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 Posted: Thu Jul 06, 2017 5:06 pm
In light of all the drama, all the stress, of everyday life, sometimes it was nice to just unwind. In Arias' case, that meant whisking his younger sister away to spoil her with an expensive dinner. Things were going well of course; they were just waiting for their to-go boxes and for the waitress to come back with the bill. It was a busy night but they'd had good service; people kept bustling around.
He was resting his elbow on the table, listening as Carlee spoke. His eyes were on her; he was paying attention but couldn't help glance over her shoulder as people bustled in and out of the building. Being powered had left him paranoid and worried that trouble could come at any moment--especially now that the sun had set.
He waited until there was a pause in her commentary before he nudged the menu closer to her. "Did you decide on what dessert you wanted?" he asked, smile still in place.
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Posted: Thu Jul 06, 2017 5:18 pm
Carlee continued to stare at the very large dessert menu, making a face as she read each description. “I don’t know, Arias. I’m really torn between the sundae and the hot fudge brownie...mountain thing. Would you share it with me if that’s what I got?”
She was getting kind of sad that Virell still hadn’t shown up. The whole reason Carlee had set up this meeting was so Virell could tell the guy he liked just how much he liked him...and as of yet, there was no Virell or mystery guy...and they were already ordering dessert! This was starting to turn into a disaster.
“I mean, not that I would really want to share it with you, but it look so big! Look, Arias, it has a sparkler in it...that has to mean it’s good right? We should totally get it.”
---
Virell had seemed so adamant about going to dinner with him, and when he had shown up half an hour late and frantic about it, Nick was just a little bit confused by the behavior. But, they had made it well before the restaurant was scheduled to close, so he couldn’t quite understand where Virell’s sense of urgency had come from. He looked good though, Nick had to admit that...but, Virell always looked good...so that wasn’t that big of a feat.
Tonight he did look...maybe better than good.
Sitting down across from the blonde, Nick grinned. “So. This is fancy, much better than the normal fast food. Not that I don’t like fast food...but I like this a lot too.”
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Posted: Thu Jul 06, 2017 5:22 pm
Arias was around sweets all day; he didn’t really need more but he couldn’t help but nod. “All right,” he said with a soft laugh. If that’s the one you want, that’s the one we’ll get.”
He raised his hand to wave over the waiter who had been so patient with them and placed the order before Carlee could change her mind. He didn’t seem to notice anything amiss with Carlee’s behavior, nor did he suspect that she had any ulterior motives.
Or, rather, no more ulterior motives than usual.
--
Virell had been pleased when they’d finally made it; if it had been any other date, he wouldn’t have cared, but he’d promised Carlee to do this at a specific time. He’d taken great care to make sure he looked his absolute best—in case Nick didn’t feel the same about him as he felt for Nick, he wanted to at least make him second guess chasing him away or cutting off their relationship.
“It is fancy,” Virell agreed. “But I wanted tonight to be special. I wanted to do something nice for you. And dress up for you. And flirt with you, in public, and maybe get lucky, tonight. But mostly just talk with you.”
--
Arias had missed them being seated while he was talking to the waiter, but when he turned his attention back to Carlee, there was no denying the long blonde locks of his boyfriend. He leaned to the side just slightly so he could see around Carlee to confirm, but it probably didn’t look like much more than him adjusting his position.
It took only a second to confirm that it was Nick—only one man had that much hair and wore that much purple.
Arias was slightly less interested in Nick as he was Nick’s company—a very dressed up man who was smiling—laughing, and reached to give Nick’s hand a squeeze.
Arias was not the jealous type, but he could almost swear there was something more than just friendliness in the gesture. He watched discreetly over Carlee’s shoulder, subconsciously reaching to pull his phone from his pocket.
For a few seconds, he debated messaging Nick, but then he just couldn’t help it.
Nick said he wasn’t seeing anyone else. There was probably a good explanation. At the end of all of this, they’d have something silly to laugh about.
He didn’t want to be the overwhelming boyfriend, the nag, but Nick’s company shifted positions at the table and Arias was certain he’d seen what looked like a game of footsie start.
He told himself that there was no harm in sending an innocent text; they did it all the time.
He flashed Carlee a quick smile. “If this isn’t a good dessert, I’m stopping for ice cream on the way home,” he said, trying to focus on something else—trying to get her to focus on something else while he shot a quick text to Nick:
‘Hey, you. What are you up to tonight?’
