Reuben Alexander

“So this is probably the first time I have sunbathed on the beach in... well years.” He mused, though a book was still in his hands but at least he wasn’t in the coffee shop. “So thank you for the invite.”

“I know. I’m rather lucky you only seem to have nice things to say about me, huh?” Dallas couldn’t help but chuckle.

“So it would seem.” Reuben admitted. “But you’ve never really given me a reason to say anything else.”

“Just because you like me Reuben, doesn’t mean everybody does,” Dallas felt the need to point out with amusement in his tone. “But thank you for the kind words nonetheless,” he added with a gentle bow of his head.

“Lies.” He stated with a little chuckle despite himself. “You’re welcome. I just... speak it as I find it. At least most of the time anyway.” 

Lily wouldn’t be able to deny that this was what she liked doing, helping someone create ideas from nothing. “Sounds good! You can even dress down a suit and tie so it can work with a lot of things. How do you feel about pinstripe? I’m thinking maybe… dark blue with a bit lighter blue stripe, just something to break it all up a little.” 

“I could go for pinstripe... You don’t think it will make me look like too much of someone from the mafia or something though?” He said with a slight laugh. Perhaps he’d spent too much time on trying to catch up on some of the things he’d missed when he’d shut himself away.

“I completely get you,” She responded, starting to wave her hands as she spoke to express herself more. “How fancy were you thinking? On a scale of one to ten, ten being a suit and tie look,” 

He was glad she did because Reuben had no idea how else to explain everything. “And how fancy? I guess a suit and tie... that kind of style would be nice.”

“Well that’s a relief isn’t it? Imagine if I loved spending time with you but you couldn’t stand me? That’d be a nightmare,” he mused with a chuckle.

“Somehow I think it is highly unlikely that there is anyone who doesn’t enjoy spend time with you.” Reuben answered simply. The only times he had turned him down was when he was genuinely busy or that down. It was rare though. There had always been something about the boy.

“Something like that,” he chuckled back. Dallas opened his own beverage as he listened to the other, a smile unmoving from his features, “Yes but you’re one of those people and I’ve chosen to spend today with you. Is that really so hard for you to believe?”

“Well then I am very touched and honoured that you want to spend time with me. I know I always enjoy spending time with you Dallas.”

“I’m going to be dragging you outside all the time now,” Dallas teased, taking out two drinks from the cooler he had brought and handing one to Reuben. “Aw c’mon Reuben, you can’t say you’re not enjoying it though. Look how nice it is today, it’d be a shame to waste it indoors.”

“What? Making up for lost time or something?” Reuben chuckled softly and shook his head. “I didn’t say I wasn’t enjoying it. Just that there are other people you could be spending today with.”

“So you see me out in the sun once and you decide I need a day at the beach?” Reuben couldn’t help but tease as they began to lay their things out. “I’m sure you could have found someone better than me to bring with you. A date or something.”

“C’mon Rube, when else would I go?” He asked. As much as Gray hated to admit it, but that was really the only reason he’d venture to the shop at the best of times. 

“You could have faith that my employee’s are good at their jobs and still come along.” Reuben couldn’t help but chuckle a little though. “You know, people were forever telling me I need to get out but you’re just as bad.”

“Working on yourself? That sounds like a big deal,” he commented. “I’m proud of you– it takes a lot of guts to be able admit that something you’re doing needs working on and then taking the initiative to go through with it? Even more guts. Good on you,” Dallas added supportively. He didn’t know just what Reuben was talking about, but he didn’t need to. Everyone was fighting their own battles and he just wanted his friend to be okay. “That’s the first step.”

“I wasn’t a very good person.” Reuben explained with a shrug of his shoulders. “And I’d been avoiding that fact which was cowardly of me.” He had hurt a lot of people doing that but he’d probably hurt himself most of all. He’d been the one who had to live with it for years. “You always see the good in people Dallas. That’s a lovely trait to have.”

“I’m glad to hear it,” he said when Reuben admitted he was doing better. And Levi meant it. He didn’t wish ill on the man no matter what had happened between them. “Well the fresh air will certainly do you good,” Levi added with a light chuckle. When invited to sit with Reuben he took a moment before deciding to take the free space. “They’ve been alright I guess. Had to be there for my friends for some things but other than that it’s not too bad. Haven’t lost my job if that’s what you’re asking.”

“I nearly gave one of my employee’s a heart attack when I said I was going out for sun. I don’t think they have ever heard me say that before.” He admitted with a light grin. “I hope that whatever your friends have been going through is resolving itself. And... well I suppose that was part of it too...” Though he wouldn’t have quite put it as bluntly as Levi had. Still, he deserved it.

Gray let out a chuckle at what little pink escaped onto Reuben’s cheeks. “Then I might take you up on it at a later date, prevent me from getting sick of the taste of my coffee at least,” he said.

“Well... you’re pretty good at knowing what you want. You have good coffee at your place.” Of course it wasn’t a coffee shop but Gray could be picky. “But I mean, I can make you one though if I’m there when you are round.”

“Is that an open invitation Rue?” Gray asked with a little bit of a joking smirk. It felt natural teasing him about something he set up, too easy, he was almost suspicious. But then again, Gray supposed you date someone for long enough, even if you fall out with them, you still have a rhythm with them. 

Reuben could feel his face heat a little at that. He’d not been teased like that in a while and it was a little as though he’d forgotten what it felt like. Almost anyway. “I mean... it’s an open shop so if you wanted to go the option is there. It’s just a suggestion.” 

“Well, you better put on some sunscreen before you get burnt.”

A little smile drifted over Reuben’s features. “I’ll make sure to do that. It’s kind of you to be concerned.”

Alexandria paused at his words, her eyes burrowing slightly as she registered the words. Tired from the backend of a nightshift Alex genuinely thought she was speaking to herself about her plan of attack to survive the rest of the night. “Oh, I didn’t… realise.” Alex muttered to herself, walking closer to the counter to pick up the coffee, “I’m sorry, what do I owe you?” 

Reuben smiled a little and chuckled, setting the coffee down. “Just sit, drink and relax. If you want your bill I can bring that over if you like but there’s no rush on it from my side.” He assured the woman.