#nolanlocke

Birthday Peoples

Because today is their birthday!

It was a fairly uneventful day. Chibi had just transitioned from a rather interesting plane of existence where she could be considered invisible to the naked eye. A really fun concept if you were just into observing others and their surroundings. Perfect if you're trying to go for photography without being rudely photobombed. Stretching her back, she gave a satisfied sigh as a few loud pops sounded from her spine. She looked down and flipped through some of the photos she had taken as she walked. Some nice trees, birds, clouds, a picture of a rather large grasshopper she found on a bush. These pictures looked pretty nice for testing out her new camera.

Aunt Norma was the only sibling--and only known surviving relative--of Phillip Torri, Evan's father. She was older by two years and, at forty eight, was a woman who had made her money by careful planning and marrying well. She was of average build with a face more round than her middle. Her hair was a blonde only obtained by a bottle and styled as if Farra Fawcett had decided on a bob cut. Aunt Norma wore pink tailored suits, drove a functional gray Lincoln Sedan, and had her nails done every Tuesday by the same woman at the same shop. 

Aunt Norma was only called Aunt Norma by one boy--her nephew--as her real name was Naona Springfield. Norma, to a child, was easier to say and she had found the nickname endearing. Upon her brother's death, she had taken in her nephew but, being a woman who lacked the ability to nurture, the adjustment period was difficult. She had, in her opinion, done her best given the circumstances and so, when he had chosen to be emancipated from her, had taken it rather personally. From that moment on, their relationship was a strained one and, at times, when she visited her sister-in-law, she requested he not be there. Evan always said he understood and it was really no trouble but Aunt Norma occasionally found herself wishing he would simply apologize. Seeing as how Evan seemed to find no reason for one to be offered, she supposed one would never be granted. 

Sunday morning, as usual, she arrived at the Torri residence to assist in taking Amanda to church only to find Evan gone and his room almost empty. Informed they were in the process of moving, Aunt Norma admitted to having never heard this piece of news but couldn't comment as they would be late to church. Three hours of the Holy Word did nothing to soothe the quiet anger and betrayal that festered within her. As the sermons drew to a close, a quick text was sent to Malinda for a the new address and the information quickly put into the GPS. She and Amanda would make a side-trip.

Parked outside of the house, green eyes looked over the home with judgement, picking out every flaw as she pressed pink painted lips into a thin line. 

"Wait here, Amanda. I have to speak with someone. I'll only be a moment."

Stepping out, the woman's high heels clicked as she made her way up the driveway. Her knock held a level of arrogance. Evan, dressed in blue jeans and blue polo smiled with confused eyes as he answered. Miles had left an hour before and Azizah was in the shower. He hadn't been expecting company.

"Aunt Norma!" he struggled to push Melvin back with a foot so the animal wouldn't escape. "What a surprise! I didn't know you had my new address."

"Yes, well, whose fault is that? Honestly, are you so ashamed you would make me wait outside?" she demanded, pushing through to the house within. She huffed in annoyance at stepping over the dog, almost tripping in the process. "What is that? Since when have you had a dog?"

"Since yesterday. She was a gift. Her name is Melvin." Evan smiled, picking the puppy up and running a hand over her head. "She's under feet a lot right now but she'll learn. Do you want to pet her?"

"No, I don't want to be bitten."

"Oh, she wouldn't--"

"Do you have no furniture? Just an empty shell of a home? Content to live in boxes?" She looked around, her shoulders tense, and her expression sour. 

Evan supposed it was novelty that caused him to awake so early. Knowing he now owned a home and a puppy and people were here had made his mind too excited to sleep any longer. Giving in, he allowed his eyes to open and smiled at finding Nolan's sleeping form beside him. The man appeared adorable in this state. Not that he wasn't at any other time but it was especially true now with his expression soft and lips slightly parted. 

The sight had Evan's heart fluttering and a smile appearing on his face as he attempted to memorize every detail of the man before him. He wanted this moment to be what he recalled when thinking of when they first moved in together. He wanted to close his eyes and have it appear as fresh and bright as a tattoo on the back of his eyelids. 

In the months they had been together, Evan and Nolan had only slept over a hand full of times but now was the day that signaled a permanency and it was glorious. A strand of hair--now so much longer since when Evan had first laid eyes on him--had fallen in front of Nolan's face and the boy moved to push it back behind an ear. At the same time, he came forward to press lips softly against the other's and his heart leapt at feeling the action returned. Moving a way from lips, kisses were trailed lightly over the side of a face and, when he pulled away, he found a soft smile and tired blue eyes partially open.

"Go back to sleep." Evan whispered. "I'mma take the dog out."

