Work Text:
Scott was back in his hometown after a long week. He couldn’t wait to be alone in his flat. And to fix the issue with Kip. He missed him so much it started to affect his sleep. They hadn't talked since his birthday and Scott felt terribly guilty for that.
Now, he knew he didn’t react correctly. He was allowed to be scared but he shouldn't have dismissed his boyfriend that quickly.
After his run one day, he went to a bookstore and looked at the art books, hoping to find something for Kip. He finally decided to buy a book about modern art through the world. It was something Kip liked a lot and they had long debates about it since they met each other.
He also bought sunflowers, Kip's favourite and a little painting from his favourite painter. It was maybe a little too much but he didn’t really care, he figured that he owned Kip that, at least.
The day he wanted to go see Kip, he put on a nice outfit and started walking to the shop. He went inside and was disappointed to see that only Maria was here.
"Uh, hi?" he said, a bit unsure. "Is Kip here? I want to talk to him"
"I'm not sure he wants to talk to you" said Maria back, a little harshly.
"Please? I came to apologize."
"He's in the back" she sighed after a moment, probably seeing that he was sincere and wouldn't leave until he got to talk to Kip.
"Thank you so much." He said, honestly relieved.
He went to the back of the shop and saw Kip, who was doing some dishes. He came closer, not too close though, they wouldn't be able to touch even with outstretched arms.
Kip lifted his head when he heard the motion and looked taken aback for a few seconds before gaining composure again.
"Oh hi. I didn't expect you there. Are you sure no one saw you coming in, or do i need to be worried about you running away again?" he said, far more harshly than he would have wanted, but he was still hurt by what Scott did.
"No, uh…i came to apologize about that actually. And to maybe see if we can find a way to make our relationship work?"
Kip scoffed "how? I'm sorry but i can't do the private relationship thing forever. I know that you can't come out but i can't accept that either. So we're stuck."
"I know that and…i'm sorry. But how about we make compromises?"
Kip's interest seemed picked now, that was good.
"Uh i mean…if i accept to meet your friends and family and stuff, would you accept to not go public for now? It's just that…i really like you and i talked to a friend about it and-"
"You came out to someone?" interrupted Kip, surprised.
Scott nodded, "yeah, it helped me a lot actually, and he was the one to tell me about the fact that if i wanted to be with you, i'd have to get my shit together" he chuckled a bit. "He was very nice about it, and it made me understand that i had to stop being so damn scared."
"I really like you too" said Kip quietly.
"What?"
"Oh uh, earlier you said that you really like me, so i was just answering to that. And i think compromises would work. I don't need everyone to know about us anyway. Only the people i care about."
Scott nodded, he started to become a bit emotional. Kip must have seen that because he scrambled closer and put his hand on Scott's cheek, cupping it gently.
"I appreciate that you came back, really. And i think that it can work. However, i think i will need some time to, you know, thinking about it all" explained Kip, stroking Scott's cheek gently.
"Yeah, i completely get that. I'm sorry again for the way i treated you. You deserved better."
Kip hummed "yeah…i know. That's why i left, you know? Because i know that if i stayed even after you said no to meet my friends, i would have let everything else slide."
"About your birthday, by the way. I brought you some gifts, but you obviously don't have to open them now. Or even ever. That's really up to you." stated Scott, putting his bag on the floor.
"You have gifts?"
Scott nodded, "do you wanna see them?"
Kip smiled "yes absolutely."
Scott smiled back. It was so nice to talk to Kip again, he felt like he could breathe properly again.
"Okay so first i have this," he says, opening his bag and giving the sunflowers to Kip who took them in his hands, and put them close to his heart.
"They're so pretty, thank you"
Scott lifted his head, smiling at the sight of his boyfriend with the flowers.
"Can i take a picture of you? Like with the flowers. You look really handsome."
"I'm literally in work clothes Scott" huffed Kip, but Scott could hear the fondness in his voice.
Scott hummed before snapping a quick picture, "doesn't matter, you're dressed the same way than the first time i saw you, you're still as hot."
Kip shook his head, laughing. Scott could swear he was blushing too.
"Anyway, here's the next gift," he stated, giving Kip the book, wrapped in a deep green wrapping paper.
Kip put down the flowers to open the present and smiled when he saw the title.
"Our debates inspired you, i can see that."
"Well, i can't say you changed me into a big art nerd like you, but i do enjoy some topics now"
"Shut up, i'm not a nerd" scoffed Kip.
"You're absolutely are, i forgive you though."
"Can i kiss you?" asked Kip suddenly.
"Uh sure?" said Scott, but he had barely time to finish his sentence that Kip's lips came crashing into his.
Scott kissed back happily, then pulled away to look into Kip's eyes.
"I missed you so so much, and i'm sorry"
"I missed you too," answered Kip, without missing a beat, before kissing him again.
They stayed like that for a few minutes, hugging each other, Scott's head resting on Kip's shoulder, before Scott pulled away.
"I have a last gift for you." he said quietly.
"You do? Wow, i'm spoiled"
"Shut up, i panicked, okay?" Scott replied, rolling his eyes.
He gave him the small painting, holding it carefully so Kip could remove the wrapping paper without risking to break the fragile frame.
When he saw what it was, he let out a gasp of surprise. There was no way.
"Scott, that's…" he couldn't even find words. He had always dreamed of having a painting by this artist, and now he finally did. That was amazing.
Scott watched him with fondness, happy that his gift was well received.
"Can i take you home?" Kip asked bluntly, putting the painting on a table next to them, and then grabbing Scott's head to kiss him.
"Didn't you say you needed time?" laughed Scott.
"Fuck that" laughed Kip too, kissing him once again.
***
One year later, Scott would ask Kip to come on the rink after his victory, to kiss him in front of everyone. And the rest is history.