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 Posted: Wed Feb 14, 2024 6:44 pm
A groan, too tired to put up with this nonsense, he snaked a hand out of from under the mound bedding that he had decided the previous night to drown himself in. He had not taken a bath, or a shower, after Rene had decided to make himself at home in Alexandre’s bed…among other things. The other was still in his bed, he could feel the warm body behind him, as he twisted and turned to smack his phone with a flailing hand. “Shut up.” Groaning he peeked his head out, ruffled and messy hair showing along with his forehead and eyes, he finally pulled himself back into his cocoon of sorts.
“Going to throw that damn thing.” Yawning and turning back round, towards the warm body, and settled into sleep some more. He was determined to sleep and ignore the day. He was a bit better about today, he didn’t hate it, but he did try and avoid certain things. He would celebrate Valentine's day, he’d gotten better about that thanks to Aiden, but his birthday was another matter entirely. He was fine with it, he was, he just didn’t like the attention or the comments about his birthday being on this particular day.
“People need to stop.” Grumbling more before he was yawning again. Hopefully his phone was done making noise, though he doubted he’s be so lucky.
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Posted: Wed Feb 14, 2024 8:02 pm
The sound of the phone going off sent Rene groaning slightly as he tried reaching for his phone. “Too early the shops closed….” Blinking as he stared at it to see there were no messages or incoming calls, he looked over to see that it was Alexandre’s. “Is something wrong? Your phone never really goes off like that.” Sleepiness still laced his voice as he wrapped his arms around them. They were already starting to doze off so he lifted his head up to try and see what was flashing on their screen. At one point he saw a little cake and balloon symbol, and immediately the ideas started brewing.
“I know it’s only been a few weeks since everything happened but do you want to do anything for Valentine’s Day.” Sounding a little hopeful as he rubbed his thumb against their cheek. “Alexandre wake up…” It had been a nice few weeks, he’d gotten to figure out some more things about them as well as about the Negaverse. He’d also started learning their routine with classes outside of his shop hours. Maybe he’d figure out hiring someone one day once he got the rest of his paperwork done. It was just a waiting game at this point and he had to keep dotting the i’s and crossing all the t’s. Tax season would be fun, he’d have to learn a whole new system and the IRS was notoriously difficult from what he’d heard.
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Posted: Wed Feb 14, 2024 8:02 pm
Mumbling something impossible to decipher the blond managed to get his eyes open and work on focusing. “Mmm?” The sound served as a question even though he’d not uttered a single word. But after some moments he managed to find the ability to speak properly - and did so.
“I didn’t have plans, but we can.” His only plan was perhaps staying in and sleeping? Maybe painting, he wasn’t entirely sure. His voice was deep from sleep, lazy, and not as proper as it typically sounded. He was just tired and with half closed eyes he sought out the others body heat, despite all the blankets, and pressed against the other. He was always cold in the winter and February was no better - it was cold. That was one problem with being his size…he had nearly no body fat so the cold hit him harder and easier than most people. It meant he had a massive collection of sweaters and heavy duty bedding so he could keep warm. Where he normally didn’t wear bed clothing he did in the fall and winter, especially the winter. “Why, plans?” He questioned finally, after some moments of savoring the warmth of another body - of Rene.
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Posted: Wed Feb 14, 2024 8:03 pm
Rubbing their back as they moved in closer, he’d gotten used to how cold they got. He felt a bit bad about it, they shook like a leaf sometimes when the temperature dropped too much. He didn’t really have that problem as much when inside but the wind went through him when he walked to and from his shop. If there was parking there he’d drive and avoid the whole mess. That was another thing too, he’d gotten used to being tired so he was already pretty away compared to the other. Sometimes they were up and about doing things, other times he was the one up and talking while the other mumbled and fought to go back to sleep.
