AN- Sorry for the long wait, I have school work due. So have a 6000+ update and I have already started on the next chapter :)
It had been a week and a half since Eridan and Cronus's emotional dispute, and a long boring week and a half it was. Eridan Had spent most of his time reading, watching movies and avoiding Cronus the best he could. So far he was doing great, Cronus would go out a lot and leave Eridan alone, only popping his head in with some ungodly amount of takeout that he had been calling food all week. It made him wonder how Cronus kept himself so thin, though he did see Cronus leave the house with a gym bag two days ago, but how did he know what was in there. The only real social interaction he had shared between himself and Cronus was the trip downstairs to the laundry in which Cronus taught him how to use the machine, and now Eridan no longer required Cronus's assistance.
Sollux had been talking to him for most of the week, sending him funny videos, chatting to him, bitching about Mituna and sending him corrupt files. Though every time he did Sollux would connect himself into Eridans computer and fix it after getting a hateful text from Eridan. It was nice to have someone to talk to it made him feel as if he wasn't alone in the apartment although there were times when Sollux would go out. Eridan guessed that he went out with Mituna or his Mother but he had a feeling that Sollux was hanging with Karkat or maybe even some other friends.
It hurt Eridan to know that someone like Sollux could have more friends than he had ever had, though he never really needed someone else. He was close with his dad, he was the only friend he had and needed and because of that Eridan would ignore the other students at his previous school and hang out with his dad in his free time. Though that was irrelevant now and only hurt him to think about, perhaps he could make some more friends at this new School.
Speaking of which today was the day that Mituna was going to pick him up and take him down to get his uniform fitted. He couldn't help but show great amounts of excitement about going, and about seeing Mituna again. He hoped that Sollux came with Mituna but didn't want to ask Sollux if he was coming, thinking it would make him look desperate. He had dressed up in his black skinnies with a purple tank top with white fading lines, he had a royal purple jacket at the ready that might come in use, and coated his arms in rings and bangles. Wrapping his fathers scarf around his neck, he snapped a picture and posted it on his blog, being sure to pull the most serious face.
Though his procrastinating on the internet ceased when he heard the jingle of Mitunas keys and the opening of the apartment door. He was excited to go out he felt like he was going slightly stir crazy, although he didn't want to flaunt his excitement around as he was quick to jump back on his laptop. He began to skim his blog as he heard talking next door, awaiting the entrance of someone.
"Hey Eridan you ready to go get fitted for your uniform?" Mituna smiled out as the door creaked open to reveal Mituna. He was in a very casual outfit, with simple jeans and a black shirt with some writing Eridan couldn't make out along with a blue jumper, with the same red and blue shades as last time over his eyes. Eridan nodded as he closed his laptop, hiding his excitement for finally getting out of the house, and he followed Mituna out of his room. Cronus was lounging on the couch with a pair of sunglasses over his eyes; he must have had a hard night last night. Cronus had been going out for the past week and a half but only a few times Eridan had noticed he had been drinking.
Eridan snapped from his thoughts of Cronus as his eyes set on someone else, it was Sollux with his messy hair and all. He was wearing blue jeans that were nowhere near as tight as Eridans, and an awkward yellow shirt with a black open-zip jumper, and his fancy red and blue glasses. Eridan immediately approached Sollux and couldn't help but smile at him; he had hoped that Sollux would come with Mituna today.
"Hey Sollux, long time no see!" Eridan greeted as he heard Mituna begin to rant at Cronus about getting his ass up and coming.
"Yeah like a week or whatever" Sollux mumbled as he twiddled his thumbs slightly, Eridan immediately noticed the lack of technology in Sollux's hands and frowned.
"W-where is your DS?" He saw Sollux sigh and pocket his hands,
"Mituna took it off me, he thays that we thhould talk more, you know…" Sollux looked upset; Eridan thought it would be better to talk to Sollux in real life instead of on a computer. However Sollux continued to fiddle with his finger and tug at the bottom of his shirt, he obviously wasn't comfortable. Eridan reached into his pocket, grabbing the object in there and pulling it out with a plastered grin as he handed it to Sollux.
