Porco
Porco groaned loudly as he heard his alarm blaring through the morning. He reached blindly for his phone, knocking a few items off the bedside table in the process, and clicked on the "snooze" icon. He dozed off for ten more minutes during which he had a nightmare that ended with him being late to work and he sat bolt upright in bed by the second ring of the alarm, heart racing wildly and briefly confused by his surroundings. After he regained a modicum of composure as he take in the familiar environment of his bedroom, he clambered off the bed and stretched for a few seconds in an attempt to shake the sleep off from his body. Feeling more awake, he headed straight to the bathroom and got on with his usual morning routine. He was aware that his took him more time than the average guy but, Porco couldn't care in the least. He took taking care of his strawberry blond hair very seriously, thank you very much, and if he ever forgot for once to put on sunscreen on his pale skin, he would suffer the consequences with red patches strewn all over his sunburnt face. He cursed his genetic heritage of being ginger as he often did whenever he was reminded of this particular disadvantage.
Feeling satisfied with the final results, he staggered with heavy feet to the kitchen, still feeling exhausted from the lack of caffeine that his body predictably grew addicted to throughout the years. He filled the coffeemaker with water before he clicked on the starting button, the three-year-old device coming into life. He leaned back on the countertop, hissing lightly as soon as the cold marble made contact with the small of his bare back. Seconds later, the gurgling of the coffee machine filled the otherwise silent apartment. Porco closed his eyes, focusing on the familiar white noise and, he felt himself momentarily lulled to sleep.
He jolted upright from his position and cursed under his breath, as he heard the sound of his phone ringing loudly from his bedroom. He quickly walked to his bedroom, wondering who would be calling him at six in the morning on a Monday. He rolled his eyes as soon as he saw the picture of his mother displayed on the screen and debated for half a minute whether or not he should take the video call. He sighed in exasperation as he decided to indulge her, mostly because he knew he would never hear the end of it if he decided to not pick up. Bracing himself for what was to come, he slid the green icon upward and adjusted his phone while waiting for his mother's side to connect. He was greeted by the sight of her after a few seconds of waiting, holding her phone at an awkward angle like she was often prone to do.
"Hey, ma." Porco began, his voice hoarse in the early morning.
"Love, what's wrong with your face? You look terrible!" Here we go
"Uh, it's my face – I was born like this, remember?" He retorted, voice dripping with sarcasm.
"Don't use that tone with me, Pock! You know damn well what I'm talking about! Have you not been sleeping lately? I told you not to stay up late but, you never listen!" Porco often wondered if his mother would ever learn to be a little bit more delicate. The years only proved to him that that was wishful thinking.
"It's six in the morning and I've just woken up. I've barely had the time to have breakfast." He sighed in exasperation, noting the absence of the coffeemaker's noise. He felt his spirits lift at the prospect of finally drinking coffee, suddenly not minding as much his mother's relentless interrogation.
He practically ran to the kitchen, faintly registering his mother's complaining at his eating habits or rather, its lack thereof.
"Breakfast is the most important meal of the day and you can't just drink coffee and pass it for one! Don't you have anything to eat?" She asked while he was pouring himself a cup, the heavenly smell tickling his nostrils. He would've had a cigarette had he not been on video call. He needn't give his mother more reason to pick at his lifestyle.
"I'll have a muffin from the office's cafeteria later." He said in hopes of placating her - a fruitless attempt by the looks of it.
"There it is; that nasty habit of eating streets' food that you know how much I disapprove of. Being among those New Yorkers is rubbing off on you and not in a good way. When you were in Skerries, you never left for school before you had a hearty meal in your belly. Of course, that was because I woke up at five every morning to make sure that my son was well fed." She reminisced, her voice growing distant and despite her scolding, Porco felt a rush of affection for his mother.
"Well, I'm not in Skerries now and I'm definitely not in school anymore – Ma, I'm twenty-five and I think I can take care of myself. You don't have to worry about me." He tried to reassure her and, Porco noted with slight annoyance that he was already feeling irritated at not having smoked his morning cigarette yet. This phone call or rather, row of nitpicking at everything he said or did was getting on his nerves.
"Oh yes, I can very much see that. No wonder then that you're so thin and had yet to grow past five feet six."
"Five feet seven and I can assure you that men over the age of eighteen don't grown any bigger after a while." He didn't feel like correcting her on the "thin" part because, it made him feel a bit better about his newly-formed beer stomach. Damn Reiner and Pieck – especially Pieck – for their weekly, sometimes even twice a week, commutes to the bar. Reiner had been more careful with his drink since last year but, Pieck behaved as if she was still in college. Sometimes, he found it hard to believe that that woman was a teacher, with her being the least responsible between the three of them.
