@mpmateo continued from here:
"You said. . .festive. Decorations. Jangsik. I did already." Daniel snapped flatly in halting accented Korean at his new 'boss' while rolling his eyes. Did was probably a bit of an exaggeration on Mateo's part. Shiny tinsel was flung haphazardly all over Roller Discos seating areas. The skate rental counter had unpolished silver and gold candle holders bunched up together in a stiff little unlit row, and the fresh cut poinsettias were now dipped low in thirsty protest by the entrance to the city's roller-skating centre. All in all, everything festive that had been on Osiris's "Matty To-Do" list had either been half-done or was now a complete decorative DIY disaster. Ā Ā
He didn't like that glint of humor in Osiris eyes. Cabrón. Yesterday it was hang 'festive' lights outside on the roof in a snow storm so customers would still know they were still gonna be open. Mateo had nearly died from frost bite, electrocution, and hanging himself from the drainage pipe all in a one and done efficient icy accident. Was he being laughed at by this guy? He had a sneaking suspicion the other older man was playing some hardcore 'fucking with the new guy' routine on him and Mateo didn't like it.
"You don't like? You do! I. . .me. . .Mateo no decoration. . .sahrahm?...Eh--g-gosoo?" The younger mans defenses went a little higher. Mierda! What the hell was the word for 'expert' in Korean again? Whatever. He didn't even care, and to show the new boss that he'd rather be back at the concession area sneaking some fries off a customer tray Mateo kicked the still half full box of gaudy holiday garnishments back in in the other mans direction. The entire box rattled, and landed shuddering at Osiris feet, rattled less by the punting abuse and more by the source of an ominous, low rumbling that had begun to make the Roller Disco shimmy Ā shake and sway like an anchored tugboat listing at high tide.
so maybe hiring this little one had been a mistake. osiris isnāt entirely sure yet. most of the time heās just highkey amused by the little firecracker, utterly charmed by the rough young man who resembles much an angry street dog to him. growling and barking and ready to bite, not because he hates the people around him, but because heās almost certain he will be hurt if he doesnāt make it clear heās dangerous. so most of the time osiris thinks of mateo much like of a stray dog; he wants to take him in, feed him, keep him warm and make sure that no one makes the mistake of hurting him.
but in the moments where heās actually dangerous, like right now with the entire building trembling from the ground up to the rooftop, he thinks maybe he made a mistake and he shouldnāt have taken in someone this dangerous.
āmy dear boy,ā he says, and casually switches from korean to spanish, which is what he presumes is a language this young man speaks more fluently.Ā āthere isnāt a main language in this world that i donāt speak. if youāre not comfortable using korean you can use another one as you please.ā he motions at the place around them.Ā ānow please calm down before you bring the entire place down on our heads. iāll be on my feet again in three seconds but i doubt the same can be said for you.ā
he pauses for a moment to see which effect these words have on his young employee. not getting back to the subject of decorations just yet until heās certain thereāll still be roller disco left to decorate once this storm has passed.