27 Nov 2019, 18:58
still lovely
@Rafael D'Spacito
It felt sort of surreal, funny even, that Gem was having a ‘bar’ date at the ripe age of twelve years old. He hadn’t been so sure at first, that this place would be too compelling, but... Rafael did say wherever worked, and it wasn’t like he could necessarily find a great place with great people and great food around here– there was only so much that they could do and enjoy themselves.
Going the route of pretending to be adults seemed like the very best option, because it was fun. That was just the fact of it, and it was a hard conclusion to deny as a pre-teen.
He’d ordered them two butterbeers, he couldn’t believe he was able to even speak to the man at the counter– his heart was beating in his face. He hoped it wouldn’t show, even though it probably did. He’d said nothing at first, mostly just leaned over and took a few sips of his drink, mentally sifting through all his conversational topics. It was a lot harder to do when you were looking at your crush right in the face like he had the secrets of the universe in his eyes. He probably did, Gem wouldn’t particularly mind.
“Have you ever been here before?” Was his first question, something he strangled out. It wasn’t a very hard question to ask, he wasn’t sure why he asked it like he were an airhead or something. He felt weird, real weird, in a type of way he couldn’t put into words. He almost choked himself getting another mouthful of butterbeer in his mouth, filling his cheeks up with it like he were a goddamn chipmunk. That could be filed under a list of things that Gem considered the most horrid and unattractive. Great. Was he panicking? He was panicking.
What really knocks me out is a book that, when you're all done reading it, you wish the author that wrote it was a terrific friend of yours and you could call him up on the phone whenever you felt like it. That doesn't happen much, though.
27 Nov 2019, 20:54
still lovely
@Gem Stuart
The Leaky Cauldron was a cozy sort of place. Not in the way a library is cozy, what with its must and peace. No, this place smelled like sweaty men and alcohol, and it was anything but peaceful. Nonetheless, Rafa felt right at home in the controlled chaos. Especially with Gem sitting in front of him, all calm and collected. [Or so he thought, anyways.] The Ravenclaw had suggested that they lie about their ages, and seeing as that wouldn’t be too hard – they both looked well over their ages – Rafa happily agreed, no stranger to sneaking into places he shouldn’t.
At the moment, both of them were enjoying their butterbeer. Which was great – Rafa didn’t mind silence. It gave him some time to sort out his thoughts and get used to his surroundings. He was also enjoying Gem’s deep brown eyes, sipping his butterbeer slowly. He had worn his hair messy on purpose today – earlier in the week, Gem had told him that he preferred it that way. So, of course, who was he to make it this morning? He had slipped on his old Barcelona Jersey – blue and red, baby. A big number #10 was plastered on his back, along with the word Messi. His favorite football player – not too original, he’d admit, but it wasn’t his fault he liked the guy. You don’t just pick those kinds of things. Sitting here right now, he knew that more than ever.
It wasn’t until a few moments passed that Gem finally spoke. “Have you ever been here before?” he asked, a little halted, Rafa noticed. The Ravenclaw nearly choked himself after that little comment, filling his cheeks up with butterbeer. It was a bit cute, Rafa would admit, and he allowed an amused grin to come on his face – only for a moment, though. He didn’t want Gem to think he was making fun of him or anything.
Slowly, he answered Gem’s question. “Uhm,” he started, a bit embarrassed with the question, “I haven’t really been out much. At all, actually.” He rubbed his neck, hoping his grin was outdoing the slight color in his cheeks. “Parents, man. You get in a jam one time, and they’re locking you in like Rapunzel.” He laughed, taking another swig and filling his cheeks up with butterbeer to match Gem’s, a humorous look on his face. Granted, maybe he didn’t look too dashing or anything, but perhaps it would put his friend at ease. If he could even call him a friend.
The Leaky Cauldron was a cozy sort of place. Not in the way a library is cozy, what with its must and peace. No, this place smelled like sweaty men and alcohol, and it was anything but peaceful. Nonetheless, Rafa felt right at home in the controlled chaos. Especially with Gem sitting in front of him, all calm and collected. [Or so he thought, anyways.] The Ravenclaw had suggested that they lie about their ages, and seeing as that wouldn’t be too hard – they both looked well over their ages – Rafa happily agreed, no stranger to sneaking into places he shouldn’t.
