All The Ways We Touch [BxB]

fifty-six - a return to normalcy pt. two

"He'll be fine," Vera assured, hugging Elliot tightly. She knew him so well that she could practically feel his heart racing, and saw the way his pulse throbbed in his neck. Maybe this wasn't a great idea for Elliot's sake, but she hoped that a little space would be good for him. Jamison had skipped school, and Wren had given him the next day off after his identity was made public, so this was their first time apart since then, and she couldn't blame him for being anxious. "I won't open the door for anyone but you, alright?"

Letting go of her, Elliot nodded and sighed, embarrassed that he was handling this so poorly. "Thanks." Taking a deep breath, he turned to Jamison, who looked a little bit worried, but he wasn't sure if it was for himself or for Elliot's sake. He decided it was best not to ask. "Please stay inside."

"I will," Jamison murmured, reaching up and cupping his face. "I promise I'm not going anywhere but her couch."

Leaning in, Elliot kissed him as if he was going off to war and wrapped his arms around him, pulling him against his chest. "It'll only be a couple hours," he said, swallowing hard. "Coby's in the parking garage if you need him."

Resting his head in the crook of his neck, Jamison could feel his blood pumping rapidly, and suddenly felt very guilty about wanting some time to talk to Vera. "Call me if you get worried, okay?"

"Too bad you didn't let your dad buy you that panic room for your birthday," Jack interjected, a little uncomfortable with how serious this was. Elliot seemed to expect something horrible to happen, given how grave his tone sounded. "Now there's nowhere to hide if anyone breaks in."

After a hard smack on the arm, Vera shot him a glare. "Shut up or go wait outside," she hissed. There being no safe hiding place in her apartment was the last thing Elliot needed to consider, but as she told her father, the place was already like a prison; she didn't need to take up space with an unnecessary—and unsightly—mini prison in the corner of her bedroom.

If there was one thing that Jack knew, it was to listen to Vera; otherwise, he risked getting himself back on her bad side. Again. "Sorry, babe."

Pulling away from Elliot, Jamison smiled and kissed him again. "Go have fun," he urged. "I'll be here waiting for you safe and sound."

"Yeah, man, let's go eat something I can barely pronounce and drink some soju," Jack grinned, clapping him on the back. "The Uber's gonna be here any minute. So, like, we really have to go..."

Begrudging wasn't a strong enough word to describe every step he took away from his boyfriend, but at the door, Elliot turned around and took a deep breath, trying to find comfort in his smile.

"I love you, Elliot," Jamison said, waving at him. "Try to have fun."

Jack was practically dragging him out the front door as he called back to him. "I love you, too!"

Vera swiftly closed and locked the door once they were past the threshold, then crossed to her kitchen and opened up the pizza box, glancing at Jamison over the top. "You okay?"

"Yeah," he said, walking her way. "Just a little worried he's going to be an anxious wreck the entire time." Sighing, Jamison looked over the pizza. It was half-pepperoni and half-cheese, which he appreciated in case he didn't like one or the other. "I knew he'd be stressed, but I didn't think he'd be so scared. I feel guilty."

"Elliot's the strongest person I know," she said, grabbing two plates from a cabinet. Taking a slice of each, Vera slid the plate in front of him, then made herself a plate of the same and wandered over to her couch. Elliot had sent her a flurry of texts before they arrived, and one was to make sure Jamison remembered to eat. While she didn't feel comfortable badgering him about it, she was happy to facilitate it. "He's going to have a good time once he's hanging with the guys. I know he doesn't want to hear it, but he can't be with you, like, twenty-four seven," Vera said, sitting down on the couch. "Some space will be good for him. Then he'll feel better when you're off in class or at work tomorrow. Places he simply can't be the whole time."