Chase Atlantic One Shots

I Can Read You Like a Book Pt. 2

Words: 1207

Written: September 18, 2023

Summary: Part two!!! Finally

Requested by @urlocalclementine !! I'm writing this in the library, how fitting🤪

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Mitchel's foot repeatedly and aggressively taps on the pavement as he bounces his foot up and down. Unable to stand still from nerves, Mitchel checks his watch for the 100th time. 5:58.

"I shouldn't do this..." Mitchel groans as he rubs his face with his sweaty palm.

The lengthy set of stairs that lead up to the library mock Mitchel. Their grainy concrete edges stare him down, calling his bluff.

*BUZZ BUZZ*

Michel's watch vibrates on his shakey wrist, letting him know it's finally 6 p.m. The tall brunette pushes his braids behind his ears and steadies himself.

"You got this. No pressure." the boy smoothes the wrinkles in his dark flannel.

The stubby glass doors to the library creek open, revealing Christian's tired expression. The blonde sighs as he turns around and sticks his key into the door, twisting it in the door in front of him. His shoulders slouch as he spins to face the steps. The loose clothing hangs down from the blonde's shoulder, gracefully framing his thin figure. His tired and worn pants sag where they meet his equally worn sneakers.

"Oh!" Christian jumps back, hitting his elbow on the door's lengthy handle, "Ow, damn. Um... hey?"

Butterflies twirl in Mitchel's stomach as he looks up at the beautiful boy rubbing his elbow.

"You okay?" Mitchel starts his lengthy journey up the stairs.

"I'll be alright," Christian darts his eyes across the mostly empty parking lot, "what are you doing here?"

Mitchel digs in his pocket as he approaches Christian. He pulls out the small piece of crumbled paper. The folds smooth out as Mitchel tugs at the edges of the paper, allowing them both to read what it says. Christian's soft skin glides across Mitchel's rough hands as Mitchel passes the note to the other boy.

"It smudged." Mitchel anxiously fidgets with one of his braids, "and you said you got off at 6 today. I just really think you're amazing and wonderfully nice, and so-"

Christian shoves the paper back into Mitchel's hands and stomps down the staircase. His worn sneakers slap against the pavement with his swift movements.

"I'm sorry..." Mitchel mumbles as he tosses the paper on the ground under his feet.

"The last number is 7," Christian turns his head revealing a cute smirk on his face.

"7," Mitchel thinks out loud, "the paper... THE PAPER!"

Mitchel gasps as he watches the crumpled-up piece of paper roll down the stairs. He bolts down the stairs chasing after Christian's number. His feet slip and slide as the ground gets pulled out from underneath him. First, his knees hit the sharp concrete, and then his head. Then the world goes dark.

-

"Hello?" Christian's face hovers over Mitchel's.

A deep groan roars out of Mitchel as he opens his eyes. The pointed edges of the stairs press into his skin bringing the boy back to life. The brunette at the bottom of the stairs looks around him. He doesn't see much as his face is buried in concrete.

"Thought I lost you there for a second." Christian pulls himself back, "You okay mate?"

Mitchel lifts his hand to his head and back down by his face. No blood, good. With his scraped-up hands, he pushes himself up, allowing him to sit on the ground rather than lie on it. Gravity works against him as he struggles to stand up. The world seems wobbly as he brings himself to his feet. Unsure of if he can stay standing, Mitchel positions himself next to Christian and takes a seat.

"You know you don't have to one-up me right? Just because I hurt myself doesn't mean you have to do the same," Christian chuckles to himself as he watches Mitchel struggle to figure out what's what.

"Thanks, mate," Mitchel spits.

"Need anything? Water? Tea? Coffee? How about some ice?"

Mitchel slowly turns his head to look at the boy next to him. His brain pounds against the walls of his skull as he moves.

"Ice would be nice," a soft smile spreads across Mitchel's face.

-

Christian's apartment is small but cozy. The small living room is lit with LED lights strung at the tops of every wall, casting a blue hue on everything. A sad-looking couch lays pushed against the white wall. It starts calling for Mitchel.

"Sit. Sit. Make yourself comfy, please." Christian ushers Mitchel to the tan couch as he quickly shuffles his way to the attached kitchen.

Mitchel eases himself down onto the couch. The old cushions curl around Mitchel's body as he sits down, giving way to his weight. He holds himself steady with the couch's arm as he puts his weight into the cushions. Mitchel looks around the small room, noticing a small grey pillow in the center of the couch. He reaches out and grabs the pillow, positioning it behind his back. Mitchel repositions himself on the couch, allowing the pillow to assist him in his struggle to sit up.

"Well, I don't have an ice pack or even frozen peas. However, I have a nice tub of generic strawberry frozen yogurt. Sorry." Christian grabs the yogurt and slams the doors shut before making his way to the boy on the couch, "Here."

Mitchel grabs the yogurt out of the blonde's hands and holds it up against the growing knot on his skin, "Thanks."

The two boys sit in silence as Mitchel adjusts to the cold wet substance on his head. The cold helps, but he sure looks silly holding a tub of frozen yogurt to himself.

"So how-"

"Why- oh, you go first" Christian softly chuckles.

"So, how was work?" Mitchel gets a glimpse of Christian's glow.

"It was work. I mean it wasn't bad just slow. You were definitely the highlight of my shift though."

"Not even the highlight of your day? Ouch," Mitchel jokes.

"I mean sorta," Christian nervously rubs his shoulder, "No yeah you were the highlight of my day."

"I knew it!" Mitchel giggles, "You just couldn't get enough of this."

Mitchel puts a dorky grin on his face as he motions to the tub of yogurt on his head.

"You're so right. I've never seen anyone able to pull off frozen yogurt quite like you can." Christian's eyes dart around the room before landing on Mitchel's soft eyes. "How's your head now? Is it at least helping?"

Mitchel nods causing him to wince from pain.

Christian leans into Mitchel and softly wraps his hand around Mitchel's hand that holds the frozen tub. He eases Mitchel's hand away from his face, slowly pulling the plastic off of the boy's skin as he leans in even more to better look at Mitchel's head.

"Well, it looks fine. I only see a small bump, but I'd expect nothing less from that tumble."

The two boys sit face to face as they stare into each other's eyes. The muscles in Mitchel's body relax as he pushes himself forward and into Christian. Their lips erupt in fireworks as they collide.

"But I just met you..."Christian mumbles through the kisses.

"So?"