A nod before Nolan readjusted and his breathing signaled sleep once more claimed him. Upon slipping from bed, a form was stretched, a quiet squeak offered when a back popped,and yesterday's jeans were thrown on accompanied by a fresh t-shirt. 

Stepping out of the bedroom he half-expected to find a mess signaling a puppy bladder had been unable to wait but gave a sigh of relief when that wasn't the case. Petting over the animal till she stirred, he smiled a 'good morning Melvin' and lead her outside. It took prompting to get her to realize she was, at this time, supposed to wander around in the grass as the dog seemed content to lay on the porch and stair up at him expectant. However, once managed, it was rewarded with praises and the wagging of a tail made him want to squeeze the puppy in adoration till she popped. 

Evan had awoken to the feeling of hot breath on his face. It smelt of toothpaste and faintly of Cheerios and he opened his eyes to stare right back into wisteria. Azizah sat upon her knees on his floor with her face resting close enough to his so that he went immediately cross-eyed trying to focus. According to Azizah, Evan had slept in and, with it now being seven in the morning, the abomination found herself unable to wait a moment longer. 

Evan would have argued this if it wasn't for the fact the mattresses Nolan purchased would be delivered at the new house sometime between eight and twelve. Getting dressed, he had yawned before shuffling over to the Xanzhar's and being fed apple cinnamon pancakes. He almost fell asleep half-way through them but the sound of static in his inner-ear reminded him he needed to wake up. 

Once back over at his own home, Azizah and Evan made short work of packing up his room. There was little Evan actually found himself wanting to keep. Most of it were either things he had outgrown or no longer had any attachment. Clothes were packed and then the question of whether or not he had outgrown band posters posed. This sparked a ten minute debate as to what it meant to be an adult and Evan deciding on two large posters that could be framed and passed as art. One of them was, of course, Bob Dylan and the other Neutral Milk Hotel. In Evan's opinion the latter looked better than some of the others and the former needed no explanation. Bob Dylan was the greatest song writer to ever walk the Earth and the boy would gladly fight about it. 

Once his car was loaded up and his room was nothing more than a half-empty shell of memories and clutter unwanted, Evan kissed his mother good morning and promised to be back Sunday before heading out. Azizah followed in her truck and cried just long enough to get her feelings out without being noticeable when they pulled up to the new residence. 

The house, being freshly blessed just the day before smelt of rose incense and gleamed from the cleaning it had received. Still, despite practically seeing his reflection in the wooden floorboards, there would be sweeping and dusting of his own. Azizah, dressed in a muted yellow 1950's house dress, kicked off her black ballet flats before exploring every nook and cranny the house had to offer. As she moved from room to room, she occasionally muttered her approval. Silence hit for a solid ten minutes before she re-emerged with a handful of teeth cupped in her palms. Claiming she had found them in the air vents, she rejoiced at being told she could have them and slipped them into her pocket to be enjoyed later. 

The two friends bickered and laughed like siblings as they set about moving boxes in. With the only things brought being that which would go into Evan's room, they were deposited there and then pushed against the wall. As the two worked making the cabinets and doors child proof, music played from speakers and the sound of a tooth being crunched on occasionally broke the silence between songs. A break was taken when the mattresses arrived. Argument ensued over getting the bulky objects into the appropriate rooms and, once managed, they lay atop one and grinned satisfied at the comfort. 

A trip to the store was managed which took longer than expected as they weren't exactly sure where the closest one existed. Upon finally being found, essentials were purchased as well as shower curtains, towels, and comforters. Picture texts were sent to Nolan for approval and, at receiving input, decisions made and two shopping carts made their way to checkout. 

As the day faded into late afternoon, Evan and Azizah struggled with getting the last child-proof lock on the stove.

"Push. No, push against it. Harder, Azizah." his brows furrowed as he tried to get the clasps to line up.

"I'm pushing harder than childbirth here, Evan! What more do you want from me?!" She grunted.  

"I want you to do better! Gah, maybe if stoners ate something healthy instead of Cheetos--"

"You wanna go down this route? Diet ain't got shit to do with this, Mr. I-can't-go-to-the-gym-'cause-The-Mummy-is-on?" She glared. I ran twelve blocks for yo ass and you calling my game weak?"

Seeing the clasps line up, Evan grabbed his screwdriver. "Hold it! Don't let go!"

"I'm about to squeeze your head off your scrawny white body if you tell me what to do one more time." She growled through clenched teeth but gave a sigh of relief as the thing was firmly fastened. "I do not remember it being that hard the first time we safety proofed the house."

"Your game got weak." he shrugged and laughed as she pushed him. As Azizah moved over to the stereo, Evan put tools away. "So what time are Nolan and Miles supposed to be here?"

"I told them seven so soon." she shrugged, skipping through some songs in search of something that spoke to her. "Why? My company not good enough for you?"

