustration. "Just takâing them a Hup!-uh, a liâittle while to letâlet off the gas Huck'a! on my diaâdiaphragm. Hulmp'k!-mm, I'm good though. Hm!"
Otto pushed his inadequacies with people showing care for him aside roughly as he offered a genuine, though slightly strained, smile.
Tele.machus chuckled softly at his phrasing and nodded when Otto told him that he was good, "if you're sure." He paused for a moment, seeming to be internally fighting with himself before eventually continuing. "You seem like a good guy, so, uh...just wanna make sure you're okay. Sorry if that's kinda weird to say, I know we just met and all, but, um..." He trailed off, blushing as he suddenly remembered his childhood.
His mom would tell him he'd always compliment the most random people, regardless of what kind of day they were having. The reactions would differ, some grateful for the comments, others weirded out. But apparently, he hadn't grown out of it.
At his explanation of just wanting to make sure he was okay Otto nodded.
"Yeah y'ây'know, I used to Hulp! get really," Otto paused as his head tucked a couple times in silent hiccups and he patted his chest. "Sorry, really defâdefensive about Hupk'ah! about people Mk! saying that? Took me a whiâile to realize Hmk!Huck!-uh, realize they wereâweren't annoyed Whip! with me, but concerâcerned."
Tele.machus frowned softly and nodded, "just know, if by some random chance in the future, I'm picking up another watch from you and you happen to have, um...a case, I promise I'm not annoyed at all." -Quite the opposite, actually- went unsaid.
At Tele.machus' assurance Otto smiled.
"That's gâgood to know. Huap!-uh. Hopefully Hmk! hopefully it woâwon't be too comâmon an occurrence Hm'mmk!-mm." Otto said. Though he still wondered if the kid would've preferred that.
Otto smiled and waved Tele.machus over to where he sat at his work bench, bending the overhead light toward him.
Tele.machus bit his lip at the thought of being so close to him while the hiccups were still going steady. He cleared his thoughts, took a silent deep breath in and silently exhaled out before heading over.
"Lemâme sho-Huck!-uh, show yâyou some th-Hingk!-s about th-Hilp!-this watch. Haâhave you Humpk! ever owned a me-Hilp!-mechanical w-Hup!-watch before? Hm'mk!" he asked.
Every time he hiccuped, now sitting, his stomach jolted out under his button-down shirt and his head tossed back. But Otto didn't seem particularly bothered by the movements.
Seeing the hiccups in a new angle now reignited the flame and Tele.machus just stood there, staring and malfunctioning for a moment, before realizing what he was doing and blushing profusely. He started rambling, "erm, s-sorry, I, uh...got lost in thought...I've been told I do that a lot...that's how I got my nickname Daydreamer in high school- mom thinks I may have some form of ADD, but none of the teachers at school pointed anything out when I was a kid, so she left it alone- sorry, rambling, but anyway, uh, what was the question? Sorry..." He looked away, trying to refocus his ongoing thoughts onto the task at hand.
"Oh yeâyeah? AD-Hup!-ADHD. Diaâgnosed but Hulp! untreâeated. Well-Himp!-at least noânot healthâily. Hyumpk!-uh. Uh-no-Hi'ulp!-it's coâool. Probably hard to Hmp! understand mâe with these Huck! these hiccups an-Hu'ulp!-anyway. I think they're-Hump'k!-finally startâting to calm doâdown. A little, at least Huck!-uh."
Otto took a bit of a breath and rubbed his sternum. It was just starting to get sore. He took a sip of his water bottle and put it back down on the floor. It had no effect on his hiccups, but it quenched his throat from the dryness.
"Mm-Hmpk! They don't hur-Herp!-hurt or anything. Huh! But, sometimes Huh'uh! when they get that faâast they can gâget exhausting. Hilp! Anyway!" Otto said as he slapped his hands together and rubbed them, trying to get back on topic. Two people with ADHD was proving a special sort of challenge. "Have you Hulp! ever owned a mechâanical watch before? Hu'ulp!" he asked.
Tele.machus shrugged, "I can understand you, don't worry. Dorian gets these fast h-hiccups all the time and so I, um, guess I've got practice in that department." He stammered on the word, but hoped it wouldn't be noticed. Or just chalked up to nerves.
Unintentionally ignoring the question, he continued on his tangent. "But, um, yeah...I was kind of in the top of my class my entire education, so...n-not that people with ADHD can't be in the top of the class...but I think that's what threw the docs off maybe? Cuz I was doing my own bit of research and the percentage of students with ADHD that drop out of high school is roughly 33% and for those who do graduate and go onto college, statistics have said that only 15% actually complete the 4 year degree..." Tele.machus blinked, realizing his tangent.
As Tele.machus info-dumped about his research on ADHD, Otto smiled again as he found himself developing a fondness for the kid.
"Oh yeâah?" Well, Hu'uck!-uh, I actually wasn't terâterrible in school. Hm'km! When I couâould focus. But I did drâop out of Hump'k!-uh, college. Granted, that couâcould've been the Hurgk!-mm, alcoholâism of it aâall!" Otto said with a little bit of a shrug.
Tele.machus cleared his throat sheepishly, looking away and blushing, "or, uh, we just never went to the right doctors. But um, right, anyway, the watch!...um, no, I haven't. I don't know the first thing about watches if I'm being honest." He kept his mouth shut, ready to focus on what Otto was going to explain.
He found Otto so easy and nice to talk to, even with the hiccups having distracted him slightly. He still very much enjoyed seeing the way Otto's body responded to every hiccup, the variety of it all added to the experience. He smiled, just happy to be here at the right time.
And at Tele.machus reminding him of his actual goal of showing how the watch works, Otto started.
"Yes! Hup!-ugh," Otto was starting to get a little tired of hiccuping, to be honest. "The watch! C'mere leâemme show you Ulp!-uh, show you hoâow to tell Dorian Hmpk! to work thâis baby!"
But then Otto remembered that Tele.machus had tripped over the word 'hiccups' earlier and everything started to fall in place. Otto's eyes widened a little, but he tried to keep his face neutral to the suspicion. Still, he couldn't help but think of Atticus and their own idiosyncrasies when it came to witnessing hiccups in himself or someone else. Excitement at the possibility turned to sympathy.
