TOO SWEET;

He waited until Demetrius was done with his drink, silently licking his own wounds, silently beating himself up for every single thought crossing his mind at that moment.

"Can we get out of here?" Finally, Zian spoke up. The music playing in the background had been keeping them company, nursing their silence like a loyal companion. "I really wouldn't like to have this conversation in a bar." Because if Zian was going to be honest about his inner demons and his reasons for bolting out of Demetrius place after having had such a great time in the other's company, he would much rather do it without having to scream from over the music. "We can go wherever you'd like." / @lcvelctters

he unlocked his front door, keys making their way to the bowl next to the door that his wife had placed there before she'd passed. a smile managed to take over his face at the sound of his daughter running toward him. "elena, my girl," he spoke and bent down to lift the little girl into his arms so that he could give her a proper hug. "i missed you today," he paused, his eyes flickering toward his daughter's nanny as he shook his head to reassure her. "that's alright. we know my schedule is pretty unpredictable." slowly, he shifted toward the dinning room to join them. "come iris, call me alejandro. mr. hernandez makes me feel old."

While they were at it, Iris took the opportunity to place the scorching hot lasagna on the table and the cut a small piece for Elena. She also added more ground meat to the toddler's plate, as well as the vegetables she'd made for her, so, by the time the duo returned to the dining area, both Elena's and Alejandro's dishes were ready. "Riri, can I have some juice, please?" The little girl asked as she climbed up on her chair and Iris smiled at her. "Of course you can, mi amor." The nanny gently brushed Elena's hair away from her forehead and then planted a kiss on the crown of her head. "Would you like some juice too, Mr—Alejandro?"

"Aw, so we're in the mood for more?" Because they didn't do that. They didn't sleep over. It was sex and then, bye bye, they would go on their separate ways. But sleeping in changed things, didn't it? Sleeping in meant being vulnerable in someone else's presence... and fuck, this was terrifying. That's why Aysel tried passing it off as something as small as him wanting to fuck her more times throughout the night. "I thought your kids would be here in the morning, though?" She asked, turning off the water and then grabbing the towel she'd previously used, to wrap around her body. There wasn't a hint of hesitation in her voice. More like... confusion as she leaned against the bathroom all, matching his stance by the door.

Just sex was simple. Sex, and then you sleep over and there might be a possibility that my children will be around in the morning so we'd have some explanations to give? Well... that was a whole another circus.

But, truth was... Aysel could deal with being treated like a sex toy. She treated others the same, too. It was a simple transaction. But the second people wanted more of her... that was the complicated part.

Oh, shit... this definitely sounded deeper than some friends with benefits type of deal, which, initially was what she had thought this all out be. "Wait... do you have feelings for this person?" She asked more for clarification than anything else. Had this been immediately after Nina's passing, Taylor would have been more worried about it, but, it had been two years already and in all honesty, she was happy that her best friend was finally moving on. Even if he and this person didn't end up spending a lifetime together, at least it was healthy for him to put himself out there again.

Then, at the reveal of who he'd been spending his nights with, Taylor's face lit up with pure surprise. "Holy shit! You're fucking my high school crush?" But then again, it was easier to think about who didn't have a crush on the girl who wore barely proper clothes to school, who flirted with anyone under the sun, and who had a flare for the dramatics, that with her father... was it her father? Being a well-known criminal in town? "Shut the fuck up!" The brunette smacked his arm, both happy and surprised by the information that had been shared. "You're doing what so many of us have always dreamed of doing... I didn't know she was back in town until Lils told me she was working for her." So, no. He didn't know the woman, but she had definitely heard of her. "But wow... wow... you're fucking the school's hottie. How does that feel? Does it tickles your pickle in a different way?" / @lcvelctters

as she asked whether or not he had feelings for her, he took in a deep breath. all this ever was supposed to be was sex but that wasn't what it was to dominic. aysel was the first person he'd been with since losing his wife and he couldn't help but feel something for her. she was so different from what he was used to and falling for her hadn't been in the plans but everything happened for a reason. slowly nodding his head, he smiled to himself. "yeah, i have feelings for her. i really care about her..."

chuckling at her reaction to his confession, he shook his head at the other in front of him. "she was so...i don't know, not someone i looked at back in high school. i was so focused on nina but things are different now and i have to say that being with her makes me feel something that i've only ever with nina. it's...crazy how time changes things." he missed his wife. of course he did but he'd given it a decent amount of time before he decided to even look at someone in a light to show them, he was potentially interested. he knew that rain would understand out of everyone. aysel was special to him. that's all there was to it.

he thought about the other's offer and found himself nodding in response to the other's words. that was the least he could do, right? buy him a drink after he left with little to no explanation. he wondered if he should even bring it up but before he could stop himself, the words fell from his lips without another thought.

"so, did you leave in a hurry because you had someone to get home to or?" demetrius asked, eyes on zian. he wanted to know what had happened, especially since things had been so electric between the two of them. he honest thought that something would happen with them after that night and even though the other was here in front of him, he still wasn't sure what this was going to be.

And Zian wasn't even religious.

