With a box of hot, freshly-made pizza in his hands, Galo sank down onto the plush-green grass that over-looked the lake. It was late in the afternoon, and things were rather quiet and peaceful here in Promepolis. Had he woken up at the time desired, the area would have been more crowded. It was his day off anyways, so it's not like he had anywhere to be. His friends were all busy either doing their own thing, or having to deal with work. This is why he decided to enjoy his meal with a nice scenery, rather than lock himself in his apartment to become a couch potato all day long. At least now he felt more productive, and was getting some much needed fresh air. Last night was rough on him, and he got out late because of it. They were no longer short-staffed, but that didn't change the fact that things got a bit out of hand due to it being crowded. Both him and Varys had to break apart at least three fights in the beginning of their shifts. That is what happens when a bunch of drunks get together on a holiday, and go absolutely wild.
Having the opportunity to sit here and clear his mind was something he hasn't been able to do lately. This just felt like the longest week to him, and he was glad to finally have this time to himself. Between the scent radiating from the nearby blooming flowers, and the warm sun beating off of his back, it sure was giving him such a pleasant fondness. When has he ever been able to take care of himself like this? Coming here alone was probably for the best after all. Usually he enjoys the company, and the conversations held with said people—however this much different.
Who knew he would enjoy the silence so much?
Galo flipped open the box that sat in front of him, and pulled a piece out. Like always, it was covered in cheesy goodness—sauce oozing out from the sides. His mouth watered, and he licked hungrily at his lips as he brought it up to his face. From there he took a big, messy bite. The flavors mingled perfectly as he chewed happily, savoring every bit of it. It really couldn't get any better than this! His legs still ached from last night's shift, but other than that he felt great. And for the first time in a while, he was also well-rested. He pulled out a napkin from his pants pocket, and used that to wipe at his chin. Yes he may have been the only one here, but that didn't give him an excuse to look like a slob. "Should have gotten something to drink," he mumbled. It was just something he didn't think about at the time. All he could focus on at the time, was getting some food in his stomach. This certainly was hitting the spot though!
While sinking his teeth into the delectable pizza once more, he got out his phone to snap a quick selfie. Today he chose to wear a white t-shirt, and a pair of blue jeans- the bottoms tucked into black combat boots. His hair was styled in its usual mohawk, which meant it won't be moving an inch in this breeze! The more he stared into the water, the stronger his urge to walk around in it grew. It would just feel so refreshing in this heat. It was shallow enough for him to do it. On the other hand, he didn't want to deal with wet feet. Had he actually worn sandals, then that would be different. He sighed at this, almost pouting in a way. Perhaps he can come back another time when he is more prepared for that. It's not like this will be the only warm day.
As soon as he polished off that first piece, he fell back with a light thud. His bright teal eyes watched as a fluffy cloud drifted across the sun, giving him temporary shade. Even though he was starving, he didn't seem to have much of an appetite. There was just this empty feeling in his heart, and he had no idea what it as. This is how it has been for him all week long. And no matter how hard he tries to push that feeling back, it does absolutely nothing. Guess he can't fix the problem until he figures out what is causing it, huh? It has left him feeling so frustrated. Lucia has even pointed out how quiet he has been lately, which wasn't like him at all. He is the type of person who is loud, and outgoing. Keeping to himself was just odd, and he knew this.
The last time Galo felt this way, was when he lost his parents. Those first couple of months had him missing both his mother and father like crazy. Every single night he would cry himself to sleep, and would then wake up with red, puffy eyes. No one should have their family ripped away from them like that, especially at such a young age. It is very traumatizing for any child. He still thinks about them from time to time, but it wasn't anything like before when he felt so lost and depressed. Having such amazing friends who are always there for him, has helped with the healing process. Where would he even be in life right now without them in it? They always put up with his shit, and have even dropped everything just to help him out. They were now his family, and he would do anything for them.
So then why did he feel this way?
Galo rested his hand upon his chest. 'I have a stable job that I worked my butt off to get, and an incredible group of friends, so why am I still incomplete? What else do I need to achieve in life, in order for me to be whole again? I wish someone could give me the answers.' That would be too easy, though. This is just one of those things that he will have to figure out all on his own. Not like he has had to rely on many people in his life. When he became an orphan, that is when he had to learn how to do everything on his own. At the time he hated it, but now he felt grateful. Had he not been thrown in that position, he wouldn't have been able to accomplish the things he has. He did great in school, passing with high scores in everything. Because of that, he was able to go to college—something he once believed to be impossible.
But here he is today. His parents would be so proud of him!
Just then his vision of the clouds slowly moving along the sky was blocked, and it was by something more gorgeous than anything he has ever seen. Large, magenta eyes glistened as they stared down at him with wonder and curiosity. They were framed by hair a much softer yellow than the sun itself, as it flowed against the wind—the ends brushing against a thick, black-colored velvet choker. From this angle he could see two triangle-shaped earrings, one in each ear, as they shined brightly against the light. The very sight of this took his breath away quite literally. And just like that, everything came rushing in. All of the moping, and shift in mood—it was because he had been missing someone.
"Lio?!" He gasped, shooting up from his laying position. In this case he had to be the one looking up at him, and boy was it a different experience. In that very moment he took in his wardrobe. During both encounters with him, he wore nothing but leather! However this time, that was not the case. His style now resembled that of a Goth, if he had to put a label on it. Not only was the jewelry dark, but so was his long-sleeve fishnet shirt that was tucked into black cargo pants, and a black crop-top to go over that. Even his army boots were a dark gray. This made him wonder if the guy owned anything more colorful, or if these are the only two he likes.
