Gluttony and Greed Walk into a Burger Joint

Chapter 4 - The Purple Shirt

The Twins had a theory.

Alus volunteered to test that theory, first.

But as he paced back and forth in front of one of the residential homes next to BurgeRama, he questioned his sanity.

Darkness had begun its steady descent, and since the summer months had come, the hour was quite late. Dani would get off work before too long since the hut closed a half-hour previous.

They theorized that Dani affected the Twins as a unit. Therefore, once separated, a difference might make itself known. Arek stood no where near the business for this reason. Gluttony and Greed could certainly go on without one another, and had done so many times in the past, accomplishing much as individuals. Still, their separation only lasted so long before the need to reunite proved too strong to ignore. They were a duo, a unit, a team—their crowning achievements a result of their integration.

Even so, Alus—the coolest, most laid-back of the Twins—held little penchant for anxiety. He squeezed his hands together and paced, staring at his brown flip-flops while he did so, concentrating on not stepping on the cracks in the sidewalk.

Dressed in a pair of khaki cargo shorts and a simple, lavender polo that made his eyes look the same shade, Alus looked as tempting as ever. The sleeves of the shirt emphasized the cut and tan of his upper arms and fell smoothly down his sides to show off his trim waistline. Young and beautiful forever, the curse of the immortal demon. He knew he looked good, though it wouldn't have bothered him if he didn't. Part of Alus's charm came with not putting stock in what anyone else thought of him.

When Alus reached one end of the block, he turned and started for the other, still staring at the ground.

"Arek?"

Alus stuttered to a halt, jerking his head up.

"Oh, sorry, Alus."

"You can tell us apart." Alus spoke the quiet realization more for himself than her. Oh, Hells. Hells! She can tell us apart!

Dani smiled like she held back a laugh, and it made her hazel eyes shine. "You've been coming every day for a week. Shouldn't I be able to by now?" She held her apron over her forearms, a small denim purse hanging off one shoulder. Otherwise, she remained in her usual work garb—a white collared shirt and black skirt with laced boots.

"I...yes? I mean—" Alus gestured vaguely to his face. "Usually they need to see the eyes but...I'm..." He then plucked at his polo with a thumb and forefinger, like that explained everything.

The corner of Dani's lip twitched. "You're what?"

"...Purple shirt."

She laughed, and Alus fought the urge to turn and bolt.

So much for our brilliant theory. On top of that realization, Alus thought something he never thought he would ever have reason to: Thank the Hells Arek isn't here to see this.

Dani stepped forward, and the laughter faded into an amused but curious expression. Her eyes sparkled behind their frames. "You'll have to explain to me what your purple shirt has to do with anything."

Putting a hand up to his breastbone, Alus cleared his throat, quelling the impulse to take a step back as she moved to stand a few feet in front of him, leaned back on one heel with both her hands holding the strap to her purse. This was the longest Dani had ever spoken to him directly. At this point in time, Arek had usually taken over, drawing her attention.

When no response came, Dani's smile softened. "I've gotten used to seeing the two of you everyday."

Blinking, Alus looked up, struggling to meet her eyes—and feeling inwardly annoyed because of it.

"You two are so different." Dani spoke the rhetorical statement more to herself than to him. 

Alus found himself unable to keep from answering. "You don't know the half of it." A touch of his usual charm returned with the response, though with more sarcasm than usual.

Dani smirked, paused a moment in thought, then extended a hand. "Walk me home?"

The demon stared at her hand like it might grow wings and fly away. His heart leapt to his throat, and he couldn't have explained why. "I...erm—"

"Just say 'yes'."

What was it about her smile? Alus couldn't have given her any other answer, soft as it was. "Yes." 

And while you're here, please say 'yes' to the vote button as well!