doublethepain | they don't burn up in the sky but they can dazzle or delight (OPEN)

It takes a couple hours before he realizes that he probably shouldn't have volunteered for inventory duty at the library the same morning he'd gotten the splints off his fingers. It still feels strange, having his left hand finally free and clear, and he's been carefully flexing his hand since he'd left the hospital with regular exercises he's supposed to strengthen it again. There's still an ache in the three fingers that had been broken, or at least he thinks there is; but every time his boss notices the faraway look on his face when he should really be notating any books in poor condition.

"I'm fine, John," he says, arching an eyebrow though there's a smile that plays at the corners of his lips. "For the eighteenth time."

"It's a holiday, you should be with your boyfriend," John grumbles, and Spencer rolls his eyes because that's rich coming from a man with a wife and daughter.

He feels his phone vibrate in his back pocket and knows who it is before looking, though his smile only widens when he sees that it is, indeed, Joel. "I'm going to take a break," he announces, clapping John on the back--a gesture reserved for the only man who's ever come close to being a father figure to him--as he starts backwards toward the break room while furiously tapping at his phone to write his reply. He's distracted once he reaches the kitchen, reaching into the cabinet and grabbing a bowl of ramen as he wanders over to the microwave. He sets his phone down, smiling to himself as he just stands there for a moment, thinking about how good things are in his love life right now. It's unlike anything he's ever experienced and he puts the ramen bowl into he microwave without thinking, setting the time for three minutes from now and looking back down at his phone as the screen brightens with a new text. John calls for him then from the shelves and he shouts that he's on his way, snatching his phone from the counter and leaving the microwave running as he heads back out to meet his boss.

Half a minute later, he's got an armful of books but when they hear it, a pop from the break room followed by a quick booming noise, it makes the pair exchange a startled glance before they both drop the books in their arms and run to see what had happened. There's smoke billowing from the microwave and a fire is lit up inside, and Spencer's jaw drops as it clicks immediately. He hadn't even broken the seal on the ramen bowl, hadn't filled it with water or anything, he'd just let it... "Ohhhh, no," he groans, rubbing at his temple and to put salt in the wound, the world deems it necessary for the smoke to trigger the fire alarm.

It's not even a surprise when the sprinklers go off but at least it's centralized to the break room. He and John stand there for a moment, already soaked by the sprinklers, but when the sirens sound from outside, John drops his head and sighs. "Well, kid," he starts, and Spencer is relieved to see that when John looks back up, there's an amused smile on his face, "I guess we weren't going to be able to get through the Fourth of July without a few fireworks."

The paramedics and firefighters seem almost disappointed when Spencer explains what had happened, but they've attracted a crowd. It's a slow emergency day for the town, Spencer suspects, as awful as that may sound. He wanders away from the ambulance, hands shoved in his pockets as he observes the chatter of the gawking spectators around them and shakes his head.

"Surely there's something better that everyone could be doing."

[OOC: tl;dr Spencer accidentally blew up the library's break room and now there's a crowd, an ambulance, and a fire truck outside the building. Feel free to stop by and tell him he's an idiot. A very cute idiot.]

Flat | Top-Level Comments Only

From:

just_another

He's closed the store early, because it's a holiday and really, there's no real point in owning his own business if he can't choose when to close it randomly and without warning. He's at least had the decency to add a little note to the closed sign, making it clear he's closed specifically for the holiday and will be back to his relatively regular hours by the next day and although he's still a little shaken from the conversation he's had with his parents, although he's not sure how he feels about them coming to visit for the first time in eight years, he still manages to wear a faint smile as he walks toward the library. That's something special, he thinks, no matter what his mother might think. There's no one else in this world who makes him smile the way Spencer does and he nods to himself, his smile growing a little bit brighter as he turns the corner.

Abruptly, the smile is gone. There's an ambulance in front of the library and a fire truck and though no one looks particularly worried, there's still a group of people gawking at the scene of... whatever it is that's happened and Joel finds himself rushing forward, elbowing people out of the way, his heart pounding in his chest and a sick feeling rising in the back of his throat.

