001. every story is a song // open post.

[kyriff]

Take a prompt, take some time, drop in whenever you like.

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[kyriff]

[Shaking his head even before Josh is finished.]

I couldn't possibly ask him.

[larue]

[ It's the couldn't.in that phrase that makes Josh frown.

Quietly, he asks: ] Why not?

[ It's technically none of his business -- but Rethe is a friend, and it's just a little strange to hear him talk as if a movie with his husband is something he isn't allowed to ask for. ]

Doesn't he like movies?

[kyriff]

I think he does, but... no, it's okay. He's busy, and I'm fine with the time that we do get to have together.

[He actually means it. In fact, it seems as though the thought of rocking the boat bothers him more than anything else.]

[larue]

[ He doesn't press -- mostly because he ends up feeling like a heel for pushing, and Josh has never been one to push.

And yet... ]

Is he fine with the time you have together?

[kyriff]

I hope he is. I really do want to make him happy.

[Yeah so maybe he has kind of never really checked or pushed either? Oops.]

[larue]

[ Josh finds it hard to believe that rocking the boat would make Aidan unhappy ( he's seen the way the guy lools at Rethe; it's a little hard to mistake that kind of affection for much else ) -- but that's just him.

He leans back into his seat and smiles. ] He's really lucky to have you.

[ He remembers their first walk, the way Rethe's gaze had turned thoughtful as he'd touched his wedding ring. ]

[kyriff]

I think that most of the time, it's the other way around. Thank you, though, for saying that. It's... it's nice to hear.

[Now suddenly unsure of what to do next. (Talk like this always throws him off.) Standing up~]

Anyway, I won't disturb you any more than I have. See you?

[larue]

[ A despondent look crosses Josh features as Rethe rises from his seat and he wonders if he's crossed a line he shouldn't have by pointing out something that's made the angel clearly uncomfortable.

He sighs then, nods reluctantly before deciding to throw caution to the wind: ] You weren't disturbing me.

[ A hesitant smile, at that. ] I'm sorry if I made you uncomfortable, Rethe. We can talk about something else? Or, [ he gestures to his tablet ] you could join me in finishing this?

[kyriff]

[Shaking head vehemently.]

No, no, you didn't! Um... [Movie is tempting.

Very tempting.

He hasn't seen that one.]

Well. If it's okay. But. [Lower voice, full of SHAME.] We might really have to start from the beginning.

[larue]

[ There is about half a minute of silence before Josh just starts chuckling -- he's also clicking the video player to start from the top and handing one earbud over to Rethe with a grin. ]

Have you ever seen this? It's pretty old. Released in 2000? But it's great, but then it's football and social commentary all rolled into one, so.

[ Yeah. Totally unapologetic about how much he loves it. ]

[kyriff]

[And he's already looking like a cat that has found something shiny: hyper-focused, watching the screen.

Yep. They can stay like this all day, Malice Kings duties be damned.]