"Same thing." His mother dismissed with a wave of her hand "Look at your brother, Pock-"
"Porco is the name you chose for me, if you could at least commit." He remarked cattily, feeling his mood sour with every passing minute he spent talking to his mother. Plus, he didn't feel like talking about Marcel. He knew what direction their conversation would take if she decided to bring his older brother into this.
"He's leading a very stable life working as a mechanic engineer which was his life-long dream, of course, and married to a gorgeous, Irish girl with already a second son on the way and he's only a year older than you." Yep, he knew that after taking multiple blows at his physique and lifestyle, his love life was the next subject she would broach after mentioning Marcel.
"Ma, I told you -" he began, regretting that he picked up the phone in the first place, before his mother cut him short.
"Is there someone? Your father and I decided to be open-minded about the whole business, so yes, we're fine with you bringing an American girl. I mean, we won't be thrilled that you wouldn't marry from your own country but, as long as you like each other then we'll be happy nonetheless." She sighed dramatically before reiterating her earlier question "Anyway, are you seeing anyone at all?" She asked and Porco felt slightly guilty at how hopeful she looked.
Porco stayed silent for a few minutes, realizing that he was only making his mother more anxious as she awaited his answer. Technically speaking, there was someone but, it was complicated. Very complicated. He didn't want to disappoint his mother by denying again the existence of anyone special in his life but, he'd only feel bad if he gave her false hopes.
"I've been seeing some people here and there, but nothing serious yet." He said finally and he felt a pang of guilt when he saw disappointment wash over his mother's face.
"Well, it's not really ideal but you're still a bit young." He was a bit taken-off guard by his mother being surprisingly nicer than expected about it. He couldn't help but feel grateful for her being considerate, as rarely as that usually was.
"Mm, again, twenty-five years old, not forty but, thanks Ma." He gave her one of his rare smiles as well and felt himself relax when he saw her mirror his with one of her own.
"Although, I have some ideas as to why that is. You see, American girls -" She was probably going to start on one of her passionate and, quite racist speeches to which he'd have to nod politely. A quick glance at the time told him he should start getting ready for work.
"Listen, Ma. It was lovely talking to you but I got a bus to catch."
"Wait, Pokko - "
"Talk to you later, Ma. Love you!"
He clicked on the red icon on his screen, mentally shuddering at the thought of her most likely getting mad at him for abruptly hanging up on her but, he would worry about it the next time she'd call. Who knows? She might even forget about his ill-manners, as unlikely as that was.
One thing he was certain of though was that he needed to smoke. He went back to his room, and dressed up quickly for work. He shrugged on his brown leather jacket, and reached in his pocket to retrieve his cigarettes packet. He felt instantly calmer by its mere presence in his hand. He lit up one, inhaling deeply and closing his eyes before exhaling. It just felt so right, and he felt his earlier tension dissipate from his body the moment he felt the rush of nicotine as it coursed through his blood. He felt that despite it being Monday, and one that started with an aggravating call from his mother, he was ready to seize the day.
Porco wasn't surprised that his improved mood didn't last long after eight hours at the office. His boss made sure that it didn't with his ritualistic habit of shouting at anyone he was slightly dissatisfied with. Pieck called him a bully once when he told her about his more often than once unjust treatment of his employees. Reiner said that it was one con to being a salaryman but, at least it paid the bills and Porco couldn't have agreed more. He had long since given up on his childhood dream of being a pilot, or at least for the time being given that private training was not only difficult but also, expensive. He didn't feel as proud as his parents seemed to be of his Business degree but it got him a decent job in the corporate world. He did ease up into it and got used to wearing a suit at work but, he could never envision himself doing this sort of job for the rest of his productive years. Flying has always been his passion and no matter how many years it took, he will one day get to do it.
In the meantime, he had to put up with a bully of a boss and with having coffee accidentally spilled on his favorite jacket by a sputtering new intern as soon as he'd step into the building if he ever wished to make his dream come true.
As soon as Porco stepped outside the company's building, he relished in the feeling of the chilly, even if windy air of a February afternoon in New York. He stood there for a few seconds, enjoying the way the cold wind whipped at his face, as it reminded him of his childhood village in Ireland. He moved to the states when he went to college and although he liked living in New York, he couldn't help but miss Dublin sometimes. He could still vividly picture his younger days when he used to play by the beach with Marcel, their mother's faint voice in the distance telling them to come back inside for tea and raspberry scones. The distant memory of his home warmed his heart despite the cold weather and Porco made a mental note to visit his family as soon as he could instead of only going back once for Christmas. He also missed Marcel terribly.
Porco decided he was in too good of a mood to head home yet so, he decided to go for a walk instead of catching the next bus. He might even go out to eat something given that he had no groceries at home but decided he'd feel even lonelier, the earlier memory of his childhood home still vivid in his brain.
He could go see Pieck though – She was probably done with teaching by now and her school wasn't that far from his workplace.