“I wasn’t sure if it was too soon to do something like that, but we can go to a museum and maybe get dinner? I know a lot of the restaurant owners near my shop so I’m sure I can get us a table. But if you’re really that tired we can just stay in, I just need to run to my shop and put a sign on the door to let people know it’s closed otherwise my phone is going to blow up like yours is.” Reaching over them and grabbing it, he handed it to them as it continued to buzz. “Something big must be happening, is it an army of your secret admirers trying to get you to go on a date? I wonder how many hearts will break if you tell them that you’re with me.” Voice softening at the end, it still felt really fresh that they had given in the other week to let him get closer. It was nice for a change, only having to know one person and figuring out new things. There was an endless well of curiosity about them and he kept finding out things without even having to ask questions.
Stretching his legs a bit, he stuck a foot out of the blanket to cool off a bit.
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Posted: Wed Feb 14, 2024 8:52 pm
Normallyhe’d be up, and have managed his morning run, but last night had left him worn out. He’d skipped his morning run, he’d manage a run tonight, and hadn’t even bothered getting up yet to shower and dress. But he figured it was getting late, and René was up, so he eyed his phone when it came into view. Lifting his head, and an arm which slipped out of the bedding, and unlocking his phone he turned it so the other could see all the texts he had.
“Not admirers, unless someone got my phone number, it’s all family.” And those who were close enough to him to be as good as family. Sitting up slowly, letting his phone lay in his comforter covered lap, he sat up and stretched as he did so. “I don’t mind going out, a museum sounds good.” At least it was a place he’d enjoy, they both would in fact, he could manage that and food would be good, so would caffeine right about now. “Espresso first though…” Because he needed it, in so many ways he needed the boost in energy.
“I’ve done my share of breaking hearts in the past. I think most got the hint over the years, thankfully.” Though a few still might be out there and every so often someone would get the courage, and hope, up to approach him at some event. He turned them all down rather quickly, or someone else in his family got to them first. “Too many people in the past would ask me on this day….far too many people.” Slipping out of bed he made for the bathroom ,intending on a hot shower, while he left his phone unlocked for the other to peek at. He didn’t have things to hide, not really, he didn’t do such things via text message. Any secrets talks with family members were either deleted once they’d concluded or never took place via text.
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Posted: Wed Feb 14, 2024 8:53 pm
“Oh, I see, I guess I didn’t realize how large your family was. I knew a bit from when I tried figuring out things but my skills at finding information aren’t anything special compared to what you and your family can do, at least from what I can tell.” Watching as they got up, bit by bit, he sat up too and stretched the rest of the way. Adjusting himself a bit as he pulled his legs in and stretched forward until his face was touching the bed, he felt a nice loud crack and made a noise of satisfaction before sitting back up.
“I’ll get some things figured out while you shower.” Sliding off the bed, he noticed they left their phone open. It felt like a test, one that was just asking for him to read. But it also felt like a trap, he was curious but he didn’t want to cross boundaries. So he left the phone there after seeing just one little pop-up with a cake and candles. Walking downstairs and into the kitchen, he stared at the espresso machine for a moment as the gears turned in his head. He’d seen them make espresso before so now he went through the same motions and steps to try it himself. It smelled ok as the pull dripped down into the little cup. Grabbing a cup from the cabinet, he turned to where the syrups were and pumped some of them in, he could remember the pomegranate but was the other vanilla? Maybe… well hopefully? Pumping the rest in he prepped the cup and brought it back up, setting it on the nightstand next to their phone before heading to the guest bathroom where he had all his things.
Shaving with his straight razor before showering, he looked himself over in the mirror. Some of that permanent tiredness had started to leave his face. It had been a nice few weeks, he felt pretty good about things so far which was different than how things had been when he’d been stuck in an arranged marriage.
Showered, dried, and changed, he made his way downstairs and snuck a sip of wine from the bottle since Alexandre wasn’t in the kitchen. It was just a small sip, to get the morning started, not enough to dirty a glass. The bottles were separated out just for him so he wouldn’t have to worry about sharing either. When he had the chance, he scrolled through and looked at flowers. They liked living ones though so it made things a bit harder as he scrolled through a few sites.
