patrick blanco commerford.

Omar: I hoped you would, that's why I posted it. You're sweet. It's no problem Pat.

Omar: Thanks, again. For the other night. It was really special.

PATRICKBLANCO POSTED ON INSTAGRAM:

Ander: Who said we have anything against being used?

Ander: ...God, he's really rubbing off on me, huh?

Ander: Wishful thinking? Hmm.

Ander: Is anyone else in the store?

Ander: ...Of course you did. 🙄

Ander: Patrick and I will be on our best behavior. 🤞

Ander: Damn, guess I have to miss my classes tomorrow. Oh well. 🤷‍♂️

Omar: Don't you? Or is this you, asking to /be/ used, Ander? Take note, Patrick, we can't let him double back on this. You're both incorrigible. I like it.

Omar: If we're being honest, I'm pretty sure we've both rubbed off on you. But, that's just one man's opinion. I said what I said, yes. Wishful thinking.

Omar: No. My parents are out, my father has an early appointment tomorrow in the city, so they're staying with friends tonight, a little closer to the office.

Omar: Your best behavior means nothing, you forget I know you both well.

Omar: /Ander!/ Not even a whole week, you've been back.

Omar: Thank you for this, Patrick. You didn't have to do something so extravagant. But, I'm really looking forward to it.

Patrick: I think there h/ass/ been and will be plenty of rubbing off between the three of us, at least that's what the plan looks like. We'll give Omar some really fun memories to fall back on when he has to work. It sounds like the fates have decided it to be so, who are we to deny them? Vacant store, big windows, sounds like fun.

Patrick: And I promise to be on my worst behavior, you'll thank me later.

Ander: Will you really be able to concentrate with us there, Omar?

Ander: ...Maybe. Don't tell my mom.

Ander: "We"? I thought you were volunteering to do all the cleaning up yourself.

Ander: I'm pretty sure pre-gaming is for sports, not gay sex.

Omar: I was only saying. I'm not trying to use anyone for manual labor. It's my job and I don't mind doing it. But, if you're hellbent on sweeping and mopping, go for it. I'll finish restocking while you do.

Omar: My concentration is going to depend on the two of you, not myself. I have a feeling you'll both be doing whatever is necessary to distract me. Maybe that's just wishful thinking though.

Omar: Too late, already texted her. 🤷‍♂️

Omar: I thought pre-gaming was a drinking thing, unless I'm just way off base. Entirely possible.

Omar: A dream, Patrick?

Patrick: That sounds like a challenge- at least I'm going to take it as one, because I want to. I did offer my help, we'll see how long anyone gets anything done.

Patrick: You've never heard anyone use the term for anything else? Interesting.

Ander: It's not an inconvenience. My calculus homework that I'm trying to avoid is an inconvenience.

Ander: Plus... I kind of want to see Patrick try to use a mop.

Ander: Who said I was talking about a /car/ ride, kid? 😏

Ander: But yeah, actually, carpooling would work.

Omar: While I can't disagree that it would be a sight to see, I don't want to put anyone out. I don't mind, I'll take care of it. You're both always welcome to hang out, though.

Omar: Avoiding homework already, are we?

Omar: Ohhhh, kinky. Starting early, I see.

Patrick: We literally already both said that you're not putting anyone out. We'll help, it'll go faster.

Ander: Who says I haven't eaten?

Ander: Good, I've got a big appetite.

Ander: And I've just decided that I have expensive taste. Since your dad is paying, and all.

Ander: I guess I can meet over there. Do you need a ride, Patrick?

Omar: We don't have to meet here, if it's an inconvenience for you two. I can just meet you at the hotel.

Omar: I guess that's why people shouldn't assume stuff, huh?

Patrick: I want to help if you need it. I'm not totally above manual labor. At least I'm sure I wouldn't be if I tried it.

Ander: Can we get room service? I'm fucking starving.

Omar: Okay, what time? I'm closing tonight.

Omar: Ander, why haven't you eaten then, doof?

Patrick: As much as you want, yeah. It's all on Benjamin's dime so it doesn't bother me any.

