I Will Understand. (Florence & Eornostlice)

[Florence_Ashmore]

When he felt the others hand atop his head once again, it was becoming pretty clear that it just felt natural. Before he could even react, he soon found himself tucked in with the scarf and holding onto the others notes. Reaching up automatically he gingerly touched the scarf with his fingers and noted how soft it felt under neath his finger tips. Even though the scarf was only covering his neck and face it seemed like it was almost warming him up internally. "Ah, thank you." He muffled into the scarf, unsure of how to properly react, it felt like Ali was just showering him with open kindness and he for the life of him could not figure out why.

 

He took a step away from the other but stopped for a moment, remembering how red the others face had been earlier. Turning back around, he silently reached up and placed the palm of his hand against the ravens forehead and raised his other hand to his own to judge the temperatures. His gaze was locked in the others for a moment, until he decided that Ali was not in fact sick. If that was the case though, why had his face been so red? "Sorry, I thought you had a fever earlier. Make sure your mom has the car heater on high. I will see you later." He murmured out softly, barely inaudible through the scarf before finally turning away and making his way towards the exit. The moment he stepped outside he was greatful for the scarf, the icy air bit at his hands and the freezing rain was coming down steadily now.

 

His hand tightened around the notebook, if his hands were not already so pale then his knuckles would have gone white with the grip. This was Ali's book that he'd been nice enough to lend him so he sure as hell was not going to get it wet. Unzipping his jacket, he slid it inside and held his arms over his chest so that the jacket would protect the notebook as well before making his way back home. As soon as he stepped inside, he pulled out his phone and sent Ali a quick text message. Looking at his message history, Ali was the first person even on there. The text read simply :

 

I hope you got home ok. -Amon

[Guest Eornostlice]

Ali stayed put as a hand found its way onto his forehead, not sure what that was about until Amon spoke again. Sick? Why would he think he was sick? Did he look pale or something? But he chose not to pay it any mind in the end. "See you later." He replied happily, being quick to call his mother as he watched the other's back, slowly leaving.

 

What followed, of course his mother was aware that he did have a scarf on when he left in the morning, but she did not mention it, knowing that Ali was going to tell her himself if he wished to. They were fairly close but she considered him an adult and more than capable to take care of himself considering his age, personality and skills so she never pushed anything.

 

The raven was still in the car and close to home when his phone buzzed. His eyes simply lit up as he checked his messages, ending up smiling. He did not reply instantaneously, but waited until his mother parked and he was already inside of the house which was a good five or six minutes later that he replied.

 

"I am home all warm and dry. ( ´ ▽ ` )ﾉ

 

You should probably take a hot shower and snuggle a warm blanket tho. Don't catch a cold. -Ali "

 

He finally put his phone away, back into his pocket and walked to the kitchen to help out his mother. He seemed to have interrupted her from preparing lunch earlier, so he felt it was his duty to at least help her out a little bit.

[Florence_Ashmore]

Amon had made it upstairs and had already shed his clothes that were now soaked from the moisture outside. Tossing them into the corner he made his way to the shower, he was an adult and plenty mature but sometimes a guy likes what a guy likes. Turning on the faucet he plugged up the drain and waited for the tub to fill with water enough for a nice warm bath after braving the cold. While the water was running, wrapped in a towel, he made his way back downstairs and grabbed his phone and the notebook that he had set on the counter before returning back upstairs. On his way up, he felt the phone in his hand vibrate, causing him to jump a bit at the sudden vibration before realizing it was just his phone. Usually he never carried his phone around with him, he would get home, toss it somewhere, then just grab it again before he left. But somehow he had a feeling that the other was going to text him back.

 

Clicking open his phone he slid the screen up and read the others message, to which he was a bit perplexed. He didn't have clue what the smiley face was, but still, he could tell it was an emoticon and actually let out a laugh at it. The house seemed cold and undisturbed, so the sound of such a simple laugh seemed to echo throughout it. He sat the notebook on his bed to read when he got out, and sat the phone on the sink in the bathroom. Turning off the faucet, he gingerly stepped into the steaming water and his body instantly relaxed. Sinking down into it, so hot it was almost to hot, he finally closed his eyes and laid still for a good 5 minutes. That is, until he felt breath on the side of his face.

