"Life isn't always easy for people, sometimes they have a right to be troubled." Axel shrugged, he couldn't even lie and pretend he had any sort of moral standing here. He was a drunk, he was into drugs and he was basically whoring himself out to buy good. As far as he knew, he was the kind of trouble mess Hartley pitied. Maybe it was wise to not tell him, keep him in the dark the best he could.
"I didn't really have plans set in stone but I thought we could hang out here for a little while. James' place is nice, it has heating and a TV. And maybe later if you want, I could take you to the library. All kinds of books there. You could find some science-y stuff to read."
He remembered how much Hartley liked books, half his room was books back at the Rathaway place.
"I know life isn't always easy. I can't solve every problem, but it's important to try. At least to fix some things a little, so we can one day get to the root of it all. But one thing after the other." Hartley smiled and he wished he would really know what this meant, him and Axel. They weren't really dating, he supposed. Or were they? "I'm not going to ignore you so I can read books. I just want to be with you. Hang."
"I don't really hang." Not a lie really, he didn't hang, he didn't have many friends and he'd certainly never had anything like this. He was on the verge of getting a boyfriend, that's what it felt like and oh man, he needed a manual or something, he was so going to fuck this up and that was the last thing he wanted to do. "James will go out soon so we could just chill on my bed, watch some TV, seem what happens." And most likely make out more.
"Excellent. But, fair warning, I'm going to kiss you again." Hartley grinned, kicking his feet a little as he leaned back in his seat. "I'm sorry I'm not some rich kid any more, but I guess I still have my looks." Seemed to get him pretty far. Hey, it wasn't as if he was over how gorgeous Axel was. "I'm going to earn some money doing tech support, then I can try to make it up to you and James. I don't need charity, I can take care of myself."
"This isn't charity, this is just people being people. I invited you over, we had breakfast. Don't overthink it, just stay chill. You owe me nothing but that pretty smile." And even then, he'd be just as into it if he frowned instead. He shrugged his shoulders, unsure what Hartley was expecting from him. Clearly he'd given some kind of dodgy vibe here. "I don't care you have no money either. I mean hey, look at me, I'm so broke it's not even funny. You don't need money, Hart. I like you cause you're you."
"I know you came to the party hoping to properly score and I guess I wasn't the best option in that regard. Honestly, I was never allowed money to just spend even before this mess. Else I might have been a better dresser." Hartley grinned and put his hand on top of Axel's, holding it loosely. "I didn't think and still don't, that you want my money. I mean, you can have all of my money now. Literally nothing."
"I was hoping some rich old closet case might pay me to fuck him or give me the perfect blackmail fodder I wasn't expecting it but a boy could dream. Instead, I got a handsome boy my own age." Axel kind of liked that option better. Less gross. His eyes moved to where Hartley's hand was on top of his own and he watched it for a few moments before he moved his hand along so their palms touched, gripping it hard. "I like how it worked out. I'm sorry you got screwed but otherwise? I like you. It's nice. No one has ever been like this with me."
"Your life's different from what I am used to. I get that and I still struggle to understand some things. But all I can say is that you've a beautiful smile and you're funny, you're a really good kisser and I... I'm so glad every time you touch me." And here they were, holding hands. "This is a much better option. I mean, I can't give you any money, but at least I'm not a closet case or old either."
"You're odd." Wait, did he say that out loud? Oh God. Why was he becoming such a dork around this kid? "Sorry, I'm sorry, that was stupid to say. I just mean that -- I don't know, I don't get you. I like that, I guess. You're different from the people I'm used to. It's kind of cool." Axel grinned and leaned in, pulling Hartley into a kiss because he couldn't help it. It was such fun to do. "I don't need any money, I've never had it, I don't need it now."
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"I didn't really have plans set in stone but I thought we could hang out here for a little while. James' place is nice, it has heating and a TV. And maybe later if you want, I could take you to the library. All kinds of books there. You could find some science-y stuff to read."
He remembered how much Hartley liked books, half his room was books back at the Rathaway place.
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