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 Posted: Mon Jan 26, 2009 12:13 pm
Alex decided to pay her brother a visit.
The fact that the Italian woman had come to this decision after speaking with the owners of the house (a family friend; she got along with him better than her brother) and amusing them that the gruff man had a room mate that he was keeping around was probably a good indication that more heckling was to be had. With a bag of groceries clamped between grinning teeth, spare key in hand, she had let herself in and, after making sure no one was home, had set about her mission.
Preparing the meal for the coming night - one that was both uninvited and unasked for, but that was the way of things - she poked around the house, checking to make sure everything was in place and there were no messes where there shouldn't be. Granted, she was by no means masochistic enough to check the rooms the two were staying in, she was satisfied by the cleansliness of the house and the strange armoa of sugary apples that lingered in the air. A good scent; she'd have to see what candle they were using.
As the chicken for her meal cooked, she poured herself over the couch like a large, languid cat; feet clad in heavy work boots dangled over the arm of the couch, set beneath fitted beige cargos, torso wrapped in a tank top of black with white writing 'I feel a SIN coming on,' long midnight tresses looped into a loose knot streaming over the opposite arm. It was in this position that she remained, one arm behind her head, the other hand holding the remote as she watched part of Boondock Saints, quietly mouthing the words along with the actors.
Vivid green eyes glanced to the grandfather clock in the foyer; it was just past five now. She supposed Brad would be home soon, making her grin wolfishly. Oh how she loved surprises!
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Posted: Mon Jan 26, 2009 12:34 pm
A hiss was released between tightly clamped teeth as Zeke made his way up the sidewalk to the door. He stopped as he reached the unlocked frame, one hand reaching behind him to take hold of his lower back. Son of a b***h it hurt and his wince showed it. He suspected that he pulled the muscle when lifting that overweight doberman up onto the observation table, his attention had been distracted by the owner cooing over her canine, but barking orders to him about how he was handling it. In that moment he had lifted with his back and not with his legs, so therein lied the culprit.
"If I ever needed that touch, right now..." His spoken aloud sentence trailed as he gingerly lifted himself over the threshold and shut the door behind him, his white medical coat splaying out even as he slowly turned around to do so. His hand kept at his back, trying in vain to rub the sharp, knotted pain there as he used his foot to take off one shoe, then the other without untying the laces. As he was doing that he breathed in the scent of something cooking and figured Brad was already making dinner, unaware the older man wasn't around and that he wasn't truly alone in the house regardless. He hoped dinner wasn't close to done yet, he needed some attention that only his roommate could provide.
"Brad?" He called as he moved at that slow pace, looking towards the kitchen rather than the living room and its occupant. "Brad, I'm home! And I think I'm gonna have to pester you for that massage a little bit earlier than usual. Oh how I ache--Oh my god!"
He jumped as his head swiveled involuntarily to look into the living room and caught sight of Alex lounging on the couch. Bad move for him, as his back sent a ripping pain up to his brain and he flinched heavily. When his eyes opened he was looking at Alex and looking very ruffled as well as confused.
"Who are you and what are you doing here?" He was still unaware Brad had a sibling and the woman had definitely caught him off guard.
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Posted: Mon Jan 26, 2009 1:04 pm
Her attention perked forward as she heard someone at the door. How would she greet him? A leap? A cocky grin? She had little time to mull it over before the door opened, and...
Surprise.
She was frozen in place for a moment, staring at the young man walking around that clearly was not her brother. He looked like a doctor - which in and of itself was dangerous to be around the woman - and in pain. The woman blinked at him a few times, trying to register what she was supposed to do or say, but he solved that by looking at her and leaping like she was a ghost, only to flinch in further pain.
"You're not B," she informed the man, as though he may not be aware of this vital information. Alex sat up on the couch, folding her legs beneath herself, peering curiously at the other. He knew her brother, and had a familiarty of the house, which meant--
"Oh!" Her expression shifted with dawning understanding. "You're the roommate!" In case he didn't know that.
