Chapter 29
Take out or Make out?
After doing the groceries and putting them away, which was so much easier because Ja'far actually knew where Sharrkan kept everything, they took a look at the stairs. ''Why didn't you have this fixed months ago?'' Ja'far asked, as he looked at the state of it. ''Well, I mean, Alibaba and I are the only ones going upstairs, we can just simply step over it. And same could be said to you, Mr. I haven't fixed a hole in the roof for the entire school year.'' Sharrkan teasingly jabbed his side as he said so.
''Fine. I will have that fixed soon too.'' Ja'far said, pinching playfully back. ''Make sure you do, or your precious Sin will do it for you. You should have heard him during the ride. Endlessly asking about what happened.'' Sharrkan said, starting to collect the rubble so they could get started.
''I was so relieved when you two made it back from that disaster.'' Ja'far said, preparing the new material to fix the stairs. Sharrkan stopped in his tracks. ''You know, back then, I only thought you were so elated because Sinbad made it back. It was also the point I was convinced he cared for you. To think he liked Judal, and Judal liked him.'' Sharrkan said.
''I think they can be very nice together.'' Ja'far said, smiling. ''It's so insane, a year ago you either would have been shocked, or been utterly jealous of this, and now you are so happy for them.'' Sharrkan replied. ''What can I say, I already have someone that makes me happy.'' Ja'far said. Sharrkan leant forward and kissed him on the cheek. ''Well said. Let's fix this and then let's fix us some supper.'' he said. Ja'far nodded, though flushed by the affection.
Fixing the stairs proved to be rather easy, and cooking dinner was fun together. After doing the dishes, Sharrkan paused for a moment. ''Will you be staying over?'' he asked. ''I didn't really consider it yet. But, I can if you want to. I mean, we did stay over before, lots of times.'' Ja'far said.
''Yeah, but... not like a stay at home, date type situation.'' Sharrkan said. Ja'far blinked a few times. ''Oh.'' he said, now considering the same thing. ''It doesn't have to be, of course. I mean, we can also just hang.'' Sharrkan said, turning a bit red. ''Of course it can be. But, what would an at home date entail? I mean, I just had a first date in the first place.'' Ja'far said.
Sharrkan thought it over for a moment, just like Ja'far, this was uncharted territory for him too. ''Not a clue.'' he said, eventually. ''Darn, as my coach, you should know.'' Ja'far teased. ''We can probably look up some tips online. Even a coach needs to learn.'' Sharrkan laughed. ''Or, we can go to the source, and ask Hinahoho for some ideas.'' Ja'far said.
Sharrkan gave him a look. ''He and his wife will have a field day if we ask that. Imagine how much corny stuff they'd come up with.'' he said. Ja'far could envision it. ''Rose petals, everywhere!'' he said. ''Romantic movies where characters make dumb choices, and life co-operates instantly when needed.'' Sharrkan said. ''Super slow music to dance to.'' Ja'far listed.
''Candles also, everywhere, being their fire-hazard selves as they set the mood.'' Sharrkan said. Ja'far laughed at the idea, realising they were probably not the most romantic people in the world. ''And just when you think that's it, they come up with a ring out of nowhere.'' Sharrkan said.
''One might end up in Vegas.'' Ja'far speculated. ''See, it was a brilliant idea from the get go.'' Sharrkan said, sitting down on his couch. ''I thought we were listing bad and corny ideas.'' Ja'far laughed. ''Not all romantic ideas are bad. So, if we are considering them, this is going to be a date night, right?'' Sharrkan asked. ''Well, we can give it a try.'' Ja'far said, sitting next to him. ''I mean, how hard can it be?'' he added.
An hour later they found themselves browsing the web for ideas, when Hinahoho called Sharrkan. ''Just the one I needed.'' Sharrkan said, the second he answered the phone. ''But I called you?'' Hinahoho asked. ''You did. With the right timing.'' Sharrkan said, and Ja'far laughed. ''Well, I didn't realise I was needed. Do tell.'' he said.
''We are having our first at home date, and we have no clue what to do. I mean, we even uttered stuff about a ring and everything.'' Sharrkan explained. ''A ring? That's a bit too fast, isn't it?'' Hinahoho said. ''Well, I mean, there is you and your wife as an example.'' Sharrkan said. ''I haven't given her the ring yet.'' Hinahoho said. ''Yet?'' Sharrkan questioned, gaining Ja'far's attention. ''I am waiting for the right moment. But, first stay at home date isn't that different from regular outdoor date, right?'' Hinahoho asked.
