icebear_cw (![[personal profile]](https://www.dreamwidth.org/img/silk/identity/user.png)
icebear_cw) wrote2008-02-20 01:52 am
icebear_cw) wrote2008-02-20 01:52 am
Fic: "Essay on how Missouri is good for relationships (sexual or otherwise)", pg-13
Title: Essay on how Missouri is good for relationships (sexual or otherwise)
Fandom: swimming
Rating: PG 13
Pairings: Larsen Jensen/Erik Vendt, appearances by Aaron Peirsol, Ryan Lochte, Ian Crocker andMooneyBrendan Hansen, Kate Ziegler and Natalie Coughlin
Summary: Larsen on the phone with Erik... during a meet. No one said it was a good idea.
Disclaimer: Not real, didn't happen.
Notes: It's been so long that I wrote anything in this fandom, I am so out of it. But I tried and I hope you like it![[livejournal.com profile]](https://www.dreamwidth.org/img/external/lj-userinfo.gif)
parka_girl. It was supposed to be a Christmas present but turned into a Birthday present now.
I have no idea where this came from and I am really sorry for the ending, it wasn't planned like that. It's just a lot of silly stuff I had in my head after the Missouri vids.
Whoops.
Larsen doesn’t really mind being used as some kind of lucky charm. He doesn’t mind being touched when they are at the same meet and he is present. He doesn’t mind the calls or texts shortly before races. It’s all a routine by now and even if he minded he would never say anything. It works and it makes Erik happy, so Larsen shuts up. This time though he is afraid that it might have worked a tad too well. That’s at least what the live results on the webpage indicate. With a huff and a little bit of morning moodiness left he grabs his cell and dials.
***
Ryan skips over one of the broken tiles on the pool deck and parks himself right next to Aaron. He just ended a round around the deck to catch up with people; this is after all one of the major meets of the still young season. For a few seconds he had even contemplated on joining Brendan and Mike playing Bean but then he remembered that it tends to get of hand and counting bruises is only that much fun.
So now he is sitting next to Aaron and tries to remember what he wanted to say just a few seconds ago. The sight of Erik hoping around with one leg in the pants and one leg out while he tries to keep his cell phone between ear and shoulder keeps distracting him.
Aaron just snorts slightly, shakes his head and goes back to playing with Crocker’s iPod. Ryan should have known that an iPod-occupied Aaron wouldn’t be a good conversation partner, especially not when it is Crocker’s he is messing around with. But right now he is too lazy and really too tired as well to searching for someone new to talk to. He hates being social to people he can’t stand and he has gone through everybody else on his earlier deck round. So he keeps him self parked and goes back to watching Erik, who in the seconds Ryan didn’t watch turned into the equivalent of a tomato. A tomato hoping around with its pants half on and half off.
“Dude… what is wrong with him?”
“Larsen.”
“Uh.. Huh?”
Aaron snorts again but puts the player away and looks at Ryan for the first time in days. And it figures that Ryan just became aware of this little bit of information. He is about to curse his brain for pushing him into multitasking again when it knows he is not capable of doing it when Erik almost crashing into one of the benches next to them has him focused on that topic again.
“Oh… Right. You weren’t there.”
“I wasn’t where?”
“For the aftermath of the ASCCs.”
“But I was. I mean I was there. So what exactly happened?”
“I am not sure I should tell you.”
“Oh come on Aaron. What? I mean I saw them looking and being all mushy and giggly. Is that it? Did they finally come to some senses and managed to click?”
Aaron is staring at Ryan, like he said something unbelievable. Ryan can see the switch being turned in Aaron’s head though; it’s like a light going on in the guys eyes. And he understands why some people think Aaron might be a bit of the less than intelligent site of the IQ scale. Even though he knows it’s not true and that Aaron has outsmarted him numerous times. Ryan personally thinks that Aaron is a very good actor and just loves to play with people and play people against each other. He suspects it’s one if Aaron’s favourite pastimes.
“Yeah. Kinda. Sorry, I was distracted, forgot you were there. Didn’t know you’d be interested in their epic story though.”
“You mean their epic idiocy? Man, I have been there all along. Just in the background. Larsen complaining in Melbourne. Erik getting jealous over Grant, talking Mike’s ear off which had Mike calling me and doing the same, because really I had to hear it all.”
