It's Saturday... Rurik isn't too sure he's comfortable leaving Lotus behind on his own. Sure nothings happened, but isn't that how most weirdos work? They create a pattern of whatever... But it didn't ease the nervousness... Would Lotus be ok, all by himself? Sure he could always call him... Or Goth.. or literally anyone... But that didn't make things feel better. Before Lotus leaves for work, Rurik pulls him aside, "Hey, promise me you'll call someone if things get bad." Lotus stares at Rurik for a minute, "Um, yeah. Obviously..." He replies, it's a little relief, but not enough. "I know. I know, I'm just a little worried about leaving you here" Lotus sighs, but a gentle smile creeps on his face, "I'll be ok. And I'll call someone if things go wrong." He says, Rurik nods, and before Lotus leaves, he stops, "do you work tomorrow?" He asks, Rurik thanks for a moment, "Not that I'm aware of, unless they call me in" Lotus' smile grows a tad, "Good." He doesn't go into it anymore than that and leaves for work.
The drive to work feels longer than usual. He's been doing his best to forget the events of two nights ago... But he can't get it out of his head. He thought it was bad enough that he still felt feelings for Rurik... But now this? This only amped it up. It was actually begining to annoy him. No matter how many times he's told himself that it's not safe to really be attached to anyone, he always ends up in this position.
Stuck between what he wants and what he needs... He wishes things were easier. With a sigh, he pulls into the drive way, leaning his head on the steering wheel. Why was scared anyways? What's different now? A lot.
Getting out of his car, he ties his hair up, before walking into the shop, pulling his apron from the wall and over his head, he looks up, expecting to see Bethany... "Ezekiel?" "Lotus! My man! It's been a bit huh?" The other calls from the counter, Lotus walks behind it, washing his hands and setting up, "Um, yeah, I thought Beth was working tonight" he says, the other nods, "She called in sick, so looks like you're stuck with me" he says, latching an arm around Lotus' neck and ruffling his hair, Lotus rolled his eyes with a smile, before pushing the others arm away from him, "Great, go wash your hands, nasty" Lotus snickers as Ezekiel groans, the sound of the sink fills the rather empty shop.
"Looks like a slow night" Lotus comments, Zek looks up from the sink, shaking his hands dry, "mm, yeah I think so." The two sigh collectively, leaning against the counter, "So, what's been going on with you?" The taller asks, Lotus shrugs, " the usual, been hanging out with Rurik this past week." "Oh yeah, Beth told me what happened, or at least just a little bit, I'm not one to get into business that ain't got anything to do with me" Lotus hums, "Yeah, same. Anyways, what about you?" He asks, Ezekiel crosses his arms, thinking, "Nothing really interesting, finishing up my classes for the semester. Been thinking about maybe picking up another major." Lotus chuckles, "No breaks huh?" "Nope, and not like you can talk, when was the last time you took a break?" "Got me there" Lotus laughs.
Work continues like normal, it's slow, but the pace is nice, means there's more time to relax between customers. Though it's hard to relax when there's so much going on. Ezekiel places a hand on his shoulder which makes Lotus jump, "You good man? You've been pretty tense... Did Beth get you sick?" Lotus took a second to calm down, "Y-Yeah, yeah, I'm good, just a little tired is all" "Then make yourself something, we work at a coffee shop haha" Lotus awkwardly laughs along, "Umm, yeah." now that he thought about it, it wasn't a terrible idea to make some, "You want any?" he asks, Zek shrugs, "Nah, I'm not a coffee person. More of an energy drink kinda guy"
Lotus hums, before turning and making a quick home brew. "What do you even put in that stuff?" Zek asks, Lotus hums, grabbing the coffee pot at the sound of it's beep, "Nothing but a little sugar" he says, pouring a mug, and adding a little sugar, "Gross" he laughs, "Better than Energy drinks" "You sure 'bout that? Coffee isn't that good for you either." Lotus shrugs, "Eh, true. But at least my kidneys won't croak early on." he jokes, he hears Ezekiel chuckles, "You say that like you don't know me" the two engage in more bantering and small talk.
"Ugh, I hate slow shifts, what time is it?" Lotus looks up from the fridge, before pulling out his phone, "two thirty" Zek groans again, "Why'd we decide to work the night shift?" " 'Cuz we've got pretty bad social anxiety?" Lotus responds, Zek huffs, "yeah... Hey, what'cha doing today? It's technically your day off, right?" "Yeah, um, I have plans though" "Ah, we have to hang out soon man, maybe invite Beth" "So you can crush on her?" Lotus asks smugly, Ezekiel gasps before playfully smacking the back of Lotus' head, "HEY!" he says, offended, Lotus laughs, holding his hands up in defense, "Not my fault you've got a crush" "Who's already dating someone!" Lotus looks up at Zek, "Buuutt, I'm pretty sure I heard her talking about being Polyamorus." Lotus smirks when he watches Zek's face flush, "Susheth your face" he says, Lotus shrugs, turning away.
"Just saying man, you should give it a shot." there's a little bit of silence as Lotus finishes stocking the fridge, standing up, he turns to face Zek, "You sure?" he asks, Lotus shrugs, "I mean, I don't see the harm in trying" So he says, but honestly, the words don't feel right coming from him. He feels in the wrong for giving out advice he, himself, can't follow. But he says it with confidence anyways, maybe if he helps one person he could feel a little better? It's not a healthy coping mechanism, but it was better than picking at his hands. Which he's been thankful that his friend hasn't brought it up.
He stared at the bandage placed over where he'd bitten himself, he still can't believe he did that in front of Rurik... He still felt bad for it, even if the other had told him that it was ok, it didn't feel like it was. Lotus sighed, gently pulling at the bandage, "Sorry, I um, I got sidetracked." Lotus mummers, "Oh, no dude you're ok! No worries" the two continue work, mostly cleaning, until it's time to turn in. Ezekiel walks out with Lotus, they say their goodbyes before leaving.
The drive home is long, and Lotus is beyond exhausted when he enters the door. There's more he wants to do, but he should probably sleep... But walking down the hall is difficult, and getting into his room is harder. He doesn't know why he's so tired, it had to be just the mental exhaustion catching up to him. He barely makes it to his bed, before passing out.
YOU ARE READING
Tales Of Icarus
FanfictionPerhaps he knew this would happen, after all luck had never been in his favor, but still, deciding right then in there to risk everything, for what? His friend that may never love him back?