At the moment, both of them were enjoying their butterbeer. Which was great – Rafa didn’t mind silence. It gave him some time to sort out his thoughts and get used to his surroundings. He was also enjoying Gem’s deep brown eyes, sipping his butterbeer slowly. He had worn his hair messy on purpose today – earlier in the week, Gem had told him that he preferred it that way. So, of course, who was he to make it this morning? He had slipped on his old Barcelona Jersey – blue and red, baby. A big number #10 was plastered on his back, along with the word Messi. His favorite football player – not too original, he’d admit, but it wasn’t his fault he liked the guy. You don’t just pick those kinds of things. Sitting here right now, he knew that more than ever.
It wasn’t until a few moments passed that Gem finally spoke. “Have you ever been here before?” he asked, a little halted, Rafa noticed. The Ravenclaw nearly choked himself after that little comment, filling his cheeks up with butterbeer. It was a bit cute, Rafa would admit, and he allowed an amused grin to come on his face – only for a moment, though. He didn’t want Gem to think he was making fun of him or anything.
Slowly, he answered Gem’s question. “Uhm,” he started, a bit embarrassed with the question, “I haven’t really been out much. At all, actually.” He rubbed his neck, hoping his grin was outdoing the slight color in his cheeks. “Parents, man. You get in a jam one time, and they’re locking you in like Rapunzel.” He laughed, taking another swig and filling his cheeks up with butterbeer to match Gem’s, a humorous look on his face. Granted, maybe he didn’t look too dashing or anything, but perhaps it would put his friend at ease. If he could even call him a friend.
I probably haven't collected my allowance yet.
28 Nov 2019, 02:37
still lovely
@Rafael D'SpacitoGem didn't do much to impress, not this time. His entire outfit was one that Leland had sent him a bit back, a grey tank top, denim jacket over it, black pants, and his boots. It wasn't like he was trying to be stunning or give off the impression he cared too much - he didn't, but that seemed more and more difficult to believe the more anxious he got. He wasn't usually this nervous, not around anyone, but... he felt dumb. Real, real dumb, dumb as a doorknob.
"Really?" He mused, right after gulping a painful amount of butterbeer down. "Would'ja like ta tell me wot yer whole jam was that got ya home stuck?" He circled his finger around his glass, then moved it to his lips, which he chewed idly. Rafa... did seem like trouble, he wouldn't deny that, but if he'd gotten in big enough trouble that he was locked up at home for most of his life, he'd have to know exactly what happened.
Gem never got in trouble. Not with his parents, anyhow. He could be running around with three knives in each hand and his mum would pretend nothing happened, his dad wouldn't have even been in the room had that situation arose. He'd tried it a few times, getting in trouble, and the most he got was an eyebrow raise from his father, nothing more. It could've been disappointing, but it made him feel more free... and yet, alone. He wasn't sure if that made any sense.
"Y'know, I do sometimes find that trouble is attractive," He felt like he plucked that right from a book, but it sort of just slipped out. Stupid. "Joost sayin'." Was he trying to get Rafa to spill it? He wasn't sure, he didn't have a very silver tongue, though it would've been nice if it worked. Maybe it was something completely dumb and minuscule, that his parents were just helicoptering over him, but it could've been more. The thought alone brought him a rather wide, brash grin.
What really knocks me out is a book that, when you're all done reading it, you wish the author that wrote it was a terrific friend of yours and you could call him up on the phone whenever you felt like it. That doesn't happen much, though.
28 Nov 2019, 18:01
still lovely
@Gem Stuart
Rafa enjoyed watching Gem try to force butterbeer down his throat – it was purely entertaining. He wasn’t even sure how he had downed half his glass – maybe he should have stopped the other boy, but really, he couldn’t stop looking on in entertainment. "Really?" the Ravenclaw said in a thoughtful manner. Rafa was genuinely shocked that he could even talk after that attempt. "Would'ja like ta tell me wot yer whole jam was that got ya home stuck?"
Well, not really. Truth be told, that was a bit of a sore spot in his life – one that he often tried to forget had ever happened. It was the only real time he had actually feared for his life. That, matched with the fact that the story itself was pretty disturbing, made Rafa altogether reluctant in sharing. He didn’t want to creep Gem out or anything with that dark, disturbing shit. But, then Gem had to be the seductive guy. "Y'know, I do sometimes find that trouble is attractive," the other boy told him. "Joost sayin'." A massive grin was beginning to form on his handsome features. It was quite contagious, and soon enough, Rafa felt that his own lips were quirked in a large grin. Well, he couldn’t displease Gem.
“I didn’t kill someone, if that’s what you’re thinking,” he told Gem jokingly. He settled down a bit, taking a long swig and brushing some of his bangs away. “It’s a bit of a story,” he continued. “When I was eight, these flits came after me and my friends after school. You know, we’d been in a couple fights, but they were grown men, with knives, and all.” He recalled the events as if he were telling a ghost story. “You should have seen them, though! They looked worse than we did, and they ran first, too.” The runners were the forfeiters, of course. “Guess it kinda scared my parents, though, because the police were all over us. Got pretty beaten, too.”