Either way, it was hot.
Those soft, full lips formed into a smirk, as Lio gazed at the bartender from where he stood. This is something he could get used to. "The one and only," he said deeply. To be honest, he didn't expect to find him here of all places. When he was riding his bike down the road, he just so happened to spot him out into the distance. There was no way you could possibly miss that wild, bright-blue hair sprouting from his head. His style was very unique, as no one else even resembles it. Although in his opinion, he likes it worn in both ways.
Galo broke out into a wide smile. It feels like it has been forever since they last spoke to each other. Of course he was hoping to receive a text message from him at some point, but sadly that never happened. Maybe he has been too busy, and that is why he never found the time to reach out. They weren't close buds, so why would he come before anyone else? Still, he was very happy to see him again. He patted the spot right next to him. "Well come join me since you're already here!" Now this is the type of company he didn't mind. You could see the amount of excitement written all over his face, which was actually quite adorable.
This is something Lio noticed, and damn was it heartwarming! He eyed the open pizza box, and saw that only one slice was missing so far. Did he just get here? It still looked hot, taking as how the cheese was all gooey. The smell just about made his stomach growl. It has been a long while since he has eaten anything other than ramen, and canned foods. "I won't be interrupting your date between you and yourself?" He joked.
That got a good laugh out of Galo. "Well I can't exactly have a romantic date with my hand when out in a public place like this. What will the geese think?" He responded with a smirk of his own. Not only that, but it would also earn him a ticket straight to jail. Just because he had been down here all by himself, didn't mean there was no one watching.
Well that was an unexpected response.
Lio stared at him for a long minute, before deciding to take him up on that offer. Why not? His friends weren't with him for the time being, and he had nowhere to be until later on tonight. Although instead of taking the spot beside him, he chose to situate himself across from the big goofball. This way he can talk to him more comfortably, and watch those expressions flit across his handsome face. Yes the lake was indeed gorgeous, but it didn't interest him that much. It is something he sees on a daily basis. "I don't think the geese would be traumatized."
This was actually nice. It gave Galo an excuse to stare at the blonde's face, which he really couldn't get enough of. It appears he has missed him more than he thought. "Who said anything about them being traumatized? I'll have you know that I look fantastic down there, thank you very much!" He said this in a very proud manner. Although as soon as it clicked what type of conversation they were having, he did blush slightly in embarrassment. Why were they talking about that of all things? It was probably for the best if they changed the subject.
"A-anyways! Would you like some pizza?" He flung his hand out to gesture toward the open box. It might not be that hot anymore, but it wasn't cold either. Even if it was, he would still smash it. No matter the temperature, he will whoof it down without any hesitation—that is how good it is.
Blinking, he looked down to see what he was pointing at. Well it's not like he was a picky eater to begin with. He will eat anything he can get his hands on. It's rough finding food in his position, and to be offered something relatively warm and fresh meant a lot to him. But on the other hand, it still felt wrong to take from others. That is why he eventually shook his head, declining the offer. "Thank you, but.. I know you work hard for your money." Not just anyone can deal with drunk people like he can, and he fully understands this. You need a lot of patience for that profession.
Galo's eyebrows furrowed at that response. "It's pizza, Lio. Do you realize how cheap this stuff is? I'd know, since I eat it every single day!" No other person would boast about something like that, but he clearly didn't care. Not only was it budget-friendly, but oh did it taste delicious!
"Eat as much as you like! You're so skinny." He pushed the box closer to him, staring directly into his eyes. They were of a color he has never seen anyone else have before. It almost made him wonder if they were contact lenses. But as he sat there and examined them oh so closely, he could tell that wasn't the case. You can always tell whenever someone is wearing them, because you can see the outline. This just made him even more cool!
Lio scoffed when he heard that just now. Was that supposed to be an insult, or a compliment? "Is there something wrong with my weight, Galo Thymos?" At times it can be difficult for him to shop for clothes, and it was because of his size. At this point in his life, he has learned to DIY his own to his best abilities. And so far that was working out great for him!
Galo was quick to wave his hands in front of him, his blush from before deepening a bit. "Definitely not! I think your body is perfect!" Wait, he didn't mean to say that either. It's not like it wasn't true. It is just something he didn't want to admit out loud like that. If only he could crawl under a rock right now, then that would be super!
"W-wait a minute! Ahh, what I meant was…! I uh…" And now he was fumbling with his hands all nervously. If you ask him, he wouldn't change a thing about the blonde. His body may be thin, and he may be short, but so what? You don't get to choose how tall you grow, and for some they have such a fast metabolism. People come in all sorts of shapes and sizes, and he respects that. It would be boring if everyone looked the same anyways.
To hear him say such a thing about his body was something else. And for a moment there he didn't even know how to react—how to emfeel/em! When comparing the two, obviously Galo is more fit and healthy. Well, minus all of the greasy pizza he consumes. 'He's so embarrassed,' he thought. It was rather humorous, and he had to bite down on his lip to prevent himself from laughing. It wasn't news that the two found each other to be attractive. From the moment their eyes met that very first night, it was like a spark had been lit. Since then things have began to change.
Slowly, but surely.
Lio dipped his hand underneath a slice of pizza, and pulled it out of the plain-white box. It was warm, and the crust seemed to be perfectly cooked. You don't want it doughy, but you also didn't want it to be burnt either—just enough to hold the toppings in place, and to not become a soggy pile of mush. This is a kind he has never had before. Was there supposed to be more sauce than cheese? Still, food is food to him. And to be honest here, it really did smell amazing. "Don't give yourself an aneurysm. I'll eat your food, so calm down."
