fourty-two

                                    

                                          
    Type took care of the dinner party as Tharn worked everything out at work. 
                          
    They had planned on leaving the day after the party and staying at Type's father's resort until they found a house or apartment of their own, which wouldn't take long. They had already told Type's parents that they would be visiting for a bit, but had yet to tell them they were moving there.
                          
    They also hadn't told any of their friends that they were leaving yet. They figured after the dinner party, when everyone is relaxing, would be the best time for it.
                          
    The party was scheduled to start at 4 and it was already 2:30. Type was of course freaking out about things, but Tharn did his best to calm him, which consisted of some things that could have made them late if Type didn't set a timer. They did snooze the timer more than a few times, but they had gotten dressed in time to make it downstairs and greet the first guests. 
                          
    They didn't want to have a crazy big dinner party, so they held it in their backyard. It was big enough to get everything set up, and still have enough room for dancing.
                          
    "You did all of this?" Kla asked, with astonishment, as he looked around the backyard. 
                          
    Strings of lights were hung along the side of the fence and a few things of decorative flowers were scattered around the yard.
                          
    Type nodded with a smile, felling proud of himself. "Yeah. I've always wanted to work in the decorating industry, but no job ever seemed to work out. Don't even get me started on my last job."
                          
    "Haven't you been thinking about starting you own business, though?" Techno asked, wrapping his arm around Kla's waist.
                          
    Type nodded. "I have, but that's for another time. For now, I want you guys to enjoy the party. Go mingle and have fun." He laughed and pushed his best friend, and his boyfriend, toward everyone else. 
                          
    They obeyed and Type watched them walk away. He let out a sigh and looked around the backyard. His friends were scattered in a few different corners, chatting away and laughing. It was nice, but he had to admit that he didn't feel to bad about leaving. He had been gone for so long, and back for only a short time. He didn't have enough to enjoy it to the point he would miss it again. 
                          
    Tharn approached him from behind and wrapped his arms around his waist. He rested his chin on his shoulder and looked up at him. "You okay?"
                          
    Type smiled down at him and nodded. "Yeah. I actually feel really good." 
                          
    "Have you eaten anything yet?" Tharn lifted his head and walked around so he was standing in front of Type instead. 
                          
    "I did have a little bit. My nerves have kind of demolished my appetite, though. Have you?" He leaned forward, wrapping his arms around Tharn's waist and laying his head on his chest. 
                          
    "Not since breakfast. I was going to eat lunch, but then we got busy." Tharn smirked. Type didn't see it, but he knew Tharn well enough to know what face he was making. 
                          
    "You should go eat. I think I'm gonna go inside and help Pao with the rest of the food." He told him. 
                          
    Tharn nodded and grabbed Type's face with both of his hands, making him turn his head to him. He leaned down and kissed him softly on the nose. "Okay. Don't be long, though. I think some people have already had enough alcohol to make speeches." 
                          
    Type chuckled and nodded. "Okay." He kissed his husband on the cheek and walked inside to the kitchen, where Pao was finishing up on some of the desserts. 
                          
     "Is there anything that I can help with?" Type questioned, taking a seat in one of the stools at the counter. 
                          
    Pao smiled at him and shook her head. "I don't think so. I've got everything covered."
                          
    Type gave her a weak smile. "Could we maybe pretend there's something you need my help with? I'm kind of avoiding talking to everyone about things. Answering the same questions over and over can be tiring." 
                          
    Pao chuckled and nodded. "How about you help me clean up a bit." 
                          
    "Done." Type stood from his seat and grabbed a rag to start wiping off the counters. 
                          
    "You know, I'm really happy for you two. It's nice seeing Tharn smile all the time. It used to be a rarity, but now it's like he can't stop." Pao chuckled softly. "We have only you to thank."
                          
    Type smiled and looked down. "How long have you known Tharn?" 
                          
    "Around four years, I think. Why do you ask?" Pao stopped what she was doing and gave Type her full attention. 
                          
    "Did he ever talk about me?" 
                          
    Pao laughed and nodded her head. "Did her ever talk about you? When you first came back into town, he couldn't stop talking about you. You occupied his every being. That hasn't changed." 
                          
    "H-he couldn't?" Type was a bit surprised. 
                          
    Pao sighed and shook her head. "When I met Tharn, his family wasn't in the best place, and neither was he. He was distant from a lot of people. He was cold toward a lot of people. Mainly toward the public, but also toward his close friends sometimes. He told me that after you guys graduated, he kind of pushed everyone away, not wanting to be reminded of you. Over the years, he did start to get softer, but never like he has been since you showed back up." She smiled at Type and shook her head again, looking down. "The night of the reunion dinner, he came home and his mind was in such an occupied state. He was mad at himself for still loving you, even after all these years and what you did to him."
                          
    Type started to feel a bit guilty. He looked down at his hands before looking back up at Pao. "What did you tell him?"
                          
    "I told him that it was okay for him to love you. That it would take time for him to fully get over what you guys had. I suggested he talk to you about everything, but he was reluctant at first. We can see how that turned out, though." She chuckled looked up at him with a loving expression. "I'm glad you two have found your way to one another again. You two deserve to be happy." She moved forward and hugged him tightly. 
                          
    Type let out a sighed and reciprocated, hugging her just as tightly. "And thank you for taking care of him when I didn't. He really needed someone to be there for him." He felt himself tearing up. 
                          
    Pao laughed and shook her head before pulling back. "Well, now you get to take back over." 
                          
    Type laughed as well and nodded. "Any tips?"
                          
    "Watch him closely anytime he enters the kitchen. He likes to try and burn everything down."
                          
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