He realized he could just be reading into things, but the awareness of the possibility put him on a slightly higher level of alert for any further indication and made him momentarily play back the previous parts of Telemachus' interaction to find any further clues. Finally, he remembered to reply. He decided to attempt a little investigating, first.
"So, you mentioned Hi'ulp! Dorian's hiccuâps," he said as casually as he could. "Attâicus, my partner Hulp! found oâout pretty H'gulp!-mm, pretty quickâly how prone I Humpk! I am when thâthey moved in Higgurp!Hulp!-scuse me, moved iâin with me."
Otto smiled at the memory.
"Fortâunately it diâdn't bother them HUULP!-Jeez! Sorry!" Otto exclaimed, hand over his mouth.
Tele.machus hadn't noticed Otto's eyes widening in realization due to him running a hand down his face. Though, he nodded at his mention of Dorian and his story about Atticus, smiling slightly, "that's pretty accurate for me too, honestly...Dorian's had many cases throughout our first semester...at least it seemed like a lot to me. I'm not as...prone to them as I used to be, so maybe it's just a matter of comparison between myself and them? But, um, with them being my dorm mate, I hadn't realized someone could just...do it so easily, no, that's not the right word...constantly, yeah, that's the one..." He'd tried to avoid the word again so as to not fumble over it again.
Tele.machus' eyes widened slightly and he squeezed the sleeves of his hoodie around his waist at the sound of that loud hiccup, "y-you're good, man. And, uh...that's good that they're fine with this." Tele.machus thought that Atticus was lucky to be able to witness hiccups like these occasionally. To be fair, he had Dorian as a dorm mate for now, but he knew that probably wouldn't last forever...unless he'd gather the courage to ask them out.
Otto merely smirked at Tele.machus' unknowing understatement of how okay Atticus was with his hiccups.
Tele.machus seemed to be internally fighting with himself again, a conflicted look on his face. He turned to Otto, "um..." then he saw the watch in his peripherals and completely switched gears, "never mind, sorry, you've been trying to tell me about this watch for a bit and we keep getting derailed. I'll, um...ask you later." He blushed somewhat embarrassedly before walking a bit closer to Otto so he was next to him.
Otto then got ready to launch into his spiel but paused at Tele.machus' aborted question.
"Okâokay but, Hm'mk!-uh, that seeâeemed like an importâant question so-Hulp! definitely Huck! don't let it go unasâasked, kay?" Otto asked.
Tele.machus smiled softly and nodded, "I'll keep it in the most important place in my brain. Promise."
"Okay. Hulgk!-uh," Otto took a breath and prepared himself to battle hiccups through his explanation. "So-Humpk!, I was able to use the bâbase of an old Hulp! old Seiko watch I've had fâor ages. Hu'urgk!-uh It's an automatic sweâeeper. That means Huck! instead of theâthe secondhand Huggulk! ticking, it sweeps acrâacross. And, listen, Mk! nothing is gonn-Ulgk!-gonna completely cut-Ergk! out the tick-Hic! tock," he chuckled at the timely interruption, "I know you Hmgk! you said Dorian likes a-Huh! quiet watch. But this should-Mk!-I mean, it should beâbe a lot less with Hip! this one. Makes it a lâlittle heavier though because Hmk! I put some stuff to dampen the sound a little more Hm'mgk!-uh.â
The boy listened to Otto's explanation of how the watch was created, nodding occasionally to show he was listening. He made a conscious effort not to zone out, but the passion in Otto's voice drew him in more, which helped a lot.
"Come over heâhere and I'll shâshow you how it works. Hu'ulgk!-mm. It shouldn't need to be hand-wound often as loâong as he keeps Huck! keeps wearing it. Wind it once to-Mk! to start. Here, I'll sh-Hup!-show you by giving the wiâwinder a few twists. See? Mk! Sweeping second hand. Genius, right? Hmk! Can't take credit for that. IâIt was just the watch. Have him give it a feâew winds and set it. Might run a little fast Hup! initially but then it'll be pretty accurate. And lemme show you how to set it and all the complications on it. It can be tricky."
When called over, Tele.machus headed to the table and leaned over awkwardly.
As Otto pulled the post of the winder out at various lengths to show Tele.machus how to set it, he also explained he'd included printed out instructions, because it could get a little tricky. He went ahead and set the complications to save the trouble for it.
Tele.machus watched him and already knew he wasn't going to remember most of this. He wished he'd brought a notepad to take notes. Then he heard about the printed out instructions, and thanked him profusely.
"And I want you to feel that automatically wind. Just give it a little shake back and forth and keep your fingers on the back of the case. You feel that vibration?" Otto asked.
Tele.machus did as Otto requested, nodding his head, "yeah, I feel it." His brain instantly supplied him with that one Spong.eBob episode and he quietly snorted at himself.
At Tel's snort Otto gave him a confused look, not quite up on his Spong.ebob references to understand the significance. He suspected it was related to something he was too old to understand, so he didn't pursue asking about it but was still amused at the reaction.
Tele.machus blushed, "sorry, ignore me, my brain is just full of memes and cartoons and it reminds me of them in impromptu times." He furrowed his brows, muttering, "did I use that word right?"
At the kid's question about word-usage he sort of wished Atticus was here, but he'd give it a try.
"I don't think it works in that sentence. Like, okay," Otto put his hands up in explanation," impromptu sort of means you're creating something out of nothing. Like, a stack of pillows can be an impromptu bed, right? But I get the gist of what you're trying to say. Uh...I think maybe a better word would be random?" He frowned a little but nodded. "You're not creating the times the memes strike you, you're being reminded of the memes at the times someone says something that triggers that memory. So, uh, so it's not a creation exactly but...um...it just, like, happens and it comes up in your brain sort of like an intrusive thought?"
Otto's hands moved as he spoke, trying to explain things and realizing they were getting completely off topic, but he was on a roll now.
"So...your brain is full of memes and cartoons that are triggered at....at random times, and you can't help but think of them...I think," he finished a little trepidatiously.
Tele.machus slowly nodded his head in understanding, "ahh, I see. Thank you." He wasn't going to mention the fact that it had been a rhetorical question out loud, not after Otto was kind enough to teach him something new. "You're really smart, hehe."