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Posted: Thu Jul 06, 2017 5:25 pm
Carlee nodded happily. “Of course it’s going to be good...it’s going to be amazing! It has a sparkler! Arias, you have to admit that sounds awesome!” She watched him pull out his phone and grinned, thinking that he was texting Nick. She just adored Arias and Nick. They were the cutest couple ever in the world. “I’ll hold you to that. You know I can’t say no to ice cream...honestly, maybe we should just get some anyway, even if the dessert is good...I could use some more time with you...or maybe I could stay the night and we could just get it tomorrow so I can spend even more time with you.”
That seemed like the best idea ever.
--
“Psh. Stop it, Relly. You’re going to make me blush.” So perhaps Nick was going a little over the top, but he really was flattered by all of the thought Virell had put into this, and he loved spending time with the other blonde, it made him happy inside. “I’ve heard pretty great things about this place, so I’m eager to try it.” The game of footsies was quickly taken up by Nick, who grinned, rubbing his leg against Virell’s. “And,” He murmured, looking at the other male. “I’m sure we’ll be able to squeeze in some fun tonight after dinner. I don’t have any other plans but you for tonight, my Relly.”
He winked, then half jumped when his phone went off--loudly. “Crap. Forgot to put that on vibrate, well. Guess I have a text message.” Nick laughed and pulled the phone out, grinning slightly and shooting back a quick response. ‘Not much, having dinner with a friend, how are you doll face?’
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Posted: Thu Jul 06, 2017 5:29 pm
Virell laughed and tucked a few strategically loose strands of hair behind his ear. He waited for Nick to text, patiently letting Nick answer it. He didn’t expect to have him all alone forever, and he knew Nick was a popular guy.
“Perfect,” he said pleasantly. “But I don’t know why you’d even bring up blush, I don’t know if I’ve ever seen you compromised. I could try, though.” He winked for good measure, but leaned forward a bit. He pretended to glance over the menu but couldn’t help stealing a few glances at Nick in the process.
“…But honestly, the idea’s been giving me butterflies, lately.”
-
Arias flashed a quick smile and looked up from his phone for a second. “That’s how you get cavities, Carlee. You have to be careful. When was the last time you went to the dentist, what did he tell you?”
He glanced at his phone again to read the new message. Nick being out with a friend was fine, but he wondered if it was the paranoia in him that made him question if it was a friend or something else.
He texted back, ‘Good, but about to get diabetes. Carlee’s planning a multi-course dessert.’
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Posted: Thu Jul 06, 2017 5:31 pm
Rolling her eyes, Carlee scoffed. “Arias, you’re so paranoid. The dentist says I have perfect teeth, so don’t even worry about that at all. Besides,” She grinned suddenly. “What are you saying to Nick? I know that’s who you’re texting, because you have no other friends, and there’s not anyone but Nick who you would text while out with me. Tell him I say Hi ok!”
---
Nick grinned. “You can try to make me blush, hm? I think I might really like that idea. He looked at Virell and blinked slightly. “The idea...of making me blush has been giving you butterflies? Or the idea of compromising me is giving you butterflies, and if that’s the case, Virell, that’s naughty.” He picked up his phone and grinned at the message. ‘Be careful with that girl. She’s going to turn into a mountain of sugar if you keep indulging her sweet tooth, love. I know one time she conned me into buying her ice cream, and I found out later that you had already bought her a huge piece of cake, but she told me not to tell you that, so keep it a secret. I don’t want your sister hating me, that would be awful.’
He put the phone down and glanced at his menu, still grinning. “What do you think you’re going to get, Rell? I’m really excited to try the food.”
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Posted: Thu Jul 06, 2017 5:32 pm
Arias glanced up at Carlee somewhat sheepishly but his eyes were back on the screen quickly. “I have other friends,” he grumbled. “…But, you are right. I’ll tell him you said hello.”
He quickly sent a text that said, ‘That little sneak. She says hi, by the way, and that I have no friends so she knows I’m talking to you.’ He tried to force himself to relax. A part of him wanted to text Nick that he could see him, or wave to get his attention, but he didn’t want to interrupt Nick’s dinner or seem too clingy. Instead, he put his phone down on the table and smiled at Carlee. “Sorry. I didn’t mean to neglect you. I’ll try to focus on just you again, my perfect, precious, wonderful little sister, who doesn’t at all have a dangerous sweet tooth.”
