|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
 Posted: Thu Nov 02, 2017 5:23 pm
It took a while for Tobias to start feeling better. He was doing pretty okay by later in the night when he insisted that Evan leave before it got dark, promising to call him as soon as he could. By the next day he felt almost back to normal, and by the third, he was up and out of the house once again, the infected looking bites looking a lot less infected, and covered by only a large bandage.
He had spoken to Evan, of course, through text messages and on the phone…but now he wanted to see him again. To really thank him for most likely saving his life. So off went Tobias, stopping first at the florist and getting a big bunch of the best smelling flowers, and off he went to Evan’s house, knocking smartly on the door and fiddling with his shirt, trying to look his best. It was still early enough that he figured he didn’t need to call and alert Evan to the fact that he was coming over…and the other two should be out…so it would be a nice day of just cuddling with Evan and maybe watching a movie.
A nice movie. Nothing scary. They had enough scary for a while.
Sighing, Tobias knocked again, a little more loudly this time, shifting the bouquet from one arm to the other. Flowers could be heavy.
|
 |
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Posted: Fri Nov 03, 2017 9:12 am
Zac had debated not answering the door; he assumed it was someone selling something, or a neighbor who wanted something. When they knocked twice, he begrudgingly pushed himself off the couch and wondered if maybe it was Evan or Cambria, arms too full to open the door for themselves. They’d gone out together earlier, so he’d had to fend for himself and make a common sandwich; he had a full mouthful when he answered the door.
If he’d been smart about things, he would have peeked through the window to see if there was a car out front, but he just wanted to get this over with as quickly as possible so he could get back to lazing around the house.
He didn’t know who he expected, but Tobias probably should have been on the list of candidates.
Zac propped his arm up against the doorframe, sandwich still in hand, and chewed for a second longer before he pushed his food to one cheek and eyed the flowers. “Those for me?”
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Posted: Fri Nov 03, 2017 10:02 am
“Uh.” When the door opened, Tobias had flashed his best smile which was quickly replaced by a scowl and a scoff as Zac stared at him and kept chewing…something. The sandwich that was in his hand, most likely but…
“No these aren’t for you. They’re for Evan. Isn’t he home?” Normally it was he who answered the door…especially when he knocked. Tobais knew he knocked the same way so Evan didn’t have to keep peeking out of the window to make sure that it was actually Tobais who was visiting…he just…knew.
But the fact that…Zac answered. Didn’t really bode well. “I suppose if he’s not here I can come back later. I just wanted to give him these as a thank you for helping me the other night and to show him that I’m feeling better because I’m quite sure that he doesn’t really believe me.”
Shrugging, Tobias lowered the flowers and reached up, running his free hand through his hair, fluffing the scarf that he once again had tied around his small ponytail. Evan always smiled when he wore it, so he figured it would bring one out again today but. “Sorry to bug you.”
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Posted: Fri Nov 03, 2017 10:37 am
Zac watched Tobias for a moment longer as he chewed his sandwich. He kept eye contact, swallowed, and then shrugged before pushing off of the doorframe.
“He and Cambria went out to run some errands. Food truck things, or something. They should be home soon, so you can come in and wait.” He kept the door open even as he turned back into the house; it was clear that he expected Tobias to follow him in. He took another bite of his sandwich and made his way back to the couch. He wasn’t looking at Tobias but asked, “What’s with the hair scarf? Is that some new fashion trend or something the kids are doing these days?”
It wasn’t, so far as he knew. He saw young, stupid kids on a nightly basis at the bar he was working at and none of them had brightly colored scarves in their hair.
Brightly colored scarves that looked like they were straight off of Malus’ uniform.
Not that Zac could just come right out and ask what he was doing wearing something like that, but he was going to get what information he could, and maybe get a few things off his chest in the process.
He did, after all, have a lot to say when it came to all things regarding Evan.
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Posted: Sat Nov 04, 2017 6:56 pm
Tobias thought about just leaving. He thought long and hard about it. This…might turn into a conversation that he didn’t really want to end up having and he knew that things would just be better if he turned around, got back in his car and called Evan later.
But, sometimes logic didn’t win out and he found himself moving through the doorway, shutting the door behind him. “What? Oh, this?” he reached out and touched the soft fabric once more, shrugging. “It was a gift from someone. I got hurt and he tied my leg up with it, now I just like how it looks in my hair.” Tobias scoffed. Some new fashion trend? Did he look like he gave a damn about what was ‘trendy’?