"Spencer?" he calls, catching sight of Spencer's boss first. John is a kind man, though Joel has admittedly kept his distance, a little nervous of what he might have to say about their relationship. Even so, he's the only familiar face on the scene and Joel is heading straight for him when he finally sees Spencer's familiar build and a wave of relief hits him, strong enough to stop him in his tracks.

From:

doublethepain

He thinks he hears his name but with the low chatter of the crowd around him, he isn't sure until he turns around and sees Joel just standing there. He grins at first, already heading toward the other man when he sees even from the distance between them that something isn't right. He frowns as he closes the gap between them, not caring who he nudges out of the way in the process, and reaches out for Joel's hands--and god, it feels nice to touch Joel with both hands.

"Are you okay?" he asks, brushing a thumb over Joel's cheek before leaning in for a kiss. "You look worri--" He cuts himself off, blinking dumbly as he works it out in his head. Genius, indeed. He glances over his shoulder at the ambulance, at the fire truck, and he groans at himself, dropping his chin to his chest as he turns back to his boyfriend. "It looks bad, I know, but it's fine." He looks back up at Joel, cupping the other man's cheek and nodding firmly. "I'm okay. I... may have blown up the microwave."

From:

just_another

Joel lifts both his hands, cupping Spencer's face as he searches him for some kind of injury even though he's just been told that he's fine, that this all looks worse than it really is, but he can't help himself. After the night in the lighthouse he's spent most of his time concentrating on ways he can make Spencer feel better and he's resolutely ignored any and all fears that have risen in him as a result of that night. It's hard to ignore them now, surrounded by this circus, and it's stupid, it's nothing to be made a big deal of, but his heart is pounding heavily all the same.

"You blew up the microwave," he echoes, still holding Spencer's face between his hands. "Jesus Christ, I saw the ambulance and I thought... I thought..." But he doesn't know what he thought, exactly, only that he was afraid. He knows he's overreacting and that the people around them are probably rolling their eyes if they're eavesdropping on this conversation at all, because he looks far too worried about someone who'd only blown up a microwave.

"Sorry," he says a second later, blinking a few times. "I just... I- I don't know what I thought, but it wasn't good."

From:

doublethepain

He should have texted. He should have texted or called or something because he'd known Joel was coming and if it had been the other way around, if he'd seen a mess like this outside of Crossroads, Spencer knows he would have been wrecked with worry. He'd been too caught up in explaining what had happened and trying to convince the paramedics that there's nothing to bother with, he hadn't even thought...

"No, I'm sorry," he says with a shake of his head, and he sees people watching them out of the corner of his eye but he ignores them because nobody else matters right now, only Joel. Always Joel. He places his hands on Joel's hips, his grip firm in an effort to anchor the other man, to remind him that he's right here and fine and they're together. He presses a soft kiss to the tip of Joel's nose, leaning his forehead against his boyfriend's as he closes his eyes and lets out a quiet sigh.

It's been easier over the past couple weeks to push aside thoughts of the lighthouse, to feel like the psychological effects of that night can be dulled, but he still has nightmares; he still wakes up to Joel holding him tighter to his chest than usual; and that's okay, he thinks, nobody's meant to simply get over something like that but seeing Joel's reaction now is enough to make Spencer remember that in spite of how amazing things are between them, in spite of how much Joel helps him feel like nothing can touch him, they're still recovering.

"I'm still standing," he murmurs gently, bringing one of Joel's hands down against his chest to feel his steady heartbeat. "I should have said something to you before you came."

