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 Posted: Fri May 16, 2008 11:48 am
Thanatos had been walking leisurely down the boardwalk from the Club. He was sick of being cooped up in the confinements of that place for far too long. It wasn't official just yet but the doors were scheduled to open really soon. In that aspect there were a few things that needed to be addressed. More than a few things...
Even as he left the club on a mission he had completely skirted the apartments across from his place of work, dreading even going there. Instead he let his worries take over and stear him clear of the one person he needed to talk to.
So here he was walking futher down the road closer still to his usual park where he had his morning walks. When he realized where he was he found a secluded area covered by shade trees and bush. A bench was thankfully provided to which he sat leaning back in his seat. Only moments later did he pull out his usual pack of cigs removing one and setting the pack next to him on the bench. He felt around for his zippo finding it nowhere on his person before realizing it was in his other pants pocket. Sighing he just let the cancer stick dangle from his lips as he leaned back with eyes closed, trying to mull over in his mind just what had happened...
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Posted: Fri May 16, 2008 11:59 am
Spotting a stetson around this part of town wasn't difficult, trees or no trees, and for once, Tai had agreed to play some soccer with a few friends and coworkers at the park. He had no problem picking the bright white hat (and silver hair to match!) out of the little alcove nearby.
Nearly getting the black and white ball in the face, he yelps and ducks out of the field, apologizing. I'll be right back, keep goin.. er.. something, I don't care! He waves, ignoring the complaints about unbalanced teams, opting instead to jog over behind the cowboy. Well, jog, until he realized he probably looked a little silly. Slowing his pace with effort, he silently approaches and spies the cigarette. Stiffling a snicker, he lights it with his own cheapie bic , unable to wipe the 100watt smile from his face.
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Posted: Fri May 16, 2008 12:12 pm
Xan opened mint eyes to the world that had suddenly turned upside down. A shock of red hair flashed in his eyes before he realized he was the one upside down. The light to his cig was welcomed as he righted himself turning to find Tai looking down on him with a rather goofy grin (at least to him) but it was nice to see the man either way.
"What brings you to these parts?" He asked casually taking a marginal puff of his cig before exhaling. Reaching for his pack he held it up but only just noted Tai's sweaty, tired form and the group of soccer players on a field behind him "Ah.. I see." He commented turning on the bench to pat the spot next to him. "Got a moment?" He asked drawing another inhaled breath. "I'd like to talk... haven't see you in a couple of days and figured it best to clear the air of a few things." His tone was casual but the undertone of seriousness couldn't be mistaken, even as he turned a warm smile on the other, his eyes glinted with an apologetic spark.
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Posted: Fri May 16, 2008 12:37 pm
Tai swallows, his smile fading at the words and walks around the bench to sit, actually taking time to catch his breath. Yeah, sure, I'm just here with some friends, got all the time we need. He pulls back his mass of hair and shoves a black elastic ring around it to keep it up off his neck, messy and loose as it was. He chews his lower lip and leans back in the bench, a heel hooking on the edge. It felt like he'd swallowed a rock when he'd gulped at the cowboy's words. What was he going to say? That it had been a joke? Or just a ... fling thing? No. Well, maybe. God I hope not, he silently prays. So, what did you want to talk about? He patted himself on the back at his own casual response.
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Posted: Fri May 16, 2008 12:57 pm
Xan sighed feeling like a cad but he didn't see any other way. "Uh..." Well that was graceful, he thought, looking back across the park at nothing inparticular. "The club will be having it's grand opening soon." That was as casual as he could muster before placing a comforting hand on Tai's leg. He drew the hand away a moment later fixing it with the cig dangling from his lips before speaking again. "I just don't want any unnecessary strife between us." He said softly looking to Tai a moment before his gaze shifted. "My job comes first, I gotta make a living and as annoying as it may be from the outside looking in... I'm prayin' you don't think any less of me."
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Posted: Fri May 16, 2008 1:08 pm
Tai stares. That's not clearing things up, that's making me ask more questions, he blurts. He holds up a finger, takes a breath and hangs his head, annoyed at his rushed response. Let me... try that again. I need a straight answer from you on this. He slowly looks up again, countenance carefully pieced together blank and unreadable. He had practice, but hadn't had to do it in a while. He hoped he wasn't getting rusty.
I need to know if you're just asking me to sit tight and let you do your job, or if you're uh, he clears his throat with a small noise to ensure his voice did not fail him, if you're telling me that we're done.
