Open Something Inevitable

[Kasim Safir]

Open after Kiersten posts with @Michael Newton

For once, Kas was looking forward to the holidays. Ever since he'd done the stupidest thing in existence and kissed Eric he'd been doing his best impression of a demiguise and making himself scarce. It had worked so far, but Kas knew it wouldn't fly when it came to the Yule Ball. He already felt terrible enough, if he skipped out on Michael for this, then his boyfriend would surely know something was off. Which is how Kas found himself standing awkwardly in the hall, shirt collar feeling too tight as he tried to pretend he wasn't sweating bullets.

Ever since he'd even thought about kissing Eric, Kas had been waiting for Michael to just somehow psychically know. And now that he actually had, Kas couldn't dismiss the roiling feeling in his gut that any second now the other shoe was going to drop and he would have succeeded in finally ruining everything he touched. And while that would bring a certain sense of grim satisfaction of the 'I told you so' variety, it did make it rather hard to try and be in the festive spirit.

 

[Michael Newton]

Michael had toned down his usual antics for the Yule Ball and went with a florescent jacket to complete his look. He figured Kas would appreciate it, but then again, he figured his boyfriend would care about him not whatever he wore, especially after dressing up like a bunny for Halloween. Michael saw Kas nearby and made his way up, quickly surprise kissing him on the cheek. "Hellllo," Michael greeted the Hufflepuff. "You look really nice this evening," he continued, running his fingers through a few curls that had fallen in front of his face. He hadn't used too much gel tonight as was instantly regretting it. "You ready to party?" the Gryffindor added, doing a little jig.

 

[Kasim Safir]

Kas flinched when Michael kissed his cheek, hoping Michael thought his grimace was playful and not filled with the leaden feeling of guilt that was coiled in his gut. “Hey, yeah, thanks,” he said, trying to drum up some semblance of enthusiasm for Michael’s sake. “You know me, party machine,” Kas said wanly, sticking his hands in his pockets as he watched Michael’s little jig.

All he could think about was how quickly Michael would probably stop dancing if he knew what Kas had done the other day. Kas didn’t think he’d ever seen Michael upset about anything and just trying to envision it made his head hurt. “I might… Grab a drink first, though. Before we party,” he said, waggling a hand to a nearby snack table and slinking away quickly, unsure if Michael would follow or amuse himself while Kas tried to drown himself in the punch bowl.

 

[Michael Newton]

Michael could see that Kas obviously at his usual level of enthusiasm in terms of what Michael would consider an "appropriate party level," but nevertheless, he was ready to dance with his boyfriend. He'd really enjoyed dating Kas but always worried a little bit about being too much. Then again, that was just him, and if someone couldn't handle that, maybe they weren't the best fit for each other. But Kas seemed to handle it all pretty well. "Sure! Maybe there are some extra delicious snacks we can steal for the after-party," Michael laughed following Kas to the table as he scoured the treats. "What do you think? Chocolate or caramel?" he asked, holding up what looked to be some kind of candy.

 

[Kasim Safir]

Kas tried not to hunch his shoulders as Michael followed him over to the snack table, as if having them up around his ears would stop all the traitorous thoughts from leaking out somehow. "We throwing an after party now?" He asked instead, picking his way along the table so he could grab a cup of something, not really paying attention to what it was until he took a swig and grimaced. Pumpkin juice. Kas was all for doing things for the aesthetic but he always stood by pumpkin juice being a step too far.

"You could do both, you seem like a both kinda guy," Kas answered after a moment, realizing Michael had asked him a question and sighing. "You're going to get bored of me one day," he added abruptly, hiding behind taking a swig of drink, momentarily forgetting he hated it again and trying not to choke. Surely, Michael had to realize Kas' only really skill was messing up and providing pithy commentary. He couldn't parse out how someone who clearly just wanted to enjoy themselves liked spending time with someone as bitter as he was. Maybe he'd been doing Michael a favour by kissing Eric. "Sorry, no, ignore that, I'm being maudlin." Kas quickly went to take another drink, just barely stopping himself this time.