Yeah, it hadn’t been a fun incident at all. His sister was still pissed about moving, and it had been three years. That was women for you. “But, we moved here, and the rest is history,”he stated nonetheless, a bright grin taking his features. He wasn’t exactly sure why he told Gem this – it wasn’t like he had told anyone else. “What about you?” he asked suddenly, a mischievous look on his face. “Got any ghosts, do you?”
Rafa enjoyed watching Gem try to force butterbeer down his throat – it was purely entertaining. He wasn’t even sure how he had downed half his glass – maybe he should have stopped the other boy, but really, he couldn’t stop looking on in entertainment. "Really?" the Ravenclaw said in a thoughtful manner. Rafa was genuinely shocked that he could even talk after that attempt. "Would'ja like ta tell me wot yer whole jam was that got ya home stuck?"
Well, not really. Truth be told, that was a bit of a sore spot in his life – one that he often tried to forget had ever happened. It was the only real time he had actually feared for his life. That, matched with the fact that the story itself was pretty disturbing, made Rafa altogether reluctant in sharing. He didn’t want to creep Gem out or anything with that dark, disturbing shit. But, then Gem had to be the seductive guy. "Y'know, I do sometimes find that trouble is attractive," the other boy told him. "Joost sayin'." A massive grin was beginning to form on his handsome features. It was quite contagious, and soon enough, Rafa felt that his own lips were quirked in a large grin. Well, he couldn’t displease Gem.
“I didn’t kill someone, if that’s what you’re thinking,” he told Gem jokingly. He settled down a bit, taking a long swig and brushing some of his bangs away. “It’s a bit of a story,” he continued. “When I was eight, these flits came after me and my friends after school. You know, we’d been in a couple fights, but they were grown men, with knives, and all.” He recalled the events as if he were telling a ghost story. “You should have seen them, though! They looked worse than we did, and they ran first, too.” The runners were the forfeiters, of course. “Guess it kinda scared my parents, though, because the police were all over us. Got pretty beaten, too.”
Yeah, it hadn’t been a fun incident at all. His sister was still pissed about moving, and it had been three years. That was women for you. “But, we moved here, and the rest is history,”he stated nonetheless, a bright grin taking his features. He wasn’t exactly sure why he told Gem this – it wasn’t like he had told anyone else. “What about you?” he asked suddenly, a mischievous look on his face. “Got any ghosts, do you?”
I probably haven't collected my allowance yet.
28 Nov 2019, 19:24
still lovely
@Rafael D'Spacito“I didn’t kill someone, if that’s what you’re thinking,”
“Pshaw,” Gem scoffed, “there goes me excitement.”
That hadn’t been the case, though, when Rafa started to elaborate. Who the hell pulled knives out on children? He assumed it was in Argentina, he knew nothing like that happened in England– that he knew of, anyway. That was pretty bad, he couldn’t find a story to compete with it and make it all lighthearted like his date had. If that ever happened to him, he’d spin around, run off, and toss his cookies once he was out of sight.
“Holy hell,” Gem exhaled, his eyes as wide as saucers. “You’ve gotta be kiddin’ me, ya beat them?!” He’d been aware of the fact it was a group of boys, but... that was still a group of boys verses a group of men with knives. He supposed magic had to have come into play– that, or a miracle. He’d been half-joking about danger being attractive to him, but now? He wasn’t sure.
It felt weird, having the tables turned on him like that. He didn’t have anything cool happen to him, not one that he could word to make sound inherently as badass as Rafa’s story. He thought quietly, chewing on the inside of his cheek. Something cool, something cool...
“Well,” he tilted his head, “it wos when I was still eleven, back in Sheffield? Since me dad’s a rockstar and all, he would take me ta some ov his parties, and... they weren’t always fancy, if ya get wot I mean,” parties with lots of things an eleven year old shouldn’t be so proud to see. “Well, it was kind ov crazy, this one. Lots of people came around ta talk ta me, yunno? Alcohol, rock n’ roll... stuff.”
“Well, I guess some ov the neighbors didn’t like the noise so mooch, and called the bobs on us. And then it got all out of hand, cos one of me dad’s friends? He’s got a mouth on him, so they searched the house, and we had ta run. Leland- he’s me dad’s producer, like a brother ta me- grabbed me by e’ arm and got me ta climb a fence. I don’t remember so much after that, honestly... but that’s me horror story. Runnin’ away from a few muggle cops, that’s... not realleh too crazy.”
