“That was an invitation,” Simon says. “But if you want to go home tomorrow, I won’t be insulted.” That’s probably a lie. Simon will be insulted. But he isn’t going to throw a fit about a person needing space or wanting to be in their own home.Simonwants to go home.
“I’ll switch my ticket. Send me the details for when you’re leaving, and I’ll get on your flight.”
In case he hasn’t made things abundantly clear, Simon kisses him.
Interstitial
From anOut Therefan Discord
SimonDevereauxsCheekbones:BIG DAY FOR SPACE BOYFRIEND TRUTHERS!!!!!
DeathStarJacuzzi:Congrats @SimonDevereauxsCheekbones, long-awaited, well-deserved.
SimonDevereauxsCheekbones:I think this is how my mom felt when I got married. I’m so proud of them!!
SpacePope:first, can we stipulate that speculating about celebrities who are literally on a stage in front of cameras is maybe not as tacky as speculating about what was going on in a paparazzi photo??
GalactoseIntolerance:I just don’t think it’s reasonable to look at any of this—the TikTok, the restaurant photo, the thing at upfronts—and say hey, nothing to see here. Like, if I saw any two human beings acting like that, I’d assume they were together.
SpacePope: for real, I’ve been to weddings where the couple was less handsy than those two
HowlsMovingSpaceship:okay, sure, but why does it even matter??
SpacePope:HMS, I love you with my whole heart, but if you don’t understand being overinvested in the lives of celebrities, then that’s on you
HowlsMovingSpaceship:okay, okay, honestly I’m only here to talk about the show but carry on you total weirdos♥
DeathStarJacuzzi:Obligatory mention that Simon’s wearing a leaf green linen suit from Percival. I think Charlie’s wearing a Ralph Lauren Purple Label sweater in a blue cashmere linen blend, which makes this the first time we’ve seen him at one of these things looking like he didn’t just step out of Men’s Wearhouse.
SupervillainApologist:the way Charlie keeps touching Simon’s back in every picture is killing me. The way Simon keeps looking at Charlie like he’s a walking miracle is killing me even more. What the fuck. This is not allowed.
HowlsMovingSpaceship:This is off brand for me, but something SupervillainApologist said reminded me of when we were all losing it over how Jonathan Hale kept looking at Luke West at the end of the Season 4 finale rescue mission. For your consideration:
[image fromOut Thereof Jonathan Hale gazing adoringly at Luke West side by side with a photograph of Simon Devereaux gazing identically at Charlie Blake]
GalactoseIntolerance:I am UNWELL
SpacePope:I am IN MY GRAVE
SimonDevereauxsCheekbones:I am UPDATING THE RED TAPE CONSPIRACY WALL
Chapter Twenty-Three
“What is this?” Simon asks after five consecutive days of Charlie dressing like a civilized member of society and not an extra in a dystopian drama. “That has a collar.”
Charlie looks down at his shirt, like he needs to refresh his memory even though he put it on four seconds ago. “You don’t like it?”
“I like it a lot. But I’m used to seeing you in—” Simon decidesragsmight be a tad judgmental. “Other things,” he decides on.
“You always look,” Charlie says, and now it’s Simon’s turn to glance stupidly down at his own clothes. He’s wearing black jeans, a black T-shirt, and a fuzzy gray cardigan. It’s not his best effort. “Nice.”
“I look nice,” Simon repeats.
“I didn’t want to look... not nice.”
“You mean, if another creep takes our picture.”
“No, I just. Like. Maybe wanted to make sure you knew...” He trails off and goes silent long enough that Simon gives up all hope of that sentence ever developing another clause.
