sincaraz wip below the cut
He unlatched the door and stilled.
âJannik,â Carlos said, relieved and terrible all at once. He had a bag slung over one shoulder and was squinting against the sunlight, one hand shielding his face. âYou are here.â
âWhat,â Jannik started, and stopped, catalogued the rush of emotions that surged up at that, at seeing him wear something that wasnât the fucking striped kit, say something that wasnât a variation on You played well. The irrational urge to reach out and pinch him flared; he stamped it out with about as much calm as he could muster. âThis is my house.â
âYes, I meanââ Carlos frowned. âI just mean, like, you come to the doorâ you answer â I thought, you know, your momââ He cut himself off then, frowned a little harder at Jannik. âYouâre joking.â
âYes,â Jannik said. He could feel himself smiling, just a little; he couldnât help it.
Carlos was watching him. For a moment they stood there in silence. Jannik took him in properly as the amusement ebbed: the way his hand cast shadows on his face, the motion of his throat as he swallowed. He hadnât shaved in a few days. In the distance a car honked loudly, set off a flock of birds.
âTell me to go,â Carlos said, his mouth set in a stubborn twist, âand I go.â