I will hold you for as long as I can(until I can’t anymore)
As Augustine nears the downtown area, he notices a busier Bistro called La Gueule de Saturne. He crosses the road to take a peek into the bistro. He hears the chatter from outside the bistro. Augustine then starts walking rather quickly and—
<>
“Oomf!”
Rody had intended just leave the bistro’s dining room for a brief second, but a random kid just ran into him.
“Sorry—sorry I’m so sorry,” Augustine mutters as he stands up. Rody just looked worried.
“It’s fine, I’m alright. Are you okay?”
“I—“. He paused mid sentence and flinched away at Rody’s movement.
Time stood still for the both of them. Rody observed his features, noting his scars. The one on this kid’s eyebrow was barely noticeable, but the one the length of Rody’s forearm was quite impressive.
“I’m fine. Sorry again.”
“It’s alright! Be safe, yeah?”
“Uh- yeah.” the kid walks off to continue his walk.
‘What an interesting kid’ Rody thought as he walked back into the bistro.
“Waiter!” a customer yelled.
<>
Augustine was almost there. He was two streets away, and he was so ready to see Winnie.
He walked faster the closer he got, and the closer he got the more he released the stress eating away at him. Although, the stress wouldn’t be completely gone until he looked into those blue eyes.
Augustine walked to the front door and briskly knocked on it, eager to get inside. The door opens and reveals a messy-haired boy who was a head taller in a t-shirt and sweat pants.
“Auggie? What are you doing here?”
“It’s really stupid, but-“
“Oh my god, did you walk here?!”
Augustine’s eyes dart away and Winnie drags him inside.
“Auggie, I swear you’re going to get sick walking over here all the time!” Winnie says with a slight frown on his face.
“Win, I’m sorry—“
Augustine’s apology was cut off by Winnie shoving a change of clothes into his arms. Winnie had a look on his face that radiated worry, but has a smile on his face that translates to, ‘not another word’.
Augustine climbs the stairs beside Winnie and heads to the nearest bathroom. Winnie goes to his room and leaves the door open slightly.
Augustine sighs softly. He changed quickly and entered Winnie’s room.
Winnie patted spot next to him on the bed. Augustine smiled and placed his phone down on Winnie’s nightstand. He then sits down on the bed and leans on Winnie.
“What happened?”
“I came out, but he— he didn’t—doesn’t—approve.”
“It’s okay. He’ll come around.” ‘Hopefully’ is left unsaid.
“...”
Augustine shifts to where he’s practically on top of Winnie.
“Auggie, can I move to the headboard?”
“Oh, uh—yeah. Yeah, you can move.”
Augustine decides to take the hint and stays where he’s at as Winnie shifts over.
Winnie looks at him with a small frown as he settles and doesn’t see Augustine moving with him.
“Why’d you stay over there?”
Augustine is surprised by the response from the blonde(?).
“I—uh, I just thought that you moved away because I was being clingy.”
“Never!” Winnie says with a bright smile.
The smile falters when Augustine still doesn’t move over, so he hastily adds, “Honestly, Auggie, it’s fine.”
Augustine’s face slightly turns a shade of pink. He moves over to continue cuddling with Winnie.
Augustine slowly falls asleep as Winnie cards his fingers through his hair, snoring slightly.
<>
Winnie looks at the sleeping lump that is his best-friend(read: crush). He jolts as an alarm goes off on Auggie’s phone, alerting him that he needs to head home.
Winnie picks up his phone and unlocks it, finds a family member’s contact name—which is Madea—and texts then that Augustine will be staying the night.
Winnie doesn’t get a response, so he shuts the phone off and gets back into bed with Augustine.
Winnie starts to worry about his Mom finding him, but he remembers that she’s on a business trip for another four months.
“Winnie, I’m sorry, but I’m going to have to leave for five or six months for my job.”
“Oh.”
‘Oh’ was correct. Winnie was going to have to fend for himself, minus the taxes and stuff, for half of a year. That meant buying groceries, cooking for himself, and taking care of the house.
“I know you’re nervous, but it’ll fly by! Also, please, please, don’t let the house become a mess and be safe, okay?”
That’s what she had said when she left for the airport.
Augustine rolls over and frowns slightly, coming to the realization that Winnie isn’t within range. He sits up slightly and scoots closer to Winnie.
Winnie smiles softly and lets Augustine cuddle up to him. Winnie starts to fall asleep as Augustine starts to get comfortable.
>30 minutes earlier...<
“Do you think he’s okay?”
Vincent has heard this for the fourth time, and he is so, so done. Rody stands behind him yabbering on and on about a kid that bumped into him when he went outside for a break.
“—he looked so, ugh, what’s the word?” He snapped his fingers a couple times. “Lost! He looked so lost. Anyways, did you hear that one customer—“
Vincent tunes him out as he continues to close up the bistro. He moves onto the kitchen and is cleaning work stations. He’s fed up with Rody’s blathering, and—
“Rody!”
Rody instantly stops talking at the chef’s outburst.
Vincent sighs as Rody looks at his feet.
“Sorry, Vince, I uh, uhm— I’m sorry. For uh, talking so much, yeah. Sorry.”
Vincent rolls his eyes as he stops cleaning.
“Go home, Lamoree. It’s late.”
“Ah— right. Bye Vince.”
Vincent nods and watches Rody leave through the front door.
Vincent sighs and covers his face with a hand.
‘I need a drink.’
Vincent sighs softly and locks his office door. He goes to the back and exits, locking the door behind him.
Vincent has a short ride home, but before that, he wants, no needs, to have a cigarette.
He lights one up and looks at the stars.
‘It’s going to be a long couple of days, huh?’
Vincent lets a puff of smoke out and heads for his car.