[Declyn continued from Doki Doki Panic]
This could go one way or the other and naturally, Declyn hoped it was going to be the damn good way.
He wasn’t worried about prom itself but the stop before they would actually arrive was a risky matter and he knew. Declyn knew, alright. Maybe Myles was going to think he was a cheesy idiot and so what? There was nothing Myles could do about it. The idea had manifested itself in his skull the day Myles had asked him out and at this point it was impossible to leave it be because Declyn knew he was going to regret it if he didn’t do it. So there he was, on his way to pick up his special person of the night in his great-aunt’s white 2016 Mini Cooper to take him on a little detour which would cost them maybe half an hour all in all.
He was looking forward to it. He wanted Myles to have a good time because he deserved it too.
His phone was in the phone holder attached on the windscreen for navigation which he interrupted for a moment.
“Hey Siri,” Declyn started and waited for the activation tone. “Call Myles. Hat emoji.” He mumbled that last part to himself with a smile on his face. It should be enough since there was no other Myles in his list of contacts. It was put on speaker and while he was waiting for him to pick up (or not, but Declyn was on his way no matter what), he went down a list of mental notes;
Tuxedo? Check. Slim fit and a burgundy colour, along with a black shirt and black pants that complimented his body type.
UV hair colour? (what) Check! More or less. See, Declyn wanted to take the theme serious. Glow in the Dark. It was one of the first things that came to his mind when they announced it, and not too long after that the Amazon package with the glow in the dark hair dye had arrived. It made his pastel green look a bit richer but he wasn’t stepping into Lorenzo territory just yet. It wasn’t as glow as the pretty pictures showed but it worked.
Date? Almost there. Half-check.
Trying not to panic? Check.
Bloom
tagging backslash
((Myles Roux continued from Doki Doki Panic))
Myles kept catching himself starting to pace around the kitchen and would take a seat, only to fidget restlessly for a minute before jumping up to do it all over again. Honestly, there was nothing for him to be worried about. It was just prom, and asking Declyn out should have been the hardest part. On the other hand, it was just prom, senior prom, one of the last big events they had before the end of the school year and everything that would come after that, and Myles was very, very aware of just how many things could possibly ruin his night.
For one thing, if Ivy didn't win prom queen, Myles wasn't going to be able to spend a lot of time with Declyn because he'd be busy preventing a murder. That would kind of put a damper on the whole thing. He didn't care about the outcome that much; he'd voted for himself as king even though he didn't think that was going to happen, but it mattered to Ivy. If he'd had the opportunity to stuff the ballot boxes and thought he'd actually get away with it, he would have.
There were all kinds of other things too. Someone could randomly decide to get weird about the fact that he and Declyn were going together, or Gaelan and assorted company could decide they wanted to be some sort of problem, or (worst of all) the easy chemistry that he usually had with Declyn when they were casually hanging out would decide that a formal event was the perfect opportunity to fizzle out.
The vase sitting on the table taunted Myles from the corner of his vision. He was pointedly not looking at it. That would show it to... to sit there where he'd put it earlier. Maybe Declyn had been joking when he said he wanted flowers, but honestly, calling someone in the middle of the school day when you were sick in bed wasn't the kind of promposal Myles wanted to be remembered for, if that was something you bothered remembering about someone.
Asking Ivy for help on that front had been a double-edged sword. They were usually on the same page, but their tastes diverged pretty hard as soon as it came to anything that could be considered frilly. (That, and the very first arrangement Ivy had picked out had been nearly as big as she was, and there was no way Myles was trying to wrestle that into Declyn's car on prom night.) He'd managed to negotiate her down, and they had finally agreed upon a bright, springy arrangement of yellow and orange lilies accented with some smaller things in white and pale yellow and green that Myles had already forgotten the names of.
(Ivy had stopped just short of bursting into laughter when the florist cheerfully assured Myles that his girlfriend would love the bouquet.)
At least he knew what Declyn was wearing and that they wouldn't clash. Myles had gone with his original outfit plan, since he couldn't think of any other time that he would wear the red long-sleeved button down shirt with the ruffled front that had been hiding in his closet ever since his sister gave it to him two Christmases ago. He'd checked a while back to make sure that it still fit (of course it did, he'd stopped growing in ninth grade), and that had been that. That paired with black slacks and shoes made for a simple but striking outfit that would compliment Declyn's, and hopefully that would be good enough to make up for the fact that he had no idea what to do about the theme.
