"Well, no one on my side at the moment. You guys are basically my only friends now and my family can find out during a holiday or something. What about you?" Atlas asked, unpausing the music so they could keep listening to music. It switched to the next song, California.
Em hummed, considering. "I'm kind of the same in the friends department, but I'd like to tell my momma and my brother, if that's okay with you. We scheduled a video call for next week, maybe we could do it then?"
"Oh that would be fun! I'm down to do that." Atlas said smiling. He turned his head and gave Emrys a small kiss. It was so exciting, officially being able to tell people, outside of the band, that they're dating.
Em laughed softly and hugged Atlas a little tighter to show his gratitude. "Thank you," he murmured, kissing the top of Atlas' head in return. "I… um… I think my mom might kinda think we're already dating, so prepare to answer a couple awkward questions."
Atlas giggled. "Why would she think we were already dating?" He asked, "Did you tell her something to make her stop worrying or something before we started?" He said, laughing a bit more.
"I…." Emrys blushed, hiding his face a bit in Atlas' fluffy hair. "I might've accidentally led her on into thinking we were dating. And then I didn't correct her when she asked 'cause I didn't wanna make her disappointed. She still doesn't know, I told her we were keeping it quiet."
"You're so adorable! I can't wait to meet your mom! Can we call her sooner? Like today or tomorrow?" Atlas said. He lifted Emrys' head and kissing him again. Was it even possible for Atlas to like this man any more than he already does?
Em whined softly, though he kissed Atlas back enthusiastically as he was forced out of hiding. "No! No, I… I want my brother to hear too, and… he doesn't know about us, s… um… it's kind of important that I let him know."
"Well, I mean, call them both sooner, if that'd work," Atlas said smiling softly. He definitely wanted to include everyone that Em wanted, and if it was important to him, it would be important to Atlas as well. Atlas usually didn't keep in touch with his family while away, unless it was about gatherings or holidays.
Em had always been pretty close with his family, even though he didn't get to see them very often because of his busy performing and recording schedule. "Next week is the earliest they'll both be available, that's why we've got to schedule it in advance. But! Um… if you really want, I can call them pretty close together right after the concert."
"Ah, if it's based on schedules and stuff then don't worry about calling sooner. I totally understand that." Atlas said softly, "I would rather be able to call them together than separately." He rested his head on Emrys again, smiling.
Em smiled back at him, equal parts pleased and relieved. "Then we'll call them next week, and you'll meet my brother then. You… you kind of know my mom, right? From last year when I had you and Harley and Cads over for Christmas and she knitted everyone sweaters?
Atlas wiggled a little in excitement. "Oh yes! I do kinda remember her! Was that before or after you told her we were dating?" He asked with a silly smile. "And I really like that sweater, I have it at home and I wore it in January and February while it was cold."
Em flushed, hiding his blush in the crook of Atlas' neck. "I never said we were dating, she just… thought we were. And I didn't say anything. And… um… anyways, that was after. She wanted to make you feel like part of the family."
Atlas laughed and lifted his hand up to pet Emrys hair. "I know, I'm just playin', love." He pecked the top of Em's head. "I like what I remember of your mom, she definitely did a good job with that."
Em sighed, pouting up at Atlas as best he could without leaving his rather comfortable position. "You're so mean to me," he complained lightly, nuzzling Atlas' neck. "I never should've warned you about what she thought."
"Ah I'm sorry, Em. I love you so much. What can I do to apologize?" Atlas asked, holding back a laugh. He tightened his grip on Emrys a little. Teasing was one of Atlas' specialties, thanks to his grandpa. It sometimes brought him into bad situations. But that was mostly during high school.
Em grumbled at his laughter, but eventually, he wrapped his arms around Atlas' neck and pulled him down into a kiss. "Well you could stop teasing me about it for one thing. And you could buy me some Dippin' Dots when we get to the aquarium."
"Does that mean you're getting double Dippin' Dots? Or am I paying for yours instead of Harley?" He asked before kissing Emrys back. His hand that ended up resting to Em's head started playing with his hair. "I promise I'll stop… but that doesn't mean I won't tease you about something else some other time."
"What kind of question is that? I obviously want double, and maybe a nice stuffed animal too since you're gonna tease me later." He shuffled closer to Atlas' chest, still playfully huffy. "And… I'd also like it if we could go out on a proper date sometime, to an actual restaurant."
"I was already planning on doing a proper date. I've thinking about it for a while." Atlas said, holding Emrys closer as he shifted. "I might have to steal a bite of your extra Dippin' Dots though, for payment." He whispered. "But deal I agree to those terms even though they're non-nagotable."
Em smiled, shoving his shoulder with a soft laugh. "You're such a shit, Atlas. I'm not gonna give you my Dippin Dots, not when they're already a payment from you. You can have… one of those cool one pound gummy worms they sell in the gift shop."
"I think I'll stick with your Dippin' Dots, thanks for the offer though!" Atlas said giggling. He loved being this close and comfortable with Emrys. Anyone else and he would filter a lot more of what he says. "Well, now that that's settled, let's go back down to the pool. It's a bit past 10 so I bet Cadmus and Harley are just waiting for us."
Em sighed, clutching onto Atlas a little tighter. "But I don't want to go yet," he whined, nuzzling into Atlas' neck with a pouty frown. "It's so cozy in here, I don't want to swim if I can just cuddle with you instead."
Atlas rested his chin on Emrys' head with a soft smile. "I know, I know. Let's stay for a bit, but not a long time. 'Cause I do still want to swim. Who knows if we'll ever get to swim in this specific pool ever again?"
Em laughed, rolling his eyes. "Who cares if we'll never swim in this pool again? A pool's just a pool, and I'm pretty sure we've got nicer ones at our apartment."
"I mean… you're right. But it looks fun! And that was the best excuse I could think of." Atlas said, laughing as well. "I haven't swum in a while and it sounds fun. Is that a better excuse?" He asked before kissing the top of Em's head.
Em laughed harder and rolled off of Atlas' chest so he could stand up. "Fine, but only because I know you're going to treat me to a nice dinner later. And 'cause I know you're gonna let me sit on your shoulders when Cadmus forces Harley into having a chicken fight."
Atlas, once again, dramatically groaned as he sat up. "Thanks, love. And you know what? We have all the way from when we get back here to 6:30 at night tomorrow to cuddle." He said while standing up. He wrapped an arm around Emrys' waist and started leading him to the door.
Em went willingly as soon as he made sure Atlas had his phone and the room key card. He got himself all tangled up in his boyfriend's arms in the elevator, pretty much attached to him as they made their way over to the pool. Cadmus and Harley were similarly wrapped up in themselves, though unlike Atlas and Em they were making out. Passionately.
