Galo sighed in content as he rode his bike through the city. The sun was warm against his back- The breeze nice and crisp. It hasn't reached noon yet, so the roads weren't nearly as busy as they usually are when lunchtime hits. Most of the people here in Promepolis were still working, and waiting to take their breaks. Fortunately for him, he didn't need to be at work until later on tonight. Until then, he was going to enjoy being outside as much as possible. It should be a crime to lock yourself indoors on a day like this! There was already a fair amount of people walking their dogs, and even some mothers running with baby strollers in their grasp. As he passed one of the lakes, he could see a family of five dipping their feet in the water. The youngest kid, who couldn't have been older than three, was running through it and giggling loudly. This put a small smile on his face. That was a wholesome thing to witness, and he wished that he could take a dip in there as well. Maybe another day when he doesn't have anywhere to be.
Regardless of not getting any sleep last night, he had a good amount of energy. After the Mad Burnish took their leave, he couldn't get them out of his head. Well okay, it was more so Lio who invaded his thoughts. No matter what he tried to do, that adorable face kept popping up in his mind. Every so often his gaze would travel over to that seat where the blonde sat in, as if hoping that he would magically appear there to keep him company again. And each time he did this, he would feel more disappointed. In a way it was like he missed him. Wasn't that an absurd thing though? How can you miss someone you literally just met that very same night? Surely it was all in his head? Yeah, that had to be it. He was just thinking too deeply into things.
But what if they really did create an unbreakable bond in that short amount of time? Then what?
How many times did he gaze at that photo saved in his phone? By now he has memorized every detail of Lio's face. Every time he unlocks his phone for some other reason, he has to go into his photo gallery and pull that specific one up. If that makes him a creep, then so be it, because he just couldn't help it. How can someone so beautiful exist? Even if he does try to pursue him, will those friends of his allow it? They seem very protective of their "Boss". There wasn't anything necessarily wrong with them. It's just that they probably won't approve of any type of relationship between the two, and that is what concerns him. Perhaps being friends is better than nothing, but still. He wanted something more. Getting to know him first wasn't a bad option. Although, how will he get his number?
Or worse, what if he never sees him again?
That was something he didn't want to think about. Galo gripped his handlebars tightly, and sped up a bit to weave in between cars. They were all going way too slow for his liking, and he didn't want to be late for his lunch date with his buddies. Every single time they all hang out like this, he is the last one to arrive. It just can't be helped when your hair takes forever to style. You can't get perfection like this without putting any effort into it. Even as he rode through the wind at such a fast speed, his hair didn't seem to move much. It was still sticking up in a big mohawk. And since he isn't working right now, he wore comfortable clothes. He also didn't want to wear anything nice to the pizzeria. Nine times out of ten, he gets sauce all over his face and shirt. By now he has just learned to wear a plain black t-shirt to help hide all of the gunk.
And that is exactly what he wore. He paired it with some baggy red sweat pants, while the bottoms were tucked into black combat boots. His left arm was covered by a sleeve, which helped to hide the burn scars he received not too long ago, as well as there being black wrist bands on each hand. Before leaving his apartment, he made sure to put on a few spritz of his favorite cologne, which mainly consisted of oranges and cloves. If he could, he would legitimately bathe in it. That is how much he loves the stuff! When you work so close with people on a daily basis, you need to smell good. So far he has acquired many compliments on it.
Nevertheless, it was easy for people to like him with or without it.
Just as Galo was nearing the pizzeria, he could see everyone already sitting at their usual table. They were sipping on tall glasses of strawberry lemonade, while talking amongst each other. 'Man I'm starving!' He thought, while pulling over. The delicious aroma was wafting in his direction, and he couldn't help but lick at his lips. His stomach proceeded to growl loudly, and he hopped off of his bike. Taking as how a helmet won't fit over his crazy hair, he just doesn't bother in wearing one at all. The only one that really scolds him on the matter, is Aina herself. The others disapprove of it as well, but just aren't as vocal about it as she is. He understands that they worry about his safety, but that still wasn't enough to make him shove one over his big head.
"Alright, it's pizza time!" Galo cheered, as he fist-pumped the air. This is something he has been looking forward to since last night. There will never come a time when he is not this happy over his most favorite food in the entire world. Every time someone suggests going out to eat at a different restaurant, he gets this huge pout on his face. Of course he eats other stuff, but nothing else compares to the Inferno Volcano Margherita Mega Max pizza! The crust gets this perfectly crunchy texture, as it sits there cooking away in a brick oven. The homemade red sauce gets all bubbly, causing the fresh mozzarella cheese on top to get all gooey. It is sprinkled with the right amount of black olives, as well as tomatoes and basil that are both grown in the back by the owners themselves.
As he made his way down the sidewalk, he felt something hit the upper part of his back. This made him jump a little, and whirl around to see who it was. When he did this, he was face-to-face with one of his friends whom he hadn't seen in a good while. His eyes lit up with pure joy as soon as this hit him, and he grabbed both of her shoulders. "Lucia?! Whoa, you look so much better!" Her skin color was back to normal, and the bags underneath her eyes were gone.
Lucia grinned from ear to ear, and crossed her arms over her chest. "I feel so much better! When I called Ignis earlier to get my schedule, he said that you guys were meeting up here for lunch. Thought I would surprise everyone by randomly showing up!" Her doctor gave the OK to return to work, and that is exactly what she was going to do. You can only stay cooped up in your place for so long, before growing bored out of your mind. Basically, she missed everyone. It felt good to be out and enjoying this lovely weather.
Galo let out a loud laugh, and patted the top of her head. "It is just like you to invite yourself, Lucia! But that is totally cool with us. We missed ya like crazy!" It hasn't felt the same without her around, and he was glad to have her back. As long as her doctor said it was okay, then he won't have an issue with her coming back so soon. Just as long as she doesn't push herself too much. If she is struggling in any way to do her job, then she needs to speak up.
She rolled her eyes in response to that, and shooed his hand away. "I have been eating nothing but soup for the past few days, so I'm ready for something more solid! There is plenty of room for me to join anyways." The smell was starting to get to her too. It felt like forever since she last had a normal meal. Just about anything sounded good to her right now.