"Hey Sollux, think you can pass the level I'm up to on Candy Crush?" Eridan offered as Sollux took Eridans phone in his fiddling hands and paused for a second, looking almost thankful that Eridan had been able to read his actions.
"The code is F-I-S-H" Eridan added as Cronus made a loud grumble as Mituna helped him off the couch, Sollux grinned as he punched in the code.
"eheh you would Fith-Fathe" Sollux smirked as he searched Eridans apps for the game, Eridan just grinned as he watched Sollux for a moment. He was never going to admit he changed his code because Sollux had called him Fish-face last time they hung out.
"Alright here we go you kid'th are you- thollux theriouthly?" Mituna stared at the device in Sollux's hand though didn't speak a word, instead peered back to make sure that Cronus was trailing behind before mumbling something under his breath.
The group was quick to follow Mituna out of the apartment, Cronus had to be practically dragged into the Elevator and shoved into the passenger seat of Mitunas car, complaining the whole time that he either didn't want to come or that he wanted to drive his car. Mituna simply ignored the other male as he started up his car and the group set out on the quest for the uniforms.
After an almost silent car ride the car pulled up in a part of town that Eridan had never seen. It was a main road filled with stores of all sorts; it seemed more friendly then the other shopping complex Eridan had visited, though he bet it was a terrible place to be at night. Pushing that aside he practically leaped out of the car faster than everyone else and glanced about, looking at the various stores and what they had to offer him. It wasn't as classy as his old neighbourhood but at least he knew that he could pick up some decent enough clothing around here, with Cronus's okay first.
"thomeones eager." Mituna chuckled as everyone exited the car and Eridan couldn't help but return the grin, Hiding his grin under the warmth of his father's scarf.
"Here" Sollux mumbled as he nudged Eridan with the gadget in his hand, returning Eridans phone and shoving his hands in his pockets as he began to follow Cronus and Mituna down the main street. Eridan was quick to pocket the phone and jog up beside Sollux who walked along with the biggest frown he had ever seen.
"It can't be that bad can it? It's just a uniform." Eridan asked Sollux as they walked along and Sollux sighed.
"It's not that, Mituna knows my thize tho I don't underthand why I even have to be here" He grumbled as Eridan tried not to look disappointed.
"That sucks I guess…" Eridan replied before glancing at the windows of the passing shops, not really paying attention to what was in them. He didn't want to get upset over the fact that Sollux didn't want to be there, so he hid his frown amongst the build of his scarf.
Cronus however was being worst then a child as the group walked along, he began dragging his feet and sighing loudly, it wasn't long before the verbal complaints began.
"Mit, Mit seriously, I'm fucking hungry… Mit, I'm going to be serious, listen, Mit I'm hung-over I can't deal with this, Miiiiiiiit seriously I'm going to die!" Eridan found it amusing, mostly because Mituna was able to ignore it and continued along the main street.
"Mituna you are the worst, you know that? Here I am starving and you don't care, why must you starve me?" Cronus continued as Mituna continued to ignore him, making Cronus scowl and reach into his jacket and retrieve his cigarettes. Eridan watched Cronus as he slipped one into his mouth and raised his hands with the lighter to light it up, only for it to be yanked away by Mituna.
"Cronuth'th you know you won't be hungry after a thmoke, tho congratulation'th you win I will take you to get thomething to eat" Mituna grumbled as he took the smoke away from Cronus and flung it away, looking satisfied.
"Alright Mit, I could go for a bu-"
"On two condition'th, firthly we are going to go somewhere with actual food, and don't thay cheap takeaway ith actual food." Cronus smirked as they walked, hating how much Mituna could read him.
"Sure babe if that's what you want I'll take you any place anytime anywh—"
Thecondaly, We are going to get Thollux and Eridan fitted for their uniform'th before there ith any food." Cronus's smirk faded into a frown as Mituna turned the corner with a sleek smile.
"But Mit, I can't last that long I, who knows how long it takes!?" Cronus objected as he joined Mituna's side as Eridan spotted a store up ahead coated with different uniforms and guessed this must be the store they were going to.
"It take'th half an hour top'th." Mituna smirked out as he opened the door and held it open for the rest of his group as Cronus sighed loudly and glanced about.