Otto was, of course, completely oblivious to it having been a rhetorical question and was just excited to be able to teach someone something. But he scoffed at Tele.machus' compliment.
"Nah, I just know a bunch of stuff," Otto said. "It's just what happens when you get old."
"Old?" Tele.machus looked confused, this entire time, he'd thought Otto was in his thirties. "Wait, how old are you?" He blinked at the bluntness of his own question. "Uhhh, or a range if that's more comfortable for you..."
Otto chuckled at the question of his age.
"I'm turning 46 this year," he said with a grin. "Trust me, that's a big fucking deal. Pardon the language. Didn't think I'd get past 30, to be honest."
Otto was really surprised and proud of himself for existing this long after all he'd experienced and done to his body.
Tele.machus' eyes widened and jaw dropped, "holy- you're gonna be 46?! I swear...I thought you were 35...still, I don't think you're old. Old is like...I dunno, 80?" He chuckled amusedly.
Otto shrugged at the kid telling him he looked younger. It was sweet, but, as he rubbed the back of his head, he didn't really believe it.
"But anyway, about the watch, that's pretty much the basics," he said. Then he made a face of realization and put a hand on his chest and took a very deep breath. "Oh! Finally! Whew. Those hiccups were kind of kicking my ass."
He admitted this as he took another drink from his water and put it back down on the ground.
Tele.machus had also noticed and couldn't help the feeling of both relief and slight disappointment. The relief was overpowering at this point, only because despite what Otto had said, those hiccups sounded painful, or at the very least uncomfortable. "Good, it must've been the distraction. Glad you were able to shake them off." He also took a deep breath, taking a moment to recuperate, shaking his legs, then his arms, careful not to hit anything.
Otto agreed with Tele.machus' relief at his hiccups being gone with a meaningful nod.
"Okay, so. I sourced the crystals from here, actually. The band is adjustable but let me know if there's any problems with sizing. Little thing but tell Dorian to wear it a little looser in the summer. Sweat builds under the dial and can cause some issues if it's too close to the skin. Um...any questions about the watch before you ask what you had wanted to ask before?"
But he interrupted that line of thought to pick up another before Tele.machus could answer.
"Wait, one more thing. So that initial quote I gave you went down a lot when I realized I already had so much of what I needed. And, you know, it's Pride month too, so I'm gonna give you a discount for that, too. Plus, you seem like a cool kid. Eh, I'm softer than I look. How's that on price?" Otto asked as he gave Telemachus a piece of paper with the new price quote on it.
Tele.machus furrowed his brows, stopping him for a moment, âwait, but- it's January.â
Otto paused at the realization, âwell, shoot, uh, you know what? June? January? They both start with J, so what the heck? Super Early Pride Month discount for you, kid.â
Tele machus chuckled softly, amused at his logic. âIf you say so.â
"Anyway, it's still pricey, I know. And if you need to break it up into payments, that's totally fine. I so rarely get people as young as you actually wanting a nice watch so I would love to work with you, if you need. I don't know your situation, but whatever you need," Otto added.
"Summer time, loosen it, got it," Tele.machus repeated. "Um...I think I'm all good- well, actually, it's less about the watch and more of a career choice question, uh...how exactly did you get into clock-making? I mean, you truly found your calling, did you always know?"
He then took the paper Otto handed him, read the new price and his eyes widened, "that's it? That's really all you want for this masterpiece? I brought the original amount we agreed on. I don't mind paying it. Really, you deserve it all." He grabbed his wallet from his back pocket and pulled out the cash he had organized.
After Otto responded to the kid's reaction to the price, "No no, kid, listen. You keep that extra cash," he said, divvying out the difference and giving it back, "and donate it to whatever charity you want. This is good, promise."
The boy reluctantly took the extra cash back, "are you sure? Do you at least accept tips?" He looked at Otto with puppy dog eyes.
"You're good!" Otto insisted with a grin as he pushed the money back. "Seriously! Keep the money, kiddo, that reaction at the watch was tip enough. Besides, if you're gonna come back for something else then I'm happy to accept a little less for a return customer.â
Tele.machus smiled shyly back at him, "thank you, seriously, that means a lot." He puts the extra money back in his wallet to use for a gift bag potentially. "And yeah, I'm definitely keeping you in mind for Christmas and birthdays." He chuckled.
Otto grinned and nodded at Tel's promise to patron him again. Somehow, he didn't doubt him.
He then tackled the larger question, "How did I get started in clockmaking? Wow. Um. Here," Otto said and pulled a rolling stool over for Tele.machus to sit on so the guy didn't have to keep standing. Once Tele.machus sat on the stool, he began, "Well, that's, um. Huh. So...so actually it's a family thing sort of. My dad had a pretty lucrative hobby in it that had been passed on from his dad and so on. He taught me when I was really young. Like...I think I was 6 when I first remember learning stuff? Then when I was 8, my dad passed away and I sort of left it behind.â
"Uh...so I'm a recovering alcoholic, first of all. I...when I got into recovery I realized I didn't know what to do with my life? My uncle was very kind and allowed me to rent out, and then buy, a relative's house for a really fair price. Like crazy low. And there were all these old clocks, and it sort of reignited my passion for it that I felt when I was a kid."
Otto shrugged a little before he continued, unsure if the kid would have any reaction to his recovery, but he wasn't ashamed of it.
"I, uh, I got together with some really nice people who fixed clocks and watches locally, and they sort of helped me learn how to fix all the clocks in my home. From there it...it just came naturally. Took a lot of work but I had a lot of support, so after a few years I was able to start a business out of it. And I, uh, you know I never stop learning. There's always a clock or a watch I've never seen before. So, it's kind of cool to be able to learn something new or how to do things better."
Otto finished with a smile.
Tele.machus listened to the story, completely enthralled by the tale. Well, maybe he shouldn't call it a tale since it was real life. He frowned at the end, "I'm sorry for your loss..." he couldn't help but think about his own dad. At least Otto had closure, knowing that his dad was gone. With his own father, he didn't know whether he was dead or lost somewhere. Shaking his head back out of his thoughts, he smiled slightly, continuing, "...and I'm glad you were able to have a recovery and a support system that helped you out. And like my mom says, it's always awesome to keep an open mind about learning new things and improving your craft. Though, I haven't seen much of your previous work in too much detail, other than pics I've seen on your website, but I'd say you've definitely peaked.â
Otto nodded to Tel's response to his story. He didn't really have much to add, though laughed when he said Otto had peaked. He hoped it wasn't all downhill from here, though he didn't say that out loud.
