The Writer & The Director

Chapter 10

Elliot looked at his feet, hiding his red face from Ryker's view.

"Elliot, you still there?" Ryker asked, worried about Elliot spacing out.

"Yeah," Elliot mumbled.

"You still haven't answered my question," Ryker said, moving closer to Elliot.

"I don't know," Elliot mumbled.

"Please, Elliot. I'm begging you. Just one date." Ryker said, grabbing Elliot's shoulders.

"I still don't know." Elliot looked Ryker in the eyes, just now noticing how beautiful his gray-green eyes were.

"Okay, let's make a deal. We go on one date, and if it ends badly, we won't go on another one, and this never happened. But, if it goes well, we go on another one, and you can pick that one. Sound good?" Ryker asked, trying to reason with Elliot.

"I...I mean, I guess." Elliot stuttered, feeling more awkward and anxious than normal. "But, if it goes bad, I'm blaming you."

Ryker smiled. "Perfectly fine with me." Ryker wrapped his arms around Elliot, pulling him into a hug, and causing Elliot to tense up. After a moment, Elliot hugged Ryker back, causing Ryker to smile more.

"You can let me go now," Elliot said, poking Ryker in the side.

"I can, but I don't really want to," Ryker said. Elliot giggled and tried to push Ryker away.

"So, when's the date?" Elliot asked, finally getting away from Ryker's grasp.

"If tonight is okay? And, comfy clothes only." Ryker said.

"Alright. Well, I'm going to get going now. See you later." Elliot said, turning and walking towards the door.

"See you!" Ryker said as he walked behind his desk.

Elliot walking into the hall, closing the door behind him. He leaned on the door and sank to the floor. He whispered to himself. "What did I just get myself into?"

~~~~~Time Skip~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~

Ryker called Elliot down to the living room, telling him it was time for their date.

Elliot rushed down the stairs, in sweatpants and a sweatshirt, and laptop in hand.

"So, you never told me where our date is. Where are we going?" Elliot asked, sitting on the couch.

Ryker sat on the couch next to him. "We're not going anywhere. We're sitting on the couch, eating pizza, and watching movies. That okay?"

"Perfectly fine with me. I'd rather stay in than go out. You know, my awkwardness gets in the way most times." Elliot shrugged.

The two sat in silence for a while, looking for movies to watch. When they least expected it, the doorbell rang.

"Fuck!" Elliot yelled, throwing his laptop down and jumping on Ryker's lap.

"Well, hello there," Ryker smirked.

Elliot blushed a deep red, covering his face with his sweatshirt. Elliot moved back to his previous spot.

Ryker got up and walked to the door, grabbing onto the boxes of pizza someone handed him. He walked back to the living room and placed the boxes on the coffee table.

Elliot grabbed a box and opened it, picking the biggest piece and stuffing his face.

"Slow down, little man. You'll choke, and I don't need that happening." Ryker said, grabbing a slice from the same box.

Elliot yelled,"Movie time! Give me the remote!" Elliot reached for the remote, leaning back too far and falling onto Ryker's lap, again.

"Alright, calm down," Ryker said, putting a hand on the side of Elliot's face, Ryker rubbing Elliot's cheek with his thumb. He slowly leaned down and placed a small kiss on his lips.

Elliot kissed back but pulled away a few moments later. He blushed again, feeling extremely embarrassed.

"You're cute when you blush, which is all the time. So, you're always cute." Ryker said, smiling at Elliot.

"I hate you!" Elliot sat up and grabbed the remote, finally. He picked a movie and started it.

"I hope not. That would just make this whole thing go downhill." Ryker laughed.

Elliot rolled his eyes, focusing on the movie.

~~~~~Time Skip~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~
Around midnight...

Elliot was fast asleep, his head in Ryker's lap, while Ryker was mindlessly playing with Elliot's hair, very close to falling asleep himself.

Elliot jolted awake, sweat beading down his face.

"Hey, little man. You okay?" Ryker asked, somewhat startled by Elliot's sudden movement.

"Yeah." Elliot sat for a second before tears started streaming down his face. "No."

Ryker pulled Elliot onto his lap, wrapping his arms around Elliot's waist. "What happened? You can tell me." Ryker spoke softly.

Elliot put his head in the crook of Ryker's neck. "I had...a dream...a dream about...Adam." Elliot's breathing became heavy.

"It's okay. He can't get you. And, if he did, I would do everything in my power to protect you. Okay?" Ryker whispered. "Hey, it's okay. Just breath." He spoke softly.

Elliot nodded, not trusting his voice. He took a minute to get his breathing under control before snuggling closer to Ryker.

"Try and go back to sleep. I'll be here when you wake up."