That got his attention. Not once when coming here, did he expect to be enjoying his favorite food with someone so eccentric. It made wanting to be left alone disappear completely. This is someone he can hang out with for hours on end, and never grow tired of their presence. He watched as the blonde took his first bite, noticing how small it was, and how careful he was being as to not get any all over his face. "Where have you been? I was starting to wonder if you left the city." That didn't sound too desperate, did it?
Having been brought up with proper manners, Lio made sure to chew and swallow everything in his mouth before answering that question. "I never left Promepolis. Tempting, yes.. But I have been busy with my people. I can pop in sometime after midnight today, but Guiera and Meis will be with me." Being the leader of Mad Burnish, he doesn't get to venture off by himself very often. This right here was a rarity.
Galo's eyes traveled down to the blonde's exposed stomach as he listened to this, and he gulped. Sitting across from him like this was a tad dangerous. How will he possibly be able to tear his gaze away? Those slender, yet strong legs, his small hips, and a head made out of fluff—oh his heart. And this was all matched beautifully with a voice like velvet. He just wanted to tousle his fingers through those soft locks of sunshine, and to take in their lovely scent. "I.. I don't mind Gueira and Meis. They're kinda like your personal bodyguards, which is pretty neat! But uh, I'm not working tonight. Today is actually my day off!"
It is a good thing that Lio was finding this out now. Maybe he shouldn't have assumed that he works all the time. Every workplace has to offer you days off. If not, then wasn't that illegal? Without him there, it just wouldn't be worth going. "What a shame. Now I can't order my hot Fireball." He hasn't gone to a bar since then. It just wouldn't feel the same anymore, and he only wanted one person making his drinks from now on.
Was he understanding all of that correctly just now? Sure Galo is a wonderful bartender, but so were the others! They are far more skilled and experienced than he is. It's just that he knows how to draw people in, and satisfy them. He extended his hand to grab a piece of pizza for himself then, bringing it up to his mouth so that he could take a bite. His manners weren't as great compared to Lio's, as he shoved half of it into his trap. Even while still chewing, he chose to reply. "I got everything back at my place," he stated.
There was a pause, and a long one at that.
Lio leaned forward with a devious smirk on his face. He had a hand resting on his upper leg, his half-eaten pizza in the other. "Did you just invite me over? I must say, that is rather ballsy of you to do. I mean, we hardly know each other. But at least you're offering to make me a drink, rather than buy one," he winked. To him that actually meant so much more. They wouldn't have to deal with other people being loud, or invading their personal bubble. It would just be the two of them having a fun time together. But what if he gets too drunk? Can he trust for nothing bad to happen to him in the meantime?
But this guy is harmless. He can tell just by looking at him, and the vibes he gave off. There is nothing to fear, and alcohol shouldn't change that. He wondered what type of place he has, and the condition it is in. Was he a slob who didn't take care of his things? Or was he a neat-freak like himself? 'Just what does he drink anyways? I imagine he's more into beer and harsher liquors, like whiskey and gin. Well Fireball is a whiskey, but does he drink that often? Or does he prefer it more on the plain side?' It was hard to tell, for they hardly knew each other.
Galo coughed loudly, nearly choking on the pizza he currently had in his mouth. The thought of him being inside his apartment of all places made him feel anxious. It is difficult for him to drink with his friends, since they all work at the same bar. And you can't exactly enjoy one before your shift either. You need to be sober for that. If you're caught with any liquor in your system, you're done for. He stared down at the grass, and wiped at his mouth with the back of his hand. "Wouldn't Gueira and Meis be with you?" Yes he didn't mind them, but it just wouldn't be the same if they tagged along.
Oh that's right. How could he forget? Lio chuckled quietly to himself then. "Unless you want it to be a date, then I can just shoo them away," he said with a shrug of his shoulders. Only part of him was joking when saying that just now. Although to be honest, they might not approve of such a thing. Knowing them, they would probably even follow him there just to drag him away.
His heart fluttered uncontrollably in his chest. A date?! Galo awkwardly rubbed the back of his head, growing more shy all of a sudden. It amazed him how the blonde was able to say that so casually. "I'm not sure if you're being serious or not, Lio, but if you are.. then I wouldn't want our first date to be in my apartment. That's kinda lame, don't you think? Like, I would want to take you somewhere really nice!"
Lio's eyes widened slightly. That was quite the response he just received. Like him, he too has never been on a date before. He urged the best smirk he could plaster on his face then. "So you want me to slap on a suit, just to eat a steak dinner in some fancy restaurant? Sorry to break it to you, but that just isn't my thing." He doesn't even own any nice clothes, let alone a suit of all things. When you're basically homeless, you can only carry so much with you. Everything he owns fits into a single bag. He spread his arms out wide.
"This right here would be the ideal date for me—a simple meal in a relaxing setting. It doesn't take a lot to impress me," he explained. Besides, he would feel uncomfortable being in such a high-class place. There are certain rules you have to follow, and to him that just wasn't worth the hassle. Plus there was no one else around to bother them. How can it get any better than this?
Galo used this opportunity to take in their surroundings. Well it's not like he was used to eating steak dinners in fancy restaurants either. He owns some nice clothes, but that is because his job requires it. However, he is never dressed in a full suit. That would just get very hot, and uncomfortable. Most nights he has to even roll up the sleeves of his button up shirt, so he can only imagine what it was like to add another layer onto that. "I didn't think you would be interested. I mean, you never even shot me a text message." It would have been nice to hear from him at least once this week. Instead he was left hanging—worrying about his safety. What if he had gotten into another one of those fight?
What if he had lost?