"Uh, can I...can I ask you something? And you don't have to answer if you don't want to," Otto said.
Tele.machus grinned and nodded curiously, "yeah, of course, let's hear it!" He chuckled and looked at Otto with sparkling eyes.
"Okay," Otto said and took a breath as he tried to figure out how to approach the topic sensitively.
"So, Dorian. Your friend," he said, hands spread wide again and gesticulating, "Dude, this person sounds pretty amazing, right? And even with the discount, this is not a cheap gift for a friend. Is there-mmm-maybe something more there? And if I'm reading the situation wrong, please tell me, okay? Just...feels like...I mean..."
Otto squinted at Tele.machus for a reply as he trailed off biting his lip.
Tele.machus' eyes widened and he blushed and looked away, "I-I mean...that actually really ties into the question I was gonna ask you. But, um..." He tried to think of how to word things. He took a deep breath before explaining, "so, you know how I was telling you Dorian was constantly getting the, erm, h-hiccups and I'd suggest cures for them...well..."
He looked at Otto, not directly in his eyes, before continuing, "they got them while they were patching me up from a fight- before you say anything, I was defending them and my mother..." He grumbled "homophobic asshole..." before shaking his head. "Uh, anyway, they weren't curing them, a-and...I dunno, I reacted impulsively. I kissed them."
Otto's brow furrowed as the young man told his story. The face he often tried to train to be pleasant and open reverted to how it naturally sat, wide eyed and prominent brow furrowed heavily, though perhaps heavier when he realized Tele.machus had been in a fight in honor of Dorian and against a homophobic bigot.
Tele.machusâ whole face lit up a rosy red and he covered it up, "I kissed him and...I felt them kiss me back. But I released and I...I was embarrassed and scared and I ran away...I avoided them, didn't talk to them the rest of the semester...didn't even message him during winter break."
Tele.machus looked down at the watch as it sparkled, "as an apology, I originally wanted to buy the pins that the homophobic asshole had broken, but everyone was completely sold out or it wasn't available, some nonsense. So I started looking for other meaningful presents, and during my search, I got an ad for your website and...the rest is history."
Unconsciously, Ottoâs arms crossed and tightened as the story went on. When Tel mentioned finding his ad, he realized he'd have to thank Atticus for convincing him to put himself online and buy space to show up on social media accounts and search results. He had gotten an influx of customers, but most balked and backed out when they realized the price of his services, not understanding the work and rarity of servicing old watches and, specifically, old clocks.
After telling his story, Tele.machus realized he didn't really answer the actual question. He slapped his forehead, "I went on this whole tangent and didn't give you an actual answer. Geez...my bad." He shook his head, "they're my friend and dorm mate, but...I may have a bit of a crush on them. I want to tell them how I feel, and that's actually what I was gonna ask you."
He glanced back up at Otto, eyes shimmering with hope, "do you potentially have any advice on how to confess your feelings to someone?" Then he backtracked, fidgeting with his fingernails, "i-it's ok if you don't wanna answer...I know I could ask my mom, but she doesn't know I'm bi and I don't want her asking questions...not trying to guilt trip you or anything, sorry- just gonna...stop rambling." He clamped his mouth tightly and looked at Otto, awaiting anxiously for his reply.
Finally, the kid got to his question and Otto's expression released a little, became wider and more open. He made an effort to make his features softer again as his shoulders released their tension a little.
He was even closer to assuming Tel had the same kink as Atticus as he smiled at the story.
"A crush on them, huh?" Otto said a little sassily, "Never woulda guessed."
Tele.machus blushed and looked down, smiling sheepishly, "yeah, I know...as if I'm still in high school. Embarrassing, right?"
"So, first of all, before we get into a subject I have historically failed every time except one, that was really brave of you to fight for Dorian and your mom and, maybe most importantly, the queer community. Stupid, but brave as hell. Those two things go hand-in-hand. So, kudos to that and also, man, don't do that again, okay? You can replace a pin, but you can't replace you."
He said this firmly, but compassionately, as he jabbed his finger into Tele.machus' chest.
Tele.machus bit his lip and scratched the back of his neck, "thanks...and I won't make it a habit...I dunno, something snapped inside of me, I promise I'm not normally like that...I'm not a fighter." He nodded at the wise words, another sparkle in his eyes.
"Also, sorry about the touch. I didn't ask consent. I got wrapped up in the adult speech of it all.â
"It's, um...it's ok," Tele.machus' voice cracked, eyes brimming slightly. He didn't know why he was latching onto this strangerâacquaintance at least he'd say. He blamed it on the fact that his father was absent for most of his life. He didn't blame him, of course, he was out fighting for the betterment of the country. Still, to get a speech from a guy around the age his father probably was...it threatened to bring tears to his eyes. "S-sorry, just...need a moment, gosh, I'm making an embarrassment out of myself." He wiped his eyes.
Then as Tele.machus became emotional, Otto tried to hide his concern as his face softened a little.
"You're okay," he answered softly as Tele.machus' eyes moistened. He smiled encouragingly. "Take your time, man."
Tele.machus sniffed weakly, wiping his nose with his arm, cringing before wiping the snot onto his hoodie. "Th-thanks."
âUhhh, anyway, as far as your crush. Heh. Seems like hiccups are what brought you together, huh?" he smiled wryly. "Like I said, I don't have an outstanding track record in relationships, save for this last one with Atticus. I guess...be honest? And-and be open about who you are and what-er-you might like about this person."
Once he was back in control of his emotions, Tele.machus cleared his throat, "again, sorry about that...but um, y-yeah, kinda seems like it...that's kinda what initiated our first kiss, huh?" Tele.machus chuckled quietly, blushing slightly at just noticing that fact. He nodded, "honesty is the best policy, huh? Keep things open..." He nodded thoughtfully.
Though, he noticed that the wording was odd, but didn't mention anything.