"I'm going to diiiiie" Cronus stretched out as Eridan glanced about at the uniforms on the shelves, they consisted of mostly dull blues and greens, with the off yellow and red to shake it up. However none of the uniforms looked anything like his previous schools classic slacks and collared shirt, though he didn't expect much it was a public school.
Mituna and Sollux seemed to know where they were going as they thankfully walked past the bright yellow uniforms and headed towards the back, where Eridan guessed the high school uniforms where kept.
"This is your new uniform Eridan." Mituna announced as Eridan peered up at the back wall where somewhat creepy mannequins wore the entire uniform. Dark blue slacks that seemed to be oversized at the ankles, a white shirt which was so low quality that if it was cold or raining it would become see-through. A V-neck woollen jumper that practically screamed "Wool will cling to me once you wash me" and classic black polished shoes, with a hideous green tie. It nearly made him cringe, was there a blazer? Or an alternative jumper or a jersey? Anything but the fashion disaster that reeked in front of his eyes?
"Eridan, you okay?" Sollux questioned as Eridan broke his staring contest and peered at Sollux and Mituna who were watching him as he struggled to make words.
"I-I-I'm fine" He stuttered out as Mituna raised an eyebrow, not fully believing him.
"come on then let'th get your meathurement'th." Mituna got the attention of the lady behind the counter as she approached them with a grin, what was she smiling about, the fact that Eridan was about to be wearing the ugliest uniform he had ever laid eyes on?
The lady was nice as she took his measurements, and then took sollux's, making small chat as Mituna and Cronus spoke to each other. However after she had finished taking their measurements she sat up and worked something out on the note pad.
"I'll go get your sizes, I'll be right back" she smiled out as she practically bounced into the back room as Eridan sighed and slicked his hair up again, these uniforms weren't even custom made, he was a "size".
The lady quickly returned with two sets of the uniforms pants and shirts as she handed them to the boys.
"change-rooms are to your right, if you need a change of clothes just give us a holler" Eridan simply gazed down at the clothes as Mituna placed a gentle hand on Eridans back to encourage him towards the change room. Sollux quickly entered the room next to his and the shuffling of his clothes could be heard as Eridan simply closed the door and sighed.
This uniform was hideous and was a constant reminder of what he had lost, though he brushed a hand through his hair and began to undress. He was quick to change into the uniform and look in the mirror with a frown; he looked ridiculous the colours clashed with his hair and made him look plain.
He stepped out of the change room to see Sollux already out and showing Mituna how the uniform fits on him. Eridan peered over at Cronus who was leaning near the exit of the store, obviously waiting for them. Though before he could look away Mituna was tugging at the sleeve of his shirt softly and gazing at how well it fitted him.
"Look'th like it fit'th, how do you feel Eridan?" Eridan gazed down at his feet, suddenly wishing he had slipped his father's scarf around his neck because his heart sunk.
"I feel stupid…" He mumbled slightly as Mituna frowned at Eridan before turning to the girl waiting for his words.
"We will take two of each." Mituna called before turning back to Eridan and frowning at the kids disapproving face.
"I'm thorry Eridan but that'th the uniform ." Mituna frowned out as Sollux slumped back into the change room and Eridan went to do the same however Mituna stopped him.
"If it make'th you feel any better me and Cronuth had to wear that uniform too." Mituna offered as Eridan re-entered the change room, a small grin finding its way onto his lips as he thought of how dumb Cronus would look in the uniform.
The rest of the time in the shop was quick as Mituna and Cronus had to wait for the girls to fold all the clothes and pack them away. The group arrived back at Mitunas car and loaded up the bags filled with the uniform.
"Oh yes you know what time it is now?" Cronus questioned Mituna as they closed the car again as Sollux and Eridan waited for them on the footpath.
"I guethth we could go out for a little thomething." Mituna teased as they joined Eridan and Sollux on the footpath.
"Wait a thecond I thought you thaid we were jutht getting the uniformth then we were going home!" Sollux grumbled at Mituna who shrugged.