He went sort of quiet after that, mostly because of the fact it was weird recalling something you hadn’t brought up so much. It wasn’t a lost memory or whatever, but it was nice... nice to let it out? He trusted Rafa, it wasn’t like he was gonna go out and tell anyone.
“I think I like you fightin’ a bunch of scary big men a lot more, honestleh.”
What really knocks me out is a book that, when you're all done reading it, you wish the author that wrote it was a terrific friend of yours and you could call him up on the phone whenever you felt like it. That doesn't happen much, though.
29 Nov 2019, 18:18
still lovely
@Gem Stuart
“Holy hell. You’ve gotta be kiddin’ me, ya beat them?!” Gem said, his voice full of shock. He seemed pretty surprised by the story, particularly the part where they had ripped those fellows a new one. Which, for a moment, made Rafa feel bad - he had kind of forgotten to mention that it had been, like, four against sixteen. And they had been pissed. The Northlands Soccer Team was a force to be reckoned with, it didn’t matter that they were elementary schoolers. Rafa knew that better than anyone, having been one of the primary members. But he decided to withhold this information for the moment, instead listening to what Gem had to say.
Gem began to recall his ‘ghost story’, of sorts: He had been at one of his dad’s parties. Apparently, it had gotten a bit crazy, and the cops had shown. This led him to wonder what Gem’s dad was like – he seemed the exact opposite of Rafa’s own father, in the way that he wasn't so uptight. He thought he’d ask, but then again, if Gem felt at all like Rafa did towards his parents, it would probably be better to leave them out of serious discussion. He kept his mouth shut, listening to the rest of Gem’s story with growing interest.
“I think I like you fightin’ a bunch of scary big men a lot more, honestleh,” Gem finished after a while.
Really? Because, if Rafa were totally honest, the idea of Gem hopping a fence. Fucking. Killed him. He could just picture it – his dad’s producer under him, trying to shove him over. “Sorry, man, but I’m going to have to completely disagree,” he joked. “What’s it like, hopping fences?” Though, he couldn’t talk at all. He had done it more than once – it was an art that took many tries to master. His uncle Diego taught him – now that was a tough hood. This guy Leland reminded Rafa a lot of his uncle, actually – it brought a massive grin to his face. “Tell me about Leland,” Rafa said, a rather interested look on his face. “Seems like an interesting character.”
He became serious for a moment, however. “Running from the cops sounds hella scary, man,” he told Gem honestly. Authority had always gotten under his skin, for some unexplainable reason. Perhaps it was owed to the fact that the cops back home hardly ever did their job. They were these fat, uncapable men. It was a bit depressing – probably why crime was so rampant back home. “Brave man, you are,” he added, a small grin coming back to his face. He took a massive swig of his butterbeer – down the hatch. He exhaled dramatically, wiping the foam off his face with his wrist. “How crazy do your dad’s parties get, anyway?”
“Holy hell. You’ve gotta be kiddin’ me, ya beat them?!” Gem said, his voice full of shock. He seemed pretty surprised by the story, particularly the part where they had ripped those fellows a new one. Which, for a moment, made Rafa feel bad - he had kind of forgotten to mention that it had been, like, four against sixteen. And they had been pissed. The Northlands Soccer Team was a force to be reckoned with, it didn’t matter that they were elementary schoolers. Rafa knew that better than anyone, having been one of the primary members. But he decided to withhold this information for the moment, instead listening to what Gem had to say.
Gem began to recall his ‘ghost story’, of sorts: He had been at one of his dad’s parties. Apparently, it had gotten a bit crazy, and the cops had shown. This led him to wonder what Gem’s dad was like – he seemed the exact opposite of Rafa’s own father, in the way that he wasn't so uptight. He thought he’d ask, but then again, if Gem felt at all like Rafa did towards his parents, it would probably be better to leave them out of serious discussion. He kept his mouth shut, listening to the rest of Gem’s story with growing interest.
“I think I like you fightin’ a bunch of scary big men a lot more, honestleh,” Gem finished after a while.
Really? Because, if Rafa were totally honest, the idea of Gem hopping a fence. Fucking. Killed him. He could just picture it – his dad’s producer under him, trying to shove him over. “Sorry, man, but I’m going to have to completely disagree,” he joked. “What’s it like, hopping fences?” Though, he couldn’t talk at all. He had done it more than once – it was an art that took many tries to master. His uncle Diego taught him – now that was a tough hood. This guy Leland reminded Rafa a lot of his uncle, actually – it brought a massive grin to his face. “Tell me about Leland,” Rafa said, a rather interested look on his face. “Seems like an interesting character.”