Suppose anyone would grow tired of living off of liquids after a while.
"Pffft! You're right. I see an extra seat open, so you can sit next to me!" He grabbed onto Lucia's thin arm, and carefully pulled her along as he made his way over to the table. The gang was finally complete again, and that made him feel so incredibly happy. Maybe things won't be so hectic at work, now that they will have one more person to help out. Not saying he can't hold his own, or anything like that! Things just go more smoothly with a bigger crew.
Varys was the first one to spot the two. He stood up from his seat to eagerly wave them down. "Galo! Lucia!" He shouted. Even though they eat here a lot, he was always excited to come here and meet up with everyone. As long as they are spending time with each other, then that was all that truly mattered to him. Besides, the more the merrier, right? Now their table was going to be entirely full, which is how it should be.
Aina perked up when she heard that name. "Wait, Lucia?!" If anything, she was the one who missed her the most! They were closer friends, after all. Not being able to contain her excitement, she took off running. And she wasted no time in flinging her arms around her, pulling the poor girl into a bone-crushing hug. They had so much to catch up on, but where to start?
Lucia let out a grunt from the pressure of being squeezed so hard. This reaction was to be expected, but it still wasn't enough to properly prepare herself. Regardless of struggling to breathe, she still managed to return the hug. This is her best friend, but she missed everyone. "N-nice to see you too, Aina…" She croaked out, all the while patting her on the back. 'It is good to be back,' she thought with a small smile on her face.
This was a pleasant sight to see, and it warmed everybody's hearts.
Remi cleared his throat, and adjusted his glasses. "I'm glad you're doing well," he said quietly. When he last spoke to her on the phone, she sounded pretty sick. It shocked him to see her out and about like this. Was she really doing better? Or did she lie just to return to work? Knowing her, that was probably the case. She is such a workaholic—Even more so than Galo himself. They both don't know when to stop. He would never want to come in on his day off, unlike those two.
"As cute as this is, I'm about to wither away from hunger. Let's order our food!" Galo brushed past them to sit down at the table. No menu was needed, as he only ever orders one thing from here. A drink would be nice though. It is rather warm out, and he felt a little dehydrated. He was actually kicking himself for not bringing a pair of sunglasses to wear. It is hard to ride a bike with the sun in your eyes.
Aina's cheeks puffed out, making her look like a chipmunk. She reluctantly pulled away from the embrace, and marched on over to him. Once there, she reached out to grab a handful of Galo's hair, and yanked at it. "Pizza isn't the only thing that matters, you know!" She huffed out.
Galo winced slightly at the feeling. It sure is a good thing that he has a lot of hair spray in it. "Hey! Don't be a hater on a classic. You can't get pizza this good anywhere else, and you know it! My soul burns for it!" His mouth was watering at the very thought of it, and it had him rubbing his hands together.
This wasn't enough to offend someone like Lucia. As a matter of fact, she actually found it to be funny. It would be out of character of Galo not to act this way, and she was glad to see that nothing about him has changed. It really was good to be back! 'This sure beats being stuck in the apartment. Coming here today was the right decision.' They were all happy to see her, so it all worked out in the end. She pulled out the empty chair right next to him, and plopped down onto it. From there she swung her legs back and forth. "You guys already ordered, didn't you?"
Varys nodded, setting his glass back down. It was very refreshing on a day like this. "We just ordered a few of the usual." The usual meaning Galo's favorite. This just made things easier on the cook. Now they will all get to eat at the same time, rather than having to wait for everyone to get their separate meals.
What?
Galo blinked, taking it all in. He placed his hands on the table, and inhaled deeply through his nose. "Only a few/? Clearly you have forgotten how much I can pack away! Don't get mad at me when your slices are stolen!"
Remi stared blankly at him. Obviously he wasn't amused by that statement. "Try not to shove the whole pizza into your garbage pit of a mouth. It would be nice of you to try and save some for the rest of us," he mumbled. They always have this issue though. And every single time they have to order more, because they run out right away.
"You know he's gonna have a slice in each hand. Maybe he'll even use his foot this time to shovel more in at once!" Lucia demonstrated by grabbing the salt and pepper shakers, and bringing them up to her mouth.
Aina snorted out a laugh. "If he takes his shoes off, I'm out! I'm not eating next to his smelly feet," she even plugged her nose when saying that.
Galo playfully gasped. "I'm hurt! I'll have you know, that I just took a refreshing shower this morning. I'm squeaky clean! Here, smell me—" He leaned into Aina a little too closely, and tugged at his t-shirt.
This resulted in her pushing him away so hard, that he fell out of his chair. You could hear the loud impact his body made when hitting the concrete floor, and the low groan that soon followed with it. "What was that for?" He whined.
Varys barked out a laugh. If they weren't regular customers that the owners liked, then they would probably be kicked out for being so reckless. They were already receiving questionable stares from the other people inside the restaurant, but it never bothered either of them. "Ever heard of personal space? You were askin' for it!"
Now he was pouting. Galo slowly got back up to his feet, and fixed his chair so that it was sitting upright. "Hmph! I was just asking her to smell me. I don't see the issue in that," he mumbled to himself. It didn't hurt or anything. It just caught him off guard, and that is why he reacted the way he did. Besides, he has never been good at holding grudges anyways. He is a firm believer in giving people second chances, or third chances, or fourth, and so on.
Lucia patted him on the back. "You should only get that close with people you like." When you get all up in someone's face like that, shouldn't it be to steal a kiss? At least, that is what she believes. She would never do that to him, or to any of the other men on their crew. That would just give off the wrong impression, and she definitely didn't want to make things all weird and uncomfortable at work.
Galo tilted his head to the side, and blinked a couple of times. "But I do like Aina. If I didn't, then we wouldn't be friends." This only confused him that much more. How can you not like your friends? If you don't, then that means the friendship itself is fake. Everything is built off of nothing but lies then.
Aina's face turned a deep shade of red when she heard that first statement, but it was quick to dissipate as soon as he continued after that. Her eyebrow twitched, and she let out a heavy sigh. "That is the wrong kind of like, Galo."
