"It just keeps getting worse." XR slumps into his bed. "It's been about 3 months now and everyone's been yelling at me and giving me a hard time." He muffled through his pillow. It didn't help Buzz wants him to get answers right then and there. "And write every detail we do in in my reports."
'Remember he's a criminal XR and anything big he is up to will be a great help.'
He looks up to the ceiling and groans hearing that speech over a hundred times each day when he sits down on his desk. "Even if I could get anything from him, how do I get answers while not getting killed?" XR thought but looks to the letters on the walls Nos been giving him after every meeting. After the whole Buzz thing, Nos decided to give him the letters in person and XR prefer it that way seeing them on his wall helps him see a positive side for the day. He was pretty happy they help give him a nice push and they weren't exactly romantic. He lays back on his bed to think of the past three months.
So far the mafia leader donates money to actual orphanages and donates money to support schools. "Talk about a saint in devils work." He mumbles against his pillow. He couldn't help but think the mafia leader is the very opposite of what everyone says about him. Last week he gotten a tip about human trafficking and found out Nos was gonna be there present for the deal. He thought he finally found the truth Nos was hiding from him and deceiving him but it wasn't at all.
"He didn't even do any evil acts…"
He remembered he was in the docking bay where he saw Nos there standing along with Warp by his side only covered up head to toe.
Confused at first but saw a man he assumed was the seller. As the man left Nos there with the truck, vans came up 5 minutes after the guy. He knew they were an association with helping people who lost their homes or needed shelter and saw Nos telling Warp something and he left. XR decided to leave and the next two days Buzz caught the guy that Nos made a deal with two days prior. "When I told Buzz, I swear he was choking on his pride." He shook that thought and decided to think of something less disturbing or rather frustrating.
He's been working for the passed two months on reports that everyone keeps throwing at him, thinking he's getting money out of spending time with the mafia boss. 'I'm not getting paid extra for this. I'm not even getting anything aside hanging out and getting those nice letters.' He figured if he did, Nos wouldn't hesitate and he's not gonna be leeching off when he's already asking for comics. XR looks to the comics he recently got and smiled, he finally met someone who likes comics as much as he does! He introduced booster to the world of comics, "He was really confused. Warp just looks at the figures and Buzz lecturing 'it's a waste of time' speech." He likes that Nos doesn't judge him like everyone else does except for Booster and sometimes Warp.
He takes out the recent letter from his pocket and sits up to place the letter on the wall. He didn't understand why Nos continues to court him and why he doesn't stop it at all.
"Technically I'm leading him on only to get information to ruin him but now it's not ok. Why did I agree to do this? He was ok being friends and all but letting him court me?" He took another look at the letters again and shrugs.
'I mean the letters aren't really bad or creepy. He's not stalking me (as far as I know) and he doesn't even push me to do something I'm not comfortable . Let's also add I'm trying to get dirt on him to prove pops I am a great cop!.' He thought and sat back down and couldn't help but thought of the gifts. Guilt swam into his chest ' But so far I'm starting to see he's not a bad guy and not some creep. He sends me small nice things that are actually pretty great like the nice warm gloves and the small poems.' He takes off the gloves that were really great and reminded him of the gloves Nos wears a lot. Thinking it now, he remembered seeing him wearing them when they ate at the diner. He then realized he wore those thin gloves almost everywhere. "I hope he doesn't keep them on when he's in the bathroom." He remembered Nos said something about a skin condition and figured that's why and moved on to thinking back on the poems and other gifts. The poems were sweet and nice and he'll admit he keeps them because it helps him through the long days and the handmade flowers are a nice touch but it doesn't mean he was falling for him! They're just hang out and getting coffee and tea and talk about almost anything but he keeps forgetting to ask about the mafia. What bugs him though is everyone thinks he's blinded by the stuff he gets. 'I don't fall for guys, especially a guy that owns one of the most dangerous empires in the city and he doesn't give me expensive stuff.' He thought angrily. Nonetheless, he couldn't help but think of the things he probably couldn't be able to have in his life like a family. He couldn't hold down a relationship as much as he's working 24/7 and most women he dated were gloating about having a cop or only dating him to get close to Buzz or cheat on him like Betty. He then wonders about Nos. Why go after him of all people especially a cop no less.
