[sormik] party don't stop till he walk in

[ofseraphim]

[ Sometimes -- just sometimes!! -- Sorey wonders why he’s friends with the likes of Rose.

Except, not really. He loves his friends! All of them! Unconditionally! Even when they drag him off to parties he’s quite sure he has zero business being at. Which, on that note, what is he doing here?? It’s dark, overcrowded, and most of all, loud. As in, this is an apartment and they’re definitely breaking some noise ordinances kind of loud. Arguably worst of all? No sooner than they walked in together, Rose slipped off into the distance, led by the hands and arms of people obviously grateful to see her. ”I’ll be right back! You wait here, I’ll introduce you to everyone!”

Uh-huh. Suuure.

Honestly, Sorey doesn’t fault her. Plus, that’s nothing he can’t take into his own hands, right? Right! He’s friendly enough to have a good time and make conversation with strangers! ...But he can’t even hear himself think with the thump of that bass, let alone chat someone up. Seriously, for a social affair, it’s a pretty impractical setup.

So, after a while he grows tired of being a smartly over-dressed fly on the wall simply smiling amiably at fellow party-goers -- oh, and of not being able to hear himself think, as mentioned above -- and politely squeezes past pairs of tangled bodies and couples in various stages of... things... to the bar. Er, kitchen, but. Mostly a bar, for the moment. Wherein, he can finally breathe out -- without the risk of smelling (or inhaling) something funny.

It’s quieter here, and he fits in alright, doesn’t he? If only for purposes of camouflage, he’s got a drink in his hand: The good ol’ cliché garden variety welcome to the party now here’s your red solo cup of mystery juice special™. And that’s exactly why he’s sniffed it more than swallowed it -- it even smells like an all-nighter in the bathroom. Yikes. No thanks.

So, in summation: He’s here, (wherever here is), he’s tragically sober, and he knows no one in eyeshot. But! At least he can think again. That’s a plus. And, now that he’s a bit more removed from the music, he might be able to actually converse with someone! The possibilities are endless. ]

Comments

[ofseraphim]

Me neither. [ And that's what makes it so great, isn't it? The best things in life are unplanned. ]

It is a little chilly, but--[ a small shrug ]--nothing either of us can't handle... maybe with a mug of hot cocoa to help?

[ He's got Plans now, this one. Tossing his head in vague directional gesture, then: ] There's a cafe not far from here. It's open 24 hours, if I remember right.

[ Definitely not how he thought tonight would go. ]

[dickleo]

[ he had a ridiculously charming and cute boy in his room for less than two minutes and he’s somehow ended up in the streets rather than the sheets. remarkable. ]

Sure. That sounds fine.

[ there’s a tiny smile sprawling across his face. ]

Are you offering to treat me?

[ofseraphim]

[ A wonderful opportunity, squandered. Woe and alas. But, if they both play their cards right tonight, there'll be a chance for a do-over at some point, so fear not!

Typically, Sorey would take the opportunity to joke about this, but--]

...Actually, yeah.

[ It's a strikingly earnest answer. There's not a shred of humor to his tone.

There is, however, a buttload of tenuousness, as though he knows he's rolling the dice right now with these words of his. But. Welp. Here goes nothing...! ]

That's... usually how dates work, isn't it?

[ Please don't reject him he's come so far--!

He went down your fire escape he's a very brave boy!! ]

[dickleo]

[ that’s —

mikleo’s face changes expressions. it actually cycles through at least five before settling on surprise. his ears tint red and it takes his mind embarrassingly long to catch up.

a date. ]

I would think so. Though we started the night in reverse.

[ it’s a teasing jab, and mikleo’s face is bright red as he shuffled his hands into his pockets and walks all the more closer to sorey.

date accepted. ]

[ofseraphim]

[ Sorey can see each and every shift on Mikleo’s face in that one eternal moment, like the changing of seasons.

A date, yes. That is what he’s proposing. And he may or may not be waiting with breath held for the reply, (though honestly, a ‘no’ here wouldn’t ruin the evening; he’s still found good company in this new companion of his, platonic or otherwise). Yet, he’s so relieved, that when the news comes down that he’s been accepted, he nearly breathes out like breaking the surface after a long swim, a small chuckle escaping in the process. ]

Things just work like that, sometimes.

[ Look at him -- he hasn’t been this excited for a date in forever, and this one came clear out of nowhere. A discreet, roundabout ‘yes’ to his question, and all of a sudden he’s ten feet tall, lighter than air, brighter than the sun, over the moon...

The gap between their walking distance closes, and Sorey offers a gentle, playful bump of shoulders. Slight, but deliberate. ]

Don’t worry -- we can always circle back around to it later, if you feel like it.

[ The night is still young, after all. Meaning, Mikleo’s apartment isn’t going to be clear and quiet for a good, long while yet. Nothing saying they can’t go back to the place they started from, polish off a couple more of those Girly Drinks and head back to his bedroom for some uncensored, hot--

--book critique action. Aww yiss. So lewd.

