solitudes

open w/ Mateo

Mateo's job had him attending to visitors and their needs day in and out. With his dashing smile and charm workdays passed by with ease. He let people's more difficult questions and valid concerns slide. Joking them off or flirting some to put them at ease. Work was for sure work. So on his day off the Puerto Rican man found his way to Unfinished's black sand beach. On the perfect day it seemed. Not too sunny not too cloudy.

He'd expected some really stunning views. Inspiring in ways that make his fingers tingle with a need to sew.

What he hadn't expected was a very tall, very handsome man lounging on the near empty beach. A sight that actually takes Malik's breath away. He feels like he wants to talk to him but he's bad at conversation with strangers. But his feet move forward so he has to say something or else look even worse. He looks around desperately for inspiration until finally it lands on the shirt next to the man.

"Excuse me, can I ask where you got that shirt? It looks really cool."

It was all so cute to the waiter.

And it made his regular shifts more fun. Almost as fun as buffet nights when he could clear a whole tray of king tuna and salmon roe rolls all one his own during a 10 minute break.

" I don't work the every other Tuesday. And i do early afternoons Saturday and Sunday." He willing bestowed this information upon Lucas. Sensing a feeling as if he was coming off a bit cruel to the other. Even if he felt playful and lighthearted with his approach.

@solsolsolitude

"Want a second to look things over?" His nose scrunched up some and his slightly freckled cheeks went rosy. He was feeling a bit embarrassed himself it seemed. Because they were so familiar. He had to make this moment pass...

He takes the menu, but barely glances at it. He'll probably get his usual sesame noodles and steamed dumplings, though since Percy is here, he'll add a couple of sushi rolls just so the man has more excuses to talk with him.

He pats his hair. "Uh, sorta. Just needed a trim. I don't like it getting too long."

He'd also given himself a spritz of cologne before walking it, trying to add more of an impression because of what he's hoping to ask Percy tonight. After his food because he doesn't think he could handle the man rejecting him then having to keep working or pass him off to another server because of it.

"But we can stick around here, if it makes you more comfortable. Been a while since I've heard from you, you know. Not trying to hide from me are you?" Richard teases, taking a swig from his drink.

Maybe it has been a while since Lucas hung with Richard. Not on purpose. Lucas just wanted a change of scenery more lately. Not that he can get much with Unfinished but still.

"Promise, I'm not trying to hide from you. Just was wanting more than Billion's had to offer. Course, that meant less of you but obviously I couldn't stay away for long."

He separates themselves with a proud grin and a thin strand of saliva wiped off across the back of the mechanic's hand. Aiden sits himself back in his spot on the floor before looking around for the bathroom entrances. Once he found them, Aiden turned to face Lucas again and moves his head in their general before getting off from the floor to meet him there.

Lucas takes a moment as Aiden walks to the bathrooms to catch his breath and wake himself up a bit. Sure, he'd wanted to get a little drunk, but he really prefers not to be super drunk if he's getting sex. What's the point of having sex if you can't remember the good stuff?

He gets up and heads into the bathroom. Aiden's there, leaning against a sink and looking absolutely sinful in the low lighting.

"Fuck," Lucas mutters before stepping up and pulling Aiden in for a frantic needy kiss.

"But I guess you're cool." Paolo watched the other as Malik dug through the trail mix, taking notice of the what got picked first and what got picked last. Usually Paolo alternated between something sweet like the m&ms/ raisins and something savory like the nuts. Deciding to indulge in the sweets as the firework show continued on. "You heard what's happen over by the beach?"

Doesn't matter. He's here now, blushing when Paolo calls him "cool." Malik doesn't think anyone's ever called him "cool" before.

"No I didn't," Malik says, actually looking at Paolo now. "I honestly haven't been to the beach in a while. I haven't gotten that in my tasks yet."

He patted the metal of his car, right to his side, as an obvious invitation for the other to stay. Perhaps it was a latino culture thing, but he didn't mind sharing. There surely was enough beer to go around... And the company of a beautiful man was the most welcome, after all.

But the man's expression is so open and earnest, how could Malik say no?

He smiles and moves to take a seat next to... Emanuel.

"Nice to meet you Emanuel. I'm Malik. I work a the tailor's shop. Lived here all my life."

Though sometimes you can't really tell.

He reached out, taking the sunscreen slowly and giving Lucas a proper look over, trying to remember where exactly he had seen him. Of course, he was sure he'd remember that beautiful face anywhere, but it took him a second to place him without the suit he usually saw Lucas in.

"I almost didn't recognize you without the suit, dude!" he offered immediately, flashing a smile in appreciation. "Not that I mind the view, of course... But hey, it's nice to see you enjoying your vacation days."

He took a seat by Lucas' side, not even asking for permission. Emanuel didn't waste a second before he took his button up off and started placing sunscreen all over his own arms.

He can't remember if Emanuel is one for shouting at the accountants but a lot of sales reps do so it's an honest assumption to make.

Then of course his attention is dragged down to watch Emanuel take off his shirt and begin slathering sunscreen on his... wow, he's hot. Lucas knew from his face, but adding the body in for context? It makes him clear his throat to bring himself back to the present. Needless to say Lucas also doesn't mind the view.

