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 Posted: Tue Jun 27, 2023 9:27 pm
Quote: Nature’s Boon (10) : Flowers are blooming at an incredible place across the city and sometimes barren patches of grass can be overrun with flowers overnight. There have been heavy showers and a high pollen count but there doesn’t appear to be any other explanation. It is not uncommon to find trees with nearly double the leaves they usually have, with vines twisting up houses, flowers covering the front yard, or local fruits to have doubled in size. This isn't the first time Destiny City has seen such oddities, and there doesn’t seem to be any negative effects to this; scientists are questioning climate change. Or is it radiation??
Ariel shouldn’t be this tired. He had been working his normal hours–which were always too much, but he liked being in the office. He’d eaten like he had every other week–not healthy, but not bad. He’d certainly had worse weeks! He’d slept–well, he’d slept some. Not as much as he could have, but sleep was hard to come by these days anyway. He’d probably had worse weeks there, too.
It was summer so it probably wasn’t weather related. He hadn’t thought he was overheating? Maybe he had. It was a cloudy day to begin with, and the rain had been on and off all day, but he’d only gotten caught in it briefly on his way home.
Certainly not enough to make him this tired. He’d almost fallen asleep on the bus, and he was pretty sure he’d done the equivalent of sleep-walk across the parking lot. One minute he was next to the office, the next he was almost at his door.
When he’d left this morning, the apartment had been fairly clean, freshly mowed. He thought. The flowers were neatly trimmed and respectably in bloom.
Now, they were completely overgrown, and vines had spread into the parking lot. He had to double take more than once on his way to his apartment because the building itself looked like weeds and vines were sprouting between bricks and–
He really wasn’t feeling well.
Half of the complex looked almost unrecognizable to the point where he was worried he’d gotten off at the wrong bus stop, but after vigorous–and energy consuming–efforts, he determined he was in the right place.
Almost.
His apartment was so close.
His vision was swimming and he could hear his blood pounding in his ears but he was so close. If he could just make it inside he could make it to the couch. Just a quick nap, then he’d be back on his feet.
His keys jingled in his pocket; he almost dropped them, but his hand was on the doorknob. He felt like he was sideways already.
Ariel missed the keyhole the first time he tried, and the second time he got it in but the keys stuck. He must have done something right though, because the door opened when he twisted the knob, and–
He’d forgotten to turn off the lights before leaving for work? That didn’t seem right. But it didn’t matter.
The keys felt heavy in his hand, probably in part from the Amber Star Charm he was now getting used to. He dropped the keys on the floor by accident and just kicked them inside before he closed the door behind him. The lock clicked, and then he turned the other one out of habit. Which was good, because his eyes were closed already.
He just needed to make it to the couch. Or–no, he was too dizzy. His stomach felt like it was in his throat. He just needed to sit down, just for a minute.
So, he did.
Ariel sank to the floor to sit cross-legged. His bag and umbrella clattered next to him but he was already breathing a sigh of relief. He hunched forward a bit and laced his fingers together behind his neck as he closed his eyes and just breathed for a moment. He was pretty sure he was about to pass out, but that was fine. It had happened before. He just needed a minute to reset and he’d be as good as new.
Which was good, because as soon as he felt better and realized where he was he was going to have to explain why he’d walked into Casey’s apartment for the second time this month.
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Posted: Wed Jun 28, 2023 5:00 am
Casey had forgotten what he was doing, distracted by the book he held in his hand while he sat on the bathroom floor mat next to a now lukewarm tub of water. Harrison was warm as she laid against him, so it wasn’t entirely his fault that he didn’t want to get up. But he was pretty sure he’d forgotten to eat. And he obviously hadn’t gotten into the tub like he’d planned.
The sound of the door opening didn’t alert him at first. The walls were thin so it wasn’t too different from a neighbor opening and shutting their own door.
But when he heard the keys clatter to the ground-- and slid across the floor, he looked up from his book and finally, gently, moved Harrison off his lap so she could grunt and continue her nap on the floor.
He didn’t have a bookmark so he used the sapphire star charm he’d attached to a hair clip and carefully stuck it between the pages before curiously poking his head out of the bathroom.
Only to find Ariel basically collapsed on the floor.
“Are you okay?” he asked in alarm as he quickly made his way over to his neighbor so he could crouch down beside him. He was still in his shorts and teeshirt at least, having been thoroughly distracted from the bath.
He wasn’t sure if Ariel wanted to be touched, so he only gently placed his hand on his shoulder, just to keep him from falling onto his face.
“Are you hurt? Should I call an ambulance?” he asked, although he cringed at the idea. If it were him, he would rather just suffer than have to worry about a bill like that. But he didn’t want Ariel to suffer.
