Waking with the rising of the sun Xavier sits on the edge of his bed with a yawn but forces himself to stay put, he was still getting accustomed to the fact that he didn't have to rush every morning to flee the house. His injuries from his last fight with Denver had mostly healed, honestly the doctors had been astounded at how fast his bones mended back together and his wounds turned to pink scars. However, Xavier was used to his unusual healing capabilities by now.
Hearing no movement in the small house the raven grabs some clothes and heads towards the bathroom, it was a weekend so Mason was likely sleeping in but Xavier hadn't gotten used to the fact that he could do the same yet.
After showering the raven goes to the kitchen and searches the fridge, he'd been given an allowance when he arrived as well, too grateful for these people taking him in he'd spent it all on food so he could cook for them. It had been a bit surprising when he was brought back to this place but he figured since it was near the church the priestess, Lucia, probably took a few people in every now and again. Melting away his thoughts once more Xavier glances out the window as he starts to cook, it had been about a week since his release from hospital and he'd been reassured that Denver would never bother him again.
Yet, to Xavier those were mere words, nothing would stop his Uncle if he was determined enough, and that left the raven in constant fear. Forcing himself to look back down at the frypan Xavier sighs, even though he was constantly waiting for something to go wrong nothing had, it messed with his head in a variety of ways that his life had suddenly become so normal.
What was even stranger was how after the fight he was visited in hospital all the time by Mason, Kyle, and even Vincent. They even kept visiting after school sometimes this week, Kyle came to both see Xavier and be closer to Mason and Xavier had thought that Vincent had just tagged along. But the more they visited the more the other had talked to the raven specifically. The raven found himself falling into a happy place whenever he was around. He and Vincent would talk for ages about stupid shit, they'd argue as well but it was just so great.
He found now after yesterday that maybe Vincent was actually coming to see him as well and the thought made his heart race in his chest. He hadn't seen Travis yet either and maybe he never would again since he was in a whole new neighbourhood. Would this give him the chance to consider being with Vincent? Shaking his head Xavier taps his cheeks, aware of the stupid smile on his face. If he could allow himself to believe this suddenly normal life, then perhaps he could.
Dishing up the food he's cooked Xavier goes and knocks on Mason's door to call him out, getting a muffled response he chuckles and goes to Lucia's room. Finding the door open he glances in and sighs. For a priestess, the lady was always busy, Xavier had found this out after a few days as she was hardly ever home. Shutting the door to the empty room he heads back to the kitchen and greets the yawning Mason, a part of him hoping this normalcy lasts forever.
Vincent and Kyle were coming over again today to watch some movies and relax, apparently, they also had a surprise for him, some sort of late settling in gift. Taking his plate Xavier waves slightly to the half-asleep brunet and heads outside. Climbing onto the brick wall he sits and starts to eat. It was comfortable outside, he still couldn't get used to being in another person's house. He honestly had apologised to Mason for intruding when he'd first arrived, something that was out of character for himself but he'd felt it necessary.
Zoning out Xavier glances around the street as a soft breeze brushes against his skin, again his eyes search for anything that's amiss, anything that hinted on coming danger. Aside from the weird black blurs he'd see every now and again, there was nothing.
The dynamic in the household behind him returns to his mind, there were a few other priests who welcomed Xavier right away. Mason wasn't all that bad though he seemed to enjoy lecturing the raven, and Lucia was oddly comfortable to be around, like being near her soothed Xavier's very being.
Again, he figured it was just some mental thing, since Lucia had saved him right as Denver had been about to string him up for further abuse.
Thinking of violence, in this week alone Xavier had been lured into a few fights of some goons who apparently knew Travis, Xavier would always win but he'd often get beaten up quite a bit. It was after these fights that he got to see Mason's kind side, the way he patches Xavier up and lectures him at the same time has never failed to make the raven smile.
Something about it was oddly familiar and Xavier wonders if maybe he'd met Mason when they were younger. Xavier had joked to Mason that he'd make a great doctor and his comment had made the brunette flush as he slapped Xavier's knee. Apparently, that was exactly what Mason was planning to become so the comment had made him happy.
