baby, baby, baby

“I haven’t been to Sea Life in over ten years –but I think ours might be the oldest aquarium in the world, believe it or not.” Aurelio had always been uselessly talented at remembering these sorts of things, it was truly a shame that he couldn’t recall much of anything else. “Well, I’m glad you don’t mind because I’m real bad at keeping my mouth shut.” Absolutely nothing, not even a punch to the face, could possibly stop him from spewing constant garbage. “Don’t worry though, I’ll try to save all of my fish facts for when we visit the aquarium.”

“I’ve never been! I haven’t been to an aquarium since I was a little kid.” Chris loved the aquarium, though, and was certainly happy to go. Fish were one of his favorite animals, even if he just wanted to use them as decorations in his apartment. They were just so pretty, he loved it. “Hey, no worries,” He grinned. “So, when would you like to go? I’m free any time, honestly, I just need to know a little bit beforehand so I can get off from work in the evening.”

“I don’t see why your landlord would dislike it. Those things are expensive, it sounds like you upgraded his apartment.” His parents had kept a salt water fish at some point, it was an expensive hobby but it sure as hell made their house look nice –which made him think of something: “I know that we’ve only just met. But you like fish and I like fish so maybe sometime we can go to the aquarium together? I won’t make any promises but I’ll try not to disturb you with any creepy fish facts while we’re there.” 

“Right? I feel like I’m doing a pretty damn good job fixing the place up, the landlord should be thankful for me being there. The place was pretty drab when I moved in.” Chris knew that he had great taste when it came to decorating - after all, he’d grown up with a parent who had money at his disposal at any given time and he’d certainly learned how to shop for higher end things, which was exactly what he did now despite the fact that it really hurt his bank account sometimes. “Oh! That would be really nice,” He smiled, nodding his head as he spoke. “I love the aquarium, and I wouldn’t mind your fish facts at all - I think that’d make the fish there more interesting, y’know? I’d like that.”

“well, if you ever want for her to meet a couple others then you should bring her over to meet mine! we’ve got two, a big new foundland called trigger and then a little blind mutt called danger.” harrison chuckled, “the mutt is my fiance’s, he was adamant we take the little thing in.” the man laughed some, fingers digging into his pockets as he looked to the other and shrugged, “a lot of people get nervous around him ‘cause of his size, but he’s a proper gentle giant. like, he literally wouldn’t hurt a fly, instead he’d probably chase it and get dizzy and flop over. i swear, the dumbest dog you’ll ever meet, but that’s partly why i love him so much.”

“Trigger and Danger,” He repeated with a nod, a grin spreading across his face. “Well, I’d love for Pumpkin to meet them - so long as they won’t eat her, of course.” Chris laughed softly, shifting a bit to adjust the dog in his arms as he started to get uncomfortable holding her in that position. “I don’t mind big dogs, honestly, it’s just that, you know, I’ve never been around them. Never had a dog growing up or anything like that, and most of my friends have had smaller ones. But I’d love to meet your dog, he sounds really sweet - I love all dogs, like, a lot.”

jon had been skimming through his shoot for the upcoming hot topic shoot – he was looking at the photos that got sent his way and honestly he was pretty impressed with himself. for it to be hot topic, jon actually could see himself wearing a few of the shirts that they had him throw on, probably some of the skinny jeans too if he were honest. always the emo, it was something that couldn’t be changed, just… more modern rather than having himself caked in eyeliner and hairspray. “look at this one.” jon said and held the phone next to his company. “not to brag but doesn’t my ass looks fuckin’ phenomenal in those jeans?”

Chris was being nosy, which was no different than usual, and knew that he recognized this guy from somewhere. Where, exactly, he didn’t know, but the face just seemed familiar. “Looks super emo to me,” He said with a shrug, sidling up next to the other to look at the photo. “But you’re right - it does look pretty fuckin’ great, yeah, can’t disagree with you there.” The photo still didn’t make the bell ring in his mind that would remind him exactly of who this person was, but he wanted to know and didn’t care to ask, either. “You look really familiar... Mind telling me why your face is ringing a bell in my head?”

Well. As long as he didn’t mind. Aurelio supposed there were worse things he could have said. “Yeah. I read it on the internet once, which isn’t exactly the most reputable of sources but I’d like to think that this particular nugget of information is correct.” It made those cute little fishes a lot more interesting, even if they were all just a bunch of degenerates. “Do you keep them in a large fish tank? I like the ones that people set up with corals and whatnot, they’re fun to look at.”