 

He knew damn well no one was there, but he couldn't help but peek his eye open and glanced to the side.The red head was sitting just next to the tub, looking glaring at him. Sighing to himself, he shifted a bit, needlessly self contious and spoke, "What? I'm relaxing, go away." His face had once more dropped into it's impassive state and his tone was monotoned as well. Sitting up, he began to wash his hair however the red head didn't budge. He simply sat and watched him for a moment, before speaking himself. "You really think that you are going to go out with his friends and have fun? Eat pizza, play some games, see a movie, do whatever else normal people your age do? Isn't that just a laugh and a half!" The fantasy let out a bitter laugh. Usually, Amon was the king of just ignoring them, but that struck a nerve he didn't even know he had. "Yes, actually you know I do. I am a normal person my age, I just need to ignore you all and everything will be normal." He glared at the spector for a moment before rinsing himself off in the now soapy water. "Now, if you'll excuse me, I need to study." He pushed himself and attempted to carefully manuver his way out of the tub. The red head however was behind him in an instant and whispered into his ear. "Ignore us? Amon, you can't ignore us, you are us. With that, he felt pressure on his lower back and found himself falling face first.

 

Smacking his forehead with a dull thud on the tile floor. The wind was completely knocked out of him for a good five minutes. Cursing softly, he pushed himself up to see a small blotch of blood on the floor in front of him. His eyes widened slightly, "Shit, shit shit shit." Jumping up quickly, he wiped the collected condensation from the mirror and looked at his new cut. It didn't look bad, but there was definetly about a thin two in cut along his right temple now. This was not the first time that had happened either, he knew they were not there but if your mind thinks it was then your body reacts as though it was. He'd been knocked down the stairs, gotten cuts he thought they had given him but he'd actually given himself, and many other small but effective injuries from the damn things.

 

Great, now Ali was going to see that, and not just Ali but his friends as well. Running the sink, he cleaned t off then disinfected it calmly before making his way to his room again. Pulling on a fresh set of clothing, he promtly plopped onto his hard mattress and pulled the notebook to himself. Quickly forgetting about the whole even that transpired when he began to read over the notes. What's more, a small smile ran over his lips and he laughed when he realized he was reading the ravens notes in Ali's own voice.

[Guest Eornostlice]

It was halfway through lunch that his phone started buzzing again, but it was not a message. It was a call. With his mouth half full he pulled the phone out of his pocket, inspecting it curiously. To his disappointment it was not Amon but Rick. Well... probably the white haired boy would not call after a text? Probably. He did not understand him too well just yet.

 

Hurriedly swallowing down his food, Ali picked up the phone, coughing a little due to his carelessness.

 

"Oi oi don't die just yet." A playful voice could be heard from the other side of the line, voice he could easily associated with the blonde that was responsible for organizing mostly every outing.

 

"So? When is it?" Ali's question was straight to the point.

 

"At 7.30. We go at Zebra's this time around. The pizza there is quite good. We will meet inside alright?~"

 

He knew the place that Rick was calling "Zebra's". He was not sure what the real name of the place was, but on the inside, the tables and benches were made of plain wood, but fluffy pillows that you were expected to lean or sit on, decorated by a zebra-like pattern were placed just about everywhere. They did go there previously and indeed, the food was pretty good.

 

"Alright. I will tell Amon as well. I'll see you all there."

 

"Yup. See ya~"

 

Ali was the first to hang up and his interest in his lunch was completely lost. He opened his history, sending a second message to Amon:

 

"They said we all meet at 7.30. I do not know that place's real name but know the location so should we go together? (＾ω＾) "

[Florence_Ashmore]

Amon didn't notice that he was still a bit worn out from sleeping in the kitchen last night and managed to nod off right on the others notebook. His head lay on the pages and his left arm was hanging off the bed limply, it was about two hours later when the white haired male showed some signs off life. Shifting slightly, he slowly pushed himself up into a sitting position and opened his eyes. The room around him was quiet and empty and he was perfectly fine with that, sliding off of the bed he quietly padded his way back to the bathroom to retrieve his phone from the sink. The blood that he had left earlier was dried now and he simply tossed a towel over it to clean it up later . Picking up his phone he made his way back to his room and sat on the edge of the bed, clicking open his phone he saw that there was a message from the Raven.