'Maybe he's trying to ask for help but why not Buzz or pops?' He feels like there's something he's not seeing but probably could be nothing.
'I think he just enjoys my company and treats me as his friend and a love interest which for some reason doesn't bother me much and yet it does but doesn't grossed me out.' XR was now lying on his back again, thinking back when he was a kid. All he wanted was to be a cop like his pops and protect everyone and later settle down. But looking back now, seems more like a dream and with everything happening, a very distant dream. He looks to his watch to see the time and saw it was slower than usual. His mom's watch needed a fix seeing it was having a hard time catching up or it was over pass the actual time. As much as he wanted to buy a new watch or fix it, he can't let go of this one and fears someone will break it. To him, this was priceless and not even gold is worth the trade. He never got to meet his mom but before she died, she asked pops to give him her watch when he turned 16. He frowns at the memory. His brother was accused at the time for going crazy angry and killed a cop and even with the help of pops, XL was sentenced to prison and the worst of it all, it was just three days before his birthday.
He sent letters and cards but never gotten a single one but he hoped to one day see him.
"That would be nice if they let me see him..." He smiled tiredly and knocked out.
He woke up to the sound of the alarm and realized he was late.
"Pop's gonna kill me." He spoke as he rushed to change quickly. The second he got dressed, he ran out of his apartment and down the stairs and ran to the lobby and out. He was running so fast he didn't have time to get breakfast and his stomach was going to growl loud for everyone to hear. "Maybe as soon as I check in I-!" He stops to see the one person he didn't want to see right now.
"Good morning XR." Nos smiles as he was under an umbrella.
"What are you doing Here?!" XR was pushing him out the view from anyone but Nos wasn't even budging.
"Would you like to have dinner later? It will be my treat."
XR thought of food for a moment and his stomach growls louder. He stops and stand a good foot away. He was now embarrassed, thinking Nos was going to joke or tease him.
"Look I'm running late and I appreciate the offer but you gotta leave-!" He sees Nos pulling out a small bag that has the brand from a cafe that was down the street. He pulls it out from his black messenger bag and hands it to him. "I prefer you eat something even when it is small. I will see you later."
XR wanted to thank him but Nos already began to leave the second Buzz came outside. XR couldn't help but just enter in as Buzz was already questioning about Nos and trying to take what appeared to be a muffin.
Before Buzz could take it, XR takes a bite of the muffin and felt his mouth water and ate the whole muffin in seconds.
"Thif if fo food!" (This is so good!).
"He could have poisoned you?!"
"Not if he just bought from that diner -" that was when he realized that could have been his breakfast.
'Maybe I could pay for dinner?' He wonders what if Nos is the kind of guy with an expensive taste? 'There goes my check.' He thought but he then maybe he could-
"XR report to my office!" XR rushed to his father's office. He stops for a moment and took a deep breath and enters in.
"Yeah chief?"
"XR may I ask what are you doing hanging out with a low life especially when he's a dangerous one!?"
"It's not my fault! I saved a woman that turns out to be his sister-!"
"Finally we can use this against him!"
XR pauses as he saw his pops smiling. "Son your doing me and the city a great service! If we can get any evidence that shows he is a murderer and a criminal-"
XR thought getting credit by his pops would be great but for a moment, it made him uncomfortable. Not that he was against it but he felt it was wrong. 'Why do I feel this is wrong now?' XR felt his pops pat his shoulder.
"Just do whatever it is your doing. Play with his emotions even..."
XR kept quiet, feeling this was wrong even for doing the sake of justice.
later after his job
XR was hungry now, even more than ever but he was too tired, and to him, sleep beats hunger. He was ready to call Nos but knew it was pointless, he was already there waiting.
"Evening XR."
XR waves, trying to look less tired and remembered what Nebula said. "Hey Nos how are you?"
"Happy now to see you are out." Nos smiles but falters, seeing XR was tired.
"I know I said yes to dinner but I'm really tired-"
"Do you have food at home?" Nos asked.
XR knew he didn't have food at all but mostly he didn't want Nos there and knowing where he lived. "Not exactly but I can-"
"We'll take my car to a nearby market-"
"It's late already."
