It's fine. I'm fine. [He says it quickly, glancing over to check to see if he's wandering back yet.] Seriously. It's not a big deal. I'm sure it'll... fade or something. If he finds out, he won't-- he won't get it. It'll make everything weird, won't it? He's my best mate. I'm not going to risk that for some stupid feeling that I shouldn't be feeling in the first place.
Nathan you're moving in with each other. You have to tell him. You can't just make yourself get over him. Not if you're.. [ she drops to a whisper. ] In love with him.
If he gets weird then that's his problem. But if he doesn't understand then maybe he's not the friend you thought he was.
Just... butt out of it. Please? [He doesn't say it to be mean, and honestly he's pleading with her a little. He knows she likes to fix things, likes to meddle. But she can't. Not with this.]
And to think when you met him you hated him. Nathan why are you moving in with him? Why are you doing this to yourself? Either you need to tell him, or you need to stop hanging around with him if you want to move past it. But pick one.
He needs a flatmate and I'm one of the only people in the world with enough patience to live with him. The rest is my business and no one else's, yeah?
You're lying, Nathan. I don't know if you're just lying to me or you're lying to yourself as well. For your sake I hope it's just me. And don't worry, I won't tell him. I won't. But you need to. Before he gets too tangled up with this bitch Sally. You really need to. If I'm losing my regular shag I'd prefer it to be to you than some cow.
[ And Lucy sees it, oh she sees it, and she's also reaching over and giving Nate's hand a discreet squeeze. She's there if he needs her. But she won't tell. ]
Yes we will. Right then, let's go walk around and pretend we know what we're talking about.
[Nathan takes them around to see more of the art pieces. As the crowd starts to thin out, Nate's professor comes over and tells him that he's free to go when he would like, congratulating him on a successful showing.
He turns to his two friends as the professor leaves.]
[ Matt throws his arm around Nate and grins, gripping him and batting his back. ] And this is one of the many reasons I love this man, Luce. And yes, drinks. Let's fucking celebrate.
[ Lucy looks over them and settles her gaze on Nathan ] Yeah well fuck knows why he loves you.
[Nate can't help but flush a little but he tries to keep it together, leading the three of them out to a bar nearby where they can have a few celebratory drinks.
Later the next week, Nate goes looking for Matt but can't find him in the halls or the bar so he heads to the practice rooms. It's nothing insanely important. He's just wanting to talk about a few things to plan for their move at the end of the term.
Or maybe he just wants an excuse to see Matt. Especially if it means he can hear him play. Which is probably why he stays quiet when he finds the right room, just lingering in the doorway, watching.]
When Nate hears Matt practise, it's usually on the crappy keyboard he's got at home, never on one of the proper pianos he wants to work on. Today though, he's managed to plan enough in advance to be able to rent one of the grand pianos, and so he's there now, sheets of music strewn atop it as he plays a particular piece. It's heavy and involved and he stops again and again only to start up once more.
This needs to be perfect. He has to have it perfect. But he's getting there, working hard and getting it as good as he can.
It's only by chance that he spots Nate in the doorway, and he stops playing as a flush rises to his cheeks. ]
What have I told you about creeping up on me. [ he says with a bashful little laugh. ]
![[personal profile]](https://www.dreamwidth.org/img/silk/identity/user.png){kind=small}
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If he gets weird then that's his problem. But if he doesn't understand then maybe he's not the friend you thought he was.
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I'll get it sorted on my own.
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Well you haven't sorted it though have you. What if he felt the same, what would you do then? [ Devils advocate up in here ]
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[ EYEBROWS.
No but really, Matt is pretty damn straight, she doesn't really think for a minute that he'd be up for it, but that's not the point is it. ]
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If you think I'm going to stand by and watch you let your heart be broken day after day then you're mistaken.
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It's just there. A pretty little fantasy that won't ever be. But he can't know, Luce. He can't.
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He's coming. Just-- I'll take care of it.
[By...never bringing it up]
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And right on cue, Matt appears with a glass in his hand and some food in the other. ]
These mini vol au vents are immense. What have I missed?
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We'll see.
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Yes we will. Right then, let's go walk around and pretend we know what we're talking about.
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He turns to his two friends as the professor leaves.]
Tell me you two want to get a stiff drink.
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And this is one of the many reasons I love this man, Luce. And yes, drinks. Let's fucking celebrate.
[ Lucy looks over them and settles her gaze on Nathan ] Yeah well fuck knows why he loves you.
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Later the next week, Nate goes looking for Matt but can't find him in the halls or the bar so he heads to the practice rooms. It's nothing insanely important. He's just wanting to talk about a few things to plan for their move at the end of the term.
Or maybe he just wants an excuse to see Matt. Especially if it means he can hear him play. Which is probably why he stays quiet when he finds the right room, just lingering in the doorway, watching.]
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When Nate hears Matt practise, it's usually on the crappy keyboard he's got at home, never on one of the proper pianos he wants to work on. Today though, he's managed to plan enough in advance to be able to rent one of the grand pianos, and so he's there now, sheets of music strewn atop it as he plays a particular piece. It's heavy and involved and he stops again and again only to start up once more.
This needs to be perfect. He has to have it perfect. But he's getting there, working hard and getting it as good as he can.
It's only by chance that he spots Nate in the doorway, and he stops playing as a flush rises to his cheeks. ]
What have I told you about creeping up on me. [ he says with a bashful little laugh. ]
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