Carve your name into my arm; instead of stressed I lie here charmed

[near_your_enemy]

Ages pass. People come and go like they always do.

N is older, his hair longer, the curls brushing against his shoulders. He was gangly- though always hunched over, so it was hard to tell- and thinner

Comments

[coordinated_n]

Near is older, too. Near is also less sentimental than he used to be, and very busy with work, so they don't see each other as often as they might have imagined, when they left together.

But, cases end, and to N's home he goes, like always.

He watches him from the doorway.

[near_your_enemy]

He glances up at the (familiar, too familiar) face and hides a smile, crunching on another animal cracker.

"That one took awhile."

[coordinated_n]

"You were right. It was the mother in law."

He leans against the door frame, not bothering to pretend he isn't bone deep tired.

[near_your_enemy]

"Told you."

N takes another bite, not acting overly happy to see him.

[coordinated_n]

He doesn't care. He slides through the kitchen, quiet as a ghost, till he's right behind N.

"It got messy."

[near_your_enemy]

"They usually do."

He's exuding boredom.

[coordinated_n]

Near rests his chin on N's shoulder for a moment, and sighs.

There. He's home.

"And your work?"

[near_your_enemy]

"You walked through an archway when you entered the door."

N lets him with no complaint. "New. A miniature for the entrance of a new insurance building across the state."

[coordinated_n]

"Do you have a maquette of the building I can feel?"

He takes a deep breath, and straightens.

[near_your_enemy]

"As always."

N slips away to reach into one of his little project cupboards, pulling out the miniature of the building with an (even smaller) miniature arch in front of it. He clicks his tongue to draw Near closer and sets it on the table for him.

[coordinated_n]

Near follows him, slipping his hands along the table until they reach the edge of the thing. He starts from the ground up, as though his fingers are people, or water, slipping and surging into the space, exploring every angle and archway.

"Is that the glass detailing I liked? From the Bangkok tower?"

[near_your_enemy]

"Mmhm."

He wraps his arms around Near's middle from behind.

"They're going to love it."

[coordinated_n]

"It feels... elegant. And inspired, N, really it does."

He leans back against him, hands resting on the little rooftop.

[near_your_enemy]

"It's boring."

[coordinated_n]

"You're a nitwit."

The jibe is affectionate. Routine.

[near_your_enemy]

"You're a bastard."

It's easy enough to fall back into old habits.