"It is barely 6pm."
XR looked at his watch and Nos's watch and was looking for a brick wall to hit his face! 'I clocked out too early!' Before he could hit his head, his mafia friend was already leading him to his car and it was a beauty!
As much as XR wanted to asked how, he was too tired. He saw Nos opening the back for him and XR just followed and sits in the back. Nos helps him in and closes the door and enters the driver seat.
XR wanted to stay awake but felt himself falling asleep and soon enough he was out. He woke up, realising he was asleep and saw they were at the 24hr supermarket, a few blocks from his house. He sits up and saw Nos left his keys for him and saw they were only four keys on the key ring. He knew the long one was for the car but the others, he didn't know and he didn't want to find out. He noticed the inside of the car was in pretty great condition and saw this was really taken care of. He then saw a small photo on the top taped to the dashboard. He looks at it closely and could see it was of Nos and his sister but there was another guy who was younger than them. XR wondered who this guy was. 'He looks kind of similar…' but his thoughts were stopped as he saw Nos coming up and holding three bags. He was already about to get out of the car but sees Nos already opening the copilot side.
"Did you sleep well?
"Yeah thanks for that. Hey can I get out for a bit?"
Nos nodded and opens the back door for him.
"So what did you bought exactly?" XR asked as he stretches but saw Nos shook his head. "It is a surprise." And places the bags in the back instead. XR was internally groaning now, he lost his small distance from Nos and has to sit in the front with him.
He sits in the front next to Nos, and tried to not look at him. As soon as Nos starts the car, he looks to XR. "Where do you live XR?"
"It's the Apollo apartment, it's about four streets away." He spoke up and saw Nos nodded and began to that direction. Nos began to play the channel for jazz and oldies and XR couldn't help but enjoy the music. He noticed he never talked about music
"You know XR if you like I can get you a new watch?" Nos spoke as he keeps his eyes on the road.
XR shook his head. "I can't replace this one. It's really special."
"Then I can get it fix for you-"
"It's not that I don't trust-"
"Please it is the least-"
"It's my mom's!"
Nos stops as the music began playing Billie Holiday.
"I never knew my mom and it's the only thing I have of her! If I lose this or don't even have it with me…" XR didn't want to cry, not in front of someone like him. "I'll lose that only bond I have." He tries as much as he could to hold it back.
"It is alright to cry."
XR felt the tears fall and looks to the man next to him as he parked on the side.
Nos turns off the car but not the radio and sat back. "My mother disappeared when I was 13, the only thing I have of hers is this locket she gave to me and my sister when we were 5." Nos pulls out the locket. Nos hesitated but took off his locket and showed XR.
XR saw how Nos mom looked and could see the similarities in the eyes and the smiles and hair color. 'So the hair color is hereditary.'
"She made my sister a braided bracelet with a locket identical to mine whereas mine was a braided necklace she made herself."
"What did she do?" XR asked.
"She was a singer in that night club Sirena owns now. It was our favorite place to go because she was there singing. Back then they did not mind us there since we would watch it from the side and to us, it was as if we were seeing an angel singing." Nos smiles but frowns. "But we were not the only ones who loved my mother's voice."
'Zurg.' XR thought as he passes back the locket. "At one point he was there." XR guessed out loud but Nos shook his head and places it back on. "He was there many times but the one time we sat in front, he saw us and he found out about us." Nos paused but continued. "The first time he introduced himself was when we were waiting for her in back stage. He stated he was our father." Nos glared down at the wheel. "Our mother kept us away from him for a while and at one point tried to have us leave to Britain. Each chance she had, there were coincidental moments of him appearing every turn. At the time he wanted her and us to live with him but my mother did not and denied his invitation. Each time he asked, he began getting violent, even at one point he threatened her." Nos gripped the wheel tightly and XR could tell he was angry. "One day, a friend of my mother's brought us home after school but we saw our things being taken into a storage truck. We rushed into our home and saw him there, smirking as he got most of his men to pack our things but my mother, she was crying. We walked up to her and saw she had bruises around her arms." Nos was quiet for a moment but XR could see his knuckles turning white. "We were unaware he did worse to her. Much worse." Nos let go of the wheel, quieted a bit.
