Chapter 6

Ordinary Day

Just a day. Just an ordinary day. It had taken Sollux all of Friday to recover from the massive hangover that plagued his brain and stomach. He swore he'd never drink again but secretly knew that promise wouldn't last. Saturday he picked up Aradia who apologized for being so assuming and treated him to a movie as penance. Sunday they spent all day in bed having amazing make-up sex. Monday, with lack of a new project to work on, Sollux ran some errands, bought some upgrades for his computer, and grabbed the latest series of comics. Tuesday was spent applying the upgrades to his computer and reactivating his World of Warcraft account and power leveling a Troll Druid. Needless to say, he was feeling a little restless and home stuck when Feferi texted him on Wednesday evening inviting him to the diner for some best friend hang out time.

Sollux parked his bike in the usual spot as the sun dipped behind the diner. The bells on the door jingled as Sollux entered the nearly deserted eatery. Feferi beamed a smile from a booth at the far end where she was wrapping silverware and signaled for him to join her. Sliding into the booth, Sollux quickly grabbed up a fork and knife and began rolling them in a napkin.

"Can I get you something to drink?" Feferi giggled at him.

"Sure," Sollux smiled warmly back at her, "How about one of thothe Chai thingth you made the other day."

"Coming right up," Feferi slid out of the booth and stepped behind the counter, "So what's new with you?"

"Thame old thame old," Sollux added his roll of silverware to the basket of other completed sets and grabbed supplies for another.

"How's Aradia?" the brunette tried to sound nonchalant but Sollux could hear the contempt in her voice and it made him sigh a laugh.

"Oh you know how she ith."

"Have another fight?"

"Not thinthe the other night," Sollux sighed, adding another completed set to the pile, "But it wath a bad one."

"What about this time?" Feferi set down the steaming cup of coffee colored liquid and slid in next to Sollux who moved over to make room for her.

"She accuthed me of thleeping around again."

"Well I can't say I blame her on that end," Feferi giggled and playfully shoved Sollux, "Any woman who knows you knows you can't keep your dick in your pants."

The man gave her a sideways smirk and for a flash remembered just how sweet her lips tasted and how she looked in the throes of passion, her hair mussed and a sheen of sweat on her brow as she bit her bottom lip to keep from moaning. She had been his first and longest lover as well as his oldest and dearest friend. They continued to wrap in silence till Sollux spoke up.

"I haven't been theeping around on her though," his voice was quiet.

"You almost sound disappointed," Feferi mused.

"FF, come on," Sollux turned to her, "Am I really that bad?"

"Yes," She stuck her tongue out at him.

"Whatever," He huffed and grabbed another set of silverware.

"Do you love her?"

"I dunno," Sollux sighed and leaned back in the booth, swinging his arms across the back and facing the ceiling, "I mean I like her but…well she'th nice and all…the thex is really good."

"Ok now that's a little T.M.I. for me," Feferi jabbed Sollux in the side and he recoiled to nurse his ribs, "Sollux, if you don't like her then don't lead her on."

"That'th jutht it," the brunette exhaled, "I think I'm comfortable ith all."

There was a long pause before Sollux blurted out, "I wath thinking about marrying her."

Silverware clattered to the table so loudly it made Sollux jump. Feferi began to mumble apologies as she retrieved the scattered utensils, her face quickly flushing pink.

"Jethuth FF," Sollux snorted, "You ok?"

"Yeah, I'll be…" Feferi fumbled with the flatware as she attempted to regain composure, "I'll be just fine. Marry her, huh?"

"I dunno, maybe?" Sollux shrugged as he grabbed a set of silverware and began wrapping it idly, "What do you think?"

"Well you should follow your heart and not rush into anything you're not ready for."

They sat there in silence for a few more minutes, Sollux pausing to sip his now cooled drink. Glancing out the window, Sollux watched as the shadow cast by the building stretched far in the setting sun before being swallowed by bigger shadows. A young couple walked by hand in hand and Sollux sighed. Feferi was right and he shouldn't rush into anything, but he was beginning to get a sense of urgency like time was slipping past him and he needed to accomplish all those things you are supposed to do to become a full-fledged adult. Suddenly one of his dreams came wisping back though his mind, a warm beach in the Pacific waiting for the sun to set.

"I've been having dreamth," Sollux mused.

"Oh?" Feferi perked up at the subject change.

"Yeah," he turned back to her, "They've been pretty vivid, too."

"Like the ones you had after your mom…" Feferi trailed off, recalling the nearly prophetic dreams Sollux had admitted to her that he'd had right before his mother's death.