The other potential problem that had taken care of itself was that Myles's parents had decided that they wanted to go to some barbecue at a friend's, so they weren't going to be around when Declyn arrived to pick him up. They probably would have tried to be cool about it, but parents actively trying to be cool was always worse than parents being casually uncool, and Myles was glad to skip that part of the night.
There was still so much else, though. Declyn had never been to Myles's house before, and it wasn't much to look at. Maybe he really would be coming on too strong for a casual-slash-formal-but-still-casual date with the flowers. Maybe-
Myles was holding his phone, and the sudden vibration and ring caused him to nearly fling it across the room in shock. He just barely caught himself, fumbling with the device as he caught sight of the emojis he used in place of Declyn's name in his contacts.
"Hey," he said once he'd managed to answer the call, hoping he didn't sound as breathless as he thought he did. "What's up?"
Myles kept catching himself starting to pace around the kitchen and would take a seat, only to fidget restlessly for a minute before jumping up to do it all over again. Honestly, there was nothing for him to be worried about. It was just prom, and asking Declyn out should have been the hardest part. On the other hand, it was just prom, senior prom, one of the last big events they had before the end of the school year and everything that would come after that, and Myles was very, very aware of just how many things could possibly ruin his night.
For one thing, if Ivy didn't win prom queen, Myles wasn't going to be able to spend a lot of time with Declyn because he'd be busy preventing a murder. That would kind of put a damper on the whole thing. He didn't care about the outcome that much; he'd voted for himself as king even though he didn't think that was going to happen, but it mattered to Ivy. If he'd had the opportunity to stuff the ballot boxes and thought he'd actually get away with it, he would have.
There were all kinds of other things too. Someone could randomly decide to get weird about the fact that he and Declyn were going together, or Gaelan and assorted company could decide they wanted to be some sort of problem, or (worst of all) the easy chemistry that he usually had with Declyn when they were casually hanging out would decide that a formal event was the perfect opportunity to fizzle out.
The vase sitting on the table taunted Myles from the corner of his vision. He was pointedly not looking at it. That would show it to... to sit there where he'd put it earlier. Maybe Declyn had been joking when he said he wanted flowers, but honestly, calling someone in the middle of the school day when you were sick in bed wasn't the kind of promposal Myles wanted to be remembered for, if that was something you bothered remembering about someone.
Asking Ivy for help on that front had been a double-edged sword. They were usually on the same page, but their tastes diverged pretty hard as soon as it came to anything that could be considered frilly. (That, and the very first arrangement Ivy had picked out had been nearly as big as she was, and there was no way Myles was trying to wrestle that into Declyn's car on prom night.) He'd managed to negotiate her down, and they had finally agreed upon a bright, springy arrangement of yellow and orange lilies accented with some smaller things in white and pale yellow and green that Myles had already forgotten the names of.
(Ivy had stopped just short of bursting into laughter when the florist cheerfully assured Myles that his girlfriend would love the bouquet.)
At least he knew what Declyn was wearing and that they wouldn't clash. Myles had gone with his original outfit plan, since he couldn't think of any other time that he would wear the red long-sleeved button down shirt with the ruffled front that had been hiding in his closet ever since his sister gave it to him two Christmases ago. He'd checked a while back to make sure that it still fit (of course it did, he'd stopped growing in ninth grade), and that had been that. That paired with black slacks and shoes made for a simple but striking outfit that would compliment Declyn's, and hopefully that would be good enough to make up for the fact that he had no idea what to do about the theme.
The other potential problem that had taken care of itself was that Myles's parents had decided that they wanted to go to some barbecue at a friend's, so they weren't going to be around when Declyn arrived to pick him up. They probably would have tried to be cool about it, but parents actively trying to be cool was always worse than parents being casually uncool, and Myles was glad to skip that part of the night.
There was still so much else, though. Declyn had never been to Myles's house before, and it wasn't much to look at. Maybe he really would be coming on too strong for a casual-slash-formal-but-still-casual date with the flowers. Maybe-
Myles was holding his phone, and the sudden vibration and ring caused him to nearly fling it across the room in shock. He just barely caught himself, fumbling with the device as he caught sight of the emojis he used in place of Declyn's name in his contacts.
"Hey," he said once he'd managed to answer the call, hoping he didn't sound as breathless as he thought he did. "What's up?"