--
“The idea of you gives me butterflies, in general,” Virell confessed, eyes drifting from the menu just slightly to read Nick’s expression before he hid behind his menu again. “I think I’m going to get the fish and chips, though. I’m in the mood for deep fried everything. And you.”
His eyes flicked up to Nick’s face again. “I have a silly question, Nick. Do you go on dates with everyone you’re sleeping with, or am I something special?”
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Posted: Thu Jul 06, 2017 5:36 pm
Carlee grinned. “I do not have a dangerous sweet tooth. I have a perfectly healthy one, that is quite large, and perhaps it takes over my whole mouth, so...that’s fine. But seriously, Arias...don’t stop texting that hunk of man on my account. I don’t mind that you’re neglecting me for some beautiful blonde guy who’s stolen your heart.” She took a sip of her drink and shrugged. “By all means, keep texting him, okay? I have my own relationship issues to deal with.”
--
Nick snickered at the text and shook his head. ‘Well I’ll be sorry to lose you to diabetes, tell her I said hi as well, okay? And you be sure to...I don’t even know what counteracts sugar, so you’re messed up right now. Love you, Arias.’ He put the phone down and winked at Virell. “So...you want to fry me up and eat me, is that what you’re trying to say right now?”
He chuckled softly and reached over, taking Virell’s hand and squeezing it gently. “I don’t normally go on dates with the people I’m sleeping with, unless I’m...you know. Unless they’re the person that I’m dating...I mean, you’re special, so…” There wasn’t much else to say about that...he didn’t want to upset him...but for as great as Virell was...he wasn’t Arias.
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Posted: Thu Jul 06, 2017 5:40 pm
Arias raised a brow at Carlee. “And what relationship issues do you have going on, Carlee?” he asked, suddenly very invested. She knew all about his relationship status, but he suddenly felt like he didn’t know enough about what was going on with her.
He texted Nick back a quick, ‘Love you,’ before returning his gaze to his sister’s face.
-
Virell kept a smile, practiced and perfect. “Are you saying that just so you don’t hurt my feelings? I’m asking for a reason, you don’t have to sugarcoat things. No matter what you say, I’ll always be special. But we never talk about these things.”
He lowered his menu and folded it neatly. “I don’t want things to get complicated. I like you—love you, even, and I don’t ever want to do anything to jeopardize that. I know thing are already complicated with your boyfriend—but I have to ask,” he paused so he could shift positions and lean a little closer to Nick.
“If you have fun with other people, why are you still with him? He’s a safety net, but…is that what you want, or are you waiting for the right person to come along?”
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Posted: Thu Jul 06, 2017 5:43 pm
Carlee grinned. “Well, it’s not me. It’s my friend Virell. He’s got this guy he likes and I told him to go for it and he was supposed to be here.” She drew out her own phone, frowning at it as though it was the thing that failed her, not Virell. “He was telling me all about this guy and asking for my advice...he’s the one that saved me from the one lady...when I uh...when I lost my uh...my starseed, so he’s really, really nice and I just want him to be happy!”
Idly she poked at the phone, willing it to go off and for Virell to tell her that he was here.
--
“I mean...Arias and I are doing pretty good for now. I...I don’t know. We’re in a good place. I’m doing better and I really think it’s mostly thanks to you, so…” Nick’s thumb traced circles on Virell’s hand and he sighed. “I don’t want to hurt your feelings, and I’m sorry that I keep...stringing you along like this…? But...I don’t know. I’m happy. I like what we have...and I don’t want to complicate them...and honestly...I’m scared to death of Arias finding out what’s going on…”
He swallowed, looking away from Virell, eyes staring at their hands instead. “It’s...I think it would really mess me up if something happened to break me and Arias up...I really like what we have too. It’s comfortable...and yeah, it is safe...I don’t know...I’m sorry.”
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Posted: Thu Jul 06, 2017 5:45 pm
Arias breathed a quiet sigh of relief. “Good, you’re too young for relationship trouble.”
His eyes scanned the room, looking for anyone that might stick out as being a Senshi, but he should have known better than to expect something that simple. “Maybe things went really well before they even got to the restaurant?” he suggested, sounding a bit hopeful. Of course, he wasn’t sure how much to expect from a guy who was taking relationship advice from Carlee.
