Wounds don't need to heal as long as we do (Flower & Prima Fauna)

[Selki Seven]

"Yea..." Heito paused for a moment and only caught a few things that Neal said while he wasn't really thinking about anything, just looking and admiring. "...dogs are as loyal as they come. I remember having one back when I was younger. His name was Raphael, after the red Teenage Mutant Ninja Turtle. I always liked him best." Heito smirked and looks down at the candle again, catching some of the wax that dripped with his finger.

 

[ChampionOfTheMorningStar]

Neal smiled watching the wax drip down. "You can get badly burned from wax." He reached out catching a drop on his own finger. "but it is very beautiful." Neal listened to the comment about a dog. "I hope it was a big one-- that's what I need a big floppy cuddly dog." he hummed. "Would be good, I could use him as a pillow..." Neal thought off about it, lots of people told him what 'therapy dogs' could help with. He just wanted a shelter dog. "I had a Guinna pig my mom was allergic."

 

[Selki Seven]

"Ah. I'm not worried about being burned. Not when there is a big shot fire hero here to save the day." Heito looks up at Neal for a moment then to his fingers where the wax was cooling and becoming moldable. He began to shape the wax into various cubes and circles then looks up when he mentioned wanting a dog as a pillow.


"I wasn't allowed to have small pets. My father used to tell me that if we had a pet, it would be something we could call a pet. Not some "rat", as he would put it. And if you want a pet, we can take a trip down to find one. I know a few decent shelters that do a lot of good around here. No-kill shelters." He smiles a bit and leans back in the chair to see outside again. There are a couple of birds flying around with each other and they sit on a branch outside the window and snuggle together in two fluffy balls to sleep. Heito smirks and watches them for a moment before turning back to Neal and looking at his eyes again.

 

[ChampionOfTheMorningStar]

Neal nodded, "I'm not ready but that does sound nice... Maybe we could go and just look?" It sounded to perfect and much to fast to go to a shelter and pick out a dog. They didn't even know what they were doing! He looked around and then over at Heito and took a deep breath. "So. Let's have this conversation before I get too confused..." Neal played with the edge of the table, "what are we going to define tonight as? Let's start there." Neal let out another breath and met Heito's eyes.

 

[Selki Seven]

"Sure. I didn't mean right away. Just whenever you wanted. And what do you mean 'define tonight'?" Heito looked a little confused with an eyebrow risen and his fingers interlaced and under his chin. He was slightly amused that he didn't seem like the only one here who was a little nervous. Though, he didn't think it nerves so much as anticipation for what the night held.


"Well, since you brought it up, what is this night to you? Or what would you like it to be?" Heito smiled a bit and the dancing flame on the candle wick gave a small sparkle to his eyes.

 

[ChampionOfTheMorningStar]

"I'm not sure I know Heito... I want to know... I do.." Neal leaned back and pushed his glasses up his nose to look Heito up and down. He shook his head slowly. "What about you-" He stopped himself before saying the word 'relationships' that would be highly inappropriate. He blinked, adjusted his glasses and picked up again. "-FRIENDSHIP is a two way street." He said not meaning to but putting extra umf into the friendship word. He had over corrected his mistake. He chewed at the inside of his cheek.

 

[Selki Seven]

"Well, I feel like you are the first real friend I have had since high school. Sorry if that seems awkward, but it is true." Heito watches Neal look at him and studied his expressions along the way. He looked bothered and Heito tilted his head ever so slightly to the left and continued. "...and when I make friends, they are for life. Is something wrong, Neal? You seem a little..." Heito trails off and just watches with concerned looks towards Neal. He was hoping he didn't make this night bad for either of them.

 

[ChampionOfTheMorningStar]

"No I'm fine it's just..." Neal sighed. "I like you. You had a dirty dream about me and I feel flattered-heck I feel relived... but I just..." Neal looked down then met Heito's eyes as intensely as he could with the deep blue pools, that were his eye. He took a deep breath. "The last time I did this for real it ended with a note." Neal kept his gaze steady. "Two weeks after... a Note... He left a note at my hospital bed. I had to have a nurse res it to me. I never saw him again." Neal watched Heito, looking for his expression reaction... anything. "Do you understand, if this goes where it's going.."

 

[Selki Seven]

Heito watched with a sincere stare towards Neal then leaned in to rest his arms on the table. While Neal talked and poured out his feelings and opinions, he kept a straight face until the end. It was a sad story and he could tell their was pain behind it. There was something that me him feel like he wanted to pull Neal in and tell him things would be ok, but that would make it weird.


Heito went silent for a moment before a small smile went across his face and he sighed, "If this goes anywhere, it is because there is something serious between us. I may have made a mistake with my ex-wife, but I don't make the same mistake twice." He swallowed and looked down to think about what was being talked about. A possible relationship? It made him feel giddy as anything for a moment, but then just made him nervous because it was another guy. No matter how much he thought or felt at the moment, Heito made sure to try to keep a calm and relaxed demeanor while in Neal's presence.

