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Elliott loved words. For someone who spent most of his time stumbling over them, he used them frequently, and Octavio found himself wondering if that’s what drew him to the trickster in the first place. Elliott was one of the few people that could both keep up with Octavio, and keep him engaged in conversation; something that followed them into their blossoming romantic relationship.
Elliott seemed to always know what to say. So much so, Octavio began to wonder if he had looked all of his lines up online and rehearsed everything he said. However, he soon realised how often Elliott went on a tangent or found some roundabout way to express what was on his mind and it would always end with him flashing a bashful smile and with Octavio feeling on top of the world.
Elliott frequently complimented him. It didn’t matter if it was his outfit, a particularly impressive shot in one of his videos, or the latest colour he’d decided to dye his hair, Elliott found a way to make him feel good about it. He made him feel like everything he spent time on was noticed and appreciated. He encouraged him in everything he did and talked him down when he needed it. He texted him often when he was caught working overtime at the bar. No matter how Elliott used his words, Octavio always found himself feeling like their connection had grown deeper than it had been moments before. And although Elliott's words of affirmation were always appreciated, there was only one time Octavio recalled being truly stunned by them.
They’d simply been hanging out in Elliott’s home one evening after a game, like they often did. Elliott announced that he wanted to make some popcorn before they sat down to watch the movie Octavio had chosen. The runner took the opportunity to linger around him, making playful jabs about the other’s performance in the arena. Elliott attempted to defend his pride in the beginning, but eventually began to chuckle and pulled Octavio in towards him, lightly attacking him with his fingers, as he began to tickle his sides - Octavio’s biggest weakness.
“Ay, stop! Mira, I’m sorry!” Octavio surrendered, breathlessly.
Elliott laughed quietly to himself, as he slid his hands onto Octavio’s hips, his brown eyes softening on the runner’s features in a way that almost made him feel self-conscious.
“What?” Octavio asked, mentally preparing himself for another tickle attack, when he felt the trickster’s grip tighten on his hips. He felt his heart skip a beat when Elliott looked deeply into his eyes, as if they were the only two people alive.
“I love you, Tav.”
Octavio’s heart began to pound, making up for its moment of languidness.
“Huh?”
The trickster’s eyes immediately fell to the floor at his response.
“Sor-orry, I…”
Octavio could almost feel his body shift into fight or flight mode, but he didn’t have anywhere to run.
“Elliott, what…why are you saying that?!”
Elliott took a step backwards, creating an uncomfortable distance between them.
“I just…I th-thought,” he paused and pursed his lips, like he was trying to steel himself for something. “Maybe I had the wrong idea about what was going on here. We can…should prob-probably cancel movie night.”
“Wait!” Octavio said, reaching out to grab his wrist before he’d even realised it. He let out a heavy sigh and scrubbed his hands roughly through his hair, as if the action would somehow slow his racing thoughts. “No one’s ever said…that to me before.”
“Said what?”
“Said…what you just said,” Octavio mumbled, folding his arms across his chest. “My fans say it all the time. They love Octane. But…no one else. Not my old man. Not…anyone.”
“You don’t have to say it back,” Elliott said, quietly. “I mean, it’d be nice, b-but-”
“How do you know when you should?”
The trickster shrugged bashfully.
“Ah, I don’t know. You just…kind of know.”
“I don’t know if I’ve ever felt like that,” Octavio whispered, like he was lost in thought. “But, uh, I know that I like this. You and me. Is that…it?”
“I don’t know,” the trickster replied, his cheeks deepening a shade, while he rubbed at the back of his neck. “Maybe uh-”
“Would you be cool with it, if I maybe said it later?” Octavio asked, cutting him off. “After I’ve figured it out some more?”
Elliott swallowed thickly, butterflies taking flight in his stomach as he not-so-subtly tried to seem relaxed by leaning back against the kitchen counter.
“Y-yeah!” I mean, sure. Whatever. I’m cool with anything. You know me. Just a ‘go with the glow’ kinda guy. Is that what they say? Well it’s what I say.”
“Awesome,” Octavio said, deciding to not tease him this time, instead offering him a lopsided grin. “So, are we gonna make this popcorn, or what?”