#riotnix

[a-phoenix-must-burn]

@sgt-riot

Yo, you got a candle holder?

Uhhh. What kind of candle holder? I might have one at my apartment.

[a-phoenix-must-burn]

@sgt-riot

Going to see the lights was always one of Joey's favorite Christmas activities - it meant hot chocolate, popcorn, a childhood joy that could never be replicated. And he hasn't done it in... years.

He sees his family for the holiday and he goes back to work. The idea highlights a void in his stomach, a remnant of a happiness that once was. So when Phoenix asks him to go, Joey hesitates.

He dips his head to take the chain around his neck into his mouth.

"Nah, why don't we just stay in? We could... watch a movie." Right. Terrible alternative when they both know Joey won't be paying attention. "Or bake something?"

For years now, Phoenix has wanted to go see the Christmas lights to try and put some more cheer into the holiday for him, but just hasn’t been able to find the time to actually get off of base. This year, though, Phoenix has made sure to request time off in advance just so he could go see them. Only for Joey to try and pull this shit on him. Absolutely not.

“Joey, we stay inside all the time. Not to mention that you hate sitting through movies and we just made brownies yesterday. I wanna go see the lights.”

He crosses his arms over his chest as he looks at his boyfriend with a frown.

“This is my first time going. Like, ever. And I really want you there to share the moment with me, cause going alone would suck.”

[a-phoenix-must-burn]

Nicky - you know how to get off temporary tattoos?

@sgt-riot

Uhm. There are a few things I can try, yeah.

Why, what happened?

[a-phoenix-must-burn]

I started teaching myself to make rugs, you want one?

@sgt-riot

…rugs?

I mean, yeah, of course I want one! I can put it in my room that way I get to see it every day when I wake up.

[sgt-riot]

Joey I’m bored :(

Mm. You wanna do something? Or do you wanna stay in?

[a-phoenix-must-burn]

@sgt-riot

There appears a Riot holding a white plastic bag containing all of Phoenix's favorites. It gets set on his desk with a kiss to Phoenix's head, and then the cold bottle of root beer taken out to be set separately.

"You need anything? I was just gonna go to the gym but-"

Before Riot can finish his sentence, Phoenix is standing, pulling Riot over to be closer between Phoenix and the desk. Phoenix gives him a big kiss and throws his arms over Riot’s shoulders, holding him tightly.

“You’re literally the best,” he says, somehow managing to squeeze tighter.

It’s as if Riot knew that Phoenix needed a little pick me up and came at exactly the right time. Fucking magnificent, he is.