stuck (together)

part 30

Wow.

Ethan felt light-headed walking to his friends' dorm. He had never enjoyed someone's company more, even if he acted annoyed around Julian. Everything Julian did felt close to perfect. He couldn't understand how someone like him existed, but not just that, Julian seemed to like him. Whether it was just physical desire or something more, it all felt too unreal. And Ethan was determined to keep it a secret, Julian was his, and only his.

Ethan probably could've gotten drunk off of that thought, but he forced himself out of it, as they walked into the room filled with all their friends. Ethan was the first to walk in, but he felt Julian closely behind him.

Elijah notice them before the others did, and Ethan immediately could see the look of pure excitement on his face, "Look what the cat dragged in," he said in his annoyingly boyish voice.

Ethan turned to look at Julian, who had a face between curiosity and amusement, "Which one of us is the cat?" he asked, his voice contrasting Elijah's.

"It depends on the context," Elijah hummed, but switched his attention, as he reached behind Oliver to steal a chip from his plate.

Julian turned to look at Ethan who gave him a shrug. Elijah was similar to a child you'd find at an arcade in the town you only visited because you had a beach house there; annoying to most, but endearing to you.

They went to go find a place to fit in the circle, when Elijah pulled Ethan down next to. Ethan just gave him a lop-sided smile, and tried to make room for Julian on the other side of him.

"No," Elijah exclaimed quickly, and everyone turned and gave him a confused look, "The cat," he said pointing upwards towards Julian, who was still standing above them, "has had him long enough! When was the last you saw me and Ethan making fun of someone together?" his face scrunched in mock seriousness. Their friends just shrugged or nodded in agreement.

Ethan looked up at Julian to apologize but he seemed to be amused by the whole situation.

"If they don't want him, I do," John called out quickly pushing Chris to the side, to make room for him. Ethan heard a small chuckle from above, and watched as Julian took the seat next to John.

"I'm doing you a massive favor," Elijah spoke so only Ethan could hear.

"What do you mean?"

Elijah gave him one of his goofy smiles and gestures to his own neck.

Ethan felt his embarrassment start to rise, but quickly got over it when he remembered it was Elijah.

Elijah wasn't the type to take it seriously, the way Oliver would, and bombard him with questions that he hadn't even let himself think about. He also wasn't like John, he wasn't going to tease him until he wanted to leave the gathering all together. Elijah was probably the best person to have seen them.

"Do you think Oliver saw them?" Ethan whispered leaning into him.

Elijah took a quick glance to their friend, "Nah, he'd be giving you one those stares,"

Ethan nodded in relief.

"But he might, you did a crappy job at hiding them,"

"Who said I was hiding them," Ethan grumbled pulling the hood to cover them more.

"Because you keep doing that," Elijah said with amusement, his eyes quickly lit up in realization, "Wait, does this mean I know something Oliver doesn't?"

Ethan let out a laugh finding that almost as amusing as he did, "Yeah it does,"

"Ha, sick."

"Totally,"