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 Posted: Thu Aug 24, 2017 10:26 am
Finals were FINALLY over! Nischal, though he didn't actively go to school on a campus, loved the additional feeling of freedom provided by the fact that all of his online courses were all wrapped up. Grades were pending still, but he knew that he did well and there was nothing left on his mind in regards to school, instead those thoughts were focused on a boy he had slowly gotten to know over the past few weeks.
It was nice, little text messages back and forth, pictures, the occasional coffee trips, and of course, patrols, but no real time spent just hanging out, really getting to know one another without the heaviness of the night or school or anything else looming over their heads. And yet the loneliness that constantly plagued Nischal seemed to grow with the lack of Jason's warm smile in his life.. Even now, it was hard for him to talk to new people and to hold onto them, actively reach out and try to remain friends... It just didn't come naturally to him anymore... But with Jason, atleast it felt like he could try. He was a sweet boy, after all, and... And he missed smiling. Smiles seemed so hard to come by when he was alone...
For that reason, Nischal, after a bit of hesitation, pulled his phone one day while lounging on his couch and sent Jason a text.
Hey Jason! Are you free today? Wanna go grab some lunch and hang out for a while? School's out! :-D It's time to relax!
It seemed like enough but... Maybe he should be more honest about it... No reason to let Jason think he had too many ulterior motives on seeing him.
And, you know... I kinda miss you. And we still haven't gone sailing! There's alot we need to talk about and do and the summer is here and we've got time! ... Or atleast I do, being the jobless fool I am. Do you have time?"
There... That didn't sound too needy, right? And maybe Jason would find some humor in it all as well... The other did seem to have the best sense of humor...
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Posted: Thu Aug 24, 2017 11:21 am
Summer was here at last, though he had to admit he wasn't as excited about that as he probably would have been a couple months back. Summer meant time to hang out with friends, meet new people, and forget about school. Sure, he'd have more time than usual with school out of the way, but he was worried a lot of that extra time would be funneled into his duties to his Court. Those duties had already caused some worry with his parents, they didn't like their so showing up in the hospital with a 'stab wound'. They were checking in on him more frequently these days.
Today was no different, with school out of the way he didn't have much of a reason to dodge hanging out at his mother's bookstore and helping her out. That also meant having to deal with Jessica of all people. Every time ason so much as looked a little bit in pain, moving his shoulder around, she was on him like a bee to a flower. He spent the whole day wandering around the store and avoiding her.
He was behind the counter when his phone tweeted at him and he pulled it out of his pocket to see who was trying to get in touch with him. He smiled when he saw Nischal's name flash across his screen. Jason was just about to reply when he got the second check and he chuckled. It wasn't busy and he'd already finished checking the inventory, surely his mother wouldn't mind if he called it an early day. After all, her little boy had done great in school this semester and deserved to get out and have some fun!
Don't panic! :p You're not the only one with some free time. I can head out now, where do you have in mind? <3
It was simple enough to get away from the bookstore, he just told the truth that a certain someone was driving him crazy and he needed to go out and have some fun. He picked up his guitar and was out the door before he even heard back from Nischal.
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Posted: Thu Aug 24, 2017 12:20 pm
It didn't take long at all for Nischal to receive the response and in an instant he was on his feet, heading towards the front door of his condo to slip on his shoes.
Just what was a good place to go...? There were so many places around here to go that.. Heck, he didn't really want to sit down and eat either... Not in a restaurant anyway. Would it be too much to ask to do take out?
Sure, they were comfortable enough with one another but... Would he be okay with just coming over? There would be no stress to leave the restaurant, and there wouldn't be any need to think about going home later... Too many doubts settled their way into Nischal's mind, and the thought of spending the afternoon together at home was pushed aside.
The park nearby has this new Grilled Cheese restaurant opened that I've been wanting to try. How's that sound? It's between West Oak Blvd and Colonial. I don't think it's too far from where your mom's shop is at. I can meet you there in ten minutes.
Before he received an answer, he was out the door, heading there anyway. If there was somewhere else to go instead, he'd be all for it, but he could get started on the journey there.
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Posted: Thu Aug 24, 2017 12:43 pm
Jason walked with his phone out, waiting for a reply from Nischal, which came just a moment later. Grilled Cheese? What was it that suddenly made that such a popular thing? He wasn't against the idea of it at all, he just always found it kind of ironic that something so simple could blow up like that. It was also in the opposite direction from where he had initially head, so he pivoted and headed the other way.
