The More Loving One

seth elkins; we read to know that we are not alone.

[wowgiselle-blog]

It didn’t take much for Giselle to set into panic mode, but this? This was a different sort of panic compared to her usual concern that she wasn’t doing everything above and beyond. Meeting up with friends in a public place was never Giselle’s ideal hang out. Sitting in an apartment, safe, was what she always leaned towards, but her friend had convinced her somehow to meet up for a night in public. Which had now landed her in a restaurant wearing a dress that she certainly didn’t feel comfortable in, as she furiously rotated between calling and texting her friend. Each voicemail she left got a little more frustrated, though she did her best to whisper the insults under her breath to avoid catching attention. One hand gripped to her phone, and the other with a roll in hand - she was still hungry, she waved it around as she started in again, frustrated and not paying much attention until the roll somehow seemed to slip from between her fingers, launching in front of her and into the back of someone’s head. “Oh my god,” she whispered, lowering her phone and staring at the other in fear. “I am so, so sorry! That was an accident, I swear.”

[sethelkins]

It may have been years, but dinner was still something of a conundrum for Seth. Going out to a restaurant simply left him reminded of just how alone he was, but he found it hard to gather up the gumption to cook a proper meal if he was going to be the only one eating it. Thus it ended up that he ate most of his dinners in cheap diners or from pre-prepared frozen foods. Today was an exception. It was nice every once in a while to eat something decent that wasn’t likely going to kill him. He’d only just been seated and was glancing through the menu when he felt something hit the back of his head. Rubbing the spot out of surprise, he turned around to see the mortified girl. Though he knew it was the exact wrong thing to do, before he’d realized it, a loud laugh fell from his lips, unable to be anything other than amused in the situation. Carefully standing up, Seth reached down to pick up the offending bun and walked over to her. “I believe this is yours,” he said with a laugh, setting the roll down on the edge of the table. “I’m not saying that it didn’t work splendidly as a projectile, but you might want to try actually taking a bite of the next one. Unless you have a secret vendetta against me that I don’t know about.” Still, with how ashamed she looked, Seth decided that it was unfair to tease her too much and his smile morphed into one that was more kind. “It’s perfectly fine, it happens to the best of us. Just watch out, they’re slippery little devils.” Nodding once, Seth paused for a moment after taking one step back towards his table, his natural extroverted side kicking in. “I’ll let you get back to your meal... unless you could use some company? It’s just me, myself and I this evening. You’re more than welcome to say no, of course, but if you decide that you’d like it, you know how to get my attention.”

[sethelkins]

♀ In what ways are you proud of Seth, and in what ways are you disappointed in him?

“It’s hard to say that I’m really disappointed him about anything really. We’ve never really been disappointed in him. Besides, he’s never really given us a reason to be. I’m proud that he’s always gone after the things he’s wanted and never held back on his feelings. If anything I guess I have to say that I’m disappointed because I’m worried he won’t be able to do that again. I understand why, but I’m disappointed that he can’t forgive himself for something that wasn’t even his fault.”

[sethelkins]

♀ Did you have a lot of trouble with Seth during his teenage years?

“Trouble? I think that really depends on your definition of it. I suppose a lot of parents would have considered him troublesome but you can’t keep them cooped up and confined forever, you know? Sure, he came home at all hours of the night--or not at all--and did plenty of things that I’m sure he could never tell us about, but he never got into trouble at school and he enjoyed himself. I’m not sure what more a parent could really ask for. There was no point in pushing him to try to work towards a goal when he hadn’t figured out what goal to shoot for yet. Besides, he turned out alright in the end. If he has no regrets, then neither do I.”

[sethelkins]

♀ How did you feel about Seth getting married to Helena?

“I really want to say it was a surprise when he told us... but, well, he wasn’t exactly subtle about the fact he was head over heels for the girl. His father always joked about how we were going to have to wait for his brother to grow up before we ever had a wedding or a grandchild but I knew as soon as Seth fell in love this would be exactly what would happen. Seth was never very good at just waiting for things to happen, even as a kid he always knew his own mind and would go straight for whatever he wanted the most. Not that we really expected him to end up with a marriage licence before a diploma, but in hindsight, I’m not surprised. More than anything, I suppose I’m proud. I just wish things had turned out.... Well, things are the way they are, I guess. And when he’s ready to face that and talk about it, we’ll be here.”

[havenapartments-deactivated2014]

Send me a ♀, my muse's name, and a question and their mother will answer it.