"…." It took a little bit for it to click, but once it did, he pursed his lips. Well now it all made perfect sense! His gaze fell to rest on his hands, which were clasped together on the table. 'Aina is like a sister to me, so I can't like her in that kind of way. It would just be weird. Gah! Why do I have to be such an idiot all the time?!' Now he just felt frustrated with himself.
"I see the gang is all here! I'll grab you two some drinks once I get situated here," The pizzeria employee said, while carefully walking toward their table. There was a stack of five large, freshly-made pizzas in one hand, and in the other, some plates and napkins. When this is what you do for a living, you get really good at juggling so many things at once without dropping anything. When he was first hired, he broke a lot of dishes, and even ruined his fair share of pizzas. However that was no longer the case.
Well that got their attention.
"Ohhh! Look at those bad boys!" Galo swallowed hard. The smell only made him feel hungrier. It felt like he hasn't eaten in days, when clearly that wasn't the case at all. He could see everyone else eyeing them, and had to fight back the urge to laugh. As much as they tease him for being so obsessed with this place, they couldn't deny the fact that they love it too. When the stack of pizzas were set onto the table, his eyes widened. 'Is there extra sauce on those? And the cheese.. They sure do spoil us, huh?' He thought, leaning in a bit to take in the scent of all the ingredients mingling together perfectly. There really wasn't anything better than this. His leg began to shake impatiently underneath the table, as he looked around at everyone. No one wanted to dig in first?
Blasphemy!
"Thank you again for making such perfection! I'm paying this time, so keep them rollin'!" And with that Galo grabbed a plate, and slid four slices onto it to start out with. Then he grabbed a good chunk of the napkins, since he is very messy when eating. It can't be helped. How can he focus on his table manners, when eating something so tasty?
He chuckled at his reaction. That was so like him. "I already have some more in the oven cooking. And how nice of you, Galo! I'll be back with those drinks—" He turned around, and disappeared back into the restaurant. There was no other pizza maker there. Everything that leaves the kitchen was made by him, and no one else. So, he can proudly take credit for everything that is made. It is pretty rare to receive negative feedback, especially since most of the people who come here are regulars whom he gets along with great.
Aina grabbed two slices to start out with, but before digging in right away, she grinned deviously. "Your heart has already been stolen by Lio, the leader of Mad Burnish anyways. The way you like him is completely different than how you like me."
Never has Lucia been so quick to react to something in her entire life. "Whaaaat?! I have heard of this Mad Burnish before. When and where did you meet him? Ah, so much happened during my absence!" She grabbed at her hair when saying this. Since when was Galo interested in anyone? He has never flirted with anyone. Every time he just ignored their advances, and continued on with his day.
Galo shot the pinkette a look, and groaned loudly. "Was that really necessary of you to say? Nothing is going on between us, alright? It was just.. I don't know…" He didn't know what to call it. It was definitely different than all the other people he has encountered. He flipped his attention to the other, and contemplated on whether or not he should say more than he already has. But if he doesn't, then someone else will spill the beans, and he didn't want that.
He was cornered.
"I-… Well, the Mad Burnish came into work last night and.. ordered a few drinks. It was their leader, with two of his buddies. I say they're his body guards, but whatever," he shrugged. All three of them were really close. They must not go to very many places alone.
"Anywayyyys.. I kinda hit it off with their leader, Lio. I guess you could say we were flirting. I'm not looking too much into it though. He was probably just bored, and needed someone to mess with." Why did he hate saying that? What if it really was true, then what? He didn't want to be used in such a way by someone like him—By someone he couldn't stop thinking about.
"Galo, you still have his picture in your phone. It is much more than that. Their leader totally has a thing for you!" Aina immediately responded. Even though she was busy waiting tables, she witnessed enough to know what was going on between the two.
Lucia shrieked. "You took a photo of him? And it's still in your gallery?! You're not fooling anyone, Galo. You have a crush on this guy, don't you? Come on, admit it!" Why did she have to be gone for something like this? It just wasn't fair.
Galo could feel his cheeks getting warm. He scratched the side of his head with one hand, and had a slice of pizza in the other. "Aah. I didn't plan on keeping it. I just.. forgot to delete it is all…"
Varys swallowed the food in his mouth, and took a quick sip of his strawberry lemonade. "Then delete it right now if it isn't a big deal to you." Oh how evil they were. How could he pass up the opportunity to miss out on the fun? This was all very entertaining to him. Why did he need to lie about his feelings to them? Everyone falls in love at some point in their life. It is just a matter of when.
Aina's lips twitched. "Or do you need it for reasons Lio mentioned last night?"
Lucia looked between them. Never has she felt so left out before. "What reasons?! You have to tell me!" Everyone knows how much she loves gossip. 'Just what in the world went down in just one night?' She thought, waiting patiently for an answer.
Galo suppressed the urge to place his hand over her face. "What is this, pick on Galo day today? And I can't take my phone out right now… My hands are greasy—" Excuses. That is all they were. Truth is, he never wanted to get rid of that photo. It's not like he was doing anything raunchy to it. Rather, he just enjoyed staring at it in all of its gloriousness. The color of Lio's eyes was very enchanting. That, and his fluffy blonde hair looked like literal cotton candy on top of his small head. What he would give to run his fingers through it!
It probably felt like silk.
Remi wiped his hands off with a nearby napkin. "Then allow me. My hands are nice and clean," he offered with a smirk of his own. He may have left early, but he was there to see enough of their flirting. Part of him still didn't approve, but this wasn't his love life here.
His mouth hung open, a look of shock flitting across his face. He responded by shifting in his seat, and placed a foot on top of his lap. "I don't want you diggin' in my pants! I may have admitted to swinging both ways, but.. you're not my type." Two can play at that game.
"Pffft—" Lucia slapped the table, all the while bursting into a fit of giggles. This was great.
Aina arched an eyebrow. "Yeah. Blonde-haired twinks are more your type," she responded with a few giggles of her own.
Galo sputtered, nearly choking on his pizza. "D-did you just call him a twink?!" Surely he wouldn't appreciate that. And if they all value their lives, then that name should never leave this table. As small as he may be, there is a reason why he is the leader to a biker gang. He wasn't going to make the mistake in underestimating him.