He became serious for a moment, however. “Running from the cops sounds hella scary, man,” he told Gem honestly. Authority had always gotten under his skin, for some unexplainable reason. Perhaps it was owed to the fact that the cops back home hardly ever did their job. They were these fat, uncapable men. It was a bit depressing – probably why crime was so rampant back home. “Brave man, you are,” he added, a small grin coming back to his face. He took a massive swig of his butterbeer – down the hatch. He exhaled dramatically, wiping the foam off his face with his wrist. “How crazy do your dad’s parties get, anyway?”
OOC: That last part about law enforcement… completely true
I probably haven't collected my allowance yet.
29 Nov 2019, 20:14
still lovely
@Rafael D'SpacitoIf there was any chance for Gem to run his mouth about Leland, he'd take it quicker than a damn heartbeat. He sat up, a cheek-splitting grin taking over his once vaguely solemn expression.
"Leland? Well, I'll tell ya about Leland," He began, "I met him when I wos a wee lil' cabbage, was about eight? He was sixteen. A prodigy from Wales, came over from there ta help me dad out wiv his records after he dropped outta Hogwarts. You should see that guy on the guitar, mate! He could play ten chords inn'a second an' act like it wos nothin'!" All he really needed was his eyes to start sparkling, that'd really be the icing on the cake.
"He's a real big help. I mean, really, the brother I never ever had. He looks out fer me, an' he... he tells me everythin' I need to know. Sometimes, I wonder if he knows everythin', cos if he did, I wouldn't be so shocked. He's real... here, let me show ya. This picture here? It's the only time I've seen him wivout a pair of sunglasses." He pulled his wallet out, shuffling through a few papers until he finally got to the aged, folded up photo of Leland. He slid it over the table, showing a younger looking man, a neatly done, black haircut, nice bone structure and all, holding a guitar. It was a more recent photo Gem had gotten, apparently taken by Fiona, one of Leland's friends.
"He can play any instrument he wants, I swear ta God. I love him ta death, really, I do. That, n' he hates law enforcement. Any type, really, he thinks all cops 're bastards... dunno enough about em' to say mooch, but maybe he's right. I don't know," He shrugged indifferently, getting a short sip of his butterbeer.
"Dad's parties usually aren't his, he's joost invited to em'. He doesn't like em' very much, actually, says that he hates talkin' to people. I don't know what he does there, but sometimes, I wonder if he's off causin' infidelity in his and me mam's marriage, if ya get wot I mean."
"I can't help but trust him, though. He's... He gets drunk, sure, but he doesn't act like an idiot, I guess. He's... uh, I dunno! I don't know. What about yer family, though, enough about mine! My family's quite boring, ha." He never really was a great liar, but he hated to talk about himself so much. So did his dad - figures.here's the picture btw lol
What really knocks me out is a book that, when you're all done reading it, you wish the author that wrote it was a terrific friend of yours and you could call him up on the phone whenever you felt like it. That doesn't happen much, though.
30 Nov 2019, 05:26
still lovely
@Gem Stuart
Gem seemed to have quite a lot to say regarding his friend Leland – the man seemed like a pretty cool guy, Rafa had to admit. He was only eight years older than Gem – nine for himself, if he thought about it. The guy really seemed to put a smile on Gem’s face. So, automatically, he was good in Rafa’s book. Plus, the way Gem talked him up, he seemed like he were a god on the guitar – that was something Rafa would like to see sometime.
Gem pulled out a photo of him and showed Rafa – the picture itself said a lot. He stared at it while Gem talked, picturing the two together in his head. Granted, his imagination wasn’t the greatest, but if he tried hard enough, he could make do. It was a pretty amusing thought. Rafa tucked it away, however, catching Gem’s last few words – something about law enforcement. “Any type, really,” the other boy said. “He thinks all cops 're bastards... dunno enough about em' to say mooch, but maybe he's right. I don't know.” Rafa was about to agree with him, but something caught his eye. It was a bit embarrassing, actually, but Rafa couldn’t get his eyes off of Gem’s lips. He was talking about something, but Rafa couldn’t really hear the words. In that moment, he wished he were closer to Gem – right beside him even. His fingers tapped the sides of his glass unconsciously, his mind buzzing. He caught the last few words Gem said – something about infidelity? Hopefully that comment wasn’t too important, because it would be hella embarrassing, asking Gem to repeat it.