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Posted: Wed Jun 28, 2023 7:24 am
Ariel’s head shot up immediately and he was ready to be so upset that someone was in his apartment--and then he realized, no. He was the intruder.
Again.
“Casey,” he blurted, and almost immediately tried to push himself up. “I’m so sorry. I was dizzy, I must have mistook your door for–did you not lock your door? I thought I used my key.”
No, had he even gotten the key into the lock?
“I thought you were going to lock your door, I told you, it’s dangerous. Anyone could just wander in.”
He was dizzy enough that when he got one foot on the ground he almost toppled over, which was embarrassing enough in itself even if he hadn’t just broken in. Again.
“I don’t need an ambulance, just a nap. It’s just–probably long hours at work. I’m just tired, that’s all. I’m so sorry.”
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Posted: Wed Jun 28, 2023 10:50 am
“So far it’s just been you,” Casey offered Ariel a hand and a guilty smile. He’d meant to lock the door, but it just… slipped his mind. Sometimes he got home and couldn’t think long enough to do more than close the door behind him.
Harrison had finally decided to see what the commotion was, and padded her way out of the bathroom as well, immediately going over to Ariel to try and lick his face--
“Ah, Harrison, no,” Casey quickly tried to get her to move back, not wanting Ariel to be slobbered on, on top of everything.
“I can help you to your apartment if you’d like. Oh, I mean, or you’re welcome to stay here,” he quickly offered, because it wasn’t like he was going to say no to company. Harrison was great, but sometimes having someone who would talk back to him was nice.
“But really, don’t worry about it. I don’t mind. I like to see you. I mean. Other than crossing paths in the hall.”
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Posted: Wed Jun 28, 2023 11:18 am
Ariel turned his head just slightly to avoid a wet tongue right to the eyeball but it was out of self preservation only. One hand reached up to pet the side of her face appreciatively. He didn’t have a lot of energy, but he put in what he could to thank her for her enthusiastic welcoming.
“She is a horrible guard dog,” he said, when he was certain her tongue wasn’t going to get in his mouth. He wanted to rest his forehead against her, just for a moment. It would have been too easy to just close his eyes and let himself drift off.
He didn’t immediately answer Casey. The logical answer was to say that he could get home on his own, but thank you for offering. He wasn’t thinking very logically. Casey’s floor felt very comfortable right now.
Ariel wasn’t trying to ignore Casey’s hand, he just didn’t know if he had the strength to get up. “I can move in just a moment,” he assured. “I’m so sorry, I don’t know what came over me. I feel like I could fall asleep right here. You’re too kind, Casey, really. Harrison looks so tired, did I wake her up?”
He glanced up at Casey. “I didn’t wake you up, did I?”
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Posted: Wed Jun 28, 2023 12:55 pm
Casey chewed anxiously on his lip. He didn’t mind Ariel being there, but he was worried that he would be uncomfortable. He just didn’t want to do anything that would upset him or make him think he was weird or too intrusive.
“Oh, no, you didn’t wake me up. I was going to read while taking a bath, but then Harrison laid on my lap next to the tub and I ended up just reading there, instead.” he said with a small wince.
“But I wasn’t doing anything important. Oh, here, you can lay in my lap if you want,” he offered before he thought better of it, and then laughed awkwardly as his face burned. “I’m just joking. I mean, you can if you want. But. I can get you a pillow if you want to fall asleep on the floor. Probably not comfortable. I can carry you to the bed -- oh, or the couch. Or your place. I can keep you company. Or not, that’s probably weird. Sorry.”
He was rambling. The more weird things he said, the more he regretted saying anything. He was probably never going to see Ariel again at this rate.
Harrison was happy for the praise and her tail thwapped against the floor as she leaned up against Ariel in hopes of getting more pets. She was absolutely a horrible guard dog.
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Posted: Wed Jun 28, 2023 1:15 pm
Casey’s words sort of filtered through the fog of Ariel’s mind. Harrison’s attention was at least somewhat distracting–enough that it was keeping Ariel awake for a moment. He leaned back against the door and closed his eyes for a few seconds as he pet her.
“I should go home,” he said, in a tone that said he knew he should but he really didn’t want to move. He must have been absolutely exhausted if he couldn’t even muster the strength to get up and get his keys and leave after meandering into his neighbor’s house.
Again!
He should have been pale, but the embarrassment sent blood right back up to his cheeks and gave him a bit of color back.
“I have work in the morning.” That wasn’t important. He didn’t know why he said it. He didn’t have to make excuses for all the reasons he should go home.