Varys didn't want to mess with any biker gang for that matter. Who knows what they are capable of doing. "Guys, this is probably his first crush. Try to go easy on him." They have never seen him date anyone, and he hasn't mentioned being in a relationship before. So it was safe to assume that he has never caught feelings for someone up until now. Some just can't help it.
"Your drinks—" The pizzeria employee cut in. He set two glasses of ice-cold strawberry lemonades down in front of the two, and took a step back. He had no idea what they were all talking about, but the atmosphere sure did feel odd. After giving them a quick nod, he hurried on back inside the restaurant. There were others he needed to wait on anyways. And if you make someone wait too long, then you risk not getting a tip at all from them. Things are a bit tight for him right now, so he needed all the money he could get his hands on.
Finally their drinks were here!
Galo instantly went for the lemonade, and took a couple of big sips. "Ahhh! That hit the spot!" It was followed by him burping loudly, which he just shrugged off as being nothing.
"Also, how do you know if he's my first 'crush'?" He snatched the last slice of pizza on his plate, and took half of it into his mouth. There was sauce all over his lips, cheeks, and chin. Was there really a way to eat this without being messy?
And there it was.
Lucia coughed into her napkin. "Uhh, Galo.. You just admitted to having a crush on Mad Burnish's leader," she pointed out. Did he not realize that? A lot of people don't like them for whatever reason. Maybe she will have to do some research later on, when she is back at her apartment.
"…." The toppings from Galo's pizza slid off, and landed in a messy pile on his plate. His lips parted to say something in response to that, but nothing came out. He was left completely, and utterly speechless. Is that how he truly felt about the blonde? It's not like he has ever developed feelings for anyone else, so he had no idea. This would explain why can't get him out of his mind, and the fact that he can't stop looking at that photo of his adorable face. 'I.. I have a crush on Lio? This is just..' He zoned out, staring at nothing in particular as he was lost in his own thoughts.
Varys waved a hand in front of his face, and then snapped his fingers. "I think you broke him. Hey, Galo! The pizza is all gone!" That was a lie, but what else was he supposed to do? Were these Mad Burnish people supposed to return tonight? If so, then he would like to meet them. This leader guy must be something else.
Galo flinched when he heard a bunch of snapping so close to his ear. When he came to it, he took a moment to look around the table, taking in the expressions on their faces. Instead of replying right away, he focused on the pizza in his hand. 'I wonder if it is possible for Lio to have a crush on me too. Apparently he was flirting with me, but did he mean all of that? Why is it so hard to believe that he could fall for a guy like me? I'm not in some tough biker gang, but I can hold my own in a fight! Wouldn't that be good enough? I wonder…' He chewed at his bottom lip.
Aina frowned as the uncomfortable silence continued. She hesitantly placed a hand on his shoulder. You know it's bad when Galo of all people stops eating his most favorite pizza in all of existence. Did they go too far this time? "So what if he's in charge of a gang? That doesn't automatically make him a bad person. Maybe the Mad Burnish hands out food to the homeless, or helps fend off abusers from their victims. We don't know anything about them yet." Some gangs have been known to do good deeds like that for a living. This means that there was still hope for them!
It was sweet of her to try and cheer him up, but that didn't really do much. Galo shook his head, and looked up at her. "I don't know why, but.. I can just tell that Lio isn't a bad person. Even his friends didn't seem so bad. They were just protective of him, which is understandable. It shows how much they care about him," he murmured.
A friendship that strong is precious, and often hard to find.
This turned her frown into a soft smile. "You have always been able to see the good in people. For now I too, will believe that the Mad Burnish are innocent of any crimes. Lio must be unbelievably special, if he was able to catch your eye like this!"
Galo chuckled nervously. "Don't talk as if we're already dating. I wanna get to know the guy first. And there is still the chance of him not being interested in me in that way. If anything, he probably has feelings for Guiera or Meis." Although now that he thinks about it, he really couldn't see him dating either of them. It was still a possibility though.
"If you need any dating tips, I'd be happy to oblige!" Lucia offered up cheerfully. But first she would like to mee this guy as well. What if he gives off different vibes, and it turns out he is actually a bad person?
Remi pushed his glasses up the bridge of his nose. "He looks at you differently, so I doubt it. Every time I glanced over to see what was going on, he was staring at you with this hungry look in his eyes. At times he even appeared to be curious, or amused. And if you ask me, he barely paid attention to those other two. It was like his only focus was on you, and nothing else."
Aina gushed when she heard that just now. "Awe! I noticed that Lio was staring at him a lot too, but I had so many people to wait on. What else did you see?" She asked.
"Can we just enjoy the pizza? Let's save this conversation for another time," Galo huffed out. Can they talk about someone else's love life? This was making him feel all funny, and he didn't know if it was a good or bad thing to experience. 'I already can't get him out of my head as it is, so you guys are only making it ten times worse,' he thought.
For just this little while he wanted to think about something else.
The rest of lunch went reasonably well. Everyone got enough pizza, even though Galo hooved up most of it himself. It is astounding how much food he can fit into a body like his. You would think someone as fit as him wouldn't be living off of such a diet like that. His metabolism must be incredible. Collecting so many tips really did come in handy this time, because he was able to treat everyone to a nice meal. Meeting up with his friends like this was always a lot of fun, and that is why he could never get enough of it. He just loves surrounding himself with people who make him feel happy. What would he do without them? In spite of teasing the crap out of him before, things sure did calm down after that. Having Lucia back also helped lighten the mood within their squad.
As for the weather, it appeared to be warmer out than before. The wind has died down compared to how it was earlier, and the sun was really beating down on Promepolis like it was summertime. However, there were more people outside now. That very same lake was filled with multiple families, and they were doing more than just splashing their feet in the shallow water. No, some were actually swimming in the deeper parts of it. There was a public grill being used by someone, which filled the air with delicious ribs and burgers being cooked in it. There was even a couple sitting on a thin blanket in the grass, as they enjoyed a homemade picnic. It all looked both relaxing and exciting. Today would be perfect to go fishing! Not like he has any fishing supplies in order to do so, but still. He would if he could.
