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[threedontknows]

 

[Voice - Video - Action]

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[creeksidealtarboy]

"It's like - hm. So I'm American. America is the country I'm from, so...American. And there's this whole big thing that you can work to achieve the American dream. Like - if you work really hard at your job, you'll be real successful and have a perfect family with kids and all that."

[threedontknows]

"Is that just everyone's dream? Most people's?" Success and a perfect family and happiness? He doesn't quite understand what makes it American, but he's willing to go with it for now.

"The book sounds fun though."

[creeksidealtarboy]

"Eh, it's more like....that's where you can find it. You come to America from another place and you get the American dream because life in other places ain't that great. But uh - life ain't great anywhere."

He glances over his shoulder. "I'll find it for you. Hang on."

[threedontknows]

"You're not wrong." Huaisang nods, encouraging Aaron to find the book with an intrigued little nod. Now he has to read this book, just to find out what Aaron's talking about! Plus he likes the idea of failed dreams and love triangles in his novels.

[creeksidealtarboy]

Aaron stands up and walks past, brushing his hand along Huaisang's back as he does so. It takes him a couple of minutes, but he returns with the book.

[threedontknows]

Huaisang tries very hard to suppress a visible shudder as Aaron passes him by. He waits for him with the slightest of dreamy looks in his eyes, thinking about…

Well, thinking about him. He’s missed him.

When he returns and Huaisang smiles happily. “You found it!”

[creeksidealtarboy]

"Course I did. I knew where it was," he laughs. "The library is big, but it ain't that big. Don't start it now, though."

[threedontknows]

“I’m too impatient for that,” he huffs playfully. “But for you I’ll wait.”

[creeksidealtarboy]

He flushes a little and clears his throat. "Yeah, sure. If you want. Anyway, uh - thought maybe we could go out in a couple of days to the Enclosure. See some art."

[threedontknows]

He does want that, very much. "Like one of the museums you went to with your warden?"

[creeksidealtarboy]

"Exactly. He might - be around, though. But he knows we're - uh - we're together."

He says it carefully, cautious. Not for his own hesitation, but because of Huaisang's. He's watching him, watching his expression.

[threedontknows]

Huaisang's reaction is just a reaffirming nod and the same smile as before. Yes, they're together, of course they are.

"Did you tell him, or did he pry it out of you?" Wardens can be nosy like that.

[creeksidealtarboy]

"Nah, I told him." Eventually. It just took him a while.

[threedontknows]

That surprises him for a few reasons. He sits up a little straighter and tries to read Aaron’s gaze.

“When?”

[creeksidealtarboy]

"After I left your room. After we talked," he explains, little confused about the surprise.

[threedontknows]

He should have been able to guess; Aaron hadn't realized they'd even been together before he'd given him the bracelet -- or, as he'd come to understand, had been in complete denial.

Aaron must really care for his warden to have trusted him with that.

"Is he going to come with us when we go to the Enclosure, is that what you mean?"

[creeksidealtarboy]

"Can't get in without his key. But uh - I don't think he'll bother us inside," he assures him softly.

[threedontknows]

He breathes a sigh of relief; he really wasn't looking forward to being chaperoned. When they're alone they can be themselves -- that's what the two of them enjoyed about each other.

"That's good. I was hoping that'd be the case."

[creeksidealtarboy]

"Yeah, I ain't a baby. I don't need to be babysat." He smirks. "As long as I don't go out and slit someone's throat after."

[threedontknows]

"And you don't do that anymore." He looks up at him, smile very soft. At least he didn't try to hurt him, so he assumes he might be moving forward.

"Do you want to walk with me?"

[creeksidealtarboy]

"'course." He stands up, eager to follow wherever he wants. "Don't forget your book."

[threedontknows]

He picks up the book and tucks it easily into his sleeve, then takes his place by Aaron's side. "Where do your interests lie today? Art? Medicine? Folktales?"

[creeksidealtarboy]

Aaron eyes him a moment. "Art, I think," he finally decides, once he's had time to simply drink him in.

[threedontknows]

Huaisang's smitten gaze finally turns from Aaron's. He would have gone to any aisle just to spend a little more time with the man he's grown to adore, but art has always been one of his first obsessions.

"Ooh, yes, let's look at some art together."

He tugs on Aaron's arm gently and pulls him towards the robust art section of the library.

[creeksidealtarboy]

He brightens at the right choice and leans close, ushering him down a specific aisle. "Found some good ones here," he grins.