"Nope."

"Yeah, you're boring as hell too. I only came for the food. Oh! I love this song!" Reaching for the volume, Azizah turned it up. Closing her eyes she swayed to the music before singing along. Reaching for the broom, she circled around the empty room.

Smiling, Evan relaxed into her voice. Having taken choir since she was young, Azizah was good. Better than good. Better with possibilities if she were actually interested. But the thing with the abomination was, if it took effort, it was rarely worth it. Evan supposed everyone coped with things differently.

The weight of a key in Evan's pocket seemed both distinctively heavy and abnormally light. There had even been a few times where he had pressed his hand to his jean pocket, his fingers sliding casually over the indent of a key chain just to be sure it hadn't accidentally fallen out. He wasn't sure why it would considering he had nothing else in that pocket but it was better to check than to allow his mind to panic. 

Evan refused to think he was panicking. No, it was simply a matter of excitement to such an extent that vomiting or crying seemed appropriate responses. Honestly, he wasn't sure why he was so nervous. With the way things were going it seemed like Nolan would say yes. But, he supposed it came down to when the man had thought of Julia. He had stated that he had been entertaining the thought of live with Evan but the thought of Julia entered his mind and it upset him. What if moving in now was too soon? It was certainly possible. But Evan had decided that, even if Nolan said no, he would be okay with it. The important thing was that he knew he was welcome and spare keys were always handy to give the people you trusted. 

Still, it was rather difficult to breathe and Evan took a few deep breaths and exhales in an effort to calm. Sitting at a Cafe near Longsmith, Evan was dressed in blue jeans and a band shirt that, on the front contained a husband a wife in Japanese clothing; the woman spotting a bright red blood stain on her chest. The back proclaimed The Crane Wife Tour and a list of cities. With his elbows resting on the table, Evan braced his thumbs against his brow and had his fingers in prayer formation. He wasn't praying--he hadn't in years--but, instead, attempting to find comfort in the matter that, no matter what the man chose, it wouldn't change Evan's feelings.

"Hon? Sorry to bother you but would you like more orange juice?" 

Opening his eyes and moving away his hands, Evan took in the waitress and smiled. "No, that's okay."

"Well, would you like to order something to eat? We got french toast on special. 'real good."

"That sounds wonderful but I'll pass. I'm actually not that hungry...I'm waiting on someone."

"You've been waiting for an hour, sugar..." Her red lips pursed and her eyes were concerned. 

"I arrived early." Rubbing the back of his neck, Evan blushed. "I, um...was kinda nervous...He should be here any minute though. I promise. He's very punctual." he nodded as if to reinforce his statement and she gave one of her own in conceding. 

"Alright, well, if you need me, just holler."

"Will do." he smiled bright as she walked away and sighed as he turned his attention to the wood of the table. Taking a napkin, he brushed a few remaining crumbs off and laid it to the side. Realizing this looked trasher than having a few crumbs, he momentarily panicked over what to do with it before grabbing the crumpled tissue and hiding it under the table. After a second, he allowed it to fall to the floor and covered it with his foot. Adjusting the salt and pepper shaker, Evan smiled when they were aligned.

Dave Mustaine said 'moving on is a simple thing; what it leaves behind is hard.' Evan didn't suppose the quote was in reference to moving but he felt it applied. The house he stood in was the house he had grown up in. It was the house that he lost his first tooth and sat in front of the street where he first learned to ride a bike. It was where he had colored on the walls and played with plastic dinosaurs. It was the home he learned to play guitar and palm a coin. It was the home he was sung to in and played board games at and was tucked into. 

For a few years Evan had known one other home. It was his aunt's home but he had only moved due to his father's death. It was a brief stay that felt too long. But Evan had made the right choices--or at least what he felt to be right--and had come back. He remembered how, after being closed off for so long, the place smelt musty and stale. How dust had gathered and ants had moved in. He remembered thinking that, if he spoke and waited his father would answer. As if the man was waiting in his study. As if he had just been a bit tied up with work. 

Now, sitting on the floor of his room and turning a plastic army man over in his hand, Evan felt that maybe, if he called out, he wouldn't want his father to answer.

"So you're really moving?" Azizah asked as she lay on her stomach upon his bed and peered down at him. "You're, for real, not going to be my neighbor anymore?"

Evan shook his head. "No...I guess not."

"I don't like this." She sucked in her top lip and her eyes displayed her sentiment.

"It's weird." was all Evan could manage. 

Lapsing back into silence, walnut colored eyes went back down to the army man. He noted how the base was a bit warped and there was a splint in its leg. He had found it behind his dresser while cleaning and wondered how long it had waited for its comrades to come back and find it.