She wasn't always Captain Obvious, but it wasn't every day that she was caught off guard either. The woman vaguely remembered seeing the back of a white coat and a smile that had been cast to her brother the one time she'd seen him leaving for work after his lunch break. He was decidedly a lot more attractive up close. Bright green eyes turned over the man's oddly colored (but oddly suiting) hair, tilting her head this way and that as she took in his appearance. Not exactly the type of person she'd have thought her brother to bring home, but he was full of surprises himself--
Right. He probably thought she was some insane house-hopper by now.
The Italian flashed a wide, easy grin, cheeky to say the least. "I'm Alex, I'm B's sister. I was going to surprise him with dinner, but ah, you surprised me." She lifted a hand, waving a little, before doing one better and hopping off the couch, crossing the living room and offering the aforementioned hand in greeting. She was smiling like a cheshire cat, expression settling into something mischevious beneath her pleasant exterior. "No wonder he hates to leave the house anymore. I suddenly understand and forgive him for being a hermit again."
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Posted: Mon Jan 26, 2009 1:41 pm
Zeke blinked at her revelations that he was not Brad but in fact the man's roommate and he nodded slowly. The initial shock of seeing someone there was wearing off and now he was just plain confused. Who was this woman exactly, why was she lounging on Brad's friend's couch like she owned the place, and of course, where was Brad? The back of his mind was reminding him that by now he'd have been greeting with an enthusiastic smile, a warm embrace, and possibly a kiss if the mood had struck the older man.
That talking in his mind was cut off as he felt himself being surveyed and despite the pain he could feel himself being self-conscious and nervous. He was in no condition to fight back if this woman decided to jump him and do gods know what to him when he was down. Is she a house-hopper or something...? His thoughts also trailed off as she smiled and for a strange reason he felt himself relaxing and being okay to this woman's presence here. As Alex introduced herself Zeke's mouth automatically formed the word 'Oh!' Well now, Brad never told him he had a sister and now that he knew she was, everything was okay! Brad was probably expecting her.
"Hi, it's nice to meet you. I'm Zeke." He flashed her a bright smile as he took her hand in his free one and gave her a nod too. "I'm sorry for asking you that a moment ago, Brad never told me he had a sister and I really wasn't expecting to see a girl here!" He gave a bit of nervous laughter as though what he had said would offend her. "And yup! You guessed right, I am the infamous roommate."
He let go of her hand as a spring of pain rose up from his back again. By now he had the assumption the Italian man definitely was not here, probably on site or out getting groceries, something like that. He'd have to wait for that massage, but maybe there was ice in the freezer as a temporary aid. Alex's words of 'surprise him with dinner' finally hit home after the thought and now he assumed the older man didn't know she was here.
"Whatever you're cooking smells wonderful, may I pry as to what it is?" Best to start a conversation with the woman while she was here. Since she was Brad's sister he would want to be right in her books as his roommate and close friend. He smiled a bit more at her ending words, and his eyes brightened with good humor. "I guess I am the cause of his hermitage, but I never thought about it so much." He chuckled. "I must like keeping him to myself!"
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Posted: Tue Jan 27, 2009 8:40 am
"Zeke, huh? That's an awesome name." Her bright smile remained in place, wide and honest, shaking her head at his apology. "It's okay. B doesn't talk much about family stuff, I'd imagine. I, ah, yeah I'm sorry, it didn't occur to me that you two would be seperate for some reason." Alex laughed apologetically, tucking a loose lock of dark hair behind her ear. "I wouldn't say infamous - he talks kindly of you." It was easy to the woman to see why, now, if this Zeke had managed to charm him.