 

[ChampionOfTheMorningStar]

"I just want you to know... That me..." Neal laughed at how he was phrasing all this. "It's not you it's me?" Neal gave him a sheepish look hoping that Heito would understand what he meant, that if Neal began to hold back it had nothing to do with Heito and everything to do with Neal and his own issues and terror. Heck if Neal held back it mostly meant that he really liked Heito and was terrified. By this time their food was just leaving the kitchen. Neal leaned back a nit to allow the Waiter easier access to the table.

 

[Selki Seven]

"No worries. I understand. If you need space you just tell me. Or if I do something to bother you, let me know immediately." Heito sat up straight in the chair and nodded to the waiter as he approached then watched Neal for a moment. He wondered how it was he was so strong, yet didn't realize it himself. Heito figured that it was usually harder to see the strength and worthiness of themselves when they seem to have fallen hard. One thing positive about Neal is he always managed to make Heito smile when around him. That was something his ex-wife never did. She creates the burning fires of hell while Neal puts it out with his smile and quirky traits. He chuckled a bit as he thought about it and shook his head as he looked down at the meal in front of him.

 

[ChampionOfTheMorningStar]

Neal picked up his burger and smiled over it to Heito. "Well now that all of that crap is out of the way, let's talk about something that isn't me... tell me about your kids, or if that's too much your job. Let's talk about you..." Neal didn't always like to be the center of attention, sometimes he knew it was unavoidable and then he took it with grace... but when it was not.. and even if it was unavoidable he always switched it as soon as he could from him to something else... anything, he wanted to know more about Heito... He took a generous bite of his burger watching Heito expectantly while he chewed.

 

[Selki Seven]

Heito looked up at Neal and nodded slowly while thinking of what he could say, "I have two kids. Katie, 12, and Jeremiah, 13. They are both so beautiful and growing up so quickly. Katie, she is interested in science, and when she lived with me, she was always..." He chuckles and takes a bite of his sandwich, chews and swallows, then continues. "...making experiments in the bathroom when we weren't looking, and when she got older it moved to the yard and park. She is in honors science and has been for the past.... I don't even know how long. Jeremiah is into acting and plays. He has written a few for his school to play out, and he recently discovered he was gay. Took his mother for a spin, but I plan on going down in the fall because he wants me to meet the boyfriend. They took it a bit hard over the split, but they are making their own path to happiness." Heito just trailed off at the end and his smile was plaster on his face, lighting up all his features. When talking about his kids he got that way and tended to ramble, but he was never sorry about it.


Heito sighs and looks at Neal with a smile in his eyes before saying, "I'm sorry. I talk about my kids and just.... can't stop."

 

[ChampionOfTheMorningStar]

Neal laughed at the comment about his daughter, he thought that sounded quite interesting. He sobered at the comment about his son's sexual orientation nodding slowly as he swallowed his food. He smiled at Heito "No it's fine really they sound like great kids... bout to be teenagers." Neal raised his eyebrow and and popped a fry in his mouth. Neal smiled around his fry. "I read to the younger kids in the neighborhood around the store, though most of then are about.... 4?" Neal laughed. "Tell me more about them?"

 

[Selki Seven]

Heito paused for a few minutes to eat some and took a quick drink to clear his mouth and wet his throat. He smiled when Neal commented his kids and then watched him as he talked about reading to neighborhood kids. That sounded like a pleasant job. Heito always had a soft spot for all kids, no matter how spoiled they were. When asked to talk about his kids more, Heito smiled and shook his head before looking back at Neal.


"I'd rather you meet them and learn about them. Sadly, I don't believe that day will come." Heito smirked and took a fry to munch on.

 

[ChampionOfTheMorningStar]

Neal cocked his head to the side, biting his lip, wow already talking about meeting the kids eh? that was... fast but it made Neal feel warm, fuzzy and happy inside... like someone had casually mentioned that their favorite movie was his, or that they could see something long term... It was as if Heito just assumed that he liked him enough for that. It was good, natural. "Well I'm not going to pry since you have been so kind, but if you want to tell me about your psycho X go ahead I told you a bit about mine, only difference is that he is a.... well a he. And I didn't Marry him thank GOD. If you don't mind let's ditch the heavy stuff, Let' be awkward, What's your favorite movie?"

 

[Selki Seven]

"I apologize if I have come off too strong." Heito lowered his eyebrows for a moment as he took another bite about to finish up and then continued, "...but of course. My favourite movie is...." Heito thought for a moment before smiling again and looking out the window.


"It would have to be between Pride and Prejudice, The Sound of Music, or Gone with the Wind, mainly for the very ending." Heito got a serious look on his face before changing his accent to his best ability and talking a little deeper than he already did, "Frankly my dear, I don't give a damn." Heito chuckled and looked up from the corner of his eye like he was thinking about something and looked back down shortly after.