"Art enriches the community, Steve, no less than a pulsing fire hose, or a fireman beating down a blazing door. So what if we're drawing a nude man? So what if all we ever draw is a nude man, or the same nude man over and over in all sorts of provocative positions? Context, not content! Process, not subject! Don't be so gauche, Steve, it's beneath you."
Declyn’s mental note taking came to a halt once he heard Myles’ voice echoing from the speakers. The other boy caught him in a moment where he was unready to respond and when he tried, his throat betrayed him, causing him to choke on his own spit which probably sounded like Declyn was fighting for his life on the other end of the communication line. He was able to catch and calm himself within a few seconds though, looking at himself in the rear view mirror with squinted eyes and an almost pained expression when he adjusted its position.
It was not physical pain.
“Sorry,” he cleared his throat, collecting himself. A small chuckle followed. “Yes, this is exactly how I wanted to greet you. Hi.”
It was nice to hear his voice and with only a few minutes separating them, he started to wonder again just how serious Myles was taking this since it was kind of a big deal. Prom. Prom was prom and some people might be taking it too seriously. But what if it was Myles way to… confess to him? Declyn’s blood started to pump harder at the thought, just out of sheer terror of having to provide an answer right then and there if it came that far. He wouldn’t want to make him feel sad but lying was no option either.
He liked the casual connection they had, plus there was someone else who was creeping his way into his heart more deeply than he usually let others in.
Turning left on the road, there was a short pause when he noticed another car getting awfully close to him, trying to pass him apparently. He frowned and continued at his rather slow speed.
“I’m almost at your place. Are you coming out or do you want me to come in?”
Would his parents want to talk to him? See him? Do they care? Declyn promised his dad that he would snap some pictures of him and his friend.
It was not physical pain.
“Sorry,” he cleared his throat, collecting himself. A small chuckle followed. “Yes, this is exactly how I wanted to greet you. Hi.”
It was nice to hear his voice and with only a few minutes separating them, he started to wonder again just how serious Myles was taking this since it was kind of a big deal. Prom. Prom was prom and some people might be taking it too seriously. But what if it was Myles way to… confess to him? Declyn’s blood started to pump harder at the thought, just out of sheer terror of having to provide an answer right then and there if it came that far. He wouldn’t want to make him feel sad but lying was no option either.
He liked the casual connection they had, plus there was someone else who was creeping his way into his heart more deeply than he usually let others in.
Turning left on the road, there was a short pause when he noticed another car getting awfully close to him, trying to pass him apparently. He frowned and continued at his rather slow speed.
“I’m almost at your place. Are you coming out or do you want me to come in?”
Would his parents want to talk to him? See him? Do they care? Declyn promised his dad that he would snap some pictures of him and his friend.
A grin had already started to form on Myles's face when he heard Declyn sputter. After how much of a mess he'd been when trying to ask Declyn to prom in the first place, plus with how much he'd been stressing just this evening, it felt a little bit like the universe balancing things out. Anyway, it was cute.
"I'll come out," he said quickly. "My parents went to some thing, so if you want to just park in the driveway or on the street or wherever, I'll come out to meet you."
He eyed the vase of flowers once more, as though daring it to misbehave. It was fine. He just had to get it from the front porch to Declyn's car. That was like ten feet.
There was so much disaster that could befall him in ten feet.
"I'll come out," he said quickly. "My parents went to some thing, so if you want to just park in the driveway or on the street or wherever, I'll come out to meet you."
He eyed the vase of flowers once more, as though daring it to misbehave. It was fine. He just had to get it from the front porch to Declyn's car. That was like ten feet.
There was so much disaster that could befall him in ten feet.
"Art enriches the community, Steve, no less than a pulsing fire hose, or a fireman beating down a blazing door. So what if we're drawing a nude man? So what if all we ever draw is a nude man, or the same nude man over and over in all sorts of provocative positions? Context, not content! Process, not subject! Don't be so gauche, Steve, it's beneath you."
“Alright, I’ll probably park on the street.”
It seemed like some basic contours of the celebratory evening would always stay the same, like meeting your date's parents usually being the most dreaded part. People would rather meet their partner at the door and be off. So Declyn was lucky in that sense and it was one less detail to worry about, even though he wouldn't have minded to talk to them. Quite the opposite actually. Another time perhaps.
The car behind him was still too close for his liking.
