Mediocrity 50% [Brallon: Deja Vu, Book 1]

5.5

"As promised by me, and hosted by Otto, a movie marathon to soothe thy restless souls. Over a gourmet meal of soda, popcorn, and an obscene amount of junk food and candy because neither Otto nor I can actually cook." Ryan declared, carrying a bowl of popcorn and wedging himself on the couch between Brendon and Pete. Dallon was seated on the edge, next to Brendon. Dallon hadn't sat around and watched anything with his friends since high school, when he, Spencer, and Ry used to go to concerts or the movie theater every weekend. Sure, he watched movies with Ry all of the time, and that was enough, but they hadn't done it recently. That rain check on a Back to the Future marathon was lasting a very long time.

Otto's house was a bit fancier than Dallon and Ry's apartment and even Spencer's place. Working with finances probably did end up getting you a fair sum of money. Dallon didn't know. Otto didn't talk to him much about money, or his job for that matter, so the only time he ever truly heard him talk about budgets and all sorts of accountant terminology that Dallon had no clue what the meaning of, was when he had occasionally helped Dallon balance his checkbook, when he was around 20, or that one spring where he'd needed help on his tax returns. Dallon would have normally asked his dad, but the phone lines were down near his parent's house. All things considered, Dallon and Otto never really talked about work.

Otto and Tyler were both sitting in armchairs on opposites of the couch, tilted to slightly face each other. At least no one was sitting on the floor this time, like what usually happened. Everybody had the tendency to hang out in such large groups. Come to think of it, this was the first time Dallon had seen Tyler without Josh there. 

"I don't think I will ever understand how you all have the social battery to spend time with as many people as you do almost every few days." Dallon shook his head. 

"Hey, you've been doing it too recently. You have the capability." Brendon pointed out, poking Dallon in the arm. Dallon nodded his head at him, as if to acknowledge that it was true.

"And yet again, I am painfully reminded that Dallon is a chronic introvert and I am not allowed to randomly show up to his and Ry's apartment and whisk him away whenever I want to do anything." Pete said, heaving a sigh.

"And this is why you don't have a key to our apartment." Dallon said.

Pete hissed in a breath. "Ouch."

"Do that, and I will not hesistate to tell Mrs. Flanagan that you have a crush on her and are into older women." Dallon threatened. Brendon didn't know who Mrs. Flanagan was, but giggled nontheless. Maybe it was just because it was Dallon making the joke. Despite Brendon's inhibitions to getting walked all over again, he wanted to get to know the man sitting beside him. Plus, who doesn't want a very tall, very smart, very funny, and very handsome friend to tag along everywhere? Eye candy for the masses. Enjoyable company for him.

"Hey!" Pete exclaimed. "I refuse to watch Fox News with her on Friday Date Night!"

"Why is he talking about this like he'd actually date her..." Otto asked. "Pete. No. She's tried to call the cops on you multiple times."

"Well, he's not denying his fetish for old ladies." Ryan said, leaning back to look at Brendon, who put his head in his hands laughing.

"I'm gay, that doesn't really work out well." Pete said. "I do not like Mrs. Flanagan. And I never will. She will have to live with her unrequited love and I'm honestly quite offended you thought I would ever lead her on like that."

"You were the one who made it seem like you would accept the offer." Otto said, shrugging, as if to take the blame off of himself. "Also, she's not a sweet old lady, she's a crotchety elderly woman who blasts republican news channels loud enough for Dallon and Ry to hear in their apartment. And she lives all the way down the hallway from them."