Little did he know, Otto was dancing around the assumption of Tel's hiccup kink trying not to say it.
"I mean, with Atty and I it was really unexpected. Atticus is asexual and I...eh...I guess now that I know the terms, I'm maybe demisexual? Still sorting that out and it's not terribly important in our relationship. Uh, all that to say they're also demi...romantic? Is that right? Eh, basically they were nervous because while they liked me they didn't know if they'd ever be in love with me the same way I might be, and definitely am, with them. But-uh-I realized as time went on that I was okay with that possibility cause all I wanted was to be with them and have them love me in whatever way they could.
"Turned out working pretty well. We got married, uh, and have been together for...wow...four years? We'll be married two years at the end of this year.
"Anyway," Otto waved his hands around and shook his head. "I'm rambling. I do that. We...I guess we both do. Heh. Um, the point is we were both honest with each other. When Atty moved in I found out some...things. But they told me upfront as soon as they came up. And...those...things ended up really enriching our relationship."
Tele.machus was once again enthralled with the love story, watching excitedly. "Awww, four years together? That's awesome! Congratulations! What a great love story." He smiled, genuinely happy for them.
He was instantly curious as to what Otto had found out, but he knew that was probably personal and not something that could be disclosed. He still smiled, happy that things were working out with them.
Otto winced. He was dancing around the subject to the point that it was annoying him, but he didn't want to scare Tele.machus off if he was right and he didn't want to scare Tele.machus off if he was wrong and telling the kid about his partner's hiccup kink was offensive.
Tele.machus heard Otto wince, and looked concerned, "everything ok?"
Otto waved off Tel's concern for his wince before he continued trying not to make a big deal of the reaction he'd hoped the kid hadn't seen.
"Um, yeah, so just be honest? And if Dorian likes you even after that honesty? Then, hell, I think you have someone you could spend the rest of your life with," he said. "No pressure."
Tele.machus blinked, furrowing his brow again at the odd wording. He nodded his head slowly, "yeah...thank you, Otto...I'll take that into consideration...my honesty..." He stared at the wall, focusing long and hard at what it could mean. Then his eyes sparked with realization and slight fear, thinking to himself, 'does he know? W-was I too obvious? Shoot...now he probably thinks I'm a weirdo, especially with my reaction to his case...aaaahhhhhh' He was kinda freaking out internally, not even realizing his breath was starting to pick up.
It was when Tele.machus started to hyperventilate that Otto feared he'd said the wrong thing.
"Hey, whoa, kiddo. You good? I...shit," he whispered the expletive as he stood up for a moment and left before coming back with a cup of water. "Hey, bud. Here. Um. So...I think I might've said something to trigger this? And I think I know what it was. And I think if I'm wrong about this, this is about to get really awkward really fast and I...I apologize preemptively but...okay, mmm, try to take some deep breaths, Tel. Um. So...when Atticus started living with me, I got the hiccups one morning. They freaked out. I didn't know why. Turns out they...they like hiccups. Eh, and shit, this is only gonna make any sense if you get the-you know-undercurrent of what that means. A-are you freaking out because you like them, too?"
Before Tel could answer Otto continued, stuttering.
"And, and just to-uh-um-just to clarify. If-if you do, that's okay. And you weren't obvious except...that I know Atty so...so that's why I suspected. But-but-but if you have no idea what I'm talking about just...forget everything I just said. Cause...cause it doesn't matter. All that matters is that you keep drinking that water and calming down and...not think I'm a creepy dude who talks about...creepy stuff, heh..."
Tele.machus' eyes focused on the water and he took it, sipping it, removing it from his lips and taking multiple shaky breaths. He looked at Otto and bit his lip. Could he trust him? He looked into Otto's eyes, hearing his reassurance, before he took one more deep breath. He looked away and shyly nodded his head, blushing and covering his face.
Oh gosh, it was out there, one person knew, well two including himself. He wanted to talk about it, but his voice died in his throat, so he just drank more of his water.
"Yeah, okay," Otto responds to the nod. "But, you know, that's okay! That's okay because-because that's not a bad thing! It's just a thing!"
Otto was widening his arms with raised eyebrows and his eyes looked completely unhinged because he wasn't focused on making them look tamer.
"I mean...you know...people get aroused all the time. That's not anything to be embarrassed about. And-and Dorian? Well, if he's anything like me, he's gonna at least be thankful that you don't get annoyed at his hiccuping. I mean, there's something he can do to make you immediately happy. That's pretty awesome, kid. It's a good feeling to know that you can make someone you care about happy with just-just what your body does naturally. But...um...I dunno. How'm I doing with this?"
He doesn't wait for a response.
"You know it's funny...well...maybe not funny. Interesting? Synchronous? Serendipitous? But just a while ago, um, Atty and I met up with another kid...college-aged twenty-something...who felt the same way about hiccups. So, you know, you definitely aren't alone. And it's...really suspicious how that keeps coming up. An-anyway! Uh...shit...I'm rambling. You okay?"
Otto put a hand on his shoulder and gave him a concerned face.
Tele.machus sniffled and swallowed down the rest of his water. He cleared his throat, ready to test his voice, "I...I-I..." At the shaky start, he shook his head and started over, "you're the first person who knows...a-and you don't think it's weird?" Then realized, "wait, your partner likes them too? So you can't think it's weird...but that's your partner, I'm just some random kid buying a watch from you, I...who witnessed your...hhhiiiccups and...could barely focus on anything else..."
He whimpered and squeezed the empty cup, still refusing to look at him, "I-I mean...it's not something I wanna force on them just to make me happy...what if he's not like you? What if they think I'm creepy? Or weird? Or a pervert? And they hate me forever! And never want to see me again! And they switch dorms, or schools, and I'll never see their beautiful face again!"
Otto raised his eyebrows as Tel started spiraling again.
"Hey-hey. Whoa, bud. You haven't even told him yet. And, guess what? You don't have to tell him yet. This is your thing. You can take your time," Otto said and shrugged. "I mean...Atty and I knew each other and were in a relationship, of a sort, for a while before they told me. But if he does have those thoughts that you're creepy or weird, then they weren't someone who was right for you from the get-go. I just know my experience, as someone who doesn't have a hiccup...thing. Hiccups don't bother me. I get them a lot. I'm always going to be prone to them. I don't mind and, hell, a lot of good stuff happens when Atticus and I...enjoy my hiccups together. So, why am I going to hate that? It's a pretty sweet deal, honestly."
