Let Me Love You

             Izzy didn’t go out. Though, against his better judgement, the young man had taken a couple pills. They had been used only once before to control his gift. Taking them made him very numb, but it made it possible for him to go out and be around other people. He just wanted to experience it, though he bit off more than he could chew. The man beside him was flirting very directly, and no matter what Izzy mumbled out, he was very insistent with the fact that he wanted to take Izzy home with him. He wasn’t expecting a hand to come around his waist, and a voice to be whispered into his ear. His breathing hitched, “Ah...Hey, this is...I-I never got your name.” Izzy whispers awkwardly, and the man rolled his eyes at him, “He’s really trying to get me to sleep with him.” Iseul admitted blushing a deep, dusky pink, “I’m not interested— and he doesn’t seem to get it.”

            Iseul’s face lights up as the other speaks of his shop, nearly bouncing on his toes at the thought of it, “A tattoo shop? Really? That’s amazing, so you’re an artist then? Do you tattoo? Do you have any tattoos?” it was a little comical how excited the smaller male was, eyes bright and his smile from ear to ear, “I’ve always loved that kind of stuff. I think it’s really interesting.” he looks over to the boiling water and gasps as it’s about to over flow, moving to stir it so it calms down. 

           Iseul was more than happy to help Raphael out, grabbing the box of pasta and starting to put the noodles in the boiling water. He liked feeling helpful, and even if he wasn’t very good at cooking, there was no way he could mess up putting the pasta in the water. With a warm smile, the shorter male ran a hand through his hair, shaking his head, “Mmm, no school. I work online though, I help manage an online shop. Customer service and all that.” he bites his lower lip, sucking on his lower lip as he watches his new friend, “What about you? Do you attend uni, or are you just working?”

             Iseul pours the second glass of wine, and slides it over to the chef, and takes a long sip of his own glass. He didn’t drink much, and he wasn’t really a lightweight, but it didn’t take him a lot either. Not that he planned on getting drunk or anything, but a glass or two would certainly relax him enough to feel a bit more normal. His head quirks to one side, not missing the way he spoke, maybe he had been wrong to assume such things about Raphael’s family, but to be honest he didn’t know any better, “Sometimes, but I don’t think about it much anymore. No use in dwelling on something you can’t change.” the younger smiles softly, running a free hand through his hair, “M’okay on my own. It’s not too bad...”

Izzy, by the time Luca had shown up to bring him to what the younger assumed to be their family home, was in a bit of a trance like state from his medication. The up side was he was calm, the not so up side was he had glossed over eyes and hadn’t said a word since being picked up. He was lead to Raphael’s room, and quietly thanked the middle brother before being allowed to sit beside his sleeping friend. Reaching out boldly, he grabbed his hand, and ran his thumb over his knuckles as he watched him sleep. He looked better. He looked alive and honestly that’s all Izzy needed to see to know things would be fine. Though, seeing him like that? It was too much. He had nightmares about it. If Raphael had died— He was startled out of his thoughts with a soft hum, not realizing it had been two hours of him sitting here in the silence until the voice broke it. “Hi.” the younger breathes, managing the smallest of smile, “I’m here. Are you feeling okay?”