He’d gotten plenty of (unsolicited) advice from her already, and wondered if Nick would still be dating him if he followed every suggestions Carlee gave him.
--
Virell was quiet for only a second. It rarely took him very long to read someone, and Nick was like an open book right now.
Nick didn’t care for Virell in the way that Virell cared about him. Virell was something fun to play with to chase away the boredom—good for a good time, good for the fun, but not what Nick wanted in the long run.
Not boyfriend material.
But, really, what should Virell have expected? Fooling around with some guy who was already taken? What—was Nick supposed to leave the guy he’d been dating, for Virell? Arias might not have had Virell’s looks or libido or love of fun, but he had substance, and stability, and Virell was just a pretty husk.
And he knew that, he’d always known that.
So, he pretended like he wasn’t getting rejected and buried his feelings—choked the life out of them, and buried them—and laughed.
“Nick.” He smiled, tapping into his usual persona. Because, it was easy. It was what got him through his days. It was what people wanted, and he wanted to be what people wanted. “I knew what I was getting into from the beginning, relax. You’re not stringing me along or anything.” He gave Nick’s hand a squeeze before drawing it up to his lips. He kissed the back of it before returning their hands back to the table. “You’re so funny, I don’t know why you’re apologizing. It was just a question. I don’t come with drama, Nick, you don’t have to worry about me. I’m happy you and Arias are doing better—that has to be a load off your shoulders. Are you sleeping better at night? I mean, without me,” he purred. “I know you sleep pretty well when I’m around.”
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Posted: Thu Jul 06, 2017 5:57 pm
Carlee rolled her eyes. “I’m not that young, Arias. I’m getting up there. I’ll be driving soon, and then voting, and then going off to college. Pretty soon I’ll be married with fourteen kids and mom will totally like me more because she’ll have grandchildren, but honestly that’s not going to be the case because I don’t know if I’ll ever really marry, so….maybe you’ll have kids before I do. You and Nick should adopt some, I want to be an Aunt, I think I’d be the most fun Aunt in the whole world...don’t you?”
She glanced at her phone again, shrugging. “Should I call him, Arias? Do you think I should call and make sure everything’s okay?” Because that was what she wanted to do. Call and make sure things were okay. “I’m getting a little hurt that he’s not here. I wanted to meet this guy that he’s in love with...they sound so super cute…”
---
Nick blinked, giving a soft smile as his hand was kissed, but looked worried at Virell’s reaction. “I love you, though. I really do...I don’t want you thinking I don’t. Honestly...I’m not sure where I would have been if I hadn’t found you. I was in such a dark place and...and you’re the one who helped me through it. You’re so easy to talk to...easy to love, easy to be with…” He drew their hands to his mouth now, kissing the back of Virell’s, then taking the time to kiss each of his finger tips.
“You’ve been everything I needed...and I don’t want to lose you...so, don’t leave me, please. I couldn’t take it if I lost you or Arias...It would break me. I think...not that I’m comfortable enough with my emotions to ever admit to breaking...but still...after Ashanite…”
He trailed off, still staring at Virell’s hand. “I don’t want you to have hurt feelings…”
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Posted: Thu Jul 06, 2017 6:04 pm
Arias sighed loudly and shook his head. “Don’t remind me of those things, Carlee. I remember when you were a tiny little thing. But,” he chewed on the inside of his cheek. “…I liked taking care of you. I mean, I like you know—you’ve grown up into an amazing young woman, but you were such a cute little kid. I’ve been thinking about it more.”
He reached for his drink and stirred it a bit. “Adopting, I mean. I just…don’t want to chase Nick away, you know? He’s had some things going on—and we’re good! I’m not worried about that, I just…I want kids. Even if that means I’m adopting by myself. I don’t need someone to help me raise them.”
It would help, a lot—but considering how much his mother wanted him to have kids and how eager Carlee was to be an aunt, he was certain there wouldn’t be any shortage of help.
“But we’ll see. I’m worried about having a kid running around the bakery. Think of the cavities,” he sighed, but it was clearly in jest. “But. Try texting instead?” he suggested. “That way if things are going well, you don’t have to worry about interrupting and he can just text you back as soon as he gets a free moment?”
