In Bloom

Clownery

The car ride over to the heart stopping restaurant was pretty silent. Only the radio filled the void. Beta glanced over the one eyed man driving, he was practically shivering in his boots from nerves. Kind of scary with how he was the one in control in the car but being nervous was Charlie's default setting. Maybe it was a good thing?

"Uhh, how do you exactly drive with only one eye? Is that even legal?" Beta slipped out without thinking.

"I just drive?"

"I see."

"Yeah uh, h-how was your flight over here?"

"Horrible, I sat right in front of some baby crying the whole time and some fat old guy passed out leaning on me."

"I see."

It was then silent again. Charlie was definitely used to being around Alpha who didn't shut up. Beta considered himself also as someone who often didn't shut up but this time he wanted to make sure he said the right things.

Thankfully, they eventually pulled up to the restaurant and got out. Good food was sure to get them both to bond and talk.

"S-So..." Charlie started, standing awkwardly next to Beta in front of the counter, "What do you want t-to order?..."

"Uh-" Beta stuttered, why did he agree to go to McDonald's again? He just ate his lunch! - "I'll uh... Just have some fries."

Charlie let out a defeated sigh, "I don't know what to g-get... I should probably just order a salad, I'm g-getting a little chubby lately, so n-no apple pie, haha...I want to look good for our big day!"

Beta felt his blood run cold at what Charlie said, but he decided to write this off as a coincidence as well. The older male was always leaning on the chubby side, maybe he started a diet recently?

"Well uh, we could share a large fries or something, that wouldn't be too bad?"

"No no! They make their fries with milk and other animal products. It's horrible!" Charlie explained.

"God, that is right you're vegan! Wait, hold up, why did you choose McDonald's of all places?"

"Alpha said you liked it?"

Beta looked at Charlie, completely flabbergasted for a few moments. His brain couldn't process that Alpha would remember such a stupid detail about him, yet alone talk about it to his sprouse.

"Oh... That's nice of him..." Beta muttered, looking down on the floor, a little bit embarrassed if truth be told.

"I mean he did word in a way saying that liking fast food is the reason why you are so fat..."

"I- Okay, that sounds more realistic," Beta said, rolling his eyes as even the last bit of appreciation he had for Alpha faded into nothingness.

"Sorry..." Charlie said, "I hope it didn't come off as mean, I j-just like to stay truthful...a-and don't beat yourself up. I think you're thinner than me!"

"I guess-"

"You know I have an older brother right? He is bigger than the two of us combined, and he is so proud of himself-"

"Can we just order?!"

"S-Sorry.."

"It's fine ugh just-" Beta sighed. He needed this guy to open up to him, to come out about something that he obviously wanted to even if he hasn't told their family yet. "Let's get an apple pie, come on."

Beta went up to the worker and ordered a large fry, small salad, and an apple pie along with drinks.

"Wait, let me-" Charlie pulled out his wallet.