 

Moving quicker than he really needed to, he slid open his phone and clicked the new message. It took him a good five minutes to think of a good response but finally responded with, "Sounds good, what time should we meet up? I can pick you up, it's still snowing." After he sent it, he went to look for his brushed to start getting ready but found that he didn't set is phone down once in the process.

[Guest Eornostlice]

Ali was already out of the shower when his phone finally buzzed. He'd been eying the phone for the past hour, waiting for a response. He wasted no time reading the reply, already writing back.

 

"Ah that would be great. ੭(๑•u•๑) Then how about 7? It takes only 5-6 minutes to get there by car though. Ah right. >>My address

 

It was only after the message was sent that he realized he could have similarly linked the location of the meeting place instead of suggesting they meet up and go together. But again, Amon did not seem to mind or suggest it either so probably he was not the only one that did not think of it.

 

He threw the phone back on the bed, landing on one of the papers. He had to dry his hair, throw on his clothes and he'd be ready. He got ready quite early... He was somehow looking forward to this more than usual.

[Florence_Ashmore]

Despite his attempt to get to the others place on time, he didn't exactly make it. He brushed out his hair and attempted to pat it down so it looked less wild and all over the place and headed to his closet. Only once he opened it, did he realize he didn't really know what to wear to an outing with the raven and his friends. He didn't want to dress to nice, but also didn't want to look like a bumb. Then again, he wasn't exactly sure why he even cared so much in the first place. Still, he did care and there was little he could do to ignore that. Pulling out his white button down shirt he pulled it on before pulling on a fresh pair of black jeans and sneakers. It would have been helpful had he had a mirror, but of course he did not so the most he could do was attempt to look down at himself and guess.

 

"Well, don't you look fancy?" Amon turned to see the red head from earlier standing in the door way, he smiled wide and it wsa clearly a sinister one. The white haired male went to walk around the other, but was stopped by a hand on his chest. "Don't forget, might want to cover that up." He motioned to the fresh injury on the others forehead, which Amon had actually completely forgotten about. Yet another thing that would have been useful in having a mirror.

 

Shoving past the other, he pulled on a black beanie so that he could use it to press his hair down a bit and attempt to arrange it in front of the cut but it didn't exactly help to much. Sighing in annoyance, he pulled out his phone and checked the time, it was 7:17 already. "Shit, first time and i'm late." He grumbled to himself softly, before grabbing his keys, pulling on his jacket and the others scarf and make his way out into the icy weather to his small black car that was still parked out front. Climbing inside, he shoved the keys in the ignition and took off in thedirection of the others house. Once there, he sat in the car for a good 10 minutes, trying to decide if he should go get the other or just text him. But somehow, the later one seemed rude. Ducking his head down a bit, he glanced at the others house, his stomach shifting a bit in unease. IT wasn't a date or anything, they were just going to get food, all that's all he needed to know.

 

Pushing the car door open he carefully walked up the side walk to the others door and rang the bell before taking a step back to wait patiently.

[Guest Eornostlice]

The raven thew on a pair of blue skinny jeans and a whitish-pink chemise. His shoes and winter coar were both black, waiting by the door and his scarf, with a blavk and white checkerd patten was on the hanger. He had decided that he did not need a beanie or anything of the sort this time around. All he had to do was wait. And well, that proved more difficult than he initially thought. He was running late it seemed.

 

Ali looked at his phone again, having lost count of how many times he did it in the past hour. They were both late by now. Not that it mattered really. But his brows furrowed with worry. He made him drive in such weather afterall, the ground was frozen and slippery. He... would not have an accident or something right? Maybe he just got lost? Perhaps he should just call.

 

It was then that the doorbell rang. Ali let out a sigh of relief, already knowing that the only possible guest in such weather would be Amon. He opened it rather quickly, having been waiting by the door like an impatient child all along. He slipped his phone back into his pocket.

 

"Ah hello there. Sorry I just need to put my coat on and I am don-" He spoke cheerfully, but froze as his eyes fell to the white haired boy's forehead. He... did not have that before.

 

"Hey. How did you get that?" He asked softly, pointing to his own forehead.

