“ don’t lie. “ his thumb trails over elwood’s knuckles, glancing up at him through hooded lashes. he won’t push him too far if he really doesn’t want to talk about it, but he’s making himself available just in case. “ remember what i said ? about therapy ? that’s still on the table if you don’t want to talk to me. i’ll take you there and everything.. if that’s what you want. “
he stares at him for a little while, unblinking, before casting his gaze down to his own knuckles. turning his palm, elwood interlocks their fingers, glancing up and offering a strained smile. ❛ like i said before, there’s nothin’ to talk about. i … appreciate it, though. but honest, nothin’ is wrong. ❜
“ oh, please. you don’t have to leave. “ taking the clothing, he stands and unbuttons his shirt only to slip elwood’s over his torso. then go his jeans, each item of clothing being nicely folded and set on top of the dresser. he moves over to him, reaching around for his hands and guiding him back towards the bed, taking a seat again. “ now, i want you to answer me. are you alright ? “
he looks away, fiddling with the hem of his shirt as the other gets changed, and he doesn’t look up again until mason is taking his hands and guiding him backwards, sitting down opposite him. elwood folds his legs, eyes wide for a moment before he clears his throat and nods. ❛ yeah … – – m’all good. ❜
a single brow raises at his unanswered question, but he lets it slide in favor of more comfortable ( namely, elwood’s ) clothing. he nods, taking his bottom lip between his teeth and sitting at the corner of the bed. “ please ? that’d be nice. “
he nods, before momentarily analysing mason’s figure - he’s so much thinner than me, he thinks. he won’t have a problem finding something for him, and with a slight frown elwood turns to his wardrobe, biting his lip. eventually, he tugs out one of his t shirts and a pair of sweatpants, figuring that’s what he used to wear. turning around, elwood passes them to mason before holding his own in his hand, thumbing behind him towards the bathroom. ❛ m’gonna – give you some privacy. ❜
over time mason has become pretty fond of elwood. he was comfortable around him, hopefully enough to be able to sleep. stepping inside, he takes the boy’s hand and leads him through the house, into his bedroom. “ not enough. you look pretty rough yourself. you doing okay ? “
he lets him lead the way, both too tired and disorientated to stop him. elwood kicks the door shut behind him, grip on mason’s hand as tight as his energy will allow, and when they reach his bedroom his free hand runs through his hair. he deliberately ignores mason’s question in favour of his own. ❛ are you – do you want something t’sleep in? ❜
a slow exhale leaves him as he approaches the door, rapping his knuckles against the wood. a good night’s sleep had escaped him for the duration of the week and he could only think of one place to go. as the door opens he runs his fingertips over the purple circles underneath his left eye, offering him a sheepish smile. “ hi. i’m tired. will you hold me ? “
there’s bruises of his own beneath his eyes and mason is, truth be told, the last person he expects to see on the other side of the door. elwood stares at him for a moment, eyes VOID of much emotion at all before his lips curl into the smallest of smiles, nodding. he’s beyond exhausted, now – all he can think of is how much he wants to sleep, but how much he can’t. will you hold me? all he can assume is that mason must be pretty DESPERATE to come to him of all people. ❛ yeah … – – yeah, if you want. come in. when did you sleep last? ❜
he searches up the first movie with one hand, the other squeezing elwood’s hand. a laugh spills from his lips, glancing over at the other with a raised brow. “ cowboy vampire ? do you mean james ? he was in the first movie. “
❛ noooo, ❜ he drawls, furrowing his brow in concentration, before he suddenly lights up ; offering him a bright smile. ❛ the other one, jasper! m'sure that’s his name. ❜ he isn’t entirely sure, but he’s pretty proud of himself for even remembering the cowboy part. elwood fiddles with mason’s fingers, humming quietly. ❛ there’s too many of these movies. ❜
“ well, considering that dirty look you just gave me, we’re watching twilight. “ his lips curl into a smile, setting his hand palm up on his own knee for elwood to take. “ you got a laptop ? “
he shakes his head with a laugh, reaching over the side of the arm to pull up his mac, setting it on mason’s lap. he shuffles down the couch a little, dropping his head to mason’s shoulder, taking his hand and interlocking their fingers. ❛ breaking dawn is the only one that I’ve seen… actually, it might have been a different one. the one that had a lot of the blonde cowboy vampire? ❜
“ no, nothing like that. it’s just about a family. did you watch sausage party ? “ he laughs, taking the remote and flipping to netflix, nudging his shoulder against elwood’s. “ i’m not a movie critic snob. i think twilight is a cinematic masterpiece, so there’s no value in my preferences. “
he genuinely, honestly and truly, looks disgusted with him. it quickly slides, though, as he nods his head ; seemingly dazed. ❛ robert pattinson, i’ll say. ❜ it’s all he offers on the subject, before smiling softly as mason nudges his shoulder, shaking his head. ❛ of course i watched it, it was brilliant. what are you gonna subject me to tonight, then? ❜
“ have you ever seen bob’s burgers ? always my go-to. it’s a cartoon, but like… not necessarily for kids. it’s not dirty, but i think it’s funny. “ his cheeks heat in the slightest as he rambles on, taking a seat on the couch and shaking his head. “ nah, not yet. i’ll have somethin’ when we get into the real movies. c’mere. “
❛ never heard of it, actually. what’s it about? it’s not – it’s not like that sausage party film, right? that’s genuinely terrifying. ❜ elwood raises a brow but follows the request nonetheless, looking down at his socked feet momentarily before shuffling towards the couch, dropping down next to the boy, legs folded as he laughs softly, cheeks pink. ❛ real movies. you sound like some movie critic snob, mase. ❜
“ more like lucky for you. “ he leans against the door frame, shrugging lightly. really, he would have done anything elwood wanted to, but a movie seemed like the best cop out for just wanting to spend time with him. “ you have any good movies here ? i dunno if there’s anything worth fifty dollars at a theater. “
he shakes his head with a laugh, motioning for the boy to come in before shutting the door. ❛ … ’ve got netflix and amazon prime, but actual dvds are in the corner. do you want something to drink? ’ve got popcorn, too, if you’re lookin’ for special treatment. ❜ he watches him silently, offering him a beam, hands fiddling in his sweater. ❛ the cinema is so expensive over here, it’s crazy. ❜