I'll get a table for two and meet you there! See you soon :)
The restaurant was easy to find, but being new and lun time it was a little busy. He wasn't able to get a table right away, but he did put them on a waiting list. He was handed a little buzzer and then went outside to wait for Nischal.
I put us on the list! It must be good, the place is packed. It isn't a long wait though! Cya soon. ;)
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Posted: Thu Aug 24, 2017 1:48 pm
By the time Nischal arrived to their meet up place, his nerves were nearly shot. Sure, he had left the place with excitement, nearly racing to the elevator and pressing the button several times as he switched his weight around, hoping for it to hurry up, but once he reached the pavement below, that doubt began to set in.
As much as he hated it, it always came back after the shortest of moments of complete excitement. He knew as much as these silly thoughts were baseless, they would bother him until he saw Jason again. Hanging out Powered up was different than being just Nischal. In his mind, Avior had so many more stories to tell, and was infinately more interesting than the boring young man who left his home only to patrol and shop for groceries.. And maybe pick up take out...
No. There was a reason why Jason agreed to see him again. Whether it was for entertainment or for a listening ear, he didn't know, but he had said yes, and... And that meant something, right?
With a deep breath, and one last quick run over his clothes with his hands to get any last lingering rinkles out, Nischal closed the gap between him and the tell-tale sign of Jason, his blue guitar.
"Hey there.... Sorry it took so long... You haven't been waiting here too long, right?"
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Posted: Thu Aug 24, 2017 2:18 pm
The restaurant was rather busy with people coming in and out. There was also the noise of the street and the fact that he wasn't paying attention to any of it because he was looking down at his phone. He was waiting for Nischal to text him back when suddenly his voice was coming from next to him. The sound made him jump, nearly losing control of the phone in his hands as he did so.
When he looked up at the male he seemed startled, but relieved. "You're so quiet!" He slipped his phone into his pocket and placed a hand on his chest to calm himself down. "Sorry! I was just surprised." It occurred to him that this was the first time where they could actually really spend a decent amount of time together as just Jason and Nischal. Two regular guys, just hanging out without anything to worry them or call them away.
"It hasn't be that long, but maybe I could get a hug as an apology anyway?" He held his arms around, waiting for the other to close the distance first, but it was hard to ignore that flashy smile that he shot at the other male.
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Posted: Wed Aug 30, 2017 1:56 pm
The smile that Nischal wore when approaching Jason only grew in amusement when the other jumped. While he did feel a little guilty for startling his friend, he knew all of his remarks were in jest and light hearted even as he tapped his chest to settle himself. A bit dramatic, as always, but it didn't bother him all too badly, especially when he was more than certain Jason had startled him before.
"Oh you know I'm always practicing my sweet ninja moves." He laughed, hands going into his pockets for a moment as his tension from early eased away as if it were nothing. He supposed that was the reason why he enjoyed being around Jason so much these days, the boy was just so easy to get along with and put his trouble mind to rest just long enough that he remembered that he was a young man as well and not that jaded old soldier he thought himself to be.
He wouldn't deny that Jason's flashy grin made his cheeks flair up in a blush and he looked away for just a moment to avoid feeling too awkward. And once that moment passed, he didn't hesitate again to go into Jason's arms and wraps his own about the other's waist, his cheek pressing up against Jason's neck.
"I didn't expect you to miss me so much." He whispered softly into the other's ear, the heat from his cheeks radiating enough for the other to feel and his tone teasing. "I can certainly say I've missed you, for all your goofiness. But... I think my stomach misses some food as well, and now that my longing for you has been sated, it's time to deal with it."
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Posted: Thu Aug 31, 2017 8:28 pm
It was hard to believe that Nischal had only recently become a fixture in Jason's life. The two of them had hit things off so well in the beginning that it felt like they had been friends forever really. They were really starting to rub off on each other a bit though, his own cheeks grew warm as Nischal's brushed against his. A pleasant chill rushed down his spine at the teasing. There were so many thoughts and words rushing through his head that he could actually manage to blurt out any of them. It had been a long time since he had found himself speechless.
"Oh, you're hungry for food? I was thinking about skipping lunch and having some more fun myself." It was delayed, but finally he managed to say something, but before anything else could come of it the buzzer in his hand went off and he pulled away from his friend. Saved by the bell, literally!
"Lucky for you, I don't cancel my reservations. Let's go." He adjust the guitar strap on his shoulder as he spun around and broke through the crowd to make it to the front door. They were given a table for two in the corner of the restaurant and told their server would be around for them quickly.