Aaron laughs at that and Ryan has nothing else to do but to join him. It feels good; he misses this easy company they always seemed to have with each other. It had somehow vanished after Melbourne and he can’t even be mad about that, he would probably have done the same. It’s not like Aaron was any different towards him, just not that bouncy and flashy anymore. And Ryan never thought he would miss that. He does though.
“Yeah, okay. Mike told me he calls you with stuff like that.” Aaron shrugs but is still smiling, and still watching Erik who has at least managed to dress completely now.
“So Larsen huh?”
Aaron nods, fiddles with the cords of his sweater and just keeps on watching Erik with an amused expression.
“Yep. Larsen is some kind of lucky charm to him now. And I think Erik being a little fast in the 1500m free unsettled sheep.. uhm Larsen a bit. You know, lucky charm working too good and so on.”
“You are kidding right?”
“Not so much. I think Larsen is okay with being called or texted or touched before races as long as Erik doesn’t crash his times.” Aaron shrugs. “Or well, I think he wouldn’t mind Erik being faster then him. That’s not that. I just think he is playing a little with good old Mr. Vendt to get some benefits out of the guilt trip he is inflicting.”
“That’s mean.”
“That’s Larsen. And Erik would do…”
“Everything for him. Yes, I am aware of it.”
Ryan knows he has a tendency to interrupt people and end their sentences with Aaron that never had been a problem. Sure they aren’t best friends, never have been but there still was something that made it easy for them to talk and just get along. Discussing other people’s love lives and relationships had been a part of their conversations every since they met. Ryan toes the edges of one of tiles and thinks that it is a nice feeling to know that this is still there. He curses when his toe nail gets caught at the very edge he was playing with and tries to glare at Aaron when he snorts. An indignant squeak from besides them has them laughing out loud though.
They grin at each other and go back to watching Erik.
***
Erik should have known that it hadn’t been a good idea to keep his cell phone switched on. It never is when he came close to one of Larsen’s times. But it’s his own fault that he is caught up in this little game now. He could have refused to take the phone call and bear with the wrath of his boyfriend another time. But he just can’t not take any of his calls. It’s just not in him to not talk with Larsen, even if it is just to hear he was too fast. It is ridiculous how much he wants to hear Larsen’s voice, how much he actually doesn’t mind being called sappy by others or whipped or whatever else they can come up with to taunt him. He is all that. He is aware of it.
And he doesn’t care. At least not now. And sure as hell will have forgotten most of it later anyway. So why care and waste energy on unimportant things or things that are not Larsen or swimming?
He knows Larsen isn’t really angry at him. They would never have been friends in the first place if the concurrence was all that defined their relationship. It has never been like that. And things change so much during the last year it has been even more obvious that they both loved swimming and each other too much to actually be jealous or let envy take over.
Erik knows what Larsen is trying to do and he knows it will work. Like it works every time they have a discussion like this. Larsen will try to make Erik feel bad for using him as a lucky charm and for trying to mow down every record Larsen established in the time Erik was gone; and Erik will do everything to show Larsen just how sorry he actually is.
Erik has been on the phone for 15 minutes and he knows some of the guys are watching him.
Right now he is just grateful that no one can hear Larsen on the other side of that phone call. That might be a bit more embarrassing than he could deal with.
So far Larsen has managed to make him hop around on the pool deck with his pant half on while discussing their next meet up with his boyfriend, then Larsen managed to make Erik almost crash into a bench while randomly talking abut rimming, not to mention the way he blushed during half of the conversation.
And during all that Erik has actually been aware of Ryan plopping down next to Aaron, and really he had to fight hard not to grin like mad. Because those two? Are so oblivious even Mooney has caught on and that has to say a lot.
“Erik?”
And shit, zoning out on your boyfriend whilst he tries to have secret phone sex in public is never a good idea.
“Sorry Larjo. Just got a little distracted. I managed not to crash into the bench when you mentioned rimming but Ryan and Aaron are doing a good job of getting me all confused.”
“You are thinking about RyRy and Pinesol when I am talking sex to you? Kinky?”