From:

just_another

Even though Spencer is reassuring him, making it clear he has nothing to feel stupid about, Joel still does feel that wave of embarrassment, knowing he's overreacting. Without Mark, without everything that had happened at the lighthouse he might have still been worried, but not nearly to this extent and he understands the logical reasons behind the rapid beating of his heart or the way he still feels sort of sick, but that doesn't do anything to lessen the embarrassment he feels at having immediately jumped to the worst case scenario. He just can't lose Spencer, he realizes, and he's known it all along, really, he's felt that since nearly the moment they've met, but this really drives it home. Nothing bad at all has happened and the very thought of losing him still makes Joel's stomach turn. It makes him realize, too, he'll do anything to keep him safe, absolutely anything and he's known that since the night in the lighthouse, since the moment he'd been willing to kill Mark for Spencer, but he's reminded of it now and it's a thought he both holds close for comfort and one that scares him a little.

"No, it's fine," he says, forcing out a laugh as he drops his head, looking down at the ground between them with a sheepish smile. "Nothing really happened, you couldn't have known I was going to show up and assume the worst."

Lifting his head again, his smile become more genuine and he presses against Spencer's chest gently before he drops both his hands, taking Spencer's in his own. "It's been a bit of a weird day is all," he says before he turns Spencer's hands over in his own, still taking care to be gentle, looking down at his fingers all free of the cast and the splints and the brace. They're just Spencer's hands again and Joel's pleased to see him healed, pleased to know the last of the physical reminders of what had happened are starting to fade entirely.

From:

doublethepain

Sometimes the true extent of how much he cares for Joel will hit him at the most inopportune of times. Just the other day, he'd been standing on the stepladder to reach for a book on the top shelf for a patron in the Mystery/Thriller section and just happened to remember the way Joel had smelled when Spencer had kissed him goodbye that morning. It's a very distinct, Joel-like smell that reminds Spencer of books and a hint of spice, and he'd had to be actually poked by the man waiting below before snapping out of his vision of hopping down from that stepladder and sprinting to Crossroads so he could drag Joel up to bed.

The fact of the matter is that Joel is with him even when he's not--physically, at least--and Spencer likes it that way, it helps him get through the day. Seeing Joel so worried and fearful now, though, serves a a good way to stir the thoughts deep inside Spencer's mind--the ones he tries to keep out because they have no place in the life he's been working on bettering--that tells him if anything were to happen to Joel, it would absolutely wreck him. He doesn't like to entertain the notion; the bruises and hurt wrist that Joel had sustained from his fight with Mark had been bad enough, Spencer doesn't even want to think of what he might do if he were to ever turn a corner and find Joel actually in need of a scene like the one they're surrounded by now.

Joel seems to be a bit more at ease now, though, at least with the subject of the ambulance and fire truck, and Spencer returns the smile as Joel takes his hands. He looks down between them as the other man turns his palms up, and he huffs a quiet laugh at the sight of his left hand so bare before pressing a kiss to Joel's forehead. "What's been weird about it?" he asks, brow furrowing slightly. "Did something happen at the store?"

From:

just_another

"No," Joel says, rubbing his thumbs back and forth over Spencer's palms for a moment before he looks up and it has certainly been a weird day and he's a little out of sorts after both the conversation with his parents and arriving here to see this scene, but he's genuinely pleased by the fact that Spencer is out of his cast. It's one less thing to remind them of Mark and he knows it doesn't really work like that, the memories don't disappear with the physical scars, but he's pleased all the same. He doesn't get to hang over them forever and while it hasn't always been easy, Joel thinks they're both capable of moving on from what happened, a fact for which he's extremely grateful.

He lifts Spencer's left hand and presses a kiss to the palm before he smiles and shakes his head. "No, the store is fine. I just... I spoke with my parents just before I left and... it's a very strange experience." He knows he's hardly special in this case, that there are many people who have had to come out to their parents before him and that many more will yet in the future, and he also knows as far as reactions go, his is far from the worst, but it's the only one that's his. It might not be special and it might not stand out, but it's the only one that affects him -- and Spencer - in any way.

And he wants to be honest, but he doesn't think he can tell Spencer exactly what his mother said. Her issues seemed to have little to do with the fact that he's not dating a woman, but he truly thinks that is what it boils down to, not Spencer's family, not his reputation, but it had been the only thing for her to grab hold of. "My dad is looking forward to meet you," he says and he smiles when he says it, because it does feel really good to know his dad is happy for him. "My mom... needs time to adjust."

