Bum Odds
Armando and his relationship with Andross over the years.
Chapter Ten: Note Tag
November 28th, 2003
Armando slouched lower against the alley's brick wall. It was still dark outside, and morning hadn't come yet.. Nor did sleep. Today was Andross' birthday, and he had claimed to need to see Armando, which he definitely understood. The whole "guy loving another guy" had started to sink in with the CCG members, though they weren't hostile (most of them); Armando did get odd glances once and a while. They found out when Armando began to show public displays of affection towards Andross, and things went from there. Lucky bastard. The GV2 accepts anyone, no matter what sexuality they are. He growled lowly, just at the thought of being kicked out of CCG for being in love with Andross. The members took it worse than the goddamned leader. AJ didn't even throw a fit.. He laughed. Not in a "What the hell were you thinking" way.. but more of a "You thought I wouldn't understand?" way. Which puzzled Armando more than anything.
But soon enough, Andross would be here, and everything would be okay. Many unspoken words came between the two boys whenever they saw each other ...and they knew it, too. The words that couldn't be put into meaningful enough sentences, such as "I really enjoy spending time with you" and "I love you".
A silhouetted figure stopped in front of Armando, and he knew exactly who it was, "Hey, birthday boy." Armando greeted him.
Andross grinned, and wasted no time to claim his spot in Armando's lap, "Thanks for.. you know, being here. It is, like, four in the morning."
"I don't need sleep," He replied simply.
The dog and duck sat in silence for a while, just enjoying each others presence.
"It sucks that you can't come into GV2 territory anymore," Andross commented, keeping his eyes fixed on Armando's, "We really miss you."
Armando snorted, "Are you programmed to say that?"
"No," Andross snapped, "I was only being honest."
"Let me guess, Pepito is just dying to hear from me."
He glared at Armando, "Pepito's the only one who hasn't said anything about you."
The aqua dog only snickered, and Andross sighed.
"I missed you, Armando." Andross confessed.
Armando stared into Andross' golden eyes, that were now filled with relief and sadness. Something he rarely saw. He replied, "I missed you too, Andross. But you know you can't be here, and if we get caught..." Armando trailed off.
"Don't remind me," Andross begged.
They were silence once more, but this time for a different reason. Armando had kissed Andross to shut him up; He didn't want to deal with what CCG would do to them if they found out.
"Happy Birthday," Armando murmured quietly to Andross, whose head was rested in the crook of Armando's neck.
Andross didn't stir, he looked quite comfortable, and Armando leaned back, and let him rest.
-x-x-x-x-x-
Armando snapped awake when he realized the afternoon sun was above him, and groaned. Andross was gone, but in his place was a piece of paper. The hell is this? Armando thought, in a bad mood because he wondered how he had fallen asleep. He picked up the little slip, and on the back, there was lyrics to Armando's favorite song in Andross' hand writing.
I can dim the lights and sing you songs full of sad things
We can do the tango just for two
I can serenade and gently play on your heart strings
Be your valentino just for you
Ooh love - ooh loverboy
What're you doin' tonight, hey boy
Set my alarm, turn on my charm
That's because I'm a good old-fashioned lover boy
Armando smiled as he read the song lyrics over and over. His smiling was put to an end when AJ was suddenly looming over him.
"Yes, AJ?" Armando prayed his voice wouldn't let out a noise, giving away that he was frightened by how much AJ had seen.
AJ just smirked, "Come with me."
AJ led him directly to Spaghetti and Goofballs, Armando's favorite restaurant. And took a seat at the nearest table. The Italian food's scent drifted all around them, but Armando ignored it, as he wasn't hungry in the least. I'm just nervous.. Something that should never happen to me. I'm Armando. I'm supposed to be brave.
AJ had a freaky 6th sense, the one that could pick up on moods, and Armando hated it. He hated when anyone knew something that he didn't, "Don't worry, you're not in trouble."
"Yeah? Then why did you bring me here?" Armando demanded, not caring if he sounded defensive, because if this was a lecture about being openly gay, he wanted nothing to do with it.
AJ looked stunned, "It's not." He said quietly, "It's about me, for a change."
Armando was shocked. What the hell did he just say? "Listen.. I'm sorry for snapping AJ."
"It's okay," AJ cleared his throat distractedly, "I want you to take over CCG. I'm leaving... And, well, to be blunt, you're the only member that has ever dared to stand up for something."
