“I know. But I want to.” He’s done it before - flirted - since he took his soulmate in. It’s a social crutch he slips back into when things get strained. And they have gotten strained - the pair of them have been pussyfooting around each other so far.
It was weird. It was awkward. But they were grown men and well. It was what it was.
Now - If he was being honest - the liquid courage he’s partaken in is helping here - he’s always louche, but Al has made him tense up like a virgin on their wedding night. There was also an old acquaintance that had attempted to get reacquainted.
Tempting as it was - there were other considerations to be made now.
So before anything could happen (he was not known for his strength in that department after all) he had returned home. He’d started about as subtle as a sledgehammer, and when Al had remained oblivious (to the point that it seemed deliberately done) he’d abandoned all pretence in his flirtation.
“I can shut up though if you’d like. Got a laundry list of other things I could be doing with my lips.”
He had never been good at this. Sure, he had explored a lot when he was younger but as he grew older he had to admit to himself that he just wasn’t someone to jump into bed with anyone and even with people he knew well it took him a long time to take that step.
So even with the awkward air around Patrick and him, he couldn’t really bring himself to reciprocate in the way he knew his soulmate wanted. He trusted Patrick to a degree, yes, but he still didn’t feel close enough to take that last step.
And now he had cornered himself and had no idea what to say without hurting Patrick. He really was shit at this. Crossing his arms in front of his chest, Al leaned slightly away, wishing the ground would just swallow him up or he could walk through walls and just away from this situation like the ghosts that had been bothering him his whole life.
“Sorry...” Shoulders raised as if he prepared for a punch and eyes looked anywhere but his soulmate as he admitted quietly, “I... I would prefer the flirting for now then.”