From:

doublethepain

Spencer tries not to let his face fall. He tries not to look discouraged, he really does because Joel had warned him that his mother might be a hard sell at first; but there's a difference, it turns out, between hearing that in theory and hearing that it's true. In a way, he supposes he's glad that he has something that has the potential to be just as traumatizing as what had happened at the lighthouse--and he's being facetious, of course, but he can't deny that the idea of meeting Joel's family next week, especially now knowing for certain that his mother doesn't seem to approve, is quite terrifying. He's never much cared to impress anyone other than Joel before but he wants to make a good impression. He wants to show them how happy Joel makes them, hopes that they can see the way Spencer maybe makes Joel a little happy, too.

The kiss to his palm is calming and Spencer feels a rush of tension leave him with a deep exhale. "I'm looking forward to meeting your dad," he says honestly. As much as it's been seizing him with fear here and there throughout the past few weeks, Spencer really is excited to meet Joel's family. He has none of his own to offer, after all, and he'd never thought he'd have anyone who would even want introduce him in this context, as a boyfriend and as someone important enough to make an effort for.

"Your sister, too," he continues with a slight nod. He already likes her, if he's honest, mostly because he hadn't overheard any sort of protest or discouragement or anything like that during that Skype chat where Joel had first called Spencer his boyfriend. She'd called him cute, which is a bit sweet and brings a flush to Spencer's cheeks just from thinking about it because it's not as though he's heard that often. He doesn't think Joel's mom will be singing his praises when they meet, though, possibly not even for a long time and it makes Spencer's chest tighten with anxiety because what if Mrs. Baker decides she hates him altogether? That he's not worth Joel's effort (which he occasionally still thinks is true anyway on days that he's particularly doubting his worth as a good boyfriend), that he's not welcome to share in their time together as a family.

"I'm nervous about your mom," he eventually admits because he knows Joel won't judge him for saying that or think that Spencer's trying to disparage his mother. "I know you said she needs time to adjust, but I... I want her to like me." He sighs, suddenly embarrassed as he lowers his eyes to stare at his hands still in Joel's. "I know I don't come off as much of a catch."

From:

just_another

Joel is prepared to tell him not to worry, though he knows it won't help much, he knows he'd still be beyond nervous if their positions were reversed, and his lips are parting to speak when Spencer continues and he shakes his head, brows drawn together. "Spencer," he protests, then glances around, suddenly very aware that they're surrounded by people; the crowd come to gawk at the spectacle, the firemen, the paramedics, they're all milling around and staring at things or filling out paperwork and while he's sure most of them have no interest in what Joel and Spencer are talking about, he's just as sure there are a few people eavesdropping. He and Spencer have been in the spotlight recently and he knows their reputations means they're not exactly the most well-liked residents of the town and he doesn't want to give anyone more fodder for their gossip.

"Come with me," he says, stepping away from Spencer, but keeping hold of one of his hands. They won't have to go far for privacy, not when the fire trucks and firefighters themselves are more interesting to most of the crowd than the two men leaving the scene, and so he takes Spencer around to the side of the building where they can get away from the people and the noise. Just being around that corner makes all the difference, the sounds dying away and Joel turns to face Spencer again, lifting both his hands to rest against his shoulder so he can push him lightly against the brick wall. He steps closer, close enough that his hips are lined up with Spencer's and he can feel the warmth coming off him and he lifts his hands to Spencer's face again, tipping his chin up so he can hold his gaze.

"You have no idea what I see when I look at you, do you?" he asks and he's surprised the words come out with such ease. There's no stammering, no tripping over what he's trying to say and it's never been so easy for him to express himself as it is with Spencer. "You talk about not being a catch, but you're... people who... everyone in this town who thinks poorly of you is a fool." The contempt in his voice makes it clear he thinks they're more than just fools, but he sticks with that word and keeps his voice low, speaking rapidly. "You're the smartest, kindest person I've ever met and even when you shouldn't, even when people have hurt you, you want to help them. You have every reason to not trust a single person in this town, but you trusted me. You're brave and you're strong and so much more positive than I could ever be. You make me want to be better. Every time I'm with you, I want to be a better man for you."

