are you going to eat that?

She shook her head when he started apologizing. The last thing she deserved was an apology. Truthfully Kristen blamed herself for their demise. She was the one who ended things. She was the one who detached herself and refused to communicate. She was the one who gave up. “Please dont.” Kristen paused, her eyes glued to her fidgeting hands. “You have no idea how much I miss you.”

It was hard to hear -- though a relief at the same time. She missed him. He wondered about that often -- too often. More often than he cared to admit. But that’s what happened when you were in love with someone -- maybe he’d always be in love with her, maybe he’d carry it around inside forever. He thought that sometimes, that every person you met who had an impact on your life... after they left, they became a little part of you, and vice versa. “Then why can’t we just... be normal? I mean, I’m not... sure what normal is for us anymore, but can’t we try and find a new normal?”

“You know when was the last time I went skinny dipping, Nico?“

“We could get arrested for this.”

@nicotamburello

“Why do you make me sound like such a horrible person? I’m not here to get you back or to ruin whatever you built. I just want to be your friend again, Nico. You were such a huge part of my life and now we don’t barely exchange a few words when we run into each other.”

Nico felt himself cave the moment she started speaking, and he shook his head, immediately regretting all he’d said moments before. “Shit… I’m sorry, Kris, I just…” He took a deep breath, silently counting to ten before he spoke again. “I want to be a better guy for you, one who can be normal with you and just… I’m getting there, but… being normal with you is like… what we were before. And I just, don’t know how to be the new normal. You know? I miss you. Fuck, I miss you so much.”

What A Time - Niall Horan & Julia Michaels

I know we didn’t end it like we’re supposed toAnd now we get a bit tenseI wonder if my mind just leaves out all the bad partsI know we didn’t make senseI admit it that I think about it sometimesEven though I know it’s not so distantOh, no, I still wanna reminisce it

“Okay, whatever. Enjoy your perfect relationship, I shouldn’t have come over here in the first place.”

“When did I ever say it was perfect? I... fuck, Kris, it’s like I start to get my life together and think I can move on and then... here you are, like you have some sort of radar for when I’m finally ready to let you go. And well, I’m the dumbass who falls all over again.”

“She doesn’t understand you like I do.”

@nicotamburello

“Maybe. But she also didn’t leave me, like you did.”

“I beg to differ. See, this—” He waved towards his own face, “This is the pinnacle of human evolution. It doesn’t get any better than that.” Mike let out a small, soft laugh, “It’s fine, man. It’s just a dumb thing I wanted, not that important. If Ellie wanted a kid, she would have told me about it. That dog, though.” He tapped his temple, before pointing at Nico, “That is a damn good idea.” Mike’s guilt was barely a passing thought. It spurred up in his chest, and then vanished, just as quickly as it had surfaced. He shook his head slightly, ran a hand through the back of his hair, “Couple goals, hun?” If his smile weakened in anyway, then Michael didn’t notice it. “That woman is just perfect, that is all. A saint couldn’t live up to it, you think I can?” At the BDSM comment, though, he just shrugged “Hey, I mean, I have said it before, I’ll say it again, you should always try everything at least once.” Mike’s laughter had no ill intention behind it. The small frown that took over his features was the only suggestion of doubt that he manage to display. Mike was stuck not knowing if he shouldn’t have mentioned the girl in the first place, or if the supportive thing to do was let Nico talk about it. “Ripped your heart out of your chest? I mean, holy shit, man. What even happened between the two of you? Do you wanna talk about that, or…? Cause, you know, feel free to tell to shut the fuck up at any point. It’s fine.”

Nico grinned, rolling his eyes at the man. “Sorry, my bad, I’m not wearing my glasses so I definitely can’t see the truth in what you’re saying.” He nodded, glancing over at him. “I’m full of good ideas. Besides, I don’t know, I’ve always thought a home felt more complete with a dog. And hey, I think you’re pretty alright, and Ellie is crazy about you, so you must be doing something right.” No one could ever know what went on behind closed doors, but they’d always put on a good front, at least. “I wasn’t into her enough to try it,” he laughed. “Maybe if I find the one or the best right now then maybe.” He shook his head, for a moment at a loss for words as they walked. “Oh, I mean, look it’s fine, it’s not like it just happened. We just… I don’t know. I guess we just grew apart. Or she finally realised she could do better than me.”

“Please,” Mike scoffed, “A tiny combination of me and Ellie would rule the world. That much athletic ability, intelligence and beauty together would make the universe break apart. We are doing the world a favor at this point,” Mike let out a small laugh, shrugging. “Honestly, I don’t know, man. I’ve always wanted a kid, but—” Emptiness chewed away at his chest. Silence finished the sentence for him. “You have met her though, haven’t you? She is an angel. It wouldn’t be fair to tie her down to me like that. The way we are right now, she gets tired of me, she can ask for a divorce. We can’t unmake a kid if I fuck up.” Mike turned to him, raising an eyebrow, “See, that’s where you sorely mistaken. If you had walked up to those girls, they would have died. You gotta work on that self-confidence.” He nudge his ribs, before chuckling. “What’s up with the, hm,” Mike snapped his finger in the air once, twice. A moment later the memory clicked, “Kristen, right? Pretty, blonde, you were crazy about her. Didn’t you tell me something about her? Or do I have outdated info here?”

