When are you flying out?
Elliot knew he should ask Jackson before he jumped on a train, even if he was feeling strangely impulsive and had already started navigating through the screens of the ticket machine as they texted.
Elliot
I'm not.
His phone started ringing almost immediately.
“What do you mean you’re not?” Jackson’s face filled the screen. “Is it your ankle? I thought you were cleared?” He looked tired and sad but so fucking beautiful. Elliot’s heart ached; he hated to see him hurting. He needed to be there for him, to be there with him. He needed Jackson Jennings like he needed air.
Elliot chuckled nervously. “I’m not taking your spot, Jennings.”
“Don't be ridiculous, Ell. You have to.”
Drawing a deep breath, Elliot replied, “I'm not. I think I'm thinking more clearly than I have in years. It's you and me, Jennings. Either I’m on the start line next to you, or I'm not on it at all.”
"Elliot—"
"No, listen. I've thought it through, right? And I was wondering if it would be ok formetocomeoutandstaywithyou?” The words ran together as the nerves hit him full force.
“Sorry, say it again?” Jackson scrunched his nose. Christ, he was adorable.
He forced the words out clearly. “Could I come out and stay with you for a bit?”
Jackson was gaping at him.
“I don’t have to, it was just a thought. That I’d like to, you know, support you how you’ve supported me…”
Jackson was squinting at the screen now, as though he had no idea what Elliot was saying. “Elliot, that’s…”
“Romantic?”
Jackson sighed. “I was going to say stupid.”
“Why? I thought we said we'd try. Are you trying to get rid of me?”
“What? No!” Jackson exclaimed. “Why would you think that?”
“Because you thought I'd choose the Olympics over you? Because you're going through something and I’m making it allabout me? Because you don’t want to have to keep lying to your family? Honestly, Jackson, I can give you about a hundred reasons if you aren’t sure.”
Jackson sighed. “Owens, you'd better get on that train because I think we need to have a proper conversation.”
“But you're not breaking up with me?”
“No!” Jackson shouted.
“Are you sure? Because I’m pretty sure ‘we need to talk’ is what people say when they're breaking up with someone.”
“I’m not breaking up with you, Elliot. I fucking love you.”
Elliot froze. His eyes widened.
“Shit, sorry. I—Elliot, get on your damn train and I’ll pick you up at the station.”
Jackson ended the call.
Fortunately, his feet responded to Jackson’s orders, and he jogged down the platform onto the train, jumping on just before they shut the doors. Once he’d settled in his seat, he opened their text thread.
