Who: Dorian and Caspian When: Early afternoon, 21 March 2021 [backdated] Where: A fusion cafe, Near Hell’s Kitchen, Manhattan, NY What: Conversation Rating: Low Warning(s): None Status: Complete
Dorian has ordered grilled chicken over a bed of rice mixed with scrambled egg and mild spices along with some tea. Being between his two work environments was nice. And being around the man he couldn’t thank enough was better - Caspian.
Blue eyes took a moment to meet various things: people, exits, the scenery abroad which surrounded them. The place was very casual, more private than most of them because it was smaller and off of the beaten path. Being native to New York there were many places he still had not discovered, ones that lay untouched by tourists and flocked to for refuge by those who staked claim to high rise apartments. Food was a pivotal thing which could cater to many situations. This one was best shared with a good friend and when Dorian had suggested it Caspian couldn’t help but oblige.
Dinner came early.
Nearly the same thing that Dorian had ordered had ended up on Cas’ plate. He wasn’t particular in what it was that he ate though most of the time it was freshly prepared at home. Eating out was one of those luxuries he found burdensome but presently he didn’t mind it so much.
Forks clattered gently upon plates, the bottoms of chairs scraped against the floor. Soft chatter, conversation met his ears.
“So,” he began softly, gaze falling back to his friend. Dorian overshadowed him by quite a bit in height but Caspian carried a presence which only added to his character. “This is a nice place. How did you come upon it?”
Dorian had scoped the place out long before he had suggested it to Caspian. His paranoia was always there - wanting to know how to get out of a situation his mutant ability could not aid in. Sipping his tea, the younger man was dressed in dark jeans, a dark blue t-shirt with a black blazer draped over one of the extra chairs at the table. His dark brown/black hair was pulled back in a tail at the nap of his neck - letting his brown-green hazel eyes shine.
He had tempered his hyper-vigilance towards metal upon metal sounds or tightening of materials in an unfamiliar settings (i.e. not in his apartment or Caspian’s). Dorian focused on Caspian’s voice when he spoke as it was calming and had been for the last twelve years.
“Yes,” Dorian blinked slowly. His posture often was slouching, his book shop job often required it with the narrow aisles and sometimes low head clearance. “I am glad you like it. I was mentally mapping this part of the city and liked the smell of the food.” His tone of voice was soft with a touch of tenor with a calm confidence.
It was a simple enough answer and was no surprise at all to him coming from Dorian. Many underestimated the tall beauty; so many things he left a mystery and many were quick to judge because of that but on those rare occasions Caspian was privy to insight he was humbled by it. It was their duty to look menacing, unapproachable, but he knew that both of them were very far from it in certain circumstances.
“It certainly does have appeal.” Smiling a bit, Caspian took a sip from his water and ate a few bites. The flavor danced across his pallet, spices prominent as vowels and consonants on the tip of his tongue. He savored it.
“Anything good come into the book store lately? Not that I’m searching for anything in particular, just curious really.” Fascinated with literature it had always been a hobby Caspian had promised himself time and time again to take up though it never happened. Things tended to get into the way.
This sort of conversation was politer than usual, not drowned in work or blood stains. It was an escape, an oasis, a chance to take a breath.
“I was thinking about taking Nina to the ballgame when the stadium opens for the season,” he explained, shrugging his shoulders, “She has interest in baseball. The season doesn’t start until the end of March so I have some time to consider it.”
Simple freedoms were one of Dorian’s fascinations, things he didn’t take for granted. He liked to experience things on his own time. Before all of the horribleness, he was a quiet nerd who loved fantasy books and listening to music. He could also sing, but it wasn’t something he wanted to do for a crowd. The young man never wanted to do anything for a crowd unless he chose it. But, yes, he had a bit of a facade that spoke - menacing scarecrow. But really, deep down Dorian was a lost boy.
Dorian ate regular meals, not starving himself but not overindulging. He had his favorites and meals that could fill him up without being unhealthy were the best. Cutting a bit of the chicken, he plucked a piece of scrambled egg from the rice and brought it to his mouth to take it in. Quiet, savory places like this were ones he loved - they were safe and without the wash of terror or pain.
“Not too much right now. Some classic editions. A few retellings of mythologies - ones with some heart and substance, not the throwaway Y.A. titles,” Dorian grinned softly. “I’ve found some anthologies from the late 19th century that seem nice.”
Sipping his tea again, the young man nodded. “Sounds like a good idea. Too bad you cannot get in on some of the pre-season games. Perhaps sit along on one of the baselines?”
“You don’t think that would draw too much attention?” He inquired honestly. Nina did not know what he did for a living, the less she knew the better off everyone would be, nor did he want to stick out too much like that. Places like those on the sideline were better situated for celebrities, showy people with money and power, not people like him. He could have bought whatever he wanted - there was money aplenty and tons of power - but he stayed out of the limelight for a reason.
The question posed a new series of questions both good and bad; would she like that? Would they stick out? Was that too much? Nina was already in the spotlight enough maybe she didn’t want that sort of attention if it brought any at all.