“I’ll go get these into some water and wait in Evan’s room, shall I? I’m sure you’re not in the mood to chit chat, am I right?”
He couldn’t forget the fact that Evan had told him that Zac ‘didn’t like him’, and from the way the blonde was acting, he could honestly believe that.
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Posted: Sat Nov 04, 2017 7:24 pm
Zac shrugged easily. “Oh, I see nothing wrong with a little chit-chat. I mean, we’ve got some time to spare. I’d hate to be a terrible host and leave you to your own devices until Evan got back.”
He hardly sounded like he’d have been concerned in the slightest.
Zac didn’t seem to be watching Tobias, but he kept an eye on him, occasionally observing him out of the corner of his eye. The story about the sash was an interesting one, and he’d have to ask Evan just how things had actually gone down when he got the opportunity.
“Especially since he seems like he’s gotten pretty fond of you.”
He waited a moment to allow the statement to sink in; he was certain Tobias would understand what this conversation was really going to be about, if he hadn’t already figured it out.
“Of course, he’s more than welcome to get close to whoever he wants, but I couldn’t help but think, I haven’t had the opportunity to get to know you very well. And, it seems only logical that we should be on familiar terms if you’re going to be dropping by at all hours of the night. Like you do.”
He leaned back on the couch, one arm thrown over the back, and he finally gave Tobias his attention.
“So what are you and Evan these days?”
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Posted: Sat Nov 04, 2017 8:10 pm
Tobias narrowed his eyes and slowly made his way over to the armchair on the corner of the living room, sinking down into it, keeping the flowers in his lap. He kept his focus on Zac, at least until the blonde moved his attention to him, and then he looked away, for a moment at least, then turned back, making and keeping eye contact.
He wasn’t going to let some upstart ex boyfriend intimidate him. Nothing intimidated him. Unless it was a giant spider. Or some dark, unending void. But certainly not a stupid ex boyfriend.
“Evan and I are friends as is his wish. Why? Jealous?” He smirked, glancing to the side and slipping the bouquet onto the coffee table that sat beside the chair, allowing his arms to cross over his chest. “Because I’m sure we’ll end up being more soon enough. I mean. We would be already if he wanted it.”
He wasn’t trying to sound belligerent. But this felt like a turf war. Like Evan was the last scrap of meat on the plains, and he and Zac were two leaders of opposite prides.
It was almost exciting.
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Posted: Sat Nov 04, 2017 8:23 pm
Zac looked at Tobias for a long moment before he laughed richly, as if Tobias had told him the funniest joke he’d ever heard in his life. He hardly seemed intimidated; his body was relaxed and he wore a smile.
But his eyes betrayed him; they were narrowed just slightly, just enough that it was obvious he was more than prepared for a fight.
“Please,” he said dryly. “I really don’t have anything to be jealous of. I mean,” he shrugged nonchalantly. “You’re still fighting for Evan’s affections. I’ve already had them. And still have them. Maybe the reason he doesn’t want to say yes to you is because he thinks he’ll lose me if I let anyone else touch him.”
He pretended to consider it and then shrugged again. “He and I are very close, after all. I mean, how many exes can still tolerate each other? Much less live together? Evan and I, we have a special bond.”
He flashed Tobias an equally cocky smirk.
“So, no. Your relationship with him doesn’t intimidate me at all. As far as I’m concerned, you’re just my replacement. At best. But, by all means, you go right ahead and try your hardest. Maybe one day he’ll soften up to you.”
His smirk sweetened into a saccharine smile.
“Maybe.”
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Posted: Sun Nov 05, 2017 5:48 pm
Tobias frowned slightly, then shrugged, trying to act like what Zac said didn’t matter in the slightest, though he did know that this assholes words carried weight. At least where Evan was concerned. Though…he thought…or rather hoped that Zac was simply stretching the truth when it came to how Evan felt for him, when Evan had spoke of Zac to Tobias…everything was past tense. And he made sure to reiterate that several times.
“We’ll see. One day though, I’ll spirit him right out of here and he’ll come and live with me and you and Cambria can finally have your happily ever after without having to look after Evan anymore. I’m sure you’d both like that eventually, wouldn’t you?” His toe was tapping on the inside of his shoe, and it was difficult to fully conceal his obvious irritation.
He really…really didn’t like Zac.