''So, you already have the ring?'' Sharrkan focused on the important part. ''I do.'' Hinahoho said. ''You have the wrong person, you have to tell that to your wife. But, an indoor date does feel kind of different, and we are both not exactly the best with this dating stuff.'' Sharrkan replied. ''It can feel a bit more intimate, I suppose. But, you two are doing fine with it. Just, do what you two do best and enjoy your time together.'' Hinahoho said.
''What we do best... guess it will work. Thanks.'' Sharrkan said, before hanging up. ''Ehrm, did he call about a ring?'' Ja'far asked. ''No, though surprisingly he has one. The day that Rumuru will actually be his wife is nearing.'' he said. ''Cute. So, why did he call?'' Ja'far asked. Sharrkan blinked a few times, before grabbing his phone and calling back.
''That was quick.'' Hinahoho laughed. ''Needed more advice?'' he asked. ''No, but you called first. Why did you call?'' Sharrkan asked. It was quiet on the other side for a bit. ''Would you believe me if I forgot.'' Hinahoho said sheepishly. ''Well, it happens to the best. Have a nice evening.'' Sharrkan said, hanging up.
''He forgot.'' Sharrkan explained. Ja'far nodded, connecting the dots that it was more likely he couldn't speak about it at the moment. Maybe something to do with the ring. ''So, did he have any good ideas for this particular evening?'' he asked instead. ''Just for us to do our thing.'' Sharrkan said.
''Well, that makes sense. So, what's going to be our thing? Because, these sites are not going to work.'' Ja'far said, looking at the pink hearts, and awful ideas. ''Well, we like gaming. And it's been a while since we have been able to play anything. Heck, I don't even think we have ever done so together.'' Sharrkan said.
''It has been while. Last time was against Judal, and Sin.'' Ja'far nodded, his eyes lighting up with excitement. ''Oh right, that's when you scared the crap out of Sinbad. So, why don't I get it fired up, Halo was your poison right?'' Sharrkan asked, getting up excitedly. ''I love Halo. It's been such a while.'' Ja'far said.
When Sharrkan opened the cabinet with the games, he was in for a surprise as his device was split in half. He blinked a few times, sighed, and then called Alibaba. ''What happened to the x-box?'' he asked when his brother picked up. ''Nii-san, I am on a date! Is it really necessary?'' he asked. ''Yes, I am trying to enjoy my date too. What happened?'' he asked.
''Well, there was an accident...'' Alibaba started. ''I can see that. Why didn't you tell me?'' he asked. ''There hasn't been time really since you came back. But, a date? That's nice.'' Alibaba said, changing the subject. ''At some point I expect it to be replaced. Enjoy your evening.'' Sharrkan said. ''Promised. And you too, Nii-san. Don't forget to behave, and don't do things you wouldn't want me to do.'' Alibaba teased, before hanging up. Sharrkan didn't even have time to react scandalized.
He found Ja'far nestled on the couch, and smiled at the scene. He could envision coming home from some future job, whatever he was going to do, and seeing this every day. 'I really love him.' he realised. He sat down next to Ja'far. ''So, gaming is out, my device is broken.'' he said. ''Oh, that's too bad. I hope it can be fixed.'' Ja'far said.
''It should be replaced at some point. But, we can probably find something else to do. Maybe a corny movie is not that bad an idea. Or, sometimes you hear couples start watching a series together.'' he suggested. ''Oh, like that phrase, netflix and chill, right?'' Ja'far asked, and Sharrkan turned red.
''That actually means-'' he wasn't even sure how to explain that. ''Not important now. So, any ideas?'' Sharrkan asked. ''I have been watching this show, Midsummer murders. It's fun, but usually the plot is flimsly, so I made this game to try and guess the culprit before the 'twist' because it's usually so out of left field.'' Ja'far said.
''Sounds fun.'' Sharrkan said. ''And if we get it right?'' he asked, as they got settled on the couch with a blanket. ''Then we get it right?'' Ja'far said, unsure. ''What, no rewards then?'' Sharrkan teased. ''Well, I suppose. A game should have a reward. Why don't we kiss when we get it right? Gives us more reason to really look for clues.'' Ja'far suggested, his cheeks turning red in the proces. His cheeks were not the only ones turning red, but Sharrkan nodded nontheless. ''Good idea.'' he managed to reply, before looking up the show.
It was late at night, when Alibaba returned home, after seeing Morgiana to her house, and upon arrival the first thing he heard was, ''Darn it, another one wrong! How do they come up with these stupid story lines? Next time we are kissing whenever we get them wrong.'' And he wanted to know, he really wanted to know, but decided to leave his brother and his boyfriend at peace, opting to go upstairs instead.
Sharrkan didn't even notice he arrived home, though he did receive a small nod from Ja'far. And it felt so natural, it was so clear they belonged together. Just as clear it was that he and Mor were made for one another. And no matter how juicy the drama had been, he was just glad it was over with for the time being.