Armando snorted, "No kidding.. But.. you want me to be the leader?" Is this some kind of joke? His mind was whirling in a cloud of disbelief.
"Yes," He replied simply.
Armando had a thousand questions to ask, but most of them could wait, "Where are you going?"
AJ chuckled lowly, "I've served as leader for a good four years. I think I deserve some peace." He must have picked up on the way Armando was still staring at him blankly, "If that doesn't answer your question.. I'll be far away from here."
"That works, I guess."
AJ offered a lopsided smile, "Yeah. And oh, tell your boyfriend I said happy birthday." He requested, with a glint of knowing in his eyes.
Armando made a face, "You know all about that?"
AJ rolled his eyes, "I can see, Armando."
"If you keep doing that, they're going to fall out," Armando smirked. AJ just glared. He knew he shouldn't talk to his former leader that way, but what the hell.
"Good luck," AJ dipped his head, "Lead CCG safely, got it?"
"Yeah, I somehow missed that." Armando sarcastically replied, but then agreed.
What the fuck just happened here? Well, I'm going to GV2 first.. to tell Andross. At poker night, I'll tell Union. And I hope AJ already told CCG. Armando almost grinned at the thought that he can remove the traveling ban.
-x-x-x-x-x-
He and Andross sat on Armando's new bed.. in his new room, after telling the GV2, CCG and removing the traveling ban. Armando was content, slightly stressed, and Andross was just shocked.
"Why would he choose you?" Andross snorted.
"Some boyfriend you are!" Armando snapped playfully.
Andross shrugged, and smirked a little, "Only the best."
Armando decided to ignore it, "He chose me because of my personality. If you haven't noticed, it's absolutely charming."
"Don't be so humble," Andross mumbled, "What about Kajuking? Now that you're leader.. Can't he join CCG?"
Armando hadn't expected this question, and it caught him off guard. Time to weigh out the goods and the bads. Andross would be happy with me, and so would Kajuking. He hoped. Then I can also monitor his behavior. Over all, it seemed like a decent plan. Armando nodded.
Andross grinned widely, "I'll go tell him later. He's been staying with the GV2 for a while."
What have I done? He brought himself into panic mode, but all his thoughts of being anxious were quickly swept away, as Andross pinned him down to the bed. Do whatever you want. He silently hoped that Andross would take advantage of this, and Armando was almost sure that he would.
I'm so glad I have you.
-x-x-x-x-x-
Andross walked slowly to his trashy-looking bunk bed, then sighed. What a birthday. He smiled to himself, his birthday had in fact turned out wonderfully. Armando getting to be leader of CCG? Who knew. And allowing Kajuking to join? Maybe he really does have a heart. He added sarcastically to his wandering thoughts. As he got into bed, he noticed a note. ..What's this? Andross turned it over, and it was the rest of his and Armando's song, written in Armando's handwriting. He must have left it when he came up here to announce he was leader...
Ooh let me feel your heartbeat (Grow faster, faster)
Ooh ooh can you feel my love heat
Come on and sit on my hot-seat of love
And tell me how do you feel right after-all
I'd like for you and I to go romancing
Say the word - your wish is my command
Ooh love - ooh loverboy
What're you doin' tonight, hey boy
Write my letter
Feel much better
And use my fancy patter on the telephone
When I'm not with you
I think of you always
(I miss those long hot summer nights)
I miss you
When I'm not with you
Think of me always
Love you - love you
Hey boy where do you get it from
Hey boy where did you go ?
I learned my passion in the good old
Fashioned school of loverboys
Dining at the Ritz we'll meet at nine precisely
One two three four five six seven eight nine o' clock
I will pay the bill, you taste the wine
Driving back in style, in my saloon will do quite nicely
Just take me back to yours that will be fine (Come on and get it)
Ooh love, (There he goes again just like a good old-fashioned lover boy)
Ooh loverboy
What're you doin' tonight, hey boy
Everything's all right
Just hold on tight
That's because I'm a good old-fashioned fashioned lover boy
Andross laughed quietly. Yep, Armando.. The good old-fashioned loverboy.
-x-x-x-x-x-
A/N: I personally think this is the most heartwarming chapter I've ever written. :P Hope you guys enjoy lots and lots of fluff. The song is "Good Old-Fashioned Loverboy" by Queen, in which I don't own. Thanks for reading; Reviews are love! :) [And come on, the two boys playing note tag is kinda cute, don't you agree?]