****
Erik snorts into the phone and Larsen has to admit that this is a rather unsexy sound. There shouldn’t be any not sexy sounds coming from the man of his dreams and that’s exactly what he tells him. This just results in a combination of more snorts and full blown laughter.
And okay that Larsen can live with, because he actually kinda is in love with Erik’s laughter.
“Yes Larjo. Very kinky.”
“Okay. So they are being themselves again? The usual? With the lack of bouncing and being all giggly? Because that’s been missing since Melbourne.”
“Yes, all that. And I know, I have been there, too.”
“I tend to forget. Sometimes. That you are back.”
Larsen knows he sounds lame but he is sure Erik doesn’t mind. He randomly tells
Erik stuff like that and over the years both of them have gotten used to it. He just likes to say what’s on his mind and he likes that Erik will never hold him back.
“I know Larsen. But I am here. And I will stay; and that’s why those two are actually driving every one, including me, crazy with not noticing. Have we ever been this oblivious?”
Larsen thinks back to the talks he had with Ous and Klete, and yeah maybe they were. Back then. Even Grant had a good laugh over them.
“Uhm…”
“Okay, don’t answer that. But you know… I actually doubt we have ever been that… annoying.”
“Depends on the standpoint I guess.”
Larsen knows Erik is grinning, can imagine it being all spread out over his face.
“You are right. So still mad at me for misusing your lucky charm qualities? Again?”
This is so perfect that Larsen can’t let the opportunity for some good teasing go. Well he never can so he knows Erik won’t be too miffed about it.
“Yes. You just had top do that when I am not there huh?”
“Well, I still don’t know why you are not here. And you cannot possibly be saying that I should have swum slower just because you weren’t there. That’s insane Larjo.”
“Yes, I know. Would have been cool though. Could have hugged you right there in the pool.”
Larsen likes the laugh he gets out of that and doesn’t really care just how sappy he sounded jut now. It’s a phone call and only Erik will ever here him talking like that. And if he can make Erik laugh like that through being sappy he doesn’t have much of a problem with it.
He glances mournfully at his watch and sighs.
“Gotta go.”
“Uhuh… Thanks for calling Larjo. Even if it was just for yelling at me.”
“Any time. E.”
“Later babe.”
***
They are still watching Erik but Aaron picked up the iPod some minutes ago and is fiddling with it again. It makes Ryan curious because he knows that such devices carelessly left lying around are not safe from being fiddled with or from being manipulated to the sole purpose of annoying its owner.
So Aaron must have some plan concerning Crocker and his player. Ryan is just not sure if he wants to know and if he is willing to deal with the consequences of being Aaron’s partner in crime once he knows.
A shadow falls over them and for a second it seems like Aaron tries to hide the iPod but gives up the task when he sees that it is just Brendan. So now Ryan is sure that Aaron has planned something for Ian and his iPod.
“Hey Mooney.”
Brendan nods and smiles down at them. Not really a smile Ryan realises more a smirk with an evil gleam to it. Or something similar to it.
“Hi guys. I am on a mission and you are just the right targets right now.”
Oh oh. Aaron seems to think the same.
“Oh Oh. What mission Mooney?”
“Oh, Ian wants his iPod back and I am playing his minion today.”
“He promised you grilled burgers and his special sauce right?”
Brendan grins happily, nods, even bounces like a little kid and that makes Ryan grin, too. It’s just nice to see that some guys still know to appreciate the little things. Erik moans next to them. And stops when he becomes aware of several curious pairs of eyes focused on him. Even Natalie has stop arguing with Kate over the best way to pay Mike back for the cold water stunt he and Peter pulled the day before. They all stare at Erik.
And Erik just shrugs.
“What? Ian’s burger and special sauce are mean. Thinking about them makes me hungry.”
The little blush is kinda cute, Ryan can see what Larsen finds so adorable.
“Why exactly are you staring at me anyway?”
“I guess we all thought you were still on the phone.” Kate actually has a straight face while saying that, which cracks everyone else up. Natalie is hiding here face on Kate’s back while Brendan and Aaron are just bending over. Ryan tries not to giggle too much, because well he already is a dork and giggling like mad isn’t helping either.
Erik just looks at them and shakes his head, he is smiling though.
“You guys suck.”
“Oh I am pretty sure you know better how to do that.”
