|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
 Posted: Mon Dec 18, 2023 10:12 pm
As soon as he’d left the shop that day Alexandre had made some calls, spoken to a few of his cousins during the next conspiracy, and let things get kicked around for the week. As the days progressed he started to hear things, got information, but he also knew things were being taken care of. It seemed that whoever this person was had gained some interest in his family, in those involved in fulfilling his request. By Tuesday, Alexandre was going to visit again, he’d waited a week as things got handled by others in his family, older and more skilled members, who cut through red tape like it didn’t exist.
A drink in his hand for himself and one for the other, he knew things had been handled by now, he also knew who the other was thanks to an early morning talk along one of his usual jogging routes. An older uncle, three times removed, had intercepted him and filled him in on things. His uncle knew he’d be going for a job and had set out to catch him close to the park and pull him in, have them both sit down, as the older had gone over the findings and the help they’d already provided.
Opening the door to the others shop he was pleased to not feel tired, he’d handled that the first night, and as he sipped his drink Alexandre was confident as he wandered the shop. Some of the items were lovely, good quality, and he could see them looking very nice in certain homes he knew. But he knew more about these items and the shop now, thanks to this morning's conversation.
“I come bringing espresso…” He called out while bending to inspect something next to him, something he’d passed by the last time.
|
 |
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Posted: Mon Dec 18, 2023 10:13 pm
It had been a busier week for business now that whatever had been haunting his storefront had resolved itself. It had happened that night after Alexandre had come to visit. Maybe it had been a sign of sorts, he’d like to think of it that way at least. With some of the larger paintings and furniture sold off, he’d been able to reorganize things a lot more as he waited for more of his family’s belongings to arrive at the customs depot. It would be hard to get an Uber XL during this time of year though as students evacuated for the brief holiday before finals. Or so he assumed as he watched his latest conquest walk out of the store, a nice little blonde that had stopped by after meeting him on a jog. His breathing was still a bit rough as the afterglow faded and he stepped back out into the front part of the shop.
Leaning on the counter as he rubbed his face a bit, he heard the door open and felt his mood drop just a bit. He’d hoped he’d have a moment or two to compose himself after things. Seeing it was Alexandre made it a bit worse as he pressed the cold water bottle to his face while smoothing out his pants and shirt. Things settled enough, he stood up behind the counter which came up to his waist. “Oh thank you, I didn’t know if you’d pop in during the week since I hadn’t seen you since the other day.” He’d thought, for a moment, that he’d scared them off with his flirting last week.
“I noticed that the ghost or haunting that was bothering my storefront has seemed to stop, maybe you’re a good omen you know?” Watching as they pursued his shop, he couldn’t help but notice they had a different air today. It was almost as if they knew something and it piqued his curiosity.
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Posted: Mon Dec 18, 2023 10:14 pm
“Perhaps, though I’d prefer other terms. I’m sure there are far better things to call me.” Looking up at the other. He had a folder with him today, something that would be a very nice gift he thought, as he made his approach the shoe she wore were of a nicer quality than the sneakers he’d worn last time. Opting today for black and a light off white color, the turtleneck peeking out over the black coat he wore, his fingers were already unbuttoning the coat as it was rather warm in here.
“I’ve brought you something.” The espresso was set down, the same black cup he’d had last time and had this time, and the folder tucked up under his arm was set down as well. “Consider it a Christmas gift for someone new to the country…from someone who has been around long enough.” Or rather from a family which ad been around long enough, and had deep enough roots, that they could get things done in their own silent ways.
He had the other able to get his license and his car. Things would run a lot smoother, and easier, for the other with the strings pulled and papers drawn up and signed by various people of importance. “I can’t get you citizenship so easily but a gift is a gift I assume.” SSipping from his cup as he turned his back, to look over things, in order to let the other look over the paperwork contained within.
”I’ve been busy this week, though not as busy as others have been.” Since he couldn’t get these things on his own, others had to, all he’d done was put in a few requests with family members who could shake things and get what they wanted. He owed a few family members small favors, things he could easily do, it wouldn’t be too hard to pay people back for the help.
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Posted: Mon Dec 18, 2023 10:15 pm
Watching as they set the cup down, he noticed the folder and questioned it for a moment. Touching it lightly as they mentioned it was a gift, he looked at them cautiously for a moment. He’d done a bit of research into them, what he could do between his wandering. There was a whole family of Evans here and every one of them did something different but otherwise, he hadn’t figured out much more than that.
At the mention of citizenship, all thoughts of the English language fell out of his brain as he froze. “Quoi?” This man was not just a good omen but an angel. Looking down slowly at the folder beneath his fingers he pulled it up and opened it, he recognized the forms and the letters of acceptance. Tucked inside was a small white envelope, still sealed for security. He knew what it was from people who he’d talked to about the process. It was not a citizenship notice but an approval notice for getting a work permit and social security card. One of the cards was even in here, he’d have to get a photo taken for the other. Something had greased the wheels and gotten his business approved at the Department of Labor.