“It sounds like it would be real, I guess. I mean, I know a lotta shit on the internet is bullshit, but that just sounds like it’s right for some reason.” He said with a laugh. Chris smiled softly and shifted a bit, reaching up to push some hair back from his face. “I actually have them in a tank that’s set into the wall - it’s pretty cool. I don’t plan on moving or anything like that so I’m fixing the place up how I want it. The landlord probably won’t like it that much, but it’s okay.”

The slap stung more than anything else and if it weren’t for the fact people were watching, he probably would have hit him back. The problem? He knew his own strength and he had enough self control to know better than to raise his hand to someone else. His father wasn’t here. He wouldn’t save him if the cops got called and the last thing he needed was a battery charge – though he guessed they would both gain one. “If you hit me again, we’re going to have a problem.” He was a very patient person, but his need for control was making his rational thinking slip into oblivion. “You wanted me. That is an attachment.” His fist was balled at his side, trying to keep control over his temper. “I was allowed to leave. That’s the joys of being a bloody adult.”

He was tempted to do it again. A part of him was even tempted to throw a punch. But it was obvious just by looking at the two of them that Grayson was much stronger and could probably beat the shit out of him if he wanted to. He also knew that the other wouldn’t hit him back, though - after all, Chris could put on a good show and act more hurt than he actually was. He’d learned to act and manipulate at a young age, and didn’t care to pull that card now if it became necessary. “You know I want to,” He almost did, too, but decided against it out of fear of being hurt - even though he wanted to fight, he didn’t want to deal with the outcome. “But I won’t, unfortunately.” Okay, that was a lie, he might decide to hit him again, it just depended on what came out of Grayson’s mouth. “Oh, fuck you, wanting you is not an attachment. It’s not like I was trying to tie you down, I just wanted a little bit of commitment, Grayson, I didn’t want to have to share - but I would have, if it would’ve made you happy. You could have just talked to me instead of leaving like a fucking coward.”

“You don’t own the place, asshole. You’re just lost in your own mind where you think you own EVERYTHING like every other time.” He could deal with being yelled at in public because face it, this wasn’t the first person to yell at him here. He couldn’t deal with the people staring, though. Sometimes he got lucky and no one was around. He wasn’t that lucky this time. “I told you I don’t do attachments. Or seriousness.” He had been there to fuck. When it got serious, he dipped. It wasn’t something he hadn’t been open about when it started. 

“I may as well own everything, so shut the fuck up.” Chris didn’t mind the staring, nor did he mind being the center of attention, so he wasn’t going to be slowed down by those who were staring now. Without thinking twice about it, the blonde raised his hand and slapped Grayson across the face, both to shut him up and to relieve some of his own anger and stress over the situation. It probably wouldn’t hurt him, considering how little strength Chris had, but it was the principle that mattered. “I didn’t want attachments! I just wanted you and that was it! Jesus H. Christ, I just wanted to be close to you and keep things simple, it wasn’t like I wanted to marry you or some shit like that.”

as the little pooch came running up to him, harrison couldn’t help but to bend down and ruffle the dog’s fur with his hands, chuckling at how excitable the little thing was. when the pup’s owner approached, the man glanced up with a wide grin, “no need to apologise,” he said, “i think she can probably smell my dogs.” harrison turned to the dog, cooing at her, “can you smell trigs and danger, huh?” eventually, he managed to prise himself away, “my boy trigger is a nightmare but unlike this little one, he’s about this big,” harrison raised his hand level with his hip, “so a little bit more intimidatin’ when he starts jumpin’ on a stranger!”

“She isn’t used to other dogs, that’s probably it,” He said with a laugh, rubbing Pumpkin’s side once he got her situated in his arms. “Never been around another dog in her life, other than her siblings, of course.” Chris wished that she wouldn’t get so jealous because he’d send her to doggy daycare to make friends, but she definitely wouldn’t like that - she wanted all of the attention on her. He didn’t mind it, though, and was willing to give her all of the attention she wanted and needed. “Holy shit - I’ve never even been around a dog that big,” He said with a laugh, rocking Pumpkin in his arms slowly as he spoke. I’d love to get Pumpkin to make some friends - she’s never really been around other dogs or anything like that.”

