pls do not comment on the mistakes w dates n stuff. i am very, very very very very very very painfully aware it is just too much of a pain to go back and fix <3 sometimes i am not perfect even tho most of the time i am /j <3
FIVE
Black Hole
It was uncomfortably quiet when Elias woke up in the morning.
He had never gone a morning or night without Mars around. She was either complaining about something or going on and on about her newest obsession (as of late, said obsession was a video game).
He was so used to hearing her so early in the day. Well, he was relieved she was doing okay. She hadn't texted him â other than updates every now and then. It seemed like the sleepover went well, and so had the party overall.
That knowledge took some weight off his shoulders.
He played some music while he got ready and made breakfast, later lightly kicking at the ground with his socked feet as he ate. Being alone in the mornings wasn't a great feeling. Being lonely at all wasn't great. He hadn't realized that before until last night and now.
Talking to Roman had been almost therapeutic. Having someone his age around who knew what it was like being an adult was comforting. He hadn't had much time to build proper relationships.
His family had kind of ruined that for him.
They had been average at first. Typical mom and dad, four kids, normal sibling banter. But then he came out as bisexual and things took a turn for the worst.
His parents heard "bisexual" and all they thought was: our son is not straight. They hadn't been outright homophobic, but it showed in subtle actions, like only referring to women when talking about his romantic life. Calling his soft features "too feminine" instead of "beautiful." All in all pretending he had never come out in the first place.
Two of his sisters were younger at the time, and therefore easily influenced by their parents. The only one who accepted him was Kris, his late sister who was the closest to him in age by three years.
She was at his side the whole time. And when she got pregnant at seventeen, he was there for her, too. Every moment, every good memory and every bad one. They became best friends, brought closer by being deemed the "black sheep" of the family.
Until it was only Elias.
Elias, who watched his sister die for a new life to take her place. He had almost resented Mars for it in the beginning, until he realized it wasn't her fault and she was important to Kris, so she quickly became just as important to him. He took custody, and since then, it had been him and Mars against the world.
He was so used to only having Kris that only having Mars was no different. He had acquaintances, sure, but his heart didn't have the capacity for any more than one.
His life was an organized train wreck, to put it in the most simple terms.
You got a wife? A husband?
Elias let out a quiet laugh when he remembered Marco's words. While it was nosy, hearing it was oddly validating. And at the same time, it left an ache in his chest.
He liked the idea of romance just like any other person who experienced romantic attraction. Sure, he could live without a partner, but he had always wanted to know what it was like to love someone in a different way than what he knew.
"Damn," Elias whispered, running his hand down his face. Maybe Marco was right. Maybe he did need to get out.
But I already have enough on my plate.
He shook his head to himself and put his dishes away, grabbing his things and heading out to his car. Maybe going in early and working would keep his mind off things. He hoped so.
One day away from his usual routine and he was already going crazy.
When he got there, he was surprised to see the five musketeers (he needed a new nickname for them) sitting around inside. Usually they got there at least half an hour after he did. Today it was only Marco, Felix, and Roman, so maybe that played a part.
"Where's dumb and dumber?" Elias asked once he walked in, the three men immediately turning to acknowledge him. He frowned. He didn't like the way that looked â it was creepy as fuck.
"They got shitfaced last night," Marco stated with a smug grin. "They're at home suffering."
"You're not?" Elias raised an eyebrow. "You look the type to get so drunk you can't walk."
Felix snorted. Marco glared at him.
"I was actually very responsible last night," Marco pointed out, then jerked his thumb at Felix. "Shoulda seen him. He's a flirty drunk. He wouldn't keep his hands off me."
"That's not true," Felix hissed.
Marco waved a dismissive hand. "You know â I wouldn't have had to be responsible if you decided to come with. And you â " He pointed at Roman. "Fuck you."
Roman furrowed his brows, a silent asking of what the fuck did I do?
"Don't act innocent, dickhead," Marco sneered. "You bailed on us. You said you'd come by after you helped the pretty boy!"
"Please stop calling me that."
Roman shrugged. "Maybe he changed his mind," Elias said when he realized Marco would not, in fact, stop calling him that.
"He coulda texted."
That... That was true. He glanced at Roman, who was nodding in agreement. Marco huffed. "That's what I thought. Text next time."
Elias sighed. "You all want what you usually get?" When they all bobbed their heads, Elias went to the back to put his stuff away. He told the orders to the cooks and served their drinks, looking around the place.
The three of them were the only customers there at that time. If it was Monday, he would understand. But it wasn't. It was Sunday.
Oh, fuck. It's Sunday.
Elias grabbed his phone and pulled up his text messages. Mars hadn't contacted him yet, probably still asleep, but â
dad (-: -
When do you want to be home?
He hadn't thought about that. Would that girl's mother take her? Or did Elias have to pick her up? If it was any time before six, he had no way to go and fetch her. Why had he not thought about that beforehand?
"Everything okay?"
Elias looked at Gale, who stood at his side with a small, concerned frown. Her personality didn't make it seem like it, but she could read the room pretty easily. Sometimes she just didn't care.
"Yeah," he replied, offering a tiny smile. "I just... Mars spent the night at a friend's house for the first time. I'm a little nervous."
"Ah," Gale voiced. She reached out and ruffled his hair. "Don't worry too much. If she wasn't feeling the best, she would tell you. You gotta remember she isn't a baby anymore."
"Yeah. Yeah, I know. Trust me."