[Florence_Ashmore]

Amon was busy glancing around the others front yard which was currently blanketed in a white layer of powdery snow and a thin layer of ice from the freezing rain. Somehow the house itself seemed warm, much unlike his own empty and desolate one. Just looking at it he could tell that there were some really warm memories implanted in this place. However he didn't really have much time to contemplate it before the front door swung open, blasting him with some warm air which was very welcomed. His breath puffed out into vapor as soon as it hit the cold air, and he found himself looking at Ali. The white haired male couldn't help but be a bit relieved that it was Ali that opened the door and not one of his parents. He could already tell he probably would have gone on a random mumbling rant like he seemed to be doing so often lately if they so much as spoke to him.

 

"Ah, So-." He began, with the intent to apologize for being late however found himself cut off when the other question his cut. Well, shit. The raven really didn't seem to miss anything, the fact that Ali was so perceptive he could already tell may make things complicated with things in the future but for now his face remained impassive and soft. "Ah, this? Yeah, I was in a rush because I was running late and managed to slip coming out of the shower. It's not a big deal, I think it's more superficial than anything." He murmured softly, reaching up and gingerly touching the angry cut. "Forehead cuts tend to bleed more and look worse than they usually are, so no worries." He finished before motioning to the car in an attempt to cut the conversation off before Ali could question him at all. "The car is warmed up still if you want to grab your coat and get going? It's my fault we are late as it is." Despite his usual soft tone, his face remained completely still, almost like an unfeeling doll.

[Guest Eornostlice]

The raven could not really read anything on his face. He was like a doll if anything, betraying nothing. Wasn't he too good at that? A bit too good truly. Ali did not push it, sign that could mean he accepted the explanation. At least he looked like he did. In truth, the wound looked pretty bad and not as light as the other was trying to make it seem but he really felt like he should not push it further.

 

He grabbed his black coat and put his shoes on without hesistating anymore, along with his scarf that could protect his nose from the cold. "There. All done." He announced, smiling softly and patting Amon's head through the beanie. "The guys are probably already waiting but most likely we won't be the only ones getting there late so don't worry alright?"

 

He got out himself, pulling the door shut then locking it even though both his father and mother were inside, checking his pockets one more time. Keys, check. Phone, check. Money, check. It seemed just about everything.

 

"Does it not hurt tho? That cut." He looked again at the white haired boy as he moved towards the car.

[Florence_Ashmore]

Amon was not nearly as good at reading people as the Raven seemed to be, so when the other seemed to shrug off the cut he figured he was in the clear. Nodding slightly he took a step back as the other walked out of the house. Reaching up, he adjusted his beanie once before before falling into the slow stride beside the other. His hands slipped into his pockets to retrieve the keys and he clicked the unlock botton on them, the car made a loud beep signally they could get in. Amon glanced into the road to make sure there were no cars coming before walking around the car and sliding into the passanger seat. Sticking the keys back into the ignition he started the car, heat instantly blasted them both in the face and the soft sound of music came from the radio.

, One of the number one songs began to play, setting the mood for the warm car right a relaxing one.

 

"Ah, yeah, i'm a pretty clumsy person to be honest. When I was a kid I almost drowned in the creek and there was only two feet of water so i'm pretty accident prone." He spoke softly, his face gradually began to warm up a bit, the icy impassive look replaced with one of comfort and relaxation. "How do I get there by the way?" He added, glancing over at the Raven haired male.

[Guest Eornostlice]

The first thing that Ali took note of was not the warmth but the peaceful song that was playing. He listened carefully, memorizing some of the lyrics so he would be able to search it up later on. He fastened his seat belt. The fact that the other was accident prone did not make him feel any better. Accident or not, it sounded rather worrysome.

 

"Ah right. It's pretty easy from here. We just follow this road towards the main. Then we will just need to go straight ahead until we reach the traffic lights from the center and turn right. The place should be visible and the parking lot should still have some space." He tried his best to explain everything simply, but decided it was best to show afterall.

 

He pulled out his phone, building the route on the map before showing it to Amon, only to make sure he understood. "This should be it. "

[Florence_Ashmore]

Amon listened to the others directions, but truth be told he was absolutely terrible it them. Even as a kid he always managed to get lost walking him, a few times the red head had been the one to show him the way meaning that at least somewhere in his mind he remembered the basics. Thinking about it now, he remembered one time when he got lost on his way home and it was storming outside. He'd been sobbing for a good twenty minutes, and that was the first time he'd ever seen the red headed. He'd never given the spector a name, so he'd always reffered to him as much. He had been huddling under neath of a street cart that had oranges in it which luckily for him still had the umbrella that was meant to block the sun popped up. He felt the brush of fabric beside him and looked over to see the red head, smoking a cigarete and silently looking off into the distant clouds.

