Sculpture of Winter

The run home was short. Though it was more of a jog than an actual run. Despite the fact that Emory did want to get to Elliot as soon as possible, he still wanted to play around with the man and let him think he really was getting away. It would be all the more satisfying when Emory did catch him, and teach him a lesson for teasing him.

Emory opened the door to their house. “Honey, I’m home,” he jokingly announced. He threw his keys in the bowl by the door and could hear Cindy Lou and Charlie Brown pattering towards him. “Hey guys,” he greeted the dogs, “You know where Elliot is?” He knew it could be considered cheating by asking the dogs, since they would more than likely would rat the man out. Especially Brown since Emory was training the dog to be a hunting dog.

After Emory gave both dog a light pet, Brown took off in the direction of the guest bedroom and Cindy followed. Emory followed the dogs. He took off his shirt and tossed it on the back of the couch before making his way into the room. Emory could be heard asking, “He’s in here?” He chuckled a bit since he noticed Elliot was clearly in sight. His first thought was under the bed, but before he could look he noticed Cindy sitting in front of the closet door. Emory smiled to himself knowingly. “You gonna come out, babe? Or am I going to have to come in there and get ya?” The drawl in his words coming out more as his voice grew more playful in tone.

Elliot hoped the dogs wouldn’t rat him out, but it was more than likely that they would. Especially Cindy Lou. Though then again, most likely Charlie Brown would just as well do the same. Those furry butts ruining hide and seek -moments. 

He listened the sounds coming from the front door, chuckling silently at Emory’s choice of words for a hello. But just like Elliot had assumed, the dogs definitely weren’t helping him out. Such traitors. This whole thing would’ve been so much more fun if Emory would’ve actually tried to find him himself and not let the dogs help him. Or ask their help in the first place. So sort of Emory was the traitor and cheat here. 

Elliot heard how all three of them came in the room and on that moment he was sure he was already found. Although Emory’s question made him laugh a bit. “Technically I’m already out of the closet”, he replied with laughter in his voice, but didn’t make a move to actually come out of the closet physically. The door stayed closed and Elliot was going to stay there until he’d have to get out of it. “But I demand a rematch of hide and seek since you cheated.”

Emory quirked a brow at Elliot’s comment on whether or not he would actually catch him. Especially considering it was a safe bet that Emory would in fact catch him, and the challenge would only ensure it. In fact, Emory was certain that even Elliot knew this.

He could only chuckle when Elliot said he give him a head start. It was most likely for the best. Since Emory felt he couldn’t exactly be held liable for what he might do when he go his hands on the man. “Sit here and wait? You know that only works for Cindy Lou.” Emory didn’t sit, but he did back up and give Elliot the space he asked for. “You’re luck I need to go to the locker room to grab my stuff and I know you will be gone by the time I get back here.” He shook his head as he turned around to walk that way.

The brunette could still see Elliot in the corner of his eye. The blonde’s smile making it hard for Emory not to do the same. “Oh you will definitely see me at home,” he countered before completely turning away and taking a leisurely pace back to the locker room.

It only took him, but a second to grab his keys and wallet. He placed them into the pocket of his pants, downed a water bottle, and then started running home.

Elliot wasn’t quite sure was even that sure that Cindy Lou was able to sit and wait. Elliot definitely wasn’t, but hey, he wasn’t the one who was supposed to wait right now. He was the one on the run and he had to be home before Emory. There was no other choice than be there before him.

As the bus moved Elliot stared at his phone, trying to figure out how much time he’d have before Emory would reach him. He even glanced out from the windows, sort of waiting to see Emory running next to the bus all Captain America -style in super speed.

He hopped out of the vehicle thanking the driver and as the first thing he glanced around to make sure Emory wasn’t anywhere there. And he wasn’t. Elliot grinned victoriously and headed home. Once he was inside both of the dogs were there saying hi to him. “Okay, okay, scratches later, I gotta hide now”, he told the dogs, kicked his shoes off and just dropped his jacket on the floor as he rushed from room to another to find the best hiding spot. And in the end he ended up going to the clothing closet in the guest room. He sat to the bottom and it probably didn’t take longer than two seconds when Cindy Lou was poking the door with her nose. “No, Cindy Lou Who! Find your own hiding spot!” Elliot told her and just heard a huff in return. And then he heard the front door open and Cindy Lou quickly rushed to the door to see who came in. And Elliot tried to stay extremely quiet in the closet.

[voicemail made while Emory’s at work]

[ text ] see, we’re soulmates. We can both read each other’s minds.

[ text ] we’re on our way! 

[TXT] That’s actually rather scary. I’m not sure do I want Emory to read my mind. Tho I know what is going in his head when he sees me. He just thinks of my butt. That’s for sure.

“Do you really want me to answer that,” Mira mused. Dexter was quick to step out towards Elliot and reach out to pet the goat. It wasn’t long before she was joining him as well. “So.. where did you exactly get the goat then?”

Elliot couldn’t help but chuckle at Mira’s reply. “I guess I don’t”, he said and squatted down so it would be easier for Dex to pet the goat. “Basically my friend needed someone to take care of her and since I’m pretty much someone who always has time in his hands so.. Here I am. With a goat.”

