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 Posted: Tue Oct 27, 2020 8:35 pm
Priam had a small smile on his face, but there was something about it that was just a little sad. Maybe it was the way Yu moved the bottle away, like Priam might change his mind and be tempted by it, or try to snatch it.
But. It was what it was. He'd had enough drunken nights in the past month, the wine was back on the top shelf, shoved so far back that he could only touch it with the tips of his fingers when he was standing on tiptoes.
"Yu, if you ever need to talk--about anything you think is stupid, you have my number. If there's anything I can do for you, I hope you'll ask. Even if it's just a hug. Or a picture of the dogs. I'd love to stop by for dinner, especially if they're invited. They love you two. I wish I could take a video of them when they realize that we're on your street. They get so excited."
He hesitated and then stood up, moving to the bag. "Dinner's a while away, I hope you can take some time to relax a bit after all of this. Actually, ah. This might be silly, now that I think about it, but."
He lifted the bag and returned to his seat. He pulled out a few things--one of which was a dark brown bottle with some elaborate cursive text. "It's bubbles. For a bubble bath. But it's one of my favorite smells in the world. You come out of it smelling like--well. Like something Sterling would bake, if I'm being honest. I got a few candles--I don't even know if you two need any, I feel like I'm always buying too many and leaving them here. But." He pulled out a few gourmet bars of chocolate and laid them on the table as well. "...I didn't bring them for Sterling, this time. I mean, I brought them for the both of you. But you really must slip me more clues about things that you like so I can surprise you with them."
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Posted: Tue Oct 27, 2020 9:04 pm
“Sorry…” Yu said, glancing away. “… I’m… used to more hardcore…people.” He said and pushed the bottle back to the middle of the table. “If you were, you’d …probably not have told me.” He looked a little…lost at the gift, blinking at the idea of bubble baths, but he gave a soft smile thinking about Sterling soaking in that sort of thing. The Chocolate, though, His eyes widened, and he glanced at Priam like he wasn’t positive he could take them. “You sure?” He said, arching his eyebrows. “Those are…fancy.” He glanced at them and back and then offered. “Do…you want to split one?” “Also uh…I take requests, for dinners. He didn’t have an answer for what more he liked, other than cooking. And he liked seeing the dogs… and Well, after that, it got complicated. “Chocolate is a great surprise.” He affirmed. “Everything else is just like, knowing you guys.”
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Posted: Tue Oct 27, 2020 9:24 pm
"If you'd like to split one. I haven't tried some of these, so I don't know which ones are good. But you're more than welcome to have them all to yourself, if you want." He smiled, thinking that if chocolate was all it took to make Yu happy, that was easy. His nerves had untangled a bit more, and the smile on his face was one of genuine fondness.
Yu was sweet, he decided. He might have suspected it before, but now the thought had cemented itself in his mind.
"I'm a sad drunk. Pathetic, mostly. If we're being honest. The only person I'm a danger to is myself." He hadn't talked about that, not really with anyone. He was ashamed of it--and, it was a weakness, he figured. It was worth being ashamed of. He should have known better. And yet.
"...And even then, I've usually had so much that I'm asleep before I can even think about crawling out of bed and getting into trouble." He smiled, like it didn't feel absolutely horrifying to admit. But, Yu had trusted him with something private, so Priam gave a little back.
Besides. Maybe it was good to have someone who knew. Just in case he ever felt particularly stupid and went out drinking, some night.
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Posted: Tue Oct 27, 2020 9:44 pm
Yu’s face was very serious as he listened me he peeled free a corner of chocolate and broke off an uneven hunk of it, splitting that in two and sliding part to Priam. He didn’t eat it right away though, he looked thoughtful and then started toying with the soft leather bracelets- well, gauntlets almost that he wore. “That’s... half good. I mean that you haven’t... if you ever, I mean I’m not ... a pro or anything. But if it’s easier to talk to someone you know, and sometimes it’s the opposite I know, but like, even if you just think it’s better to drink with someone else.” “The things we think can be really s**t sometimes.” He shrugged. “And sometimes they can be really loud, right? So, sometimes you just need a way to shout them down I guess because most of the time their ideas are s**t.” He tugged off the gauntlet that covered his tattoo, then stared on the other. The tattoo, read ‘made in China’ It wasn’t the only mark there but that was what he rubbed a thumb over. “If it gets really shitty, get like... a small tattoo. Makes you think about it, hurts too, but like... it helps. I mean, at least till it starts itching , then it’s sucks for ages but... you still have a cool tattoo when it’s down. All you have to do is like what you got.”