 

Not one word was exchanged between the two, but the other had reached up and put his arm around the small crying Amon and just sat with him until the rain had stopped. When it finally did, the red head took Amons hand and led him back home before dissappearing into thin air. Not one word exchanged between them the entire time. But somehow, the small child had found comfort in the presence, real or not. He was brought back into reality as he leaned over to look at the map Ali had made on his phone. Carefully and silently, he pulled into the parking lot finally and flipped off the car. His hand lingered on the keys for a moment as he tried to compose himself to the best of his abilitiys, though he tried to keep any notion of unease from his face.

 

"Alright, well looks like we made it finally, are you ready to head in?" He spoke, glancing over at the striking Raven, his voice held only a hint of unsteadiness as he did so, finally retracting the keys and pushing open his own door.

[Guest Eornostlice]

Ali unfastened his seatbelt but was not all that quick to climb oit of the car. Instead, he let out a subtle chuckle, looking at the white haired male to his side. It was clear as daylight that it was not that raven that had to mentally prepare for the interraction with the other three, but rather it was Amon that needed to work up his courage.

 

Ali had a small 'I knew it' kind of moment as he gazed at the other. He had been right. Amon was no good with crowded or public places and generally with people. The group they were supposed to meet was noisy, true. But there were only three of them. Even so, the boy looked clearly nervous.

 

Then... why did he so bravely invite himself? Ali could not seem to be able to control his natural curiosity. If he were to be all self-confident, he would assume that it was because of him. But it did not quite make sense as by then he had already declined the invitation. Perhaps Amon was mre perceptive than he thought and realized he was declinig his friends in order to spend time with him? Such thought made the raven show a gentle smile.

 

"More like... are you alright and prepared?" Ali turned the question back at him in a warm voice, opening his door and getting out, waiting on the other with his hands stuffed inside his pockets. "Don't worry. It will be alright. They are nice people."

[Florence_Ashmore]

Amon was definetly a bit caught off guard by the others response, somehow it seemed to echo in his ears. Alright and prepared? Maybe it was more normal than he thought for someone to need to mentally settle themselves for an upcoming group gathering? Still, worrying or over thinking it right now would do little to rectify the situation so he chose to just shove it in the back of his mind for now. Shutting his own car door, he walked around the car, not without of course loosing his footing and sliding a bit on the slick ground beneath them. However he was quick enough to catch himself on the back of the car and reain his footing. Once he was up right and feet planted again, he turned patted his jacket down nervously before nodding, resolved. "I know, they seemed pretty..." He had to search for the word for a moment before continuing. "Eccentric?" Though he didn't mean it in a negative way, he just honestly thought it was cool how they all seemed to have such diverse yet still fitting personalities.

 

Begining to alk again, he led the way towards the door that he saw others entering in. This place was also really close to the university, which meant young, roudy college kids were bustling all about already. A young girl, probably about the same age as Amon, came stumbling out of the establishment, clearly she had to much to drink. Amon attempted to just walk around her, but now it was her turn to loose her footing and she quickly stumbled into him. She was light however, even in comparison to Amon so he managed to catch her arm easily, though he certainly looked anything but happy about it. "Ahhhh, mm sooo sorry! Cannnnot seem to find me feet, y'know?" She giggled looking up at Amon then her faze shifted to Ali and she gaze him a big drunken smile as well. She nearly slipped again, causing her to fall against him again and the white haired males cheeks instantly heated up as he felt her chest against his arm. Out of reflex, Amon took a step away from her and put his arms up and she instantly went crashing to the ground.

[Guest Eornostlice]

For a moment there, Ali was sure the other was going to go down on the slippery snow, and he wanted to react but luckily Amon managed to get back to his own feet. The raven let out a sigh of relief, heading towards the entrance himself. He was about to comment on how exactly the three were less eccentric and more towards borderline crazy but he did not get the chance to.

 

A girl that in his eyes was way to young to be drinking herself to that point came out and coould hardly keep herself on her own feet - correction. Coul not keep herself on her own feet. Amon managed to catch her the first time. But the second, his reaction nearly had the raven burst into laughter. It was adorably innocent. That was the best way to describe it.