Then he smiles, leaning in to kiss Spencer firmly, his lips parted, his tongue gently tracing Spencer's mouth. "And you're by far the most attractive man in this town. In every possible way, I'm extremely lucky you want me."

From:

doublethepain

He squirms against the wall and it isn't because he wants to escape from the other man's grasp, he'd have Joel's hands on his body at all times if he had any choice in the matter, but he still finds it difficult to accept that someone could care this much. His jaw works as his gaze flickers from Joel's eyes to Joel's shoulder to the ground and back to Joel's eyes and his hands tremble at his sides because he can feel the his chest swelling with gratitude for the fact that Joel Baker is his boyfriend. Spencer has no reason to doubt him and really, rationally, he doesn't because Joel's hit it right on the head--Spencer has never trusted anyone like he trusts Joel but he's afraid now that Joel hasn't seem him for who he really is. He doesn't feel brave or strong or even all that positive, he can't imagine what he's been doing to give that impression.

The way Joel looks at him, though, is almost unreal and when Spencer finally forces himself to lock eyes with the other man, his own widen a little. It floors him every time, seeing just how much of how he feels about Joel is reflected back at him. He has no idea what he's done to deserve this, it seems too good to be true that a man who could truly have anyone he wants and doesn't even know it could want him. It's not the first time he's thought that, it won't be the last; but even though he has these raging fits of insecurity because for the first time ever, he wants to be able to give someone everything, he doesn't doubt what Joel says. Joel isn't a cruel man, it's not as if he's saying this to get Spencer into bed because they'd waited long enough to have sex in the first place and now they have and Joel's still here. He's here, saying amazing things that are making Spencer's eyes well up because Joel makes him feel so much like he's worth so much more than the dirty looks, the biting accusations and rumors, the words that make him wonder what he's ever done to make people think he's so rotten to the core.

"I didn't-- I wasn't trying to-- You're the only person who's ever said things like this to me," he says, welcoming Joel's tongue into his mouth and lifting a hand to rest lightly on Joel's hip. When they part, he's tempted to lower his gaze again but he keeps his eyes level, offering a weak and apologetic smile. "I don't mean to make it sound like I doubt you. I don't, I never will, and you couldn't possibly be better because you're truly already the best man I know. The things you've done for me, I can't tell you how much-- God, Joel." He lifts his other hand to cup Joel's cheek, his thumb brushing against the line of the other man's beard as he relaxes against the wall and pulls Joel in for another kiss.

"I'd made peace with being alone for the rest of my life," he admits softly, shrugging a shoulder as if it means nothing, as if the very idea of that isn't one that makes him want to curl up into a ball and cry now. This is it for him, Spencer knows. There's nobody else, nobody could even come close to affecting him like this. He'd been content just a couple months ago to settle in for a book and a glass of whiskey in his living room, alone but with his thoughts, and that had been fine. Ideal, even. "But then you found me and everything changed. It was like having a veil lifted, and you-- you've never once made me feel like I can't be myself, you just accepted me for who I am and that was it."

He can't believe he's saying all this except at the same time, of course he can because this is what his relationship with Joel is. It's trust, it's being able to tell each other things he'd never thought he'd say out loud, mostly because he hadn't expected to ever even have them in his head at all. "You don't know, Joel. You don't know because I can't tell you, I can't put it into words how important you are to me."

From:

just_another

It's not what he'd been looking for or even expecting, but Joel can't pretend it doesn't feel good to hear Spencer say such things to him in return. Most of the time he still doesn't quite believe he's deserving of any of this, still far more used to accepting the fact that maybe he's just meant to be alone because he shouldn't be allowed to be close to anyone, not after what happened with Amy, but with each passing day it's getting easier and easier for him to believe maybe this is something he does deserve. Maybe he's not such a terrible person that he needs to be kept separate from the rest of the world for his entire life. That there's one single person who can pull those thoughts out of him, make them a thing of the past. And if there is, if there's one person who can help Joel believe he deserves to be cared for, he knows it's Spencer. There's no one else and every time Spencer kisses him, if only drives that home.