XR began to speak. "Did your mom ever tried to run away? Was that her reason for disappearing?" He asked.
Nos kept quiet but spoke. "... I do not know." Nos looked hurt. "My uncle had found out after a year prior to my mother's disappearance or in this case her death. That was the incident I could not tell you at the park."
"Maybe she isn't dead!" XR spoke, not understanding what he was doing. "Maybe he forced her to leave! You never know!"
"I have been searching for her for ten years XR, there is no traces of her." Nos spoke ready to start the car.
"Let me help you then! Maybe you were looking at the wrong things." XR stated and Nos was quiet.
"There's dozens of records on everyone in the police station and maybe I can look for any records and cases that doesn't have names-"
"What if this is a waste of time?!" Nos shouted and not dare look at XR. "What if she is dead?" Nos then began to cry. "What if she did not wish to be found? I have asked and reached out for help and it always end in vain or disappointment. I do not want you to be a part of that pit."
"Look if my mom was alive and missing and I wanted to find her, I would use any opportunity that comes to me. So what if those other detective failed, that doesn't mean I will. The one thing I do know is she loved you and your sister more than anything and you two deserve to know the truth than thinking the worst." XR smiles. "You'll be helping me work in my experience for my detective career so your paying me in experienced. So technically you-"
Nos hugs him tightly, as if he was hanging on to a dream and hoping it wasn't a lie.
XR was surprised but he hugged him back and should be weird for him, wasn't weird. 'What's wrong with me?'
"Thank you so much XR." Nos pulls away and XR could only say, "No problem."
Nos began the car as XR was trying to figure out what just happened with him but even in thought and wonder, he couldn't stop thinking what did happened to Nos's mom. 'Did Zurg really killed her...?' He heard from rumors Nos killed Zurg but could that be the reason? What did happened?
XR stopped thinking as he saw his apartment coming up and Nos parked and turns off the car.
"Thanks for letting me feel emotional." XR spoke. "I usually don't cry. You being taught that men don't cry."
Nos gave him a comfort pat. "My mother taught me even men needs to cry. You should not feel you need to keep those feelings in." Nos replied. "If you ever need to talk, I am willing to hear you out."
XR smiles. "Thanks."
Nos opens his door and grabs two of the bags but sees XR grabs one.
"You can't carry all the bags."
XR leads him to his apartment and was about to unlock it but stop to see the owner of the apartment. She's 68 years old and goes by Mrs. Peggy and most of the time she makes it her hobby to try to hook him up with the many other single ladies that were really not his type.
"XR who's the fellow with you?" She asked. "Is he the reason you don't ask any of the other women out! He's really handsome!"
"I'm not gay and he's just a friend." He blushes and kept from looking at Nos or the owner of the apartment. 'Why am I doing this?'
The old lady grins. "Then is he single? I can be very persuasive~."
"No and goodnight Mrs. Peggy!" XR was turning red and opens the door and leads Nos in.
"Quite a charming lady is she?" Nos asked XR while placing it on the island.
"You get use to her and believe me she isn't like that most of the time." XR turns red as he places the bag on the table. That was when he realized he has a few stuff out and by a few stuff, his work everywhere. "Sorry about the mess, haven't had the time to clean up." He rushes cleaning and putting away his paperwork and cases. "With every report coming in and all, and everyone giving me the cold shoulder."
XR sees Nos placing the bags on the table and began placing most of the food away in his fridge.
"It is alright. You have a nice place by the way."
"Thanks, it was hard finding a place where it's close to my job and the neighborhood isn't bad so fair deal."
He places his work in the boxes and began taking them to his room. He was already feeling his heart doing over time as he forgot he left the poems on his walls by the tv and the flowers Nos made for him in a cup on the coffee table. He shook his head. 'He won't think it as anything else.' He reassures himself and he fixes his disheveled clothes and realizes they might- Shaking his head, he shook it away. 'This isn't anything big, just guys hanging out, I've let friends come over.' But then again they don't cook food for you and let you feel emotional.
'Still friends!' He leaves his room only to see Nos turning on the stove with a pot of boiling water.