 

"Miss. Are you alright?" Ali spoke up, helping the girl up and keeping her up by both her shoulders with a gentle smile, that at the same time looking somewhat amused. "You shouldn't go out alone in such state. Could you tell us where your friends are? Girls would be preferred."

 

Such a girl was an easy target for perverted men so he could not bring himself to simply ignore her. The worse case scenario, they'd have to see her home themselves. That was exactly how he viewed the entire situation.

[Florence_Ashmore]

Amon stepped a solid four feet away from the entire situation, his cheeks were still tinted red, then again he could just blame it on the cold. This was the first time he'd ever actually felt a womens breast, he'd been hit on a few times in high school but his usual response was an impassive glance and just walking the other way. It's not like could really have done that in this situation though considering she had literally flopped herself onto him. He watched silently, almost sheepishly, as Ali took charge and helped her out. He gave her a sideways glance as she watched he promptly reach out to Ali and wrap her arms around one of his in an attempt to keep herself up right, clearly not satisfied with Ali just holding her up. Something about that seemed to heat up the young white haired male, but he simply glanced back in the other direction towards the car.

 

"Mmmm, yeah, my friends are gonnnna b-bee driving us home. They are realllly fuckin nice if you guys wanna join in the car ridde?" She giggled again, a sound that did nothing but annoy Amon, and he glanced back over to see her looking at Ali with hooded eyes. Not a second later, a group of four people managed to stumble out of the esablishment followed by one very annoyed looking girl in glasses which he assumed was probably the clearly under appriciated designated driver. As soon as she saw the giggling drunk girl her eyes widened then narrowed in annoyance before stomping her way over. "God dammit Jessica, I said wait five minutes. Seriously dude, come on." She grumbled, hooking one of the girls arms around her shoulder and pulling her back from ALi a bit before looking at them both. "Sorry about this, one of those nights where they had one to many right?" She joked though her tone held nothing funny in it as she carried her loopy friend towards the parking lot.

 

Amon watched after the group, his face smooth and impassive once again, only after they made it into the car did he turn and walk past Ali once again towards the door with a low breath. Finally, before he was dreading heading in but now he seemed to want nothing more.

[Guest Eornostlice]

Ali could not help but sigh at the girl. She was a walking mess. If she could actually walk that was, but in this state, she was not even that. He could not help but feel relief as he caugh sight of the mess's friend, thankfully a girl and completely sober. She looked annoyed. "Good luck with that." He spoke in a soft voice towards the female in glasses, watching them until they entered the car.

 

Ali did not notice all the white haired male's reactions, having focused on that stranger's safety rather than the boy.

 

The finally raven shook his head and followed Amon, entering the door. His gaze fell back on the other, as if afraid he'd lose him. The place was fairly noisy, but on the bright side, the first floor was a no smoking area. It was only the second floor that permitted smoking, and Ali never climbed up there, not being too keen on the smell that usually existed around smokers. It would stick to his clothes and bluntly put, he disliked it. "This way. They always end up reserving the same table. The one from the corner." He nodded towards the other side of the large room. His predictions were rather accurate. From the entrance they could see the three, and Ali could already tell that they were waiting.

 

"Are you sure you are alright tho?" He asked for the second time for the night, just to make sure.

[Florence_Ashmore]

Amons senses felt assulted the moment he stepped inside the building, the only places he ever really went to to class, the curry shop, a small coffee shop, and his home. This place smelled delicious to say the least, the air inside warm nice and warm and there was a constant chatter all around him, that part he wasn't to fond of, he could hear laughter and somewhere upstairs there was a loud thump which he could only assume was someone getting up from there chair to quickly or stumbling around. Subcontiously, he tightened the jacket around himself despite not being cold, almost as though he was attempting to create a blockage for himself in it. The place wasn't to crowded, but he felt someone brush past him lightly on there way out of the door and he instantly felt out of place.

 

He brought his attention back to Ali and followed the others gesture to the booth where he recognized the others from earlier. Reaching up, he batted at his ear for a moment in reflex when he heard a small conversation between a couple that they walked past. This was the problem, he didn't know who was real and who was not, he never did. So going to public places like these would tend to put him on the edge, and it was only now that he really remembered why. He found his eyes begin to linger on everyone that they past on the way to the table, contemplating what was real and what was not. So far from what he could tell, so far everything seemed pretty normal.

