gruesomegourmand | [PH] Inbox

[John nods, moving to hold the door for Laios because he’s closer, and soon they’re heading for the sand, side by side.

He has the strange urge to reach out and hold his hand—but he’ll fall apart if he tries so he just hangs on to the handle of Tasha’s latest care package.

Focus. He has to focus…]

So, uh…you got one of those invites to the Leeds party, I bet. You going?

[ At least John gets the simple joys of Laios being totally oblivious to his struggles that are kept to himself. Right now, he's cheerful and focused, carefully stepping through the scattered few people bustling down the main street as they make their way through - and once the beach is in view, he's entirely preoccupied with the view. That is, of course, until he gets a question. ]

Oh--- yeah, I am! [ His answer comes with a small, enthusiastic grin. ] I'm gonna be heading up a little before to help with some of the set-up, too. What about you? It sounds like it's gonna be a lot of fun.

Yeah...it does.

[John takes a deep breath, tightening his grip on the handle of the basket so his hands won't shake. At least his palms aren't sweating, that's something.

Focus, damn it. It's like any other engagement: locate the target, complete the mission. Win the war.

Locate the target.

He meets Laios's gaze head on, licking his lips nervously.

Complete the mission.

He takes another deep breath, pushes it out heavily.]

I--I was wondering if you were going...if you were gonna be there with anyone. If--if you had a...date.

[ With the look he's getting, so very intense for a moment, Laios' smile falters, only a bit. Is everything alright? Did they need to have a serious discussion about the party? Was this going to be a sort of "broaching a bleak subject over food" type of situation?

The relief is almost overwhelming when John gets the question out, and the thrill rushes into the place where nervousness had been immediately. ]

Oh, well, I--- so, I'm technically part of Dahlia's... she called it an entourage? Basically her group, to hang out and help with stuff? But! [ The last word is fast, as if fully aware that the answer might take the wind out of John's sails, and he wants to stop that as quickly as possible. ] I already asked what the situation would be if I got another date, and she said that's completely okay! Especially since she's got three of us in the entourage, I think?

[Entourage--there's the normal definition, but is that--is that what it's called? A group of partners? Damn it, he should have asked John...

This isn't a conversation he's ready to have right now, not when his nerves are already so on edge and he thinks Laios just said yes to the question he hasn't asked yet, but it's clear enough: other partner, they're okay with Laios...branching out this way, and John knows what he's getting into, so...

A relieved, wildly delighted smile breaks across his features as he lets out another breath he didn't know he was holding, one tinged with laughter.]

Yeah? So you--I mean, you'd want to...you'll go with me? You want to?

[ The question makes Laios' grin brighten impossibly, and he almost looks a bit dazzled. So that's what this is about! This is the best possible angle this could have gone, wow. Talk about the best case scenario happening! ]

Yeah, I'd love that! I definitely want to! Oh, man, this is about to be way more fun, I was already excited, but now...!

[ He's already making plans for the evening, judging by that contemplative sort of excitement written all over his face. It's bound to be a busy evening! ]

[Just for a second, John can't breathe around the way that look on his face makes him feel. Like John asking him to be his date was a surprise he didn't let himself even dream about. Like this is the best thing that could have happened to him, like...John is...

He can't let himself think that. Not when he can feel that creeping fear that makes his bones ache more than they do all the time. This, he can be happy with this.

Laios said yes.

Chuckling and shaking his head, he's barely aware of gently tapping the side of Laios's arm with the back of his hand.]

Now, let's go find a place on the sand, talk out the particulars, and, uh...celebrate a little.

[John damn sure feels like celebrating.

It's been a long time since he's been allowed to win. It may not be a war, but as skirmishes go? It feels pretty damn good to come out on top.]

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