* * *
Arthur Ishviel POV...
Sat in class, Variel is too my right and Pridwen is to my left. Gram is to the left of Pridwen, already taking notes. I can't even look over at Variel... her face right now is too funny.
She's sat there slack jawed, not even paying attention to the teacher. I must not laugh... it's required. She might catch on if I do. The truth is... I told Variel that I was gay when she asked. We get a bit silly around here. A tad mischievous, some might say. Perhaps even devious.
Pridwen turns to me, her face neutral but slightly nervous. It's weird... she's usually always smiling.
"So... are you actually-"
"Yep," I respond, interrupting her. I think I might cry laughing when I get the chance. "Me and Gram are so gay."
I can see Gram sinking into his seat when I say that. I can't giggle... it's extremely important. Imperative, even. I keep looking forward, just barely suppressing the giggles. I can't look at anyone's faces... I might laugh.
I hear Variel's head thump into her desk, a slight laugh escaping my lips. She looks defeated... like, badly defeated. Pridwen's expression somehow manages to fall further, although she pretends.
"Ahh... good for you," She says, giving a shaky thumbs up. "I'm happy for you."
I try not to giggle, slowly turning my neck to look over. My smirk is so prominent, I'm just a lil gremlin today.
"If you're really happy for me..." I lean closer to her, smiling. I lower my tone to a whisper, my smirk becoming even more pronounced. "Hook me up with some cute guys."
* * *
As it turns out, I should've specified that I was joking, because...
I'm currently sat at a table, across from me a classmate. We're in that pub that I went to during the festival, the one where Variel hit Pierce with the chair.
The guy across from me is fairly handsome, everything in consideration. He has yellow eyes and a buzzcut, giving me that weird feeling... how common is this shit??? I swear that every person off the street gives me this feeling now. Pridwen introduced him as Astra and... my date.
"So..." I say, looking down and twiddling my thumbs. "How has your day been?"
"Good," He says, nodding lightly. He looks mildly happy, not showing too much of any emotions. "And you?"
"Oh, y'know... chill."
I shoot finger guns to him, that which he does not return. He seems a little confused by the gesture, like he doesn't exactly know how to respond. He hesitantly mimics the gesture, shooting finger guns back at me.
"Is now a bad time to say that I'm not actually gay?"
"You're gay?"
Am... am I in the twilight zone or something? This... this is a date, so what...
"I... Pridwen told me that you're gay and I was just pretending to be for a joke, so..." I just stop talking, looking down and slightly blushing.
"Ah... she just said that I kinda looked like the right guy and told me to come here," He says, looking to the side. "So... are you paying or..."
"Uhmm... I guess so," I respond, shrugging. Our food hasn't even came out yet, but we're already talking about who's paying. "So... you're straight, right?"
"I'm aromantic."
"Fair," I let the silence resume after that.
There's not really a vibe to play off since we're both just two random guys right now. The food finally gets here, set before us. I start eating, occasionally looking up at my date. The food is good here, as always. I stop chewing for a moment, looking at his plate across from me.
"Is your food good?" I ask, gazing at the bowl of soup positioned before him. It's a vegan option, something basil soup.
"It is... very hearty," He responds, nodding slightly. He looks over at my plate with slight disapproval, but mostly acceptance. "how about yours? If it is anything up to my dish, then it must also be quite enjoyable."
"Yeah... something like that," I say, nodding and continuing to eat. Honestly, it's not as awkward as I thought it would be. Still a little awkward though.
* * *
Inside Gram's room, a 'friendly' hangout is taking place.
"I feel that there are some things that need to be said really quickly," I say, crossing my arms. I've got the whole (almost) friend group sat in front of me. "First off, not actually gay. Second off, never trust Pridwen to matchmake for you ever. She just chose a random guy without actually asking if he was gay."
I point at Pridwen, frowning slightly. I feel like I'm lecturing kids right now... kinda because I am. I sigh and shake my head before continuing.
"Third off, let's be a bit slower on the assumptions!" I remark, looking at Variel now. She's the one who asked if I was gay I the first place, leading to my joke. "And you, Gram... did nothing wrong."
He gives a thumbs up, nodding slightly. He's just a happy little guy. I nod and cross my arms again, looking over everyone. I hate to lecture, but... actually, I don't hate to lecture. This was worth.
"Okay, in my defense, it made sense," Variel counters, raising a finger. She looks irritated to be lectured like this... I kinda get it. "You guys literally slept in the same dorm room and then Gram walks out with a suspicious stain on his pants and you have messy hair like you were just-"
"Ok, pause. I'm gonna stop you right there," I say, wanting to defend these egregious allegations. "I slept with him- I mean, in his room because I am currently worried about home intruders. That was sauce on Gram's pants. Finally... I don't like brushing my hair in the morning."
Variel squints at me, like that made her more suspicious rather than less. Dear god... am I trying too hard and making it look like I'm coping or something?
"How could it be sauce if you guys hadn't ate breakfast yet?"
This time, I turn to look at Gram. He looks at the ceiling now, pretending to not have heard it.
"Gram..." My stare is tense and accusing, beaming down on him. "Explain."
* * *