“How has he been? Since the dance, I mean. If I had known what a s**t show that was going to turn into, I never would have suggested that him and I go. I just thought it would be fun.” Tobias’s voice softened slightly and there was a slight edge of guilt marring it now. “I wouldn’t willingly put him into danger. I do hope you understand that. I do care for him. Very much.”
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Posted: Sun Nov 05, 2017 6:23 pm
Zac might have been enjoying the banter, but he couldn’t just jump right back into it when Tobias seemed to be so honest. It was easier to take him seriously when he was being a sap. Zac might not have given him such a time if he didn’t walk around like he owned the place, like he was entitled to everything. Including Evan.
In a lot of ways, it reminded him of how he used to be, and while Zac didn’t have an extremely extensive imagination, he couldn’t help but wonder if Tobias was treating Evan in the same way he did, or trying to use him for the same sort of relationship.
When he looked guilty, Zac almost even believed him.
So, he gave him a moment’s reprieve.
He took one last, final bite of his sandwich and chewed for a few seconds before he swallowed and spoke again. “He’s been all right. Slept in our room a little more, but he’s back between his bed and the couch. Working on his food truck. He’s doing okay. He said you got a nasty bite, though. Wouldn’t tell me much more about whatever happened, but from what I gather he cared enough about you to make sure you lived through the night. So I guess if you care for him, you might have a chance.”
His eyes settled on Tobias as he sized him up. “But I have to say, if you’re screwing around—if you’re just playing games with him—you’re really not going to like how this game ends. Evan’s important to Cambria and I. Naturally, we want him happy. So if you jeopardize his happiness…”
He shrugged nonchalantly and said, as if he were conversing about the weather, “I’ll have to smash your face in.”
He gave it a second to sink in and added, “But if you really care about him, I guess that’s not something we need to worry about. Although, it really wouldn’t hurt your chances if you pretended to get along with me a little more. Even if Evan does wind up with you, I’m still going to be in his life until the day one of us dies, so that’s gonna make dinner parties a little awkward if you’re glaring at me all the time.”
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Posted: Sun Nov 05, 2017 7:15 pm
“I wouldn’t drop so much time and money on someone who was just a game.” The words slipped from his mouth before Tobias could stop them and he reached up, rubbing the bridge of his nose. It had been a game at first. Seeing how far he could push Evan, how close he could get to making him cry…and it had been fun…up until the point that the very thought of Evan’s tears made him want to lose his lunch…and since his lunch was normally made by Evan, it was almost always delicious…so then he didn’t want to lose it…and he didn’t want to see the tears.
“I’m glad he’s doing okay though…It was a pretty rough night. I’m doing a lot better now, but I seriously was starting to have a few doubts that we weren’t going to make it out of there alive. And the damn spider almost got him but…”
Tobias shrugged again and once more crossed his arms over his chest, thought this time it was less of a defiant gesture and more of…something else.
“Also, I’m pretty sure that it’s you who has the issues with me. I’m only responding to the hostility. And Evan’s said that you don’t like me, so I just act accordingly. I have nothing…against you. You seem like the type of guy I would get along with.”
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Posted: Mon Nov 06, 2017 1:45 am
Zac didn’t seem surprised that Evan would have passed on such a message. “Oh, yeah, I don’t like you, but that’s on principle more than anything else. Cambria’s too supportive, so I have to be overly critical so we balance out. The thing about Cambria and Evan is that they’re too sweet, too trusting. They see a handsome guy,” he gestured to Tobias, “With a good smile, who seems like he’s trying to win his beau over, in the good old fashioned way. Nice words, nice gestures, nice presents. They want to see the good in people. And that’s fine and all, but.”
He leaned forward.
“It’s not the good I’m interested in. They can be sweet and idealistic and loving and hopeful. I wouldn’t want them any other way. But it’s my job to look for the things they miss. The overbearing, the possessive, the jealous, the cruel. All those hidden intentions, all those nasty things, that you can hide with a pretty smile and some nice words.”
Those people were easy to look for. He just had to find the ones that reminded him of himself.
His eyes remained on Tobias and he seemed to be taking into account every expression, every movement. He continued, “I don’t give a s**t who does what, most of the time. But when it comes to Evan, well. He’s a special case. See, he’s my responsibility. It’s not that I don’t want him to get hurt, it’s that I won’t let him get hurt. Honestly, at this point I’m sure you’ve realized the guy’s just not quite tip-top shape. I don’t know what he’s told you,” nor did he care to tell him, himself, “But what I do know is that you can only see someone break so many times before you have to just step in and fix things, yourself.”