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Posted: Wed Feb 14, 2024 8:54 pm
Showered and scrubbed, a nice sugar scrub for cleaner feeling skin, Alexandre had grabbed clothing and laid them out in the bathroom before attacking his bed. While still in a low hanging towel, which was far too small on him, he stripped down the bedding and headed down the stairs with it all. It was piled high enough his head was impossible to see, and he had to peer around it so he didn’t trip down the stairs, but he made it to the laundry room which was under the stairs.
Yelping when the towel slipped, and landed on the floor, he made to bend and grab that and secure it before the bedding was scooped up against and hauled into the room for quick sorting and washing. He had a big machine, he needed it, but it could only handle one comforter at a time so the faux fur one was set aside while the other comforter went into the washer.
With everything added in he set the machine and stepped out of the room and headed back to his room, he’d smelled espresso in there, and that was where he found the cup and took a sip. It wasn’t the usual but it really wasn’t bad either. After another sip, or two, maybe three the blond headed back downstairs. “You made me espresso.” And he was a god send for that, because espresso was a gift from the gods if you asked him. “Breakfast?” He questioned while moving to hug the other as they were scrolling over something on their phone. He’d had to set the cup down so he could hug the other, but as soon as he could it was back up and cradled in his hands and being sipped from.
“You have no idea how much I appreciate this.” Because he lived for this, for the warmth and the taste and it was just so good, he was even smiling softly as he drank slowly in order to savor it properly.
“You smell good.” He didn’t know what the other used for his shower but it smelled good whatever it was.
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Posted: Wed Feb 14, 2024 9:06 pm
“I tried, I remembered a bit of what you put in it but I wasn’t exactly sure. You have a lot of syrups since there are multiple people here who drink coffee and espresso. Is it alright?” Hugging them back before they stepped back to keep drinking, he closed his phone and tucked it into his pocket. “Breakfast sounds good, and I think I’ll have some espresso as well in a moment.” Turning to prep everything, he was still a bit clumsy with it all. He’d get better each time he figured.
“You know, you really look cute when you have your espresso, it’s like the whole world is perfect when you’re drinking it. You look so happy and it makes me happy.” Laughing a bit as he got his own cup ready. “Just my normal wash, though I had to switch my shaving cream now that my face isn’t sensitive anymore. I can get back to that cleaner shave again so I had to use what I was using before I got smashed into the ground. But I think it’s supposed to be just a vanilla bourbon scent. I like the sweetness of it but it fades pretty quickly.”
Sipping his own cup of espresso, straight, he took a seat at the table and pulled them closer to sit on the seat next to him. “If you want me to make you another just let me know. I know I kept you up pretty late last night.”
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Posted: Wed Feb 14, 2024 9:14 pm
“It’s fine and I always have a lot of things, most not even for myself, because I have family visiting often enough.” Though paths had not been crossed between his family and René, not yet anyway, he was certain it would happen at some point sooner rather than later. He was certain that if this relationship did work he’d wind up bringing the other around his family and perhaps to social events as well…if they could handle those, he wasn’t sure about that really.
Mumbling something into his cup he lifted his head a bit then. “My childhood friend used to bribe me with espresso.” All the time, because she knew it worked, Lily had known him since they were both in diapers and so she knew nearly everything there was to know about him - except that. She did not know about the Negaverse and never would, he wouldn’t allow that taint to enter their friendship or her life.
Settling into the seat he shook his head. “I really shouldn’t.” Even if he really did like the idea of more he knew it wasn’t likely the best thing to do. “I’ll grab something else wif we’re going out and take it with me.” Some sort of flavored water or juice, he did try and eat and drink pretty healthy things. Perhaps it was why he didn’t look nearly his age? Most didn’t figure him for nearly thirty, god that was still hard for him to believe, and he did find it amusing every time.
“So, which museum did you want to see?”
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Posted: Wed Feb 14, 2024 9:15 pm
“I guess maybe I haven’t met them since I am at work during the weekdays, maybe one day you can introduce me? I remember the one I saw when I met you at the museum, with the braid and very animated way of speaking. I would guess she’s an artist as well?” She’d looked more like a doll than he had, one of those porcelain ones with lace and frills. She even dressed the part it seemed.
