Being in love is one thing. A blessed thing in a way but, being loved by someone you love back? That shit hits different. It's a hallelujah.
Aiden was practically buzzing from excitement when they reached the counter but, Philip didn't feel the same.
From the moment he stepped out of the car, he felt like the world was up and against him. He knew for a fact that everybody was so focused on their own agendas to care about him.
But, then again, that never stopped people to ridicule him before. He just prayed and hoped that, that night? Nothing bad would happen in front of Aiden. Aiden didn't deserve their hate.
"Here, they have like a bunch of spicy food. Pick your poison" Said Aiden getting Philip out of his head and to focus on him but, when Philip did? He had to leave.
There he was, the all time happy Aiden in his bunny element, looking back at him, so purely happy to just be standing there with him. And suddenly, it was too much.
"I need to use the washroom, sorry" Said Philip before he ran away. He didn't know that restaurant so, it was very unlikely to know where the washrooms will be but, he needed to put some kind of a distance from Aiden.
Philip felt stuffy, he felt the eyes on him but, he didn't saw Aiden running after him well, until he reached him.
"I'm sorry. It was too much. You were so close to me and everyone was looking at us. And you don't deserve to be outcasted just from knowing. You don't deserve to lose your life just because you get me" Rambled on Philip when it was clear that Aiden didn't come there to talk.
They were outside, on the parking lot, behind a very big bus and Aiden just sat down when he saw Philip squatted there, trembling like a wet cat.
And although Aiden wished he could hug Philip tightly he knew better than to assume and taking the first step. So, he waited. For twenty minutes that's when Philip realized Aiden was there.
"How about you wait for me in the car and I'll bring our food from the restaurant?" Suggested Aiden after some time and without even knowing it. He had just made Philip's day.
"You are so weird, you know that?"
"Well, no argument there. At some point in my history I was diagnosed as paranoid so..." Trailed off Aiden with a shrug.
"That must have been awful"
"Well, you want to know the heart breaking thing about being weird is?" Asked Aiden looking at Philip's worried gaze.
"What?" Asked Philip in concern.
"It's not a disease that you can find a cure to but, a condition you need to control every second of the day"
"Doesn't it get tiring?"
"It has its moments" Said Aiden lightly with a chuckle.
"You think I'm crazy?" Asked Philip sadly. As much as he'd like to pretend that everything was fine. Nothing was. He was getting out of control.
"Sadly no. You care too much to be crazy" Replied Aiden sarcastically making Philip laugh.
"Why are you like this"
"Like what?"
"You are always ready for my bullshit and you even know what to do in every situation" Said Philip in a small voice.
"That's a good thing right?" Asked Aiden with a cocked eyebrow.
"I'll have to check in with sane cells for that reply" Replied Philip with a smile.
"Come on. You'll hurt yourself if you stay like that longer" Said Aiden standing up from the ground.
"Don't get tired of me" Said Philip as he let Aiden guide him up, "This day was just a tad bit too much even for the mastermind"
"And that's who?" Asked Aiden feigning a mystery as they walked to their car.
"Me, idiot!" Said Philip proudly. And with everything that went down that day? He felt himself getting braver and more strong.
When he got to the car Philip thank Aiden for even owning a car. He liked keeping his thoughts in a box and to be left alone to sort them out.
Aiden didn't like the vibe he got once he got back in the restaurant but, it didn't matter. He just wanted their food and to bounce.
"Is my order ready?"
"Is your friend okay?" Asked a girl from the counter as she took his order for packaging.
"He's getting there" Replied Aiden with an awkward smile. He hated half truths. Philip wasn't just his friend.
"We have like a karaoke night this Friday. You guys should swing by" Invited the server handing Aiden his food.
"I don't think we can find the time to do that" Replied Aiden making his way out of the restaurant.
"The cards are all in there if you change your mind" Called out the server.
Aiden didn't know what to make of it. Heck, he didn't even know if they would ever go anywhere together after that day. It sucked but, it was for the best.
"You don't look too good" Said Philip when Aiden opened the car to climb in before handing him the takeout.
"Hey, Philip how about we finish up our date dancing under the moonlight?" Suggested Aiden cautiously.
"What do you have in mind?" Indulged Philip knowing for a fact he wasn't feeling up to it. No more outdoors for him.
"Hold tight. We are not that far" Said Aiden starting the car at full speed. He needed to have Philip relaxed and that's what he intended to do.
And he didn't know what's better than welcoming him to their new home that night. Not nearly furnished but, there was the bed there. Perfect for a date night.
"And this is where?" Asked Philip when they reached in front of a beautiful gate which opened the second their car reached it.
"Our house, monkey" Said Aiden excitedly parking the car inches from the front door, "The key is in your phone actually"
"When did you_?" Gasped Philip when he saw the text from Aiden with a link and after opening it, he just went to the unlock tab and the door opened.
"Yeah, I know I can give off a creepy vibe sometimes but, I hope that won't scare you away" Said Aiden getting inside the house after Philip.
"I try to take it as romance" Said Philip still taking everything in. The house was just perfect. The pictures didn't do it justice.
Though the constructors did their best with the place but, there was still a whiff of paint in the air, good thing it wasn't too strong to make it hard to breathe.
Philip loved it. He loved it all. Everything he was acting in his past series was coming to life. That was how it felt to have a sponsor that adores you.