Kate is Ryan’s new hero. He tells her that much and earns a whack on the head from Erik, who in return gets pinched by Aaron.
Brendan is the one who breaks up the developing tag fight and goes back to staring pointedly at Aaron.
“What did you need again.”
“iPod. Now. Hand it over or let Ian keep yours as hostage.” Brendan nods in Ian’s direction and Ryan is amazed to see Aaron’s blue player dangling from a thing rope high above the edge of the warm down pool.
Ryan thinks he has never seen Aaron comply with anything that fast. It makes him giggle again, which sets of Natalie and Kate as well. They really have it going now and Erik just looks a tiny but afraid sitting between them.
****
Brendan is about to walk back to Ian but turns around again.
“Oh and Ian asked if you guys could do him a favour.”
Aaron looks over at Ian suspiciously only to see him smiling mischievously. That is never a good sign, because Ian actually is the poster boy for “calm waters are deep”. He never shows how much he actually knows and then gets out having his big revenge.
Aaron suddenly wishes he wouldn’t have gotten a hold of Ian’s player just because he knows nothing good can come out of the smile he is at the receiving end now.
“And that would be?”
Brendan grins and Aaron feels his stomach drop. Brendan leans close, so that only the few people around them can hear him, which is considerate and makes Aaron nervous all the more.
“Oh he asked if you and Ryan could maybe stop being oblivious shits. And if you two could maybe make up and be friends again because Melbourne has been and you two still act as if you don’t know what’s going on between you. He wants you to go back to where you were and maybe… and he emphasised this “maybe” somewhat strongly… and maybe get the fuck on with hooking up. He thinks yu are worse tha Erik and Larsen. And too be honest, I think so too. Seriously guys. At least get back to being friends.”
Brendan straightens back up, grins even more and trots back to Ian, kidnapped iPod in tow so to speak. He is followed by at least five pairs of staring eyes and as many open mouths.
Aaron only blinks not daring to look anywhere but Ian and the space between them.
***
Ryan chokes on his drink, squeezes the bottle too hard and half of his Gatorade shoot out to land on the tiles between him and Aaron.
“Well, I think you should practice the timing and aim of the shooting a bit. It went a bit wide and a bit fast don’t you think?”
Ryan rethinks Kate being his hero. He thinks he hates her now.
This time it’s Erik bending over clutching his sides and laughing until tears are running down his cheeks.
Fandom: swimming
Rating: PG 13
Pairings: Larsen Jensen/Erik Vendt, appearances by Aaron Peirsol, Ryan Lochte, Ian Crocker and
Summary: Larsen on the phone with Erik... during a meet. No one said it was a good idea.
Disclaimer: Not real, didn't happen.
Notes: It's been so long that I wrote anything in this fandom, I am so out of it. But I tried and I hope you like it
parka_girl. It was supposed to be a Christmas present but turned into a Birthday present now.I have no idea where this came from and I am really sorry for the ending, it wasn't planned like that. It's just a lot of silly stuff I had in my head after the Missouri vids.
Whoops.
Larsen doesn’t really mind being used as some kind of lucky charm. He doesn’t mind being touched when they are at the same meet and he is present. He doesn’t mind the calls or texts shortly before races. It’s all a routine by now and even if he minded he would never say anything. It works and it makes Erik happy, so Larsen shuts up. This time though he is afraid that it might have worked a tad too well. That’s at least what the live results on the webpage indicate. With a huff and a little bit of morning moodiness left he grabs his cell and dials.
***
Ryan skips over one of the broken tiles on the pool deck and parks himself right next to Aaron. He just ended a round around the deck to catch up with people; this is after all one of the major meets of the still young season. For a few seconds he had even contemplated on joining Brendan and Mike playing Bean but then he remembered that it tends to get of hand and counting bruises is only that much fun.
So now he is sitting next to Aaron and tries to remember what he wanted to say just a few seconds ago. The sight of Erik hoping around with one leg in the pants and one leg out while he tries to keep his cell phone between ear and shoulder keeps distracting him.