"Lookth like thereth been a change of plan'th!" Mituna beamed happily as the two older males began down the path again and Eridan followed. Sollux however grumbled something about his computer and dragged his feet as Eridan peered at him with a frown. Though it wasn't long before they had past the previous corner they had turned off to go to the uniform shop.
Cronus looked as if he knew where he was going, Eridan watched him peer around shyly as his hand reached down and entangled with Mitunas. Eridan sunk into his scarf as he watched Cronus pretend he hadn't done anything and Mituna lean closer to him. He thought it was cute and it made his smile widen, he had never seen Cronus be so lovely and guessed it was a once off thing.
Cronus and Mituna came to a halt in front of a small Japanese restaurant, although it looked like it served good quality food.
"You're like half Asian right Mit?" Cronus asked as he let go of Mitunas hand and entered the restaurant, holding the door open for the others as they entered.
"No I'm not my dad jutht worked in Asia for a while." Mituna informed Cronus as Eridan and Sollux peered around. It was a nice small restaurant and smelt nice, like cooking pork, and the sounds of small conversations and frying food filled the building. It wasn't decorated too much but did have various Japanese looking nick-nacks spread over the tables and around the store in random places.
The group was led by a nice looking lady and seated at two tables, Sollux taking the seat by Eridan and Cronus and Mituna sitting opposite them. Eridan glanced about as he heard Cronus and Mituna start mumbling to each other as they read over the menu, avoiding looking at Sollux who had his arms crossed and did not look pleased. However Sollux soon grabbed the menu and gave it a glimpse before sliding it in front of Eridan allowing him to grab it and glance at it.
He couldn't help but grin behind the menu as he peered up to see Mituna resting his head on Cronus's shoulder as the discussed the menu. He sunk into his scarf as he read the various Japanese dishes and smiled as he realised they had palette's of sushi.
That was Eridan and his father's favourite dish, they had it at least once a month. His father would always take him to the store down the road from there house, the classy one where you had to take off your shoes and sit on your knees. His father would always wear funny socks so the waiters would give him a funny look, all just to make him laugh and he did every time.
But he wasn't with his dad at the classy place down the road from his nice house, in which he was raised; he was at a small restaurant with three almost complete strangers in which he was nothing but an inconvenience to. He sighed and placed the menu down and sunk further into his scarf.
"Don't like Japanethe?" Sollux questioned as Eridan shook his head, he loved Japanese, though the memories of his father made him not feel like eating. Eridan reached into his pocket and grabbed his phone, he couldn't let his thoughts ruin his day out, he used the phone to distract himself until a bigger hand grabbed the top of it and tugged.
"Eridan do I have to take thith off you? It'th kind of unfair cauthe I took thollux'th phone off him." Mituna frowned as Eridan again, shook his head and pocketed his phone as the lady came over to their table. She asked everyone what they wanted, Mituna got some kind of ramen, the same with Sollux, Eridan got the small sushi platter and Cronus got the bigger sushi platter.
Eridan glimpsed up at Cronus and caught his eyes for a second before turning to Mituna and starting a conversation about work. Eridan found it interesting that Cronus had ordered the same thing as him, well they were related in some way.
"You a lot lethth talkative than I thought you would be." Sollux mumbled to Eridan as he snapped out of his trance and gave Sollux a plastered grin.
"I'm sorry, w-what did you w-want to talk about?" Eridan questioned as Sollux bit his lip as he twiddled with his thumbs in his lap, give a slight shrug.
"I don't know, you jutht looked tho happy when we firtht left and I wath actually getting ready for an ear-full about what you had done thith week, but now you are being quiet." Sollux tried to seem uninterested but the way he watched Eridan awkwardly showed otherwise as Eridan sighed.
"w-well lest just say this day seemed like fun but now-w, don't w-worry, I'm sorry for lettin' you dow-wn Sollux" Eridan frowned out as Sollux glanced at the table and continued to twiddle his thumbs.
"Am I the reathon you're not having fun?" he mumbled as Eridan sat up and shook his head.
"No it's not you, it's me I just, you know-w startin' to adjust to the fact that my dad is gone and stuff, I don't w-want to bother you w-with it." Sollux gave a nod though stopped and sat in thought for a second before turning to Eridan.
