"George I-" Clay began, words tripping and tangling on his tongue. George watched him, eyes questioning. "I, uh, brought something for you." He continued, reaching into his pocket with shaking hands to retrieve the box.
"I completely get it if you don't want it, you don't- you don't have to take it but I just- I thought-" George smiled something small and kind, deciding to spare Clay the embarrassment of trying to continue despite his amusement. He took the box from Clay's hands delicately and opened it.
"Where did you find it?" He asked gently and Clay rubbed his neck.
"Ophelia gave me it. Apparently she and Clark have, uh... have everything of mine that you had... and anything I gave you." He explained carefully, ignoring the guilt riddled hurt that squeezed his lungs.
George pulled the enchroma clout goggles from their box, slipping them on without a second thought. Clay watched, lips open in a soft 'o' shape, as George turned to look back out over the park.
George would pretend it was an accident that his hand landed against Clay's conveniently still open palm but no one would believe him.
Before the silence could mould into anything else, the bang of the first firework sounded and dragged their attention away.
Ophelia, arm around Keres as it seemingly always was now, and Clark, laid with his head pillowed in Jethro's lap, let out loud cheers, encouraging the others to do the same. They were far enough from anyone else that they didn't have to worry about others complaining.
The light show was certainly worth it, in George's opinion. Even more so now that he could see it in full colour. A part of his heart, small and jagged in shape but beginning to attempt to slot itself back into place, warmed at the fact that Clay had thought of bringing his glasses along, despite the possibility that George would reject them or not need them - they had only decided to stay for the show last minute, after all.
Clay thought the light show was worth it too, but not for the same reasons the others did. He thought it was worth it for the laugh in Nick's voice as he accused Vincent of startling against his side; the giggle Darryl let out as Zak practically bounced with excitement in his arms; the way Ophelia whispered soft reassurances as Keres peeked from her shoulder; the way Geo let out soft gasps at each burst, phone up and recording to send to Kiri; the way Clark fell silent as Jethro's hand rested tentatively on his hairline; the small smile on George's face as he watched the fireworks; the way the explosions cast him in different, soft glows of vibrant colour; the way each one reflected in his glasses, lighting the eyes behind them.
But, most of all, Clay thought it was worth it for the way George's hand stayed warm in his, thumb brushing absently over Clay's rough knuckles, until long after all light had died out.
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@BBHisBaby I'm not a photographer, but the fireworks were pretty :) (should I get a main account for irl stuff like this?)
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