Aaron just snorts slightly, shakes his head and goes back to playing with Crocker’s iPod. Ryan should have known that an iPod-occupied Aaron wouldn’t be a good conversation partner, especially not when it is Crocker’s he is messing around with. But right now he is too lazy and really too tired as well to searching for someone new to talk to. He hates being social to people he can’t stand and he has gone through everybody else on his earlier deck round. So he keeps him self parked and goes back to watching Erik, who in the seconds Ryan didn’t watch turned into the equivalent of a tomato. A tomato hoping around with its pants half on and half off.
“Dude… what is wrong with him?”
“Larsen.”
“Uh.. Huh?”
Aaron snorts again but puts the player away and looks at Ryan for the first time in days. And it figures that Ryan just became aware of this little bit of information. He is about to curse his brain for pushing him into multitasking again when it knows he is not capable of doing it when Erik almost crashing into one of the benches next to them has him focused on that topic again.
“Oh… Right. You weren’t there.”
“I wasn’t where?”
“For the aftermath of the ASCCs.”
“But I was. I mean I was there. So what exactly happened?”
“I am not sure I should tell you.”
“Oh come on Aaron. What? I mean I saw them looking and being all mushy and giggly. Is that it? Did they finally come to some senses and managed to click?”
Aaron is staring at Ryan, like he said something unbelievable. Ryan can see the switch being turned in Aaron’s head though; it’s like a light going on in the guys eyes. And he understands why some people think Aaron might be a bit of the less than intelligent site of the IQ scale. Even though he knows it’s not true and that Aaron has outsmarted him numerous times. Ryan personally thinks that Aaron is a very good actor and just loves to play with people and play people against each other. He suspects it’s one if Aaron’s favourite pastimes.
“Yeah. Kinda. Sorry, I was distracted, forgot you were there. Didn’t know you’d be interested in their epic story though.”
“You mean their epic idiocy? Man, I have been there all along. Just in the background. Larsen complaining in Melbourne. Erik getting jealous over Grant, talking Mike’s ear off which had Mike calling me and doing the same, because really I had to hear it all.”
Aaron laughs at that and Ryan has nothing else to do but to join him. It feels good; he misses this easy company they always seemed to have with each other. It had somehow vanished after Melbourne and he can’t even be mad about that, he would probably have done the same. It’s not like Aaron was any different towards him, just not that bouncy and flashy anymore. And Ryan never thought he would miss that. He does though.
“Yeah, okay. Mike told me he calls you with stuff like that.” Aaron shrugs but is still smiling, and still watching Erik who has at least managed to dress completely now.
“So Larsen huh?”
Aaron nods, fiddles with the cords of his sweater and just keeps on watching Erik with an amused expression.
“Yep. Larsen is some kind of lucky charm to him now. And I think Erik being a little fast in the 1500m free unsettled sheep.. uhm Larsen a bit. You know, lucky charm working too good and so on.”
“You are kidding right?”
“Not so much. I think Larsen is okay with being called or texted or touched before races as long as Erik doesn’t crash his times.” Aaron shrugs. “Or well, I think he wouldn’t mind Erik being faster then him. That’s not that. I just think he is playing a little with good old Mr. Vendt to get some benefits out of the guilt trip he is inflicting.”
“That’s mean.”
“That’s Larsen. And Erik would do…”
“Everything for him. Yes, I am aware of it.”
Ryan knows he has a tendency to interrupt people and end their sentences with Aaron that never had been a problem. Sure they aren’t best friends, never have been but there still was something that made it easy for them to talk and just get along. Discussing other people’s love lives and relationships had been a part of their conversations every since they met. Ryan toes the edges of one of tiles and thinks that it is a nice feeling to know that this is still there. He curses when his toe nail gets caught at the very edge he was playing with and tries to glare at Aaron when he snorts. An indignant squeak from besides them has them laughing out loud though.
They grin at each other and go back to watching Erik.
***
Erik should have known that it hadn’t been a good idea to keep his cell phone switched on. It never is when he came close to one of Larsen’s times. But it’s his own fault that he is caught up in this little game now. He could have refused to take the phone call and bear with the wrath of his boyfriend another time. But he just can’t not take any of his calls. It’s just not in him to not talk with Larsen, even if it is just to hear he was too fast. It is ridiculous how much he wants to hear Larsen’s voice, how much he actually doesn’t mind being called sappy by others or whipped or whatever else they can come up with to taunt him. He is all that. He is aware of it.
