"Who'd want to date your dumb ass?" Elliott teased, giving him a smirk. "Nah, but forreal? That'd be cool. He chill?"

As long as this dude wasn't a snob. Couldn't stand those.

"Nah. I think I'm just gonna show up. Stay for a bit for public appearance and then leave. I don't know anyone who'd wanna go with me," he said, kicking a stick in front of him.

is Martín del Mar a snob? arguments could be made for and against, but it's probably best for elliott to find out on his own. but that doesn't mean he can't give his friend a little request.

"he's pretty chill. be nice to him for me, will you?"

because them getting along would mean a lot to him, even if he doesn't express as much.

"aw, eli, i'd go with you."

he turns, feigning a pout.

"tell you what. i'll come find you and we can have one dance before you leave."

Elliott wanted to be a smartass again. It was his schtick, you know? But, he realized that this guy that Cian was with really seemed to be important to him. So, he kept his mouth shut, nodding instead.

"Alright. I'll be cool," he promised, giving him a genuine look that he was going to keep his word.

But back to being the classic Elliott.

"I call bull," he said with a laugh. However, he paused, looking at Cian for a moment before sighing. "Fine, fine. One dance. As long as you don't step on my feet." Eli smirked at him.

"thanks."

it's not like cian to be nervous especially when it comes to things like introducing his partner to a friend. but then again, when had he ever?

chuckling, cian peers over, playing cool before extending his foot out to step on elliott's foot.

"what are you gonna do if i do, hm?"

Elliott just grunted, letting a silence fall between them. Until Cian deliberately stepped on his foot.

"This."

He stepped closer and tried to grab his friend in a headlock, giving him a noogie before letting him go. He stuck his tongue out.

"You think we've cleared enough of the forest to call it quits?" he asked.

cian contemplates smacking elliott after freeing himself from the headlock, but he refrains, choosing to instead hold onto this for some later time.

"fuck you."

he sticks his tongue out as well.

"and yeah, let's go get some ice cream."