"I can't help but trust him, though,” Gem finished. Rafa assumed he was going on about his father. “He's... He gets drunk, sure, but he doesn't act like an idiot, I guess. He's... uh, I dunno! I don't know.” There was something off about the way Gem spoke. It almost seemed if he were lying. Rafa knew better than to question it, though. There was no need to pry. “What about yer family, though, enough about mine!” Gem stated with a hurried sort of air. “My family's quite boring, ha."
Rafa laughed, his mind still swimming and unfocused. “Um, well,” he started, rubbing the back of his neck. “I have two parents, obviously. And two sisters.” Why did he say that? He really hoped Gem would write it off as a mistake of words. “My older one is sixteen. She goes to Beauxbatons. Bit of a bitch, really. Hrmmm.” He chewed his lip, trying to recall everyone correctly. “I’ve got my British uncle, and my aunt – I guess I’ve always seen them as more of my parents, in a way. Oh, I’ve got this uncle,” he sat up a bit, his voice getting a bit excited. “He’s ten years older than me, but you wouldn’t be able to tell. Taught me how to throw a punch, and jump fences.” And a bunch of other things that I probably shouldn’t mention in polite conversation, he noted. Just that statement alone, and someone could get the wrong idea. “He’s not a criminal – more of a survivor, than anything. Actually, he works for the Ministry now, as an auror. He’s a load of fun. More like a brother, than anything else. Erm.”
Rafa felt his pockets, but he knew full well that he never carried a wallet with him – he had just never had the need for one before. He did have his card, though, and a small wad of cash in his back pocket – to pay for the drinks, obviously. And – of course! He pulled out his phone, a bit of a grin forming on his face. He always carried it with him. It was a bit of a nervous habit, actually – if he ever got bored or didn’t feel like talking to people, he’d always take it out and pretend he were doing something important. It didn’t work at Hogwarts, but they weren’t really at Hogwarts, now, were they? He crossed his fingers, pulling out the small device. To his surprise, it flickered on. He deftly unlocked it, immediately going to his pictures.
It occurred to him that this was the perfect chance to do something about the distance problem – he quickly stood and brought his chair to the other side of the table. Then, quickly sitting down, he flipped out one of Diego’s tamer pictures. “This is Diego,” Rafa said, a shit-eating grin on his face. The specific picture he pulled up was a bit of an old one – his uncle was sipping some kind of drink and wearing a Future is Female shirt. For some reason. It was weird, because Diego sent him a lot of really spontaneous pictures – it was kind of his signature thing. “He’s got a sense of humor,” Rafa added. He was sure there were several pictures in his phone that would make Gem die laughing – and probably some rather embarrassing ones – but perhaps he would save that for a later time.
Somewhere during the small introduction, he found that one of his feet were now against Gem’s – a small gesture, but it was something. He felt his mind clearing up, and he slid his phone into the back pocket of his jeans, tucked away for the moment. Though he felt a bit better, his mind was still a bit pre-occupied. He still couldn’t get his mind off of Gem’s.. his face, he would say. He wasn’t really sure what was messing with him, but he was really hating himself for it. He had better watch himself, before he did something truly Gryffindor.
Gem seemed to have quite a lot to say regarding his friend Leland – the man seemed like a pretty cool guy, Rafa had to admit. He was only eight years older than Gem – nine for himself, if he thought about it. The guy really seemed to put a smile on Gem’s face. So, automatically, he was good in Rafa’s book. Plus, the way Gem talked him up, he seemed like he were a god on the guitar – that was something Rafa would like to see sometime.
Gem pulled out a photo of him and showed Rafa – the picture itself said a lot. He stared at it while Gem talked, picturing the two together in his head. Granted, his imagination wasn’t the greatest, but if he tried hard enough, he could make do. It was a pretty amusing thought. Rafa tucked it away, however, catching Gem’s last few words – something about law enforcement. “Any type, really,” the other boy said. “He thinks all cops 're bastards... dunno enough about em' to say mooch, but maybe he's right. I don't know.” Rafa was about to agree with him, but something caught his eye. It was a bit embarrassing, actually, but Rafa couldn’t get his eyes off of Gem’s lips. He was talking about something, but Rafa couldn’t really hear the words. In that moment, he wished he were closer to Gem – right beside him even. His fingers tapped the sides of his glass unconsciously, his mind buzzing. He caught the last few words Gem said – something about infidelity? Hopefully that comment wasn’t too important, because it would be hella embarrassing, asking Gem to repeat it.
"I can't help but trust him, though,” Gem finished. Rafa assumed he was going on about his father. “He's... He gets drunk, sure, but he doesn't act like an idiot, I guess. He's... uh, I dunno! I don't know.” There was something off about the way Gem spoke. It almost seemed if he were lying. Rafa knew better than to question it, though. There was no need to pry. “What about yer family, though, enough about mine!” Gem stated with a hurried sort of air. “My family's quite boring, ha."