“You can come out in about….,” he said, eyeing the estimated time of arrival on the screen. “Three minutes. See you then.” Declyn hung up by reaching out to the red button since voice commands wouldn't work this time. A quiet laugh followed when he thought about a scenario where he'd scream END CALL at his phone, with Myles possibly thinking what the hell was wrong with him. It would be too much.
…. Okay, that damn! car!
He turned his head for just a second. Was he just imagining things? There was nothing wrong. Just a car heading the same way apparently and being a bit impatient, yeah? It didn't help that Declyn had watched a documentary about some underground gang activities last night. He had enjoyed it, but it did leave him with a queasy feelings once he had gone to bed. Who knows. First they flash their lights at you and you wonder why, then you stop and that would be your first and last mistake. Declyn shook his head at himself. That would—
The unwanted vehicle turned the corner. Then it was gone.
It was gone and everything was fine.
The street sign said it was the right way and Myles' house should be right there ahead.
It seemed like some basic contours of the celebratory evening would always stay the same, like meeting your date's parents usually being the most dreaded part. People would rather meet their partner at the door and be off. So Declyn was lucky in that sense and it was one less detail to worry about, even though he wouldn't have minded to talk to them. Quite the opposite actually. Another time perhaps.
The car behind him was still too close for his liking.
“You can come out in about….,” he said, eyeing the estimated time of arrival on the screen. “Three minutes. See you then.” Declyn hung up by reaching out to the red button since voice commands wouldn't work this time. A quiet laugh followed when he thought about a scenario where he'd scream END CALL at his phone, with Myles possibly thinking what the hell was wrong with him. It would be too much.
…. Okay, that damn! car!
He turned his head for just a second. Was he just imagining things? There was nothing wrong. Just a car heading the same way apparently and being a bit impatient, yeah? It didn't help that Declyn had watched a documentary about some underground gang activities last night. He had enjoyed it, but it did leave him with a queasy feelings once he had gone to bed. Who knows. First they flash their lights at you and you wonder why, then you stop and that would be your first and last mistake. Declyn shook his head at himself. That would—
The unwanted vehicle turned the corner. Then it was gone.
It was gone and everything was fine.
The street sign said it was the right way and Myles' house should be right there ahead.
"Alright, see you in a sec!" Cool, three minutes. That was enough time for Myles to get all of his everything together. And pray to gravity to help him out instead of murdering him and his chances at semi-romance.
Myles slipped his phone into his pocket, patted the other pocket to make sure that his wallet was still there, and gave the vase one last glare. "Okay," he muttered under his breath.
Carefully, he slid his arms around it and picked it up from the table. It wasn't that heavy, but the shape of the vase was a little awkward, and he was wary of adjusting his grip too much as he moved. Little points of bright orange and yellow poked into his vision.
Ugh, why did he have to get nervous now? He didn't even like Declyn like that! Just, you know. You wanted to make a good impression, even on someone that you already knew kinda well. It was prom.
Clutching the vase carefully against his body, Myles shuffled through the kitchen and out the front door to wait on the porch for Declyn's car to pull into view.
Myles slipped his phone into his pocket, patted the other pocket to make sure that his wallet was still there, and gave the vase one last glare. "Okay," he muttered under his breath.
Carefully, he slid his arms around it and picked it up from the table. It wasn't that heavy, but the shape of the vase was a little awkward, and he was wary of adjusting his grip too much as he moved. Little points of bright orange and yellow poked into his vision.
Ugh, why did he have to get nervous now? He didn't even like Declyn like that! Just, you know. You wanted to make a good impression, even on someone that you already knew kinda well. It was prom.
Clutching the vase carefully against his body, Myles shuffled through the kitchen and out the front door to wait on the porch for Declyn's car to pull into view.
"Art enriches the community, Steve, no less than a pulsing fire hose, or a fireman beating down a blazing door. So what if we're drawing a nude man? So what if all we ever draw is a nude man, or the same nude man over and over in all sorts of provocative positions? Context, not content! Process, not subject! Don't be so gauche, Steve, it's beneath you."
Oh god.
Was all Declyn could mumble when he tried to catch a glimpse of a figure that could only be Myles behind an arrangement of vivid flowers — he squinted his eyes, lilies. They were absolutely gorgeous from what he could tell.
A comfortable warmth spread through him and he had to make sure to not look overly excited with the grin that appeared on his face. He bit the inside of his lip when he parked the car on the street and let down the window.
Now, it would be awkward if those flowers weren't actually for him but it made the most sense.