Finished with his food Xavier takes the plate back inside and washes it up, Mason calls out in thanks for the food from his room making the raven smile. Glancing up he thinks he sees somebody entering the church through the window and pales when he sees that familiar figure. Dropping his plate into the sink he bolts outside as fast as he can, stumbling over his own feet as he tries to reach the church doors.
Slamming them open as he goes inside he pants for air as his eyes scan the room. He moves down the hall, looking at each row of chairs until he's up at the statue at the back of the room. Sighing the raven rubs his face, he was too tense about this that he was seeing things. It was probably just a leaf or something and his imagination had led him on.
Looking up at the statue Xavier shakes his head and gathers his thoughts. He might be hallucinating now but at least he wasn't delusional like the people that came here. How could people believe there was a God? Xavier didn't understand, but whatever made them feel secure and what not.
Feeling a tap on his shoulder Xavier jumps and turns quickly. Brown eyes meet his own, deep and concerned for but a moment before they flicker and brighten. Kyle smiles at him and grabs his hand to start pulling him outside.
"I saw you running like a bat out of hell, thought someone had broken in here." He says with a laugh, making Xavier smile a little and shrugs.
"I thought I'd seen someone but it seems not." He responds with a laugh, shaking his hand free he follows the other back to the house. "You guys are a bit early though. Where's Vincent?" he asks as they get inside and Kyle flings his bag onto the couch.
"Not that early? It's almost ten, were you zoned out or something?" Kyle says with a laugh, thankfully facing the other way so he doesn't see the way Xavier's face contorts in confusion. Yes, he'd taken his time in the shower and had cooked food and what not but surely four hours hadn't passed that quickly. "Vincent's with your surprise though, making sure it's perfect and all that."
Hearing those words Xavier blinks and smiles, whatever he had probably zoned out on the fence like Kyle had said. Eager to see his surprise the raven fastens his pace as they arrive at the room he'd been forbidden to enter. Vincent and Mason stand just inside, chatting casually they both stop as soon as he arrives, offering them a smile Xavier rushes past when they move. Stopping once inside the room the first thing Xavier sees is his drum kit, sitting in the room like it's just where it belongs, the smell of new carpet reaches his nose so he looks down and flexes his toes in the soft black carpet beneath his feet. The walls have weird foam things on them all over, black and red with different patterns which makes Xavier realise he'd seen them before in the sound proofing section of the music store.
Flushing darkly Xavier feels a strange sensation in his chest, this was amazing, to others it might not seem like much but to him it made his heart melt. Hearing shuffling, he turns and sees Kyle strapping on his guitar, Vincent and Mason are leaning on the wall near the door both smiling smugly as they observe Xavier's reaction.
"How did you get this here?" he asks, clearing his throat and wiping his damp eyes, he hadn't seen or heard anything when he'd been home. Walking over to his drum kit the raven sits down happy on the chair and picks up his well-worn sticks.
"When you were out we quickly brought it all in, Lucia and the others helped set up the room as well." Vincent says in explanation. Unable to stop smiling Xavier glances over to Kyle who's looking both comfortable and shy, the other was probably as eager to play as Xavier was but nervous since Mason was there.
"What should we play?" The raven asks, trying to ignore his own nervousness as he feels Vincent's gaze on him.
"How about this one?" Kyle suggests, strumming out a few chords that have Xavier grinning, Nodding he takes a deep breath before tapping out the beat of the song to get them started. Eyes fixating on his kit as he listens to Kyle strum out the introduction he counts in his head before joining in. Taking another breath Xavier starts to sing the lyrics, Kyle joining in when he's needed.
Voice sounding pleasantly throughout the room Xavier feels his cheeks flush slightly but is starting to lose himself in the song. A part of him secretly liking the eyes on him as he'd never had an audience before aside from Kyle.
Unable to contain it Xavier feels a smile spread across his face, feeling like his body is blending with the song, drumming out the break he lowers his voice, wanting to impress the others he hears Kyle joining in as well.