But no matter what, you’d better believe Sorey is going to walk him back to his own front door, (not the fire escape!!), and offer a hug and/or a peck on the cheek and tell him he had a great time, all the same. ]

[dickleo]

[ mikleo, thankfully, doesn’t take the inevitable trip down the gutter that sorey’s words are nearly begging for. no, he’s a refined young scholar who certainly doesn’t invite very handsome boys back to his bed after a single date. he has better taste than that.

that and he’s holistically Bad at relationships and people in general. but he’s putting on a good front for now.

the bump make his lips twitch up into another microscopic smile. even if they’ve just met, sorey is comfortable. mikleo doesn’t feel on edge or as if he has to watch every word.

it’s a nice change. ]

The party probably won’t be done until two or three. [ his words trail off into a mild groan, coupled with a huff. ] I have to finish my paper on Epicureanism in the morning. [ ON ZERO SLEEP THANKS PARTY??? ]

[ofseraphim]

[ But wait if it’s “inevitable”, then--

Anyway. To tell the complete and utter truth, he’d likely decline a night in a Mikleo’s bed this soon into things, no matter how warm and inviting it might be. Rushing into things has, historically, only proved to do him disservices.

...Nnnot that he’s rushed into this kind of thing before--! He’s merely aware that he’s what many consider to be a Handsome Boy™ and has had many fly-by kisses from less-than-sober friends and acquaintances as a result, that’s all. Nothing lasting. Nothing meaningful.

And now, someday soon, he might have a chance to change all that. What a concept! ]

Wow. [ He’s wincing on Mikleo’s behalf already. ] Sounds like you might wanna make that hot cocoa a coffee instead.

[ A couple steps closer toward the door of the corner café, he continues--]

Epicureanism... [ Thoughtfully. Then, sympathetically: ] ...you don’t have Professor Black, do you? [ If so, RIP you, apparently?

Anyway, he’ll hold the door open for Mikleo, (since this is a proper date now and Sorey is nothing if not gentlemanly, thank you very much), before following him in. The hostess behind the podium looks entirely stunned to see human(oid?) lifeforms at this hour, for some reason, but grants them a clean, but well-worn booth to themselves and a menu each. ]

SORRY IM SO SLOW

[dickleo]

[ mikleo easily slides into the booth.

his head lolls back and he acutely becomes aware of how many water stains and dots are on the ceiling. ]

I do, actually. I can’t figure him out.

[ which is rare, given how easy all the other professors are with that sort of thing. either way, he reaches for the menu and idly peruses it, fingertips gliding down each and every item. it’s what one could expect from a place like this.

a slight smile creeps up on his face. ]

What are you getting, then, Sorey Savior?

WHO'S SLOW NOW BINCH (sorry, was at con!)

[ofseraphim]

[ It's worse than he expected. Oof. Yikes. ]

I had him for another class last semester. [ There's a bit of a pinched expression on his face as he recalls that. ] He's fair, but he's not easy, that's for sure.

[ A shake of his head, briefly, before he too cracks open that vaguely-sticky menu, himself, and begins to browse. Peering from over the top of it, then: ] We must have similar majors, if we've both had him. [ He's just going to... throw that out there. Into the ether.

And back to selecting from his list of options. This place serves breakfast all day, doesn't it? Perfect. It isn't until Mikleo makes his next remark that the menu temporarily goes down once more. ]

'Savior'? [ Sorey blinks first, grins second. ] What, because I snuck you out of your own party to take you on a surprise date?

[ Recalling that back in his head the moment after he says it, it stands to question whether or not he's dreaming. He's not, right? Please say he's not. ]

np np! i hope it was fantastic!!!

[dickleo]

[ he pauses.

it was a humorous situation, to say the least, thanking someone for practically absconding with you in the midst of apartment debauchery. add in an impromptu date and it was an instant knee-slapper.

but mikleo didn’t laugh. ]

I am saying that. And my major is Classics. My Uncle is an architect so I’ve been taking a few Anthropology classes as well. They’ve been... far more interesting than I thought.

[ because of all the COOL HISTORY. he clears his throat, thumb dragging along the edge of the menu almost shyly. ]

IT WAS! our sorey and mikleo cosplays took best overall craftsmanship, i'm stoked

[ofseraphim]

[ Right? It's hilarious!

But, someone must've failed to cue the laugh track that should normally be playing here, because instead of raucous amusement, there's only silence. Continued, sustained silence.

...o-oh. Well, he guesses... he's a real, bonafide hero, then. Is he blushing? His face feels hot. Good time to hide it behind the menu, for no real reason in particular, and pretend to keep browsing. It peeks back up in just a moment anyway because DID SOMEONE SAY COOL HISTORY??? ]

Makes sense! I'm an Anthropology major, so that explains us having a professor in common. [ A beat. ] Kinda hard to believe I haven't seen you around on campus, actually.

[ I'd remember you, if I had. Not just because Sorey is pretty good with faces, either.

But, that goes unspoken, because saying it right now would be creepy, and Sorey is on his bestest-best, tip-top gentlemanly behavior. More so than usual, that is; because Mikleo deserves that kind of treatment. Plus, now that he's mentioned history, oh man. Sorey had never bothered with labels; never pinned himself as gay, straight, or otherwise. But if he's ever had a "type"... ]

So! [ Time to take a breath, because his heart is a big bass drum in his chest. (Though to be fair, he can't tell if that's the mention of history, the fact that it's been brought up by this very attractive person across from him, or both.) ] What are some of your favorite topics?

[ Left plural because, if he's anything like Sorey, he'll have to list a few. (Low-key litmus test, here.) ]