Obligatory beach episode my dudes!
I don't even like the beach all that much.
IV. And I don't wanna go home right now
They stop at a mall to change their clothes, it's a process.
"This is probably the weirdest thing I've ever done"
"It's not that bad as far as weird things go"
Evan gives him a disgusted look, Connor smiles mischievously at him, they both know what Connor is implying, and Evan does not find it funny.
"Do you think we'll find a party willing to give us booze?"
"I mean, we both look like we're in our twenties"
"That's a yes"
"Why are you so set on getting me drunk?"
"Curiosity mainly, I don't trust Kleinman's version"
"You spoke with Jared?"
Evan scrunches his nose as he asks this; Connor thinks it's a proper reaction
"I'm pretty sure the guy had a crush on you"
"Dodged a bullet there"
"What, Kleinman not your type?"
Evan shrugs, Connor leaves it there, mostly because Evan is right there, Evan is doing this with him, and that's all that matters.
-.-.-.-.-.-.-.-.-.-{-...-...-.- .-...-..}-.-.-.-.-.-.-.-.-.-
They set up the beach tent a good distance from the water, and take off their shirts so they are on their swimsuits, sparing glances at the other whenever it feels safe. It's been like this for almost as long as they've known each other, and it makes sense that they would, considering what they mean to each other.
In the time they've known each other, they've made the other into their entire universe, into their salvation, and it isn't like they need to voice it, they know, but they haven't acted on it, haven't put a name to whatever it is, they just dance around it like the cowards they are. That's what this is about, that's what it was always about, both of them are too scared to do this alone, so they've made excuses, made schedules, and they found themselves egging each other, and it would get both of them killed, but that's what they want.
The day goes by slowly, one thing after the other, with enough pauses for it to not get overwhelming, they busy themselves with various things; they get in a water fight at some point and end up laughing themselves breathless while lying on sand. They do manage to slip into a beach party, and get drinks, the guys there are all too friendly, and convince them to sit with them around a bonfire, they must be pretty drunk to agree.
"So, what you two doing here?"
A guy asks this, he's big, and honestly pleasing to the eye, Connor thinks his name might be Lloyd; Evan sits straighter besides him.
"We're just enjoying one last year of freedom before college owns our asses"
Connor is glad for the booze and the fact that these are complete strangers they'll never meet again; because otherwise Evan wouldn't be acting so freely. There's an agreeing chorus of drunken voices at Evan's statement, which make the other shift just a little closer to Connor.
"Are you two together then?"
This time it's a girl, Connor might be gay, but he can appreciate pretty when he sees it, she has a swimmer's build and copper skin, he thinks her name Grace.
"I wish"
It comes out of Connor's mouth like an afterthought, like a truth, Evan looks very flustered despite the alcohol, but he smiles at Connor, and he's too drunk to worry about it.