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About an hour later he is standing behind the Snows' front door, miserable in his wet, heavy clothes. Sejanus sneezes just when Tigris pulls the door open.
”Sorry about that.”
”No need to apologize.” Normally he'd be using his own key, and normally Tigris wouldn't stand there like a gatekeeper.
”I'd like to talk to Coryo.”
Tensing a little she glances over her shoulder, towards the second floor.
”I figured out that much. He is in his bedroom.”
He had been looking forward to this Halloween, being so ready to forget all about his school stress, and wanting to have some harmless, fun scares, shivering so deliciously under his boyfriend's arm.
Coriolanus absolutely freaking out about five minutes into their haunted house date hadn't been a part of his plan.
They could have talked through that, but then he had been left alone on the parking lot, the heavy rain soaking through his clothes. Anxiety was clawing his throat, when he yelled, screamed one more time. Coryo.
Coriolanus can't stand losing his control in public, Sejanus has always known that. But they had been among perfect strangers, and he knows better than to suspect Sejanus of getting hurtful about something like that.
Still Sejanus hadn't given up. After a a few busy minutes with his phone he had started walking, clutching the iPhone in his icy hand like a lifeline.
”Just go in. I'm in the library if you happen to need me.”
She still doesn't trust Coriolanus with him, and is probably preparing to wipe his tears.
Sejanus walks up the familiar stairs, wondering if he'd ever be invited back to this house.
”I said I don't want tea.” That's the answer to him knocking the door.
”It's me.”
Silence stretches uncomfortably, and when he is about to turn around, wondering if he could have a hot drink and warm a little before calling a cab, the door is opened.
”Come inside.”
Coriolanus forgets his own feelings. Just like usually he is reacting to Sejanus' discomfort, pulling him into the room, and towards his personal bathroom.
”You need a warm shower.”
The button of his jeans is too much to his frozen, hurting fingers. Coriolanus doesn't watch him struggling with his clothes for long, but steps in Sejanus' space, helping him to undress.
When he returns from the bathroom, wearing Coriolanus' clothes, Coriolanus is sitting at his desk, face blank.
”You don't like Halloween”, Sejanus throws the words into the air, hoping for an explanation. He is feeling livelier, his body slowly forgetting the uncomfortable train trip and the walk on the wet, slippery streets.
”I don't like it coming to my skin”, the other boy explains, the words stiff on his lips, ”With little distance it's fine.”
”I didn't know.” He would have respected this boundary, and suggested something cozier if he had been made aware of the problem.
”Yo couldn't know, when I haven't told you.”
He had always been gone. Every Halloween there was a trip to see relatives, or school work, abandoning it even for a few hours an impossibility. Usually they had been doing the haunted house tour with their group of friends, but this year, on their first Halloween as a couple Sejanus had suggested checking out the new haunted house alone.
”I thought it could be fine. You were so excited.”
”You don't need to push yourself like that for me. I would have been fine with staying in, and watching movies.”
The haunted house date could have been amazing, but he is gone on this boy, and doesn't care too much what they are doing if it means a change to spend time with him.
”You are angry?”
Sejanus shrugs. Not really. He had been frustrated, and worried, but anger seems a bit too strong word. He wants an apology and a hug, but he is willing to leave this behind.
”I'm sorry for ditching you there especially in this weather. And I'm sorry for my shitty communication.”
Two apologies at once. Not many people would manage that with Coriolanus Snow.
”I accept your apology, but you won't leave me alone in the city at night again.”
”That's a promise.”
Coriolanus spreads his arms for that hug Sejanus is silently wanting. He sighs deeply in his lover's embrace, feeling fingers drawing lazy lines on his back.
”We could still have the Halloween date?”
”Okay...?”
About ten minutes later Coriolanus returns to the room, holding drinks, and a bowl of warm, buttery popcorn.
Nothing could make Sejanus happier than sharing a bubble of warmth with his boyfriend while the rain outside is making the world so cold and unkind.
They miss the last murder on the television screen, and the final girl finishing the bad guy with a hatchet, being too busy making out. They haven't gone all the way yet. Sometimes Sejanus thinks about it, the idea leaving him a little overwhelmed, but not unwilling.
Coriolanus lets their foreheads touch, and rests his hand on Sejanus' thigh.
”Do you want to touch?” Maybe he is a little insecure too. Almost everyone else would be fooled by the confidence, but Sejanus senses his tension, how he wants them to make each other feel good, and do it all right.
He is blushing at the tightness in his pants, being so helplessly aroused, but he wouldn't need to.
”Beautiful”, Coriolanus whispers, when they come in each other's hands, and rest together, breathing through the last, lingering shocks of pure pleasure.
Next morning he is nauseous, waking up sniffling miserably. His boyfriend puts his cool hand on Sejanus' forehead.
”You won't be getting out of bed today. I'll get you a pill, and something to drink. Do you want breakfast?”
He shudders at the idea of a breakfast, but appreciates the drink, and Coriolanus' soft care.
”I'll keep you company.”