"Wait your dad ith gone? What do you mean, like to another country or…"
"Dead, my father passed away." Eridan fell into a whisper as he glanced at the table, he could feel Sollux giving him those eyes, the ones laced with pity towards him, Sollux was hesitant to speak.
"And what about your mum?" Eridan found a sad smile tug onto his lips as he peered anywhere but Sollux.
"She is also gone, she died of cancer when I was four, I never really met her." Eridan smiled out as he sunk back into his scarf with a plastered smile. He noticed that the table had gone quite as Mituna must have overheard Sollux's questioning because he was also glancing at Eridan with pity, he could feel it.
"Hey what's wrong with that? no need to get all depressed about it!" Cronus chuckled out, a chuckle that made a shiver run down Eridans spine, he didn't know why but it was so familiar. Mituna gabbed Cronus's side harshly though Cronus merely flinched then continued to chuckle as Mituna hushed him. Eridan however stayed quiet as Sollux glanced away, taking in all this information.
Mituna continued to grumble at Cronus, mumbling about how wrong he is and that it was a sensitive topic that could offend Eridan. However Eridan wasn't offended, he had been so shaken up about it when it had happened. He swore he cried for a week, but soon enough he realised that crying will get you nowhere and stopped, there was no time to be upset, his dad wouldn't have wanted him to be sad.
"I'm thorry to hear that…" Sollux mumbled, the two fell silent however Sollux didn't glance at him, an awkward feeling hung above the boys. However the silence was broken as a lady walked across the room with their food, placing each appropriate bowl in front of the males.
The group ate mostly silently despite the small conversations between Cronus and Mituna due to Cronus stealing noodles from Mitunas plate. Eridan poked at his food and still had a few pieces left as he sat slouched, the mention of his father had just drained his energy. Sollux continued to eat, quietly with the occasional glance at Eridan, making Eridans movements slow cautiously.
"Hey Eridan?" Sollux mumbled as he stopped digging into his bowl of noodles and peered at Eridan again as Eridan stopped poking the prawn hand roll and raised his eyebrow as he glanced over at him.
"what's that tathte like?" Sollux asked, Eridan peered back down at the small roll that clearly hadn't had a bite taken out of it and then back at Sollux.
"Prawns… would you like some?" Sollux gave Eridan a slight grin,
"Yeah if that'th okay, I never order anything but ramen, cauthe thushi never caught my eyeth but, that actually lookth nice." Sollux informed before reaching over with his chopstick and picked up the shushi with ease, before dipping it in Eridans soy sauce and taking a clean bite. Eridan watched his jaw move as he chewed in thought assessing the taste, Before he swallowed, facing Eridan once more.
"Wow okay that wath pretty good" Sollux nodded before grabbing his glass of coke and take a small sip, Eridan sunk back into his previous position and eyed off the sushi that Sollux had taken a bite out of.
"You can finish this piece if you w-want, I'm full." Sollux stopped eating his ramen once more and finished the food in his mouth.
"But you barely touched it you had like one roll." Sollux pointed out as Eridan scanned the four rolls left though remained uninterested.
"It's fine, take it, I'll be back." Eridan stood from the table unannounced as Mituna flashed him a look, Eridan would've said were he was going but it was made clear when he started to walk toward the bathroom sign. Hearing Cronus continuing their conversation despite the fact Mituna was watching Eridans every move.
Eridan walked into the bathroom, he didn't even have to go he just didn't want to be at the table anymore with the awkward conversations despite Sollux's attempt. Eridan simply entered a stall and lifted the lid down as he locked the door and sat on top of the toilet, bringing his legs up to his chest with a loud sigh.
Maybe he was just overreacting but the mention of his dad still hurt, even if he acted as if it didn't, it made his stomach churn when he thought about it. He buried his head in his knees slightly, he knew that he wouldn't be able to cry but he felt alone, despite the Captors attempts.
He really missed his dad.
Eridan didn't know how long he sat there but soon enough the squeak of the bathroom door jolted him from the warming thoughts of his father as he stared at the end of his stall as carful footsteps approached.
"Eridan… you in there?" it was Mituna, he gently tapped the door of the stall and Eridan placed his feet down and twiddled his thumbs.