Lio scoffed, pushing his hair back and out of his face. "Do you think I flirt with just anyone? And like I said before, I have been very busy." He slipped his hand into one of the side pockets of his pants, and pulled something out. Upon first glance it appeared to be oddly-shaped, but there was a reason for it. This was proven as soon as he flipped it over for the other male to see.
"Mad Burnish patches." It was a dragon consisting of colors ranging from light pinks, purples, and blues. This is what he has been mainly working on. It takes time to hand-paint each one, but he managed to finish them all for his people. You could see the joy in his eyes as he stared down at it.
Complete and utter awe. That was the look on Galo's face, as he took in the beautifully-made patch. It didn't take a genius to figure out that they were done by hand, which only made it ten times cooler! "Whoa! Did you make that yourself? You're like, this badass biker who knows how to create magic with his own two hands!" He couldn't contain himself, and ended up snatching the patch right from the blonde's grasp. This was so that he could examine the details more clearly. So this guy was also an artist, huh? He just continues to amaze him. His thumb lightly grazed over each brush stroke, taking in the texture of them. The colors were so bright, and vivid. Just how many of these did he make? He can only imagine the amount of time that went into each and every one of these.
"Can I have this one?" He asked with a blindingly-bright smile. His eyes were practically sparkling at this point, as he clutched at the homemade patch in his hands.
Lio arched an eyebrow at him, and cocked his head to the side. "That badge will be representing the Mad Burnish. In wearing that, it shows you support us. Are you really willing to do that? Are you ready for that type of backlash? We are not liked here in Promepolis, Galo. A few of my people have been wrongfully arrested as it is, because the police planted drugs on them. We do not partake in that stuff, but no one believes that."
Galo fell silent. Thinking back to that very night they both met, he can recall some of the regulars complaining about them. They all had some not so nice things to say, but he just didn't piece it all together at the time. He was so focused on the blonde, that he neglected to pay attention to anything else that was going on. "But why? You didn't like, kill someone.. right? Didn't rob any banks? When I look at you, I don't see a criminal…"
The blonde sighed heavily. There were just some things he couldn't tell him. Knowing too much might result in scaring him off, and he didn't want that. His identity can't be revealed yet—maybe not ever. "I have not robbed any banks, nor have I murdered someone.. intentionally." He said that last part quietly, as if hoping that he wouldn't be heard. As he leaned forward, his hair acted like a curtain as it helped shield his face.
It wasn't something he was proud of, but you can't just change the past.
"…." Everyone does something they later on regret in life. That doesn't mean it should define who you are as a person. People change as the years pass on by, so you really can't judge a person based off of their mistakes. The guy sitting before Galo didn't seem like some sort of cold-blooded killer. There had to of been a good reason behind that incident. And as much as he wanted to ask about it, he also knew that it wasn't any his business. Someday he might hear about it, but certainly not now when they still barely knew anything about the each other. There were so many questions he wanted to ask him, but he had to wait for the right time depending on which one it was. He didn't want to ruin the progress that he has already made with him.
He pulled an extra napkin from his pocket, and used that to wipe at the blonde's chin. "I like to believe that you're a good person, Lio. Screw all of the haters that are after you guys! I am on the Burnish's side one-hundred percent, and you best believe that I'll step in to clobber anyone who threatens your life! I don't care if you can handle the situation yourself. As long as I'm around, no one will put their hands on you!"
Lio touched the spot that had just been wiped at, allowing his fingertips to linger there as he stared deeply into his eyes. 'If only you knew. You're able to say these things, because you're not informed on anything involving my people and I. If so, then you wouldn't be so quick to be on our side.' It felt like he was lying to him, and he hated it. If only he didn't have to hide who he was—if only he could be free! Instead he is trapped here, and has to hide who he truly is. Running away to a different city won't fix that problem. It won't change a thing that is going on! His problems will just follow him wherever he goes. With all of the things he has done, he sure didn't feel like a good person. Neither of them did for that matter.
His gaze shifted to the side, and he ruffled his bangs. The wind was causing them to go all over the place. "Alright fine! You can keep the patch. Didn't think it would mean so much to you," he mumbled. It was a strange feeling to have someone support him and the other Burnish. This has never happened before, and the others will definitely be shocked over it.
Galo's grin spread from ear to ear. Now that is what he wanted to hear! It is just a matter of what he was going to put it on. That is something he can figure out later on. For the time being he just needed to keep it somewhere safe, so that it doesn't get ruined. "See? A bad person wouldn't have given me a gift," he pointed out, while waving it into the air.
Lio watched as he did this. It's not like he had planned on giving that to him, so it technically wasn't a gift. "You sure about that? I could be trying to bribe you in order to gain your trust. Heh, you have no idea what my intentions are-" He was silenced by the other placing his index finger against his lips. This confused him more than anything.
"Shh! You can't taint my image of you. Now about this date.. How about on Monday? That is my next day off. I have nothing going on. We can come back here with another pizza, or try something new," he suggested. There were other parks to visit in Promepolis. It is just that he has never really explored them, since that requires going out of his way. And who knows, maybe some are better than this one.
Oh that's right. Their possible date.
The blonde stole another slice of pizza, and bit into it. Whoever made this sure was an excellent cook. "And what if it rains on that day, then what? Do you have a backup plan in case that happens?" He curiously asked, all the while leaning in so that he could shorten the space between them. Bringing an umbrella won't do much, since the grass itself would be wet. If so, then where would they sit? All of the benches surrounding the area were out in the open as well.
Galo eyed the space between them, a light blush dusting his cheeks. "The pizza shop has indoor seating. But if you don't want to be out at all, then.. I guess we could have dinner at my place. A lot of people love my cooking, so I could whip something up for us to eat!"