Watching Kyle from the corner of his eyes Xavier laughs a little as the other performs a few tricks with his guitar, following his lead the raven tosses his sticks up at a pause and catches them quickly as he resumes drumming. Impressed at his own skill he continues to sing. Sweat starting to dampen his brow now at the effort.
Glancing up properly at the break Xavier catches Vincent's gaze that's fixed solidly on him and feels his face burst with heat at the expression he's wearing. Stumbling for a moment he grins at Vincent, getting a bit cocky from that look he winks despite his flush and turns his attention back to his drums lest he die from embarrassment.
Drumming out the finish with Kyle, Xavier feels laughter bubble in his chest and spill out from his lips as they stop. Joined by Kyle, Xavier feels the adrenaline pumping through his veins, that had been really fun. Standing he places his sticks down and quickly goes to the red head and high fives him. Turning as Vincent comes over Xavier watches Kyle go over to Mason and start blabbering excitedly.
"That was really good" Vincent compliments, his ears slightly red, the words have Xavier smiling even more. His chest flutters happily but all he can do is laugh in response as he rubs the back of his head. This oddly normal moment, the simple feel of it all having doubts surfacing suddenly that stir at his anxieties. Hearing Kyle say that they should go out and start a movie Xavier follows along with Vincent. The other seemed about to say something, but when Xavier finally notices he shakes his head. "Don't worry about it."
Going to the kitchen as the others go to the lounge room Xavier cooks up some popcorn and takes it out. Seeing that Kyle and Mason had taken the two single chairs Xavier catches Vincent glaring at them both but he stops growling at them when he sees Xavier and clears his throat. Slightly embarrassed but trying to not let it show he goes over and flops down on the couch near Vincent and puts a bowl of popcorn between them then puts the other on the table for Kyle and Mason.
Kyle had already put a movie in, today they'd decided to marathon a few horrors that they liked. Which honestly Xavier loved horror movies, the thrill of it all was fantastic. He'd only been able to watch them when he was at the others house on occasion but that had been enough to get him hooked. Starting with a zombie movie Xavier feels himself grin as an unsuspecting person is being pursued by a horde of them. Kyle whispers loudly at the person and makes various gestures with his hands, and when they get attacked Xavier bursts out with a laugh as Kyle sighs and tells them how stupid they are.
The movie progresses much the same way and at the end Xavier gets up to make them lunch. Kyle follows Mason to the store to pick up some drinks but Vincent remains to talk with Xavier. While in the kitchen he cooks, aware of the blond's eyes on him but every time he glances back the other looks away. Able to handle it at first, he just chats casually but soon enough his face, ears, neck and even his knuckles are bright red. Almost finished with the food he wonders where the others are but then he feels the others gaze again.
"What?" he practically shouts as he turns around, embarrassment squeezing his chest so tight he just can't take it anymore. Caught staring Vincent blinks before grinning, chuckling as his ears turn pink he shakes his head. The sound of his laugh twists Xavier's stomach in all sorts of agreeable ways but also increases his embarrassment more.
"No, I was just thinking about how cute you are despite everything." He finally says, his own words making him blush and Xavier practically feel his heart stop. He most definitely did not absolutely love being called cute, he was a man for shits sake!
Not.
"Wh-What?" he stutters out, backing up to the counter as Vincent all but saunters forwards. His body confident but his face getting redder with each step.
"All day I've been thinking about how to do this but for an idiot like you it's probably best to just come out and say it." He says, his tone slightly joking as he tries to bring in some normalcy. But Xavier is just about to faint because his heart can't take any more of this and holly hell why was Vincent so hot and alluring right now and shit what was going on and god he needed to remember to breathe and-
"I like you Xavier, would you go out with me?"
Feeling his knees give out at the words Xavier is caught by Vincent and feels as if he's on fire. Trying and failing to gain some composure the raven stutters hopelessly for a minute before quickly pulling himself away from Vincent and turning around because shit he couldn't think when the blond looked at him like that. Like he was precious, like how he'd always wanted.
