Work Text:
Jeremy couldn’t focus. He was on vacation in Texas, but his mind lingered in New Jersey. He hadn’t left his hotel room all day, thinking about the last time he’d seen Michael.
He’d gone to Michael’s house the night before they left for Texas. The two boys had smoked some of Michael’s weed, and Michael had kissed Jeremy. They cuddled while they played video games and went to bed close to two in the morning. Jeremy woke up to his dad calling his phone to say they were leaving in an hour.
Jeremy checked his phone in the cheap hotel. The old cotton sheets wrinkled underneath him. He missed Michael.
Jeremy got up and walked over to his suitcase. He pulled out a familiar red hoodie and held it close to his chest. So… maybe Jeremy had taken Michael’s hoodie with him because he wanted something familiar, something comforting.
He slid the red fabric over his head and laid back on his bed, focusing on Michael’s scent and the memory of when their lips touched. He smiled. He was glad it was winter so he could wear the sweater.
Jeremy’s moment was broken by a knock on his room’s door. He turned to face the door.
“Yeah?” Jeremy called.
“Come on, Jeremy, we’re going sightseeing.” His dad called back. He groaned, wanting nothing more than to stay in his room, surrounded by Michael’s scent.
“Can’t we go tomorrow or something?” Jeremy whined, followed by a firm “no” from his father.
“It’s not that bad, Jeremy. We’re taking a car.” Jeremy’s face scrunched up into a pout. He still wasn’t keen on the idea of leaving his room, but by now he’d realized that if he didn’t go willingly, his father would drag him out by force.
“Fine, give me five minutes.” Jeremy called back. He waited until he heard footsteps moving away from the doorway, then he got up, stretching. He walked into the small bathroom in his room, sniffing his armpits. He winced and put on deodorant, making a mental note to shower when they got back.
He didn’t bother changing his clothes, instead settling for putting on jeans. He emerged from the bathroom, grabbing his little bag and phone. He walked out the door of his room and shut the door behind him.
He walked out to the lobby of the hotel, where his dad was waiting for him in a polo and jeans. Jeremy had to admit, his dad had improved himself a lot since the… incident. Jeremy shuddered and heard a faint echo of a voice in his head. It sounded like Keanu Reeves. He blocked it out and waved at his dad.
“Hey, dad.” He said, voice squeaky.
“Jeremy!” His dad called out. “Ready to go?”
Jeremy nodded, pushing his glasses back up onto his face. The two walked out to the Corvette his dad had bought last summer. Jeremy slid into the passenger seat while his father started the car from the driver’s seat.
On the drive, Jeremy was rather quiet. His dad turned on the radio, so quiet music accompanied them on their drive through Dallas. Jeremy couldn’t think about anything but Michael and how happy Jeremy would be to see him when they got back next week. At that thought, Jeremy nearly groaned. He didn’t want to be separated from Michael for a whole week.
Jeremy’s dad stopped the car in front of a museum - the famous Dallas Museum of Art. Jeremy sighed. He knew that the day would be filled with meaningless museums and ridiculous tourist attractions.
Upon entry, Jeremy couldn’t deny that the place was actually quite nice. He found himself wanting to look around at the various different artworks that lined the walls. He liked the different mediums.
Every so often, he would see paintings that reminded him of Michael, clay figures that seemed like something the dark-haired boy would have in his room. Jeremy smiled every time he saw something like that. It made him feel like Michael was there with him in some way.
After the art museum, Jeremy and his dad decided to walk around the Bishop Arts District for a bit. For lunch, they got good burgers at a retro diner, but the decor reminded Jeremy of his best friend. He could imagine Michael visiting a restaurant like this one, or even running it.
They got back in the Corvette and drove to the Dallas World Aquarium. Jeremy really liked this part; he loved fish and other underwater animals. His favorite part was the shark tunnel, of course. He grinned the whole time, watching the sharks swim overhead and all around them. Michael would have loved it. Jeremy sighed at the thought of walking through the tunnel with Michael, holding hands as they watched the sharks.
They stopped at the gift shop on their way out - Jeremy got Michael a shark plush that matched the one he got for himself.
Jeremy’s dad stopped at a gas station to fill up the tank, then they went to Medieval Times Texas for dinner. Jeremy couldn’t take his eyes off the knights battling on stage, and he decided to give the crown he got to Michael when they got back.
At the end of the day, the two went to Reunion Tower to look out at the city. Jeremy couldn’t believe how many tall buildings there were around, how many lights illuminated the city around them. The view made him feel inferior in the same sense that it made him feel protected - not bad, not good, just… different.
As Jeremy looked out at the view surrounding him, he felt a vibration in his pocket - his phone. He’d forgotten about it during the day’s sightseeing. He unlocked it to see a message. His heart raced. It was from Michael.
Jeremy made up some lie about having to use the bathroom and excused himself. He walked back into the tower from the balcony. Ducking into the nearest bathroom, Jeremy locked himself in a stall and opened the message from Michael.
how’s vacation? i miss you :(
Jeremy read the message over and over again, pulse pounding underneath his skin. His hands shook slightly as he messaged back.
I miss you too <3, then It’s pretty cool. Wish you were here with me, though
Jeremy returned to the balcony rooftop with his dad and looked out at the lights from the towers surrounding them. Suddenly, the intimidation was all gone, replaced entirely by awe. He snapped a picture of the view and sent it to Michael, followed by a picture of himself waving awkwardly to the camera.
As he was awaiting a response, his father announced that they were going back to the hotel. The two took the elevator back down the tower and slid into the car.
On the way back to the hotel, Michael’s response came.
so that’s where my hoodie went!
Jeremy giggled to himself.
Maybe… ;)
The two teenagers conversed as Jeremy’s dad drove back to the hotel. By the time they arrived, Michael had fallen asleep. Jeremy smiled - they’d been on video call, and Jeremy could hear Michael’s soft snores, see his face, peaceful in sleep.
Jeremy immediately headed back to his hotel room and changed clothes - boxers and Michael’s hoodie - before laying down atop the cheap sheets.
The conversation sat fresh in Jeremy’s mind as he drifted off into pleasant dreams about Michael, and suddenly he couldn’t wait for tomorrow.