Keen green eyes focused on the younger man's face, noting the small signs of discomfort around his eyes and mouth. She turned towards the kitchen, a little hop in her step at his compliment to the food, reaching between the fridge and counter to procure a stool. "Pollo di fettucini alfredo, she replied in thick Italian, prompt and pleased. "B's a good cook in everything, but I can still humble him with traditional goods. I make a point of it whenever possible." She flashed Zeke another wide grin before unfolding the stool, pressing it against one of the counters and stepping on it, opening a high placed cupboard over the sink.
"Oh you're the cause," she laughed again, peering under her arm at him with a 'you should know better!' look. "And thank goodness for it! I've already threatened to drown his laptop. I'm glad he has a good reason to stay home and a better reason not to work." Deft fingers drew through the contents of the top cupboard, plucking a white bottle from its depths with a soft crow of triumph before stepping off the stool, unscrewing the top. "I mean, he doesn't sound so bone-tired anymore."
The lid popped off. Very mindful of the contents, she shook the bottle against her palm until two small pills tumbled out, holding them and resealing the contents. Returning the bottle and stool to their proper places, she looked over to Zeke. "If I make you some garlic toast, will you take one of these? They're some mild muscle relaxers." Alex paused, looking a little sheepish before adding, "You just look like an old man, holding your back. Figured you were in pain, so uh, ignore me if I'm jumping the gun."
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Posted: Tue Jan 27, 2009 9:20 am
Zeke grinned at the compliment about his name and nodded. "No, he doesn't. Probably my fault though, since most of the time I've got him laughing or just fooling around, so he's not all serious to talk about that." Zeke was so used to Brad laughing and smiling all the time he assumed his sister of all people would know that the older man was capable of such actions. At one thing she said he cocked his head a little. "'Separate'? I don't understand what you mean." His tone was politely curious as he followed her into the kitchen, her last words making him smile softly, though he said nothing.
"Ah chicken!' Was his reply to what the cooking was. "And pasta, that does sound good." As he hobbled behind her his stomach gave the on time rumble for food. He was so adjusted to having a meal a short while after he came home that he couldn't help it. Zeke hoped she couldn't hear that. He nodded about her comment about her brother's culinary skill. "Oh yes, he is. I've told him time and time again he could become a very prominent chef, but I don't think he takes me too seriously on that." He smiled at her. "Of course, you yourself must have quite the culinary talent as well and that's very nice of you to do for him. I'd repay him by cooking, but I tend to set fire to most things and he says he doesn't want me to repay him at all. I so am though, whether he likes it or not."
Zeke stood by the counter waiting to see what exactly she was getting in the cupboard. At the look he gave him, Zeke busted out laughing and shrugged a little. At the threat to Brad's computer he looked playfully horrified.
"No, no! Don't do that! It'd probably make him be on site more and then I wouldn't have him around to keep from the world. Please have mercy Alex!" He started dramatically dry sobbing with his arm over his face, but when he dropped his arm he had a large, teasing grin on his face. "He must be part sponge too then and absorbing my youthful vitality. The man is not human at all, but he's great at looking like one." At the popping sound of the lid on the medicine bottle his curious face returned. As she held out the pills and explained a relieved expression replaced that one.
"I'd take them even without the bribe. Thank you." He plucked the two tablets from her hand and made his way to the sink where he started the water and took a cup from the dish washer. At the old man comment he snorted but downed both pills before speaking. "I look like an old man huh? Damn, I'm twenty-four! That's eons before my time!" He turned and grinned at her and nodded. "Yeah I think I pulled something in my lower back when I was at work today and it hurts. But you aren't jumping the gun, don't worry about that, thanks." He chuckled but looked sheepish. "Heh, you probably heard my comment when I walked in about asking Brad for a massage to get the knot out of my back then."
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Posted: Wed Jan 28, 2009 3:32 pm
A quizzical smile followed the younger man's words, bright green eyes lit by raised eyebrows in silent question. Laughing? Weird. That was unlike her brother, unless she was tickling him. "Seperate, y'know...I figured you guys went out, and, did...things." She waves a hand vaguely, grinning a bit. "Whatever it is guys do, I sure wouldn't know."