"Y-yes! I will, j-just because y-you asked." He says, trying to sound cocky but his voice stutters and he's still bright red. Taking deep breaths he gets ready to turn around again, determined to show his own feelings properly like Vincent has, because he wasn't just going to keep swooning at everything the other did. But then he hears the door swing open and practically jumps out of his skin as Mason and Kyle come to the kitchen. They're both just chatting casually but as soon as they get to the kitchen they stop.
Glancing out of the corner of his eye at them, still facing the counter Xavier watches the way Kyle looks between them, grin growing wider and wider until it practically splits his face in two.
"My, my, my, did we miss something good?" he begins but as soon as he starts Vincent charges over, grabs his arm and hauls him from the room. Xavier's eyes catching just how red the other had become. Left with Mason the raven shakily moves the sandwiches onto a big plate. The brunette clears his throat and comes over to get some cups, not saying anything until they're both walking to the lounge room,
"Congratulations" his voice, is deeply amused and the word has Xavier fumbling with the plate before sending a glare at him. Chuckling Mason keeps going while Xavier stops to regain some composure. His mind too happy to think of other things like Travis and the various ways this could turn south, he manages to walk in and place the plates on the coffee table. Turning to the couch he pauses as he sees Vincent. The other was still arguing with Kyle but he was sitting right in the middle of the couch. No matter where Xavier sat he'd be right next to the other. His face still very red Xavier huffs, he wouldn't be outdone. Moving over he confidently sits right next to the other and gets comfortable, offering Vincent a grin.
"You can cling to me if you get scared" He teases, even if he was embarrassed as hell he wouldn't act like some teenage girl. He gets to watch Vincent blink with a small frown for a moment before all four of them start laughing.
Settling in Xavier can feel the others body heat as they eat the food and chat for a bit. After a while Kyle gets up and puts a movie on, some Spanish movie. More than just a horror it has quite an interesting story, and Xavier is instantly drawn in. Since he's hyper aware of the blond he doesn't fail to notice the way the others arm drapes over his shoulder and pulls him closer. Feeling his cheeks burn he lets it slide because it was surprisingly comfortable to lean against Vincent like this. He supposed he was old enough that such a smooth progression wasn't too fast.
Focusing back on the movie and getting quite invested Xavier watches the character climb through her drawn doorway, watches her waste time as she slowly goes around. Spotting the monster for the first time he admires it as he'd never seen one like it before, a part of him jokes that it would be funny if the main character ate its eyes when she examines them but he immediately shakes off the thought. Shaking his head with a huff, he glances to Kyle who's whisper shouting again as the girl disobeys one of the few rules set out for her. Shaking his head Xavier watches the creature come to life, interested in it. But as he watches he feels himself getting more and more tense, because wow that's actually pretty creepy.
And far out girl don't just stand there.
Shit those poor fairy's.
Shit that's actually creepy.
Run!
Godammit girl faster!
Tensed up throughout the whole scene Xavier basically melts back into Vincent with a sigh when the girl gets away. Feeling more than hearing the other chuckle Xavier realises how he acted just then and his flush returns at full force. Huffing Xavier steals himself, determined not to get scared for the rest of the film which luckily turns out to be really easy. At the end however Xavier feels a few manly tears in his eyes, that poor girl he thinks as he shakes his head.
When the credits start rolling Kyle yawns and stretches out and they all discuss the film, Vincent casually teasing Xavier about earlier and Xavier stubbornly refusing to acknowledge that it happened.
Passing the rest of the day in much the same manner Xavier finds that while his interactions with Vincent are mostly the same the other would sometimes casually touch him, and when he was caught staring he didn't look away but instead smiled. All in all, by the time they left Xavier was on cloud nine, especially since Vincent suggested they go on a proper date sometime soon.
Going to bed that night Xavier found it difficult to fall asleep, since while he was so happy a part of him just kept nagging that surely it wasn't this easy to change to a normal life. His imagination going in to overdrive as it proposed a variety of ways his new life would come crashing down on him. It takes much too long for him to finally slip into that blissful darkness of unconsciousness.