"Hey," Declyn called out to him. "I'm down here in case you can't see me."
Was all Declyn could mumble when he tried to catch a glimpse of a figure that could only be Myles behind an arrangement of vivid flowers — he squinted his eyes, lilies. They were absolutely gorgeous from what he could tell.
A comfortable warmth spread through him and he had to make sure to not look overly excited with the grin that appeared on his face. He bit the inside of his lip when he parked the car on the street and let down the window.
Now, it would be awkward if those flowers weren't actually for him but it made the most sense.
"Hey," Declyn called out to him. "I'm down here in case you can't see me."
"I can see!" Myles immediately protested, though he knew Declyn was joking. It was just that there was a little bit of concern that he might wipe out spectacularly on his way to the car, and that would sort of undermine his words.
Okay, okay. Just put one foot in front of the other, down the steps, across the driveway. No problem. As long as no obstacles comically sprang up to trip him, he'd be just fine.
Life wasn't a cartoon, so there were in fact no suddenly-appearing obstacles, but Myles still held his breath for the whole minute that it took him to get from the porch to the car.
"Hi," he said breathlessly, once he reached the door. "Uh, I hope this isn't too much. Also, please help. My hands are full."
Okay, okay. Just put one foot in front of the other, down the steps, across the driveway. No problem. As long as no obstacles comically sprang up to trip him, he'd be just fine.
Life wasn't a cartoon, so there were in fact no suddenly-appearing obstacles, but Myles still held his breath for the whole minute that it took him to get from the porch to the car.
"Hi," he said breathlessly, once he reached the door. "Uh, I hope this isn't too much. Also, please help. My hands are full."
"Art enriches the community, Steve, no less than a pulsing fire hose, or a fireman beating down a blazing door. So what if we're drawing a nude man? So what if all we ever draw is a nude man, or the same nude man over and over in all sorts of provocative positions? Context, not content! Process, not subject! Don't be so gauche, Steve, it's beneath you."
"No, it’s... Hah. Wait, let me get out."
It was the gift one would expect on such a day, especially after their phone call where Myles had asked him out. And Declyn had been expecting it but actually seeing it right there in front of him, or rather next to him with the door between them, made him feel overjoyed. He promptly moved and stepped out of the car, moving closer to the shorter boy. For a moment he wondered what would have happened if he had just stayed inside, letting Myles figure his problem out himself. He tossed the thought aside quickly, feeling bad that it came up in the first place.
“They’re beautiful. Absolutely.”
..... Just like you.
Hnnnnnnggggghhh, no. He didn't manage to say it out loud.
His eyes wandered back and forth between Myles’s face and the lilies before he leaned closer, his tone genuine. Using the back of his hand, he pushed the flowers to the side like a curtain and gave Myles a soft kiss on the cheek. He then put his hands on the vase, ready to accept it.
Oh, whatever.
"Beautiful, just like you."
It was the gift one would expect on such a day, especially after their phone call where Myles had asked him out. And Declyn had been expecting it but actually seeing it right there in front of him, or rather next to him with the door between them, made him feel overjoyed. He promptly moved and stepped out of the car, moving closer to the shorter boy. For a moment he wondered what would have happened if he had just stayed inside, letting Myles figure his problem out himself. He tossed the thought aside quickly, feeling bad that it came up in the first place.
“They’re beautiful. Absolutely.”
..... Just like you.
Hnnnnnnggggghhh, no. He didn't manage to say it out loud.
His eyes wandered back and forth between Myles’s face and the lilies before he leaned closer, his tone genuine. Using the back of his hand, he pushed the flowers to the side like a curtain and gave Myles a soft kiss on the cheek. He then put his hands on the vase, ready to accept it.
Oh, whatever.
"Beautiful, just like you."
"Stop, you're going to make me blush," Myles said, ignoring the fact that he was definitely already blushing. He readily relinquished the vase to Declyn's hands; he'd have returned the kiss too, but that just seemed like kind of a task with the flowers between them. Better not to push his luck and risk ruining the magic.
He was pleased, though, and he made no effort to keep it off his face. There was still an edge of nerves in his grin, but it had mostly been washed away. Getting started was the hardest part.
...Well, no, the hardest part would be preventing any Carrie-style massacres if things went badly with the prom royalty voting. But that was a "maybe" disaster rather than the "definitely" disaster that would have occurred if he'd messed up just getting to the car.
