don't threaten me with a good time

Everest

Ever hears his phone buzz and panic blares through his chest. It's the driver saying he's taken too long and he's leaving; it's the restaurant cancelling their table; it's their landlord saying the building has burned down and Petunia died some horrific death. Naked save for the look of panic on his face, he reads Mateo's message and isn't at all calmed by it. 'Hurry, you're ruining everything." He hisses to himself. Shimmying into his pants and ignoring the way his still-wet body is leaving its mark on the soft fabric, Ever tugs on a luxurious cable-knit sweater (backwards), peers at his face in the mirror (it'll do), and grabs for the small bottle of aftershave he brought. Promptly dropping this, Ever watches as it shatters on the ground.

"ohno" He whispers in a small voice. Reaching for the pieces to throw them away, Ever's fingers are coated in the overpowering smell. Wiping them hastily on his towel, the paramedic spins as his phone vibrates. This time it is the driver, and it's with a panicky voice that he says they'll be right out.

Rushing down the stairs with his bag over one arm, his hair coated with a mixture of nervous sweat and water, and with Mateo's gift clutched to his chest, Ever emerges into the waiting room breathless. "Hi." He says on an exhale, followed immediately on the inhale by: "Congratulations. We have to go." So saying he walks briskly to the door where a pearl-white Cadillac is double-parked out front.

even if i had to lose you to know you,
i'd still be that temporary phase that you grow through