#relationshpproblems

“Because you’re never here!” Jordan’s voice rang through the hallway. Callie poked her head out the door of her apartment to hear better.

“It’s not like I’m out partying! I have two jobs!” retorted Malek, his voice likewise filling the hall. In the three years they’d been living in the same building, Callie had never heard Malek and Jordan fight before. “What do you want from me?!”

“Be here more! For God’s sake I never see you! You’re always at the club or the lab! Why can’t you just pick one?!”

There was a low murmur in reply; Callie couldn’t make out what Malek had said. Their door opened. Malek was wearing his black leather coat and looked both exhausted and angry. Callie slipped back into her apartment before Malek could notice her eavesdropping. Once she heard the elevator door shut she left her apartment. Sean too was leaving his apartment.

“I’ll go after Malek, you check on Jordan?” suggested Callie.

“Good idea, you take the violent one.” Sean smirked and walked into Jordan and Malek’s apartment.

“Why did I pick the violent one?” pondered Callie aloud as she entered the elevator. She knew where Malek went when he was upset.

~*~*~*~

“Get out, Sean,” ordered Jordan, pouring himself a drink.

“But… I brought you an Oreo cheesecake cupcake.” Sean held out the cool pastry to Jordan. Jordan paused considering, then sighed and took it.

“Fine, come in.” He plunked down on the sofa.

“Your hair’s cool. Looks kind of like fire,” complimented Sean. Jordan had dyed his hair mostly a bright red-orange but with the roots black at varying heights. He had it all spiked up too to make it really look like fire.

“Thanks.” Jordan munched on the cupcake. “This is really good.”

“I know, I’ve eaten four already.” Sean stuck his tongue out. He shifted uneasily. “So are you guys okay?”

Jordan sighed. “I don’t know. I can’t really believe he just walked out like that.”

“What were you fighting about?”

“I almost never see him. Between his job at the lab and the one at the Host Club, he’s always too tired to…” He paused and glanced at Sean. The guy was a prude. “…play.”

“What do you…?” Sean blushed suddenly. “Oh, never mind!”

Jordan chuckled. “I’m probably just being insensitive, but why does he need to have two jobs if it drains him so much?”

“Isn’t he saving money for something?” pondered Sean.

“That’s what he says, but what for?” Jordan shoved the rest of his cupcake into his mouth.

Sean shrugged. “Maybe he’s working a bunch now so that he can make a more comfortable life for the both of you later when he’s not up for working like mad-man?”

Jordan took a long sip of his drink and sighed in defeat. “Damn, you’re right. I guess just frustrated with it all.”

Sean hummed thoughtfully. “Are you frustrated with Malek or with yourself cause he’s maintaining two jobs to try to build a future with you while you only have one job?”

“I’m not above hitting you, Sean.” Sean squirmed further away from Jordan. Jordan sighed. “Honestly I’m just unfoundedly frustrated.”

~*~*~*~

“There you are!” noted Callie as she located Malek in a secluded park.

“What do you want, Cal?” snapped Malek. He was in no mood to talk to anyone.

“Well… your argument kind of shook the hallway.” Callie approached Malek who kept his back to her.

“I’m not even sure what we were arguing about…” Malek sighed. Suddenly something hard was poking his hand. He looked down. It was the hilt of a wooden practice sword. He grasped it. “Really?”

“Helped when we were kids.” Callie shrugged and took a few steps away from Malek, brandishing a wooden practice sword of her own. They began sparring. “So why were you so angry?”

“I don’t know. I think I’m just exhausted.” Malek’s strikes were more powerful, but Callie was faster.

“Why are you still maintaining two jobs? You can save up plenty of money since you live in a modest apartment with just your lab job.” She got around Malek and nearly got a strike in, but he dodged at the last minute.

“Jordan and I have talked about eventually getting this gorgeous house that’s basically a mansion, with a dog and a cat, and a huge yard, and a cleaning lady. If we want that to be a reality at any reasonable time, then I should definitely be making the effort now to earn as much money as I can.”

“Okay, I get that, but it’s not good if you’re neglecting Jordan.”

“Dammit, I know.” Malek lowered his sword arm and stepped out of Callie’s range. “I think it’s time I cut down my hours at the club.”

“It’ll probably be better for you in the long run.” She likewise lowered her sword arm. They headed back to their building and up to Jordan and Malek’s apartment.

“Hey,” greeted Malek.

“Hey,” replied Jordan. There was a strange dark tension between them.

“Sean, Cal, get out.” Male’s voice was low and threatening. Callie recognized it as the one Malek used at the club.

“Let’s go!” She grabbed Sean’s arm and yanked him out the apartment and into the hallway.

“Ow, ow, ow! Cal! What the heck?” protested Sean as Callie shut the door.

“I don’t think you want to be in there,” she insisted.

“Why not? What happened?”

“That was Malek’s scary voice. He uses it at the club to seduce people.” Callie looked at Sean expectantly. Sean just stared back in confusion. “Sex, Sean! They’re having sex!”

“Uh…” Sean flushed bright red and hurried back to his apartment. Callie laughed and followed him.