--
Virell laughed again, soft and polite and charming as always. “I don’t have hurt feelings, I’m fine. Don’t read too much into it, Nick. It was just a question. Stop worrying.” He winked and resumed their game of footsies under the table. “I’m here for a good time, do you really think I would risk that by coming to you with hurt feelings and drama? You and I are good together. Just like this. I was there when you needed me, and I’ll be there when you need me. I’m good for it, I promise. No matter what happens.”
Half of his words were lies and have were truth, and he delivered them all the same. He could have been an actor if he was as good at memorizing lines as he was numbers.
The back of his throat burned but he pretended like he’d just had a really hard drink; his stomach was in knots but he pretended like he’d just eaten some bad fish. His heart was aching, but he blamed that on heartburn, and in the back of his mind he wondered what else he could blame on things he’d ingested.
But, even if it hurt, he liked the way Nick made him feel. Even if, in a way, it sounded like he was just using him.
Virell scratched that thought from his mind and smiled sweeter. “So stop worrying. You don’t want to spoil your appetite. You have to save room for dessert. I saw something I really want to try but I can’t finish it myself. Did you get to the desserts on the menu? –Oh, no, probably not.” He laughed and shook his head. “I’ve been talking all this time—the waiter’s going to get here and be so mad! Quick, pick out your meal!”
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Posted: Thu Jul 06, 2017 6:06 pm
Carlee nodded, rather absentmindedly sending a text to Virell and hoping she got an answer soon. ‘Hey! I’m here, and dinner’s almost over. Are you here yet? Is it going well? Did you propose to him? Can I be the flower girl at your wedding? NO, I want to be your Maid of Honor okay, just keep that in mind!’
With a sigh she looked back at her brother. “Okay. I texted him. I just hope he gets back to me soon...and Arias...I don’t know where this thing with cavities and you came from, but it’s kind of getting to be an obsession and I think you should get some help. Seriously. Not everyone has cavities. Dummy.” She smiled, to soften the words, but then went back to staring at her phone, slightly worried.
“Also if you want kids, you should adopt one. You’re not getting any younger, Arias.” Carlee glanced up and stuck her tongue out at her brother, trying to soften the words to the joke it was.
--
Nick slid his foot along Virell’s leg and gave a little smile. “And you know, I’ll be there when you need me too...I promise. I’ll always be here for you, no matter what.” He kissed Virell’s palm again and let their hands rest against the table, suddenly looking stricken. “I haven’t even looked at the menu...shoot and here he comes, for real you weren’t kidding.”
Quickly, the blonde scanned the menu, feverishly looking for something that he could have to eat and sighing at how good everything sounded. “What did you have in mind for dessert, Rell? Besides me, of course?” Looking over the menu, he winked at Virell and gave a devilish grin.
Part of him was still a little worried that he had said something wrong and ruined tonight already...but...he wasn’t sure how to fix it.
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Posted: Thu Jul 06, 2017 6:08 pm
Virell glanced up at Nick and hoped if he smiled enough, he would feel happy. But pretending was enough for now. “It’s cinnamon, just look at this.”
He opened the menu to show him a picture of a gorgeous cinnamon cake. “I don’t like sweets all that much, but this just made my mouth water. Oh—” he paused when his phone went off and flashed Nick an apologetic smile. “I’ll give you a minute to order and stop distracting you, promise.”
Except, as he said that, he moved his foot a little higher, teasingly, before returning it to where it had been. He opened his text message and had to work to keep his smile in place as he texted Carlee back. He didn’t want to lie to her, but he couldn’t go into the truth—not while he was in public, across from him.
He texted her back ‘(:’ and then, afterwards, ‘If I ever get married, we’ll figure something out xoxo’
--
Arias sighed and put his face into his hands. “I know, this whole cavity thing just drives me crazy. Oral health is just so important, and you eat so much sugar and Mom will blame me if anything happens because I’m the one with a bakery—which might as well be a sugar factory! Even grandkids won’t make her forgive me.”
He lowered his hands from his face and wore a tired smile. “Kids, though,” he said fondly. “I’m just so busy, I’m worried I would mess something up. But we’ll see. It’s a lot of work—and it’s expensive, and they might deny me. But…I’ve been thinking about it more and more, so…maybe. I’ll look into it—before you get so old you lose interest,” he laughed, giving her a gentle, playful kick under the table. It wasn’t enough to hurt her—just enough to let her know he was teasing her.
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