The uncertain expression was replaced with an amused grin, shaking her head at his words. "B doesn't take a lot of things seriously outside of work. Don't think too much on it." Alex lifted a dark brow at the praise, standing just a little straighter, chin just a little higher. "It'd be a crime to our heritage if we didn't cook. Oh?" The grin errupts into good humored laughter. "Burned, huh? I'll remember that when I want a steak. Goodness Zeke, how long have you lived with him?" she inquired, her warm gaze turning into a playful critical eyeful. "The man doesn't allow paybacks. I force him to, and he suffers me, but I doubt he'd take it from you," slender fingers extended to gently pat his rugged cheek, "no offense. Just means he likes you more."
The Italian woman set about making the bread anyway, pulling out a thick white-centered loaf and seizing one of the larger knives from a nearby block. "Wasn't a bribe sweetpea, it's so the things don't knock you on your a**. Muscle relaxers help you sleep too, y'know?" Alex grinned as the man popped them down anyway, cutting through the thick, sweet tan crust with ease. With a snap of her fingers, she left the knife embedded in the hunk of bread and began to rife through a bag near by, drawing out a tuperware container of fresh garlic butter, thumbs pushing the top off with a suctioned pop before she returned to her work on the bread.
"Twenty four? Cripes, you're younger than me!" She laughed merrily (oh Brad would be ribbed for this), turning her head to give him a reassuring wink, "I jest. I can tell you're a spry type of guy. I didn't hear anything at the door, but now that you said that, maybe I should have called first." Severe brows waggled playfully at Zeke before the bread was cut satisfactory, checking the drawers for a butter knife to lather the garlic upon the white face of the chunk in her hand. "Glad I didn't bring the wine, or you'd be sleeping real well tonight," she practically giggled, putting the bread on a napkin and popping it in the microwave.
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Posted: Wed Jan 28, 2009 4:22 pm
"Ah I see. Well we go out, but not together. Work you know?" He held out his arms to bring light his work attire, which was still as crisp as when he put it on this morning, all be it a bit sweaty from the running about he's done. "Plus it's a bit chilly and it's not really 'going out' weather." He shrugged at the fact and nodded at her words. "I'm sure he takes plenty of things outside of work seriously Alex, but okay."
Zeke rubbed the spot at his back again before dropping the arm to his side. The medication will kick in in due time, he just had to be patient and hold strong for now. At Alex's culinary talked he laughed a bit. "If you like your steaks done up like charcoal, I'm sure I could easily oblige you. There's never any pink left in my steaks, I guarantee!" Despite the throbbing in his back he was in high spirits, Brad's sister was greatly improving his mood. At the question he paused to think. How long was it exactly? "I've been with him...A few months now I think. Three at the most, but I know. It still won't stop me though, I'll repay him in any way I can." He smiled. "I'm sure no one can be liked by him more than his own sister, especially when she's as charming as you." His face was sincere looking as he spoke in a matching tone, his eyes bright.
His mouth formed the silent 'Oh' again as Alex explained the toast, but he shook his head. "I don't use muscle relaxers personally. At least the little pill form." He was hinting at Brad being his muscle relaxer, the man always sent him off to a nice, undisturbed sleep after a bit of cuddling once his massages were over. Zeke couldn't remember ever sleeping any better than those times, at all. He took his mind out of those intimate times so he could watch the preparation of the toast. At her laughter about his age, he decided to charm her a bit more.
"You're older than me? No way! You don't look a minute over twenty!" His voice was now ripe with good humor and pleasantries, he was really starting to like this woman and was a bit upset that Brad hadn't mentioned her before. Of course, that was partly his own fault for keeping Brad's mind off anything but what they were doing at the time. "I have to be spry, my job calls for it." Memories of chasing after a whippet who was going under for a neutering sprang to mind at that moment. "Ah, well looks like I just spilled a bit of a secret. Oh well, it's out there now." He laughed a bit more before looking at the fridge. "There's sour watermelon vodka in the fridge if you're feeling up to that. I'm not much of a wine person, though Brad does make some pretty good drinks that involve wine. And I sleep well every night!"