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Posted: Sun Sep 03, 2017 7:13 pm
It was true... Whatever the two of them had together was more than just a bit of a whirlwind. from the moment they had met. They seemed to go together so well, like peanut butter and jelly, and it wouldn't have surprised Nischal at all if at some point they were attached at the hip. It was unlike anything he had felt before... An earnest soft of admiration that stemmed from a common ground, and there was no pressure from either side about anything. They could come and go as they pleased, they were friends yet... Yet the word friend seemed something far too weak, but Nischal wouldn't think too hard on it. There was still far too much doubt in his young heart to place any more thoughts than what he had already given it. Not today anyway.
Nischal laughed softly when he could just feel the words catch in Jason's throat. This too was true, Jason always seemed to have a word ready to say, but this time, he barely managed to say a thing, for which Nischal was proud. To make the sweet jester speechless was as true an accomplishment as any.
"Yes, that's right. Food. I don't know what sort of.... Thoughts were going through your head, Jason, but please keep it decent. We are in public, as you know. Whatever fun you plan on, save it for later.... I might be interested." This time, Niscal managed to squeeze in his own wink before the other turned around, and immediately rubbed his face after, trying to get the pink in his cheeks to die down some. Why had he kept talking?! He had won that little bit of back and forth, he could have stopped! But nooo... Now he couldn't stop the thoughts of Jason following through with his thoughts, leading to indecent thoughts of his own, and... AH that blessed buzzer seemed to save him as well, for he wasn't sure how much more of this his poor heart could take.
Following Jason and the server, then slipping across from the other in the booth, the redhead took a moment to adjust his own bag on his shoulder, before putting his arms on the table and grinning at Jason.
"You know, I should have just surprised you at the book store with coffee or something. But... Hehe, I don't think I'm quite ready to meet your mom yet. But anyway, how are you doing? It feels like years since I got to look at the majesty that is you."
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Posted: Wed Sep 06, 2017 7:29 am
Jason was still processing what Nischal had said, but he kept his eyes glued on the menu in front of him for now. Was it too much to hope for that they could be more than just good friends, he saw the other's blush after what he had said. Maybe he was just trying to tease Jason in all the ways he had taught him too? It could just be some friendly payback.
He peeked over his menu with a smirk when Nischal mentioned meeting his mother. "Why would you be worried to meet my mother? My friends meet her all the time." That's right, he was pushing buttons again, he never knew when to stop, but this time it was partially his friend's fault.
Their server came by, and ason ordered himself a lemonade and waited for Nischal to order as well before continuing their conversation. "I've been doing better since I met my guardian angel~" Teasing, teasing, teasing. It was a never ending cycle with the blonde. "But seriously, I'm ready for a break from school. I'm more interesting in knowing how you are though. Do you have any plans for summer break? Because I might have a few ideas."
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Posted: Tue Sep 12, 2017 10:34 am
Ah... Right. Friends. Nischal inwardly scolded himself for taking things a little too far and making a bit of a fool of himself for thinking about things any more than he should.
They were friends, and that was all.
His own order was lemonade as well, thinking that in a place like this, they were bound to have something good, but his eyes were still fixated on the menu, not wanting to look up to show Jason his bit of disappointment there. No need to bring bad feelings into what was supposed to be a happy reunion. And yet Jason wouldn't back off with his flirting, and the blush that had finally dissipated came back in full force, spreading to his ears.
"I-I um... I'm no guardian angel, Jason! I just.. I just really try to protect the people I care about... I-I MEAN, you know, friends and stuff! Uh...." There was no escape this time, so ultimately he only looked down at the menu again, fidgeting slightly because while he liked the game they played, right now, his heart was pounding.
"Um... No.. no plans... I-if you want to do something together, I'm all yours... I-I MEAN Uh, free to do things together."
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Posted: Tue Sep 12, 2017 11:42 am
Jason had maybe been trying to push Nischal into saying that they were more than just friends there. He certainly didn't plan on making his 'friend' feel bad about his statement, but just about everyone met his mother. There wasn't any reason to be hiding from her, he was probably too honest with her and his relationships. Still, he decided to ust breeze past that for now, they could always come back to it later. She would certainly approve of Nischal, whether they were just friends or something a little more than that.
"Well, I'm glad you're looking out for me." Hopefully Jason could get to the point where he could look out for others as well. He had felt a bit babied during their last adventure in Mirrorspace and had left with an injury himself. He still had a long way to go if he wanted to be there for someone else. He reached up and unconsciously rubbed at his injured shoulder. It was still sore and not pretty to look at, but at least it was getting better.