The clockmaker chuckled sheepishly as he rubbed the back of his head.
Tele.machus slowly nodded. He was scared to take the chance of Dorian being weirded out by this. If they didn't like it, he thought they would never work out, and he feared that most of all. He wanted their potential relationship to work and last. "They don't seem to bother them either..." He commented, "m-maybe they would be okay...I mean, he doesn't seem like the type to judge..." He thought about it for a bit, then blinked back into the conversation, "wait, good stuff happens? Wha-" then he recalled what arousal usually led to and his eyes widened and he blushed, sputtering out, "oh...OH- really? I-I mean, you're married, that's what married people do, it's, uh, natural, uh-" He'd never been intimate with anyone and rarely ever thought about it. Could this really bridge the gap? If he'd told Dorian and they were fine with it, would he want to...? It gave him something to think about, that's for sure. Maybe he wouldn't die a virgin...not that he cared about that.
Otto gave Tele.machus an amused smile at his realization of the subtext. This kid, Otto thought.
"Also, realistically? Are you ever going to make them get the hiccups for you? No, right? You'd never do that. I know you wouldn't. And if they know you, he knows you wouldn't, too," Otto insisted.
"Of course not, I'd feel way too guilty," Tele.machus pouted, "their cases may be shortâthough, I don't actually know how long they truly are because I'd have them cure them immediatelyâbut they sound uncomfortable. I wouldn't wanna cause that discomfort...not on purpose, at least."
Otto nodded as his suspicions on Tel's empathy were confirmed.
Tele.machus glanced at Otto, "waitâŠy-you said you know more people? That...like them? I'm not aloneâŠ?" He bit his lip, scratching his arm.
Otto laughed, not cruelly, at Tele.machus' realization.
"I think you need to explore the internet more, bud. You are, most definitely, not alone," Otto said with humor. "There is nothing wrong with you. There are so many other people out there with kinks they're embarrassed by. It's just a weird roulette which one you get, I guess."
Tele.machus immediately blushed embarrassed, "oh, I...I guess I never did check to see if there were others...I was too nervous about it...I'm, um...a bit of a scaredy cat, not gonna lie...but honestly? Talking about all of this with you is...kinda daunting-" he put his hands in front of him as if calming a wild animal, "n-not to say it's bad or I'm uncomfortable. I'm not...I'm actually surprisingly comfortable talking about this stuff with you..." He shut his eyes tight, shaking his head, chuckling at himself. "You're gonna remember me as that one random kid who came in for a watch and came out with an experience."
He immediately felt comforted by the hand on his shoulder. He took another calming breath. He couldn't believe it...he'd told Otto his deepest darkest secret. "Uh...I'm gonna be honest, I'm still kinda freaking out a little...this is all really new to me...telling an acquaintance my deepest darkest was not on my bingo card for this year..." He chuckled at his attempt at humor. "Erm...you're not gonna tell anyone...r-right?"
At Tele.machus' request Otto smiled.
"I might tell Atticus, if that's okay. But no. You're safe. I would get absolutely nothing out of telling someone this random kid's kink. Especially if my partner had it too, which they do." Otto said and sighed, "I'm sorry I exposed you."
Otto thought maybe he should've been less forward about reading Tel's kink and asking about it.
Tele.machus thought about it before nodding his head, "yeah, that's fine. I trust they won't spread anything." He smiled, hoping one day to meet them. At the apology, he shook his head and smiled kindly, "don't sweat it, it's okay. It gave us something else to talk about and...it gave me a bit of reassurance. Sorry I kinda...panicked on you there...hadn't done that since...high school." He chuckled amusedly, that's now two things he hadn't done since high school: hiccup and panic.
"If it helps," Otto said softly. "It doesn't bother me that you saw me with them. I'm not offended. You didn't do anything wrong. You just...felt what you felt. And that's okay. You weren't inappropriate at all. Cause you're a good guy, right? Gawd, I feel like I should just give you this watch at this point!"
Tele.machus sighed in relief and nodded, "it does help, a lot actually, thank you. You've got some top tier h-hiccups there, your partner is sooo lucky." He blushed, "hope that was okay to say, erm-" he cleared his throat and nodded.
"Oddly enough, that's not the first time someone has said that about my hiccups," Otto said with a smirk.
"Really? Oh, I'm guessing Atticus?" Tele.machus raised an eyebrow and smirked playfully.
"Yeah Atticus," Otto said with a laugh and a nod. He loved this kid's pureness.
Tele.machus was chuckling at the last part that sounded more like pleading. "No, no, you're okay! I mean- transaction's complete and everything, but...um, I don't know where I was going with that sentence..." He admitted softly. "I'm just a complete mess today, aren't I?"
"Oh kid," Otto responded to his last nervous comment. "I've been a complete mess and, trust me, you're not even close."
"Definitely feel like one though," Tele.machus chuckled and scratched the back of his neck.
Otto sighed and stood up.
"Eh, talk to me when you're half naked behind a breakfast joint covered inexplicably with sliced mushrooms with no memory of how you got there," he said and paused for a beat. "Actually, maybe just don't do that in the first place. Not recommended."
Tele.machus' brows raised, curious about how that happened, but he felt like he'd already pried too much into Otto's life. Instead, he nodded, "I won't...or at least try not to."
"You open to a hug?" Otto asked. He opened his arms preemptively and continued to talk, "And, by the way, I'll remember you as the kid who was very brave and talked about some really scary things and bought a very bad ass watch from me and came back to buy one for all of his friends and told them all about me and yes this is also a shameless plug."
Tele.machus ran into Otto's arms, hugging him tightly. He definitely felt like he'd needed a hug and was nervous to ask for one. He chuckled at his shameless plug and smiled, "thank you, Otto. Not just for the hug, but...for everything. The watch, the conversation, for being so understanding and cool about everything."
Otto put a hand to the back of Tele.machus' head as they hugged, smiling at the enthusiasm with which the kid accepted the embrace.