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Posted: Tue Oct 27, 2020 9:55 pm
Priam accepted the chocolate with a soft word of thanks, and brought it to his lips to nibble as he listened to Yu. He watched him, not as closely now as he had before, when he was worried about him, but he was mindful of every little bit of information shared.
He found himself nodding along with Yu's words, contemplating. "I don't have much of a social life," he mused. "I don't think I have anyone in my contact list that I could call to go out drinking. Although, to be honest, I don't want anyone else to see me when I start. But. I haven't really felt much like I needed to since I met you two. The drinking is just escapism, I know, but."
He shrugged. "I haven't felt like I needed to in a while."
Well, once, but that didn't count. It wasn't every day you lose a fight and get all worked up over nothing.
"I've thought about tattoos," he admitted, eyes tracing over Yu's until he was certain he'd memorized it. "In the end, I've always been too indecisive. How did you choose yours?"
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Posted: Wed Oct 28, 2020 10:14 am
That made Yu smile at least; he turned his wrist to look at the ‘typeface’ font and leaned back to nibble the edge of the chocolate for a moment of sweet bliss. “… Cause, the only thing they ever told me was my name, and that my parents were probably Chinese.” He shrugged. “I’m not sure why they ditched me, but someone at the first orphanage, she used to say they probably dropped me so no one could toss me back ‘where I belonged,’ so I ran with it. It’s kinda funny too. “Like… all the toys and s**t you see tossed because it broke so fast, you know?” He said it glibly despite the implications of what he said.
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Posted: Wed Oct 28, 2020 11:00 am
Priam nodded, watching him. The dichotomy of the information and how it was presented was a little jarring, but he tried to take it all in stride.
He didn't think of a discarded toy when he looked at Yu, but it was hard to tell what he really thought of it when he was making a joke of it.
"Have you ever tried to get in contact with them?" he asked, taking another bite of his chocolate. It was good, but he wasn't sure if he enjoyed it as much as Yu did. "Or, wanted to?"
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Posted: Wed Oct 28, 2020 4:55 pm
“Sure… when I still thought they might give a damn. But it’s not super easy to track down people who might not even be in the country anymore, and I don’t speak a WORD of Chinese.” He shrugged. “Also, I’m apparently s**t at learning it; I used to try and use the tapes at the Library, too many things all sound the same, and I’d probably just end up telling someone they were like… a rude fish or something.” He waved a hand. “… I always feel like I should ask… other people that, but I assume you had like, family.”
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Posted: Wed Oct 28, 2020 6:01 pm
Priam nodded as he considered. "People give up children for a lot of reasons. Sometimes they think it's for the best if they cut off contact completely. Sometimes they think their child wants nothing to do with them. Or they think their child was adopted and might not even know it. My brother is adopted. It was closed. The birth mother didn't want anything to do with him. But, she was fifteen when she gave birth to him."
He was quiet. "Jarvis doesn't know. That he's adopted. He's my brother," he clarified after a few seconds. "I found out on accident, but he has no idea. He's never even considered the idea. I don't think it's my place to tell him. But. I don't think he'd want to know. The adoption was complicated. She was young, she couldn't afford a child. Maybe she would have wanted him if her circumstances were different. But, a closed adoption means that she's not a part of his life, so...there might never be any answers."
He shrugged. "...But. Have you tried the Ancestry DNA? They have kits," he said and bit his lip thoughtfully. "They're a little expensive. And it means that some company has your DNA. But...if there's any potential matches, it can link you to them. It might be a cousin or something, or someone closer. Someone who might know something, or someone. Would you want to try that?"
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Posted: Wed Oct 28, 2020 6:14 pm
“I…” He started sounding uncertain, sinking back in his chair. “I thought they were more generic than that.” He murmured. He made a sort of face, uncertain, but thinking about it. “Dunno.” He said at last folding his arms. Honestly, he couldn’t imagine they’d be pleased. They might have had reasons to ditch him, but it wasn’t like he’d become anyone you’d just take in if they re-appeared. “I mean, I’d like to know why they did it, but I also kinda don’t care anymore. They did it, and I’m here, it wouldn’t change anything, not really, and I can’t imagine that they’d suddenly be a better family than what I’ve ….found, I guess… you know.”
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Posted: Wed Oct 28, 2020 6:23 pm
"There is always the risk of finding out something you didn't want to know. But if you're expecting the worst...Well. I find comfort in the truth. No matter how horrible it is. But. I don't like being lied to, so I guess sometimes the only way to get closure--for me--is to see it as an undeniable truth."