"So… need any help?" XR asked. "I know how to not burn water?"
Nos shook his head but let the pot boils as he began taking off his gloves to wash his hands. XR could see there were dozens of old cuts and burns on his hands. XR wanted to asked but chose to keep quiet so instead just watches him rinsing the vegetables and the meat that he could assume was chicken. It was weird and interesting seeing someone cooking. Usually when it came to cooking, either his pops scolded him to stop watching him or most of the women scolded him in just standing there watching. Seeing people work with their hands is interesting to him and Nos doesn't seem to mind or he's oblivious.
"There are some sweets I bought so you can eat for the meantime. They are in the bottom of one of the bags." Nos pointed as he flips the chickens.
XR goes through the bag and sees they were oatmeal cookies from a bakery.
"Thanks." He takes a bite and enjoys it and decided to sit across from Nos to see what he was doing. He saw the cut chicken grilling and the water now boiling and the lettuce was in a bowl.
XR stood up and went to the sink and washed his hands and grabs the bowl to rinse the already pre shredded lettuce. "At least let me cut some of the vegetables." Nos kept quiet as began placing the spaghetti in. "So does this count as you courting me in a date or is this just a hang out?" XR asked as he cut the vegetables.
Nos smirks in thought as he stirs the pasta. "I will let you decide on this one, just continue chopping."
XR blushes and tried to say otherwise but continues on to cut the carrots. "So…. What got you into the mafia business?"
"My father forced me to join especially when he would threaten my sister's life… it did not help he kept bribing me about my mother's whereabouts." Nos spoke.
XR was surprised and frowns.
'So Nos was forced into the mafia but why stay? Why become the leader?' He chose to change the subject and asked several other things like movies and couldn't help but enjoy that he likes classic sci-fi films.
'Remember you can't fall into his hands.' Buzz words were echoing in his head.
XR frowns from those words. He couldn't help but keep wondering how a guy like Nos staying as the leader when he shows he didn't want to be in it in the first place?
'This doesn't feel right. There's something Nos isn't telling me.' Despite being honest, Nos is still distant about certain subjects.
"What is on your mind?"
XR pauses and looks to Nos who was grilling the chicken.
"Lot's of things but I don't think you'll like the question."
"Are you afraid to ask because it may hurt me or afraid of the mafia?"
"More like I'm worried what your gonna say. Let's just forget ok?"
"You can ask me XR, I will not be angry." Nos cuts him off. "Please tell me what is on your mind."
XR pauses and takes a deep breath. "What do you see about me that attracts you? Why do you want to court me?" He wasn't lying, he has been thinking about that for a while and although his way of courting is nice and respectful, it's confusing.
Nos pauses in thought.
XR figured he hit a button to stop Nos from asking, but the taller of the two proves him wrong.
"The first thing that attracts me to you are your eyes." Nos answers. "At first glance they look normal like any other brown, nothing amazing. However," Nos smiles as he flips the chicken, "when the sun shines at your eyes, they glow like topaz with a hint of green." Nos stirs the pasta after placing a few chickens in their plates
XR listens as he cuts a celery stick.
"When I first met you, I also found something I thought I never find."
"Crazy guy talking to himself?" He asked.
"Comfort."
XR stops and looks to Nos.
"I felt comfort from you even after when you realized who I was, you did not judge me at the moment." Nos explained. "I felt something burst in my heart."
"So that's the only reason?" XR asked.
"Well you are handsome, inside and out." Nos added.
XR blushes and frowns. "But you barely know me and you like a guy who won't like you back. Sounds like a twisted story with an unhappy ending."
"I understand and I respect that but that will not deteriorate my feelings. In the end I would be happy with friendship."
XR wanted to understand Nos but he's confusing! "So even in the next years to come if we still keep on seeing each other, you'd still be happy with just being friends? Even if I get married?"
"I have not ever been in such relationship just as I know I will never be in one whether it is just a physical or emotional kind."
"What about having a family?" XR asked trying to understand this guy but he just felt angry.
