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 Posted: Sun May 11, 2008 7:54 pm
It was a bright crisp morning. One of those days where you just felt like taking a walk and seeing where you feet would lead you. On this particular day, Thanatos did just that. He woke up fairly early slipping into simple jeans, sandles and a long sleeve tee-shirt. Leaving his trademark Stetson, he opted for his usual high ponytail.
This particular morning, Xan had decided to take a walk around the block. Get a little exercise and clear his mind of the constant nagging that had been eating away at him ever since that dance lesson in the club. It wasn't like he couldn't dance but with another man it felt off... JJ and Brad had managed to prove him wrong and eventually he didn't mind so much. Maybe later he'd practice some more; if only to be better prepared for Hosting duties.
By this time his walk had taken him a few blocks down the street ending at a local Waffle House. Xan smiled to himself a familiar place of which he could indulge himself. Entering he looked around before taking a seat at a booth near the corner. It was normal for him to be discret . He didn't like attention, in fact, he almost cringed at it. Just as he was thinking that a waitress came up placing a glass of water and menu at his table. He flinched lightly blushing with unease before addressing her. "You ready to order, cutie." The lady inquired with a smile.
Xan cringed visibly at the nickname, sighing softly. "Please don't call me that ma'am. And I'll just have the house special if'n you don't mind. Do you have any peach tea?" The waitress nodded popping her bubblegum as she jotted down his order. "I'll have that, please." She smiled taking his menu and making her way to place his order. Xan sighed to himself sitting back.
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Posted: Mon May 12, 2008 10:58 am
Brad wasn't a morning person by any stretch of the imagination, but a lack of sleep had him up and about during those wee hours anyway. His stomach had informed him that he had forgotten to eat dinner again, and that it would not shut up until it was appeased; the only place that was near that wouldn't make said stomach revolt was the local waffle house, and it was here that he had been for the past hour or so. There was a newspaper on his table as well as a few diagrams that were covered by the menu during his absence.
The Italian was just returning from the bathroom when he spotted a man with the most unique hair and eyes, visible even from his distance. He may not have recognized Xan at all, if not for the man's voice as he approached his own table, ironically just behind the cowboy's own. Wearing his comfortable jeans, long sleeved button up and sandals, he could have laughed at their matching attire; he was only glad he hadn't put his hair up, or he would have had to walk out of the diner in tears of laughter. Not good for his stone-cold reputation.
He slid into his booth with his back to Xan, listening to the exchange between the Host and the waitress, a bemused smile forming at the obvious tone of discomfort from the man. Spreading his arms over the back of the booth, he leaned back far enough that he could almost touch Xan's ponytail with his cheek, intoning placidly, "Does the nickname really bother you that much, or do you just not believe it?"
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Posted: Mon May 12, 2008 2:39 pm
Xan was content to just sit in silence but the man behind him seemed inclind for conversation. Not expecting this he jumped suddenly at the voice. Brows furrowed he couldn't mistake that voice but to be certain mint eyes turned to find none other than Brad sitting right behind him. Had he been so trapped in thought he didn't see the guy when entering? Scratching the back of his neck he let out a nervous smile looking away quickly. "I just don't think its appropirate for a complete stranger to be callin' someone cutie at the work place." He muttered pushing the glass of water on his table with an out stretched finger. "If'n it's all the same to you, I prefer not to be called such silly pet names anyway." He seemed a bit upset but it wasn't at Brad. Getting used to the city life was going to be a joy ride and a half, to say the least. "Good mornin' by the way... what brings you here so early? I don't know but you don't too much strike me as a mornin' hen." He chuckled softly.
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Posted: Mon May 12, 2008 4:11 pm
If he wasn't so tired, he would have laughed. "No? Xan, you're in the wrong business if that's your outlook." He gave the man a very faint but highly amused grin, shaking his head to himself. "No nick names either, hmm? That's a shame. Best not to converse with me when I'm working, then. Tends to happen." Brad shifted a little in his seat so that he could turn his head and observe the other man, truly baffled as to his curt demeanor. The Italian himself was a bit of a stick in the mud, but even he could let little pet names and sweet smiles slide off his back. This couldn't possibly be the first time someone had cooed at the handsome cowboy.
"I'm here because I have no where else to be," he replied in half truth. "My stomach was having a hissy fit so I came here to silence it." He lifted one of his hands, tilting his wrist in a shrugging manner, "Definitely not one to rise with the sun. Keep hours like I do and sometimes you don't have a choice." Brad thought it'd be somewhat foolish to ask what Xan was doing in the diner; it was obvious he'd come to eat. And he'd let him do just that, if he so choose, but not without a small bit of insight.