“You’re not making dinner this time.” He was so thirsty. Was he hungry? He didn't have an appetite. But then–what had he had for lunch? Soup? Salad? Maybe his blood sugar was low. “I suppose it’s a little late now, isn’t it? I was going to offer to get something delivered. Pizza, maybe. As an apology for breaking in. I won’t feel bad about staying a few more moments if we’re waiting for dinner.” His mouth felt dry but he wasn’t sure if it was because he was dehydrated or just felt silly about all of this. He could focus on Harrison’s sweet face while he tried to come back to normal.
“But I could probably make it back to my apartment now if you’ve eaten already.”
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Posted: Wed Jun 28, 2023 6:03 pm
“Oh, dinner,” Casey grimaced and then laughed awkwardly as he scratched at his head. “Yeah, I haven’t had time to make anything today. It’s been a little crazy at work, so I ended up just… being lazy when I got home.”
And cooking took effort. He thought about just eating noodles -- again -- but that would have been even more depressing than things were.
“I can order pizza if you’d like!” he gasped, clearly excited to be able to help in some way. If Ariel wanted pizza, he would absolutely buy pizza. “People give Hawaiian pizza such a hard time, but the acidic sweetness of the pineapple really does wonders when paired with ham,” he rambled, and then laughed awkwardly again because he was actually talking about Hawaiian pizza, and when he cleared his throat he pushed himself up to find something to write on. Just so he wouldn’t forget.
“What would you like? I can find a place that’s still open. Oh, but you should get on the couch at least. Or lay on Harrison. She’s comfortable and won’t mind,” he insisted, giving his dog a few appreciative pats on her head as she tried to lick his arm in response.
“Oh, or…” he knew it wasn’t ideal, but if Ariel was going to be on the floor anyway…
Casey reached over to the couch to pull off a pillow and offered it to Ariel. He doubted he was strong enough to carry him, but he would try if he needed to.
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Posted: Wed Jun 28, 2023 6:20 pm
Ariel accepted the pillow without complaint and pulled it to his chest. He hunched over for a moment and rested his chin atop it before he seemed to wrangle up the resolve to move to his feet. It was a slow, careful effort–he didn’t want to fall or step on Harrison!–and he placed one hand on the couch to steady himself.
“I’ve never had Hawaiian pizza,” he said after a few seconds. He was still thinking about what Casey had said, it was just taking him a few extra seconds to process it all. “I think tonight sounds like a good idea to try it. I’m so hungry, I don’t think I could say no to anything.”
Was he hungry? He was exhausted, he felt like he should be hungry.
“There are a few pizza places by the college, I know they’re open almost all night. If you don’t have a preference, I think they’re pretty good. I’m not feeling very picky right now. Here,” he said, and fished out his wallet. It took him a few seconds to actually open it because he sank down onto the couch and dipped his head back.
He could have fallen asleep just like that, a couch had no right to be this comfortable.
A few seconds passed but he pulled out his credit card. “Here.” He pinched it between two fingers and held it out blindly for him. “Use my card. Is she allowed on the couch?”
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Posted: Wed Jun 28, 2023 7:25 pm
Harrison was already lumbering up onto the couch so she could climb into Ariel’s lap while Casey somewhat reluctantly took the card from him. He felt bad about it only for a few moments, before deciding he would just give him his half of the bill later.
“Oh, yeah she can, but push her off if you don’t want her on you. She likes sleeping on people. Sorry,” he made a face, but didn’t shoo Harrison off until it looked like Ariel was getting uncomfortable.
He didn’t want to leave him alone, but knew he probably should go ahead and get food ordered. Casey took a moment to step into his bedroom as he searched his phone for the pizza places in question, and then called and asked for a Hawaiian pizza to be delivered to his address.
The other reason for slipping into the bedroom was so he could grab a couple more blankets on his way back, and then carefully draped one over Ariel’s shoulders. If he’d fallen asleep, Casey didn’t want to wake him up until the pizza was there. And even then, he would probably feel guilty about it.
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Posted: Wed Jun 28, 2023 7:50 pm
Push her off? How could Ariel want to push her off? As soon as she was on the couch, he’d wrapped an arm around her and was petting her with as much energy as he could muster. She was warm and gentle and sweet.
He closed his eyes for a moment as he rested against the back of the couch.
Maybe he did fall asleep for a moment, because when he opened his eyes he’d briefly forgotten where he was, and–
Oh, Casey was there, bringing him a blanket.
“Thank you, that’s nice.” Maybe he’d passed out for a few seconds; he felt a little clammy, but less exhausted. Just tired. He was still petting Harrison and seemed pleased with all of her attention. “She takes after you quite a bit, doesn’t she? You’re both always so sweet to me. I won’t be barging in again, I’ll knock next time I stop by. I hope. How long did they say for the pizza?”