He could recall when even a casual touch felt invasive to him, like he didn't deserve it and didn't know what to do with it. He was grateful he was able to give and receive physical comfort like this now.
"Yeah, of course. Yeah, sure. Don't mention it. I'm just glad I didn't come off as some weirdo, y'know? I kind of have that vibe sometimes," he said with a nervous chuckle.
Tele.machus chuckled and slightly nuzzled into the hug, his hands clinging to the back of Otto's shirt, "nah, I don't think weirdos give this good of hugs. Seriously, man, did you go to school for hugs or something?"
"Uh, something like that," Otto said he let him go with an amused huff.
Just years spent acclimating to positive physical touch via finally having healthy relationships after a lifetime of not. Otto had quickly learned he actually really liked hugs, something he'd never known before.
"Oh! And I need you to send that info about the dog café. I'm extremely allergic to cats and, man, it just makes me so sad I can't have coffee with animals because of histamines, y'know?!" he groused.
Tele.machus gasped and nodded, his eyes sparkling, "oh yeah! That dog café is definitely called The Barking Bean, let me send you the info!" He grabbed his phone and got the info, sending it to their chat.
Otto received the text message with a grin.
"Awesome. I'm really excited about this. And, hey, if Dorian has any issues with the watch or any questions, we can do a Facetime or something," he said. "That watch should be good for a while. But tell me if anything happens. The crystal settings should be solid. I'm pretty confident about that. Um, also, just so you know. I also do engraving. So...you know...if you ever need it engraved to represent...some sort of...development in your relationship?" Otto shrugged innocently. "I could do that..."
"Cool, cool, glad I brought it up!" Tele.machus smiled and nodded, "I'll make sure to let them know and I'll keep you updated. And engraving? Cool, definitely good to know, I'll keep that in mind. If all goes well, you might hear from me sooner rather than later." He chuckled.
"I'm definitely pushing for all going well. And, uh, yeah, let me know how they like it. And how it goes. If you want. I mean, I'm kind of invested now!" Otto said, then continued.
"Um, okay. I think I better get out of here. Honestly? I have at least two more cases to look forward to today so better see if anyone at home is interested in...well," he blushed a little, rubbing the back of his head, "Ahem. Anyway. And you should probably get on the road, yeah? It's, what...jeeze...two hours from here?"
Otto wasn't trying to rush Tele.machus, but the day was getting long, and he was anxious to go back home to Atticus and see if they were...in the right mood. He also didn't want the kid to have to travel back in the dark, if it could be helped.
Tele.machus stood up straighter and smiled sheepishly, "thank you, and yeah, no, I get it!" He chuckled slightly.
Tele.machus gasped and smiled, nodding, "yeah, yeah, of course! Wouldn't want them to miss out on the fun." He smirked slightly teasing. "Two more cases? Love how attuned you are that you know how many cases you're gonna get." He paused and cleared his throat, "But, uh, yeah, it's two hours, but it's alright, I'm good with long distances as long as I have some sort of caffeine in me." He smiled reassuringly.
"Eh," Otto said with a shrug as he started turning off lights and gathering his own things to close up shop. "I usually get at least 4 cases on these days. I've only had two so far. More of an estimation of occurrence based on previous likelihood than being in tune exactly."
Tele.machus nodded his head, "wow...four cases in one day...all as rough as the one I witnessed? Or...does it vary case by case?"
"Em, huh," Otto said as he squinted in thought. "I guess...I guess they vary a little. Never really gave it much thought, honestly. I'll have to ask Atty if they notice. I dunno. They don't usually last too long. Five to ten minutes is pretty average. But I'll get hiccups for thirty minutes to an hour sometimes. One time it was almost five hours. That was rough!"
Tele.machus' eyes widened, "Five Hours!? That's insane, I couldn't imagine...holy shit...what the heck caused those?"
"No idea!" Otto said. "They just wouldn't let up. That's when I realized holding my breath makes them a lot worse. My poor roommate at the time was traumatized."
Otto can laugh at it now as he thought about Mark's face.
"Oh gosh," Tele.machus gasped. He couldn't imagine one of the main cures for hiccups actually being a cause to make them worse. But there was a first for everything. "What a way to find out that a cure doesn't work!â
"Heh, you're tellin' me!" Otto said with a laugh.
"Thankfully Atticus figured out a cure. Then a friend of mine who owns an antique's store gave me another," Otto shrugged. "I dunno. I guess I'm just a hiccup-y guy. It's definitely come with some benefits though. So, I can't complain."
"I'm glad you found yourself a cure," Tele.machus nodded, "when I used to get them, I'd enjoy them for the first couple of minutes and then after a bit, I get annoyed with them, so I can definitely appreciate finding the right cures, hehe."
"Oh yeah?" he said conversationally to Tele.machus' comment on his own hiccups. "Yeah. I swear by apple cider vinegar and if that doesn't work," he swallowed and grunted, "if that doesn't work then a spoonful of sugar, a spoonful of salt, and lemon juice.â
"Huh...then maybe I'll have to try that...if I ever get them again," he looked to the side, somewhat sadly.
Otto noticed Tele.machus' seeming disappointment at his lack of hiccups and silently hoped the kid might get a case again someday. Though, he thought, that was an odd thing to wish on someone. Then again, Atticus' desires were well known to Otto as well.
The clockmaker took the money out of his pocket that Tele.machus had given him and double folded it before putting it into his wallet. He tapped the leather a couple times as a reminder to record the amount officially when he got home. Then he opened the billfold again with a thought.
"Hey! Actually, there's a place a block from here. I have," he said as he fished around the wallet for a second, "a punch card I just filled. Yeah. Here. Free coffee. It's a great place. Small business. Here."
He handed the punched card to Tele.machus.
Tele.machus looked at Otto, jaw dropped, as his brain went on autopilot and grabbed the card. He then shook his head, "Otto...no, no, you worked hard on getting this punch card filled. I couldn't possibly take your free coffee. I appreciate the offer, but please."
He handed the card back to him.
Otto did not take the card back.
"Oh, well, actually with all the money you gave me I just...gee...I probably can't fit that card back into my wallet. Ah well," he shrugged exaggeratedly. "Guess you'll have to keep it. Heh, c'mon kid, it's three to six bucks. I'll be fine. I'll fill another card up in no time. I go there all the time."