That caught Lio by surprise. His eyebrows scrunched together the longer he thought about it. It just didn't make any sense to him. "If you're so good at it, then why do you eat pizza every day?" He asked. You'd think that he would grow tired of eating the same food all the time like that. Even he has more variety with his diet, and he can't afford to eat better.
"That's easy! Inferno Volcano Margherita Mega Max pizza is the best thing on this planet, and nothing else will ever compare to it's deliciousness! Trying to replicate it at home just doesn't work. Trust me, I've tried! I like to joke around with the owner that I help keep that place running," Galo chuckled. Wouldn't that be something if it really was true though? There is no denying the fact that he puts a lot of money into that restaurant. Maybe in a way his business really does do more than he thinks it does.
Lio blinked a couple of times. "Inferno Volcano.. what?" He didn't quite catch all of that, because it was a long name. Plus he said it so fast in that excited tone of voice he used in order to brag about it. What about this even remotely resembled a volcano? It wasn't even spicy!
The sound of Galo's laughter increased as soon as he noticed the look of confusion on his face. This is the exact same reaction he gets from everyone, and it got him every single time. It was indeed quite the mouthful to say, specially for those who weren't used to it. "Inferno Volcano Mega Max pizza! Yours truly helped name this masterpiece."
That did not come to a surprise to him at all. It was totally something this guy would do. Lio had to facepalm at how ridiculous it was. 'God he's so proud of that name. What a dingus,' he thought. But he was an incredibly attractive dingus at that, so it evens itself out. That smile of his can win anyone over, and those arms! They were perfect for holding someone closely to him. What really amazed him though, was how small his waist was. You normally don't see that with a build like his. This was just another trait of his that he liked. Was there something else that he hasn't noticed yet? Well, he hasn't seen him without any clothes on. There could be much more hiding underneath all of that.
Galo closed up the empty pizza box, and set that aside. For once he didn't finish a whole one all by himself. "I'm guessing you want me to cook for you, regardless of what the weather is like?" He asked with a smile. If it is for someone else, then he really doesn't mind. He just gets lazy, or runs out of time to prepare meals for himself.
Lio sprawled his legs out to give them a good stretch, and then planted his hands on the grass so that he could lean back a bit. "That would be nice, yes. I have already eaten the Mega Inferno-… No, that wasn't it. The Volcano Mega.. Inferno.. Ahh! Forget it! It would be nice to have something different is what I am trying to say." Home-cooked meals are so much better. He can't even remember the last time he was able to enjoy one. No one has ever offered to make him anything, and so now he felt somewhat excited for this. Just how good was he? He really wanted to know.
Those legs again—so thin, that he could wrap his whole hand around just one of them.
His heart jumped, and he licked his bottom lip. Galo loves how tiny he is. Also, he really would fit perfectly in his arms. It was still a shock to him that this was actually happening. They just met a week ago, and yet they were already planning a date. "…." Was it really that bizarre though? People go on dates even sooner than that. From the moment the blonde walked into his bar, he was hooked. There is no doubt about that. Even now as they stared at one another, he felt nothing but happiness. It's not like anything serious needed to happen. This was to just have a nice meal with someone he was interested in. That's it. And then they can decide what to do from there.
Galo quickly looked away to try and hide another blush spreading on his face. "I can stick to Italian food, since you seemed to really like the pizza. Do you like wine?" It was better to play it safe, rather than make something the blonde doesn't like. How awkward would that be?
Magenta eyes softened. He could tell how nervous this was making him. It looks like they were in the same boat, because this was going to be a whole new experience for him as well. "You really are trying to fatten me up with all of those carbs, aren't you? Heh! But yes, I do like wine. Don't care what kind." So instead of going to a nice restaurant, Galo was going to bring it to him? Also, he couldn't remember the last time that he even had wine. Which kind did he prefer? There was one dryer than the other, but he wasn't sure. Oh well, they were both tasty in his opinion.
Galo sputtered at that first part. "I'm pretty sure you could get away with eating like, ten bowls of pasta and not gain a single pound! And even if you did, then oh well. You will still be Lio, regardless of how much you weigh. Now, can I have your number this time? If we're going on a date, then you should be able to trust me with that much."
Lio stared at him for a long minute, processing everything he had just heard in his mind. There was no way he could possibly argue against that, because it actually made a lot of sense. There really wasn't any harm in giving out his number. It was just him being paranoid, and he needed to stop that. He took his phone out of his pocket, and opened up his contacts. After pressing the right one, he typed out a short message before hitting the reply button. "I'll block you if you mistreat it," he warned.
"Himbo."
"And how exactly would I mistreat it? You're so weird." What was the big deal? Galo just didn't get it. It's not like he was going to call him constantly, or spam him with a ton of messages. Even if he wanted to, he would never have the time for that sort of thing. He does have a life, after all. Upon hearing his phone go off, he too, took his out to check what it said. That was quicker than expected, but he was glad to finally be getting the blonde's phone number. This whole time he has been waiting, which has affected his mood and behavior. His eyebrows scrunched together when he opened it up.
"What's a.. himbo?" He mumbled to himself. You could see the confusion on his face as he stared at it. This was a word he has never heard of before, and so he wasn't sure if it was a good thing, or a bad thing.
The blonde bit back a chuckle. His reaction was just so priceless! "Hm. Just look it up later on," he responded with a wave of his hand. It will give him something to do when he is alone in his apartment. At least he finally gave out his number, which is rare for him to do. With everything that has happened in his life, he now struggles to trust people. It takes a lot to earn a spot in his heart.