Rafa laughed, his mind still swimming and unfocused. “Um, well,” he started, rubbing the back of his neck. “I have two parents, obviously. And two sisters.” Why did he say that? He really hoped Gem would write it off as a mistake of words. “My older one is sixteen. She goes to Beauxbatons. Bit of a bitch, really. Hrmmm.” He chewed his lip, trying to recall everyone correctly. “I’ve got my British uncle, and my aunt – I guess I’ve always seen them as more of my parents, in a way. Oh, I’ve got this uncle,” he sat up a bit, his voice getting a bit excited. “He’s ten years older than me, but you wouldn’t be able to tell. Taught me how to throw a punch, and jump fences.” And a bunch of other things that I probably shouldn’t mention in polite conversation, he noted. Just that statement alone, and someone could get the wrong idea. “He’s not a criminal – more of a survivor, than anything. Actually, he works for the Ministry now, as an auror. He’s a load of fun. More like a brother, than anything else. Erm.”
Rafa felt his pockets, but he knew full well that he never carried a wallet with him – he had just never had the need for one before. He did have his card, though, and a small wad of cash in his back pocket – to pay for the drinks, obviously. And – of course! He pulled out his phone, a bit of a grin forming on his face. He always carried it with him. It was a bit of a nervous habit, actually – if he ever got bored or didn’t feel like talking to people, he’d always take it out and pretend he were doing something important. It didn’t work at Hogwarts, but they weren’t really at Hogwarts, now, were they? He crossed his fingers, pulling out the small device. To his surprise, it flickered on. He deftly unlocked it, immediately going to his pictures.
It occurred to him that this was the perfect chance to do something about the distance problem – he quickly stood and brought his chair to the other side of the table. Then, quickly sitting down, he flipped out one of Diego’s tamer pictures. “This is Diego,” Rafa said, a shit-eating grin on his face. The specific picture he pulled up was a bit of an old one – his uncle was sipping some kind of drink and wearing a Future is Female shirt. For some reason. It was weird, because Diego sent him a lot of really spontaneous pictures – it was kind of his signature thing. “He’s got a sense of humor,” Rafa added. He was sure there were several pictures in his phone that would make Gem die laughing – and probably some rather embarrassing ones – but perhaps he would save that for a later time.
Somewhere during the small introduction, he found that one of his feet were now against Gem’s – a small gesture, but it was something. He felt his mind clearing up, and he slid his phone into the back pocket of his jeans, tucked away for the moment. Though he felt a bit better, his mind was still a bit pre-occupied. He still couldn’t get his mind off of Gem’s.. his face, he would say. He wasn’t really sure what was messing with him, but he was really hating himself for it. He had better watch himself, before he did something truly Gryffindor.
Reducio
Got a little carried away there lmfao
Here's Diego~
I probably haven't collected my allowance yet.
30 Nov 2019, 07:41
still lovely
@Rafael D'SpacitoGem found himself entirely content hearing Rafael speak about his family, his sisters, and his uncle, Diego. It seemed like he were a significant figure in his life, just like Leland was to Gem - the fact they had that in common made his chest feel warm, his stomach knot up. It was a good feeling, it felt like... a very distinct type of restlessness, it had him wanting to grab Rafa by the hands and hop around like an idiot. Kiss him, even.
Jesus.
He erased the sudden urge, one that had him a bit lost in the head when it came out of nowhere. Was it out of nowhere? No, not necessarily - he'd caught Rafa's eyes at one point, and it made him feel all giddy, knowing he thought he was something nice to look at. It wasn't like he could dote on being doted on for long, since Rafa pulled out some foreign object from his pocket. He narrowed his eyes at it, the way it glowed and had a little passcode thing. He felt a bit shocked, but the more he put together in his head, the more he realized it was... a phone. Ones that muggles would use, with the touch screen, and the pictures, and--
Oh, he thought, there's Diego.
"He looks a bit like you," Gem mused, scooting a bit closer to his date, settling his head on his shoulder - a signature move at this point. "I'd like to speak ta him someday, he seems like he's a real rockstar."
He was sort of bored of talking about family now, even if he was sort of the one to bring it up in the first place. It was a lot nicer to just... stare. Ogle, even. He'd propped his chin up on Rafa's shoulder, his nose just barely poking against his cheek, a smile faintly taking his expression, lightening him up. He could feel it again, tightening up his stomach, making his heart all jittery and warm, fingers cold and twitchy. It was such a weird feeling that had him spinning, so warm, so strange - so nice. He could feel this forever, sort of, if it didn't make him so restless. He'd wanted to blame it on the sugary drink in front of him, but he knew damn well that hadn't been the case whatsoever, and he couldn't pretend it was.
