Tales From Creative Writing

Ties

"Pat, could you help me with this?"

"Hm?" Pat looks up from his book and does a double-take. In front of him is his best friend Orion, well-fitted in a fresh suit. His dark-coffee skin nearly glows under the light, and his hair is neatly tamed-- something that must've taken at least ten painful minutes. The only thing out of place is the loose tie he fidgets with.

"You...need me to tie your tie?"

"Yeah."

Sighing resignedly through his nose, Pat bookmarks his page. As he gets up and walks toward Orion, a soft vanilla scent envelops the air. With a tug, the tie comes undone, and Pat starts retying.

"I know it's a dinner date, but...don't you think this is a bit much?"

"No, Pat--" Orion blinks rapidly amd briefly darts his eyes. "This is the date."

Oh.

Pat nods. "Gotcha."

"Is this too much?" Orion resists the urge to reach and fidget with his tie again. "Do you think she'll like it or absolutely hate it?"

"Well..." Pat pulls the tie through, "it might be a bit too formal."

"I knew it!" Orion throws his hands up, and they slap back down to his sides.

"Hey, that's just my opinion! I think she'd still like it."

"We've known each other for like, ten years, you know Perci hates formal stuff! I should know that!"

"Okay, but she loves you. And if she really didn't want to go to a fancy resturant, she would've said no."

Orion stops pacing. "I mean, I guess..."

Pat walks around so that he's face to face with Orion again. "I assume this is by reservation, so you might as well go. And if it doesn't seem like a good time, don't propose."

Orion purses his lips. "Yeah...yeah, that makes sense. Thanks, Pat."

"Anytime."

Orion pulls out his phone. "Alright, almost time for me to head out." He looks back up at Pat. "Do I look alright? Think I should take a breath mint?"

Pat gives Orion a playful smirk. "No, I bet you've had, like, ten already."

Orion grins sheepishly. "How'd you know?"

"Seriously though," Pat gently claps Orion's shoulder, "you look great. Don't secondguess yourself so much."

Orion smiles at the floor. "Right, yeah. And--" Orion's eyes snap up to meet Pat's, "another thing.

"Thanks for, like...everything. None of this would be happening without you."

Pat smiles softly, reassuringly, and speaks almost in a whisper. "I'm just glad we're friends again."

Orion spreads his arms. "This seems like a good time for a hug, yeah?"

"You sure? I don't want to ruin your suit."

Orion wraps his arms around Pat anyway, and Pat gently pats Orion's back.

"Okay," Orion pulls back, "now I gotta go. I'll see you in a few!" He waves goodbye, grinning giddily beforw turning and jogging to the front door.

"Good luck!"

As Pat waves and Orion closes the door behind him, past memories resurface. Pat sighs, closing his eyes and letting it all wash over him. Memories from when it was just him and Orion hanging out, the twinge of jealousy once Perci got involved, the long-gone hurt and anger from that all-consuming incident.

The visceral shift he had the day Orion apologized is still so clear to him. Like letting his shoulders and brow relax after holding them tense for so long, behind the cracks in his shell of hate was exhaustion; a longing for things to return to the way they used to be. The way they should be.

Despite everything and everyone who told him he shouldn't, that he was stupid, foolish, and naive (and maybe he was), Pat let Orion back in. He just wanted his best friend back.

And thank god he did. Completeness swells in his heart as he takes a satisfied, reminiscent breath. He's confident things will go well for Orion.

Pat relishes in the feeling a little longer, a warm sun shining on his face after a night of restless storms.

~☆~

Back on my Oreocup shit 😊😊😊

This was also written near the beginning of the year. But yeah if no one else is writing a post-forgiveness marriage arc I will (proceeds to skip the actual arc)

All object stuff will most likely be written with human names btw. Lest my classmates look at my writing and go "wtf" yknow 👍

Okay byeeeeee 😁😁😁