His mind wandered a touch. Another bite was taken and then he came back to the books Dorian had talked about. “You’re more of an expert on that, I would imagine, but it sounds interesting.”
“Perhaps. I just...just didn’t know just how much she is interested in baseball.” Dorian shrugged. He never wanted Caspian to be in any sort of danger due to being in a place too much attention. There was a twinge of responsibility to protect the man who has and still was protecting him in a sense.
The young man shrugged again. “It is at times. There are so many books, so little time.” Dorian could lose himself in a book. He had done so in his late elementary school and all of his middle school years. And it grew even more romanticized once he started to explore who he was attracted to. Dorian stilled for a moment, hearing someone’s leather jacket crease with the half-squeak sound. Blinking, he focused his attention back on Caspian and was back in the here and now.
“She doesn’t know the game, really,” he explained. She had seemed eager to see it in action, though, and because of that he was sure he wanted to take her to at least one game. He wasn’t quite a fan either but he’d taken to the sport fairly easily.
When it came to Dorian, Caspian always considered his dedication but also the limitations for being out and about. He had gotten D an apartment in a fairly secluded and not too bad area, paid for it so that the other man didn’t have to worry, updated the security on the place. He owed the other man at least that for all of the help and the abilities Dorian had brought him over the years.
Watching Dorian’s expression shift he tilted his head, muscles tensing. He was waiting, much like a predator stalking prey waiting to pounce. If there was an inkling that there was danger they would face whatever it was onset. Fortune was with them though and the moment was short lived. He relaxed and went back to his meal.
Dorian gently smiled at Caspian and nodded, taking another healthy bite before wiping his mouth with a cloth napkin. “Perhaps see if one of the games is going to be light attendance,” he offered as if the moment of uneasiness and tension had never happened. His reactions to certains were much more internal than external these days.
He was forever thankful for what Caspian has done and was still doing for him. There was hardly a moment that passed when the young man didn’t think about repaying the other man. The apartment was nice - open areas, good lighting, very comfortable. It was his sanctuary aside from being in Caspian’s presence.
Wrinkling his nose, Dorian was okay.
He nodded.
Attendance was already high as it was, opening day would be busy. The worst that could possibly happen would be to end up on the large screen or something like that. Perhaps a suite would be nicer than the stands - or maybe he could let her pick the game and the seats.
All of these decisions would be made in due time.
“You should come to dinner at my place some time. Maybe we could have Nina or Laura come by if they want.” There were many people in his life but even less of them mattered as much as the few he kept close. Dorian was one of those few.
“If you’d like, anyway.” He would never intentionally put D in harms way or around people that might hurt him.
Dorian knew just a bit about baseball from sports news shows and movies. He never played it much when he was a kid. He hoped Caspian and Nina could have a good time at a game no matter where they sat.
He put his fork down at the invitation, his eyes brightening a bit at it. Dorian smiled and nodded. The young man trusted Caspian completely.
“I would like that,” Dorian replied, his voice lighter. “...as long as I am not interrupting any important conversations if Nina or Laura come by.”
With Nina there was always a good time to be had. He’d never seen her upset or without a smile, it was one of the many things he liked about her. She was genuine, she had this sense of youth and freedom that you couldn’t steal away in the night if you tried. She made him feel young again.
“If we invite guests you and I will talk about it beforehand,” he explained gently. Conversation about work wouldn’t do for mixed company. “I want you to feel comfortable.” That was the main point of it all.
The look on D’s face sealed the deal; there were few times he had ever seen Dorian light up that way and now there was no taking that brilliance away from him.
“Once all of this with the clubs blows over and things settle down we can coordinate better.”
Dorian was good about keeping his mouth shut about Caspian’s business dealings. And the young man had a number of other topics to talk about if the situation was right. Large groups of people were sometimes difficult when he didn’t know the make up. But monitoring Momento was no problem.
Nodding, he breathed. “Okay.” The young man was mostly comfortable these days. But sometimes there were things that sparked memories.
Dorian had happy moments that he wanted to stay in. And Caspian often created many of them just by being in his company. Yes, there were tense/scary times, but those were fleeting.
“Let’s hope it blows over quickly and things settle down soon.” Dorian smiled. He had his insecurities, but kept them hidden from almost everyone.
“Yes. Here’s to hoping it vanishes as quickly as it arose. We aren’t the only ones up in arms about it,” he explained, making a face. “Our rivals are just as concerned, a few friends of mine too. It’s hurting a lot of business for a lot of people.” It was a shame someone would go and spoil such a profitable business.
“But enough of that for now.” He didn’t want to think of the future after this incident, it meant a possible war with the Yakuza that was not to be looked forward to.
Dorian had seen that face before from Caspian. A frown lightly tugged at his own lips as he nodded. He was about to speak when the other man closed off that topic.
“Yes, best to think of happier things.” The young man had seen good times and bad times while working for Caspian. This instance of troubling times would pass as well.