"yeah…" Eridan replied grabbing the side of his scarf to distract his hands as he watched Mituna shift his weight from foot to foot slowly.
"You have been in there for twenty minuteth… are you okay?" Eridan sat in silence, he really didn't want to talk about his problems and ruin this day out.
"Yeah I'm alright"
"Well then are you going to come out? We are leaving thoon" Mituna informed, Eridan stared at the set of feet for a moment not wanting to raise any suspicions as he got up and unlocked the stall quickly. However Mituna didn't move as he watched the boy with the same sympathetic look that Eridan was trying to avoid before. Though before he could Mitunas skinny arms wrapped around his torso as he was brought into a very warm hug, he froze as he stared at the cologne and honey smelling torso that he was pressed against.
"Look Eridan I'm thorry that thollux athked about your father and I really have no idea what your feeling but… uh I jutht want you to know if you need anything, don't hethitate to call me." Eridan took in the words but did not move, for moments he stayed like this before the warmth from Mituna started to sink in and coat his entire body. In this very moment he felt safe, protected, warm and definately not alone, he felt as if he had found the brother he had never had as he pushed into Mituna slightly.
"I mean it though, if you're hungry, thad, tired, feeling thick or even jutht need to talk call me, I always answer, if not I'm altheep tho keep calling." Mituna continued as Eridan closed his eyes, he had forgotten they were in a bathroom at a crappy restaurant because right now it didn't matter.
"It mutht be hard, and you're a tuff kid, but thometimeth even the people who act tuff need thomeone, that'th thomething you and Cro both thare." Mituna smiled out as Eridan thought about what he said, Cronus wasn't such a tuff guy huh? That made him smile as Mituna pulled back and gave him a caring look.
"Come on, Cro want'th to get out of here" Mituna sighed before opening the bathroom door and let Eridan exit before him as he made his way back to the table where Sollux and Cronus sat, his plate was missing two rolls and one remained.
" So Mit, did he shit himself?" Cronus chuckled as Mituna slipped in beside him as Eridan did the same, however Cronus got a hard glare from Mituna.
"No like I said he jutht needed thome thpace." Mituna grumbled flashing Eridan a small grin before Eridan peered away at the empty bowls on the table.
"Well that's good I suppose, but anyway we have to get moving!" Cronus grinned out as he stood and Mituna gave him a glance.
"Cro, I jutht that down, thtop being rude." Mituna sighed before Cronus got out of his chair and offered his hand with a massive smirk.
"but I feel like going to get ice-cream, care to join me babe?" Mituna stared for a moment and Eridan peered up to glance at the two men avoiding Sollux's gaze.
"Fine, but I'm not getting any icecream." Mituna pouted before taking Cronus's hand and linked their fingers before descending toward the counter to get the bill. Sollux cleared his throat loudly catching Eridans attention as he peered at him.
"your not… upthet at me right, cauthe I didn't mean to offend you..." Sollux mumbled before the two boys eyes locked on each other behind glasses.
"No I'm not upset, definately not at you, I just didn't feel good." Eridan lied however he wasn't mad at Sollux, just a little touchy about the topic of his father still.
"Hey Come on, the ice-cream isn't going to magically appear in my hand now is it?" Cronus smirked as he strolled over to Mituna and held out his hand.
"Me-Man?" He offered before Mituna took it and grumbled under his breath as he was helped up and they approached the front desk to pay for their meal. Eridan and Sollux sat in silence for a moment before Sollux spoke up yet again.
"Hey… maybe if you need a place to thit at thchool, I could convince KK to let you thit with uth…" Sollux mumbled as if he was a bit unsure of his own decision as Eridan sat in thought, he had already assumed that he would sit with Sollux and his group but obviously Sollux thought differently.
"Thanks…" Eridan questioned the tone in his own voice before Sollux seemed to catch on slightly as he let out a small sigh and faced Eridan once more, their glasses covered eyes locking.
"It'th not that I didn't want you to thit with me, it'th jutht, you could… do lot'th better… you'll thee." Sollux mumbled before Cronus and Mituna returned hand in hand.