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Posted: Wed Jun 28, 2023 8:58 pm
“Maybe about fifteen minutes. Can you last that long? They’re not too far from here.” Which… was why Ariel had suggested the pizza shop he’d ordered from in the first place.
“Here, while we wait,” he started, and then remembered he hadn’t actually done what he’d been thinking about before and hurried off to the kitchen to get a couple glasses of water. He held one out for Ariel, but was ready to put it on the table if he didn’t want it.
“Maybe it’s just easy to be sweet to you,” Casey suggested, even as he felt his cheeks warm a bit. He wasn’t trying to be sweet! Even if Ariel was always nice to him, and he was really cute. But Ariel also seemed like he wanted to keep his distance from everyone.
“I’m worried about you, though. Are you getting enough sleep? I don’t think you are,” he frowned, and sat on the side of the couch, curling his feet up under him. “You don’t seem like the kind of guy to accidentally go into other people’s apartments. I mean. You’re welcome here all the time, but…”
He hadn’t missed how pale and exhausted Ariel looked.
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Posted: Wed Jun 28, 2023 9:11 pm
Even if he’d tried to hide it, a little smile twitched onto his face when Casey said it was easy to be sweet to him. He couldn’t even imagine it was flirting, Casey just seemed like such a wholesome person. Worrying about him, even? Being so kind after he’d broken in?
Ariel was going to have to find some way to convince him to lock his door and stay safe, he didn’t know what he’d do if something happened to his neighbor. Even if he only ever seemed to embarrass himself in front of him.
He accepted the water with a soft word of thanks, though it took him a few more seconds to draw it up to his lips. He sipped at it and debated only briefly before he nodded–only once, so he didn’t make himself dizzy. He could wait fifteen minutes. It might take him that long just to make it through this glass.
“You don’t have to worry,” he reassured, perhaps unconvincingly given that it was perfectly reasonable to worry about someone who wandered into other peoples’ homes.
“I’ve never wandered into anyone else’s apartment but yours. I don’t know what it is, maybe it’s because you’re closer to the stairs? I do work a lot, but my job isn’t even that strenuous. I don’t have any right to be this tired. It was fine an hour ago, but while I was waiting at the bus stop, it just hit me. I thought I got hit with a bout of vertigo. I don’t know. I stress myself out so much, maybe it’s all just catching up to me. I feel a bit better already, though. I’m sure a good night’s rest will be good for me. If it doesn’t clear up, I’ll schedule a doctor’s appointment, though.”
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Posted: Thu Jun 29, 2023 5:20 am
Even though he was told he didn’t have to worry, Casey still frowned with concern. Suddenly losing energy while just standing at a bus stop didn’t seem quite right, but he had no other way to explain how that could have happened.
“Well, I’m glad you made it into my apartment and not collapsed in the stairwell,” he made a horrified expression, suddenly not liking that thought at all. “And I don’t mind when you drop by,” he gently teased, but tried not to snicker quietly to himself about it. He didn’t want to make Ariel think he was making fun of him. He wasn’t! It was just funny that he managed to end up in his apartment twice.
Well, he just hoped he wouldn’t be chastised too much for having his door unlocked.
“Do you usually get vertigo? That sounds scary. Oh, but I shouldn’t be asking you all these questions. You should be resting. Did you want me to wake you up when the pizza gets here?” he offered, because he didn’t want to annoy Ariel so much that he didn’t want to stop by, by mistake or on purpose.
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Posted: Thu Jun 29, 2023 6:20 am
“No, no,” Ariel insisted, because he couldn’t imagine how rude it would look if he broke in and just fell asleep on his couch. “I’m fine, thank you. You’ve taken good care of me. I’m feeling a bit better already.”
He sipped at the glass again, and stroked behind Harrison’s ear. The sluggishness was fading a bit but he could tell he was going to sleep very well tonight. In his own apartment! He wasn’t going to fall asleep here, no matter how welcoming Casey made it sound.
It wasn’t easy for Ariel to let down his guard, but he’d broken in twice and each time Casey had been kind. He severely doubted there were any nefarious intentions in his offer. Didn’t dogs take after their owners? Harrison was so sweet, she obviously got that from Casey. Between the two of them it was hard to imagine even a single bad bone.
“I don’t mind your questions, I am resting. Your couch is very comfortable. You know, I was hurrying across the parking lot, maybe I just used up too much energy. I’m usually very healthy.”
But, feeling a bit guilty that they were just talking about him. He already felt a bit selfish, asking Casey to order dinner, or look over him while he was coming back to his senses. “What book were you reading when I broke in?”
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