Eyebrow rising at the mention of bribe. “Oh so if I want something I can bribe you with a cup? I won’t abuse that but it gives me something I can do when you’re not doing your best since I wake up a lot faster than you it seems.” Ruffling their hair slightly as he pulled his phone out and checked a few more things.
“That’s a surprise, I can drive though. You can rest and continue waking up while I do, I think it should be about thirty or forty-five minutes since it’s a bit farther away than my shop and place are.” He’d found one with an exhibit that sounded right up both of their alleys. One about plants and art, it had a small heated greenhouse beside the gallery exhibition. He’d read a bit of it and saw that Van Gogh’s sunflower series was traveling alongside the exhibit. It seemed like a good idea and then he could keep trying to figure out what to get for the other as sneakily as he could.
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Posted: Wed Feb 14, 2024 9:15 pm
“Ah, my cousin Fiona. She does art restoration for that museum, I help from time to time.” But was not employed there, just trusted enough to be allowed to help. “She has an art studio in her home as well.” Similar to the room he had in his home but her studio was far larger, something he might one day do for himself, but he couldn’t fit that inside his brownstone even if it was double in size from the other homes on the block.
“Yes, you can and normally I am a morning person, I go for morning runs, you just leave me too tired in the morning to drag myself out of bed.” He stated rather calmly, staring at the other as he said this. The other was why he’d been skipping his morning runs and running every night instead. Thankfully he didn’t have to worry about the dangers posed by the city, and certain people within the city, at night. He could, if need be, protect himself. So he was safe going on nightly runs as he now did.
“You are rather insatiable.” Thankfully he didn’t have morning classes, or he feared he’d be late for them. He didn’t dislike
“Oh?” Standing slowly, stretching, he went to grab a bottle of flavored water from the fridge. “Do you want to take a drink with you if we’re going to be out for a while?” Because he might as well take things with them to drink, rather than paying the prices in a museum.
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Posted: Wed Feb 14, 2024 9:16 pm
“Ah Fiona, I think that name fits her. I might have thought she was into fashion given her dress that day. She must be busy with all the exhibits they keep bringing there.” Restoration was its own thing, not so much of one's own expression but trying to mimic or blend a repair into a piece. Nothing was supposed to be permanent either so repairs could be removed and changed as needed. It was something he had seen on YouTube before, it was kind of soothing to see.
“What can I say, I enjoy our nightly activities. I don’t hear you complaining.” He’d been sleeping better since being able to come here more often. It was more than what they’d been doing though, he liked sneaking more soft moments in and getting to sleep next to someone. Even if things were still early on, he was hopeful.
“Yes, grab me one of the flavored waters, I’m fine with any of them.” He leaned against the doorframe as he watched them.
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Posted: Wed Feb 14, 2024 9:24 pm
“She is busy but she enjoys her work, I help from time to time if it’s needed.” But it was mostly her thing, they both were artists though. Art was something they’d both shared a love for and grown into, together, and continued to share. It was one thing they had bonded over and spent time on together, he had been working on spending more time with Fiona to make up for time away from one of his favorite cousins. She seemed pleased enough with him returning to her side for art and museum trips and the like.
“You aren’t likely to hear me complain either.” So long as things continued as well as they had been anyway, and he didn’t think they’d go anywhere too far for him, he had no reason to think things would ever become something he couldn’t handle.
“You do seem to be spending more time here than I’d expected.” He commented while grabbing a peach flavored water, not his favorite but he had it in the fridge. For his own he’d grabbed a wild cherry that was a bit on the tart side but he did enjoy it. “It’s a wonder you haven’t bored of said nightly activities.” Shuffling out of the kitchen and into the living room, intending on figuring out which shoes he’d be wearing, he glanced back at the other. “Come, I want to go see some art and have some good food. I’d like to enjoy today.” And he had a feeling he just might manage that.
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