"Come on you kids, the ice-cream parlour is just down the street" Cronus mumbled excitedly as he didn't wait for them to keep up but instead began to drag Mituna out of the store. Both boys stood as Eridan adjusted his scarf before exiting and tagging behind the other two, standing by Sollux as he did. He silently watched the two older men in front of him walk hand in hand. He admired the way that they both held each other's hand tightly, neither side slacking which surprised him, on Cronus's behalf. He rose a curious eyebrow as he stared at the two, he wondered how Cronus ever got together with Mituna, they were an odd match but it somehow worked.
"Thomething on your mind?" Sollux's lisped filled voice snapped Eridan out of his trance as he peered over at him in thought for a second.
"yes actually, Do you know how-w long Cronus and Mituna hav-ve been seeing each other?" He doubted that Sollux knew, let alone cared about his brothers relationship.
"Thince I wath theven, so I guethth that maketh it theven yearth now?" Sollux grumbled as Eridan snapped his attention back to the males as Cronus listened to Mituna talk about his boss with a bright grin. Seven whole years, Cronus had managed to be in a relationship for seven years? It made Eridan question how the hell Mituna dealt with Cronus for that long, Eridan had been with him for a week and was already planning how he could get away from him.
Though as he watched Cronus lean over to peck Mitunas cheek as if to say "sorry" Eridan frowned harder. He thought of the guy in the red jumper, he knew that something more than talking went on in the other room and from the looks of Cronus in the morning it wasn't pleasant. It twisted his stomach knowing that Cronus was willing to give up a relationship like Mitunas for whatever he was discussing with the other man.
Eridan sighed slightly, he wanted to tell Mituna about the other man but it wasn't his place to do so, however Cronus would have to be extra careful if he didn't want to get caught. Eridan didn't want to see this relationship shatter as it seemed to make both sides extremely happy.
"Oh yea here we are doll, thirty flavours and- wait Mit, they don't got your favourite flavour, you know My dic—"
"CRONUTH" Mituna elbowed him in the stomach, making him cringe and chuckle before quickly reaching down and giving Mitunas butt a quick pinch. Mituna froze up before growling and going to hit Cronus again Playfully but Cronus had disappeared up and into the store, holding the door open for him and the kids as they all entered.
The ice-cream store was average, white walls with pictures of Ice-cream, a glass case by the cash register where the flavours were displayed, there was no smell it was just cold and a perky blonde haired girl stood behind the counter. She glanced between all of the boys, questioning their relations in her head as they looked over the flavours.
Mituna was grumbling about inappropriate public affection though was silenced when Cronus slipped behind him and wrapped his hands around his waist and pulled him close, whispering a small "you liked it" into his ear. It didn't take long before Cronus spoke up once more, this time to the lady,
"I'll have a double scoop, with lemon and strawberry gelato in a waffle cone." She nodded and began to make the requested cone.
"Rathpberry and blueberry, waffle cone." Sollux mumbled as he pointed to the flavours, she quickly began to make it after putting Cronus's on a stand.
"Cookieth and cream, thingle cone, regular." Mituna ordered as Cronus chuckled and untangled himself from the other man and grabbed his large cone.
"Regular cone, hmm?" Cronus questioned as Mituna approached the counter and took the cone from the lady with a nod.
'Yeah well what can I thay, I gueth I like regular thingth." He smirked out as he gave Cronus a once over implying he was regular as his mouth fell open at Mituna sass. Straightening up as Mituna returned the previous butt pinch as he walked back to the table with a sway of his hips before Cronus could say anything.
"ha, well kid what do you want?" Cronus asked Eridan who shrugged and shook his head however before he could say he didn't want any Cronus spoke up.
"He will have a blue heaven gelato, single, plain cone" Cronus ordered as he handed Sollux his big cone and followed his brother to the table near the window. Cronus was quick to slip the women a fifty dollar bill and collected his change, however when he was handing Eridan his cone they exchanged a glance. Eridan couldn't tell what Cronus was trying to express in that glance but maybe it was slight worry, but probably not.
They joined the other men at the table, Eridan slipped next to Sollux and Cronus next to Mituna as he gave Mitunas ice-cream a quick lick before getting a smile from Mituna.