"That is a distant dream for me, the kind I will not have a chance but my sister told me if I want children from a surrogate, she is willing to do that for me so long as we find a donor. Although adoption is more-"
"I don't understand you!" XR stops him. "Your willing to court me out of nowhere and tell me your happy being friends and already gave up in having romance but with me your not!? How are you still- how- why?! Your like a weird puzzle with no end! And me?! You know I'm a cop! Possibly telling them anything you tell me and you still trust me?! Why like me still?! Why like someone who is bound to get you arrested?!" XR cuts the celery harshly but was stopped by Nos. He looks to him and realized he felt tears coming down on his cheeks.
"Because you accept me for me XR. You accept me as a person and nothing else whether you believe it or not." Nos answers and held his hand from the knife. "Yes I am aware of that part but to me it is nothing if it means helping you. I want to help you and tell you everything but I cannot and it is not because you are a cop. I cannot tell you everything because you are one of the very important people to me and a nice kind of different that makes me happy. I do not wish to lose that if you got hurt by the truth or by me. Some may shock you or worsen your thoughts and I want to prepare you those truths."
XR was surprised and felt for some reason relief.
"If you want answers XR then please do not hesitate to ask but please be patient with me."
XR nodded and continues cutting the celery.
"Do you watch the new sci fi films?" He asked changing the subject.
Nos smiles and nods. "I must be honest I prefer the old films over the new ones."
"Wait you'll watch old fashion sci-fi but not the newer versions?" He couldn't help but grin at the small talk.
"I believe the new movies of the present are tasteless compared to the classic." Nos places the cooked chickens on two plates.
"Ok some are but not all of them." XR places the knife down and crosses his arms. "I'll prove it to you in fact let's make a bet."
Nos turns off the fire and places both hands on his hips. "Then please what will we be betting?"
XR took a moment. "If you like the newer sci-fi, you have to watch every single film I have here. Every single one especially the terrible ones."
Nos rolls his eyes and leans to XR. "What if I win?"
XR was flustered and backs up a bit. "Um…. You pick?"
Nos took it to thought and grins like the Cheshire cat. "I get a kiss."
XR looks to him in shock, turning red.
"I am kidding XR. Perhaps you can buy me dinner next time-"
"Alright."
Nos was stops and looks to the cop.
"It's a deal." XR spoke.
"You do not have to agree XR, I was merely joking."
"It's only fair and it's just a kiss, nothing crazy right?"
"No it is not but-"
"Then it's settled, just let me go and choose the film." XR rushes to his stack of movies in his shelves.
Nos watches XR looking through his collection and couldn't help how despite being a puzzle himself, XR was practically a cubic puzzle. He smiles. 'The kind I keep being amazed.'
"Ok! I found one! Mad max fury road!" XR stated and hurried to play it on his DVD. Nos places a good amount of pasta along the sauce in their plates and takes the plates to the coffee table and places the food there and sat next to him. As they watched the film, XR couldn't help but watch Nos most of the time. At first he was worried Nos didn't like it so he took a glance every few seconds but then his attention on Nos were longer by the second. XR saw the small actions and couldn't help but felt happy the way Nos reacted like a kid and wonders maybe with being his friend could be great. XR ate off his meal and couldn't help how Nos was pretty good at making meals. He imagined he cooks a lot when he was young and couldn't help but like this kind of hangout. XR leans against his couch tiredly, feeling relaxed and tired.
As soon as the movie ended, he looks to see Nos was unamused.
"Guess it wasn't that great, the plot did felt rushed." XR chuckles nervously.
Nos shook his head. "A bet is a bet but are you certain? I can take a favor instead."
XR shook his head. "I'll just close my eyes." he said nervously and closes his eyes. He felt his heart rate was increasing for nothing but he felt like this is his first kiss.
Nos leans forward and presses his lips to XR and places his hands on the seat and headrest. XR felt something in his chest and held onto Nos's shoulders and kisses him back.
'This is way different from a first kiss.' He felt Nos pulls away smiling.
"Thank you XR-"
XR leans forward to kisses him again. He kept the kiss going and even pushes Nos to lay on his back, continuing the kiss and even deepening the kiss. He was moaning into the kiss and it felt so much different than the kisses he had. They kept kissing until they had to pull back for air, panting away. XR was out of breath but he couldn't stops wanting more. He looks down to Nos and couldn't help but felt hypnotize by those reddish brown eyes. He leans down for more but before he could kiss Nos again,
"Wake up."