"And yourself?" Heito popped the last bite of burger into his mouth.

 

[ChampionOfTheMorningStar]

Neal laughed and shook his head, "You didn't come off too strong, and as for me... hmm X-men First class? maybe, I like sound of Music, but the other two I actually haven't seen.. Les Mis was very good, so was - oh what was it? That's right! Serenity, and most superhero movies... I like sy-fy, I mean I might watch more Tv then movies..." Neal laughed, "Mini-series mostly, kind of like movies only longer.... Tin Man, Alice, those are good... I like that show Hannibal? did you watch that? The new season should come back, it was very artful. I like that." Neal tilted his head.

 

[Selki Seven]

As Neal talked, Heito smiled and chuckled. It seemed that Neal was comfortable around him, which was a relief in itself. He went on and on about his shows and Heito looked into Neal's eyes and found happiness or that change in life he needed. He was perfectly content and added in, "X-men is always good. And I haven't seen Les Mis yet, though I'd like too. When it comes to movies that have a lot of song in them, sometimes I can sing along to every song in the movie, which I know can annoy some people." Heito chuckles and rubs the back of his neck for a moment.


"I personally find that the TV is much more.... suspenseful than a good movie because then you have to wait for that next episode, and as patient as I am, I dislike waiting for episodes to come out. I haven't seen Hannibal. But I know one of my favourite TV series that I actually had the patience to wait for was Once Upon a Time." Heito took a sip of water then set down the glass before directing his gaze at the candle. It looked to have gone down a bit more since they were here. He hoped that Neal was having a nice time.

 

[ChampionOfTheMorningStar]

Neal smiled, "I love to sing out loud to Musicals." He said watching Heito look at the candle. He set his elbows on the table and put his chin into his fists. "My X hated that." Neal said laughing. "I heard once upon a time was good, I didn't watch it though. Les Mis is very well done and You should watch it... I actually have it on DVD..." Neal blushed "... if you want to... borrow it." Neal finished, not wanting to seem to eager, but he would love to have Heito over to watch a Musical on his couch with homemade pizza and popcorn... He snorted at himself, god he might as well start picking out baby names..

 

[Selki Seven]

"Let's make it a rule to not talk about ex's because it seems neither one treated us well." Heito smiles and watched the candle flame dance with a nod, "I would like that. Maybe on a weekend. I spend most of my days and nights at the office." Heito looked up at Neal for a moment and had to take a second look when he saw him blush. Heito chuckled when the candle lit up the blush on Neal's face and he nodded towards him.


"Why are you blushing, Neal?" Heito couldn't help but smile when he saw him.

 

[ChampionOfTheMorningStar]

Neal stuttered... "I... J...J...u..s...s...t..." Neal took a deep breath, "Yeah a weekend, pizza movie... My place? Or yours...Or not I mean you could just borrow the movie and we don't have to... I mean I can cook but I'm not that good, and we could go to your place, though does it have an elevator? It doesn't really matter... but.... yeah." Neal took a large bite to finish off his food and shut himself up and took a long swig of his drink taking quick, horny-teen-like glances at Heito. Woah Neal. A++, you can socially interact again! yay!

 

[Selki Seven]

Heito couldn't help but laugh at Neal's stuttering and the way he talked with his rambling and such. He shook his head and took a drink of water. He was quiet and just watched Neal look at him in between drinks and blinked before speaking, "Neal, we can do whatever makes you feel most comfortable. If you would like to visit my place, then we can." Heito watched the awkward Neal and smiles before continuing, "I don't believe I've ever said this to another man, but you are cute when flustered. And wherever we are, don't worry about cooking. I have that covered."

 

[ChampionOfTheMorningStar]

Neal laughed. "Then come to mine and watch me be cute in my own setting." Neal held back his bush that was Brazen and he knew it but he felt it was worth a bit of risky play, after all it was a game? "You cook?" Neal asked, "I can't really cook, I make decent pizza, popcorn and pizza. I can only really make P dishes..." Neal smiled. "Anytime is good for me, small business owners make their own schedules." he joked, wiping his mouth off and setting down his napkin next to his now mostly empty plate.

 

[Selki Seven]

"Watch you be cute?" Heito laughed a bit then nodded and took one last drink of water and set the cup down gently. "...then I suppose I will get the groceries and cook for us." Neal was cute anyhow, as awkward as he was in a normal situation, he wondered how he'd be in the comfort of his own home. Evenmoreso, he was curious how a movie night would end.


"Well, you set the date and I will try to work around it." Heito smiled then reached into his pant pocket to retrieve his credit card to get ready to pay and sighed, closing his eyes for a moment then chuckled at the night that had passed. He had a great meal, a wonderful conversation, and a perfectly wonderful, creative... friend. 
(Mew?)