"Yeth. Well, no," Sollux corrected, "Thethe are jutht ath vivid, more tho in fact. But thethe oneth theem to be like memorieth. Like thomething that happened long ago."

"What happens in them?" Feferi put down her silverware and turned in the booth to face Sollux.

"I can't really remember," Sollux huffed irritated, "They are tho thtrong when I'm having them but then fade quickly afterwardth. But the thame guy keepth popping up in them. I think it'th that guy from the club the other night?"

"Maybe it's just because he was fresh on your mind?" Feferi coaxed.

"Maybe," The man shook his head unconvinced, "It'th really the name that keepth popping up."

"What name?"

"Hith name ith…"

The door suddenly rang and Feferi turned around with a happy chime, "Eridan!"

Sollux whipped around in his seat. Sure enough, standing there in loose khakis and a Dualscar's Diner graphic t-shirt stood the man who'd taken him home from the club the week before. Feferi continued to chatter next to him as she slid out of the booth to stand.

"Eridan, you're just in time to meet my best friend!" She beamed happily.

"Sol?" Eridan breathed in disbelief.

"Hey there," the brunette smirked sheepishly.

"You two know each other?" The young woman looked between the two men, confused.

"You could thay that. Tho you're the new guy here?"

"Yeah, he's the one who bought out Gerry's share," Feferi explained, "And he's my relief for tonight. Wait here while I get my stuff and you can walk me home?"

"Sure," Sollux rose from his seat and nodded as she disappeared into the back to get her things.

"Howw's the head?" Sauntering over, the newcomer set his backpack into an empty bar chair.

"Fine now," the man rubbed his neck absently, "The Tylenol really helped, though. Thankth."

"Not a problem," Eridan gathered up the wrapped utensils and took them behind the counter, "And the lady friend?"

"She apologithed and brought my car back," He chuckled.

"Good," Eridan checked over his shoulder before turning back, "Look, if you're not doin' anythin' tonight, this place gets really fuckin' borin' and I swwear if I havve to listen to Gam tell me about miracles one more time I'm gonna punch him."

Sollux openly laughed, "Well let me get FF home and we'll thee how I'm feeling, ok?"

"No pressure or anythin'," the other man mumbled, "I mean I did take ya home the other night, it's not like you owwe me or anythin'."

"Thmooth," Sollux started to glare but then Feferi emerged from the back with her hoodie slung over her arm and her giant purse over her shoulder and his features leveled out.

"Ready?" She beamed up at him and Sollux nodded as she turned back to Eridan, "Have a good night!"

"I'll try," Eridan shrugged.

"Gerry just got tired of doing it," the sun had set as Feferi and Sollux walked the few city blocks to her apartment building, Sollux with his bike.

"But weren't you and he kind of a thing?" their conversation had rounded to this point just as they entered the drive to Feferi's complex.

"Not really," she blushed, "We went out a couple of times, but that didn't pan out. I guess there just isn't a man out there for me right now."

They had reached her apartment door and Sollux just stared at her for a long moment. Her hair was a mess of dark brown curls, her skin creamy and smooth, her curves generous yet not unappealing. Quite the opposite in fact. Dropping his bike in the grass, Sollux slowly walked closer to her, cupping her cheek in his hand.

"Sollux," She blushed and turned her eyes away but then his lips met hers and she made a weak noise and pressed against him.

Reaching around, Sollux grabbed ahold of Feferi's butt and ground his hips against her as she draped her arms around his shoulders. Loose curls of chocolate tumbled in a waterfall over both their backs as they deepened the kiss. The wind whipped around them and the leaves rustled overhead, the warmth from the day still seeping from the earth, and all seemed to be perfect like a dream. Until Feferi started pushing him away. Sollux reluctantly relinquished her lips, a soft groan escaping his throat. She smiled and ran a fond hand through Sollux's tussled hair.

"I'm sorry," She breathed, a heavy sadness infused in her words, "I shouldn't have."

"You hate Aradia anywayth," Sollux chuckled as he tried to go in for another kiss but Feferi held him back.

"No, you horny ass," She sighed, "I mean I can't."

"Why not?" Sollux scoffed, "You thaid there wathn't a man for you, tho I'm proving you wrong."

"No," the young woman huffed, her eyes tearing up, "You aren't. In fact you're proving me all too right. Sollux, you're my best friend and yes once we were lovers but those days are over."

"But they don't have to be," Sollux tried to sooth her but she jerked away from his touch like it burned her, and it hurt him.