He sits back, stony-faced and stiff, working hard to keep emotion from his face to give his friend a chance to think without having Tai's bias pressuring him. He wouldn't be happy if Xan was telling him that they were over, but this had to be an honest decision made by the cowboy for Tai to feel right about whatever outcome this might bring. The rock in his stomach seemed to be getting bigger, and had spawned a clone to lump in his throat as he awaited the answer.
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Posted: Fri May 16, 2008 8:38 pm
"Tai..." Xan sighed inwardly shifting on the bench to get a better look at the redhead. "We never started." He finally spoke taking the final drag of his cig he ashed it at the end of his boot and flicked the butt someplace in the distance. "Nothing happened between us. Don't take things out of context. You may think and feel but what actually happened was all an illusion, a dream." The more he spoke, the more he wanted to hide himself away but it was for the best. He had a job to do soon. Any flax about outside relationships would not bode well for his profession. Best to cut all loose ends before they became a liability.
"I mean... how would it look if people thought something was going on? I can't have that, it would jeapordize my work. And I didn't come out here to forfiet that for a quick fling." He stood to his feet hovering over the other for a moment. There was an embarassed almost hurtful tinge to his eyes which bore into the other's orange orbs. "Corn has ears, Tai. You understand don't you?"
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Posted: Fri May 16, 2008 8:53 pm
Tai sat in stunned silence for some time. Corn? Didn't matter. He got the picture, clear as day, and it had been a slap in the face. As if in reaction to his thoughts, his cheeks flush in anger, and perhaps a little embarrassment and he stares now icily back up to Xan. If he could make it that easy, without being willing to have any kind of compromise for the - God help, he called it a fling. That's what I get. I pulled that s**t and now it's on me, and that's what I ******** get. He berates himself, snarling inwardly but unwilling to show more than the stony facade he'd blessedly set up before this. Practice makes perfect.
Tai stands swiftly, I think I understand perfectly, and passes within inches of the cowboy, avoiding touching him with a fluid grace as he walks towards his home.
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Posted: Fri May 16, 2008 9:06 pm
"Christ!" He spat turning when Tai was barely out of reach. He shot a hand out gripping Tai firmly around the wrist until he had his attention. Still facing away from him, with the other man seemingly bent on leaving, Xan growl out. "You're dense." His tone taking on a husky annoyance. "Ever heard the expression read between the lines?" Letting his wrist go, Xan reached for his smokes again. Knowing he had no light he just needed something to do with his hands that wasn't on the cusp of violence.
"I can't make it any clearer to you without spellin' it out, it would seem. So I'm not going to.. run home if that makes you feel any better. I won't chase you but I meant everything I said just now." With that he headed in the opposite direction, maybe a bite to eat would help clear the raw taste in his mouth.
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Posted: Fri May 16, 2008 9:21 pm
It took a while for him to sort out the details of what Xan might have said, and he stood there dumbly as the man spoke to him, and watched him as he walked a ways away. After a shaky breath to dislodge the cold rock that had solidified in his gut, he turned to jog after that stetson, soccer forgotton.
You're right, I ... overreacted. Again, the lighter is produced and he flicks it up at the end of the cigarette. Sorry about that. I'm just not used to all this, that's all. You didn't deserve that kind of treatment.
He rubs his wrist unconsciously and looks down to the pavement. Should... I go now? I mean... would it be better? His plea for direction sounded pathetic even to him, but he knew no other way to go about it.
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Posted: Fri May 16, 2008 9:30 pm
Xan sighed looking to the sky for thanks. "I don't hate you if that's the case. You're just a little slow is all." He commented taking a puff of his cig after the light was offered. He smiled upon the other man still heading in search of food.
"I was on my way to a local diner. You're more than welcomed to join me..." He trailed off looking to the field of soccer players. "Shouldn't you at least give them a heads up. Would be the polite thing to do." He commented absently even though he didn't look as if he were going to stop. The diner far thankfully, "I could go up ahead and get us a table, it's the first diner to your left when you exit the park. Sits right across the street on the corner."
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Posted: Fri May 16, 2008 9:58 pm
Tai rolls his eyes. Oh, you'd hate me because I... Nevermind. He scowls and looks back to the men taking a rest next to one of the goals with a certain amount of disdain. Fine, I guess I should let em know. I've seen the diner before, I guess I'll see you there.
