That Is Just What He Says
Glaring at Sadiq had become his new hobby.
After all, it would not be fair to stop him from doing what he was doing when what he was doing was being done for someone else. Even if Heracles did not believe that Sadiq was doing it well, the man had been hired to do it and he knew enough about the people involved with this wedding to believe that they needed as much help as they could get. And... he guessed Sadiq was okay at it. When it came to work, that was. But that was about it.
Sadiq was angering him so easy today and the man was not even doing anything. Heracles tried to think why, came up with yesterday, and then did not want to think about it anymore. Really, what was wrong with him? It was just a dream. A confusing one, yes, but not enough to make him act weird, right?
As soon as he would agree with himself about that, Gupta would walk in the room and he would forget his decision and become awkward again. He would also start another fight with Sadiq. Stupid dream.
"You need to stop that."
Heracles focused his gaze in on Sadiq, who now just looked annoyed. "Stop what?"
"Look, I know we don't get along."
Heracles snorted. That was the understatement of the century. "Are you just going to state the obvious?"
"Can't you just settle fer Gupta's sake?" Sadiq hissed at him through his teeth. Usually, one of them would mention Gupta and the both of them would play nicely for a while. This time it just got Heracles more irritated. But why? Why was he bothered like this?
"I don't need to hear this from you," Heracles retorted quietly. Sadiq was rolling his eyes (Heracles recognized the head movement, even if he could not see his eyes) and sitting back in his chair.
"That's yer problem, Heracles. If, just for a moment, you actually–"
"I'm going to the store," said Gupta, cutting Sadiq off. Both of them were slightly startled and Heracles had to turn around in his chair to see the other man.
But... but he's my best friend. I shouldn't be feeling about him any differently than that, right?
It was a strange feeling that made him want to be suave when he was more than just slightly aware that he was not very good at that. Blinking a few times, he managed to speak. "Do... you want me to come with?"
Gupta seemed to consider it and (at the point Heracles was certain he was going to nod, just so as to make certain to keep him away from Sadiq) shook his head.
"Oh. Okay."
"Hey, can I ask a favour?" Sadiq asked quickly, rising to his feet as he scribbled something down in his horrible scrawl, folding it up and handing it over to Gupta. "Can you give this ta Tino while you're there?" Gupta nodded. "Thanks."
Heracles tried not to feel utterly abandoned when Gupta left.
Sadiq was (probably) glaring at him. "What did'ja do to him? You did somethin' wrong, you know."
"I did something wrong?" Heracles glowered at him. Sadiq nodded.
"Gupta said as much yesterday, when I asked him. Didn't say what though."
Heracles' heart sunk down into his stomache. Which was when he decided on one thing. "You're lying."
"Why would I bother?"
I am not going to be the first one to strike. I am not going to punch him in that smug face of his... The fact that Sadiq's face was anything but smug was a small detail that Heracles did not care much for. It was smug too often, ergo the feeling carried over to when he was not. Apparently.
But no matter what, he was going to stay calm.
Why he did not take his breakfast and eat anywhere else was beyond him. He sat there with Sadiq, imagining the other with a broken nose, and wondering what he could have done wrong to Gupta. After all, it was not as if he had been around much yesterday. Or was that it? Was it because he had just left?
But he offered to be around today. He could act naturally!
Actually, Heracles could not act at all. It did not stop him from trying.
Gupta, everything can be normal. You'll see. I can be good.
That thought struck him rather like foreshadowing. And, understandably, he was worried.
Notes:
Notice, Heracles had a few drinks, but does not have a hangover. It is because he did not drink himself into a stupor. Let alone he left with he realized his barfly was occupied and would not serve him anymore. So he might have gotten home late and tipsy, but after going straight to bed only has a small headache. It is amazing anyone can drink anything in this town without something bad happening.
Heracles' mother was a wonderful actress, but he sucks at it. He cannot even lie without someone noticing. Heracles enjoys watching acting though. Probably because he hopes to get some insight on what he always fails to do so epicly.