He could wholeheartedly agree.

"I dunno, man. I've tried everything and nothing can distract me from the sweating!" he groaned, totally riding with the prompt he was given in a humble attempt at not making it awkward.

He blinks then shakes his head.

"No, uh... haven't had a chance. Been busy."

Part of him is screaming to leave now. He's already made the situation awkward, no need to do worse. But the handsome man is offering a drink and company. He can handle that right? It's like talking with customers. Or club members. Just different he supposes.

He gestures to the beers. "Can I...?" He doesn't even know how to finish that question. God, he's so bad at this.

"That's actually the reason I approached you," he offered as warmly as he could, hanging his blazer on his arm as he tried to find Lucas' eyes. "Of all the people out here, you look like the most approachable one, man..."

He offered an apologetic look, but his stance remained firm and confident as he continued, taking special note of the book.

"Nice to know I don't give off huge bitch vibes."

It takes him a moment to figure out why the man looks familiar, but once he actually sees his face, it clicks. Emanuel Gutiérrez, one of thr top sales reps. Lucas has worked over a lot of his sales. He's pretty good at his job based on the numbers. Lucas doubts he knows him. Accounting isn't exactly popular. Especially when they're only really vocal when they point out problems.

His eyes look back towards Malik, lit up in pink and yellow hues as his mind was conflicted in what it knew about him. "Did you want some?" He finds himself breaking his absentminded stare, shaking his hand to get the trail mix to make some noise.

"If you're offering," he replies, reaching in the bag to take a small handful. He sits up so he can look at what he got. He starts with taking the almonds, then the peanuts, then cashews, then raisins, then finally the m&ms.

"To your credit, I usually watch the fireworks from the commune. Trusting someone outside of it is... different."

Difficult. Scary. Thrilling. It almost reminds him of being a teenager, trying to sneak out from his parents during holidays. Of course, it's completely different but he can't deny the edge of it still there.

"I think I could bring you along if you'd like?"

Lucas tilts his head, giving Richard a curious look.

"Someone outside the family?" He says in a mock scandalized tone. "You sure that's safe? Us outsiders could dirty the floor."

He snickers more, not really taking the invitation seriously. Why would Richard invite him anywhere like that?

"I'm cool with that. I'll get you something colorful to match the fireworks" Aiden winked. Today had been a bad day for Aiden to wear anything remotely made of fleece. Especially with an attractive man like Lucas sitting across from him like this. Better yet, playing in a game of spin the bottle with him. It must have been the amount of liquor already within him, but Aiden felt an unearned confidence next to a young stud like Lucas. Luckily, the younger man accepted the kiss, and Aiden leaned toward him too. His lips press into Lucas', slowly deepening it to Lucas' preference.

Aiden couldn't help but grin as he separated himself from Lucas' lips, wanting more of course, but more than satisfied with their soft kiss. As Aiden sat there mesmerized by the other man, the rest of the bar patrons continued on, spinning the bottle once again and seeing who it lands on.

When they separate, Lucas stares at Aiden, debating the merits of just going in for another kiss despite it not being his turn. He looks away, and manages to wait until it is his turn. He spins it, and a part of him really wants it to land...

He smiles, looking at Aiden.

"Guess it's our lucky night," he says, leaning forward to gently but forcefully grab the back of Aiden's head, pulling him in for another, slightly longer kiss. He licks Aiden's lips, teasing him when he pulls back.

He turns back with a smile. "I guess both. It's great to see the town coming out like this. I'm part of the escape rooms."

Malik points to the entrance where the club is set up.

"I haven't been through yet myself, but I helped with the decor. We've been prepping for the past mo- Oh yeah, I know but someone's gotta be the deck hands right? Plus Uhura wears red and she's fine most of the time."

There were parts of Unfinished's southern side that was home to some rolling hills of tall grass. They'd dance in the wind, carrying it like a wave. When Paolo had traveled with the Scales of Rebirth before coming to the town of Unfinished, they would always try to scope out the best view for the fireworks. Some on top of the rooftops of an abandoned building, others on the side of a creek. Tonight, the plumes of smoke and igniting sparks were watched from these rolling hills.

But times like these, where he and the other person can be quiet and just share a moment together helps calm him. Makes him feel like he's on equal footing.

"You're right," he admits with a laugh. "I shouldn't have doubted you. Though to be fair, you didn't inspire much confidence at first."

He snickers and turns to look at Paolo, laid out next to him, skin catching the light of each color burst.

location: billion biliards bar

"Surprised they let you in here." Richard had begun to say, taking a swing from a glass bottle before taking a seat next to the other man at the bar. It had been a while since he managed to talk to some people in town. He had started spending most of his days in the Jefferson household, it was quite vast and cozy compared to the Billion Billiards Bar. But it was his first home, he hoped the rest of the Billiard Bikers knew that too.

Lucas grins and winks at Richard over his glass. While he doesn't visit the bar every night, Lucas is here pretty regularly, if for no other reason than his apartment is too depressing to spend actual time in. And Richard is always a welcome sight.

Lucas nudges back. "I think I saw them through the window. Haven't really been festive. You?"