Chapter Text
They sit side by side on the couch under his loft bed, his laptop is on a small wood table in front of them. Even stopped paying attention to the movie on screen halfway through and instead found himself observing Isak as he watched the movie. It’s not like he doesn’t know the film by heart anyway, Moulin Rouge! is one of his favorites, he can recite it from beginning to end and knows all the songs, much to Mikael’s endless amusement. The movie is coming to an end, and Christian and Satine are singing ‘come what may’ for the last time. He knows what happens next, and he knows Isak also knows because the younger boy lets out a small gasp as the musical number comes to an end and the curtain closes, seconds later his face turning sad as Nicole Kidman collapses in Ewan McGregor’s arms. He watches Isak as Satine dies while Christian holds her before the younger boy turns to him with a scowl on his face that doesn’t hide the wet sheen in his eyes.
“Really, Even?” Isak questions as he rubs his eyes, a grumpy pout on his face that charms Even like everything else about Isak.
Even raises his hands in a sign of peace earning himself an eye roll for his efforts. “To be fair, Christian said at the beginning of the movie that the woman he loves died.”
“I thought it was a fake out,” Isak grumbles and Even can’t help himself, he chuckles as he throws his arm around Isak’s shoulder and pulls him close. “I can’t believe she dies,” Isak continues giving him another annoyed look.
Even lets out an amused huff, placing a kiss on the top of Isak’s head as the boy snuggles in his arms. “They said she was sick throughout the whole movie,” he reminds him.
“But they were in love,” Isak protests tilting his head to look up at him fiercely. “She should have lived.”
“She had tuberculosis in 1900,” Even points out with a wrinkle of his nose. “She wasn’t surviving that.”
“Don’t use logic,” Isak glares at him and Even grins again at how put out he is. “Mikael was right, it was soppy shit that made me cry.”
“Mikael doesn’t see the beauty of this film, like Christian, says at the end it’s a story about love ‘A love that will live forever.',” he quotes. “It’s ongoing argument between us and why he isn’t fond of Luhrmann’s work. For a love story to be epic one of the leads has to die.”
Isak stares at him for a moment before rolling his eyes. “That’s maudlin crap, I’m starting to think Mikael is right about your pretentious taste in movies.”
He scoffs feeling a bit offended. “Mean.”
“Your movie choice made me cry,” Isak shots back. “That was mean. Are all the movies you like sad? Because if so, your position as my movie educator ends here and I’m going to Mikael.”
Even gasps as he places a hand over his heart. “That’s really really mean,” he says pouting.
Isak mockingly pouts back at him. “Poor sad film student.”
“The only thing Mikael is right about is how mouthy you are,” he grumbles his heart beating faster as Isak lets out a laugh at his comment.
“You could do something to shut me up,” Isak says with a flirty look on his face, though his cheeks are a rosy pink as he speaks.
Even grins at that, the affection he feels for Isak warming him up on the inside, he doesn’t answer. Instead, he leans down, brushing his nose against Isak’s, this close he takes in Isak’s beautiful green eyes that stare back at him with wonder, it humbles him to have Isak look at him like that, like he’s something special to the younger boy. He hopes he is because, in the short time they’ve known each other, Isak has become the focal point of his own world.
“You’re so pretty,” he whispers, smiling when Isak blushes deeply, he chuckles when Isak half-heartedly tries to push him away all the while, his hand is over Even’s chest, holding onto his shirt. “You don’t believe me?”
Isak shakes his head.
“I guess I’ll have to convince you,” Even murmurs, his hand brushes a curl away from Isak’s face. He presses a featherlight kiss right above Isak left brow, trailing downward he kisses Isak’s temple, his cheek. Turning on the couch, he curves over Isak for better access, keeping the boy tucked to his side. Isak’s hold on his shirt tightens, and his stomach clenches with need when Isak let’s out a small sound as he kisses him under his ear. Even comes back, running his lips across Isak’s cheek, placing a small open mouth kiss at the corner of Isak’s mouth. He pulls back, letting out a groan as he takes in the flush of Isak’s skin, the way his green eyes a blown wide, his pupils dilated. It makes him think of lighting up with Isak and how he would look in the midst of the smoke and haze. He makes a mental note to ask Isak later if he wants to partake, right now though all he can focus on his Isak’s slightly parted lips and how much he wants to taste him again. He stops playing with Isak’s angel curls and drags his thumb down Isak’s cheek to his bottom lip. He presses down on it and groans again as Isak’s lips part even further, the tip of his pink tongue gazing the pad of his thumb.
“So pretty, baby,” he whispers, his voice rough as arousal course through his body and he equal parts wants to take as much as Isak is willing to give and protect the boy from everything bad in the world.
“Even,” Isak whispers back, his own want evident.
“I saw you the first day I arrived at Nissen and wanted you from that second,” Even confesses, swallowing hard as Isak releases his shirt, his hand caressing his neck and collarbone, the touch innocent enough and yet his body tightens further. “I haven’t stopped wanting you a moment since.”
“Then do something already,” Isak whines, as he grips Even’s neck trying to close the gap between them. “Kiss me.”
“I kiss you, I’m going to want to keep you,” Even says feeling overwhelmed by the truth of his words. It’s what he wants more than anything, and it actually scares him for a moment, because Even realizes he’s never wanted or needed something as much as he wants this sweet boy. It’s a feeling so overpowering for a moment he fears he’s slipping into an episode, he dismisses the thought seconds later. This feels so unlike what he’s felt in the past when he’s had a manic episode, his thoughts are clear, the energy in his body gentle and at peace. “And there are still things I need to tell you.”
Isak looks at him, wide-eyed and nervous and Even fears that he’s scared him with his intensity. He holds his breath, wondering if running his mouth is going to cost him what he wants the most before he even gets it. Isak continues to look at him, studying him. Even holds still and hopes he isn’t found lacking. Finally, Isak smiles, it’s shy and slightly crooked. To Even, it’s the most beautiful sight.
Isak pulls away, disentangling himself from Even and stands up, he comes back just as quickly, this time he sits on Even’s lap. Even places his hands on Isak’s hips, giving him a reassuring squeeze but otherwise remaining still, letting the younger boy take the lead. He watches as Isak looks unsure for a moment before he seems to come to a decision. Isak leans in and for the second time initiates the kiss between them. It’s just as soft as before, but there’s intent behind it. Even squeeze Isak’s hips again pulling him closer as he returns the kiss, slipping his tongue into Isak’s mouth touching it to his.
They kiss and kiss some more, getting their fill of each other. When they finally pull away, there is a dazed look on Isak’s face, his lips red and swollen. Even knows if he looks in the mirror he won’t look any better.
“You can tell me whatever it is when you’re ready,” Isak whispers and presses his forehead against his, his eyes warm as he looks at Even. “But keep me, because I’m going to keep you.”
Even stares at the boy in his lap in wonder before pulling him into a hug. He holds on to his boy and doesn’t let go.
Hours later, Isak is still in his arms, asleep while another movie plays on. It’s getting late, but Isak hadn’t seemed in a rush to go home and Even is more than okay with him staying. His phone buzzes, and he picks it up smiling when he sees the message.
Mikael
(21:20)
How’s the date going?
Even stares at the question for a moment and looks down at Isak, takes in how peaceful he looks, the way his eyelashes fan out against his cheeks, the slight part of his lips and feels his heart beat hard against his chest. He looks back at his phone and his friend’s question.
He doesn’t keep secrets from his best friend, so he answers honestly.
Even
(21:21)
I’m in love man.