"I started from the bottom and I'm still up in my room, chillin' in my boxers, sittin' watching cartoons..." Luke was attempting to rap. He was sitting in the back seat of Jonathan's car, while Evan was in the passenger seat, and he had his headphones in, rapping as loudly and obnoxiously as he possibly could. It was driving the other two boys to insanity. He was bobbing his head back and forth, and Vanoss was only trying his hardest not to laugh. It was a damn funny sight to see, and every now and again, he'd use the mirror to take a glance, and try not to crack up laughing again.
Evan nudged Delirious as he drove, "Is he always that annoying?" He inquired.
Jonathan laughed, and nodded, "Pretty much."
Evan laughed as well, "Good to know."
"Don't worry, you'll get used to it." Jonathan continued. "I did." He added with more laughter. They were nearing the airport, the same one that Delirious had just came to the day before to pick up Evan. Only today, he was coming to get Lui and Nogla. The other guys had flights coming in at later times, but they'd be here sooner or later. And Jonathan was practically bubbling with excitement. Well, it was either that or nerves, probably mostly nerves. But he didn't care. This was a big step for him, meeting his friends, finally showing his face.
When they finally arrived the airport, Jonathan parked the car, and he and the other boys got out. He and Evan walked comfortably close to each other, their hands brushing against one another's, sending small sparks of electricity up their arms. Evan wanted to grab Jonathan's hand, and intertwine his long fingers with his own, but decided against it. He liked it better when they were alone, away from public eyes. Because when they were alone, it felt better, more special, and he liked to revel in that sweet satisfaction.
And Luke walked behind them awkwardly, being the third wheel as always. He still had his headphones in, listening to some weird pop song that managed to shuffle through his phone, as he followed behind his two friends. He couldn't help but to think that they actually looked good together. He wondered if Jonathan had dropped any hints to Evan about his crush or whatever... And he also wondered if Evan felt the same. He liked to think he did, after all, he really didn't want to see Delirious getting hurt in the end. He made it a mental note to talk to Evan later when Jon wasn't around to get his input on things. Secretly, he enjoyed playing matchmaker.
The airport was crowded today, this morning, the chatter of people filled the three men's ears as they maneuvered through the seas of people. Delirious' phone began to ring, and he picked it up without looking at it. "Where the fuck are ye?" Nogla nearly yelled, causing Jonathan to laugh.
"We're at the airport." He answered, grinning. "Where are you?"
"Standing by a big window." Nogla replied, and Jonathan looked around until he spotted the tall man. It was funny, seeing how much bigger he was than everyone else, and Jonathan couldn't help but to laugh as he hung up his phone and began walking over to where he was standing with Lui. He and smaller man looked weird standing next to each other, but only because Lui was so short. Vanoss and Luke followed behind him, until finally they reached their other group of friends who looked as though they had been waiting for a pretty long time.
"Holy shit! Is that you Delirious? I thought you'd be ugly!" Lui laughed once they came into view.
Delirious giggled his familiar laugh, "Well I'm pretty beautiful, sorry to break it to you..." He trailed off. "I'll give you a few moments to soak it all in."
"And you're tall..." Nogla trailed off, sizing the man up. He was a couple inches shorter than himself, but Delirious definitely had more muscle to him. But the Irishman had never imagined Delirious to be some tall, brunette, and handsome man. Hell, he wasn't sure what he had expected, but it definitely wasn't this. He was sure that Delirious was better looking than all of them put together. No wonder he never showed his face in public; his fans would die from the beauty. A smile came to his lips at the thought of that, what a dumb thing to say.
Evan chuckled, "I said the same thing."
"Yeah but not as tall as you, Nogla, you fuckin' beanstalk." Jonathan laughed, looking up at the Irishman.
"Hey!" Nogla frowned.
Lui butted into their conversation, pushing Daithi out of the way, "Sorry to interrupt the love fest but can we get the hell out of here? If one more person bumps into me, I swear..." He trailed off, shaking his head. "And can we get food? I'm starving." He added, a small smile gracing his lips. He and Nogla had skipped out on breakfast to get here as early as they could, and now his stomach was paying for it.
"Yeah, I'm hungry too." Luke commented.
Jonathan nodded, "Yeah, I'm sure there's somewhere around here we could eat." Nogla and Lui then picked up their bags, and the five of them dodged the people of the airport to get back to the car. Luckily, there was just enough room for all of them. But having Luke, Nogla, and Lui in the backseat all at the same time was like dealing with three little kids. They kept complaining about touching each other, and Luke just wouldn't stop singing.
"Ready for a week from hell?" Evan asked Jonathan, grinning widely.
