Nothing But Thieves {Fransykes}

23: Oliver

this song fucks

~

Silence falls as everyone sits in Rima's living room, considering the situation and the lack of possible ways to go forward. The hopelessness is rampant in the room, suffocating any chance at calm or levity for the group.

Oliver can feel that Josh is gripping his hand tighter, and he knows that Josh is starting to panic. He knows him well enough to recognize the signs, the tense muscles and trembling lower lip.

"There has to be a way that we can get out of this with our lives." Josh's voice sounds strained, desperate, and Oli wishes that he could just hold him and make everything bad go away. He knows it is unrealistic, but if he could shelter Josh from the worst parts of the world, he would do so in a heartbeat.

Oliver can hear Josh's breath coming in shorter gasps, desperate little inhales as though he can't find enough air. Everyone is looking at him in concern, which shows how much they care, though Oli can't imagine that it is calming for Josh to have everyone's eyes on him.

"I've gotta get out here." Josh whimpers, his hold on Oliver's hand tightening despite the trembling of his own hands. "Please."

Oliver makes a split second decision that the group can formulate a plan without him. His priority is to keep Josh comfortable and safe, so that is exactly what he is going to do.

"Elissa, call me about the plan. I'm taking Josh home, we can meet up again tomorrow." Oliver declares, standing up and scooping Josh up into his arms bridal-style. Josh gives a little squeak of surprise, which is extremely adorable in Oli's opinion. Elissa gives him a small nod of approval, which seems to demonstrate that she approves of Oliver putting Josh first.

Oliver carries Josh out of the house and places him in the passenger's seat of his car, gently doing up his seatbelt before getting in the driver's seat. Josh is still shaking, only now tears are silently rolling down his cheeks. Oli leans over and places a hand on Josh's arm, causing Josh to look over at him.

"I love you, and everything's going to be okay."

Josh's smile is shaky, but Oliver counts it as a victory nonetheless. "I love you too." Josh whispers, then his smile is disappointingly replaced by frown. "We can't leave, we have to- we have to come up with a plan, we have to stop-"

"Josh." Oliver interrupts, as kindly as he possibly can, "You need a break from this, from all of this. They'll let us know if they come up with anything, okay? We're gonna go home and rest, and if they don't have a plan by tomorrow we can go back to helping come with ideas. Alright?" He keeps his voice firm, but caring and loving at the same time.

Josh wipes away his tears, even though more of them keep coming. "Okay." He breathes, slumping down in his seat in a manner that portrays sheer unbridled pain and defeat.

Oli bites back an expression of concern, instead choosing to start the car and begin to drive. More than anything, he wants to understand what it is going on with Josh, but he also doesn't want to push him. It doesn't take him long to get them back to their temporary dwelling and park in the garage. Despite Josh's insistence that he can handle himself, Oliver carries him inside and sets him down on the couch.

"You don't need to take care of me like this." Josh murmurs softly, his blue eyes looking up earnestly at Oli from where he has naturally curled up on the couch. "I'm an adult, you don't have to look after me."

Oliver smiles and tucks a strand of his boyfriend's disheveled hair behind his ear. "I know I don't have to, I want to." He explains, "I'm choosing to, because I care about you. Now, I'm gonna make you dinner, we're gonna watch a movie, and we're gonna cuddle up and get a good night's sleep. Deal?"

Josh sits up and kisses the tip of Oli's nose, "Okay. Whatcha gonna make for me?" His cheeky grin appears for the first time in a long time, warming Oliver's heart and providing him with a sense of relief.

"You ever had a pita pizza?"

Josh blinks, "Individually those words make sense but together? No."

Oliver grins, "It's just pizza made on pita bread instead of dough. It's good, I promise. Plus, we already have all of the ingredients."

Josh sits up, "Only if I get to help you make them." He bargains, and because he seems more alive than he has in ages, Oliver finds himself nodding his agreement.

Oli helps Josh to his feet and they head into the kitchen. It takes them about half an hour to make their dinner, and for that time it seems as though all of their issues, the impending threat on their lives, all of it seems far away. As short lived as it is, pausing their troubles and engaging in the domestic act of cooking together feels perfect, safe.

Oliver puts the pizzas in the oven, standing up and very nearly jumping out of his own skin when Josh wraps his arms around his waist.

Exhaling sharply, Oli tries to regather his wits. "You scared me." He breathes, relaxing back against Josh's chest. "Give me a heads up next- oh."

The reason for his interrupting himself is, quite simply, that Josh has started to kiss his neck. "Okay, fuck." He mumbles, finding himself completely incapable of forming any other words.

Josh giggles, "You're easily distractible, you know that?" He teases, peppering kisses along Oliver's jawline.

Oliver bites his lip and tilts his head back slightly, "Maybe you're just distracting, did you ever think of that?"

The warmth of Josh's body disappears suddenly and abruptly, very nearly causing Oli to whine at the loss of body heat, though he manages to keep himself mostly under control.

"Dinner is in the oven, love." Josh sounds far too amused for Oliver's liking.

Oliver turns to face his boyfriend and fake glares at him. "You're a tease, Joshua Franceschi."

"Rude!" Josh replies, but he is grinning broadly, "Maybe I just like to know I'm still capable of getting you going like that."

"As if." Oli scoffs, "You never stopped being able to get me going like that."

Josh's grin widens, "Good to know." He says smugly, patting Oliver's bum affectionately.

Oliver has no idea where all of this confidence is coming from, but he is happy to see Josh acting like this. It's reassuring to know that Josh hasn't been completely beaten down by his current situation, and to see that he can still make jokes and have fun despite it all.

"You alright?" Josh reaches up to cup Oli's face with one hand, caressing his cheek lovingly. "You seem out of it."

Oliver presses his face against Josh's hand, closing his eyes and relaxing instantaneously. "I'm okay. I'm just happy to be spending this time with you."

"That's gay."

Oli smiles at Josh, amused, "You sure? Here I was thinking that being happy to spend time with you was straight."

Josh rolls his eyes, "I don't think our heterosexuality was ever really up for debate."

Running his fingers through Josh's hair, Oliver presses a gentle kiss to his boyfriend's lips. "I love you, Josh."

"I love you too, darling."

~

I finished all my work for the semester!!!!

so here. have a chapter!

so i can pretend that im capable of being productive

survive and remember to create and destroy as you see fit

-Samira