"God damn it, Sollux," Feferi's voice turned angry as she gestured to her apartment, "There isn't a man for me out there because there's a woman for me. Right here."

The world seemed to stop moving and Sollux suddenly felt like he'd been punch in the gut, "What?"

"I've been trying to tell you for weeks now, but I just couldn't find the nerve," Feferi turned away, unable to face him as tears streamed down her face, "And then we kissed and we shouldn't have and now…now…"

Sollux wanted to grab her and hold her tight, to tell her it was ok. Instead he just stood there, looking away because he couldn't bring himself to look at her. Even after he heard the door to her apartment quietly open and close, her hiccupped sobs dying behind the metal, he stayed planted to the spot for what seemed like hours. When he did move, it was like he was in a dream, a fuzzy normal dream where nothing makes sense and nothing is clear. He picked up his bicycle from where it was in the grass and walked in a daze, unaware of where his feet were taking him. It wasn't until the purple neon lights nearly blinded him that Sollux realized he was back at Dualscar's Diner.

Jamming his bike into the rack, Sollux paused with his hand on the door. How could he have been so stupid? Feferi was his best friend but she had felt like she couldn't tell him this simple fact. Why was she so ashamed? He wasn't inhospitable to gay people or else he wouldn't hang around Dave and John. He just didn't understand it and he wanted to turn around and go beat on her door and tell her he still loved her no matter what and that he was sorry but it was a little late for that. Movement inside caused him to look up. Eridan was wiping down tables, a rather bored look painting his features as he surveyed the empty diner until his eyes landed on Sollux standing at the door. Giving a brief start, Eridan broke into a smirk which quickly fell when he signaled for Sollux to enter but the brunette didn't move. Crossing to the door, the other man opened it with a confused look.

"Sol?"

He collapsed into Eridan's arms suddenly and so unexpectedly that the other man let out a small yelp. Sollux didn't cry, just held the other man close, crushing him tighter against him until slowly, softly, Eridan wound his arms around Sollux and began rubbing soft soothing circles on his back.

"Hey," Eridan's voice was comforting, "Come on noww. It's ok. Come on, let's go sit dowwn."

Sollux nodded, not trusting his voice as Eridan led his not to a booth but through the swinging doors, past the kitchen where Gamzee sat on a milk crate bobbing his head to the music coming from his iPod headphones, and into the small back office. Sitting Sollux in the worn swivel chair, Eridan kneeled down in front of him, smiling comfortingly.

"Can I get ya anythin'?"

Sollux nodded, "Yeah, one of thothe Chai tea thingth."

Eridan laughed out loud, "All right, just a sec."

Sollux relaxed in the chair as he watched Eridan leave the room, heard him pass Gamzee and remind the other man of his need to do the dishes so they could go home on time tonight, go through the swinging door, and begin to get out supplies for the drink. Wrapping his arms around himself, Sollux looked at all the pictures on the walls as the sound of Eridan steaming the drink and Gamzee running the dishwasher bombarded his ears. They were pictures of the diner before and after the remodeling, favorite customers, and of course the staff, several of those being of Feferi. Sollux pulled out his phone, he had to text her, but then when his phone flashed to life his eye were assaulted with another photo, this one of he and Feferi with their arms wrapped around each other, Sollux with his tongue sticking out and Feferi with her eyes crossed and cheeks puffed out. The brunette dropped his phone on a stack of papers and buried his head in his hands, leaning against the desk for support.

When Eridan reentered, he set a steaming mug next to Sollux and then pulled up a small stool and sat facing the brunette, again rubbing soft circles on his back, "So wwanna tell me wwhat's wwrong?"

"FF jutht," Sollux sighed heavily, "She told me thomething and I kinda freaked out a bit I gueth?"

"She told ya about Jade finally?" Eridan smirked.

"How the fuck did you know?" Sollux sat up, turning an indignant glare at the ebony haired man.

"Wwell cause Jade's in here all the time."

"Tho am I!" the brunette huffed.

"Then howw come there's no pictures of you up there and like a bunch of Jade?" Eridan gestured to the wall and slowly Sollux noticed the same black haired girl with thick glasses appearing in several of them right next to Feferi, "And howw come I ain't seen you in here before tonight? I'vve been in here for almost twwo months noww."

"I dunno," Sollux shrugged, "I gueth I've been buthy."

"Maybe that's the problem," Eridan nudged him playfully, "Gotta livve wwhile ya can."

The door chimed signaling customers entering the diner and Eridan stood, "You can stay here as long as ya need."