“Nope, a tiny Ellie would rule the world. It would be her genes that beat yours to create a genetically perfect little baby,” Nico teased back. “It’s not too late. You don’t have to have your own, you could adopt. Or do what I did and get a dog.” He shrugged. “What makes you think you’re going to fuck up? You and Ellie are... as the kids say couple goals.” He wondered at the other man’s comments, if maybe their picture perfect life wasn’t so picture perfect after all. He didn’t know what went on behind closed doors, he supposed. “Self confidence has gotten me into trouble in the past, Mike,” he pointed out, grinning. “Do you not remember the girl who was into hardcore bdsm?” At the mention of Kristen, he paused, not knowing how to answer. “No, no outdated info. We’re friends. Or trying to be, I guess. It’s kind of hard to be friends with the woman who ripped your heart out of your chest. I don’t know, I’m not sure I’ll ever get over Kristen Hardesty, to be honest. She got me good.”

“Good point,” Mike’s shrug was only a side effect of the small sting of guilt in his chest. He told himself there was nothing wrong in not having thought of her first. It was just a joke anyway. “There’s always the chance I’ll ask her if she thinks I have daddy status and she’ll think I want to have a kid, though. I mean, at this point, is it really worth the risk?” He walked besides Nico down the street towards the bar, his eyes on the other man, “What’s up with your love life, anyway, Nico? Did get the number of any of the pretty young things calling you daddy?”

“You know, I always wondered why the two of you didn’t have kids. You’re basically a tall kid yourself, and Ellie is an angel, why wouldn’t you want more of her in the world?” Nico grinned, making a joke. “Oh wait, but it would also mean more of you and that’s a terrible thing to bestow on us.” He kept pace with Mike, glancing over at him. He’d always been a little -- not jealous, exactly, but seeing what Mike had with his wife... he wondered if, in another life, another time, that could have been him and Kristen. “Basically non existent these days,” he shrugged. “Few hook ups here and there... apparently that’s what Tinder is for, and it’s pretty handy for that. But no one I’d want anything more with.” He laughed, shaking his head. “No, I felt too awkward. I don’t think I was meant to hear the comment.”

“Well, that’s your interpretation. I think foxes are a little weird.” he shook his head, laughing quietly to himself. “If your soulmate can be found in the bar on a weekday, it’s probably going to be a rocky time. I’m sure they’re perfectly nice, but, they say to find someone with less problems than you.” His face dropped a little as he scrummed for an excuse. “She has young kids, wanted to take them on holiday or something. I’m a giving man. I’m so caring, I’m even staying here so I don’t have to come back mid-way through my vacation time to dry your sweet little tears.”

“Weird? Why? Foxes are pretty awesome little creatures. I guess not if you’re a farmer,” Nico mused. “But I’m about to be found in a bar on a weekday, so I hardly think that speaks to someone’s character. As you know, I’m a devastatingly handsome catch.” He furrowed his brows, listening to the other. “You’re too nice for your own good, Arlo. You gotta take care of yourself one of these days, instead of others. And please, I’ll cry tears of happiness that you’re finally out of here.”

“I think we should just stop talking about age, altogether, Nico. Thirty? Fifty? Does it really matter? Neither of us are in our twenties and we’ll stop at that.” He chuckled, “You know, the fact that you felt like you should clarify it, offends me on a new goddamn level. A guy can’t even respect people’s strange kinks nowadays without getting associated with creeps.” Mike shook his head, “I’ll agree with the pretty young thing part though. Let’s go drink something.”

Nico had to give him that – though some years separated them, they were both well past their early twenties, when it was easier to get away with mistakes. “Age is just a number, after all,” he laughed. “Shit, I should quit while I’m ahead. Or behind, really.” He rolled his eyes good naturedly. “Though, maybe Ellie wouldn’t mind bestowing daddy status on you. You’re right, this conversation would go better over a beer.”

“Now, wait a minute, I didn’t say notto dish the deets,” Frederick reached for his beer. “I just don’t want to walk into the station one day and find out you decided to explore other, less private, fetishes.” The blond wrinkled his nose at the other male’s teasing but grinned nonetheless. “Yeah, he’s been stealing microwaves, ovens, and a fridge once.” He took a swig of his drink, wagging a finger haphazardly. “One neighbor stopped him while he was loading a truck and told him his name was Bob Bobbington of Bob’s Plumbing and Appliances. The guy thought nothing of it at the time.”

Nico grinned, raising his eyebrows and feigning surprise. “Oh? You don’t mind hearing all about my debaucherous activities? Be careful what you wish for, Detective.” He laughed softly, wiping his fingers on a napkin. “That’s fairly impressive, stealing a fridge as a one man job?” He reached for his beer, taking a pull from the bottle before continuing. “Sometimes I worry about the future of the human race. Not questioning Bob Bobbington is… a new low.”

“Cute like a fox.” he grinned, giving the other a side glance. “I’m sure you’re absolutely to die for when you get going, just don’t waste it on the kind of women are are usually in here. You can do better than that…probably.” His brow furrowed as the other mentioned taking a break from work. “Uh, I’d love a holiday, man. But, I gave my holiday time to someone else in the office, so.” he shrugged. “Passing out drunk by the lake is the closest I’m getting to a weekend in Ibiza.” he chuckled, “Besides, you’d miss me too much, I couldn’t do that to you.”

“Jokes on you because foxes are cute, so by proxy, you just agreed that I am cute.” Nico pumped his fist triumphantly, though it had taken an extraordinary leap of logic to get to his conclusion. “And what kind of women are in there?” he asked, raising an eyebrow. “It’s not nice to judge, Arlo. They may all be perfectly nice people.” He furrowed his eyebrows. “You gave your vacation time away? Are you a sucker for punishment or something? Why on earth would you do that?” He snorted. “Right, I’d be crying my eyes out until you returned.”