This, thought Sollux, is the most embarrassing thing I have ever done. He nervously glanced at Eridan, and despite not being able to see, he thought that his friend didn't seem uncomfortable at all. They sat in a booth in the corner of a tiny café that Eridan had suggested, on either sides of the table due to personal space. Sollux wasn't sure what would be more awkward, actually. Sitting next to each other would look a bit, erm, comfy to the other customers, but didn't you sit opposite from your partner while on a date? He'd been on a few with Aradia, which had been fine. However, he'd never done it with a fellow male.
Hold up, Captor. YOU'RE NOT ON A DATE. IT'S A FRIENDLY LUNCH WITH YOUR NEW FRIEND. NOT A FUCKING DATE.
As Sollux's internal Karkat scolded him, he barely noticed Eridan's panicked voice. "Er, Sol, I-I think we should go…!?"
"Hrm?"
"T-that's my, ah, brother." Sollux sighed. "Where? I can't see him, E.D."
"Er-"
"Well, well, what do we have here? I didn't know you had a boyfriend, Eridan." Whoever this guy was, Sollux did not like the way he sounded. His accent was like Eridan's, just…more condescending.
"He's not my boyfriend! Besides, what I do is none of your business!"
"I'm your guardian. What you do is definitely my business."
Sollux wasn't sure what to do. He fidgeted in his seat, pressing his fingers into his palms to try and control the nervous energy coursing through his veins. "I'm actually not his boyfriend, you know."
The brother's voice took on a sickly sweet tone. "Oh, you're not? Who are you, then?" "I'm his friend. Sollux."
"Sollux? You mean the idiot's little brother?"
"If by 'idiot' you mean 'Mituna,' then yes."
There was a snort of laughter followed by silence. Sollux didn't dare try to stand up for fear of letting this douchebag know he was blind. Of course, he'd probably find out anyway, but he didn't want to give him more reason to be mean to him, Mituna, or Eridan.
"Cro, can you just leave?"
Thank you thank you thank you, Sollux thought, grateful towards his friend for breaking the silence.
"No way, shrimp. I came here to eat."
Fuck you fuck you fuck you. Every word Eridan's brother said made Sollux hate him more.
"Fine. Then just go eat at another table."
"I think I fucking will. Have fun with your boyfriend, chief!"
As Cronus strode away, Eridan didn't even realize he had been growling. He looked over at Sollux, who sat, a bit dazed, looking angry and a little confused.
"I'm really sorry. Cronus is a bastard. You all right?"
"Yeah." He stood up slowly, grinning. "Brothers, huh?"
"I guess. Who's Mituna?"
"My brother. He is a bit of an idiot at times, but he practically dropped everything he was doing to help me after I went blind. I can't say I have much tolerance for people who insult him."
The pair paid for their food and left. Glancing back at Cronus, Eridan barely had enough time to flip him off before the café door swung close.
(Grrr! I spent so much time on this chapter! I wanted to try out a new method of writing dialogue, so sorry if it's a bit choppy or hard to read. Thank you to my lovely girlfriend for giving me the idea for this!
I really made Cronus a douche in this one, didn't I?)