He was pleased, though, and he made no effort to keep it off his face. There was still an edge of nerves in his grin, but it had mostly been washed away. Getting started was the hardest part.
...Well, no, the hardest part would be preventing any Carrie-style massacres if things went badly with the prom royalty voting. But that was a "maybe" disaster rather than the "definitely" disaster that would have occurred if he'd messed up just getting to the car.
"Art enriches the community, Steve, no less than a pulsing fire hose, or a fireman beating down a blazing door. So what if we're drawing a nude man? So what if all we ever draw is a nude man, or the same nude man over and over in all sorts of provocative positions? Context, not content! Process, not subject! Don't be so gauche, Steve, it's beneath you."
Declyn took a moment to appreciate the bouquet, looking down at it in his hands. It wasn’t only that, but he also very much appreciated the vase that ensured it was going to (hopefully) survive the car ride. It wasn’t always taken for granted. He recalled Camilla mentioning that lilies are remarkably unfussy, easy to grow, and easy to maintain. Since they don’t require much sunlight, he wouldn’t feel bad about keeping them in his room on his two-tier shelf next to his desk.
“Maybe that’s my goal,” he remarked, the state of the other boy’s face indicating that he had already reached it. While he put the flowers down to open the back door of the car to secure them on the seat with the belt, he pondered whether or not to tell him about the stop he had planned without elaborating on it. He decided against it.
Once the gift was safe, Declyn walked up to the passenger door and held it open for Myles.
“Ready?”
“Maybe that’s my goal,” he remarked, the state of the other boy’s face indicating that he had already reached it. While he put the flowers down to open the back door of the car to secure them on the seat with the belt, he pondered whether or not to tell him about the stop he had planned without elaborating on it. He decided against it.
Once the gift was safe, Declyn walked up to the passenger door and held it open for Myles.
“Ready?”
"Yeah." Myles's grin widened a fraction, and he moved around Declyn to slide into the passenger seat. "Thanks."
It was good. This was good. Everything was going according to keikaku, which meant plan, which Myles hated himself for even thinking because wow that was nerdy, but the more he thought it the more weirdly funny it got. He bit the inside of his cheek to keep himself from giggling. Maybe that was still his nerves acting up.
He tapped his fingers against his leg while he waited for Declyn to get back in the car and for everything to start moving. A glance in the rear-view mirror rewarded him with the site of the vase all buckled up for the journey, and that did make him giggle softly. "Hopefully those will survive the night," he remarked once Declyn was in earshot again.
It was good. This was good. Everything was going according to keikaku, which meant plan, which Myles hated himself for even thinking because wow that was nerdy, but the more he thought it the more weirdly funny it got. He bit the inside of his cheek to keep himself from giggling. Maybe that was still his nerves acting up.
He tapped his fingers against his leg while he waited for Declyn to get back in the car and for everything to start moving. A glance in the rear-view mirror rewarded him with the site of the vase all buckled up for the journey, and that did make him giggle softly. "Hopefully those will survive the night," he remarked once Declyn was in earshot again.
"Art enriches the community, Steve, no less than a pulsing fire hose, or a fireman beating down a blazing door. So what if we're drawing a nude man? So what if all we ever draw is a nude man, or the same nude man over and over in all sorts of provocative positions? Context, not content! Process, not subject! Don't be so gauche, Steve, it's beneath you."
"I will make sure they do," Declyn said with confidence before he allowed his voice to adopt a softer tone. "Not just the night."
He put on his seatbelt, the car key clattering against its pendant that resembled a small pocket watch. Then he turned on the engine and drove off.
“I can send you an update of me posing with them every day.” He laughed cheerfully. Ideally, they would usually last more than a week.
The place wasn't too far away. He had made sure it wasn’t so they wouldn’t spend too much time driving. It had proven to be an easy challenge around Chattanooga. Then, at the latest, when they'd pass the event center where prom took place, Myles would know that something was up. Or not. Declyn didn’t know how much attention Myles paid to the road.
A strong breeze ruffled Declyn’s hair so he closed the window on his site, pushing some strands that were hindering his view out of the way. The radio was playing the current charts at a rather low volume.
He put on his seatbelt, the car key clattering against its pendant that resembled a small pocket watch. Then he turned on the engine and drove off.
“I can send you an update of me posing with them every day.” He laughed cheerfully. Ideally, they would usually last more than a week.