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Posted: Mon Feb 02, 2009 9:45 am
A nod of understanding followed Zeke's explanation, although it hadn't quite been what she'd aiming for. It was just as well, giving her a little insight to the man, especially the last part of his statement about Brad taking things seriously outside of work. It gave her pause for thought, looking at Zeke's earnest face with curiosity. It appeared her dear brother was either keeping to himself or was utterly ensnared by the younger man; by the way he talked, so animated and lively, she was betting on the latter.
"Sounds good to me! I'll definitely hit you up for your steak cooking prowess," she laughed delightedly, stomach growling at the idea of food. Alex crossed the kitchen, opening the oven and peering at the chicken, making sure it was staying warm. She'd grilled it before coming over - there was no other way to have the chicken in her meal other than as such, complete with expert black stripes from the grill - and had wanted to keep it warm and prepared. Now she was just ready to devour the thing.
"Three months, that's long enough to know how stubborn he is." She righted herself, closing the oven and imparting a charming grin to Zeke, "I love my big brother, so I can say with honesty that you've got him quite wrapped around your finger. I think it's kinda cute!"
The microwave dinged, returning her to its side to pop open the door and withdraw the napkin with the bread, now soft with melted butter, handing it over to Zeke. "Good, pills are a bad habit to form anyway. I'm sure there's other more...agreeable forms." Another quirked grin, she couldn't help it! He was so cute, she wanted to pinch his cheeks and keep him, especially at the next compliment to fall from his lips. "My goodness Zeke, if my brother doesn't keep you, I will," she huffed, actually coloring a little. "I'm five years his junior. You know how to flatter a man and a woman, don'tcha?"
She went about preparing another piece of bread as Zeke continued to talk, her smile wide. "Secret is safe with me Zeke." Alex laughed and shook her head at the mention of vodka, giving the vet an amused grin, "Doesn't quite work with Italian foods, and you don't need it on an empty stomach with pills. Call me a party pooper, but I'm not willing to be accused of drugging my brother's boyfriend." She laughed again, buttering the bread in her slender grasp. "I hope he gets home soon, I'm starving."
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Posted: Mon Feb 02, 2009 11:06 am
He laughed at her keen excitement at his proposal to make her a steak. Well, if people liked burned to a crisp with no trace of anything but black, then he guessed he could appease a group of people with that not a talent. "Okay then Alex, but be warned, once it catches on fire, I don't control what happens to it. All I can predict is that it will be blackened all the way through!" He watched her walk over to the oven and, since he too was hungry, curiosity got him and he leaned sideways to peer in. He could make out the grill marks and determined she was just keeping it warm in there. "That sure does look as good as it smells. I'm sure the taste is to match." Once Alex had shut the oven door and started talking Zeke gave a nervous laugh at her words.
"Well, I dunno about that! I don't think I have him wrapped around my finger and, truth be told, I don't want him to be there. Makes it seem like I'm brainwashing him or going to make him do something horrible." His smile got wider. "But if you think the idea is cute, then I guess I can't stop you from thinking that, eh?" Zeke looked to the microwave as it beeped, his stomach giving another growl as the scent of garlic butter wafted from the open door and as Alex handed it over. He took it gratefully, folding the napkin away from the underside of the warm bread and blowing on it before taking a bite. His expression turned blissful and after swallowing looked admiringly at Alex. "This is very good, thank you! And yes, quite a bad habit to form among other things." At her hinting that she knew what he meant his cheeks turned a bit pink, but he nodded all the same. "Yes indeed."