To be honest, he didn't even know how to fish.
Having lost his own parents at such a young age, Galo didn't have a father figure to teach him these things. Instead he had to learn everything on his own, which unequivocally wasn't easy in the slightest. No matter how much he struggled, and how lonely he felt, he managed to grow up into a fine young man. You would never know just by looking at him, the hardships he had to go through in order to become the person he is today. There is a lot of pain behind that blinding smile of his, but again, no ordinary person would ever know that. That, and he just saw no point in complaining about something he can't change. His parents are gone, and that's that. Nothing he does can ever bring them back, and that was something he accepted a long time ago. He is just trying to live his life the best way that he can.
His friends are basically family to him.
"Whoa—" Galo quickly swerved over to the side of the road. Something sparkled in the corner of his vision, and he had to sneak a glance at it. What he saw put him in pure awe. There, parked right in front of him, was the most stunning bike he has ever seen. He slid off of his own, and took a few steps closer toward it. 'This is so badass! How much is it worth? Everything on it must have been custom-made…' He thought, absentmindedly rubbing his chin. And now he was wondering who owns such an incredible piece of art. His hand itched to grab his phone and take some pictures, but knowing his luck, he would get caught. But in all seriousness though, what would be the harm in it? It's not like he was going to touch it, or try to vandalize it. He just isn't sure if he will see something like this again, and he wanted it saved forever.
Whoever owns this magnificent bike must be rich. You can't convince him otherwise.
'I can only imagine what it feels like to actually ride this thing.' If he was the owner of something so cool and unique, he would be showing it off to everyone. With his parked so close, he couldn't help but compare the two. They were completely different. There was not a single thing similar between them. A drop of sweat ran down the side of his face when he realized this, and he rubbed the back of his head. "And I thought mine was nice," he mumbled to himself. Of course there was nothing wrong with his, but still. It is normal to always want something better. He could save up all of his tips for years, and he still wouldn't be able to afford something like this.
Galo may not be some hardcore biker, but he still appreciated them in all of their gloriousness. Driving a normal vehicle just didn't do it for him. You can't feel the wind through your hair, or zip through traffic in anything else. You feel more free! "I wish the others could see this," he whispered. Aina especially would want to hop right on it, and take it for a ride. She shares his love for bikes, taking as how she owns one herself. And unlike him, she actually wears a helmet to help protect herself better.
"How about you pay with your life then, punk?!" A deep voice bellowed out. This caught Galo off guard, and he spun around to see where it was coming from. He took this moment to observe his surroundings. This particular sidewalk wasn't really busy. In fact, the next person he could see was a few buildings away, and they weren't even headed in his direction. They were waiting for the light to change, so that they can cross the street. There was a father and his daughter making their way towards him, but they were walking at a very slow pace. It will probably be another few minutes before they meet up. If not either of them, then who was that just now?
His eyes locked onto a nearby alleyway, and his heart immediately sank to the bottom of his stomach. Why was he getting a really bad feeling about this? Part of him didn't even want to go over there. On the other hand, what if someone was in danger? It wasn't his place to save anyone. If anything, shouldn't he call the police? They would be able to handle the situation a whole lot better than him. There is that possibility of them showing up too late, though. It would make him feel less anxious if he actually had something to protect himself with. He was empty-handed! 'Okay Galo, don't be such a coward! You got this!' He shouted in his mind.
Surely nothing too serious would be happening in broad daylight, right?
Galo kept his footsteps quiet, as he slowly approached the alleyway. "What did you call me? HUH?!" There was that voice again. It was from the same man. Judging by how it sounds, he must be a pretty big guy. This wasn't enough to scare him off. He pressed himself up against one of the buildings, and slid along the brick wall to make his way over to the end. Once there, he poked his head around the corner. Despite the sun being out and shining brightly, it wasn't enough to lighten every inch of the city. Because of this, he was having a hard time in making out what was going on at first.
"You have some nerve speaking to me like that! I could easily crush you!" That same man shouted, which was followed by him shoving the other against the dumpster. This caused him to grunt out in pain, as he fell onto the ground. The very motion made Galo widen his eyes, and he slapped a hand over his mouth to prevent himself from accidentally making any noise. When you work in a bar, you put yourself in this type of environment on a daily basis. He has lost count of how many fights he has witnessed, and had to even break apart himself. If that is the case, then why did this effect him so differently? What about this made him feel so terrified? At the same time, he couldn't seem to tear his gaze away from them.
'Wait, is that a gun in his hand?! Oh no. This is bad. This is very bad!' He began to bite at his fingernails. What should he do now? There was no way he stood a chance against a gun of all things. He would easily be shot if he so much as tried to get closer to them. The most dangerous weapon he has seen anyone carry in his workplace, was a knife. Those were more easy to avoid, compared to an actual bullet coming at you at full force.
Just what was going on here?
"I have nothing to say to you, Vulcan!" The other male coughed out. A strong hand was wrapped around his slim throat, while being lifted up into the air. This made it nearly impossible to breathe, and he tried to desperately free himself by kicking at his chest. This attempt obviously failed, but that wasn't enough to make him give up. There were too many people depending on him to come back, and so he couldn't let any of them down.
Wait, that voice. Was that-
Galo's eyes widened in horror at this realization. It all made sense now! 'What is Lio doing here? And what beef does he have with this Vulcan dude?' If he doesn't do something fast, then shots will be fired. Either that, or the blonde will be choked to death. The thought alone sent a chill down his spine. They just met last night, but he already didn't want to lose him. It would devastating! And what would become of his friends? Of their gang? Would they be able to find a new leader? Or would it crumble beyond repair? He swallowed hard, and backed up so that he could take a breather. Usually when he gets into a fight with someone, it is done using their fists and nothing else. He doesn't rely on stuff like guns, or knives.
But he couldn't just walk away from this.
