THE STUDIOUS

“Good! Nah, you’ll be fine. I can promise you that much.” She said, a chuckle following her words. “Yeah, they want to change up some of the drinks on the menu.” She explained.

“Assuring, I suppose.” Silas responded.  “Makes sense, I guess people are always attracted to new drinks.  Wanting something different, personally I prefer the classics.  Anyway, I have been rude.  My name is Silas and you are?”  He asked.

“I love it! Granted, I got a little less room here than I used to but I’m not complaining. I don’t need a lot of space anyways and if I ever do, I can just go for a walk or go over at Ian’s – his apartment is a lot more spacious,” Ethan told his brother with a smile. “I love that it’s a quiet street though and I think the buildings here are beautiful. It takes a five minute walk to the gym and to any important destination really so I’m pretty thrilled about that,” he rambled before letting out a laugh. “You really didn’t have to, Silas! But thank you so much. I pretty much drink any wine though. Reds or whites, doesn’t matter,” he told him with an amused grin, letting the other male inside.

He looked over at his brother, smiling to himself when he noticed the way he was taking in his new place. “Oh, I’m great! So is Ian but I think we’ve both been a little stressed out these days. There’s a lot of changes happening and it’s like neither of us really gets to catch a break. Me more than him though,” he said with a sigh but figured they could catch up in peace once they’d settled down. “Get comfortable by the way! I prepared some snacks in case you’re hungry,” Ethan informed Silas, nodding over to his coffee table by the couch where he’d stacked up a cheese plate, some fruit and bread along with a few other things to make sure Silas would find something he’d like. He poured them each a glass of red wine before joining his brother, sitting down before draping his leg over the other comfortably. “I think I’m finally getting closer and closer to opening my salon,” Ethan told him excitedly.

“As long as you love it that is all that matters,” he chuckled.  “You make an excellent point there.  I do not believe I have actually seen his apartment, but I can imagine.” Silas kept a soft smile hearing how his brother was enjoying his new apartment and the neighborhood.  It was an exciting time for the sibling and he was thrilled for him.  “I know, but you know how I fixate on something and before I know it thirty minutes have gone by.”

It came to no surprise hearing Ethan and his lover were rather busy, one of many reasons why it took such a long time for the two of them to finally have an evening to catch up.  “Changes can be good or so I have been told.”  With that said, Silas sat down and squirmed a little until he found the proper position for his comfort before he took a piece of fruit.  Handed a glass of wine from his brother, he looked up towards him and his blue eyes widen. “What?  That is wonderful news!  When do you think you will actually get to open it?”  He asked setting the glass down from his excitement.

Malik: I like that about you.

Malik: You have a Netlfix addition?

Silas: Thanks.

Ethan had never liked not staying in contact with his siblings. It just wasn’t him and he’d never made a habit out of not seeing them for longer than a week when they were busy so despite some texts and attempts of meeting up, it just hadn’t happened due to Silas’s and his own schedules clashing too much but finally, they’d made it happen. The older male had been excited all week and made sure to get his apartment in order to welcome his brother into it and show him his new place – it was definitely a change from his old apartment in Tribeca but not in a bad way at all. Ethan loved his new neighborhood.

Having known Silas all his life, Ethan was aware of his brother’s habits and made sure to have everything ready early so when Silas showed up, Ethan was already awaiting him. He was quick to answer the door when he heard a familiar knock and pulled it open with a wide beam. “You know I love a good red! Come on in,” Ethan told him excitedly, stepping aside to let Silas in before he’d greet him properly.

Everyone who knew Silas, knew how predictable he would be by showing up earlier than the arrange time. When his brother opened the door, he greeted the older male with a smile and stepped inside the new apartment.  “How do you like the new place thus far?”  He asked curiously.  “Glad to hear, because I think I stood in the wine aisle longer than I should have debating on white, red or rose.  But eventually settled with red, it truly was an ordeal.”  He teased.

Setting the bottle down in the kitchen, Silas’s eyes scanned the new area as he tried to relax in the new atmosphere of the place.  “How are you? How is Ian?”  He asked as his blue eyes shifted towards his brother.  “Sorry I have been absent,” he softly said.  It was unlike any of them to go this long without communication, but with things gnawing away at him; Silas withdrew from his family and kept to himself for the last few months.  “Catch me up on your life.  After you fix me a glass though,” he smiled.

Malik: Yes, but not many care about student-professor interaction

Malik: I haven't heard of the latter, but I already finished Stranger Things 2.

Silas: I suppose not, I just want to reach my students.

Malik: You are a serious professor.

Malik: Anything good I should put on my list?

Silas: Are not most people serious about their professions?

Radio silence spread through the family the last few months.  Something uncanny when it came to the Monroe family, the last sibling Silas spoke to in person was his baby sister and that had been some time ago.  Maybe life got in the way or Silas found himself lost in the Big Apple and rather lonely since his departure from the South.  Whatever the reason, it needed to come to an end.  Contacting Ethan earlier that week, the two managed to arrange their schedules to meet Ethan’s place.  It would be a nice change of scenery for Silas to say the least given all he has seen is the bar and his apartment most evenings.

Per usual, Silas showed up at the agreed upon time fifteen minutes early and with a bottle of wine for his host.  Outside the apartment door, he inhaled deeply and knocked and smiled as the door began to open.  “I hope you like red,” he stated about the bottle in his hand.

Malik: How long? When I was in school, our longest were 3 hours.

Malik: I'm well, but bored. I'm on my bed with my hang in a bag of chips.

Silas: Only an hour and half, but it was difficult to engage the majority of the students so it felt longer.

“Dang it, is it?” She sighed softly. Though when he mentioned he liked whiskey and coke, she got an idea. “I’ll just mix up another new drink which I think you might like then.. Are you up for that?” 

A smile formed as he nodded, “sure I do not mind being your guinea pig tonight. Just make sure I do not sick off of anything.  So are you creating new drinks for a reason?”

Malik: Hey, how are you?

Silas: Tired, had a long lecture today.

Silas: What?