And Galo really did appreciate it! Now he can contact him whenever, which really excited him. He opened up his photo gallery, and sent him the selfie he took a little bit ago. "There! Now we're even," he said with a huge grin. Well he still has a picture of the blonde in his phone, so this only made it fair.
Before Lio could question what the heck he was talking about, he saw the photo pop up in their conversation. He pushed his index finger against the screen to enlarge it, and when he did this, he blushed ever so slightly. 'This must have been taken sometime before I showed up. Just what was he doing here all by himself?' It was silly, yet adorable at the same time. Clearly he wants to show off his love for the pizza, since he took a selfie with it in his mouth. Of course he would go and do something like that. He hit the save button on it, and locked his phone back up. Now it was saved in his own gallery for personal use.
"So instead of being on a date with yourself, you were actually on one with the pizza? Got it," he said while stuffing his phone back into his pocket. As much as he wanted to continue staring at that photo, he knew better than to do that right now. It was better to wait until there was no one else around.
Galo pouted, folding his arms across his chest. "Very funny! Last I checked, you can't date food." That just sounded so absurd to him. Although, there might be someone out there willing to do something like that. You just never know.
Some people are just really out there.
Lio stood up then, brushing any grass or dirt that had gotten on his clothes. Thankfully you can't see much due to wearing such dark colors. Had he worn white, then that would have been a whole different story. "Why were you checking in the first place?" He mused. The wind blew through his soft blonde hair, tousling it all over the place. He was quick to tuck some of it behind his ears.
Majestic. That is the word that automatically came to mind when Galo saw this happen. It really was a nice change to be looking up at him like this. Inn spite of how nice it was, he couldn't stay like this forever. Galo then got back up to his feet as well, not caring if there was anything on his pants. It's not like he was rolling around in the mud. "I wasn't being serious when saying that just now," he mumbled.
"I'm guessing you have to get back? Don't want the other two thinking I kidnapped ya!" They already come off as being very protective of their boss, and he wanted to avoid feeling their wrath as much as possible. Again, there was nothing wrong with that. It was precious to have such close friends like that around. Besides, you can only do so much on your own.
The blonde placed a hand on his hip. "They don't even know I'm with you. And even if they did, are you really worried about upsetting them?" He asked with a smirk.
Galo didn't hesitate to nod his head at that question. "Well duh! They're not gonna let me cook you an Italian dinner consisting of carbs and wine if I piss them off! Also, it's kinda hard to date someone if that person's friends hate you. Just sayin'!" If not now, then sometime down the road he will need their approval. That is, if they make it past the first date. But why wouldn't they?
Lio snorted, placing a hand over his mouth. "Good luck with that. Not saying they hate you or anything, but.. it takes a lot to gain their acceptance. Just don't get all handsy with me when they're around. That is how you lose a hand." Just telling them about his plans for Monday will be difficult. What were they going to say? How were they going to feel? He could already see their reactions in his mind, and it wasn't good. The Burnish all believe that they should stick to their own people, and to never let outsiders in. It was just safer that way. Having already lived here for a few years, it still didn't feel like home to them—like they didn't belong.
Did he just get permission to touch him otherwise?
This caused Galo's face to grow considerably warm. He fumbled with the pizza box as he tried to fold it in half, and awkwardly cleared his throat. "Definitely don't wanna lose a hand! I need them both for my job." Being a one-handed bartender would be impossible. How can you properly make the drinks, and then serve them? Not only that, but people might get weirded out by the sight of it alone. They will want to take their business somewhere else.
A quiet chuckle could be heard from the Burnish. He began to make his way up the hill then, making sure to keep his pace slow so that they could still hear each other. The sidewalk wasn't too far away from their current location. "Is that all you would be concerned about? You must really love your job."
"Of course I love my job! I get to meet a lot of cool, interesting, crazy, amazing, weird people! Seriously, I've seen it all! It sure beats sitting in an office, or bagging groceries for minimum wage. Sure there are some.. not so great things about the bar life, but the pros outweigh the cons! I enjoy working with others, and making them feel happy," he explained with a soft smile on his face. It didn't even require that much schooling, so he wasn't up to his head in debt like most are.
"Where do you work?" He asked, feeling curious. It's strange how after a couple of encounters, he still didn't know this. It felt like something he should have learned sooner. He goes on and on about himself, but it is never the other way around. 'He sure doesn't say much about himself, huh? I wonder why that is. Just what is he afraid of? Is he trying to hide something from me?' It takes a lot to scare someone like himself off, so whatever it is was probably nothing. There was nothing to worry about.
Lio's body tensed up upon hearing that, and he clenched his jaw. Giving out details on his personal life made him feel uncomfortable. If he isn't careful enough, then he will end up saying too much. But deep down he knew that this couldn't continue for too much longer. Eventually everything was going to come out. And when that happens, it can go either way. He didn't even want to think about that right now. "I.. I don't have a job," he responded quietly.
Crap! Did he go too far this time? The atmosphere around them became tense, and he wasn't sure what to say at first. Galo nervously scratched the side of his head. "If you ever need a place to crash at, or a hot meal to eat, don't hesitate to contact me. I got a couch that folds out into a bed, and there is always food in the fridge. I'll send you my address in a little bit for Monday, so don't be afraid to take advantage of that." He lightly slapped a hand onto his shoulder, and grinned.
"I like how you just assume I'm homeless and starving." That was sort of the case for him, but he didn't need to know that. Lio wasn't ready to open up about that quite yet. Still, he greatly appreciated the offer. No one outside of the Burnish has ever been so nice, and caring towards him. It almost seemed to good to be true.