"But we'll still hang out right?" Azizah's voice was quiet and Evan sighed.

"I don't think so." he looked up with grim eyes. "I mean, you know the rules. You can only be friends with next door neighbors. Now that I'm moving, I'll have to go next door and find my newly assigned best friend. It's gonna be hard but we'll manage."

"I hope your new best friend is smelly."

"I hope yours doesn't wash his hands after he goes to the bathroom."

Managing a chuckle, Azizah buried her face in the boy's pillow and grinned. Breathing in she took in the scent of green apple shampoo and musk and boy. He smelt like a memory. Like climbing trees and skipping stones and Azizah hoped that didn't change.

"So when do you get the keys?" she asked, her demeanor changing. Propping herself up on her elbows, she grinned cocky. "When is the house party?"

"I get them Friday. I'm not having a house party. Remember my birthday? I am officially done with parties."

"Oh, there is going to be a party." a look of offense. "Birthdays, no, you have those every year so totally not special. House parties are different. This might be the last time you ever move, Evan. I mean, unless you and Nolan move off to some mansion where you do nothing but make kissey faces."

"I'm asking him to move in with me, actually." Evan blushed, bringing a hand up to rub the back of his neck. "Once I get the keys to the house I thought...I'd ask or something..."

"That's a big step. Like, a really really big step." Azizah's face turned serious and slightly concerned. "Are you sure?"

"I am." Evan smiled. "I really am. He's the one I want to come home to and wake up beside and..." Evan blushed. "and watch Colbert with."

"Dude, watching Colbert though. That's huge...I mean, this is the man you're gonna share bills with. And subject your shitty music to."

"My music isn't shitty!" Evan looked offended. "The fuck does that mean? We listen to the same bands. In fact; you're the one who got me into--"

"Ssshh, thinking." Azizah made the hand motion for silence before smiling bright. "Evan, if Nolan is moving in then we definitely got to throw a party! Just welcome in the good vibes, ya know? Drink some house wine, order pizza, chill out. It can be just us four, if you want. 'Cause, you know, I'm not gonna be the third wheel so Miles is a given."

"You're just using Nolan as an excuse." Evan rolled his eyes and placed the plastic army man on his dresser.

"I wouldn't need an excuse if my best bro would let me welcome him into a new home." she rose a brow.

Sighing Evan nodded. "Okay, but just the four of us. And I expect a house warming gift."

"Fuck yeah! Where's the dog?" she held out her fist and Evan laughed as he bumped it.

The day had been long and utterly exhausting. Well, the past three days really. Evan had done little else but work. He wasn't sure if taking on the extra hours sprang to soothe an anxious need to prepare for a move or if it was done to keep himself from thinking about moving. Either way, he was sure it was related.

Well, related to that and to Nolan.

Evan loved the man absolutely and completely. It was to the point of considering a life with him. And, honestly, that was a bit terrifying. It wasn't that he doubted his desire or thought it wouldn't work out. It was just....It was a huge step and he hadn't even been sure he wanted it until after Nolan had almost died. That entered into the realm of possibilities that he may just feel clingy due to almost losing the man. Whatever the cause or reason, Evan was a person who took time to consider things and so, for the past few days, he did little other than that. Work became an escape; one in which he could focus on his job and his job alone.

However, after receiving a text from Nolan and conceding that neither had seen the other since...a moment of intimacy...Evan felt his time away had been long enough. Sending a reply with the time as well as his mother's address, the CNA had headed home.

When he arrived, Malinda--his mother's daytime aide--was finishing up with giving his mother a bath and Evan put away the dishes from her dinner before slipping into the shower himself. Emerging in black pajama bottoms and a fitted muted purple Chikago University t-shirt, Evan sat at the kitchen table and nibbled on left-over lasagna as he searched through house listings. When his mother came out of her bedroom in an ankle length night gown, he looked up with a smile.

"Hey, mama. I missed you at work." he smiled soft.

She offered a smile and nothing else as she moved to sit down in the chair across from him.

"You feeling okay? Want some ice cream?"

Shaking her head, she folded her hands on the table.

Brows furrowing, he looked up at Malinda in question.

"Know that medication they got her on for that cold? Makes her sleepy and quiet. She'll pass out soon but wanted to come sit with you."

"Well, I always enjoy her company." Evan smiled when he saw his mother grin at the remark. "Malinda, you can head out early, if you want."

"Nah, I got thirty minutes. I'm gonna finish folding the laundry."

Evan nodded before going back to his lasagna. "Nolan will be over soon."

"Is that why you want me gone?" She smirked and he blushed.

"You know it isn't."

"I don't know nothin besides what I read in the papers and the papers say--"

"Papers say good and wholesome things about honesty and good charity." Evan spoke loudly and looked at his mother.