And he doesn’t care. At least not now. And sure as hell will have forgotten most of it later anyway. So why care and waste energy on unimportant things or things that are not Larsen or swimming?
He knows Larsen isn’t really angry at him. They would never have been friends in the first place if the concurrence was all that defined their relationship. It has never been like that. And things change so much during the last year it has been even more obvious that they both loved swimming and each other too much to actually be jealous or let envy take over.
Erik knows what Larsen is trying to do and he knows it will work. Like it works every time they have a discussion like this. Larsen will try to make Erik feel bad for using him as a lucky charm and for trying to mow down every record Larsen established in the time Erik was gone; and Erik will do everything to show Larsen just how sorry he actually is.
Erik has been on the phone for 15 minutes and he knows some of the guys are watching him.
Right now he is just grateful that no one can hear Larsen on the other side of that phone call. That might be a bit more embarrassing than he could deal with.
So far Larsen has managed to make him hop around on the pool deck with his pant half on while discussing their next meet up with his boyfriend, then Larsen managed to make Erik almost crash into a bench while randomly talking abut rimming, not to mention the way he blushed during half of the conversation.
And during all that Erik has actually been aware of Ryan plopping down next to Aaron, and really he had to fight hard not to grin like mad. Because those two? Are so oblivious even Mooney has caught on and that has to say a lot.
“Erik?”
And shit, zoning out on your boyfriend whilst he tries to have secret phone sex in public is never a good idea.
“Sorry Larjo. Just got a little distracted. I managed not to crash into the bench when you mentioned rimming but Ryan and Aaron are doing a good job of getting me all confused.”
“You are thinking about RyRy and Pinesol when I am talking sex to you? Kinky?”
****
Erik snorts into the phone and Larsen has to admit that this is a rather unsexy sound. There shouldn’t be any not sexy sounds coming from the man of his dreams and that’s exactly what he tells him. This just results in a combination of more snorts and full blown laughter.
And okay that Larsen can live with, because he actually kinda is in love with Erik’s laughter.
“Yes Larjo. Very kinky.”
“Okay. So they are being themselves again? The usual? With the lack of bouncing and being all giggly? Because that’s been missing since Melbourne.”
“Yes, all that. And I know, I have been there, too.”
“I tend to forget. Sometimes. That you are back.”
Larsen knows he sounds lame but he is sure Erik doesn’t mind. He randomly tells
Erik stuff like that and over the years both of them have gotten used to it. He just likes to say what’s on his mind and he likes that Erik will never hold him back.
“I know Larsen. But I am here. And I will stay; and that’s why those two are actually driving every one, including me, crazy with not noticing. Have we ever been this oblivious?”
Larsen thinks back to the talks he had with Ous and Klete, and yeah maybe they were. Back then. Even Grant had a good laugh over them.
“Uhm…”
“Okay, don’t answer that. But you know… I actually doubt we have ever been that… annoying.”
“Depends on the standpoint I guess.”
Larsen knows Erik is grinning, can imagine it being all spread out over his face.
“You are right. So still mad at me for misusing your lucky charm qualities? Again?”
This is so perfect that Larsen can’t let the opportunity for some good teasing go. Well he never can so he knows Erik won’t be too miffed about it.
“Yes. You just had top do that when I am not there huh?”
“Well, I still don’t know why you are not here. And you cannot possibly be saying that I should have swum slower just because you weren’t there. That’s insane Larjo.”
“Yes, I know. Would have been cool though. Could have hugged you right there in the pool.”
Larsen likes the laugh he gets out of that and doesn’t really care just how sappy he sounded jut now. It’s a phone call and only Erik will ever here him talking like that. And if he can make Erik laugh like that through being sappy he doesn’t have much of a problem with it.
He glances mournfully at his watch and sighs.
“Gotta go.”
“Uhuh… Thanks for calling Larjo. Even if it was just for yelling at me.”
“Any time. E.”
“Later babe.”
***
They are still watching Erik but Aaron picked up the iPod some minutes ago and is fiddling with it again. It makes Ryan curious because he knows that such devices carelessly left lying around are not safe from being fiddled with or from being manipulated to the sole purpose of annoying its owner.