He had a skip in his steps as he walked the familiar distance, feeling slightly giddy with excitement at the prospect of talking to someone other than his mother or his colleagues on such a stressful Monday. He and Pieck have been close friends for the last six years ever since he came to New York. She and Reiner moved from their hometown in Idaho, having known each other before they met him and attended the same college that he went to. They've been close friends since then even when they both were a year older than him. Despite having different jobs after they graduated and Pieck and Reiner living together on the Upper West Side of Manhattan, they didn't drift apart as it was often expected of college friendships. They still had their weekly meet-ups at the bar close to their apartment where they've been regular customs for a few years now and had their own booth specially reserved for them. Sometimes, they even went to the bar Reiner worked at to have a few beers together. Granted, they weren't as close as they used to be back in college when they were eighteen and nineteen and, more often than they wanted, real life and adulthood got in the way of their friendship.
Other... stuff also made them once grow more distant toward each other but, he was glad that they moved past it and could now enjoy each other's company without complications.
Porco realized that Pieck's workplace wasn't much further now, having been distracted by his earlier thoughts, and decided to make a stop at the coffeeshop near her school. He knew Pieck would greatly appreciate a freshly-brewed cup of coffee after a day spent in the company of teenagers that didn't want to bother much with Jane Austen's interpretation of feminism, so he decided to indulge her with her favorite cinnamon dolce latte. He stepped inside the café, relishing in the warmth it offered him in contrast to the biting cold outside as appreciated as it had been at first. He headed straight to the cashier to make his order, grabbing his phone from his pocket on his way so he could text Pieck to inform her he was around. He stopped dead in his tracks as he noticed the man stood in front of him, staring fixedly at the menu ahead.
He knew that guy – Well, not know- know since he'd only met him once during Reiner and Pieck's graduation night when he came to New York all the way from Idaho, but he'd made a good impression back then. In fact, Porco liked the guy – he was nice, really smart even if a little bit shy but, he was quite fun when drunk. Pieck knew him from when they were in High School and he was Reiner's childhood best friend if his memory served him right. Porco wasn't surprised when he immediately warmed up to the guy.
Still, what was he doing here in New York? He remembered that Bertholdt still lived in Idaho and even went to a university there. He was a … writer? He guessed he really had been too drunk and perhaps even high if his memory of that night was this jumbled - Two things he was prone to be when he was in college, even more in the company of Pieck and Reiner back then.
He jumped when he saw Bertholdt turn around as they both locked gaze for a fraction of second, Porco briefly wondered if he'd even remember him after so many years now. He soon had an answer to that as recognition quickly flashed on Bertholdt's eyes before he called his name seconds after he spotted him.
"Galliard!" He said, seeming pleased at seeing him.
"Porco." he corrected, a grin forming on his face "You get first names privileges, don't worry." He walked over to where he was standing, before pulling the taller man in a friendly hug. He chuckled softly when Bertholdt flailed his arms around for a few seconds before returning his hug. Awkward as ever.
Porco decided that he shouldn't prolong the poor guy's misery any longer, so he pulled back after a few seconds.
"So, what are you doing here?" Porco asked. Did Pieck and Reiner know about this? They most likely did. Bertholdt must've been here to pay his oldest friends a visit then.
"Uh, actually -" Bertholdt began, looking a bit unsure for a moment and Porco realized this wouldn't be the sort of conversation to have while standing and upholding the queue behind them.
"Hold on a second." Porco interrupted him before he turned back to the cashier and purchased their orders, ignoring Bertholdt's protests to pay for his own. They then walked to a table by the window as they waited for their drinks.
"So, you were saying?" Porco asked as soon as they were comfortable.
"Well, I... I moved here." Bertholdt shrugged and, Porco was sure that Pieck and Reiner simply forgot to mention this to him. This was big news so they definitely knew. They probably would've told him about it if he didn't miss last Friday's meet up at the bar.
"Welcome to the most amazing city in the world." Porco reached with his hand to pat his arm in a friendly gesture "Look, it might seem a bit overwhelming at first – I felt that way since I came from a small village in Ireland but look at me; Almost seven years later and it's like I've been born here." Porco grinned because it was true – he truly loved New York and considered it home, as much as he did Ireland.
"Yeah, the accent is almost gone." Bertholdt chuckled and, Porco rolled his eyes in faux-exasperation.
"Yeah, Ma has often, and loudly , objected to me becoming more American than it was appropriate for an Irish man." Porco retorted, shaking his head in fondness as he recalled one of his mother's passionate speeches about staying loyal to his roots.
"So, where do you live?"
"Erm, 8th Ave & 8th St Brooklyn. I got a nice apartment for a reasonable price." Bertholdt replied, looking confused when Porco's face broke into a grin.
