Déjà Vu

--i can't handle change

hey, so this chapter may be triggering for a number of reasons, and has some mild nsfw content.
tw for slurs, abuse, and some vomit mentions (?)

-trev

It was somewhat of a tradition for Lukas and Matthias to spend Independence Day at the pool, but today they'd be there together for a different reason. Unfortunately, Matthias was scheduled to work. Lukas knew from experience how busy the pool could get, so he didn't exactly blame them for needing all guards on deck, but he still felt a little cloudy and gloomy--the exact opposite of the actual weather.

Thankfully, in just a little while, Matthias would be off the stand for his half-hour break, and Lukas hoped he was willing to sneak them some popsicles.

He was lounging in one of the deck chairs, face to the sun, even more pale than usual due to the layers of sunscreen he'd lathered on. He was one of the few wearing it, in fact--practically everyone else at the pool had poured bottles of suntan lotion all over themselves, trying to burn themselves to a crisp to emulate that perfect, copper model glow.

Lukas couldn't understand that and he frankly didn't want to.

Matthias was idly twirling his shiny whistle in figure eights, clearly trying to ignore the girls clustered under him, vying for his attention. It made Lukas a little jealous, to say the least, but it wasn't Matthias' fault he was so hot, and it certainly wasn't his fault that his job required him to be shirtless.

Well, he could always get a different job, but then who's to say Lukas would be able to visit him there?

He pulled a pack of cigarettes out of his pocket and withdrew one from the little box, glancing at the clock--Matthias still had several minutes to go--before lighting it. Lukas was pretty sure that Matthias' asthmatic boss wasn't there today, considering that he hadn't come out to yell at any of the smoking teens or old grannies, so he went ahead to smoke to pass the time--it wasn't like he was about to go in the pool, which was so crowded he could barely even see the water.

To be honest, judging by the number of little kids in the pool, it was probably more piss than water at this point anyways.

He was trying to figure out how Matthias did that thing where the smoke came out of his nose--effectively baking his nostrils--when he felt a tap on his shoulder.

"Luka, you doing okay?" Matthias asked, grinning down at him.

Lukas had to squint into the sun to see him. "I guess. Could be better."

"Well, here. I got popsicles so we can cool off a bit. Sit up."

Lukas sat up and crossed his legs, scooting over a little so that Matthias would have enough room; he leaned over and smothered his cigarette on the concrete before accepting his blueberry popsicle.

"So, how're you doing?" Matthias asked, unwrapping his own cherry popsicle.

"I'm pretty bored. The pool's not as fun when you're working."

"I'm sorry, elskede, but Boss Man needed me today."

"And he's conveniently not here."

"Exactly!" Matthias chuckled at the irony, before licking his popsicle, effectively staining his tongue and lips bright red. "Don't worry, my shift ends in another hour. I have last sit before the next shift comes in, then we can drive up to Alfred's place for the cookout."

Lukas raised an eyebrow. "Didn't he have a cookout last week?"

"You know he's an all-American boy. Can never have too many cookouts." Matthias grinned. "Besides, we go every year. Not gonna stop this year."