How does someone like him exist in this world?
Galo's eyes widened in slight horror. Is that how he really came off just now? "N-no! Of course not Lio! I just wanted you to know that if you ever need anything, that I am here—that I have space for one more person if you're ever in trouble, or struggling."
Lio stared directly into his eyes. To be honest, it would be great to have his own bed or couch to sleep in. Being squished in between Gueira and Meis wasn't a problem, but sometimes he just wanted his own space to stretch out, and relax. It helps that they are like family. If he had to do it with anyone else, he would resort to making himself comfortable on the floor instead. "I see. Well, thank you for the offer. I will keep that in mind." He walked over to the sidewalk then, stopping just before his bike that was parked right alongside it. The helmet hung from one of the handlebars, just swaying in the light breeze.
He slid it off, and plopped it right on top of his head. "I have some business to take care of, and I'm not sure how long that will take me. So I may or may not stop by for a quick drink over the weekend. It all depends," he shrugged.
"…." Was he seeing things clearly? Galo rubbed his eyes, and opened them wide afterward. Yes, he was indeed looking at the same motorcycle that he was admiring just last week. Who would have thought that it was Lio's this whole time? If he can afford something like this, then he definitely was not homeless. And now he felt like a huge idiot for implying such a thing in the first place. 'Even the helmet is badass! What the hell?!' Yet again he was left feeling amazed by this guy.
"I didn't know this was your bike! Where do you even get something like this?" He was in pure awe over this masterpiece, as he walked up to it in one long stride. There didn't appear to be a single scratch in the shiny black chrome, and the seat looked very comfortable to sit in. If he owned this bad boy, he would drive it all over the city on it!
When the helmet was fastened onto his head, Lio turned his body to face the bartender. This revealed a rather proud smirk on his lips. "This is Detroit. Gueira, Meis, and myself all created our bikes together. You won't find another one like ours." That was the best way he could put things, without giving too much away. Since theirs are a one-of-a-kind, they draw in a lot of attention. And if someone tries to copy either one of them, then they can just switch things up to make them more unique. For now that wasn't an issue, so he wasn't worried about it.
There really was no other bike like this one, so Galo believed it one-hundred percent. Now he wondered what the other two looked like. Were they similar in some ways? Or were they completely different? Suppose Lio's is bigger and better, since he is the leader of Mad Burnish. "Wow. You actually named it. But, Detroit is very fitting! I never thought to name mine. Maybe I should? Ah, but mine is basically garbage compared to yours."
Lio just shook his head. "There is nothing wrong with your bike, Galo. It runs just fine, and I like the colors. If I didn't have this one, then I would gladly ride yours. Trust me when I say I have seen my fair share of garbage bikes." He hopped onto his own after saying that, and adjusted himself so that he was sitting on it correctly. Then he reached up to grab a hold of the handle bars.
"Get on. I'll take you for a quick ride through the city." He could tell this was something Galo wanted. It's just that he didn't have the guts to outright ask him.
It just sounded like he was in such a hurry before. What changed? Galo looked around, and then ran over to the nearest trash bin to throw away the empty pizza box. When that was done and taken care of, he made his way back over to him. 'Wait, I have to get behind him this time. That means I will have to wrap my arms around his waist. It's so small though. What if I squeeze too hard, and injure him?' Sometimes he forgets his own strength, and he was afraid of it happening now of all times. He gulped, and hesitantly lowered himself onto the bike. Usually he is the one driving people around, so he wasn't used to this at all. Well to be fair, he has only given Aina and Lucia rides. His male friends just thought it was weird, which is totally understandable.
"…." He leaned in ever so slightly, and placed his hands onto Lio's hips as gently as he could. God they looked ginormous in comparison to his small body. And because the bottom half of his torso was exposed, he could feel his soft skin through the fishnet. His heart began to pound in his chest. At least this gave him an excuse to touch him, but still. This was making him feel all nervous, and awkward. It is one thing to swing your arm around a friend, and then to touch someone you barely know like this. 'He smells nice,' he thought. Unfortunately the helmet was covering up all of his hair, so he couldn't get a whiff of it. That was a little disappointing, but not worth complaining about.
"You're going to fall off holding onto me like that. Here—" Lio grabbed his wrists, and brought his arms around so that they were now fully wrapped around his waist. He didn't want to be treated like some delicate flower. Just because he is small, doesn't mean he is also frail.
"Hold on tightly," he warned, before starting up his motorcycle. It was loud, but oh did it sound wonderful! And then without any further-a-do, he took off at full speed. He zipped in between the other vehicles, since he didn't have the patience to wait for them. 'I can feel his warmth radiating through me all over.' This guy could act as someone's personal heater, especially in the wintertime when it gets really cold out.
Galo nearly gasped at how fast the blonde took off. And if he wasn't holding onto him properly, he really would have fallen off just now. "A-are you crazy?! You're going to get pulled over if you don't slow down!" He shouted. The cops are thick in this area.
That wasn't enough to scare Lio. In fact, he ended up going faster in response to that—taking a sharp turn in order to cut off an oncoming truck. "Then I'll lose them! They can't catch me!" He was smirking underneath his helmet, and it was a damn shame that the other couldn't see it. By now him and the other Burnish were used to running away from the police force.
"You're crazy!" He shot back at him. It is hard to shake off the cops once they start following you, and he really didn't want Lio to get in trouble. And it really doesn't help that his bike sticks out from everything else. It would be easy for them to find it.
Does he always drive like a maniac?