The group sat like this for a while, Eridan only nibbled at his ice-cream before throwing it out and returning to the table and staring out the window. He could here Sollux start humming between licks of his ice-cream quietly, and Mituna was talking about some guy at work that he ripped off as Cronus actually listened. Eridan though watched the park across the road, blocking everything out as he stared.
"hey Eridan try thith" Sollux nudged his shoulder gently, Eridan turned slowly a bored expression on his face as Sollux offered him his cone. Eridan gazed at the cone that was offered to him, the red and blue had combined and made a purple mix in the middle, he hesitated gazing over the coat of saliva. Though Sollux had a small side grin showing some pride in his creation, Eridan couldn't say no. He took the cone and took a testing lick, it was sweet but nice and smooth and had a nice smell to it. He found a smile drift to his lips as he went to hand it back but Sollux shook his head, insisting.
Eridan turned with the cone giving it a few lazy licks as he stared out of the window again, the flavours of the ice-cream giving the view a nice feeling to it now.
However when he peered back, tired of the blend of ice-cream and the view he realised he had eaten half of the ice-cream and flushed slight, clearly embarrassed from his gluttony. Sollux didn't seem to mind as he took the cone and continued the rest of it, Eridan couldn't help but grin as he shuffled his scarf up to cover his grin.
The group finished up and Cronus stood with a stretch and a yawn, helping Mituna stand as he waited for the kids to stand up before grabbing Mitunas hand.
"Man, I could really go for a slice." He mumbled giving Mituna a glance,
"No you jutht ate, and bethideth thome of uth have jobth to go to." Mituna checked his phone for the time.
"But Mit, I got the munchies, I'm still hungry." Cronus whined as if he was a child begging for a new toy and Mituna shook his head.
"Well then you can wait till you get home and how much did you." Mitunas voice dropped to a whisper as Eridan couldn't make out the rest of the sentence, not that he was fully engaged in the conversation anyway. Though Cronus burst into laughter a few seconds later and Mituna looked deadly serious the whole time.
"I only had a little up okay, geeze what are you my ma?" He chuckled as Mituna shook his head in disappointment and Eridan sighed. He had no idea what that was about, and the feeling in his gut told him he really shouldn't pry.
They all managed to make it back to the car as Cronus insisted on going for more food but Mituna ignored his protest and practically had to force the man into the car.
The trip home was short and filled with only the sounds of Mituna and Cronus talking about who knows what, but they seemed content. As for him and Sollux, well Sollux didn't seem like he wanted to talk and the silence between the two of them was quiet comfortable.
So without disrupting it the group managed to get to the apartment building and up into Cronus's apartment without speaking much and as soon as they entered Mituna broke the silence.
"Well I gueth I'll be taking thollux home now" Mituna stretched out as Cronus fell onto the couch lazily before reaching in his pocket and whipping out a packet of smokes.
"Alrightly bye my chicky-D" Cronus smirked as he went to light up the smoke but Mituna stomped over there and removed it.
"Not inthide, it'th not good for Eridan, you have a balcony uthe it." Mituna gritted out as Cronus groaned and sat up , grabbing Mitunas hand as he helped himself up. Entwining their fingers and gently pulling Mituna forward to bring him into a soft kiss, Mituna seemed to pout slightly but returned the kiss all the same.
"Not in front of the kid'th" Mituna mumbled as he pulled away, however Cronus was quick to swoop his arms around the other man's waist and clash their lips once more, giving a more loving passionate kiss that Mituna returned. Eridan and Sollux both turned around to face the door, not gazing at each other, both embarrassed for Cronus and Mituna.
However moments past and Mituna approached the two with a grin.
"Time to go, thay goodbye thollux" he grinned out, walking past his brother and towards the door, Sollux sighed.
"Bye Eridan, thee you at thchool." He grumbled before exiting with his brother, closing the door as they left. Eridan stood there for a moment in thought, that's right he started school next Monday, he had completely forgotten.
"Yo kid, I'm getting pizza, want anything?" Cronus asked as he slid open the balcony window with his phone in hand.
"No thanks" Eridan mumbled as he departed for his room in thought,
What was school going to be like?