Jonathan smiled and looked over to Evan as he drove, "As long as you're here, I should be fine." Evan held out his hand, offering it to Jonathan, and the older man took it gratefully, resting their arms on the console in between their seats as their fingers mingled together, sending bouts of warmth in each other their direction. He drove like that the rest of the way, it helped him relax, and it helped him ignore the three idiots in the back seat of the car. But Luke was watching them together, watching them interact, and it only made his heart ache even more, because he knew that Delirious was falling for the asian man more and more with each moment that passed.
They found a small burger place near the airport to get some food, "You know it's good food when you can taste the diabetes in it." Luke commented as he took a huge bite of his cheeseburger, earning a few laughs from the guys. And they ate in small chit chat, discussing other things among each other and what not. Delirious was glad his anxiety wasn't acting up usual, and what surprised him the most was that he felt comfortable around Lui and Nogla. Whether it was the presence of Vanoss, or Cartoonz, he didn't know. All he knew was that right here, in this moment, he felt genuinely okay, and he could be himself around his friends.
"Tyler's on his way." Evan interrupted, showing a selfie of Wildcat on twitter, on the airplane.
Lui laughed, "Let's not pick him up."
Jonathan laughed, "You're an asshole, Lui."
"It'd be funny though!" Lui defended.
This time Nogla laughed as well, "Ya know, it would be pretty fuckin' funny."
"We're not leaving him!" Jonathan couldn't stop laughing. When they finished eating their greasy burgers, they drove back to Jonathan's house so that they could get Luke's car as well, knowing there wouldn't be enough room for everyone if they only took one car. "You know what..." Jonathan trailed off as they stood in the doorway of his home. "If you guys just want to stay here, Evan and I can pick everyone else up." He said to Luke, Lui, and Nogla. After all, they were only expecting Tyler, Mini Ladd, Marcel, Moo, Brian, and Droid, and so what if they had to make a couple of trips. That just meant he could have more alone time with Vanoss, and that wasn't ever a bad thing.
"I like that idea." Nogla nodded. "We'll eat all your food while you're gone." He smiled mischievously.
Lui laughed loudly, "But we literally just ate!" Daithi only shrugged, making Lui laugh more.
Luke sent a pleading look to Delirious, "Don't leave me here with these fuckers." He begged, his dark eyes pleading.
"Quit being a drama queen, Luke." Jonathan waived it off. "It's only for a little while." And that was that, and one by one, trip after trip, Evan and Jonathan went back and forth to and from the airport to pick up their friends. After Tyler arrived, Marcel came, and then Droid, and after that it was Craig, Brian, and last but not least, Brock arrived just before the sun was going down. And they all had the same reaction about Delirious. He was not what they expected, at all, but they were still glad to have finally been able to meet him after all this time of playing games with each other. When all the running was done for the day, Jonathan's house was full. "Alright." He sighed, "That's everyone."
"Group hug!" Tyler yelled, wrapping himself around Delirious to annoy him.
"Group hug!" Everyone else joined in as well, a giant mess of bodies all wrapped around Jonathan, and all that man could do was laugh. He was so happy right here in that moment, surrounded by people who loved and cared about him. He knew he should have done this such a long time ago, especially if he was going to get this great of a reaction from everyone. He knew that he definitely had to do this more often now, and he knew that they were going to have so much fun this week. He literally couldn't wait to make great memories with everyone. And some not so great ones too. Jonathan was also grateful for everyone else being here too, because now he'd be able to focus on them, instead of centering all his attention on Evan. Lord knows what would have happened if it would have just been them two alone.
They ordered pizza for dinner, only because Delirious didn't feel like cooking after all that running back and forth. And even though he was exhausted, when it was time for him to go to sleep, sleep just wouldn't come. He could feel the insomnia creeping up around him, and surrounding him. He knew what he needed was some fresh air, so he headed out to the front porch, quietly, making sure not to wake up any of his sleeping friends who were crowded in the living room, on couches, on floors, and on the beds in the guest rooms. It was late, and he couldn't believe just how high the moon and stars were in the sky when he stepped outside. The night air was warm, and humid, and he inhaled the moist air, letting it settle deep in his lungs.
There was something about that night that comforted him, and made him feel safe. Especially when all the stars were out like tonight. Jonathan found himself on his front porch most nights when he couldn't sleep. He'd come out here, talk to Evan on the phone, think about his life, or even just sit in silence and stargaze. It helped him relax, and he was thankful for the night. Not even five minutes of being outside, the front door opened, revealing Evan standing there clad in his jammies. "Thought I heard you come out here." He mumbled lowly. "Can't sleep?" He inquired, stepping outside and closing the door behind him.
Jonathan shook his head, "You?"
"Nope." Evan answered.
"Wanna join me?" Jonathan patted the seat next to him on the little porch swing, and Evan sat down beside him. Together they reveled in the moon and stars, and enjoyed the company of just having each other to hold onto.
