“I swear I’m not in love with you, I just can’t afford a two-bedroom apartment.” // oxo // CLOSED

Chris continued playing, but within a couple minutes he was just caught up in the music. Even he was swaying, closing his eyes for intervals when the song swelled, and hearing the words to the chorus in his own mind. He resisted the urge to sing it— Journey being one of his favorite bands. He figured he’d just jam to it when he got back— assuming Alex wouldn’t mind.
But all that thought evaded him, as he was caught in his own little musical world.

Chris smiled up at the other boys as they passed, his eyes from the keys and his hands seeming to have minds of their own. They might as well have, as they ended a song with a single powerful chord. A few tables let out half-hearted applause, but Chris wasn’t there for recognition. He was there to have fun. At least by his standards.
As the small claps faded, he pushed into another melody, smiling down at the keys. Anyone could tell he was enjoying himself.

Chris glanced up to the boy, back down to the keys, then back up.
“Why thank you,” he said humbly, smiling. “And I was just gonna mess around with a few songs I learned recently. But— got any requests?”

“Do I know The Scientist…,” Chris mumbled mockingly. “Of course I do! Coldplay’s amazing. Viva La Vida? Yellow? I know ‘em all.”
Drifting into a new song, he switched it up, beginning to play the first chords of The Scientist. He gave Alex a wink.
“I mean… not to be cocky, or anything.”

Chris gave another smile. He was a kid that would always follow rules, so when Alex told him to keep playing, he’d do so happily. And he did.
He continued to play a bunch of Coldplay songs, spanning across all of their albums. Maybe because he actually enjoyed it, or maybe because it reminded him of Alex.

Chris hadn’t even realized he played overtime. But tis the life of a musician, endlessly caught in their songs.
Or, at least, that’s how elegant he thought he felt.
“Oh,” he said, looking down to his watch, then back up to Alex. “Hadn’t even noticed. We can go, if you want. I don’t really see a reason for us to stick around… I mean, if you’re hungry..? We don’t have food back at the place yet.”
He paused for a moment, tapping his finger on his lips. “Or we could grab takeout and go back? Your choice, really.”

“Oh-no, you don’t have to pay,” Chris said, waving off his hand. He got up, checking the time loosely.
“And we can get whatever you’d like. There’s a pretty good place just down the block, on our way back. Or we could order from here… but, you might be sick of the food here?”

“Alright, then let’s get outta here,” he said with a smile, brushing past Alex slightly too close. Though he shook it aside, continuing to walk, but letting his gaze linger on the other boy for just a quick moment. He made his way to the door, holding it open and giving a slight bow. “After you.”

“Dunno,” Chris replied plainly. “We could grab something from… The Block? I think that’s what that restaurant’s called.”
He paused for a moment, his footsteps filling up the momentary silence. Their shadows cast on the street, the lamp lights providing continuous yet dull light in the darkness.
“Or…,” he murmured, checking his watch again. “We could grab… Bisquick from the store? Make some late-night pancakes? I don’t have anything to be up early for tomorrow, so should be fine— Saturdays are nice like that. Depends on how fast you need to get back and sleep.”

“Don’t worry about the money,” he said, waving his hand. Although, Chris didn’t have much either. Sure, his dashing suit and pristine watch would say otherwise but, one glance at the apartment… well, not so much.
“Here— I knew you’d be fun,” Chris said with a grin. He glanced back and forth, then gave a small tug to Alex’s arm, letting go and jogging across the street. “Store’s this way. You comin?’”

(It’s totally fine— really, take all the time you need)

Chris’s heart almost stopped as the boy’s hand filed into his own. It was a sort of awkward hold, but his mind was too clouded to care. He had to resist the urge to freeze, stop running, and just stare while trying to desperately slow the beating of his heart.
But, whether he was aware of it or not, he wrapped his own hand around Alex’s, shooting him a smile and turning back to the sidewalk. People had always told him he ran warm— his hands especially. Or at least, that’s what his little sister had told him every time he held hers.
The store wasn’t far, but Chris wouldn’t mind it even if it was. He enjoyed the other, keeping pace and jogging at his side.

“I’ll grab the mix and syrup, if you wanna go grab some paper plates. And maybe a few plastic forks and knives. And maybe like.. a spatula and a pan. I didn’t think this through,” he gave a tight laugh, his cheeks noticeably red. He wasn’t the kind to flush easily, but here he was. Just held hands with him.
They both probably looked out of place— both looking noticeable anxious but wearing the most formal attire in the whole store. Chris slightly more so, but they both looked sharp. Sharply unnatural.
“Honestly, just grab whatever. I’ll meet you back here. Deal?”

Chris clapped, running down to the adjacent isles like a football coach that had just told his team to break. He yanked chocolate chips, pancake mix, and syrup from the shelves, debating blueberries before saying “heck it” and yanking them as well. He was getting paid tomorrow, it was fine. This was fine.
He met Alex back at the counter, unfolding his arms so the supplies fell onto the belt. The cashier gave them a strange glance— quite the odd combination, and the fact that Chris was in a full-blown suit. But Chris just stood there confidently, slipping out a wallet and giving Alex a cheesy wink.

“Don’t— please don’t worry about it,” Chris said lightly. “I got it. But… should I be asking about the.. uh— pillow, you got there?”
Before Alex could reply, Chris shook his head and continued. “I mean, I don’t mind it, it’s an interesting decoration choice and I’m okay with it…”

(Sorry for the delay!)

“You know it,” he said cheerfully, accepting the challenge willfully and hoping the other boy wouldn’t pick up on his crimson-tinted face. Picking up the bagged supplies, he brushed past Alex, giving him a smile on his way out the automatic door. “You comin?’”