kernow | ➳ i am a ghost, just a mirage

[Enjolras's hair is still a little mussed up from sleep as he sits quietly at his kitchen table and nurses his coffee (a Nespresso, because he's that combination of wealthy and lazy). He cranes his neck far to the right until he hears a soft crack and sudden relief from the tension. He didn't sleep poorly per se, but just a little "off"; unused to another body beside his own in bed.

He's still trying to will the coffee into getting his brain ready for a conversation he feels woefully unprepared for when he hears a second pair of feet pad into his flat's living space.]

...Morning. Pods are in the box next to the machine, I wasn't--I didn't know when you'd be up. There's several types though, so whatever you're into.

[ He shouldn’t be surprised by the rather hesitant and stiff greeting. Alexandre- He was getting used to the name? It hurt less than conflating him with the man who died beside him in his nightmares. Grantaire couldn’t ever completely sever the connection but- he didn’t want that. He just wanted new memories to dream about. Was that so much to ask?

Easier, he supposes, to manage since E doesn’t remember the man he was. R envies the bliss it would bring sometimes. ]

Hi. [ He smiles a little too long at Enjolras’ bed head before he looks at the machine. ] Got it. I’m not particular. Milk in the fridge?

[Enjolras feels his stomach do a little jump at Remi's lazy smile; embarrassed at his own reaction, he buries his face into his cup before answering:]

Ah, yeah, should be on that first shelf; sugar's in the cupboard on the immediate right if you take it that way.

[He's only brought a person home to his own place once before and in the cold light of day, Enjolras remembers exactly why that is. He has no idea how to have this conversation, and any avoidant exit strategy is firmly in Remi's hands.]

Mmkay thanks. [ Grantaire turns to grab the green mug Enjolras set out for him, placing it on the platform, plugs in a pod, and presses the brew button. He yawns as he sits down across Enjolras, realizing his phone is in the bedroom. Enjolras’ bedroom. You know what, least he’s doing better than awkward boy. Positively relaxed in comparison. ]

Were you up long?

[Enjolras eyes follow Grantaire's...back, as he goes over to make his coffee, taking a long swig of coffee because he is incredibly chill right now, thank you very much.]

No, not too long. [He raises his ~~safety blanket~~ cup as evidence.] Only my second cup. You sleep all right...?

Second cup. [ He snorts and raises an eyebrow at him. ]

I slept great actually. I, uh— thanks for letting me sleep here. [ Okay see he’s not so perfect either so maybe he should stop teasing him mentally. But he won’t. ]

And everything.

...What. [He grips the cup tighter, already on the defensive.] It's how I wake up, it's a normal amount. [You know, because saying something automatically makes it true.]

Everything...? [He's not really sure what that exact expression on Remi's face means, but his wider meaning is clear enough; he can feel his own face heat again, and elects to just rip the bandaid off.] Yeah of course, where else would you sleep...though, we should. um. probably talk about that, shouldn't we?

What, talk about the coffee? [ R cocks his head with a smirk and he almost audibly laughs. ]

Oh! You mean that. Right, yeah. [ There’s a sputtering noise from the machine as the cup of coffee finishes brewing. ]

What do you wanna talk about? There’s a lot of options. Or do you want me to start? I'll throw you a rope to make up for that look on your face.

[Enjolras almost chucks his half-full cup at his head.] Be serious.

[Ball firmly in his court, Enjolras elects for the only course of action that makes any sense to him, given the circumstances.] Well...I like you. If that's not clear after...you know. I mean, you're infuriating and if you make one more joke about the coffee I may punt you off the balcony but...yes. I don't know how you feel, but if you're open to it I'd like to take you out for some cof--lunch, sometime.

I love that coffee is so firmly on your mind. [ Grantaire laughs as he teases mercilessly in light of the flush that comes to his cheeks long after the hot coffee left E’s lips. ]

I’d like that. A lot. [ The smile that sent them to Enjolras’ apartment last night is back, to replace the teasing one. R lifts his chin, innocently probing. ] What’re you doing today?

It's not, you just keep bringing it u-- [Nope, not going to end this on another fight. He presses his lips into a firm line and just takes a long sip, not breaking eye contact in a move that couldn't possibly be described as petty.]

Oh. Okay, well good. Great, actually. [Flush with a relief, E releases a breath he hadn't realized he was holding and a smile creeps over his face. He thinks back to his last two quasi-breakups and Courfeyrac's lectures on 'political activism not being a valid reason to rain check making time for your partner' and--] Nothing today really, mainly homework. You um...want to go today then?

Saves on travel time?

[ Truthfully, every time Enjolras uses his mouth to do something other than talk he just thinks about last night and God he was still impressed about how much that exceeded his expectations. Okay. Focus, Grantaire. He gets up to dress his coffee. ]

I’ve got nothing today. [ ....He was getting an A in Philosophy anyway. ] Breakfast, in that case?

[Enjolras half-rises with him, grabbing his non-coffee carrying wrist to get his attention then giving him quick peck on the lips because, well, he can.]

Breakfast works, let me go get dressed. [Because the long sleeve shirt and pants he had on were clearly just house clothes.] Ah, do you need to borrow a pair of anything or...?

Ah, no, but wait a sec. [ Grantaire pulls the front of Enjolras’ shirt back toward him as he turns away, and kisses him a little longer, smiling through it. Because he can. Still smiling, he sips his lighter-tinged coffee and walks toward the bedroom. ]

Right, all good now. I’ll go get my things on then.

➳ i am a ghost, just a mirage

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