You're In Awfully Early {Septiplier}

Just Too Far

"And that's why I'm boycotting Target," Ethan finishes as the waiter gently places their plates in front of them.

Having started his story when they ordered, Jack didn't prepare for a multipoint argument exploring the sins of the corporation: everything from their ridiculous prices to their unfriendly employees explained in Ethan's argument. Jack especially didn't consider the final straw to be when Target rejected Ethan's coupon, despite the fact that it was still ten minutes from the change of the day and following expiration.

"Is the ten percent off really worth boycotting the entire store?" Jack asks, eyebrows raised. He can never understand Ethan's coupon obsession, the hobby reminding him too much of his own mother.

"Yes!" Ethan demands, as if obvious, livid hazel eyes meeting Jack's for a moment. He drops his gaze back to his hardy salad, taking his fork thoroughly through it before even thinking to take a bite.

"It's the principal, Jack," the small brunette emphasizes.

Jack wonders how many times Tyler has heard this rant, tossing a French fry into his mouth. "I just don't get it, Eth. I'm sorry. I haven't completed the transition into my mother just yet."

Ethan rolls his eyes, combing through his salad again, eyes frantically searching for the smallest fragment of a peanut. "It's a valid argument, at least. And I would appreciate if you support me by shunning Target as well."

"I'll see what I can do," Jack offers lamely, his own eyes drifting down to Ethan's food. His throat constricts in past anxiety, memories flooding back.

"You have your Epi pen?" Jack asks, though he knows the answer. Ethan checked when they sat down.

Ethan nods, hand touching the pocket the medicine is always placed to check. "Figures the one time I forgot it was the time something bad happened."

Jack swallows a bite of his burger a bit hard,  the memory of the incident still fresh despite the month that has pasted. It was an innocent mistake, the waitress wrote down the peanut variation of the dessert Ethan had been eyeing all through the meal.

"Thank god for Tyler," Jack whispers quietly.

Ethan smiles softly, nodding his head as he takes the first bite of his lunch. "He's a lifesaver. Quite literally. If he wouldn't have rushed over to the Mom in the booth beside us at the first sign of chopped peanuts... well, I'm happy he did."

"Has your mom calmed down?" Jack asks, eating a bit easier when Ethan's breath doesn't turn to a labored wheeze.

"She won't even consider calming down until I'm back in Maine," Ethan chuckles grimly. "Well, we're in Maine. If she didn't already think LA is a dangerous place, she definitely does now."

"We?" Jack questions, raising and eyebrow.

"Tyler and I," Ethan admits. "I've been trying to convince him to stay for a month, on account of Mark and his job. But he won't have it. And my mom is more than happy to take us both in until we did a place of our own. She basically loves Tyler more than me after he essentially saved my life."

"How long do you plan on staying?" Jack's appetite is fading by the second. He munches slowly on his fries, watching the younger's face.

Ethan sighs. "Four years, probably."

"Four years?!" Jack nearly screams, too surprised to watch his volume. Their waiter glances over to them, asking if there is anything they need. Jack sinks into his chair, sending him off with a small apology.

"Four years?" Jack repeats, quieter. "I thought you said a week? A month at max?"

Ethan nods timidly. "I did. But, my mom wants me to get a degree, ya know as a backup plan for when youtube is over. And, I won't mind actually going for something I like. There's a college in my hometown. Tyler and I can start in the fall. We've... already been accepted."

Jack sits back in his chair, almost too baffled to speak. "That's... so long. And so far away. When are you leaving?"

"Within the month," Ethan admits sadly. "College starts in late August, and we want to get settled before we start going to classes."

"But who's going to help me plan the wedding?" Jack sulks. "Cake tasting and picking out a venue and tuxedo shopping. We're supposed to do that together."

"I know," he sighs. "We'll do it together for my wedding, okay? I've been dropping not so subtle hints to Tyler since we decided on the move. The year after graduation would be a perfect time for us to get married, don't you think? By then, we'll be back in LA, and I promise we'll be here to stay. I swear we'll still be best friends even when we're apart. And I'll try to fly back whenever I can."

"It's going to be so strange," Jack mutters. "You two have been out here since I moved here. Now who's going to do couple things with us? Who's going to help me redecorate the guest bedrooms? I can't trust Mark with that. He tried to paint the walls blood red."

Ethan giggles. "I promise I'll always be on call when it comes to paint colors, okay? And we'll visit. All the time."

"Does Mark know?"

Ethan shakes his head. "Tyler is supposed to tell him, but he hasn't gotten around to it. Mark and Tyler have been friends forever. I mean, Tyler moved out here to be close to Mark. He just, doesn't really know how to bring it up."

"I'm going to miss you," the Irishman sighs.

"No, no! No sadness," Ethan insists, wagging his finger disapprovingly. "This is a happy time, mister. We're going to pick out Mark's wedding ring, and I won't let my news spoil the mood."

"Fine," Jack grumbles. "I will postpone my bad mood until after we find the perfect ring. Afterwards, we can cry over frozen yogurt."

"Happy or sad tears?"

"Definitely both."