"That's where I live!" Porco exclaimed enthusiastically "At least I'll have someone else close by to hang out with instead of taking a whole hour to make it to Manhattan." Porco said, relieved. He could really get used to Bertholdt's company.
"What for?" Bertholdt looked genuinely puzzled.
"Uh, that's where Reiner and Pieck live?" Porco frowned but before he could question it any further, he heard the barista call their names so Porco stood up, assuring Bertholdt in the process that he'll bring in their orders.
As he walked towards the counter for their drinks, Porco looked at the door opening to reveal Pieck. He felt a smile tug at his lips as he took in her pink-tinged cheeks and her messy dark curls, a result of the wind outside.
"Pieck." He called her name and he smiled even wider when she turned around at the sound of his voice, a smile of her own at seeing him. Although, she did seem surprised at his presence and Porco remembered then that he forgot to text her.
"I was going to text you." He said, and then immediately remembered the reason he forgot to. Bertholdt. Did she know he would be here? Is that why she stopped by? He had to tell her anyway. It would surely be a nice surprise if it turned out that she didn't know about his presence after all.
"You see – there's someone -" before he could finish, her eyes were drawn to something behind his shoulder.
"Pieck!" Bertholdt called behind him, leaving their table unoccupied and Porco almost snapped at him for it. He didn't feel like drinking his coffee while standing and the place was packed with customers.
"Bertholdt." Pieck breathed, and Porco was astonished at her shocked expression. She didn't know he would be here then. Then, she also didn't know that he moved here. Did Bertholdt mean for it to be a surprise?
Bertholdt's earlier nervousness seemed to dissipate upon seeing her and his awkwardness around Porco seemed long forgotten, as he practically ran to her before he engulfed her in a tight hug, their height differences making the whole scene ridiculous.
"Oh my God, I missed you so much." Bertholdt mumbled in her hair, looking genuinely happy upon seeing her.
"I missed you too." Pieck said, her voice barely above a whisper, and Porco could tell she was confused about his presence. The whole thing just didn't add up to him.
He still felt his heart swell at the scene in front of him, feeling a surge of happiness at their reunion. He decided to give them a few moments to themselves so, he went to retrieve their beverages.
He moved to sit at their table, glad that it hadn't been taken by anyone yet and blew softly on his scalding hot Americano before taking a tentative sip. This was infinitely better than the stale coffee he got used to drink at his place. He wished this café was closer to his workplace so he could drink more of their heavenly coffee.
Pieck and Bertholdt joined him shortly after and reached for their respective beverages, Pieck thanking him sweetly and calling him a "godsent".
"Like I was saying, we should hang out soon." Bertholdt said, humming in delight as he took a sip from his hot chocolate.
"Yeah, totally – How about this Friday? Reiner has probably an evening shift so we could hang out at the bar where he works?" Porco suggested, looking at Pieck for affirmation. An unreadable expression crossed her face but as quickly as it appeared, it was replaced by her usual relaxed feature.
"Yeah..." She said in a smaller voice, as if hesitant "We should."
"Fine by me! It'll give me time to unpack and get my affairs in order." Bertholdt replied, with a bit more glee than Porco was used from him. It seemed like Pieck's strange behavior was rubbing off on him.
"By the way, erm..." Bertholdt took a long sip from his drink, looking abruptly nervous "How is he? Reiner." He asked after regaining a bit of his earlier composure, suddenly finding the wall behind Porco interesting. Everyone was behaving oddly around him today and Porco struggled to understand the reason behind it.
"Well, aren't you guys -" Porco began, a frown settling on his features at Bertholdt's question before Pieck cut him short.
"He's fine" She replied quickly "He's...well."
"Good." Bertholdt said, nodding to himself and for a few seconds he seemed lost in thought. He grabbed his mug abruptly and knocked down its content in one go, Porco wincing as he thought at how burning hot it must've been.
"It was, uh, nice to see you guys here but, I-I really got to go. You know, just moved in, a lot to unpack." He rambled before he stood up, suddenly looking like he wanted to be as far away from them as possible, before he bent down to hug Pieck by his side.
"I'll text you my address, Porco – Here, my number." He reached into his pocket before he pulled out his phone so they could exchange numbers.
"It's the same number, right, Bertl?" Pieck asked.
"Erm, no, I changed it years ago."
"Oh. I'll have to change your contact ID then. Mine is still the same by the way." She was quiet for a bit before she added as if in an afterthought "So is Reiner's."
"Cool. Cool. I'll, uh, I'll text you. Both. So, Friday night?" He asked again, that nervousness from earlier returning to his voice.
"You got it man." Porco smiled at him, feeling glad that this wouldn't be the last time they would be seeing him.
Despite the oddness of this encounter and Pieck's unusual cheerlessness, he felt good about Bertholdt moving here. He couldn't wait to get to know the guy more, and he felt joyous at not being as isolated as he had gotten used to the last few years of his life.