"So had I," he admits, though he imagines it's not much of a surprise. With the exception of having a drink in Lara's bar once or twice a month -- and then only because Lara owns the bar, there's no other reason for him to go -- Joel's never been social. He's never gone to town events, he's never involved himself in the community. He's lived a very insular existence, always turned in, always cut off, and he'd been happy enough that way. It had certainly been easy, it had been exactly what he had thought he wanted. He'd never imagined anyone out there would be able to prove him so wrong. "I was content with that, I didn't think I took any issue with the idea of being alone, but you..." He smiles and shakes his head, his thumb smoothing over Spencer's cheek. "You changed everything."

He leans in for another kiss and he can sense that the people gathered in front of the library are moving away finally, passing by their not-so-hidden hiding place and he can feel people looking at them, but he doesn't care. He kisses Spencer slowly and sweetly, taking his time, pouring as much of what he feels into that kiss as he possibly can and it leaves him breathless and shaking, and it's not enough, it's not everything he wants to say, but it's the only thing he has at his disposal right now. The words aren't there yet, but they will be in time, he's certain of that, and until that time when they are, he'll do everything else he possibly can to make Spencer understand just how important he is, how deeply he's valued in every possible way.

"You changed everything," he says again. "And my mom will see that." As he says it, he realizes he believes it. Having his mother react poorly still hurts and it still makes him nervous for their upcoming visit, but he believes once she sees him with Spencer, once she sees how happy he is, she'll understand. There's no possible way she can deny just how comfortable and content Joel is now and he knows that's all that will matter. "So don't talk about yourself as if you're not a catch. As if I'm not the luckiest man in this town that you decided I was the one you'd let in. Because you are and I am."

From:

doublethepain

"I hope so," he mumbles, though he has to admit that he feels significantly better now, hearing the confidence in Joel's words. He knows that earning Joel's family's approval isn't the be-all-end-all of this relationship and he's never really sought out anyone's approval before anyway so it surprises him much he really does want it. Moreover, it surprises him that he doesn't look at Joel and wonder with a smidgen of doubt whether his boyfriend would leave him if things with his family didn't go off without a hitch. It's impossible, it seems, to look at Joel and not believe every word he says because there is so much sincerity in his tone, in his eyes. Nobody has ever looked at him like this before, kissed him or touched him or talked to him like this.

Every facet of their relationship has started as something entirely new and unfamiliar but Joel has made it so easy to just slip into it all. He faulters here and there, as evidenced by his reaction just now, but if he's honest, simply hearing Joel say that Spencer had changed everything for him--that they've changed everything for each other--settles the knot that's been twisting his stomach.

He lets himself relax into Joel's arms and traces the outline of the other man's collarbone through his shirt. "It'll be good," he says, trying to sound sure of himself and nodding firmly as if to emphasize the point. "It'll be good, your family's going to think I'm great, and-- and did I already say that it'll be good?" He offers Joel a small smile before leaning in for another kiss, parting his lips to invite Joel's tongue into his mouth as he lets out a soft sigh.

"Get a room, Waters, don't you think your next victim deserves it?"

His eyes fly open at the sound of the familiar voice and he's rough about pulling away from Joel, though he doesn't get far considering he's still backed against the wall. A turn of his head lets him see who he already knows is standing there--Eli Jasper, local mechanic and long-time bully--and Spencer's cheeks flush red not because he's embarrassed to have been seen kissing his boyfriend but because he's humiliated that Joel is here to see this, to hear any of this. Whether Eli really believes that Spencer had killed his mother and brother, he's never been sure, but his former high school classmate has always been unrelenting in his harassment over it. The interaction is as short-lived as the last one that had happened in front of Lou at the library, though, and Eli is gone before Spencer can even form a reply.