'Huh?'
XR jolted, feeling his heart speed up and sees Nos was already putting the dishes in the sink. "How long was I out?" He asked nervously and out of breath.
"During half of the film but for some reason you were moaning. Did you had a bad dream?"
"Ummm…. can't say. Usually I moan in my sleep." he couldn't look at him, not without thinking about his dream.
"Congrats on winning the bet by the way. It was not bad as I thought."
XR pauses as Nos smiles and began cleaning the items. As much as he should be glad, he was feeling more confused than before. 'I don't know how to feel about this at all.'
"I must admit there may be hope-!" Nos pauses and looks to his hand and saw he was bleeding from cutting himself with a knife. "Oh dear."
"Are you ok?!" He grabs his hand and saw he cut his palm.
"I just cut my palm by accident." Nos said bluntly. "Nothing serious-"
XR rushes to his room and came back with a small first aid kit. He began cleaning the cut and notices his hand has more scars on the back than on the palm. He wondered were there more scars? What else was Nos hiding?
"Look just because you think your suave and cool doesn't mean you shouldn't care about yourself." He began wrapping his hand carefully with the gauze.
"You think I am cool and suave?" Nos grins. "I am flattered." Nos smiles but he was getting nervous from the way XR kept looking at his hand.
"Look I won't ask you about this for now but please at least ask for help, you're not alone ok?"
Nos hesitated but nodded but was surprised by XR sticking his pinky out.
"You gotta pinky promise me and you can't break that promise."
Nos raises a brow but went along with it and smiled at this childish and sweet promise.
XR rubs the back of his neck. "My brother and I use to do this so that we can't break our promise. Your the only other person I've done this with for a long time."
Nos smiled and couldn't help that he was falling for him despite his feelings will not be returned.
"Since it is getting late, I will be heading out now." Nos was ready to leave when XR stops him.
"You should stay for the night!" XR shouted. "It's late and you're probably tired," He explained feeling nervous by the second. "I- I think I have some of my brother's stuff that should fit you, I'll be back, don't leave!" He rushes into his room.
Nos smiles and knew he had to give him something that is worth so much more than poetry. He looks to his watch for the time and he knew what to give him.
After finding the pajamas, he enters in to see Nos looking at his photos on the wall.
He couldn't help but like this side of Nos. the way-
He shook his head and shoos the other thoughts.
"I found them." He catches Nos off guard and holds them out for him. Nos thanked him and was heading to the bathroom to change.
XR rushes to his room and realized he wasn't thinking straight.
'I'm having a sleepover with a Mafia boss!' He was now in a deep pool. First he's been hanging out with Nos seeing the good side and the bad side of him only to find that he's not bad. He doesn't force him to like him.
'I get letters that doesn't sound romantic but they make me feel happy.' He smiled and took a deep breath. "I'm just tired from being overworked and lack of sleep. It was just a dream, nothing crazy." he finished changing and saw Nos dressed in the sweat pants but in his muscle shirt and saw small scorch marks that were old and wondered were those his father's-
"Those are quite lovely sleepwear you are wearing." Nos grins.
XR looks the other way, denying he was blushing. "I like spaceships alright. And they were the only clean ones I have. I gotta get them wash." XR mumbles that last part away, looking embarrassed.
"They suit you well and I mean it in a compliment." Nos replied as he chuckles. "Thank you for the sweat pants but the shirt was too big for me."
"Well my big brother wasn't exactly thin." XR smiles and opens a cabinet to pull some blankets out and an extra pillow. "He would over work to a point I thought he was gonna be like those muscle guys. I tried it out once but couldn't do it."
"Well I am glad you are not over build, you are suited well."
XR didn't know if that was a compliment or not but couldn't help but smile. "Thank you so what kind of pajamas do you enjoy wearing then?" he walks to the couch and began making it into a futon.
"I enjoy wearing the same sleepwear as you just simple dark colors." Nos answers as but sees the couch was getting stuck.
"That's pretty cool." XR spoke but he was having trouble now.
"I could just sleep on the couch as it is-"
"Here we go!" XR grins but the couch snaps and broke in the middle as springs came bursting out.