Tele.machus sighed dramatically and put the card in his front pocket, "Otto, you're just too good to me. Thank you so much."
Tele.machus looked around, making sure he had everything. He had the watch, his phone, his keys, and his wallet. He nodded comfortably. "Just one last check, I tend to leave at least one thing behind."
"Yeah," he laughed. "I have a system, so I don't forget things. Doesn't always work but..." he grabbed his cardigan and draped it on his arm and flicked his flatcap off the doorknob and placed it on his head, "...I'm a lot better than I used to be. C'mon, I'll walk you out."
"Smart, I should probably come up with a system of some sort," Tele.machus pushed his hair back, "but, um, yeah, thanks." He smiled kindly at Otto, untying the hoodie from his waist and putting it back on.
Otto locked the door of his shop, tapping the door twice, and kept his keys in his hand to open his car when he got out to it.
Tele.machus followed him out and smiled at Mitch, waving at him, "goodbye Mr. Mitch. Nice meeting you. And you were right! The watch is really badass!" He chuckled.
"You headed out, Otto?" Mitch called as they went through the showroom.
"Yeah. This guy's gotta get back on the road and I promised Atty I'd pick up something on the way home I can fix tonight for dinner," Otto said with a smile.
"Alright, man. Drive safe. Hope you don't run into any more...hiccups," Mitch said, teasing.
"Oh? Sorry? Couldn't hear you over all the money in my wallet. From the sale I made today," Otto said as he looked dramatically around at the empty store.
"Okay, yeah, remember rent's due in a couple days, Otto," Mitch continued to joke with a grin.
"Okay, alright. This guy, man. Sorry, kid. Have a good one, Mitch!" he shouted as finally pulled open the door for Tele.machus.
"You too, Otto," Mitch said.
Tele.machus smiled and waved again before walking through the door and out onto the sidewalk.
Otto followed Tele.machus to his car.
"Okay? This you?" Otto asked rhetorically. He swallowed against some pressure in his throat. He might skip groceries and order delivery if his hiccups were going to come back sooner rather than later, he thought as he rubbed his chest.
Tele.machus chuckled softly and nodded, answering anyway, "yep, this is my baby. Had 'er for four years." He gently tapped the top of his Altima. "Mom got her for me for my 16th birthday."
He noticed him rubbing his chest, frowning slightly concerned, thinking he was still feeling the aftermath of his case earlier. Poor guy, he thought.
"Sounds like a good mom," he commented. There was a hint of sadness in his voice. But he was ultimately happy good moms existed.
Tele.machus smiled, "yeah...she's the best, honestly...maybe I'll consider a watch for her for mother's day..." He placed his finger on his chin in a classic thinking pose.
Otto couldn't with how demonstratively endearing this kid was. He couldn't help but chuckle at his cheekiness when discussing getting a watch for his mom for Mother's Day.
"Hold you to that," he said simply, grinning.
He swallowed again against the pressure in his throat. He wasn't sure if it was just the excitement of getting back home to Atticus that was encouraging the hiccups to come back, or if it was just the natural inclination of their return that would've happened anyway. Regardless, Otto was trying, once again, to hold them back.
This time he was holding them back because he didn't want to make the kid uncomfortable after he admitted his kink.
"Alright," he took a breath and tucked his chin again and shook it off. "Drive safe, huh? And, uh, good luck with Dorian. I don't think you have anything to worry about."
Tele.machus smiled back and nodded, "thank you...really. I honestly appreciate everything...would you be ok with a goodbye hug? T-totally ok if not, no pressure. Handshakes are cool too."
"Yeah, bring it in, dude," he said as he shifted his load so he could put his arms around the kid again. He chuckled and rubbed his back.
He giggled and hugged him back. He didn't know why he'd grown so...attached to Otto so quickly. Maybe it was the fact that his dad was out of the picture at the moment so Otto was potentially the closest thing to a father figure to him. No other male figure in his life had taken the time and effort with him. To give him advice and encouragement.
And then...Ottoâs body spasmed quietly. And then it did it again.
"Ah craâap!" he bemoaned. "Hup!-I thought I co-Up!-could puâush them baâack long-Herp!-longer!"
Tele.machus felt the spasms and swallowed hard. He knew Otto had just gotten his next case. His next breath came out as a slight shudder.
Otto didn't want to overstimulate the kid and just thinking that in his head seemed too much, so he covered his mouth and left the embrace with what he hoped was read as a congenial pat to Tele.machus' shoulder.
Tele.machus' eyes widened and he nodded, taking a deep breath, "nope, yep, nope, y-you're good, uh, all good!" He cleared his throat, blushing slightly as he stood up straighter from the released hug, "I'll let you get going, uh...w-wouldn't want your partner to miss, uh, miss those..."
Otto felt his own neck warming and knew he was beginning to blush as well. He tried to keep the hiccups muffled but doubted that helped any.
He nodded, a little too quickly, at Tele.machus' comment. No, Atticus would definitely not want to miss these. And he'd hate to miss Atticus not missing these.
He opened his car door and watched Otto for a moment, "uh- shoot, we'll keep in touch, k-kay?" He gave a forced smile that he hoped still portrayed friendliness.
Otto had started to turn away with a wave when Tele.machus commented again.
"Yeâyeah!" he confirmed. "You ha-Hup!-have my nuâumber. Hmk!Mk! Bye kiâbye kid! Drive-Hu'urp!-drive saâsafe!"
"You too!" Tele.machus called out before he closed his door and sighed.
As Otto turned around to his Subaru, his eyes widened, and he shifted his hat on his head as he ducked into the car, throwing his things (though the more delicate things like his tool bag were placed a little more gently) into the passenger seat and became extremely thankful at how close the Watch and Jewelry shop was to the house.
He shot Atticus a very obvious text, 'You in the mood?' before putting the car in gear and driving as quickly, as safely fast, as he could.
Tele.machus took a deep breath before starting his Altima. He looked down at the watch once again and smiled fondly. What an experience today was. Buckling his seat belt after closing the watch box and putting it in the compartment between the passenger seat and his own, he drove off, stopped at the coffee shop for his free caffeine, and then headed to the highway that led him home.