"Well, if you need any help, just let me know." She pecked his cheek before brushing past him to go talk to the three sitting at the counter. He lingered for a moment, then slipped his phone into his back pocket and returned to his job.
Mars would text him.
He was proven correct an hour later.
best daughter ever :DD -
idk
best daughter ever :DD -
i think around 12?? yeah 12 everyone else is going home at that time
dad (-: -
Is it possible for her mom to take you home?
best daughter ever :DD -
her mom and dad went to work already her brother is watching us. he's 18 i think
Elias rubbed his face. Why did things have to end up being more complicated than they had to be?
dad (-: -
I don't think I can pick you up at that time. If you're not able to find a ride, I'll do my best to figure it out
best daughter ever :DD -
okieeee i'll ask
"You look constipated."
Elias scowled at Marco. "I didn't ask." He pocketed his phone and crossed his arms.
"You're so rude to me. Why?" His pout said he wasn't being serious.
But Elias would be. "Because you're nosy and won't stop calling me that stupid nickname. You're on thin ice."
Felix cleared his throat. "He was really trying to ask if you were okay, but he tries to make everything a joke."
Elias snorted. That made far too much sense. "Yeah, I'm alright. Thanks." Then, to change the subject, "Do you guys need anything?"
Two of them shook their heads, while Roman was staring off into space. Elias slid over and waved his hand in front of his face, snapping him out of his thoughts. He looked up, straightened his posture, looking a little surprised.
"Hm?"
"Do you need anything?"
Roman looked down, paused, then shook his head. Elias went to step away, but Roman reached out to tug on his sleeve. Elias blinked, giving him a curious look.
He pointed at his notepad. Elias' lips twitched and he pulled it out, sliding it over along with the pen. Roman jotted something down, then turned it around so he could read it properly.
Will you still teach me sign language? How and when?
Elias let out a soft 'ah' in response. "If you're here when I'm on break, I could help a little then," he offered. "Are you a hands-on learner or visual?"
Marco snickered. Elias frowned and threw him a glare. "What are you laughing at? You think it's weird he wants to learn?"
Felix smacked him, as he always did. Marco yelped, then sobered up to say: "That's not it. Uh â "
"Don't," Felix said, facepalming. "Just ignore him, Elias. He has the mind of a thirteen year old boy."
Elias scowled and hurled a damp towel his way, making Marco act like he'd been shot. He ignored his complaining and turned back to Roman, forcing a smile. "Sorry. So?"
Roman wrote again. I prefer if I could see you do it, but I'm fine either way.
"I have Fridays and Saturdays off," Elias reminded him, leaning his hip against the edge of the counter. "And then I have my breaks. You just tell me what's best for you, okay? For now, I'll point you toward some sources that helped me out."
Roman nodded, then looked to the side to observe his friends. His hair parted, revealing an eyebrow piercing right above the slit near the end. Elias furrowed his brows. He wondered how old he was. He couldn't be far from his or Marco's age.
"Hey," Elias blurted. Roman immediately met his gaze. "How old are you? Sorry if that's weird. I just â saw the piercing. I don't really see them on anyone other than younger people."
Roman's lips just barely lifted into a smile. "Twenty nine," he mumbled. His voice sounded like a rumble when he spoke so quietly. "You?"
Elias groaned. "Don't make me say it."
Roman lifted an eyebrow, leaning forward a bit. Elias sighed. "Thirty four."
The other man pulled the notepad back toward him. That's not old. Fifty is when you get old. Elias just rolled his eyes.
"Well, I sure as hell feel old." He caught movement in the background and noticed a customer waving him over. "I'll be right back. I have my break at eleven, by the way, if you'll still be here."
Roman bobbed his head and left Elias to go take care of the other customers. After that was when people slowly started trickling in, and Elias was left busy all the way up until his break started.
By then, he had two texts from Mars and Marco and Felix had left, leaving only Roman left, still seated even though he had no one to keep him company. Elias felt bad, but then again, this was his own choice.
Elias grazed his arm, making him startle. "Let me check up on someone and then we can start, alright?"
Roman nodded quickly. Elias untied his apron with one hand, the other typing out a response to Mars' messages.
best daughter ever :DD -
they said i can stay over until ur done and can pick me up
best daughter ever :DD -
if that's ok
dad (-: -
Yeah of course that's okay! I'll text you when I'm on my way
best daughter ever :DD -
okieee
Finally, that issue was out of the way. He discarded his apron and walked back out, beckoning for Roman to follow. He got up without hesitation and trailed after him, sitting down at a booth in the far back corner, where it was quieter and away from the bigger crowd. Just in case Roman wanted to talk.
"I'm gonna teach you the basics first," Elias told him. "Obviously."
"Okay," Roman whispered. He was still hesitant to speak properly, but it was a start.
"How do you think you say 'hello?'" Elias asked him, hiding an amused smile against his knuckles when Roman awkwardly lifted his hand in a wave.
"You can do that, but no. You see, it's kinda like you're saluting..."
___
A/N: i know marco seems annoying and aggressive but i promise he means well ok idk how to explain his personality and way of thinking but he is best boy i swear on my life just hang in there u will come to love him like me and the patreon ppl do
anyway!!!! was gonna wait to post this one but .
let's just say i need good vibes ððð»
+ i just rlly love this book and like to see u guys like it too (-: i hope ur all having a good day/night/evening, and if ur not, i hope tomorrow is better for u <3
i rlly need to stop posting this so often oops