The place wasn't too far away. He had made sure it wasn’t so they wouldn’t spend too much time driving. It had proven to be an easy challenge around Chattanooga. Then, at the latest, when they'd pass the event center where prom took place, Myles would know that something was up. Or not. Declyn didn’t know how much attention Myles paid to the road.
A strong breeze ruffled Declyn’s hair so he closed the window on his site, pushing some strands that were hindering his view out of the way. The radio was playing the current charts at a rather low volume.
Myles laughed a little, light and airy. He enjoyed the breeze on his face for a minute until the car picked up speed and the wind threatened to take his hat, so he leaned back into the car and rolled his window up. "Hey, I got them special. I want updates." He wouldn't mind too much if Declyn ended up not doing that, but it would be fun if he did. Tonight was all about fun, that was all.
He nudged Declyn's arm, careful not to push too much, given that Declyn was driving and all. "You excited? Think one of us has a shot at prom king?" Myles didn't, personally, but it didn't matter to him. He wasn't in all that for himself. There had been a little buzz about Declyn as a dark horse candidate, though. Myles wasn't sure if Declyn had heard or if he would paid much attention if so, but Myles had paid attention. It'd be cute if Declyn won, and he was as close to an ideal royalty partner for Ivy as Myles could think of. Sure, Bret was obvious, and Connor probably had a shot too, but at least Ivy liked Declyn. They'd look super cute together, too. Perfect complimenting color schemes.
Myles glanced out the window, pausing for a moment. "Um, did we miss a turn?"
He nudged Declyn's arm, careful not to push too much, given that Declyn was driving and all. "You excited? Think one of us has a shot at prom king?" Myles didn't, personally, but it didn't matter to him. He wasn't in all that for himself. There had been a little buzz about Declyn as a dark horse candidate, though. Myles wasn't sure if Declyn had heard or if he would paid much attention if so, but Myles had paid attention. It'd be cute if Declyn won, and he was as close to an ideal royalty partner for Ivy as Myles could think of. Sure, Bret was obvious, and Connor probably had a shot too, but at least Ivy liked Declyn. They'd look super cute together, too. Perfect complimenting color schemes.
Myles glanced out the window, pausing for a moment. "Um, did we miss a turn?"
"Art enriches the community, Steve, no less than a pulsing fire hose, or a fireman beating down a blazing door. So what if we're drawing a nude man? So what if all we ever draw is a nude man, or the same nude man over and over in all sorts of provocative positions? Context, not content! Process, not subject! Don't be so gauche, Steve, it's beneath you."
If Myles wanted the updates, then that’s what Declyn was going to do and it was decided the moment Myles responded.
“I am actually excited to hear the results. I’d be up for something unexpected, I don’t know." Like the stray cat from across taking the crown. Something along those lines. He didn't particularly care about winning but wouldn't mind either. People talked and Declyn listened and he knew he had some votes going on for him. But was it going to be enough? He couldn't be sure about it. "I'm just hoping for a peaceful outcome."
Which wasn't too much to ask for, was it?
Past the city center, houses and buildings became more sparse and the scenery turned more rural and green. The closer they got to their stop the more he questioned whether or not it would turn out as he hoped or imagined. If Myles was not going to appreciate now, then maybe sometime in the future. Declyn was okay with that.
“We didn't."
He turned right onto a bumpy path, surrounded by trees.
Declyn hoped Myles wasn't too alarmed.
It was still bright outside but you could tell the sun was getting ready to set.
There was an opening further down. Once the current song would end, they'd finally arrive.
“I am actually excited to hear the results. I’d be up for something unexpected, I don’t know." Like the stray cat from across taking the crown. Something along those lines. He didn't particularly care about winning but wouldn't mind either. People talked and Declyn listened and he knew he had some votes going on for him. But was it going to be enough? He couldn't be sure about it. "I'm just hoping for a peaceful outcome."
Which wasn't too much to ask for, was it?
Past the city center, houses and buildings became more sparse and the scenery turned more rural and green. The closer they got to their stop the more he questioned whether or not it would turn out as he hoped or imagined. If Myles was not going to appreciate now, then maybe sometime in the future. Declyn was okay with that.
“We didn't."
He turned right onto a bumpy path, surrounded by trees.
Declyn hoped Myles wasn't too alarmed.
It was still bright outside but you could tell the sun was getting ready to set.
There was an opening further down. Once the current song would end, they'd finally arrive.