Regarding Xan with serious eyes, he returned to the previous bit of conversation. "Think of it this way, Xan. You're a good looking man on an early morning shift. The lady was just paying you a compliment. If you just take it with a grain of salt, a smile of acknowledgement and nothing else, you will have made her day. Maybe now, not so much." He wasn't trying to guilt trip, but he did have a bad habit of pressing a person's nose into the issue. He lacked the ability to say anything delicately, and often attacked others like a speeding train.
It was one of his downfalls of being social; he just wasn't good at it as himself.
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Posted: Mon May 12, 2008 4:40 pm
Xan sighe deeply he really didn't understand these people. Didn't they know how to keep to themselves at all? Still he managed a half smile turning away from Brad to sip at his water while listening to the other speak.
Okay so he could have the woman's day by letting the nickname thing go. But she was working and he didn't think it proper ettiquet to be calling people cutie or sweetheart when taking their order. Sighing he turned again facing Brad but by then the waitress had come back with his meal. She placed it down none to kindly and stood for a moment. "Here's your order, sir. Is there anything else I can get you?" She asked mildly cold. Xan looked up surprised by the change and then turned to look at Brad a bit mortified. Maybe he had a point but that didn't mean she had to be upset over it. "No ma'am.. I- I think that will be fine." With that the waitress departed without a second glance in his direction.
Xan sighed, forking at his food. "So maybe I could have gone about that differently but I wasn't being rude when I corrected her." He rationalized more for himself than anything. He let his shoulders fall in a mock sense of defeat looking out the window at his reflection. "I can't help bein' this way. What am I suppose to do? Put on a facade 'cause I'm in the city now?" He sighed turning fiery mint eyes upon Brad. True he was upset but it wasn't directed at Brad or anyone other than himself. He just didn't know how to be anything else and some part of him was scared to change that. Change was always scary, even moving from his country home had been a big step maybe a little refining in his personality wouldn't hurt too much. He turned away forking his food once more almost unable to hold back his pout.
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Posted: Mon May 12, 2008 5:35 pm
Brad lifted his eyebrows at the man, glancing back to his own mostly demolished meal as Xan looked away. If he didn't want to talk, that was all and well, but he hadn't been trying to speak with the cowboy for the sake of conversation. As if on cue, the waitress came and was very abrupt. Brad to keep his smile in check as a flabberghasted Xan looked at him, to which the repressed smile leaked through in the slightest. That was the purpose of his words, and for one who chose not to waste them, it was sweet to see it come around.
He listened to Xan, glancing away from the man, thus missing his look and his pout. "No one is asking you to change, Xan. That's part of your endearment. What you have to do is consider that your feelings aren't the only ones involved." At this, he did look over, staring at the high silvery ponytail. "She didn't feel she needed to be 'corrected,' so even while you were defending yourself from her ways, you were forcing yours on her." His dark eyes flitted over to the window to observe his reflection before looking back to his own table.
"Don't change. You attract them just the way you are. Just try to realize that you're an exotic creature in a starving zoo." He paused, before imparting the words his family had left for him, "It costs you nothing to be kind, but the benefit it has on others is priceless. You don't have to like it. Just don't focus on it, let it pass. Smile, you'll charm 'em without trying." Brad absently picked at his napkin to refrain from putting his hand on the other man's shoulder. He hadn't known Xan long, but he had gleaned that the other had an adversion to touch, unless it was a certain young waiter.
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Posted: Mon May 12, 2008 7:47 pm
Xan forked at his food one last time but eventually ate some, his stomach was not one for interruptions no matter what mood he may be in. He had taken Brad's advice to heart it did make sense to him. He never really thought of it in that light before. Looking at his reflection in the window he chewed on his fork in thought.
He turned abruptly placing one arm over the back of the booth before the other followed suit. Resting his chin he eyed Brad thoughtfully saying nothing before closing his eyes from the world. "How do you deal with all this stuff? You make it look so easy at the club." He breathed then opened his eyes but was looking some place else. "When I moved out here I didn't expect anything to come easily. I wasn't raised to be foolish like that but I reckon it's never easy taking other folk's feelings into consideration. That's always been my problem." He mused silently for a moment sitting back with an expell of breath. "Where I come from folks just keep to themself, when ya do somethin' out of line or unappropriate, they correct ya." He snorted. "And if you're a youngin' you get a harsh lesson in manners. I didn't know things were all that different out here. But then again, there are more people then I can count on my hands and feet. I expect in a small country town you get to know people a lot faster 'round them parts." Turning to attend to his food he poked at his eggs a moment then gave a slight smile though hidden from his position.
