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Another quiet morning at the looking-glass graveyard; today, however, was quieter than usual. The still silence of the scenery was normal; the same still silence wasn’t normal for Gus’s companion. All morning he had been quiet, no quips, no insults, no one-liners, no jokes. Usually, while working on repairs and defenses for the graveyard, they would both talk endlessly, laughing and picking on each other. But today, anything Gus said was either met with silence or short, usually one-word answers. After a while, they both sit under one of the large statues for a well-deserved break.
“Hey Matt, what’s up with you?” Gus said, trying to be as casual as possible, knowing that Matt was less than keen about talking about his emotions. But Gus was determined to figure out what was wrong and help Matt.
“What do you mean?” Matt said quietly, refusing to make eye contact. He knew what this was about, but he was going to play dumb as long as he could.
“Dude, you’ve been quiet all day. Normally I can’t get you to shut up.” he laughed, trying to keep the mood light. Matt smiled.
“You’re one to talk, Porter,” Matt said with a slight shove. His smile faded as fast as it appeared; he sighed and took a breath. He hated talking about his feelings, but he knew Gus. He would pester him until he said what was wrong. It was as annoying as it was sweet.
“Augustus, why are you so nice to me? Like, I get it here; we’re both working together on something, so it’s best to try to get along, but at school and coming to my birthday….” he trailed off, his eyes staying as far from Gus as possible.
“Matt, am I not allowed to be nice to you? You’re my friend-”
“No. I mean, it’s really sweet what you’re trying to do. It really is. But, Augustus, you don’t want that, I promise. Plenty of people have made it very clear that I don’t deserve friends. I made that fact clear. I’m not a nice guy Gus; every time I’ve seen you, I’ve fucked something up or was mean to you or both. You have friends, Gus, good ones. You don’t want me as a friend. Some people, like you, are meant to be loved, and others, like me, are meant to be tolerated at best.” Matt was crying now; as much as he tried to hold it in, it was no use. Tears started running down his face. Gus was taken aback. He’s never seen Matt be this… honest. Without thinking, Gus took Matt’s hands in his.
“Matt, you aren’t as bad as you make yourself out to be. Yes, you haven’t been the nicest in the past, and you’ve made mistakes, but you’ve made up for those mistakes. Look at where we are and what we’re doing. This was all your idea! I don’t just tolerate you. Matt, I love hanging out with you. You’re one of the funniest witches I’ve ever met. You always find a way to make me laugh even when I’m feeling the worst I’ve ever felt. And even though you like to act like this tough, heartless asshole. You’re sweet in your own way.” Gus starts to blush and looks down.
“I can say something offhandedly, not even thinking, and months later, you’ll remember. I mean, Titan, until like a year into knowing you, I didn’t know that Tholomule was your last name,” Matt laughed, wiping his tears away and ignoring the heat spreading on his cheeks and ears and subconsciously putting his hand back in Gus’s.
“My point is that I really, really like hanging out with you. You’re one of my favorite people in the world. Please don’t say those awful things about yourself; they’re not true.”
“Okay, okay, you made your point, just please, no more. This is so sappy and sweet I think I’m gonna puke, “Matt said, giggling and fake gagging.
“There he is, there’s the Matt Tholomule I know and love!” at this moment, they both noticed they were still holding hands; panicked, they both put their hands in their pockets, looking away, their entire faces redder than apple blood. Gus looks over at the other boy, who was doing his best to look as far away from Gus as possible, and for the first time, Gus lets himself take a good look at him. He was small, but all that was hidden in an oversized hoodie that honestly made him look even smaller. Even with his small stature, he was strong. He was in the construction tract, after all. Gus moved on to his face. He had a soft round face, and though he wasn’t the most attractive boy in the world, he still had a nice face. Although he usually scowled or smirked, he looked cute when he smiled genuinely. Suddenly almost subconsciously, like his thoughts made his brain go on autopilot, Gus leaned in and gently kissed him on the cheek. Once he realized what he had done, he started spiraling, feeling his entire face getting hot,
“Oh, my Titan, I am so sorry. I don’t know why I did that; I don’t know what came over me-” Suddenly, Matt grabbed Gus’s face and kissed him. The move honestly caught them both off guard. The kiss, though it started clumsily, was short and sweet. Gus put his hands on top of Matt’s. Though the skin on the bottom of Matt’s hands was calloused from the labor of construction magic yet still somehow soft, the tops of his hands were completely smooth and soft. Gus’s hands were extremely soft all around from daily moisturizing and general care. The both of them could stay like that all day as time seemed to stand still. They parted before either of them let themselves melt into it; they both sat staring in awe for a moment.
“That’s one way to shut me up, so I’m guessing you like me too,” Gus said, a big stupid grin plastered on his face.
“Ugh, way to ruin the moment, Porter,” Matt said, shoving Gus. “Where’s your sense of romance Augustus.” Suddenly, Gus smirks and makes a spell circle. Matt instantly regrets what he said; he knows that face. What is Gus planning-. Flower petals started to fall around them; beautiful blooming vines swirled around the statue they were sitting under, a spotlight of sunshine on just them, replacing the gloomy fog of the graveyard.
“ Oh, fairest Matt Tholomule, ” he starts, gesturing dramatically on one knee and taking one of Matt’s hands, suddenly looking like a prince out of a storybook, crown and loose fitting blouse and all,
“Will you do me the greatest and most profound honor- ” Matt blushes and quickly starts waving the illusion away, everything disappearing in a puff of blue smoke.
“Titan, just do it normally, you weirdo!”
They both start laughing so hard that they fall over, fears of their feelings ruining the fun of their friendship disappearing in an instant.
“Okay.” he clears his throat and retakes both of Matt’s hands. “Matt Tholomule, Will you be my boyfriend?”
“I guess so, squirt,” he said, sticking his tongue out.
“Hey! One, I’ve been taller than you for what, a year now, and two, who’s ruining the moment now? Hmm, maybe I should take back that confession?” Gus said with a smirk.
“Wait… wait, no, I’m sorry,” Matt starts blabbering in a panic, ready to beg for forgiveness.
“Aww, what, do you loooove me or something?” Gus smirks, leaning into Matt.
“Fuck you.” Matt said, turning his head, failing to hide a smile.
“I love you too, Matty,” Gus said, giggling, pressing a kiss on Matt’s cheek.