❛ jean - paul, ❜ rafael greets as he approaches their table, full - name spilling from brims with warmth of familiarity but is fueled with the BLAZE of days worth of indignation. the nonchalant, possessive deception revealed the last time they had met has caused silence and a cold - shoulder. however, inexorable loyalty and the deepest bond with this absolute selfish LIAR of a saint still has him arrive to the most affluent italian restaurants in las vegas — a usual spot for dinner for two. he’s never been absent or delayed to a meeting of any kind between the duo regardless of the circumstances. even with centuries of extinguishing the heartache of a past mortal life reigniting from an unforeseen reunion with a first love, rafael should feel betrayed, outraged, heartbroken ( of whatever is left of that shriveled up organ ) — in fact, he does. but, no one on this godforsaken planet knows the boss better than he does. reason had combatted the blood - thirsty animosity and won. the most fucked part was that when rafael reflected later on the reasoning behind the secrecy revealed to him and catalina, he found himself in slight agreement. there are bigger issues at hand than a lovers’ quarrel or whatever rafael figures to call this deceptive love triangle. so he here is putting an end to a short - lived silent treatment, sitting across from jp. to hear the why behind his actions when it’s just him alone to hear, but really … even raffaello cannot keep himself away. heightened senses notify the presence of their server’s eventual appearance to their table, & the familiar aroma sangiovese grapes and notes of berries and tannins from a glass of chianti — one of his favorites. abysmal, inky optics flicker away from an unwavering gaze of jagged ice, wrath contorting to a beguiling glint with a harmonious smile as the glass is placed onto the table. in an instant when gazes rejoin after the server’s departure once rafael expresses his gratitude to them, the expression falls. chin tilted slightly down to reveal a narrowed glare and a vexed, yet very subtle raise of his upper lip. but not even a beat after, it prompts a short, amused chortle - like exhale through his nose. ❛ i see what you’re doing. ❜