Zeke saw her face color at his compliment and with the attached words he knew he had caught her a bit off guard with his own. He laughed and shrugged. "I dunno if you'll get that chance, but don't start a sibling war over me, I don't like to be a prize and cause a rift between people." He was about to take another bite, but grinned instead. "You look more than five years his junior, you really do. I guess I do! Or I'm just oblivious to that fact, because I just say what I think." He looked dramatically relieved when Alex spoke while preparing more bread, even giving her a playful 'you're the best' look.
"Oh thank the gods! I don't know what Brad would do or say if people got wind of that! I can see the headlines now; 'Man's massaging cures pain, causes scandal for no reason'!" He laughed and took another bite, nodding when he is unable to speak due to his mouth being full. The words that brought her to laugh again caused him to mildly choke and blush, his hand hitting his chest to get the bite of bread down alright. "I-I'm n-not..." He started with stammering, taken aback by her choice of words. "Well...I mean we...Uh..." He looked at her with wide, wondering eyes, Alex's last words about Brad getting home soon lost to his mind being blown. "Brad an-and I...W-We aren't...Are we?"
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Posted: Mon Feb 02, 2009 1:10 pm
Another amused laugh left her at the mention of steak catching on fire. For some reason, she could picture the small slab of meat up in flames, with Zeke dancing around it in horror. His appraisal of her own cooking did much to preen her feathers, as it were, giving the young man a sweet smile and words of gratitude. Alex was a prideful thing, and any words of endearment or praise were taken to the heart.
As Zeke stuttered, she looked over to him again, bread in hand, slender brows raising slowly and with dire amusement. "Oh dear dear dear, whatever did we just stumble upon?" Her voice was little more than a bemused purr, a devious smile on her lips. "Why are you asking me cupcake? Don't you know?" The smile broke into a playful grin, her eyes alight with her glee. "Do you want to be?" she added in a coy, suggestive voice. It was a good and a bad sign for the young man - it meant that Alex was already doting on him, and her affections were not something to bear with modestly.
A swell of joyous laughter left her, putting the food down and approaching Zeke, wrapping her arms around his shoulders in an encouraging hug. "Zeke, I would kill for a camera right now, because if B could see the look on your face, he'd propose to you on the spot!" Probably not the smartest thing to say, but Alex was enjoying herself far too much at this point. "Maybe I was mistaken, and you both have a decent hold on each other, hmm? You're right, no finger wrapping, but something infinitely more dear and precious."
Yes, she was teasing the poor man mercilessly while hugging him, something she was adept at and used on a whim. Pulling back just a little, her wide grin continued to sparkle in her eyes. "So much for keeping you. He'd definitely bite my arm off to keep you to himself. Wisely so, too, I must say I approve!" Her lithe body began to tremble with repressed laughter, withdrawing from Zeke and practically skipping back to the bread, lathering it with a look someone between smug contentment and something deeply mischevious.
"Oh my dear brother, do come back before I steal your boyfriend. Really, Zeke, you're too sweet, it's not a wonder why he smiles so much more." A soft 'tsk'ing sounded off the roof of her mouth, placing the buttered bread on a napkin and making her way to the microwave again. Her smile made her look much younger, her expression bright and excited.
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Posted: Mon Feb 02, 2009 1:37 pm
The moment he started stammering he couldn't shut his trap and Alex was clearly enjoying seeing the younger man like this. He could hear the teasing in her voice, but couldn't help but think she was just a bit serious despite it all. When she asked if Zeke knew, he shook his head, his ponytail flipping side to side before coming to a rest down the back of his neck. At her askance of if he wanted to be, it was a surprise he didn't have a vessel blow when his face turning even redder. "I...I don't know what we are...R-Roommates. Yeah..."