“Oh. Clown fish are cute too.” Aurelio liked those too, but he couldn’t picture himself owning any. Responsibility wasn’t one of his strongest suits,  and things that weren’t noisy were easy to forget. Though he admired people who were able to take care of so many different animals. “When a clown fish mother dies, the father will change sex and mate with its children. But I guess fish incest would have made for a strange kids movie.” What an odd thing to say to a stranger. “I’m sorry. That was creepy. I shouldn’t have said that…”

“They’re pretty cute, but they’re just kinda for decoration.” Chris fed them and took care of them, of course, but he just wanted them for the aesthetic and to make his apartment look prettier. He supposed he loved them, though, just not as much as he loved Pumpkin. “That’s crazy, fish incest,” He said with a laugh, shoulders lifting in a shrug. “It’s okay, no need to be sorry. That’s actually really interesting, I didn’t know that stuff.”

Dash realized he probably needed to turn it down a notch or two so his reply was a little softer and he moved back some. “It is, it’s really fun. I’m a dancer there, and everyone gets really excited about the foam parties and the glow in the dark parties most. Actually, we could use someone as pretty as you working there, but I’m sure you’ve already got a job,” he grinned. “It would be fantastic if you could grace us all with your presence though, even if for a little bit!”

“Where do you work?” Chris didn’t have his glasses, nor had he thought to put his contacts in, so he was having a hard time actually reading the paper. It looked nice, though, even if he couldn’t see what it said without squinting and looking like an idiot. “Sorry, I didn’t put my contacts in this morning,” And he regretted it, but it was a bit too late for that now. “I do have a job, yeah, but I could use another one. Never too much money.” Not only that, but he was still trying to get on his feet. He’d been working nonstop for the last three months, but he could still use some extra cash. “I’ll see what I can do,” He said finally, flashing the other a grin. “I love a good party.”

In the few minutes he’d spent with Pumpkin, Aurelio felt he could scarcely control his enthusiasm. He was a child on Christmas morning all over again, eyes wide and shining with excitement. Only he’d eventually be forced to part ways, a fact that he was trying desperately to ignore as he carried on with the conversation. “Chris. Chris. Chris,” he repeated the name, committing it to memory as he petted the small dog. “Pleased to meet you as well –do you have any other four-legged children or just the one?”

The blonde grinned widely as he listened to the other speak, repeating his name, something that he always enjoyed - it just usually wasn’t in this type of setting. But it was nice, and he liked it, and this boy seemed nice enough so he was happy to just stand here and let him hold Pumpkin. “Oh, no, just Pumpkin - though I do have some fishes, little ones that kinda look like Nemo. They’re pretty cute, but definitely not as cool as Pumpkin, honestly. She’s like a daughter to me - the fishies are just there to look cool, mostly.”

That was a good question. How long had he been here? It had been a while, but he was pretty good at disappearing when he needed to. That smirk never left his face, even though he knew this was going to be a disaster. “Calm down there, Walmart. Roll back the attitude.” He had been born in England, after all. His stay in Canada had only been temporary and now that his dad was trying to do shit, it was better for Grayson to remain out of the spotlight. “I live here — LIVED – whatever.” Chris had been one of the few people Grayson showered with gifts and disappeared the moment it seemed to be getting serious. He wasn’t into that. He didn’t need serious. He just wanted to fuck around with no attachments. “And until you decide you own the place, I don’t have to tell you why I’m here.”

Chris couldn’t remember how long it had been since he’d last seen Grayson, but it hadn’t been long enough for him to forget about the man. He wanted to slap the other, that’s all he wanted to do right now, but the last thing he needed was a lot of attention on them from people who might call the cops. “Shut the fuck up.” He said with a huff, eyes rolling as he spoke. He hated when Gray copped an attitude with him, even though he often did the exact same thing. “I do own the place, so I’d like an explanation, you fuck,” His tone had gotten sharper, getting snippier now than he had been moments ago. “I’d also like an explanation as to why you fucking left me.”

Chris had been out with Pumpkin, the small dog tucked under his arm as he walked down the sidewalk. He’d been going to get some coffee, maybe a bite to eat depending on how his stomach felt, but then he saw Grayson. Since when the fuck was he here? It wasn’t like he’d left his apartment much in the last three months since he’d moved here, but he was still shocked to see the man. “What the fuck,” He said as he approached the other, Pumpkin growling a bit as they got closer. “Since when the fuck are you here, you absolute asshole?”

“Depends. Sometimes I do, sometimes I don’t. Find out for yourself.”

“Don’t see yourself out! Just talk to me, yeah? I agree that I’m pretty, so we already have that in common! It isn’t dumb at all. I’m just not… Good at this kind of thing, honestly, but come and talk to me. I’m still testing the waters around here.”

“Not really, honestly. Just Bradley Cooper, that man could kill me and I’d thank him.”