He offered a quick, somewhat strained smile, but it relaxed quickly when he let his eyes settle on Yu.
"But you don't have to look. If you want to, let me know. I did research on all of them, in case my brother..." He shrugged. "In case he ever found out and wanted to know."
He was clearly guilty about this secret that he was keeping, but he wasn't going to tear the family apart with a big mouth, and if things weren't broken, there was no need to meddle. Probably. Maybe.
"Whatever choice you make is the right one, for you. And I know Sterling will support you. I'll support you." He might not have been his family, or his boyfriend, but the two of them had done wonders for him, even if he didn't always know how to express it. He felt like he'd gotten back on track, like he could be himself again.
Like he didn't always have to hide from the world.
"I just want you to be happy. And safe. And if there's anything I can ever do to help, I hope you'll let me know. I want to."
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Posted: Wed Oct 28, 2020 6:49 pm
He took a long breath and let it out slowly. “ Yeah.” He said softly and glanced away, putting a larger bite of chocolate in his mouth to counter the bitter certainty that it wouldn’t be him that ended up disappointed if he sought out whatever ‘genetic’ family ties he might have. “Maybe one day.” he shrugged. “If they really are Chinese, chances are I’d disappoint them the second they saw I was with Sterling, eh? Dishonor on your family, dishonor on your cow, all that.” He frowned and thought. “She’s Chinese, right? I only saw part of it and just the Disney thing.” He grimaced, embarrassed by his own ignorance, but he’d never really had the luxury of inspiration to try and learn that much honestly. He was here, so he was American. It was simple…right? He lifted his foot to tap his against Priam’s shin under the table. “…You’re a bit of alright; if Sterling hasn't already decided to, we're absolutely keeping you. ”
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Posted: Wed Oct 28, 2020 7:41 pm
Priam flushed a bit and seemed to be at a loss for words. The nudging hadn't quite startled him, but he hadn't been expecting it--or Yu's kindness.
"Oh!" he said, and couldn't help but laugh and reach to adjust his glasses, as if the words alone had somehow been enough to jostle them on his face. "You're very kind, Yu. Thank you. That sounds wonderful."
Another laugh, small but honest, like he didn't really even know how to respond to such a warm thing.
"Do you think they could be disappointed at you for finding a compassionate, loving partner who supports you while you become a culinary genius and put yourself through school? If they can't see how wonderful you are, it's all around their loss. Even if you don't know Disney movies. Though, I'm surprised Sterling hasn't had you sit down and watch more with him. He loves them."
He had to force himself to put the rest of the chocolate in his mouth so he wasn't just holding it and letting it melt, but the smile hadn't drifted from his face since Yu put it there.
"If you wanted to learn Chinese though, I'm sure you could. You're very clever. You just need the right tools, I'd imagine."
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Posted: Wed Oct 28, 2020 7:52 pm
He shook his head. “Nah… I mean, I can read alright, I’m not dumb, but it’s sort of exhausting, you know?’ He shrugged. “I get cooking, and the…smell and taste of it.” He shrugged. “I work really odd schedules, so movie nights are a treat; I’ve seen some! I thought Beauty and the Beast were alright, though… he kinda looked better as a beast.” He made a face. “And I can’t figure out what the grey stuff is supposed to be, so it’s probably a desert.” HE added, scowling. “… Agreed to go to the stupid eye doctor, though, so maybe I can like… look clever or something.” He quipped. “Though I don’t need them, I see fine. I don’t get going somewhere if you’re not like… having a problem, is that normal?” He made a bit of a face as he’d probably had at least half this conversation with Sterling and… had been talked into doing it anyhow.
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Posted: Wed Oct 28, 2020 8:06 pm
"He did look better as the Beast," Priam agreed. "Sort of looked like my ex, afterwards. Acted like him a bit, too," he mused, but it was fleeting and he said, "Did Sterling bully you into going to the eye doctor? If you want to get glasses, they sell just the rims, you can get just glass put in. I think glasses must be such a luxury accessory when you don't need them."
He pulled off his glasses and handed them over, as if for inspection; they were clean, spotless and well tended to--but even before they were close enough to really inspect, it was obvious that Priam had horrible eyesight. The glasses warped everything, and Priam wasn't even bothering to try and squint and see anything now that they were off his face.
"I'd be lost without these. But I suspect you'd look quite distinguished in the right pair of glasses. I had to wear a very sharp, fierce little pair when I was in college to try and make myself look older. My cheeks stayed embarrassingly round up until just before I got my doctorate, so I looked practically sixteen all through college. And, even with eating all of my vegetables, I really didn't grow much."
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