don't threaten me with a good time

Everest

As they enter into the dining area, Ever is only vaguely aware of the fact that he hears a loud ringing in his ears rather than the chatter of voices. He sees dark hair clumped together with blood, pale and dry lips that try for a smile, sirens and screams. While Mateo will look effortlessly handsome in the photos being taken, Everest will look pale and shell-shocked.

"mmm." The paramedic replies as all eyes turn towards them from those seated in their immediate vicinity. It looks as though a proposal is about to take place given the setup and the clear nervousness of one of the men, and for the remainder of the evening the pair will receive furtive glances from the entire restaurant.

"Wine?" Ever asks bluntly as they sit, and it's with trembling fingers that he reaches out for the bottle. Normally one to pour precisely the correct amount, tonight Ever over-fills Mateo's glass, and instead of rolling the bottle so that no drips will form, he spills more than a teaspoon onto the brilliantly white tablecloth. Staring at it, his eyes wide and his mind spreading out the small stain so that it darkens and coagulates the way blood does, the paramedic is nearly on the verge of dropping the bottle when their server arrives and deftly plucks it from his hands.

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