He was looking down at the floor, but at her laugh he looked up just in time for a hug. Still stunned, he paused a moment and with bread still in hand he just stood there confused and let her hug him. Zeke cocked his head at her words, the teasing still full on his ears, but still so surprised at what she was saying. It was clear to Zeke that Alex was greatly enjoying his floundering around like a fish out of water. Maybe just a bit too much. At her words that ended with the questioning 'hmm' and those that came after, Zeke nodded a little.
"Y-Yeah we do...At least...I think so..." She was making him put a lot of things into consideration and think all of them over. Very fast. When she grinned at him, that smile was the same as Brad's laughter; infectious, and he couldn't help but smile a bit back at her. "I'm glad his sister thinks kindly of me. I'm even more so glad to hear I'm approved!" His stumbling around had stopped and for that he was grateful. Now he didn't seem so much like a star-struck, babbling idiot.
Once Alex let go, he put the bread in his mouth to keep himself from spouting out other things that could lead into her teasing and toying. Zeke was also glancing out the open kitchen door to the front, as if almost expecting Brad to come padding in at any moment. In his mind he was kind of hoping he didn't now, the younger man could only imagine what he would say after getting a look of Zeke standing there, bright red, trembling a bit with shocked nerves, and with a slice of soft garlic toast in his mouth and acting as a gag. Especially when he would eventually look where Zeke was and see his own sister there too. Zeke had a feeling something would happen, something that would be both entertaining and possibly mentally scarring.
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Posted: Thu Feb 05, 2009 12:21 pm
The avoided question made her grin wide and full, simply giggling lightly when Zeke stuttered. It was probably cruel of her to tease him so, but it really did just mean that she liked him, in her own odd and fond way. "Roommates," she repeated to herself with amusement, crossing her arms over her stomach and leaning against the corner of the kitchen by the microwave for the bread to finish.
Unfortunately, that was the time Brad entered the house.
"I'm home," he called quietly from the doorway, indigo eyes turning over familiar belongings left at the door. If he'd known he was going to be detoured for so long, he would have left a note, but he'd been left with little notice and much to be done. He wore his 'broken in' jeans, which considered of small tears and a hole below his knee, a dirt-smudged tank top over his strong upper body, towel slung around his neck. Brad rather enjoyed the labor part of his work, being able to help with construction on the site, making him feel energetic and worn out all in the same breath.
He spotted the familiar purple and green hair near the kitchen (the source of Zeke's attention yet unseen to him), coming up behind him and pressing a pleased kiss to the side of his jaw, one hand resting against his back. "Sorry I'm late. Ah, I'd give you a hug but I'm kind of dirt--are you okay?" Brad moved to the younger man's side, concern stealing over his features at Zeke's bright complexion and trembling, momentarily fearing the worst. It was only then that he caught a spot of tan and black out of the corner of his eyes, turning his attention immediately to the smirking woman.
"Alessa?" he questioned in surprise, confusion taking the place of his worry, and in one moment of clarity, he was able to fit the two strange occurances together, lips drawing into a firm line. "What did you say?" The question was dark, almost annoyed.
Alex feigned a hurt expression. "See Zeke? Not even a, 'Wow, how nice to see my little sister!' or 'Gee, what's that delicious aroma?' He's all about you cupcake." Regardless of her teasing words, the woman approached her stern brother and embraced him, kissing his rugged cheek. "Ciao, fratello maggiore. I was just keeping your boyfriend some company while you left him by his lonesome! Oh," green eyes ticked momentarily towards Zeke, "there's enough time for a massage if you want." A perfectly innocent smile with a less-than-innocent wink accompanied her statement.
The older man's jaw slackened, understanding further dawning on his features as he glanced between his beloved little sister and roommate. He, too, was momentarily speechless, hoping Zeke would shed some light on the massaging bit - at least he could wrap his head around that and not embarrass himself.