 

Right, all he really needed to do tonight was focus on Ali and the others at the table. It didn't really matter if anyone else was real or wasn't real, and that was what he used to calm himself down a bit. His face was impassive but almost looked...strained? If that's what you would call it, his face was slightly pale by the time they finally got to the table. He responded to Ali, but wouldn't bring his gaze up to the others just yet as he spoke, "Yeah, I'll be fine. I will feel better when we get some food, no worries." He murmured again softly, before stopping at the table and raising his hand in a waving motion, "Sorry we are late, I got lost." He spoke softly, but still his gaze did not reach anyone elses.

[Guest Eornostlice]

"Ah!" The blonde was the first to react, greeting the two with a grin. "I thought you two backed out last minute without telling us and was just going to call you. We did not even order yet. I'm starving."

 

"Weren't you the one that suggested we wait, Rick? You sure have a big mouth after sulking for the past half an hour." Will smirked, pushing up his glasses.

 

The blonde simply glared, holding his tongue.

 

"Eh! Will that is mean. Teasing is supposed to be MY job you know?" The brunette pouted to the exchange. "More importantly. Sit down already you two~ What kind of pizza do you guys want?"

 

Ali sat down, removing his coat and scarf. "Mushroom, ham and olives would be nice. I always end up forgetting the name. I will also get some lemonade. What about you Amon?"

 

The raven had already decided to help the white haired boy relax and enjoy the outing so he was paying him the most attention, while still trying to be discreet.

 

"Lemonade? Tskk. You know beer is the right way to go with pizza right?" The brunette clicked his tongue as a joke, rolling his eyes.

 

"Max. Actually aren't you driving?" It was already obvious that the most responsible in the group was the four-eyes, and he acted like some sort of balance.

 

"Well I am. So I cannot drink alcohol. But he is wasting the opportunity!"

 

Ali just shook his head, still focused on Amon.

[Florence_Ashmore]

Amon stepped aside so that the other could sit down first, before carefully sliding his way beside of the raven. He noticed the other removing his jacket and remembered that he needed to as well. Unbottoning his own he slid it off and let it fall onto the area behind him between the booth and his back. "Mm," He murmured in response to Ali, but paused, picking up a menu he glanced over all of the options and stopped at one he thought he might like, "Can I get spicy marinara sauce and meatballs with onions and mushrooms? I'll just get some water to drink, i'm not really one for soda." He answered finally after full out glaring at the menu for a good four minutes. Closing it up, he sat it down in front of him and sat back.

 

He was sitting on the outside of the booth, and a waiter walked past him, brushing his arm just barely but it caused the white haired male to lean over closer to Ali in the process out of reflex. The dull chatter of those around them was buzzing in his ears, so he focused his attention on the others sitting with them in an attempt to drown them out. Turning his attention back to Ali, he spoke, "I'm driving us home so if you want you could get a beer or two?" He suggested, not minding being the designated driver. He had a slightly head ache from the slip earlier, and reached up to remove his hat.

[Guest Eornostlice]

"Gee what is with you guys and mushrooms? They taste awful." Max, who was the childish one of the group- closely followed by the blonde in that aspect- whinned loudy, causing the said blonde to laugh.

 

"Nope. It's just you being picky."

 

"It's alright. I am fine with my lemonade. " The raven's reply was rather honest as he focused on the white haired boy only, the other three playing more the part of background sound. He knew that he had something to talk about with Amon on their way back, and he would prefer being completely sober while opening that discussion. He was fairly anxious about it but knew he could not just wait for the other to tell him. He was sure he never would.

 

Ali did not mind the closeness in the least, chuckling a bit at the way that the beanie messed up the other's hair, not hesistating to reach over and pat it in place. "Hmmm I keep thinking... your hair is really soft afterall. Just like a cat's."

[Florence_Ashmore]

Amon leaned back against the sit as he listened to the others responce, and a slight smile played across his lips at the idle whinning of the other questioning there taste buds. The conversation seemed so light hearted and simple, like they had no problems in the world. Which despite there cheerful demeanors they obviously did, there wasn't a person of 18 in this world that lived a life completely problem free. They might not even be big, signifigant problems, but they were problems none the less. He brought his attention to Ali who he noticed was looking at him as well. Even someone as calm as the raven had to have some problem somewhere, right?