"You owe me big time!" He hissed out, before taking off running. This just can't be it for the blonde. There was still a long life ahead of him, and he refused to let it end so soon like this. After everything that happened the night before, there was definitely something there. Even if it is just friendship, that was better than nothing. 'I want to have a drink with you. I want to learn more about your gang, and why Gueira and Meis are so close to you. You're such a huge mystery, and it makes me want to peel back the layers piece by piece.. If you will allow me. Please don't push me away now, Lio!' He grit his teeth together, and hopped back onto his bike. At least this will keep him more safe. It doesn't guarantee a whole lot, but he had nothing else on him.
Galo struggled to push the keys into the ignition, his hands were trembling so badly. When was the last time he has felt this afraid? So much was at stake here, and doing this could cost him his very life! "Damn it all! Hurry!" He impatiently muttered, just as he jabbed it in as hard as he could. This made it finally go in. He didn't hesitate whatsoever, and drove his bike down the empty sidewalk. This was an illegal thing to do, but he didn't care about getting a ticket right now. He will gladly pay the fine, if it means saving a life in the process. There was no time to stop and think things through. All he could do was wing it, and hope for the best.
And wing it he did.
He gripped tightly at his handlebars, making the bike go as fast as it could in such short amount of time. "CATCH ME IF YOU CAN!" Galo shouted, all the while zipping right in between the two of them. Just as this happened, he grabbed a hold of the blonde's leather jacket, and yanked him out of the other male's strong grip. And in one foul swoop, he threw him onto the back. It felt as though his heart was about to burst right through his chest, but he couldn't allow himself to falter now.
"Hang on tight, Lio!" He instructed. Once he takes a sharp turn, then he will fall right off. They needed to get out of here immediately. And sure enough, just as he said this, he could hear gunshots being fired. This caused him to panic, and he weaved from side-to-side to try and avoid being hit by one of those bullets. 'Shit, shit, shit! I don't wanna die!'
It confused Lio at first on how this stranger knew his name. And just as he was about to protest against being kidnapped by someone he didn't even know, that is when he noticed his hair. "…." It was blue, with both sides shaved. This looked oddly familiar to the hairstyle that he just saw last night. The only difference, was that this one was actually styled up into a mohawk. Pair that with the sound of his voice, and there was no mistaking it. His eyes narrowed slightly, and he reluctantly wrapped his arms around the other's thin waist. For someone so muscular, this sure did take him by surprise. Well it's not like they got very close. There was a counter separating them before, and now there was absolutely no space between them at all.
"Galo? Is that you?" He hunched forward as a stray bullet almost hit one of the tires. It certainly doesn't help that he was wearing different attire. 'Was he following me or something? How did he know I was here?' Just as he thought this, the bike took a quick turn to the right. They were now officially out of the alleyway, and onto the busy streets of Promepolis. With being out in the open like this, they should be safe for the time being.
"The one and only!" Galo proudly stated. His hands were still trembling, but he tried his hardest to hide it. They came so close to being struck down by one of those bullets. Never in his entire life, has he put himself in so much danger. In a way it was almost thrilling, but he didn't want to go through something like that ever again.
Lio scrunched his eyebrows together. "Where the heck did you come from? Don't tell me you're one of those stalkers." Part of him felt grateful for being saved, but the other part felt frustrated. He was so close to dealing with that Vulcan guy on his own.
Galo let go of one of the handlebars to wave him off. "I have better things to do with my life, then to go around stalking someone. I was stopped on the side of the road when I heard that guy shouting, soooo I went to investigate what was going on. As soon as I saw him whip out a gun, I couldn't turn a blind eye on the matter. I just had to do something.. Especially since it involved you. You seriously owe me for this, by the way! I could have died!"
He listened carefully to everything that was being said. When he was finished, Lio looked down at the bike that they were on. It was mainly red, with some hints of black here and there. Overall it was decent. 'So he does ride after all. And, it was badass of him to put himself in danger like that for my sake. He has balls of steel, that's for sure.' Being this close to him was a whole different experience. Not only could he feel the warmth radiating from his entire body, but he was also taking in his lovely scent. He almost wanted to lean forward and take a bigger whiff, but he suppressed that urge. Instead he settled for keeping his arms snuggly wrapped around his waist. For being as fit as he is, he sure was surprisingly soft at the same time.
"I/em Owe emyou? I didn't ask for you to save me, you idiot. I don't get why you would risk your life for someone you barely know anyways," he responded with a huff. It may have been heroic of him, but still. What would have been the point in doing that? Doesn't he value his own life? You can't just throw it away so easily like that.
Galo didn't say anything at first. Everything the blonde just said made a lot of sense, and he couldn't deny any of it. Nevertheless, that didn't change how he felt about the situation. He would do it all again in a heartbeat, if it meant saving his life. If he really does have a crush on him, then this just gave him all the more reason to do this. When he was far enough away from that crazy guy, he pulled over and turned his bike off. From there he carefully climbed off of it, and turned his body to face him. He placed one hand on his hip, while twirling his keys in the other. The look in his eyes became more serious as he stared into magenta ones. "Lio, listen—" He began to say.
"There is nothing between us. Heck, we're not even friends! But despite all of that, I still don't want to see you get hurt, or worse, killed. There is just something about you that is so.. so inviting—intriguing! And I'm pretty sure you did nothing to deserve any of that just now. I don't care if you're in some tough biker gang.. You are still a human being! Even when I heard the other regulars last night talking smack about you, I didn't let that taint my view on you. I uh.. actually enjoyed you coming in there, and entertaining me. And.. and I don't know.. I'm just hoping that you will come back to do it again sometime soon…" That was tough to spit out, but he managed.
"….." Well that was unexpected. Lio has met a lot of people in his short life, but never has he come across someone like this guy. It was this very reason that made it difficult to respond right away. 'His appearance is different compared to before, but I like it. If anything, this suits his personality a whole lot more. I can see why he doesn't wear a helmet. You can't with a hairstyle like that,' he thought. It was almost funny in a way. Can you even flatten it that much by putting one on? Or will his hair protest against something like that? Now wasn't the time to ask a question like that. They were in the middle of having a more serious conversation.
There was nothing separating them this time.
He clicked his tongue, and shoved his hands into his jacket pockets. They were small enough to fit. "So if I were to die, you would cry? Is that what you're basically saying, Galo? I don't think the rest of the Burnish would allow you, an outsider, at my funeral.. But you could try to fight your way in," he joked.