What really knocks me out is a book that, when you're all done reading it, you wish the author that wrote it was a terrific friend of yours and you could call him up on the phone whenever you felt like it. That doesn't happen much, though.
30 Nov 2019, 21:40
still lovely
@Gem Stuart
It became increasingly clear to Rafa how close Gem was at the moment – his head was set on Rafa’s shoulder, his nose touching Rafa’s cheek. Part of Rafa wished he would stop – not out of disgust or awkwardness or anything. He only feared he would do something reckless. It was really too much temptation, Gem all close to him like that. Rafa found himself glancing back at Gem – his soft, clear skin, his beautiful lips, his startling brown eyes. Damn, his eyes. Rafa felt himself leaning forward a bit, drowning in them. His heart was twisting and turning in his body, his hands shaking ever so slightly.
His hands. At the moment, they rested casually on his thighs. Though, as the seconds ticked on, it felt harder and harder to keep them there. He felt his right hand reaching up – he moved a piece of Gem’s hair out of his face. He had never really thought about it before – it was soft and silky, falling in front of his face in the most spectacular way. He felt like he was in a trance, tucking it behind the other boy’s ear. He really wasn’t thinking. All that was on his mind was Gem, the boy who made his heart throb in his chest.
The next few moments happened in a blur. He could feel Gem’s hair in his hands, feel his lips on Gem’s. They taste like butterbeer, he noted absentmindedly. He could hear the pounding of his heart in his ears, only growing louder as the moment went on. It was a short kiss, but the moment felt like forever – it was one of those moments that were rather hard to explain. Rafa pulling away only after a moment, searching his eyes for any emotion.
Then, the seriousness of what he’d done hit him like a truck. He had never felt so nervous in his life, he was sure – he wasn’t a nervous guy. Yet, his heart was doing somersaults. His hands were shaking, more than ever. He rubbed them together, deftly grabbing his butterbeer. He could just not believe he fucking did that. He shook his head, a little laugh escaping his lips. A little laugh escaped his lips. He wasn’t really sure why he laughed. The whole situation didn’t seem really funny. It was weird, though, because he really couldn’t stop grinning like an idiot. He took a long swig of his butterbeer, the liquid burning his throat. Afterwards, he set his butterbeer down, biting his bottom lip. The same one that had been on Gem’s only moments before.
It became increasingly clear to Rafa how close Gem was at the moment – his head was set on Rafa’s shoulder, his nose touching Rafa’s cheek. Part of Rafa wished he would stop – not out of disgust or awkwardness or anything. He only feared he would do something reckless. It was really too much temptation, Gem all close to him like that. Rafa found himself glancing back at Gem – his soft, clear skin, his beautiful lips, his startling brown eyes. Damn, his eyes. Rafa felt himself leaning forward a bit, drowning in them. His heart was twisting and turning in his body, his hands shaking ever so slightly.
His hands. At the moment, they rested casually on his thighs. Though, as the seconds ticked on, it felt harder and harder to keep them there. He felt his right hand reaching up – he moved a piece of Gem’s hair out of his face. He had never really thought about it before – it was soft and silky, falling in front of his face in the most spectacular way. He felt like he was in a trance, tucking it behind the other boy’s ear. He really wasn’t thinking. All that was on his mind was Gem, the boy who made his heart throb in his chest.
The next few moments happened in a blur. He could feel Gem’s hair in his hands, feel his lips on Gem’s. They taste like butterbeer, he noted absentmindedly. He could hear the pounding of his heart in his ears, only growing louder as the moment went on. It was a short kiss, but the moment felt like forever – it was one of those moments that were rather hard to explain. Rafa pulling away only after a moment, searching his eyes for any emotion.
Then, the seriousness of what he’d done hit him like a truck. He had never felt so nervous in his life, he was sure – he wasn’t a nervous guy. Yet, his heart was doing somersaults. His hands were shaking, more than ever. He rubbed them together, deftly grabbing his butterbeer. He could just not believe he fucking did that. He shook his head, a little laugh escaping his lips. A little laugh escaped his lips. He wasn’t really sure why he laughed. The whole situation didn’t seem really funny. It was weird, though, because he really couldn’t stop grinning like an idiot. He took a long swig of his butterbeer, the liquid burning his throat. Afterwards, he set his butterbeer down, biting his bottom lip. The same one that had been on Gem’s only moments before.
I probably haven't collected my allowance yet.