"Mind joining me for a morning walk. The park down yonder way is big enough for a few rounds. I usually go round this time before the sun gets hot enough to fry eggs on the asphault." Speaking of eggs he forked at them again noting their slimy appearance and let a rather unbecoming scowl etch his face. Those things would do for a little asphault time at high noon. "I believe I'm done here anyway." He commented absently glaring at the food before him. He'd have to win that waitress' service back the next time around or he'd be in for a continued feature of slimmy eggs and burnt ham. Nevermind the peach tea he ordered had been changed to something he couldn't even recognize, let alone drink.
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Posted: Tue May 13, 2008 10:37 am
The Italian smiled wistfully as Xan spoke, the expression not one often worn on his neutral face. "I understand where you're coming from. I grew up in a neighborhood where everyone knew everyone...one big family. Things were different when you and I were younger." He didn't actually know how old the cowboy was, but he was guessing around early-mid twenties. He only gave in to the 'mid' part because of how mellow the younger man seemed to be.
At the invitation, Brad simply nodded, still watching the silver haired male. "That'd be grand, if you don't mind the company. I could use the walk," he patted his full stomach absently. After a moment of thought, he reached into his back pocket for his billfold, pulling out a few bills and putting them on the table. He didn't need the bill to know what he ordered, and he was a generous tipper. Brad may not have been the easiest man to get along with, but his heart was big, even if it was hard to see at times.
Standing up and giving a long and impressive stretch, he plucked his sunglasses out of his shirt pocket and looked over to Xan. "Everything has a consequence," he mused at the sad state of the man's eggs and ham, refraining from smiling. "You want to know how I deal with it?" Brad rubbed his clean shaven chin thoughtfully, before shrugging with his answer, "I don't think about my wants. I've pleased others for a long time, and it's easier to do if you don't get your feelings involved. Gets too personal, makes it unnecessarily complicated."
He shook his head to himself, beckoning the cowboy to leave with him. "If I'm spouting nonsense, just kick me in the pants. The trade off for making others happy is I have an aversion to talking about myself. That and I'm not very good at it."
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Posted: Tue May 13, 2008 4:04 pm
"But don't you think that's a little one sided? Taking in other's feelin's is find and dandy but at the end of the day don't it leave you drained?" He mused, reaching for his back pocket for his wallet. Pulling out a few bills to pay for his meal and compensate the waitress' hurt ego. He stood to his feet facing Brad for the first time that morning.
Instantly the smirk on his face spoke volumes as he quickly slapped a hand over his mouth holding his stomach to keep from insulting the man. Or maybe it wasn't so much of an insult if they both had such keen taste in clothing. If it wasn't for the fact they looked nothing alike he would have considered them twins. "I feel like I'm lookin' in a mirror. Did you raid my closet this mornin'?" Xan couldn't help poking a little fun. It had already been a sour morning so maybe a little laughter wouldn't hurt.
Collecting himself he tapped Brad on the shoulder lightly following his lead as they left the waffle house. A few chuckles remained but for the most part Xan was back in good spirits as he took in the crisp morning air stretching his limbs before falling into step next to Brad. "You know, what you said back there. It makes a lot of sense to me but it's just hard to come by. I've been set in my ways since birth but as interesting as that may all be... I really don't like going into great detail about myself either." He scratched his head looking around at the morning crowd as they neared the park. "The way I see it, the less folks know about me the easier it will be when I have to leave." He didn't continue to elabrate on that, deciding a lull of silence was much more rewarding at the point.
It was by this time they had entered the park and the morning crowd was well underway. Walking their dogs, jogging with baby carriages and other assortment of morning pasttimes. "May I ask why so many rumors spread about you? I haven't heard them all but a few have been... rather entertaining to say the least. Not that I believe them. I have a firm belief of hearing it from the horses mouth before passing judgement." He chuckled lightly hoping he wasn't being too forward but couldn't help a tinge of curiousity about the older man.
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Posted: Tue May 13, 2008 6:28 pm
"Sometimes. I'm pretty good at seperating work and persona--" Brad blinked at Xan as he suddenly covered his mouth, wondering if the eggs didn't agree with him or if he should possibly move to avoid the impending breakfast upheaval. Instead, he said what the Italian had first observed, earning him a partial but honest grin and a nod. "I was going to ask you the same thing. Well. There's something to be said for good taste," he complimented the man jovially, exiting the establishment.
