choking on your alibi

chapter 10: baebaldo

Dorian could hear his own racing heartbeat as the phone rang, call waiting to be picked up.

It wasn't the first time he'd called Leo ; they'd spent long, long nights over the phone with each other, speaking about everything and nothing. Dorian would always feel guilty, making Leo stay up so late and adhere to his own fucked-up schedule, but it seemed Leo had his own trouble sleeping, too (which was concerning, considering how much he depended on his physical ability and how much Dorian didn't). But for some reason, this time was different. Dorian felt the way he did all those months ago, back when he first texted him for the first time.

Then, the beeping came to a sudden halt, and a fuzzy "Hello?" rang from the speaker.

"Leo , hi! It's me? Dorian?"

His laugh came through scratchily, but it still dripped with sunshine. "You don't say?" he teased, still chuckling slightly. "How are you? I'm here with Sofie, what's up?"

"Oh! Please don't let me interrupt you, I should have asked before calling, my bad–"

"You're not interrupting a thing, Dori. She's – she's on her ipad– Sofie, will you lower the volume? I'm on a call– yes, I'll play Roblox with you later, just give me a sec.--" sounds of moving around came through fuzzily, Leo saying something inaudible to his sister before the sound of a door locking cut crisp through the audio. "Is something wrong? How are things? Talk to me."

Dorian gulped. Why on earth was he so nervous? "Um, so– yeah, everything is fine! I just– I wanted to ask you something, a proposal, if you will, hah— You can say no! If you'd like!" (but god, please say yes.) "It's just, every year around this- this time of year, my family takes a trip down to our summer home – it's really pretty and close to the lake and stuff, and– well, we always have room for extra! And a few friends of mine– remember Noemi? And her girlfriend, Vidensa? Yeah, they're going! And I thought, you know since you're my–" he paused, both ends of the line going quiet for what felt like an eternity despite it just being a second, "... that I'd bring you along? As my guest? Please?"

Agonizing seconds transcurred like nails on a chalkboard as Leo reacted, his voice unreadable.

Had he gone too far? Was this too much? A summer vacation together, what did he think he was doing?!

Before Leo could begin to say something, Dorian was quick to cut him off. "That isn't to say! That! You can't say no! You've got classes and stuff, and homework and I should have thought about that before asking, I'm–"

"Baby, you're spiraling. Breathe." His voice came through fuzzy and gentle. Dorian did breath. "I would love to go– my semester just ended, remember? I just–" the uncomfortable edge that had been there when he heard the invitation came back. Dorian grimaced. "Mal, do you think your family... wants me there? I don't want to overstay my welcome, I am an employee, after all."

"What? No, no-no-no-no! Leo, my sisters would adore you! They're the ones that like, actually enjoy baseball! And my mom will treat you as her own, that's just the way she is. Leo , I promise, if that's what you're worried about, then you're – you're wrong cus' God, I think they'd like you more than they like me."

Leo laughed. "Are you sure?" There was still that edge of worry to his voice.

"Yes! And, if not for them..." he paused, "Do it for me, yeah?"

A moment of silence passed through them, one line to another, before Leo huffed out a chuckle.

"You know I can't say no to that. Send me the details when you can?"

"Yes! Yes, yes, I'll do that right now. Don't worry about travel, we got you covered, and–" A small, embarrassing squawk-like noise of excitement escaped him. "Sorry, it's just, I might have died if you didn't come with; I'd been miserable without you there to keep me company. Yes! Agh– ok, bye!" he hung up before Leo could respond, which might have been rude, but he didn't care to pay it mind because Leo was coming with him! To spend the break with him!

As he told his sisters and his mom the news, all under the guise of notifying them of the extra room that would be in use, he felt a thrilling sense of normalcy. Like he could share this joy bursting from inside of him with the world rather than just hidden corners and empty homes. For a moment, his ... whatever it was he felt for Leo wasn't some convoluted lie or cover-up like everything in his life had mounted up to be. Leo was real and it felt real, even if it wasn't supposed to be. Not to his family, not to his father, not to Leo .

Not to himself.

It was his own little secret, and he'd keep it as long as it would have him. A golden string of hope holding him taut, woven from that coveted fleece that heroes and gods would kill for. And it was his.

And he'd keep it well, he was sure of it. 

hey guys, m here. currently freaking tf out so i wrote some basebald for yall and updated on some older stuff as u can see in this chapter. pls do enjoy it, its good. will be uploading more. toodles -m