Traffic had been horrible and unfortunately unavoidable. With an event as big as this one to have made it all the way to Destiny City, it seemed like everyone and their mothers had come to attend. Parking garages were filled to capacity even the ones wanting $40 which was insane, unless the vehicles were splitting the tab with carpoolers, but for a motorcycle… no thank you.
The bike leaned hard to the right as they merged onto NE Albero St. Rows and rows of ‘full’ signs and street parking was all but taken save for the 30 minutes load and unload zones. Aiden sighed out of frustration then pulled over to the side, here he thought that they would be fine leaving at 4PM… nope; and by the loud musicing coming from the concert stadium, it sounded like the event had already begun.
Sitting on the back of the bike, one hand holding onto Aiden’s jacket while the other held onto the back handle, Alex knew they wouldn’t find a spot in time and, like Aiden, he too blamed it on traffic - certainly not how long it took him to get dressed. It wasn’t like he spent that long getting dressed, at least not as far as he was concerned.
This wasn’t even his sort of thing - a loud, rowdy over crowded concert. Too many people in a small place; and this wasn’t a band he even liked. Then again, it didn’t really matter too much because it made for a nice way to spend the evening with his friend. The energy in the air from so many people cheering when the band presumably hit the stage and being with a friend was worth dealing with the noise; since this wasn’t what the ashen blond considered to be music worthy of listening to.
Due to the unusually hot spring, a heat wave and it was only May, Alexandre had opted for a short sleeve t-shirt, something in a sand tone, that allowed for the ink decorating his upper arms to show. To compliment the shirt he wore dark jeans and sneakers, which were very comfortable, and to finish the look aset of sunglasses that had been stored safely on a pouch on Aiden’s bike since he couldn’t wear them and the helmet.
So far they’d checked the parking garages for the concert and all had been full, how that was possible he didn’t know, this band couldn’t be that popular right? Especially since he had never even heard of them, till Aiden brought up going to their concert.
Then again, perhaps they were that popular..? At least it seemed like they might just be. He supposed, whether he wanted to or not, Alex would have to pay more attention to what was popular amongst his classmates, if only to keep up with the current trends . Thinking back on it for a moment as the motorcycle slowed to a stop out in front of a japanese restaurant Alex figured that he probably shouldn’t have spent so long preparing for the time out - it wasn’t like he had to look his best; he just wanted to.
The weight of the others helmet resting against his back made Alden feel like he had let his friend down. Sure he didn’t seemed all to thrilled by the prospect of being surrounded by hundreds of screaming fans but still… it felt like one more failed outing to add to the list. First there was the rock climbing then an incident at the beach, now this. Why did it seem like the world was against them doing something without being interrupted or lord forbid failing miserably.
Aiden cut the engine then and whole body signed in frustration before lifting the visor on his helmet so Alex could hear him. “I’m sorry, I don’t know where else to look. Had I’d thought ahead I would have seen if someone could drop us off or something. At this rate the closest spot is going to be a twenty minute walk away.” It was clear, by the sound in his voice, that the dark haired young man was frustrated.
“If you want, I can drop you off at the entrance and meet you inside?” At least one of them would be able to enjoy the show. From what he heard they really knew how to put on a concert with some really cool effects and lighting; which was the real reason he wanted to go.
Out of the two of them it was obvious that Aiden was upset by this whole incident, and he felt for the other, so when Aiden had finished his offer he shook his head. Pulling the helmet off he held it in his left hand and smiled at the other. “No, it’s fine. I wanted to go to spend time with you - not see the band.” Or deal with the screaming fans, even if the energy all around would be near electric.
“We’ll just have to better work our plans for next time.” Or perhaps not plan anything and simply go with the flow. Maybe that would prove better results?
“For now, we should find something else to do.” If anything, he just didn’t want tonight to come to an end so soon, before anything had even happened, it was an escape from his life as a Negaverse agent as well as his life as a student and employee. It was just him - Alexandre Evans a 20 year old male who lived here. The time here was an escape from all those things and he enjoyed the time away from all of that.
Choosing not to read too much into Alex’s reply, Aiden cleared his throat then adjusted his helmet a bit since the strap under his chin was a bit tight. “Do you have a destination in mind or would you prefer me to just go find a good road to go riding on.” One unencumbered by stop signs or lights with walls of trees on either side isolating it from the roaring city, at least till the concert was over.
Raking his fingers through his hair he took a few moments to think. Did it matter really? No. But did he want to just go for a drive or did he want to go some actual place with the other? After some time he smiled.
“We never did get the beach and it is hot out.” Even the evenings were hot. “Perhaps the ocean? It’s a bit of a drive, far from here, and we can spend a few hours there.” They didn’t need to swim or anything like that. They could walk in the sand or along the water's edge, just getting their feet and lower legs wet; if they rolled up their pant legs. It wouldn’t be that bad actually, the more that he thought about it. But the others opinion mattered also. “What do you think?” He asked then, searching the others blue eyes with his own slate colored ones.
“Sounds like a plan. I hope you don’t mind if I take a scenic route.” They still had maybe an hour left of sunlight before taking the back roads would become a dangerous place to be with limited street lights. May as well use the time they had to enjoy the ride. It wasn’t like they had any place to be till morning anyway.
“That sounds fine to me.” Actually, if he was asked, it was more than fine. he liked the idea a lot. This would certainly make up for the ruined concert, right? It was still time spent together and doing something fun with that time. “You’re not upset that we’re missing the concert?” He asked, just wanting to be sure. he was sure he could find tickets for the next concert they had, or some other group Aiden liked. That would surely make up for this if the trip to the ocean didn’t. He didn’t like to think the other might still be upset over this, somehow, and he didn’t know why it bothered him as much as it did.
Though an idea was forming on just why he cared so much about the others feelings and thoughts, why he wanted to spend so much time with the other. But if it was what he thought it was...he’d keep it to himself.
“Nah,” Aiden shrugged his shoulders, sure he was slightly disappointed but when it came down to it, the beach would be a far better place to be this evening. What with everyone in attendance at the concert, it just meant there would be fewer people out enjoying the ocean or sun kissed sand. “There are always other concerts.” With a wink he closed the visor and restarted the engine. Once he felt Alex’s arm around his torso, they were off winding through the near empty streets of downtown out past the city limits to where land met water and screaming fans were no more than forgotten memories the further away they got.
Sleet Tempest Snape
