Page 98 of Under Construction

"We're on the phone, dumbass," Dennis says as flatly as he can.

"Yeah, but you're thinking about my cooties, youloooovemy cooties.”

Then Dennis is really laughing, bright and clear, trying to muffle it into his pillow even though the walls are soundproof.

Chris snickers on the other end, way too pleased about getting Dennis to break character.

"What are you doing?" Dennis asks, smile so wide his eyes crinkle at the corners.

Just hearing Chris's voice makes everything feel lighter. Better.

"Just missing you," Chris says, and Dennis’s heart grows wings and soars. "What are you wearing?"

Thathas both of them sniggering because boys will be boys.

“Why are you such a pervert?” Dennis groans, but fondly.

“Why are you so goddamn fuckable?” Comes straight back.

"Chriiiis," Dennis sighs, rolling his eyes, but his fingers play with the edge of the duvet, wishing they were running through Chris's hair instead.

"Sorry, sweetness,” says Chris, not sounding very sorry at all.

"Don't call me that."

“Okay, honey. Better?”

"Yeaaah..." Dennis drawls, like he's settling for second-best but can't be bothered to argue.

They dissolve into fresh laughter, losing it until Chris gasps out, "Fuck, I can't breathe—"

"Serves you right," Dennis manages between wheezes.

"My six-pack's turning into a twelve-pack from laughing at your dumb ass."

"Your fat ego's the only thing that needs a workout," Dennis snorts, face buried in his pillow.

They talk about nothing and laugh about everything.

The conversation flows easily.

Dennis can't believe how natural it feels, this back-and-forth. Maybe they started out a little lame and cringey, but… are they actuallyflirting?

Although Dennis badly wants to see Chris, touch Chris—neither suggests anything more intimate. No video calls or racy pictures.

Maybe because Dennis feels strange doing such things in this room that's never felt like his.

Maybe, he hopes, because Chris prefers having him in person.

Every time there’s a pause, or Chris takes a deep breath, or says "Well..." Dennis tenses, waiting for the goodnight that never comes.

Instead, Chris launches into another story, another question, another stupid joke that shouldn't make Dennis smile this much.

The minutes turn into hours, then their voices grow softer, slower. Until Dennis is yawning, then slurring, then finally falling asleep to Chris's low laughter, phone dying under his cheek sometime before dawn.

29Revelations

Morning brings chaos.

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