"We definitely need to make some plans! I've got a boat and you need to teach me how to fish! We could try and figure out where the best place to have lunch, I'm up for anything really." This summer he had all the intentions in the world to get to know Nischal as best he could. He was about to say something more when his eyes drifted down to the menu long enough to spot the word 'donuts'.
"They have Grilled. Cheese. Donuts." Could that possibly be good? A small part of him said those two things didn't work together at all, but they had to be good if they were on the menu like this. "They have one with chocolate and bacon. Do you know how much I love a good donut? How did you find out, eh?" Maybe it was the fact that he had one almost every morning for the start of his day. Forget finding new places to have lunch, Jason was quickly falling in love with this place.
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Posted: Sun Oct 01, 2017 10:42 am
"You know I'd always look out for you, Jason... And I'm sure you'll have my back too." There wasn't a single doubt in Nischal's mind that Jason would ever leave him hanging on anything, and that in itself was a comforting thought. There were brothers in arms and... Well, they would be together through thick and thin, he just knew it!
He nodded the offer of the trip, his own yes lighting up excitedly at the prospects of being out on the water for a while. "We could even make it into like, a camping trip, if you'd like! Go sailing about, spend a few nights on the sea. We could bring some video games and such to play too when night falls. I think after all the pain of school, that would be an amazing break. Would you want to bring your friend Kailey as well?"
Damn... Why had he asked that...? It would have been a wonderful time for them to spend together just.. Alone. The two of them to get to know one another even more than he already had. It was just so natural to invite others into whatever he was doing, out of consideration and because of the fact that... Well, if the other adored her as much as it sounded sometimes, then maybe she'd want to come too. He tried not to let the instant regret show on his face, and instead opted to look down at the menu.
"... That is strange, but salty and sweet do go together fantastically... Maybe it is really good. And.. well, I figured sweet things liked sweet, right? Hehe, I got my eye on that pulled pork grilled cheese though. That sounds divine!"
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Posted: Mon Oct 02, 2017 10:33 am
Jason simply smiled and nodded as Nischal reassured him that he would always be there. It was nice hearing it from him. Though he had heard it from others before, it seemed like it was out of some sort of obligation. 'I dragged you into this mess, so I'll take care of you'. Well, whose fault was it that he needed protecting in the first place? He would always care for Acubens, and for Kiuchi even more, but what he had with Nischal was something different entirely.
Jason glanced over the top of his menu when he mentioned Kailey. Ew, no way did he want Kailey to go on a boat adventure with them. Normally, he'd love to have a group. But his cabin wasn't quite that big. Besides, he didn't want his friend to feel like a third wheel. They had both played that part to the other and it almost always ended up the same way. The significant other felt left out because Kailey and him were bffs. People couldn't handle their level of closeness and believe them when they claimed to be friends. She was like a sister to him! He would never! Unless there was enough alcohol involved....
"Pft, Kailey on a fishing trip? Only if you want to hear her whine about how boring it is the whole time." There, that was a good dodge to that whole mess. Honestly, he didn't know if she would enjoy it or not. Her idea of a fishing trip likely involved vodka and trying to not fall overboard.
"Aw, how sweet of you. Are you sure you don't want something sweet yourself?" He teased, of course he always did. Nischal seemed to have gotten lucky with the donuts that were on the menu, but seriously, this place was awesome. It's crazy he hadn't been here before, but it was still very new. "I'm definitely getting this chocolate and bacon one. For sure." Sweet and salty, all everyone needed for a balanced lunch. When their waitress came around again he was quick to order just that.
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Posted: Fri Oct 06, 2017 4:37 pm
"Oh.. She'd find it boring? Perhaps we can do something else with her one of these days. I know she's really close to you, and I want to be her friend too. Maybe... White water rafting or a beach day sometime soon. Maybe she'd like that..." The number of true friends Nischal had could be counted on a single finger, and that was Jason. It wasn't so bad, not with how he adored the boy, but... It could be lonely when the other was busy.
Closing the menu and putting it to the side, Nischal crossed his hands, blushing lightly at the sweet compliment. "I mean, I have you here so that's enough sweetness for me... And I'm sure you won't mind if I swipe a bite or two, right?"
As he smiled, he set down the menu and folded his hands in front of him, placing his order when the waitress came again. Once she left, he was silent for just a moment, thinking.
"I don't really work you know," he started, a bit embarassed by his lazy life style, "so I was thinking, How would your mother feel if I worked around the shop for a few days a week? I don't need to be paid... I just wouldn't mind spending more time with you with an excuse. Hehe.."
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