"Neanderthal," he mutters under his breath, rolling his eyes as he lets out a shaky exhale before hesitantly meeting Joel's eyes. It's not his fault, Spencer reminds himself, that people like Eli still treat him this way and it's easy to remember that when his boyfriend is standing right here. He settles his hands on Joel's hips, chewing on his bottom lip as he searches for an explanation before he just gives a resigned shrug. "Eli Jasper. We... didn't get along in high school. But forget him, okay, please? All I want to think about is you kissing me again."

From:

just_another

At the sound of that voice cutting through their conversation, Joel turns, and he doesn't know the man, doesn't know his name or his voice and he doesn't recognize his face, but he's clearly someone who thinks he knows Spencer and the surge of rage that bursts into his chest surprises him. He's always had a relatively short temper and he's been known to snap at people when they frustrate him, but he's never before felt such a nearly uncontrollable urge to use either his fists or his magic to hurt someone. Besides Mark, Joel has never been in a fight before, he's never been one to get into the kinds of altercations that end in physical assaults simply because he's always preferred to stay under the radar and not draw any attention to himself and fights draw attention. He's not sure he could win a fight against the man who's now walking away, like he has not only the right, but the duty to says such awful things, to continue to act like a childhood bully far into adulthood, but he's more than willing to try.

"You son of a bitch," he starts and he's about to pull away from Spencer and follow the man as he walks around the edge of the building, but he doesn't just want to leave Spencer standing here and when he turns back to look at him, he's being asked to just forget it. Joel can't do that, he'll never forget that man's face, he'll never forget his voice and though he's not one to plot revenge, he has every intention of making sure nothing like that gets to carry on. He has no idea what he might do, but he's not going to just stand here and let people say things like that to the man he cares about. He hates the way Spencer seems so resigned to this behaviour, like it's something he should expect and Joel's impressed all over again that Spencer hadn't simply left Siren Cove when things had gotten bad. He's sure in the same position he would have been long gone, unable to take such comments and taunting.

"I don't think I get along with him either," he murmurs, a frown still drawing his brows together, though he turns back toward Spencer completely, smoothing his hands over his shoulders. "If he ever comes near you again..." He doesn't know how to finish that threat, not with words anyway, he thinks he might be able to finish it with something else, but Spencer has asked him to let it go and so he draws in a deep breath and then lets it out, forcing his shoulders to relax. This is exactly the sort of thing he knows his mom was referring to when they spoke, but if she thinks for one second that something like that is going to change Joel's mind, then she has no idea who he's grown up into.

"It's forgotten," he says, then cups Spencer's face and kisses him again, long and slow. He doesn't care who sees, what sorts of comments come their way, he refuses to act, even for a second, like this is anything but the best thing that's ever happened to him. "I meant what I said," he murmurs, not drawing away, letting his lips brush against Spencer's as he speaks. "No matter what the small-minded people of this town think, you are a catch, and their loss is my incredible gain."

Edited Date: 2014-07-07 11:19 pm (UTC)

From:

doublethepain

He weaves his fingers through Joel's hair, letting his fingers traces lightly down the other man's neck in an effort so soothe him from the rage Spencer had seen spark in his eyes. He knows it's pathetic, letting Eli walk all over him like that, but he's learned his lesson from the last time he'd spoken up to someone giving him trouble. It hadn't been Eli but it hadn't ended well and Spencer just isn't the fighting type. He remembers the burly man's fist slamming into his stomach and having the wind knock out of him, the light bruise on his cheekbone that his boss had eyed with concern but said nothing about, and Spencer had never told anyone what had happened for the sake of reputation and, if he's honest, the tiny bit of pride he'd been trying to hold onto then.

"If he ever comes near me again, I'll tell him my boyfriend won't stand for it," he says, and he knows it might come off as a bit mocking but that's not what he's aiming for and he lowers is head so he can rest his chin on Joel's shoulder, feeling the rise of fall of his boyfriend's chest beneath him. He's relieved when Joel seems to let it go, providing no resistance and welcoming the other man's lips against his own.