He leaned back into the couch and tapped his fingers atop the armrest. “Cambria and I are just trying to do what’s best for Evan. And, he likes you, and we want him to meet new people and get out of the house more, so theoretically we should like you for being there for him. But there’s something about you, something skeezy.”
Zac didn’t seem like he was trying to pick a fight, he was just being honest. “But, for Evan’s sake, I tolerate you. And, maybe I’ve been a little hard on you, I’ll give you that. So I’m going to give you a chance, now, to make me like you.”
He paused for a few seconds to allow Tobias to process, and then continued, “I want you to change my mind about you. Tell me something that’ll make me trust you, that’ll make me respect you. Something that’ll make me like you a little more. And, if you can’t do that, tell me what it is about you that makes you seem so damned shady.”
He seemed patient, but expectant, and kept his eyes on Tobias while he waited.
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Posted: Mon Nov 06, 2017 7:48 am
Tobias’s eyebrows had disappeared under his bangs by the time Zac was finished his little speech, though he seemed almost pensive, trying to think of something…worthwhile to say. “Not. Not shady. Spoiled.” He tapped his thumb against his arm, still searching for the right words to say and finally shrugged. “I’m the baby of the family. I have an older brother, but my parents like me more. Always have. I supposed I got to be manipulative when I was young, getting into trouble and blaming it on him. Oh he hated me.”
Grinning at the thought, Tobias went on. “I suppose the cocky attitude has just stuck around. I’m used to getting whatever I want with little to no effort on my part at all, and I’m sure that’s what you’re seeing from me, but Evan’s different.” Shrugging again, he raised his face so his eyes met Zac’s. “I supposed it didn’t start that way though. I suppose he was just a prize to be won. But I guess even I can develop real feelings over time, and I suppose that’s what happened. He wormed his way into my heart and made a nice little nest there. He’s not a prize. He’s not the end game…when we start dating, that’s not just it. That’s only the beginning of another journey. It’s just the end of my solo gaming days. He’s my player two, and not the princess that I’m fighting to get.”
For a moment, Tobias seemed almost sheepish and scratched at his cheek, then shrugged again. “Wow. That got really ******** nerdy.”
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Posted: Mon Nov 06, 2017 8:17 am
Zac had a deep satisfaction, deep in his gut, at being right. Which, he probably shouldn’t have since Tobias confirmed he worst concerns about everything. Tobias had been like he was, treating Evan like a game, a convenience. It hadn’t ever been about taking care of Evan or what he wanted, it had been about Zack getting as much fun as he could out of it.
And then, over time, things changed.
He could sympathize with Tobias. He understood how that change felt.
But this wasn’t a heart to heart with Tobias, not really. Zac couldn’t get too sappy; he wasn’t the sort to show weakness, and too much sentiment was a quick trick into embarrassment.
“Wow. You are a ******** nerd.”
A few seconds of silence passed before he added, “But I guess that’s a good enough answer, so I don’t feel so much like taking you out back and kicking your a** or anything. As long as you understand that I will if you ever screw him over, I think maybe we’ll get along just fine. I’m still gonna give you s**t, though, that’s not going to stop.”
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Posted: Mon Nov 06, 2017 8:31 am
Letting out a laugh, Tobias shook his head. “Whatever, a*****e.” The word had at least some affection laced in it. He felt a lot more relaxed, like he had said the right thing, earned at least a little respect from Zac. And perhaps it wasn’t until that moment that he realized just how much he wanted this blonde protector of Evan’s to like and respect him. It felt like that was the key to really…earning—yeah. Earning a relationship with Evan.
A small smile crept across his face and he shrugged. “Maybe you and I could hang out sometime. Like, a planned hang out. Not just…me trying to see Evan and you…being here kind of deal. I think we would have been friends if we had met first. I know I said that before but I honestly believe it.”
He shrugged and shifted in the seat, making himself a bit more comfortable. “Want to watch a movie until they get back? Or…perhaps we could plan a double date sometime? I know that Evan feels guilty hanging out with me sometimes. He feels like he’s neglecting you…so maybe we could start planning to do things together? He’d like that a lot.”
And Tobias figured that he might like it too. Evan would smile, and that would be enough. It was always enough.
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