He strolled comfortably next to the taller man, slipping on his sunglasses while listening to the other speak. "There's a fine line between what's expected in life and what you choose to give," he replied quietly, watching everything but truly only paying attention to Xan. "You can give surface things without giving anyone too deep a drink of your glass. For example, I can tell you I like that wafflehouse because they have great belgian waffles. Then we can talk about places to eat, food we like, and conversation will last for a good deal of time." His indigo eyes shifted over the rims of his tinted glasses to look at the other Host. "Have I told you anything about myself? No. A few things I like - which could make our next encounter more agreeable - but nothing that's going to cause me any discomfort, that's for sure." Broad shoulders rolled in a shrug. "This way you give, but keep yourself honest."
Brad was quiet at the next question, turning his gaze back over the road ahead of them. It was a damn good question, and he didn't have but one answer for Thanatos. "S'because I don't refute them," he stated honestly. "Gives people something to think about. Builds a mystery. In our profession, it doesn't hurt any." A brief smile tugged at his lips, no sign of the bitterness that barely lined his voice, "I answer any questions posed to me. It's just getting folk to ask questions and not assume the worst."
And wasn't that the pits of it. Not most cared to address the issue, just to snag what they can and run with it; that Xan had approached him face to face about it made him respect the younger man greatly. "So you're a good looking man, honest, traditional and non-judgemental." Brad took another moment to look at him. "We just have to work on your self image and you'll own this city."
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Posted: Wed May 14, 2008 2:46 pm
Xan listened to Brad's advise and examples. They all made a lot of sense, easy for him to digest without coming up with sidebar excuses as to why he couldn't adapt. He smiled ever so often when they passed some old ladies walking, a few young mothers who giggled as they walked by with their children. His attention never waivered from Brad, however, but he could never truly turn off his country charm. It was always on autopilot.
Ah yes... the rumor mill. He couldn't help curious brows from furrowing as his mint gaze glanced over the man. "You what?" He breathed letting the man go deeper into his explanation, Xan shifted in his walk placing lazy hands in his pocket. "I don't know how you do that but I reckon you should get a medal or somethin'." Xan replied smiling once more at an elderly couple that had walked by. "If that isn't cute..." He watched them but managed to bring his attention back to the conversation. "Well if'n it's all the same to you. Rumor or not, you seem like a decently put together man. Haven't done me no wrong so wether any of them are true... You're okay in my book." He gave a soft pat to Brad's back as if reinforce that fact.
Walking for a moment in silence, Xan occupied himself with his cigs fishing out a lighter as he gave it a puffing start. The smoke billowed from the tip of the cig but he quickly noticed he wasn't in a good position. Shifting to Brad's other side the smoke was blown away with help from the morning wind. He arched a brow at Brad's interesting statement then, lifting his head to exhale his intake of smoke. "Is that so... what did you have in mind?" He was curious over this man. Quite intrigued even. So many layers and not one of them were the same as the other. Just observing him for a few minutes in the club had given him that impression. "I'm willing to give it a go." Though he frowned a bit. "As long as you don't have me on a corner in heels..." He looked serious for all of one minute before cracking a smile a tinge of pink coloring his cheeks.
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Posted: Wed May 14, 2008 6:20 pm
Unlike the friendly man at his side, Brad didn't have many smiles to spare for the people out and about. He saw them, but looked through them, as his attention was on Xan; it was a good thing he had his sunglasses on, or he probably would have earned the ire of more than one passerby. He didn't mean to be so stand-offish, he just didn't think about it when he wasn't working. The irony of it was lost on him. When he did smile, it was because he saw the cowboy's influence on the young and old alike.
Brad inclined his head to Xan in quiet gratitude. "I appreciate that," he mumbled a bit, as if he wasn't used to saying such a thing with honesty. "Besides. All the rumors I've heard are of a sexual nature. I can tell you I've never been with a man," he remarked breezily. He may have been talking about the weather for all the lack of importance it seemed to hold for him. He cast a briefly thankful smile to Xan as he moved to his other side, glancing away to make sure the look of disgust wouldn't be as obvious. Brad was not a fan of cigarettes, if not only because of his brief affair with them.
Because he looked away, he physically snorted with a small bit of laughter at the next words out of the cowboy's mouth. "You're the only one in the Club taller than me, so the heels are out." He glanced back over to Xan, unable to stop the smile that threatened to curve his lips. "But maybe some cowboy boots and spurs, that'd be quite attractive, don't you think?" The smile won out, and Brad to shake his head to keep it in check. "Confidence is inside, not really social. That type of skill - being a chatty Cathy or just being receptive to one - you'll have to find comfort with on your own." He stretched his arms out in front of him for a moment, giving a sight of satisfaction while asking, "Is there a particular reason you feel shy or otherwise unreceptive to a kind word?"
