mutatis mutandis

[newmutant]

defendir‌:

central park   —   of course he mentions central park. it’s beautiful this time of year, autumn-brown leaves drifting down from the trees and dusting the path. he types out a message three times and erases it. peter doesn’t want to shoot him down or give him the impression that this is just some game, but meeting him… what if it all goes wrong? what if peter’s not what he’s expecting? 

sms: you want to come see me?  sms: aren’t you nervous?  sms: what if i’m different in real life and this is all ruined? 

truth be told, johnny’s not sure he wants to meet. part of it all feels too good to be true. somebody so close, just his type, it all feels like a set-up. like someone’s trying to out the local ladies man. and that’s the suspicion he carries -- equally enjoying the anonymity, but always worried that it’s only one sided. like whoever is on the other end of the phone knows exactly what they’re doing.

sms: both. sms: you’re right. you’ve never even seen my abs... sms: maybe we should start with names. sms: hey. i’m johnny. sms: i live in manhattan my sister and her husband. i like long walks on the beach, pink lemonade, and my steaks medium rare.

[newmutant]

defendir‌:

peter bounces his leg and breathes in the night air, weighing his options   —   if he asks for a face or a name, the illusion is shattered. they can’t float in this gentleness, in the warm unknown. peter thinks he’ll stick to just an online handle for a little while longer. besides, then he doesn’t have to send anything back. 

sms: location.  sms: pretty please, my sweet friend, what part of the city are you in? sms: i’m in queens. sms: don’t go stalking me now. ;)

location’s the right choice, of course. with that, it’s easy enough to figure out the other two. but instead of prying deeper, he gets the option to give a much more vague answer. johnny grins. keeping the mystery up, it seems.

sms: manhattan. sms: i can see central park if i look out my window. sms: my view’s not always this good, though. i’m babysitting my nephew.

of course, his regular view is just the next apartment over and it overlooks the city, not the park. 

sms: we’re not that far away from each other, you know sms: i could learn how to take a train to come see you :P

[newmutant]

defendir‌:

the response comes as swiftly as his next breath and knowing someone aches to talk to you, that they’ll answer you in the dead of night   —   there’s no greater feeling. a part of him wants to ask to meet, to drop the veil and expose themselves, but there’s comfort in the anonymity. he can say anything.

sms: i don’t know where you live. sms: or what you look like. sms: …or your name. sms: you probably have a cool name. like ryder or something. sms: my badass. <3

he smiles at his phone, setting it down to finish up a few thoughtful chews of the apple. tempting. he sets it down, wipes his hand on his jeans, and pushes the barstool back. 

sms: i’ll give you one of the three. sms: face, location, or name. sms: but only if you ask nice, tiger.

even if he isn’t sure that he’s going to follow through on it, the question’s a fun one to pose. especially because there’s an obvious answer, and he’s never been good at multiple choice.

[newmutant]

spideirs‌:

the skies are clear tonight.     a boy sits on the edge of a roof.     he’s enthralled by the stars as they blink at each other,   competing in a game of who can shine the brightest.     he’s had this view for months but somehow,  with him in his hands,  everything is prettier.     peter glances down at his phone and begins typing a message.

sms: do you ever feel lonely? 

babysitting duty. middle of the night, franklin’s already asleep with a carton of chocolate milk in his lap. rather than carry him up to bed, johnny retreats to the kitchen. apple in his mouth half-bitten when he gets the text. squints. smiles.

sms: no, never. sms: ok. maybe sometimes. sms: actually, lonely right now.

he pauses to take the first bite of the golden apple.

sms: this a booty call? ;)