"Thankth," Sollux watched Eridan leave the office before taking a sip of his spicy drink, humming around the warm taste in his mouth.

Sollux sat sipping his drink and quietly watched the clock tick from 9:30pm to 9:40pm to 9:50pm as Eridan took care of the customers who'd come in and a phone call or two for carry-out orders as Gamzee worked the grill, Eridan stopping by the office door just to check on him every few minutes. When the digital clock flashed 10:00pm, Sollux heard Eridan lock the front door and the distinct click of the open sign chain being pulled. Sollux finished his drink and handed the porcelain mug to Gamzee as the man came shuffling in, his glazed eyes searching for any stray dishes. Eridan gave him a soft smile as he came in a retrieved a deposit envelope before disappearing up front again. Gamzee again came by, this time with his bag slung over his shoulder and his typical goofy smile as he drawled.

"Have a good night, mother trucker."

Sollux guffawed as the tall man slinked off. Soon, Eridan appeared in the doorway and leaned against the metal frame with a tired sigh.

"Make ya a deal," Eridan extended his hand, offering it to Sollux, "If you wwalk me home, I'll drive you to your place."

"Whatever," Sollux rolled his eyes but took the offered hand anyways, pulling himself up with the man's assistance.

They exited the darkened diner and Sollux grabbed his bike from the rack, walking quietly next to Eridan. After a few blocks, Sollux murmured.

"Thankth for everything."

"Hm?" Eridan turned his head as if shaken from a deep thought, "Oh, no problem. Just looked like ya really needed a friend."

"Well you've thertainly done one hell of a job," the brunette chuckled, "You've gotten to thee the full thpectrum of my quirky perthonality."

"Not the first time," the sigh was happy and content.

"What do you mean?"

"Remember I told you the other night?" Eridan shot him a glance but then turned back, "No, you probably don't."

"Oh right," Sollux recalled fuzzy memories of the bar conversation, "Patht life shinnaniganth."

"Yeah, you could say that."

They were quiet as Eridan took a turn down another road, the buildings giving way to nice houses with manicured lawns before Sollux found his voice again, "Tho you wanna tell me about thith patht life?"

"Another time maybe," he waved the question off with a tired yawn, "Suffice to say wwe'vve been through a lot together."

The silence prevailed yet again until Eridan turned up the drive of a nice multileveled brick house. Sollux whistled low at the detailed brick walkway and twisting wrought iron lamppost. Even for the neighborhood they were in, this house was decadent. Feferi wasn't kidding when she said this guy was loaded. Eridan typed in his code into the keypad and the garage door opened noisily revealing the BWM he'd taken Sollux home in the week before as well as a beat up old pick-up truck, a stark contrast to the nearly pristine, sleek piece of machinery sharing space with it.

"Load up your bike," Eridan stifled another yawn.

"Actually I'll jutht ride home, you look really tired."

"You sure?" Eridan couldn't hide another yawn escaping his lips, "It's like five miles back to your place or somethin'."

"Really, it'th ok," Sollux smirked, sliding the kickstand of his bicycle down and sticking out his hand for Eridan to shake.

The charcoal haired man took his hand and shook it firmly, though his smile dropped just slightly. But Sollux didn't let go of his hand. There was a tingling warmth where their hands touched causing Sollux's skin to crawl and itch, but in a good way. His head began to swim and he felt the overwhelming feeling of déjà vu. Then he was leaning in slowly. Eridan licked his cracked pink lips and Sollux began to tremble. They were so close, and Eridan slid his hand up Sollux's arm, accepting him in an embrace as their bodies came closer together and their lips nearly touched. But then the brunette stopped and instead rested his forehead against Eridan's.

"I'm thorry," he scoffed, his arms wrapping around Eridan's waist and holding him close, "I can't. I'm not…"

"Shh," Eridan sighed, "Go home, and I'll see you again soon."

Sollux simply nodded and Eridan pulled him close in a tight embrace before releasing him and backing into the garage. The brunette stumbled to his bicycle and kicked up the stand, hopping onto the cool seat. With a final glance back at Eridan he slowly pedaled down the driveway and off into the night, picking up speed as he heard the garage door closing, afraid to look back and see the young man looking longingly after him. He wasn't gay. He didn't like guys. But then why had he nearly kissed Eridan? Sollux pedaled faster, letting the cool evening air whip across his face and cover his fleeting urges with the force of his excursion on his muscles as he flew home. It had been an ordinary day, after all. Just an ordinary day. Sollux looked to the sky and sighed.