Galo wasn't amused. "You think your life is a joke? I think it would be pretty damn heartless of me not to feel anything. And hell yeah I would fight my way through them! Bring it on! I'm not afraid of some Burnish," he muttered with a pout.
Lio's lips twitched into a smirk. "I'm tougher than I look. Your intervening was unnecessary. I was just trying to buy some time, but if I really wanted to, I could have easily kicked his ass a lot sooner. Don't let my size and build fool you." A lot of people make that mistake, and it gets so exhausting.
"I mean, I have no doubt that you're strong Lio. There is a reason why you're the Mad Burnish's leader. It's just that.. what would you have done against a gun of all things? Plus he had a good grip of your throat. He could have crushed it effortlessly. You can't blame me for freaking out, and stepping in to help you out." He didn't regret any of this, and he never will. What he did was the right thing.
The blonde placed both of his hands onto the bike's seat, and leaned back a bit to get more comfortable. His gaze locked onto Galo's for a brief moment, and then made its way down all the way to his feet. 'He's clueless on what is really going on, so it isn't his fault.' When he returned to stare right at his face, he let out a soft sigh. "That isn't the only time I have been held at gunpoint. Being shot isn't an automatic death sentence. And he may be bigger than me, but I am much faster."
Galo gave him a blank stare in response to that. "I think you are the idiot here, not me! Just because you have avoided being shot before, doesn't mean you will be so lucky every single time! At some point in your life, that luck of yours is going to run out, and then you will be in serious trouble.. And then what?" He pressed, leaning in closer to appear more intimidating. It is scary knowing how close the blonde has come to being killed other times before this, but he didn't want to worry about that right now. He wanted to focus on the present, and possibly the future. Whether he will be a part of that is still unclear.
If it were up to him, he would love to be in it.
"Are all of you this reckless? My god!" He continued to rant, while throwing his hands up in the air. Where were the other two anyways? And how will they react when finding all of this out? It didn't matter if they liked Galo or not. At least he saved their friend.
Lio stared at him for a good few seconds, before a laugh escaped through his lips. In the end he failed to keep his composure, but at least no one else was around to see it. For some reason he could relax a little in this guy's presence. There was just something about him that was comforting—Like whatever he says or does stays between them, and he appreciated that. It is rare to find that in a person. "Please do go on, Galo. Should I get Gueira and Meis on the phone too, so that you can rant your heart out even more?" He teased.
"Keh! Maybe you should, Lio! And then that way I can call all three of you idiots at the same time!" That laugh of his was absolutely beautiful, and it made it harder for him to stay upset. Why does his face have to be so perfectly structured, along with a voice like velvet? He could listen to him talk for hours, and never grow tired of it. It wouldn't surprise him one bit if he was excellent at singing, either.
This was all too much. Lio hasn't laughed like this in so long, that he didn't know how to stop.
Galo jabbed a finger at the blonde. "Look at your ears for example! Are those bread ties? Secondly, you don't have to cover every inch of your body in leather! And lastly, that hair of yours! It's like a fricken cloud! It's ridiculously poofy!" It actually looks very hot on him, but that wasn't the point here. He just felt so flustered right now, that this was the only thing spewing out of his big mouth.
Lio wiped away a stray tear, and straightened his posture. His hand went up to touch the earring in his left ear, giving the other male a rather confused look. "Why would I be wearing bread ties? And were you trying to insult me just now? Because if so, then you failed in doing so," he pointed out matter-of-factly. It takes a lot to offend someone like him, so he will need to try harder than that.
"At least mine moves, unlike yours." His lips spread into a smirk, as he pointed up at the mohawk. No matter how fast they went on his bike, it never lost its shape, and it really impressed him. His own was probably a mess due to not wearing a helmet just now. He flexed his gloved fingers, before trailing them up his leg.
"And there is nothing wrong with leather. I think you're just jealous. Or maybe you really do want to see me with nothing on, and that is why you're so frustrated," he suggested more deeply. Lio has never been sexually active with anyone, but you would never know by the way he talks, or comes onto someone like this. It didn't help that his pants were skin-tight, defining that round ass of his.
Galo's face flushed, and he took a step back. Why did all of that have to be the truth? He gulped, looking to the side. His hands balled up into tight fists as they rested at his sides. 'He's fucking with me. I can't let him get to me. I refuse to let him win this one!' He seriously wanted to run his fingers through that soft blonde hair, and to see what was underneath all of those clothes. Looks like he really does have a crush on him after all, and he wasn't sure if that was a good thing, or a bad thing. These were all new feelings to him. Even if he wanted to act on them, what would he do? What should he start out with? They really did barely know each other.
"Hm? What is that, Lio?" There was a rip in his jacket. It was on the upper right sleeve. Without even thinking, he reached out to touch it. As soon as he did this, his fingers became stained with a crimson-red liquid: Blood. There was nothing else it could be. His eyes widened. So he wasn't just pushed to the ground, and choked? He should have known better, and now he was kicking himself for not being more thorough.
"Y-you're cut! Why didn't you say something? Give me that—" Galo grasped at the jacket, and began to pull at it. Things just keep getting better, don't they?
Lio was quick to react, and struggled underneath his hold. He pressed his hands against the other's broad chest, and tried to push him away. "Stop that! I don't.. need your help! Nnrghhh, Galo! I mean it! It is nothing!"
"Bullshit! That looks like a lot of blood to me! Now, stop moving so that I can get to it! Unless you want me to drag your ass to a hospital, then cooperate with me." There was no way he was going to let him leave in the condition he is currently in.
"As.. if I would.. let you do that!" Lio was putting all of his strength into fighting against this. He even tried to kick at his legs in hopes that would get him to let go, but nope. All he got in return was a grunt. Going to a hospital just wasn't an option for him, but he couldn't say that. If so, then he would need to explain why, and he just wasn't ready for that yet.