A small grin allowed a bit of teeth to show. He was teasing, but very lightly. "Really. You must not have looked in a mirror recently."
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Posted: Wed May 14, 2008 8:25 pm
Xan expelled a sigh of quiet chuckles wondering how he'd gotten himself in such a situation with this man. "Negative partner. Spurs, boots, dresses, pumps or any hair accessory I don't approve is out of the question." He replied exhaling another billow of smoke into the atmosphere. Listening on, he indulged himself with the cig for a moment more before shomping it on the ground and tossing the butt in the nearest trash receptical. Stuffing his hands in his pockets for lack of anything to do with them he thought over Brad's question.
Just asking him a simple thing caused a slight apprehension in Xan as he tried not to fight it this time. He took in a deep breath mulling over ways to express himself without sounding too bitter. "I reckon folks didn't too much like my kind back where I lived. Tend to spew a lot of hateful words from their mouths." He paused a moment looking away in thought. "Not saying my kind is bad but even I started believing all the bigotry. Years of being told something, you're gonna start believin' it." He snorted and managed to turn his attention to something less touche. With a moment of silence he breathed in deeply expelling any upset over Brad's question. It was an honest one and he felt it deserved an honest answer.
Looking to Brad a soft chirp of laughter left him as he shook his head. "Actually, I try to avoid them at all costs. Can't stand to look myself in the face..." Rubbing the back of his neck he smiled. "Something 'bout my face I just don't like. Might even be thanks to those bigots back home that I just never took interest in my vanity." He shrugged finding nothing wrong with his reply even if it were a tad on the sensative side.
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Posted: Thu May 15, 2008 10:48 am
Brad spared a bemused chuckle at the veto of boots, truly more amused by the comment about hair accessories. Being someone who enjoyed hair when intimate, he could honestly reply with, "I'd prefer nothing touched your hair other than your hat." That was just his preference, of course, but no one was obligated to take the word of a 'lecherous old man' like him.
The hesitance Xan displayed mostly wiped the smile from Brad's face, and his words did nothing to ease the tight-lipped frown that formed. "Your kind," came the sour echo. Even the quiet laughter from the cowboy didn't lighten his expression. He carefully took Xan's elbow, leading him off the path so they weren't the center of attention to those who passed by. It was mostly for the pale-haired man's sake, as Brad could care less what others thought of him through his actions. He lifted his hand, gently grasping the cowboy's chin and tilting his head down in the slightest.
His indigo eyes were a cold shade of blue, his expression mild as he stared unblinkingly into the taller man's cool minty orbs. "What is 'your kind,' Xan?" he asked in a quiet, rumbling voice. "I'm not going to assume anything, so unless it comes from that pretty mouth of yours, I'm not going to think anything of it. If you don't want to explain, that's dandy, but I'd prefer to be level with you and receive the same treatment." He did not release the man's face through his speech, neither with his hand nor his eyes. He didn't care if it meant Xan was gay, straight...hell, if it meant he was a woman once upon a time. He just wanted to know.
Above all, Brad wanted to understand those who took the time to be as friendly as Xan was. It may upset the cowboy that he was so forward and damn near unpleasant in his approach, but he was who he was. He did not beat around the bush, did not leave suggestions to be interpreted. He expected others to treat him the way he treated them, and this was no exception. The man was rather fond of Thanatos, even if he had a strange way of showing his concern.
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Posted: Thu May 15, 2008 3:02 pm
Xan couldn't help the slow growl that rumbled in his chest but he didn't feel threated in the least. Being forced to look at someone was a most shameful and embarassing situation for him thought, his cheeks couldn't responding in the usual manner of flooding with red. He averted his gaze however, looking anywhere he could that wasn't Brad but eventually that won out and his mint orbs settled on concerned indigo.
"You mean you can't tell?" He questioned seriously. "I thought for sure someone would figure it out by now." He looked around finding a bench and guestured Brad for them to sit, freeing himself he did walk over to the bench.
Sitting back he turned his eyes to Brad with a slight furrow of his brow. "It's probably stupid but folks down there were set in their ways. They didn't like nothing that wasn't pure. I'm mixed. Not a horrible secret I know. It's just hard to heave some deeply rooted pain." Well it was true, so he wasn't a real cowboy. "I was mostly raised by my mama for a good six years of my life until my pa came 'round to bring me back home. If you can't tell it's in my eyes. If you look closely you might be able to see." He smiled half-heartedly trying to alievate the strange feeling of his past. Sighing he stretched a bit. "There you have it. Cut, dry and straight to the bone."
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