It was more than enough for him to walk down to the DMV and then call the freighter to bring his beloved car here. No more s**t-eating grins from the customs depot about how he had to beg and borrow to get a ride for his wares even though they knew his income.
Looking back up at them, his face flushed a little. This was a big thing, more than anyone had done for him since coming here. Was this how they flirted? With money and influence? Nothing came out as he stood there for a moment thinking over things carefully. This was a large debt to repay but how would he do that? He wanted to lean forward and kiss them in thanks but he didn’t want to offend them either after being rebuffed last time.
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Posted: Mon Dec 18, 2023 10:15 pm
“I’m sure you can see what’s in the folder. I thought it might be…nice to help things along a bit.” Looking over his shoulder, the smile he wore was not so sweet and innocent but it was there, as he straightened himself up. “I do hope you like it and don’t think it too extravagant.” Though given the others family he supposed such a thing wouldn’t be seen as such, not when you had the money which the other did.
Though he did wonder why he didn’t use that money to do accomplish what he, and his family, had. He supposed it could be the lack of connections where money couldn’t do everything. It did make sense, and was the only real option he could think of, but he wasn’t above helping out in situations like this…when he wanted to.
“You don’t owe me for the help. If I was looking for something in return I wouldn’t have helped, I don’t do things to gain something in return.” As if he knew what the other was thinking, because most people would. You never got something for nothing and you never got something done for you without owing a favor, it was how things went, but he wasn’t looking for that. “Put the gift to use, that’s what I want to see.” As it hinted he’d be around again in the future, perhaps not just one more but many more?
Removing his coat, because it really was too warm, he made to find a place to lay it down while looking over the other. His cup was set down, he didn’t need to spill it whilst removing his wool coat, Alexandre noted the large bit of ink decorating the others upper arm. How interesting to see. Though he supposed you never really knew who had ink hidden under their clothing. Even the most posh, well put together, person could be hiding such things.
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Posted: Mon Dec 18, 2023 10:16 pm
Walking around the counter, he moved quickly before caution decided to settle back in as they hinted that this wouldn’t be the last time they would come around. He’d already been in a mood after the events that had happened early and this just added to that feeling in a way. It was like he’d been given actual freedom again.
Even if they said there was no debt to be paid, he wanted to do something for them. This blonde angel that kept bringing blessings he wanted to do so many things to them in thanks. Pressing them against the wall he leaned in and kissed them roughly while he wrapped an arm around their waist to make sure they couldn’t pull back. Mumbling thank yous between kisses as he pressed into them, not even caring that they would be able to tell what he’d been up to before they walked in.
Caution was thrown to the wind as he reached up and tangled his other hand in their hair, holding onto their head firmly and tilting it to kiss them deeper as he got into things. Pulling them back a bit as he reached to lock the door of his shop and turned the sign to closed before continuing. “To the back so we can continue?”
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Posted: Mon Dec 18, 2023 10:16 pm
He’d expected a thank you, perhaps a hand shake or maybe a hug, what he was not expecting was to be pressed to a wall and staring up at the taller figure. The other was nearly a foot taller, not that he knew that exactly, but it had him straining to look up at them. Before he could ask anything, ask why he was being pressed to a wall, his lips were being pressed against by the others. It had all happened so fast and took a moment to catch up with. A soft exclamation of surprise passed his lips, and was uttered against the others, his stomach felt off and he was coming up onto tiptoes so the difference in height wasn’t so terrible.
Held to the other the blond felt his ears flushing red, and warm, as they continued to pepper kisses to his lips as they thanked him. He wanted to tell them it was fine, he didn’t need their thanks, but he didn’t get a chance to speak as they took his lips again with their own. The kiss deeper, parting his lips, he felt their hand in his hair and wondered when he’d closed his own eyes.
Moments seemed to drag on, but he knew it was moments only, before he was stepping away from the other, slipping out from between the wall and Rene. “I certainly wasn’t expecting that sort of thanks for the hard work of others…even if I did request that hard work and present the results of that hard work.” Still flush, his bottom lip just a bit fuller, as he stared up at the other.
“The back would be preferable if you want to continue…” Because after that, short and brief as it was, he wouldn’t mind dipping into whatever else the other might be offering. After all it had been a few months and he wasn’t looking for any sort of relationship. But it didn’t seem like the other was into relationships, at least he didn’t think so, from how quickly the other had made a move even when he hadn’t been looking for anything.
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Posted: Mon Dec 18, 2023 10:17 pm
Thinking for a moment as they pulled back, he couldn’t get over how much their face had colored from just that. “I’d like to continue.” More than just saying thank you at this point, he wanted to see how things would go. Pulling them along, he went around the corner and pushed open the door to the backroom. He had quite a few ideas for what he wanted to do and they seemed pretty receptive to this.
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Posted: Mon Dec 18, 2023 10:17 pm
Allowing himself to be led around by the other he took a moment to peek past the door, into a backroom that seemed to have more than one purpose. “A bed at least, that’s good.” At least it wasn’t on a falling apart couch or something, he was not going to sink that low, and it looked like it had been made. “I think we can continue.”
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Reply