Lio snuck a quick glance back at him, and chuckled. The expression he held was quite funny. 'He worries too much,' he thought with a shake of his head. Clearly a certain someone doesn't enjoy life to its fullest. Well that was about to change, now that he is in his life. As he turned his gaze ahead again, he took another sharp turn. "Nothing wrong with that!" He replied.
Of course he would say that. Galo had to disagree, since he has seen his fair share of crazies. That is what happens when you work in a bar—you deal with all types of drunks. But a lot of the time these people had much more in their system. The amount of drugs he has found on the floor, and in the bathrooms was astounding! Thankfully no one has overdosed on his watch yet. Once that day comes, however, it is going to be very devastating. That is something he will never, no matter the situation, touch. It just wasn't worth it. Not only does it ruin your life and bonds with others, but also your health. If he is having a rough day, then he resorts to having a drink or two. That is all he needs in order to wind down.
His hold on Lio tightened slightly, and he leaned in closer so that he could hear him better. "I see you're not wearing leather today! Didn't think you owned anything else," he said in a joking manner. Was there anything that didn't look good on him? He was pretty sure that he could wear a potato sack, and still look fabulous in it. It still made him wonder what he would look like in bright colors.
To be honest, Lio never takes anyone for a ride. This is because all of the Burnish have their own bikes, so it wasn't necessary to share one with someone else. Having such warm and strong arms snaked around his waist like this made him feel something very unfamiliar. Just what was it? Why couldn't he put a name on it? It might be because he has never experienced such a feeling before. If that is the case, then it is no wonder why he couldn't figure it out. He didn't even realize how hard he was gripping onto the handle bars. "Well, you have never seen my wardrobe!"
Galo scoffed out a small laugh. That was very true. He really had no idea what his wardrobe consisted of. This made him feel even more curious. "Maybe you can show me sometime." That came out deeper than expected, and it even made him blush in embarrassment. Just where the heck did that come from?
Yes, this even caught Lio off guard. The way his voice sounded just now sent a shiver down his spine. God he wanted to hear it again! He cleared his throat. "It's going to take more than that to get into my pants!" He swerved over to the right to get in front of a slow car, and then back over to the left to zip down the road.
That made the blush on Galo's cheeks deepen to a darker shade of red. "I'm not trying to get into your pants! I-I mean, not right now at least. I want to get to know you more before we do any of that. There is still a lot about you that I want to learn." This was really important to him. How can he just sleep with someone he just met? As attractive as the blonde may be, he wanted to take things slow. And there was nothing wrong with that. Why rush into things anyways? They're young, and still have most of their lives ahead of them.
What a gentleman.
Lio's stomach flopped. How did he manage to meet such a great guy? 'I'm sorry Galo, but there is only so much I can tell you. I don't think you will ever be ready to hear everything.' For now he just wanted to be adventurous, and to live like any other human being on this planet. As if he wanted him of all people to look at him any differently—to view him as some sort of monster. "It won't be that easy getting information out of me."
No challenge was too great for Galo! He bumped his forehead against the Burnish's helmet in a playful way. "That's fine! Just tell me when you're ready. You'll come to realize that it isn't easy to get rid of me either. You're basically stuck with me, so get used to it!"
As he pulled over to the side of the road, Lio placed both of his feet onto the ground. They were in front of Fiery Sauce, which wasn't that far away from the lake they were just at. It didn't appear to be too busy in there for the time being. Day drinking wasn't as fun, so he can see why people were waiting until later on tonight. "I wouldn't object to more selfies- just saying." It didn't matter if there was food in his mouth. As long as he gets to see his face, then all is good.
When Galo realized where they were, he took that as a hint for him to get off of the bike. This was a nice spot to be dropped off at, because he left his own at the pizza shop. That was also close by. It is a shame that it had to end so soon. Now that he was standing alongside him, he flipped the little window up on the blonde's helmet so that he could see his eyes. "Only if you send me some as well," he said with a wink.
This made Lio flinch slightly, but only because he wasn't expecting it. When their eyes met, he felt himself getting lost in a pool of teal. That color clashed beautifully with his blue hair. "I don't really take selfies, but I'll give it a try." He will do it only for him, and no one else.
Galo flashed him a bright smile in response to that. That is what he wanted to hear! "I can already tell you're a photogenic person. It'll be easy-peasy for ya! For starters, you can always take one on Detroit." Now that he thinks about it, that name really suited it. Did Gueira and Meis have names for their bikes as well? If so, then what were they? Maybe someday he will ask.
Only creepy perverts try to take his photo. And he never had a reason to take his own before, so this was going to be new to him. In no way was it a bad thing. This is just something he will have to work on. "Got it. I'll see what I can do for these.. selfies." It even sounded weird to him.
Weren't they too old to be using a word like that?
Parting ways was harder than he thought it would be. If only they could stay here and talk some more, but he knew that would only cause trouble. He doesn't want to piss off the blonde's two closest friends. Galo stuffed his hands into his pants pockets, getting all shy all of a sudden. "Good! If you can't stop by my workplace, then I will see you on Monday." This was really happening! For the first time in his life, he was actually excited to cook. It made him want to go all out.
Lio examined his posture while sitting there, a smile spreading on his lips. It really would be nice to spend some more time with him. Despite cutting things short, it was still fun sitting on the grass while eating a delicious pizza. "If all else fails, then yes, I will see you on Monday. Until then, take care Galo Thymos." He enjoyed saying his name, for it rolled off of his tongue pleasantly. Now it was time to head back to where the other two were, before they set out in search of him. He wasn't ready to tell them of his plans yet. Once they find out, they are going to lose their minds. It was just something he didn't want to deal with right now. It wasn't for another few days, and so he didn't want things to be tense between them until then.
But it sure did give him something to look forward to!