“Fine. You wanna play? Let’s play. But just so you know when I catch your ass, all bets are off.”

Elliot’s grin only grew wider as he took few steps back towards the door. “What if you will never catch my ass?” he asked wiggling his brows. “Although you need to give me a head start. I ain’t gonna run and I know you are. So you sit here and wait. At least five minutes. Maybe more.” He pointed at the bench next to him, pretty much telling Emory to sit and wait like a dog. “See you home. Maybe.” He flashed him a new grin and headed out. Where he realised he had no car. He was on foot and there was no way he would get home before Emory if he’d decide to run. Especially since Elliot definitely wasn’t going to run. He eyed around him, pondering how quickly he would get a taxi or an uber. Might take over the five minutes Emory was going to sit at the gym. And then Elliot noticed the bus stop. He walked to the stop and eyed the timetable and before he even found out when the next comes it actually arrived almost like ordered. A  victorious grin spread on his lips and he hopped in the bus hoping he’d still be home before Emory would get there.

Whether near or far I am always yours Any change in time We are young again

Lay us down We're in love We're in love

In these coming years Many things will change But the way I feel Will remain the same

Lay us down We're in love We're in love

Licking his lips subconsciously before pressing them together to withhold a groan. “Did you just…” he trailed off from finishing his sentence as Elliot winked at him. He was in a bit of disbelief as he was certain his boyfriend just tempted him with sexual gratification, but only if he ran back home to get it. “You fucking tease,” he muttered under his breath. Emory stood up from the bench, and closed the gap Elliot created not caring that he wasn’t finished with his workout.

He didn’t touch him though. Knowing that he might not control himself if he did. Which was probably why Elliot was teasing him. Knowing that Emory wasn’t one to make a scene in public. “You say that like you’re going home without me.”

Elliot didn’t say anything else to Emory, he just kept grinning at him. Of course he was being a tease and he knew Emory knew it very well. Honestly this was one of the many things Elliot loved about their relationship -- they both were able to tease the other and not get mad about it. Plus they could goof around a lot and the other would go along with that instead of being all serious. It really was just perfect.

The green eyes just kept looking into Emory’s eyes, grin playing on his lips as he stood so close to him. “I am.” Although since Elliot didn’t have his car anymore since he sold it because he used it so rarely, so he’d need to take a taxi or walk. But if he’d walk Emory would surely catch him before he’d even get home. But Emory didn’t need to know that.

“Does she actually have a farm?” Tae jumped into asking. A farm was a concept that was rather foreign but fascinating all the same. He wondered if a real life farm looked as pretty as the ones on TV. “If she has a lot of animals, it sounds like she needs one, at least!” he laughed. Tae thought briefly of where in Hallow Grove a farm might be. “Yeah, you’ll do fine. It’s just like caring for a baby anything. I think. And just like you said, she trusted you in the first place. It’ll be fine.”

“A small one, but yeah. I think you could call it a farm. But honestly I’m not quite sure why this little guy, or well, gal, couldn’t stay home.” He looked at the baby goat. “But then again, I ain’t complaining. I got a freaking baby goat in my lap!” He laughed and scratched the animal’s neck softly. “I’ve never been good with kids tho. Or like, you know, babies. The only baby animal I’ve taken care of has been my dog and I might not done that well with her. People say she’s really pampered.”

“Only while your ride,” he whispered. Knowing full and well that even if he was beat Emory would have the hardest of times staying still. Any time Elliot was around Emory had this unbearable need to touch or kiss him. To show Elliot some sort of affection. And a lame fuck would never cut it.

Emory frowned when Elliot pulled back from his kiss. He didn’t even bother to try and hide the slight pout that took over his face. “What do you think I was trying to do?” he asked. Emory wasn’t referring to his work out. His mind had moved on to an entirely different type of training. One that required the man right in front of him.

Elliot just grinned at Emory, but kept his head pulled back a bit. He wasn’t going to let him kiss him, mostly because he was having a bit too much fun with teasing his boyfriend. His brow raised slightly at the reply and then just shook his head. “Well of course”, he chuckled and stood up and stepping out of Emory’s reach. Although he did lean a bit closer to him, still grinning at him. “Maybe you need to warm up a bit with cardio”, he replied and winked. “See you at home.”

“Okay, now I have to question why your friend has a baby goat. Are they a baby goat farmer? That sounds weird, scratch that.” Tae tilted his head to the side as he talked, thinking on what he knew about goats. It wasn’t much. City people didn’t tend to have goats often. “I say you got the basics down. I think it’ll probably want to play. Baby animals play, I’m pretty sure.” Not that Tae had ever had a pet in his life.

“She actually has a lot of different kind of animals, this guy is just the newest addition to the group. So for now she’s the only goat around. But who knows will there eventually be more too.” Elliot chuckled as he thought about his friend. It was more than likely that she’d end up getting more goats at some point. “Okay, then I clearly have some sort of idea what I’m doing. Tho if my friend wouldn’t have been sure I’ll manage I’m sure she wouldn’t have asked me to look after her goat in the first place.”