It took the young professor a bit of time to actually answer Demetrius' question. His fingers dug into his hair, making the dark strands move up back, then fall back over his face as he let out a sigh. "No, there's no one waiting for me at home." It was a plausible question. You have a good night, a great lay, pleasure is everywhere, and then all of a sudden, one of you sneaks you in the middle of the night? Yeah, one could assume that's what happened. "I'm just..." Again, another sigh. Zian lowered his shaky hands to wipe his palms on his pants and kept them there for a moment, watching as the bartender placed Demetrius' drink in front of him. "There's just a lot going on right now. It was uh... a low for me. It had nothing to do with you. You were great, actually. Really great." / @lcvelctters

as he mentioned that he didn't really eat either, she tilted her head to one side. "would you eat them if i made them for you?" she didn't want to be the only one enjoying breakfast, not that she'd force him to eat either of them. She'd make his eggs for him if that's what he preferred. at the end of the day, all she really wanted was time with him, even if the two had yet to make things official and she still wasn't sure that they would at all. "i'm sure i could manage to find something that'll work." as far as his sister went, their sizes wouldn't be too far off. not that she knew for sure but she believed what sam said.

she sat in the comfortable silence as the two enjoyed their breakfast together and she paused to sip at her coffee. that was, until the other spoke. carissa's eyes met his, a smile tugging at the corner of her lips. "i would," she started, "i mean, i've kind of been hoping that things would turn into something a bit more serious." she confessed, her hand reached over and took his, squeezing slightly. "so, i say let's do it. let's see where it goes." she cooed and leaned over to place a sweet kiss on his cheek.

Some breakfast bites and coffee sips later, Carissa answered his question and God... her laugh was intoxicating. It sent shivers down Seung Hoon's spine and it brought a smile to his lips as she reached over to take his hand. "I could listen to that laugh the entire night." He let out, mostly to himself, but he didn't read much into it as his tone was loud enough for her to hear him. "Okay. Let's see where this goes, then." Sam replied as his free hand moved up to rest in the back of her neck when Carissa leaned in to kiss his cheek, and then, while keeping her in place, Sam stole a peck from his lips. "Does that mean you're coming with me on the next family lunch?" / @lcvelctters

angel was pretty used to serving people, especially those on dates and so, he didn't pay any mind to the male couple sitting in front of him at the bar as he poured them drinks and everyone else that approached. it wasn't too busy, which was typical for a monday night but even so, he always managed to bring home a decent amount of tips. he assumed that was because he was good at what he did.

eventually, one half of the pair was sitting alone. he assumed, and maybe he shouldn't have, that they were together because they came in together but the longer the stranger sat on their own, the more he began to put the pieces together on what it was that was happening. "ready for a refill or did you want to wait for your other half?" he asked, trying to get some information out of him without seeming too nosey. after all, what they were was none of his business but they seemed nice enough and he was beginning to think he'd been ditched for the night. "you two been together long?" he was used to making small talk. he just hoped that he could distract him enough from what seemed to be happening.

Five minutes became ten, then fifteen, then twenty... and when the guy didn't come back, Kiran tried calling him, only to find out they'd been blocked.

Great.

See? No one seemed to come close to how great his boss was, which was so sad, because not in a million years would Hyun Woo give someone like Kiran a chance. The guy was straighter than a lamp post. Disappointed and heartbroken, Kiran sat there, his head resting on his cheek while they went through their phone and Grindr profile. That was... until someone spoke and brought them out of their trance.

"Hm?" It took them an extra heartbeat to realize the bartender was talking about their so-called date, and so, Kiran shook his head. "I just got dumped, so, yeah, I'm ready for a refill, mate." Their thick accent coating their words as they tried not to sound bitter nor sad. "And no, actually. Tonight was our first date, but apparently, being corrected for misgendering someone is a dealbreaker for that guy." Kiran shrugged, rubbing one hand over their face, exhausted. "I've seen you mixing up some cocktails here and there. What would you make for someone who's just been dumped?" / @lcvelctters

PHOEBE TONKIN.

she got comfortable at the table after pulling away from him and smiled slightly, "tomorrow? i like that. are you more of a french toast kind of guy or do you prefer pancakes?" she was good at both and wanted nothing more than to treat him to something he enjoyed. she assumed that all this meant she'd be spending the rest of the weekend with him. at least, that's what she was hoping for. "that's exactly what it means. i wasn't prepared for a sleepover so i guess i'll be lounging in your t shirts the rest of the weekend."

At her question, he had to pause a little. Sam didn't really have either for breakfast, but, since they were going to take a walk with Nabi later, they could stop by the groceries to buy whatever they'd need for tomorrow's breakfast. "Actually, I'm more of a toast and scrambled eggs kind of guy, but the real question here is are you more of a french toast or a pancakes kind of person?" He ought to know if he was planning on repeating this over and over again. "My sister Sieun often leaves some clothes in her room, so I might check for pants that would fit you. As for my shirts... They kind of look better on you. Have you seen yourself?" At the end of his question, Sam let out a little teasing whistle, offering her a little smirk.

One, two, some bites later, he found himself wondering something about Carissa. Something they hadn't talked about on their date. Something Sam really wanted to bring up. "Jokes aside... is this—" He began, motioning his finger between himself and her and continued, "—something you'd like to continue in a more exclusive setting? I mean, we've been doing this casual thing for a while now and, well... last night's date put some things in perspective for me. First, I didn't know you were actually open for dating, but... since I was wrong, what do you say?" Pause. "Would you like us to keep seeing each other more exclusively and see where it goes?" / @lcvelctters