He's said it more than once, that he feels safe with Joel. When Joel's arms are around him, he's certain there's nothing that can touch him or do him any harm because he has someone now. He has someone who isn't afraid to show how deeply he cares, to show how far he'd go to protect him, and sometimes it renders him absolutely speechless to know that. That Joel had been ready just now to go after Eli speaks so loudly about just how far his boyfriend is willing to go to defend him, and it's simply another confirmation of something Spencer already knows. He's asked Joel to forget this had happened and he knows it must be hard for the other man to appease him in that. Joel does so much for him simply because Spencer asks him to and it's unlike anyone he's ever had in his life.

"Thank you," he murmurs, and it can't encompass all the he feels but he wishes it could because there's so much he needs to thank Joel for. "I really hope I'll be able to live up to that."

From:

just_another

"You don't have to try. You already do," Joel assures him, brushing one hand over the side of Spencer's face before he pulls back and smiles. He can still feel the anger in him, simmering just below the surface, and he has every intention of finding out as much about this man as he can, every detail, though he has no idea what he might do with all that information. All he knows is that he might need it someday and while he has no clear plan, he knows the time might arise when everything works out in his favour, a situation in which he can impress upon Eli how important it is to never come within a hundred feet of Spencer again. The only other person he's ever felt such a strong desire to protect is Charlotte and he's aware of what that means, of how deeply it indicates he cares for Spencer and maybe it should scare him, but it doesn't.

But for now he's able to let it go enough that he won't dwell on it. Not while he's with Spencer. He won't let someone like that awful man ruin any of the time they spend together.

"I guess you won't be going back to work any time soon," he says with a soft huff of laughter, peering toward the front of the building. The crowd is gone, but the trucks are still lingering and he wonders just how much damage has been done to the break room. He doesn't want there to be any damage to the library, not when Spencer loves it as much as he does, but he likes the idea of the two of them being able to spend the rest of the afternoon together. "I was coming for lunch anyway, so do you think you can slip away with me? I'll make it worth your while."

The second it leaves his lips, he realizes how it sounds and while he'd really only meant food, he can't help but grin, feeling his cheeks heat a little. Regardless of what he'd meant, he'll let that stand and allow Spencer to interpret it anyway he likes. "Though maybe you should check with your boss before I drag you off."

From:

doublethepain

He feels like it had maybe been a little too easy to get Joel calm but Spencer doesn't want to fight it. He doesn't want to think about Eli, not even remotely, and he suddenly feels drained from everything that's happened in the day so far. Getting his splints and brace finally removed, the damage he'd caused to the break room, the comment from Eli, he wants to be far removed from all of it so when Joel suggest slipping away, he nods eagerly. He can't think of anything better, in fact, because if there's one person in this town who will always be able to make him feel better, it's Joel.

"I doubt John will even want me to stick around for fear of letting the rest of the library go up in flames," he says with a quiet chuckle. "Besides, it's a holiday. I think he'll agree that we can finish the inventory tomorrow."

He slides off the wall and heads back toward the front of the building, taking Joel's hand in his on the way before giving the other man a sidelong glance that's accompanied by a fliratious grin. "He'll be even more convinced when I tell him you've prmoised to make it worth my while. Though if I'm honest, every moment with you already is." They round the corner and John catches sight of them before they can approach. He pauses as John pulls his phone out of his pocket and gestures toward Spencer before turning back to the fireman he'd been talking to--though Spencer doesn't think they're even discussing the break room anymore, John's gestures are wild and he's already laughing.

He pulls his phone from his back pocket to see the text he'd missed with a smile, holding out for Joel to see.

Call it a day, pyro. You two have fun.

He presses a kiss to Joel's cheek, wrapping his arm around his boyfriend's waist as he guides them away from the scene, ready to be anywhere but here as long as it's with Joel. "So where are you dragging me off to, then?"

and miles to go before i sleep, and miles to go before i sleep.

they don't burn up in the sky but they can dazzle or delight (OPEN)

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