Page 112 of Make the Play
however today is not that day
ready?
Jason doesn’t wait for Emerson’s answer, shooting off the joke before he can reply.
Jason
why do hobbits laugh when they run?
Emerson
I have no idea. Why?
Jason
because the grass tickles their balls
Emerson snorts. The joke is so bad it’s almost funny. Even better than the joke is that Emerson can easily picture Jason’s face after sending it. He’s probably so proud of himself that his face is split wide in a smile, those familiar wrinkles at the corners of his eyes deepening. Emerson can almost hear Jason’s booming laughter, and it makes him smile more than the actual joke had.
Ever since they finished listening to the audiobook ofThe Return of the Kinglast month, Jason’s been making even more bad Lord of the Rings jokes than usual. It’s horrible and also absolutely wonderful.
Jason
did you laugh
you laughed right?
Emerson
I laughed a little bit. I don’t think hobbits are quite that short though. According to Tolkien they’re around two and half to three and half feet, roughly. Plus they wear pants so the grass wouldn’t touch their genitals.
Jason
its still funny
because balls
Emerson laughs this time, not because of the joke but because of Jason’s response. While Emerson might not personally understand that kind humor he appreciates Jason’s horrible jokes because of how much they amuse his boyfriend. He also appreciates that in between endless jokes he hears from his students and football players, Jason always peppers in nerdy jokes for Emerson’s benefit.
Thinking about Jason makes Emerson’s chest flutter. It’s been almost eight months since their first date. Eight of the best months of Emerson’s entire life. In that time, he’s come to find out that home is indeed a person and his is Jason. He also moved out of his tiny apartment and into Jason’s house six weeks ago, a change which has been surprisingly easy to adjust to given that by their third date they were all but living together already. Or at least Emerson was half-living with Jason, spending most weekends there and slowly acquiring spaces in Jason’s home, from the reading nest Jason made for Emerson in his office to the bookshelf he built in the living room just for Emerson’s books and even his LEGO. Eventually Jason pointed out paying rent on his apartment was pointless since almost all of his stuff had migrated to Jason’s house already. So, breaking the lease and making it official was easy.
Waking up to Jason every morning is the best thing that’s ever happened to Emerson, even if Jason is far too happy at six am, and he hums loudly while making coffee.
Jason King is the single greatest thing in Emerson’s life, and the urge to text him and tell him so is staggering. Somehow, Jason never has any idea how remarkable he is, shrugging off compliments with a laugh and a smile as if it's nothing, when he is in facteverything.
“Mr. Miller.”
Realizing he’s zoned out entirely, Emerson plasters on what he hopes passes for a smile while discreetly hiding his phone in his desk drawer.
Sitting up straighter, he takes in the student standing in front of him, not at all surprised to find him there. Of all the kids who use his study hall, Arlo Rosales is the one most likely to come to him for help.
“Hey, Arlo. Did you need some help with that history report you’re working on?” Emerson asks, always happy to help with any subject the students need, even when it’s not his own.
Arlo shakes his head, dark hair falling into his eyes. He has his arms behind his back, and his body shakes with the force of his foot tapping.
“Everything okay?” Emerson questions.
Arlo nods, glancing at the open door before locking his gaze on Emerson.