"Do you want the bed?" XR asked.
Nos just gave him a stern look.
"I'll take the floor." XR was ready to grab the sleeping bag from his room when Nos stops him. "I am making you go through the trouble and if I need the sleep after tonight, I will just sleep at home."
XR was ready to stop him but Nos pushes him to his room. "Good night XR."
"Let me just get you the sleeping bag!" XR stated as he went ahead to grab the bag from the closet. "So wait what about the mafia?" He asked as he places the sleeping bag down.
"... As if I am there or not." He mumbles away and grabs the bag and sets it up.
XR raised a brow, feeling there was more to what he said but chose to leave it alone.
"G'Night Nos."
"Goodnight XR." Nos replies.
Later at night,
XR couldn't sleep as he couldn't stop thinking about the dream, it felt almost real and for a moment he thought he liked it.
'I'm just overthinking this!' He thought and looked to the clock and decided to sleep and forget it ever happen.
In the morning.
XR woke up to his alarm and to the smell of bacon and eggs. He sat up and couldn't stop blushing about last night and the recent dream. 'I just haven't dated for a while and Nos been giving me the attention I want.' He decided to get up and get dressed, seeing what else is in store for him. After getting dressed, he made his way into the combined kitchen and living room.
"Morning XR." Nos spoke whilst cooking.
"Morning." XR mumbles and couldn't stop watching Nos as he was cooking. "So what's for breakfast?"
"I only made sausage and omelet seeing it was quick to cook."
"Yeah I guess that but why are you cooking?"
Nos shrug, "I simply woke up early and thought I cook for you since you let me stay for the night."
"Next time when we do this again, let me cook."
"So there will be a next time." Nos grins to XR as he places the food on the plates.
"Well it's cheaper than going out. That and no offense since we are hanging out or you take me to a date, it's safer doing this." He grabs one of the plates and settle them on the table.
Even as they ate their breakfast, they continued talking and XR couldn't help but enjoy this a lot. He hasn't had something like this in a long time and couldn't help but want more of this, be it a date or a hangout. When they finished eating and cleaning up, Nos was ready to make his leave and XR ready to walk him out when he was heading to work but only to see Nos opens the fridge and gave him an already made lunch. As they left the building, the young cop waves him off as the said mafia leader drove off and couldn't help but kept on smiling for the lunch.
'Gotta thank him later.' He began to make his way to his job but a part of him couldn't wait for next time to have dinner or breakfast together.
'You know he isn't a bad guy.' He thought. 'Maybe I can get him to leave the mafia.' He thought but remembered what everyone wants.
'Everyone thinks he's the villain.' He frowns and looks to his watch and remembered it was wrong.
'Maybe I should take on Nos's offer-' he stops and feels something in his coat pocket. He pulls it out to see it was a watch but it was a nice one and there with it, a small letter.
"Dear XR,
Thank you for tonight, I hope we can do this again. I know your mother's watch is important but please accept this watch as my way of appreciation to you. This watch is special to me as well so please keep this so that our time is memorable.
-Nos"
XR smiles and despite knowing it was his courting gift, XR was touched by the gift. He places the watch in his right hand and wonders should he put it in a safe spot or keep it with him? He hesitated but chose to keep it on. He noticed the small wear in the holes and realised it was something Nos had for a long time. Seeing he had only 30 minutes, he rushes to the police station with a smile. The second he enters in and got to his desk, he places his lunch in his personal fridge as he began his job.
"Nice change shortstack. Your really early."
XR didn't pay mind and just smiles. "Well, it's a nice change to be early you know?"
"Nice watch by the way."
"Thanks, it's from a friend that's lending it to me."
Warp took a moment and realized the watch. "Must really trust you if he's willing to let you hold it. That's a real one of a kind watch. Made it himself."
XR was surprised. "You know about this watch?"
"Yup, Nos saved up his money for the tools to make his watch and not ever bought any other one. Your pretty lucky XR." Warp walked away leaving a shocked cop. XR looks to his wrist and couldn't help but shake the flustered feelings. 'We're just friends.' He thought as he began his report but couldn't help but keep an eye on the time in his right wrist.