"Then let me look at it!" Being kicked in the legs was an uncomfortable feeling, but it didn't make him falter in the slightest. In one swift motion, Galo yanked the jacket off completely, and tossed it over his shoulder. If anything happens to it, then he will replace it himself. For now he just wanted to make sure that his arm was okay. Right away he could see all of the blood gushing from the wound, and dripping down his thin, pale arm. He frowned deeply at the sight of it. That must be really painful. The tear can easily be sewn, but his arm needed some extra care and attention. If not, then the bleeding will only continue, and then he really will have to go to the hospital for blood loss.
Galo silently took his t-shirt off, and tore the bottom part off. "You're so reckless," he said to himself. Honestly though, what was he going to do with him? He reached around him to grab a water bottle from one of the side pouches on his bike, and twisted the cap off. And then as gently as he could, he grabbed his wrist to hold it in place. From there he poured the water all over his arm to help wash away the access blood. Once that was all cleaned up, he grabbed the small piece of fabric from before, and used that to tie over the wound.
"It won't kill ya to accept help every now and then. Do you want this to get infected? Because not taking care of it will result in that! You really are an idiot," he continued to mumble.
"…." Lio's body tensed when being touched like this. He understands why it was being done, but that didn't mean he enjoyed it. What prevented him from continuing to lash out, was the sight of Galo's perfectly chiseled torso. It was everything he expected it to be, and then some. There was something that caught his eye, though. 'What is that on his arm? It looks like a sleeve.. But what purpose does it serve?' He thought, leaning in a little closer to get a better look at it. It was white, and being held up by black straps that went across his other shoulder.
"You weren't wearing that yesterday," he murmured. The fabric was a little tight around his arm, but he didn't complain. It was to help stop the bleeding. As long as it does the job, then so be it. Anything to avoid going to a dreaded hospital!
Galo followed at what he was staring at, and sighed. A small smile graced his lips, and his eyes softened. "That is because I had my scars covered in a special lotion. Wearing this thing at work is a drag, and gets dirty fast. When I'm not working, I slap this baby on! It is really thin and light, so it doesn't bother me anyways," he explained.
Lio blinked. "Scars? But, it is covering your whole arm…" Whatever happened to him, it must have been serious. And yet here he is, freaking out over a simple cut on someone else's arm. It was almost funny in a way.
It was only natural for someone to feel curious.
"You could have asked me what happened, but.. I will tell you. About a year ago I got burned by, er, someone. I can't really describe what it was. One minute I was holding this poor girl in my arms, and the next she burst into flames. I wasn't able to get away in time, and was burned real good. While a bystander ran up to help me, that girl took off running and disappeared. I haven't seen her since. It sounds crazy and totally made up, but I swear on my life that is what happened!"
Lio's mouth hung open in pure and utter shock. Did he hear all of that correctly just now? From what it sounds like, he came into contact with a Burnish, and paid the price for it. This made his heart sink. How can he ever reveal his true identity to him now, after hearing about this? One of his own people permanently scarred him. "You must hate them," he said quietly. And now he wanted to know who did it. They weren't supposed to be going around harming innocent people, and after hearing about this, he felt very disappointed. It was his responsibility to keep everyone in line, and here he ended up failing without even knowing.
Galo just shrugged his shoulders, and bent down to pick up the jacket that he had thrown. He gave it a few pats to get any dirt off of it, before holding it out for the blonde to take. "Hate is a strong word. I don't even think I was angry at her for it. Whatever weird thing happened that day, I like to think that it was purely accidental and nothing else. Holding grudges is never healthy, Lio. You have to learn when to let things go, so that you can move on with your life."
Staying angry won't erase the scars on his arm.
The blonde took his jacket back, but didn't put it on right away. Instead he just stared at it. There was blood all over it anyways, and so it needed to be washed first before being worn again. "You're too forgiving. Someone disfigured you, and yet you're not mad at all. I really don't get you at all, Galo…"
"Lio, if.. I had been shot back there trying to save you, I wouldn't have even been mad. Helping people is what I enjoy doing. It's, well, thrilling. They could be pulling a bullet out of my chest, and I'd be saying it was worth it!" He chuckled.
This caused Lio to playfully roll his eyes. He swung the soiled jacket over his shoulder, and scoffed. "You're such a dork. If they were fishing a bullet out of your chest, you would either be dead, or in agonizing pain." He honestly didn't even want to think about it. That just sounded so awful, and someone like him didn't deserve to go through something like that; and hopefully he never will.
Galo chuckled at that. "It would still be worth it, and nothing you say can change my mind! I don't know why that Vulcan guy wanted your head, but just know I would take him on any day! So if you find yourself in a pinch again, just give me a call! Galo Thymos will come in and save the day!"
So that was his last name? How interesting. Lio's lips twitched, as he fought the urge to start laughing again. He cleared his throat, and ran a hand through his fluffy blonde hair. "And how would I call you without a phone number?" If he were to actually call him, it wouldn't be over something like that. Again, he can handle someone like Vulcan on his own. If he had just been given more time, then he would have totally destroyed him.
Well that was an easy fix. Galo pointed at the blonde's pocket. "Get out your phone. You can put my number in it," he instructed. It would be up to him on whether or not he wanted to talk outside of their encounters. It would be nice to receive a text message from him, or better yet, a phone call. That would absolutely make his day!
Lio hesitated at first. 'I guess there is nothing wrong with this. It's not like I will be giving mine out,' he thought. When he feels ready to reach out to him, then he will send a text his way. Talking on the phone was harder for him to do, though, and this is because it isn't often that he gets privacy like this from the other Burnish. He let out a heavy sigh, and reached into his pocket to take his cellphone out. It wasn't anything fancy, but it worked. That is all he cared about.
Galo's heart fluttered uncontrollably. This was actually happening! A wide smile broke out across his face, and he inhaled deeply. "Alright, so it's—" He watched as the blonde punched in every single number that he said, and even when he saved it into his phone as "Idiot". At first he was going to protest, but then he realized that he probably shouldn't be too picky here. What matters is that his number was saved in it, so the name wasn't important. He was just one step closer to having something stronger with him, and that was enough to make him feel content! 'If I hadn't of stopped to check out that sick bike, then none of this would have happened.'
A human's life was more precious than some rare bike.