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Posted: Thu Feb 05, 2009 1:01 pm
As he heard the door open and Brad's voice wafting in from the same area, Zeke automatically perked up. Under normal circumstances it would be a welcoming sound, one that would have sent him wandering from wherever he was in the house to Brad in order to give him a proper greeting home, but now for the time being it seemed to highlight that things were going to become extremely awkward. His eyes flicked over to Brad as the older man pressed a kiss to his jaw and he nearly started as the hand was pressed to his back in a spot just over where the sore muscle was. Instead, his back merely straightened up in surprise, adding more to his embarrassed demeanor as he was sure Alex had just seen all of that.
Still gagged with his toast (which he was still eating because it was good) he didn't answer, but could feel Brad's eyes on him as he asked if he was okay. He looked up at Brad again just as he saw his sister standing off by the microwave. Zeke almost winced at his roommate's tone in the question he asked Alex, very much not used to such an almost annoyed tone from him. Still, he couldn't help a small grin at her acted frown and her teasing words. As the woman embraced her brother, Zeke shifted out of the hand on his back, returning one of his own to the muscle the relaxers hadn't found out yet. When Alex said she was keeping Brad's 'boyfriend' company, his flushed face colored more, feeling prickly heat on his cheeks from it. For the rest of what she said Zeke averted his eyes downward, kicking himself now for admitting that Brad would give him such massages when he asked.
"...." His toast was fully gone and now he only had his will to keep his mouth shut. He knew Brad would probably want answers for all of this, but Zeke had a feeling Alex would be more than overjoyed to expel anything and everything about what was happening here. Then again, it would be best for him to testify to the massage bit, Alex might throw in her brand of teasing and blow things out of context.
"W-Well you see...I hurt my back at work..." He was going slow, making sure he didn't warp the words coming to mind and making sure they made sense before he sent them out off his tongue. "And when I came home I thought you were here," He dry swallowed, feeling very small and out of his element though he was at home and shouldn't be. "So I asked out loud for you to give me a massage for the aching in my back..." His voice trailed off into shy mumbling, really wishing he could just disappear into the air or slip off unnoticed and hide in the bathroom. The only words that ended up being able to be heard sounded like "magic touch", before he trailed off again to a stop, casting his eyes off to the side and feeling like he was going to spontaneously combust at any given moment.
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Posted: Wed Feb 11, 2009 12:27 pm
Alex saw it all, but there was something on her face, a tick of her brow in her expression that was a little out of place. Of course, her brother would see it (and possibly have the right to begin worrying), but she otherwise seemed to be maintaining a bemused smile, green eyes flicking between the two men and noting each interaction. She found it most interesting.
The older man rested his eyes upon Zeke, his vaguely embarrassed look dissolving into concern. "What happened? Come on, if--" he cast his sister a baleful glance, "--'we have the time,' we should go work on that. I should take a shower first though." He kept his hands to himself, crossed over his chest so he wouldn't reach out and inadvertantly hurt his roommate, trying not to seethe at Alex for making everything so damn frustrating and awkward.
Perhaps she sensed his displeasure, keeping quiet and popping open the microwave to retrieve the second piece of bread, offering it up to her brother. "Eat, or give it to Cupcake over here," she smiled at Zeke, "since he seems to appreciate it." Alex stuck her tongue out at Brad before returning to the oven, pulling out the grilled chicken and setting it on the stove-top, breathing deeply with a satisfied smile.
She just couldn't resist one last tendril of teasing. "If you guys aren't back in fifteen, don't worry, I can take a hint."
"Dio santo!" came the returned growl, casting an irritable look at the younger woman, although his blush started to give him away. "I'm going to shower and if Zeke wants to join me, that's our business." Not that he actually thought the sweet young man would ever do such a thing, but it was up to them how they chose to spend their time. He couldn't help but feel a little rankled at her teasing, if not because it was hitting close to home.
Brad turned to Zeke, giving him a tight, apologetic smile. Setting the bread down - he'd worry about that later - he bowed his head to the Sour Apple male. "Sorry darling, family...can't live with or without 'em. I'd be happy to give you a massage before dinner if you'd like."
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