orangetoughguy | phone post

[Oh thank christ he's not refusing. Freddy doesn't even detect a sense of resentment for pushing it back by twenty four hours and to this kid that's already a lot to handle. But they need that time, right? Rushing into things is part of what got them into this in the first place, no matter how good it feels to be right in his thick bear arms.]

Okay.

[He might sound a little hopeful, tail wagging.]

Any place you wanna meet?

[He doesn't have a tail but there's hope. Less of a growl. Shit don't fuck this up Dimick.]

I could go for a burger.

[Those fries sounded so nice. Anything out of that mouth that's not shouting is starting to take on a sort of a siren effect.]

The cheesey fries place has burgers.

[Duh. It's more like an invitation to come share a batch of eating your feelings with the kid, old man. Better than shouting.]

That place sounds good.

[Pause.]

If you don't mind going twice in a few days.

[Careful now, man.]

[He's shaking his head despite Larry being unable to see him over the phone.]

I don't mind...

[He clears his throat.]

Cool.

[Another pause that has him licking his lips. Maybe he should have just assumed because the kid did offer it up. Shit. Stupid.]

Thanks. I'll meet you there.

[Casual and as though it's nothing because it's just burgers. Nothing like just drinks when they talked over the Brewer's win.]

Maybe we could talk.

[I want to talk.]

Yeah. That'd be cool.

[To talk, not just to meet.]

[Or now. Can we do now? Larry's so damn pleased with how this conversation has gone he wants to just live in it if he can't live with the kid. Oh fuck but if it goes sour then what?]

I want us to somehow come to an understanding.

[Because that sounds so much better than I want to work this out... he wasn't the one who moved out, except he's not the one that made living under the same roof unlivable...]

Eventually.

Me too, I meant what I said.

[About not hating the old man, does Freddy need to clarify or is the context of wanting to come to an understanding enough?]

[Oh but Freddy you've said so many things. They all are ringing in the old man's head when you're not around. He wants it to be the good words, really. The timing and the way he's speaking, Larry lets himself believe that it's positive.]

...about what?

[Oh fuck does he have to get specific? Freddy goes silent for a pause that lasts longer than he means.]

About...not hatin' you. [Say more, Newendyke.] I don't hate you.

[That's not I love you or I want you back, it's still the best thing to hear off of his tongue.]

I don't hate you either. I still care about you.

[...is that too much?]

[It's not too much because deep down the kid wants it to be true, that Mr. White cares about him regardless of their relationship status.] I care about you too, Larry.

[It's not I love you but it's in the same field...at least for Freddy Newendyke. The fact of the matter is whether or not they're sharing the same bed Freddy doesn't think he could ever not love Lawrence Dimick. It would take something awful to make him stop loving Larry, something above and beyond cracking his rib and face, killing his friends, and gunning down cops to help them get away.]

I said a lotta things I didn't mean before today. [Exploding and pointing fingers.] And I gotta say it's a relief to hear that.

[He half laughs but it is not funny at all. Surely Freddy knows that from the sound it is a tight, under wraps sound. If Larry keeps letting himself hope so big bad things are gonna start happening]

It's okay.

[Freddy says with a softer lighter tone, catching the tight sound and wanting to loosen the knot.]

Hey I gotta get back to work...I'll see you tomorrow?

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