Ander wasn’t entirely sure what to expect from Patrick, but when he was given just the kind of joke he was familiar with getting from the other man, he laughed maybe a little harder than he normally would. It was a relief, for sure. Maybe things could go back to normal between them. Or, at least, whatever their version of normal was. He shut the door once Patrick had entered the apartment, shaking his head slowly, albeit fondly at him. “You’re not looking so bad yourself.” After giving Patrick’s shoulder a small tap with his fist, he stepped further inside, walking backwards towards his small kitchen so that he could keep his eyes on the man in front of him. “Just to be fully transparent, I meant that in a gay way.” Since Patrick’s gaydar seemed to be on the fritz when it came to him, Ander decided to help him fill in the blanks - just in case. Some might call it flirting, but Ander preferred to call it- well, no. It was flirting. But he was allowed to do that, right? He was single, and he was pretty sure Patrick was too. Besides, their banter had always been pretty flirty. It was kind of their thing. It didn’t have to mean they were going to hook up. It was simply just the way they communicated. “Come on, let me give you the tour.” He took two steps backwards, and pointed to each of the two doors in the place, one after the other, before pointing across the room to a mattress on the floor. “Bathroom, closet, bed. There. Now you’ve seen it all.” The place was pretty sparsely decorated, other than a few boxes that had yet to be unpacked. “I’ve got a couch and a kitchen table coming next week. We can eat on my bed for now.” 

The feeling was mutual, Patrick didn’t know what to expect from himself either. He hadn’t seen Ander since they cleared the air, and they had admitted that neither of them knew what was appropriate in the situation. They were both single and definitely flirting-- Patrick noticed Ander continuing to flirt with him. He smiled at the compliment, his expression a happy, bright combination before it slipped into a more coy tone. “Is there any other way? I’ll keep that in mind. I happen to like fully transparent.” Again, he looked Ander up and down one full time, making sure his eye movement was obvious and attached to his words; like he was looking at Ander and seeing him wearing transparent clothing. 

The tour was quick and made Patrick laugh, though not from spite. It was a joyful sound, one that read a joke in the way Ander showed him everything so quickly and the fact that there wasn’t much out to look at. “Did someone rob you?” He teased, flicking out his tongue before nodding in Ander’s direction in one swift movement. “It looks like someone took the Marie Kondo experience a bit too seriously.” Now it was Patrick nudging Ander playfully. He stepped closer too, and stayed closer. “Sounds good to me. You know you don’t have to ask me to get into bed twice.” His eyebrows raised. “How have you been? I know you said already-- fuck, fuck, spot of tea, fuck, fuck... but what about you? How have you been?” 

Omar: Talking in a 'gay way'? Should I wear a rainbow scarf and heels?

Omar: I do. Define "take us out". There are a couple of ways that could go.

Ander: If we have to wear heels, count me out.

Ander: I think he's threatening to kill us. That's my guess.

Patrick: You two are ridiculous.

Omar: I'm doing pretty good. Tired, but good. Happy. How are you, Patrick? I think...You might be right about that. Yeah. Ander?

Ander: ...Define "talk".

Patrick: In a gay way, Ander.

CLOSED STARTER FOR: @laspatrickblanco​

It had been a long while since he’d last seen Patrick, and though things hadn’t exactly ended on the best of terms between them, Ander was hoping that they could reconcile any hurt feelings tonight. Patrick was a good guy, and he was a lot of fun, someone that he’d liked spending time with in the past. They’d had a good back and forth when they were together, and maybe there was a chance for something other than just sex between them. Friendship, or… even something more, perhaps. “Hey.” He finally broke the ice once he’d opened the door - only after taking a second to give Patrick a once over. The guy still looked straight out of a magazine. Maybe even hotter than the last time he’d seen him, if that was possible. “Come on in. Pizza should be here any minute. Do you like pepperoni?” 

As he had said via DMs, Patrick had picked up and worked on making his way to Ander’s new place while they chatted. Their conversation had taken a huge turn and the twist had surprised Patrick, he hadn’t even been able to hide it. There was a moment where the usually silver-tongued prince had blanched. Part of him wanted to slow his progress so that he could prolong those DMs, just in case this was his only chance to get Ander to open up to him like this; neither of them were known for opening up, this could end with this text message and he wouldn’t be surprised. But... he wanted to see Ander too. He’d tried to save face by saying that his feelings for the other man had been in the past, but he knew that wasn’t completely true and wasn’t sure if Ander really believed him or not. He got to the other man’s house faster than anticipated and after a quick knock, the other man opened the door with a peep--- which was so perfectly a mirror of how they had met that Patrick couldn’t help but chuckle. The sound was a little surprising even to Patrick, given the heavy mood of the last few days. He winked and stepped inside, looking Ander up and down as he did, not bothering to step too far away from the other man. “You’re glowing, you’ve got a nice little tan. Look at you.” Another tease and a smirk. He couldn’t help the comment that came out next, it was too easy. “I like eating meat-- I can do incredible things with a good sausage too.” His eyebrows bounced to punctuate his joke. They could break the ice without things having to be awkward or weird; they’d seen each other naked, they didn’t have to be awkward.