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Ricky passed the phone off to Kourtney feeling a little bit better about himself. He always felt better after talking to Nini, especially about the theater stuff. It was her passion afterall. "How's our girl doing?" EJ asked with that boyish smile of his when Rocky returned to their table. EJ's arm fell to Ricky's lap casually, his hand facing up. Ricky hummed in response, taking EJ's hand with his own. Their fingers intertwined together easily, two puzzle pieces sliding into place.
"She sounds… off to be honest," Ricky admitted, his eyebrows furrowing in concern slightly. He squeezed EJ's hand and EJ squeezed his back. EJ’s thumb gently brushed over Ricky’s knuckles and Ricky relaxed a little bit more. "She misses us," Ricky said. He leaned his head to rest it on EJ's shoulder. "She said to give you this," Ricky giggled when EJ exclaimed in surprise at the kiss on his cheek. EJ’s laugh was warm and full as he tugged Ricky closer into his chest.
"It's appreciated," EJ assured him, leaning down to kiss the top of Ricky's head. His face pressed into his curls and Ricky could feel that he's smiling. Ricky couldn’t help but smile too. Even though one third of their little love triangle was missing EJ still felt like home to him. "I love you," EJ whispered, making Ricky's cheeks heat up a warm shade of pink. They've been out as a poly relationship for a while, but as far as things changing with the three of them dating they really well… haven't. Ricky would never be able to tell his loves how much that in itself meant to him. EJ's arm wrapped around Ricky's shoulders and squeezed it, nuzzling his nose into Ricky’s curls comfortingly.
"I love you too you absolute dork ," Ricky gave EJ a shit eating grin then reached over to steal one of EJ's slices of pizza. "Delicious!" Ricky declared through a mouthful of hot cheese and tomato sauce. EJ looked disgusted at him, but there was a twinkle of mischief in his eyes and Ricky knew he wasn't actually upset.
"That's my pizza you punk!" EJ exclaimed, offended at the crime. Suddenly his fingers went in and attacked Ricky's chest, tickling him . Ricky laughed out loud when EJ started to tickle him as payback. "What's wrong with yours?" EJ asked, kissing Ricky on the nose before returning to attacking his boyfriend with tickles. He grinned widely when Ricky shot him a glare between fits of laughter.
"It tastes better if you steal it from someone else!" Ricky exclaimed in defense, holding an empty tray up to block EJ from his offensive tickling. Both of EJ's arms wrapped around Ricky, pulling him into his lap. Ricky lets himself be manhandled - EJ's lap was far comfier than the wooden pizza parlor chairs. "This is much better," Ricky leaned into EJ's chest. He was still trying to get his breath back from the tickle fight. EJ hummed in agreement and kissed Ricky on his nose, smiling softly when he pulled away. Ricky hooked his arms around EJ's shoulders, situating himself into a straddling position to be more comfortable.
"I can't believe she's missing this," EJ admitted. His gaze fell past Ricky, looking over his shoulder at their friends celebrating the cast list. EJ's fingers tug at the chain around Ricky's neck and he runs his fingers over the imprinted letters. "I'm really proud of you, you know that right?" EJ asked Ricky, gently cupping his cheek with his right hand. Ricky closed his eyes and leaned into the touch. "I'm serious Rick, both of us - you make us really fucking proud."
"Yeah I know," Ricky promised, smiling at EJ softly. He sighs happily then nuzzles their noses together. “I’m proud of you too! My boyfriend’s playing Gaston!” Ricky crowed, and EJ’s eyes lit back up, sparkling with those flecks of gold in them. “It’s such a fun role I’m almost jealous,” Ricky said matter of factly. “Plus you have Red as your LaFou!” Ricky exclaimed, a wide smile stretching across his face.
“Are you jealous?” EJ asked, an eyebrow raising in suspicion. Ricky’s flush burned red, rushing down his neck. Ricky quickly shook his head and pressed his face into EJ’s shoulder in embarrassment. “Hey - hey honey it’s okay if you’re jealous,” EJ assured him. He reached over Ricky’s shoulder for a slice of pizza and caught a look at the theater table, where Kourtney and Big Red were fake gagging by sticking their fingers down their throats. EJ flipped them off behind Ricky’s back and winked at them.
“M not jealous,” Ricky mumbled, his fists curled into fists and gripped the back of EJ’s sweater. “Just wanna spend more time with you.” Ricky pulled out of EJ’s chest and stared up at him with those big dopey eyes of his. EJ ignored the teasing from the others and focused solely on Ricky, wrapping his arms around the skater and holding him in place. “We’re going to be really busy now, and you have college stuff and -” Ricky got cut off when EJ pressed their lips together. It wasn’t a chaste kiss, but it wasn’t deep either. It was just… love. Ricky felt his heart skip a beat, his eyelids fluttered and his tongue traced the outline of EJ’s lips, it was soft, caring. It wasn’t anything but an I’m here kiss and Ricky loved it. “Okay,” Ricky said, chuckling lightly. He rested his forehead on EJ’s shoulder. “Okay yeah you’re right.”
“I’m always right Daredevil,” EJ teased, adjusting Ricky’s position on his lap so he’s sitting sideways. Ricky fell into EJ’s chest, his eyes watching their friends enjoy each other’s company. “The three of us are going to be just fine, Nini’s coming home for spring break and to see the show,” EJ kissed the side of Ricky’s temple and Ricky just melted into him more. EJ was the gravity in their relationship, the focus, the grounding force that kept them all sane amidst the drama and crazy. “I love you Ricky,” EJ reminded him and Ricky nodded in response, a yawn escaping his mouth.
“Love you too Elijah,” Ricky said and EJ snorted, choking on water he just tried to drink.
“My name isn’t Elijah,” EJ said, looking down to see a mischievous glint in Ricky’s eyes. “I told you, I’m never telling you my full name. It’s so bad,” he shuddered. Ricky just reached up to ruffle his hair, combing his fingers through EJ’s locks.
“I’ll figure it out one day Caswell,” Ricky swore, stealing a nose kiss before snuggling back into EJ’s chest. He twisted so they could both watch their friends poking fun at each other at the other table.