So Aaron must have some plan concerning Crocker and his player. Ryan is just not sure if he wants to know and if he is willing to deal with the consequences of being Aaron’s partner in crime once he knows.
A shadow falls over them and for a second it seems like Aaron tries to hide the iPod but gives up the task when he sees that it is just Brendan. So now Ryan is sure that Aaron has planned something for Ian and his iPod.
“Hey Mooney.”
Brendan nods and smiles down at them. Not really a smile Ryan realises more a smirk with an evil gleam to it. Or something similar to it.
“Hi guys. I am on a mission and you are just the right targets right now.”
Oh oh. Aaron seems to think the same.
“Oh Oh. What mission Mooney?”
“Oh, Ian wants his iPod back and I am playing his minion today.”
“He promised you grilled burgers and his special sauce right?”
Brendan grins happily, nods, even bounces like a little kid and that makes Ryan grin, too. It’s just nice to see that some guys still know to appreciate the little things. Erik moans next to them. And stops when he becomes aware of several curious pairs of eyes focused on him. Even Natalie has stop arguing with Kate over the best way to pay Mike back for the cold water stunt he and Peter pulled the day before. They all stare at Erik.
And Erik just shrugs.
“What? Ian’s burger and special sauce are mean. Thinking about them makes me hungry.”
The little blush is kinda cute, Ryan can see what Larsen finds so adorable.
“Why exactly are you staring at me anyway?”
“I guess we all thought you were still on the phone.” Kate actually has a straight face while saying that, which cracks everyone else up. Natalie is hiding here face on Kate’s back while Brendan and Aaron are just bending over. Ryan tries not to giggle too much, because well he already is a dork and giggling like mad isn’t helping either.
Erik just looks at them and shakes his head, he is smiling though.
“You guys suck.”
“Oh I am pretty sure you know better how to do that.”
Kate is Ryan’s new hero. He tells her that much and earns a whack on the head from Erik, who in return gets pinched by Aaron.
Brendan is the one who breaks up the developing tag fight and goes back to staring pointedly at Aaron.
“What did you need again.”
“iPod. Now. Hand it over or let Ian keep yours as hostage.” Brendan nods in Ian’s direction and Ryan is amazed to see Aaron’s blue player dangling from a thing rope high above the edge of the warm down pool.
Ryan thinks he has never seen Aaron comply with anything that fast. It makes him giggle again, which sets of Natalie and Kate as well. They really have it going now and Erik just looks a tiny but afraid sitting between them.
****
Brendan is about to walk back to Ian but turns around again.
“Oh and Ian asked if you guys could do him a favour.”
Aaron looks over at Ian suspiciously only to see him smiling mischievously. That is never a good sign, because Ian actually is the poster boy for “calm waters are deep”. He never shows how much he actually knows and then gets out having his big revenge.
Aaron suddenly wishes he wouldn’t have gotten a hold of Ian’s player just because he knows nothing good can come out of the smile he is at the receiving end now.
“And that would be?”
Brendan grins and Aaron feels his stomach drop. Brendan leans close, so that only the few people around them can hear him, which is considerate and makes Aaron nervous all the more.
“Oh he asked if you and Ryan could maybe stop being oblivious shits. And if you two could maybe make up and be friends again because Melbourne has been and you two still act as if you don’t know what’s going on between you. He wants you to go back to where you were and maybe… and he emphasised this “maybe” somewhat strongly… and maybe get the fuck on with hooking up. He thinks yu are worse tha Erik and Larsen. And too be honest, I think so too. Seriously guys. At least get back to being friends.”
Brendan straightens back up, grins even more and trots back to Ian, kidnapped iPod in tow so to speak. He is followed by at least five pairs of staring eyes and as many open mouths.
Aaron only blinks not daring to look anywhere but Ian and the space between them.
***
Ryan chokes on his drink, squeezes the bottle too hard and half of his Gatorade shoot out to land on the tiles between him and Aaron.
“Well, I think you should practice the timing and aim of the shooting a bit. It went a bit wide and a bit fast don’t you think?”
Ryan rethinks Kate being his hero. He thinks he hates her now.
This time it’s Erik bending over clutching his sides and laughing until tears are running down his cheeks.