The redhead stuffs the lighter back into the back pocket of his loose sweats and jogs back to the field, cursing under his breath about a myriad of things, mostly Xan.
Look who it is, we thought you'd ditched us, man! A lean man with a generic, if a bit shaggy, haircut beamed up at Tai and tossed him a bottled water. Tai catches it deftly and drops it back into the man's lap.
Sorry to disappoint, but I forgot I scheduled a lunch with someone, so I'm gonna have to get out of here.
Then men looked at eachother and chuckled amongst themselves, one or two flushing to boot. Tai frowns. What? he demands, orange eyes peering from narrowing lashes.
Suuuure, and that guy there just HAPPENS to be the lunch date you've got.
I didn't say it was a date, and it's none of your goddamn business. We're all big boys here, and I don't ******** with you when you go have a few beers with the boys.
Whoa, whoa, easy, Mr. Devereux, don't go gettin pissed, alright? Just some good hum-
I get it, just ease off, alright? I'm out.
Take care man.
Tai didn't think he'd stopped cussing in his head since he'd spoken with Xan on that bench. He was having trouble remembering what it was exactly that he was cursing at by this time, but it felt good to snap at someone who deserved it, like his coworkers. They were alright to hang around a bit after work, but the bastards could be the densest, least-productive members of the company. Worst part? They think I'm picking up random guys now. Great. Just ******** great.
His feet had taken him to the diner without hardly a second thought, so when he faces the door to the place, he blinks, surprised. Pushing open the door, he looks about to spot the hat and the silver hair. Bingo.
He takes a seat opposite the man, pushing himself against the wall, arm on the windowsill and eyes gazing to the street. Hey.
He comes to a realization.
I just followed orders. He told, I did. What the... what is WRONG with me?
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Posted: Fri May 16, 2008 11:09 pm
Xan was sitting comfortably in a booth near the window, the street busy with the noon-time rush. He was thankful to have found a seat at all, the place was seemingly crowded. Looking to Tai as he sat down he saw a rather disturbed expression on his face, more like annoyed then anything.
"You okay?" He asked, looking over the menu and sliding one to Tai. "I'm hungry enough to eat a horse right now." He commented looking through the menu for anything remotely appealing. A cheese burger BLT popped out at him instantly and a side of lemonade sounded perfect to get the noon started. Looking at Tai over the menu a slow smile came to his lips but it was hidden by the menu, only his eyes which looked like the eyes of a predatory wolf could be seen.
"What's on your mind, kitten." He asked berating himself silently for the slipped endearment. Oh well... no sense crying over spilt milk and all that jazz. "Not still upset are you?"
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Posted: Fri May 16, 2008 11:23 pm
Tai turns pouting lips and indignant, narrowed lashes to Xan. I'm fine. His voice echos of a spoiled teen, smacking of defiance. I'm just irritated. The guys giving me a hard time. It was the truth, it had been annoying. The rest would stay quiet within him, however. No need to let the man across the table here know how shaken he'd been, or how odd it was for Tai to be unable to refuse an order or request from a person. He seemed to be doing it often with his newfound friends, and though it shouldn't bother him, it did. The nickname made it better, though, and a little smile curls a corner of his lips.
I know what I want, whenever you're ready. Waitress hasn't come yet, I assume?
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Posted: Sat May 17, 2008 4:00 pm
He could only chuckle as he looked across the table at Tai. For all it was worth he looked like a pouting teenager. Typical. Rather than press the issue he left the man alone, least he start screaming at him again. His catty attitude was often cute but not at the dinner table. Looking over the menu again he nodded lifting a head to the waitress waiting off to the side.
She was full of blushes and giggles, if the enterage of her co-workers were any indication. She was hesitatant in coming over but eventually stood before them. He prayed the woman wouldn't make the mistake of calling him cutie or any other pet names. Despite the lessons with Brad he was still having trouble in that department.
"May I take your order, gentleman?" She asked.
Xan smiled glad for her professional take or maybe she had no way of calling them both cutie. Either way he smiled shooting off his order. "I'll have this cheeseburger BLT sandwhich and pink lemonade. Make sure the patty is well done and cut down on the lettuce a bit. That will be all for me." He handed his menu over smiling as he watched Tai.
"And you sir? What will you be having?" She giggled unable to help herself but for the most part remained professional despite her rising blush.
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