 

Amon gave the other a sympathetic smile and went to turn his attention back to the table but found himself stopped in his tracks when he felt the increasingly familiar hand resting on top of his head. His eyes widened slightly at Ali's comment and he sat there dumbly for a moment, unsure of how to respond. The others were around them still, chatting idily, but he still couldn't help but feel a bit embarressed of the small reaction between the two. Bringing his own pale hand up, he gingerly touched a piece of his hand and rolled it between his thumb and for finger. "Mm, I buy pretty expensive conditioner?" He responded dumbly, unsure of what else to say. It was only now, that he realized he'd been sitting here for a good few minutes and he hadn't seen or heard one thing strange. This notion caused him to visably relax a bit, maybe this would not be as hard as he thought it might be originally.

[Guest Eornostlice]

"Hmmm... well it's still pleasant to touch." Ali ended up chuckling, not yet moving his hand away, not bothered in the least by the way his hand was stroked. Somehow the entire atmosphere was simply relaxing and he did not seem to be the only one that thought so. The raven was quick to notice that Amon seemed less stressed and jumpy that before and in truth, that simple thing was making him happy.

 

"Geez~ For how long are you two going to flirt?" The big mouthed Max had been staring at them all along with a giant grin plastered on his face and he was most certainly back in the teasing bussiness. Ali straight up ignored the brunette, the only one having a reaction to his joke being Will, who did not hesistate to hit his head with the Menu.

 

"What was THAT for? Gee." The brunette rubbed at his head, sulking as the blonde held back his laughter. "Really aren't you guys curious at all? Ali is the only one that never talks about anything of the sort. I cannot be the only one interested! I mean. He did date this absolute hottie of chick in high school for about two years. She seemed all sweet too you know? She had big boobs too. What was her name again? Laura?"

 

"Eeh there was such a person?" Rick's interest seemed to be suddenly piqued, looking towards the big mouthed male.

 

It was only then that Ali removed his hand, sighing and shaking his head, not replying in any sort of way but giving Amon an apologetic smile, which he hoped the male would take as an expression on how hopeless the guys sitting with them were.

 

"You guys are worse than girls..." Will spoke with a total lack of interest, running his hand through his hair with a face that clearly suggested he looked down on them.

 

"Uwah that was so mean Will. Even for you!" Rick ended up being the only one laughing, as if he had absolutely no care in the world.

[Florence_Ashmore]

Amon watched the others banter and couldn't help but let out a smile, it was small, but it was certainly genuine. This scene was something he'd only ever seen in movies, or read in books or manga. Going out with friends after school and joking around, laughing about stuff with a conversation that had no real realavance to it but somehow was still so engrossing at the same time. However, the smile faulted at the mention of Laura somehow it just managed to unsettle him. He could just imagine Ali sitting next to a beautiful girl with a well developed body, laughing with her, joking with her, holding her hand. Even just the simple idea of it made him want to reach up and brush the raven haired males hand off of his head.

 

What exactly did you think kid? He was into men? Last time you checked, you are missing the two key elements of females.

 

The voice rang in his ear and instantly his calmed demeanor was shot, he sat up more rigid this time and instantly the world around him seemed to shift. He glanced to the left to see the other people in the resturant all looking at him, grinning. Reaching up, he rubbed his eyes quickly and when he re opened them he could see that everyone was back to normal. All he needed to do was calm down, he was out with Ali and his friends, he needed to calm down. Right on que, the waitress appeared in front of him and smiled at the table.

 

She was short, with blonde braided hair and brown eyes, looking at Amon he flipped open her small note book and spoke. "Alright guys, sorry for the wait, let's start off with you sweet pea, what can I get for you?" Amons answer was almost automatic, "A beer, please." He looked up at her and she just laughed, before speaking ,"Alright, i'll get you the house beer." She stopped and looked at him for a few more moments before adding, "And your food, dear? What kind of food did you want with the beer?" He couldn't help but get a bit flustered as he muttered out, "Ah, i'll have the one with mushrooms and spicy peppers." He finished, taking his menu and handing it up to her. Giving him one more glance she added, "You sure you don't want something a little tastier to drink sweetie? We have the best cosmopolitans around, it's a bit stronger than beer but much better." He nodded to her suggestion, now in a hurry to get through this dinner.

 

Looking up, she looked at Ali for his order next, "And you sweet heart? "