[okangelos-blog]

“Eh, that’s old. Now it’s the time and age where you flip your elders off and tell them to fuck off with their outdated beliefs. Luckily you seem to keep up to date. Don’t disappoint me, or I’ll have to take your life alert away when you’re not looking,” Angelo threatened, raising a warning brow at the man. If Angelo weren’t as innocent minded, to many’s surprise, he’d have almost considered this flirting. Still, Angelo didn’t think that deeply into things. If he got a crush - he got a crush, but he never considered it ever going two ways, nor did he ever go out of his way to express interest. “A statue, and in a couple of millions years, when aliens invade and humanity is wiped clean, they’ll think we worshiped you, all because you saved a kitten. If that isn’t a perfect fucking legacy to leave behind, I don’t know what is.”

[sethelkins]

“The secret they don’t tell you, is that technically its always been that way, it’s just okay to say it nowadays. I think it’s more that I’ve just never been too worried about what people do with their lives. Live and let live, right? After all, it’s not like I’ve never done things that might be considered... scandalous, so I hardly have room to judge.” At the warning, Seth raised his hands up innocently, laughing. “Yes sir. I’ll do my best.” As far as Seth was concerned, this conversation was nothing more than a bit of lighthearted banter, but he tended to have a strange air about the things he said that left people wondering if he was subtly flirting or too dense to notice any other implications to his words. The truth was a bit of both and a lot more complicated. “Maybe they’ll think I was the god of kittens. And maybe they won’t realize just how silly that sounds.You know, I think I like this plan.”

[sethelkins]

Moodboard #1

“Like all hopeless romantics, Seth had an overabundance of hope when he ought to have known that there was none.”

[okangelos-blog]

“You’re not my teacher anymore, I can be as much of an asshole as I please now,” Angelo stated, shrugging his shoulders up and down and crossing his arms over his chest. The compliment almost flew over his head, and really, he wished it had. He tensed a bit, his brow furrowing, but staying otherwise silent on the matter. “Exciting and exotic?” Angelo echoed his word choice, shuffling on his feet as his amusement returned. “I could tell the world you were killed while saving a cat from getting hit by a car. You’ll go out a hero.”

[sethelkins]

“No, but I am still your elder which means you should respect me by default, right? At least that’s how they keep telling me it’s supposed to work.” Shrugging, it was clear that Seth didn’t really mean his comments and he even rolled his eyes at himself. He hadn’t noticed the slight discomfort and even if he had seen the way Angelo tensed slightly, Seth chose to avoid talking about it. “Isn’t that what everyone wants from a death story? I will take heroic, though. I can’t say I’m really hero material. But maybe I’ll get my own statue. Now that would be exciting.” 

[okangelos-blog]

“You were popular in high school? Very hard to believe,” Angelo sarcastically responded, nodding his head as if he were serious. “Not that you have terrible anything, but I’m pretty sure if you have the looks, people are willing to look past any horrible personality traits you have high school. Lucky for me, I had and still have awful everything,” he joked, before furrowing his brow. That felt a bit odd to say around his old teacher, now that he was really wrapping his brain around the situation. At Seth’s comment, he laughed, not sure what to offer up - his social skills were kicking in. He wasn’t used to actually being nice to anyone, so his comments ran few when it came to anything else. “Hey, no, I’m just saying - well, yes, actually, that’s exactly what I’m saying. Sorry. You know the youth these days. We don’t care about anyone but ourselves.”

[sethelkins]

“Horrible personality traits? Wow, that one hurt,” Seth said, putting a hand over his heart as though he was actually offended by the remark. It wasn’t long before the hand dropped, though, and he was laughing. “Kidding. You’re not exactly wrong about that. Well you’re wrong about having a horrible personality and being unattractive, but otherwise, it’s true. I’m pretty sure I did have some questionable traits in high school, but I guess you can’t stay young and stupid forever.” Just shrugging, Seth supposed that he was talking more than Angelo likely wanted to hear, but considering that the guy hadn’t left yet, Seth chose to believe it was welcome. “You know what? I’m not sure I want to cross the street with you anymore. You at least have to tell people I died in a much more exciting and exotic way. Or even that I was crushed to death when my bookcase collapsed. Actually, that one sounds sadly plausible.”

[okangelos-blog]

“You know, Mr. Elkins, no offense, but you sounded way cooler back when I was in school,” he said, raising an eyebrow at the man, shuffling back again when he lifted his shirt. “You are a true party animal. Who needs running anyway? Useless. Completely useless.” He waved his hand around, before grinning again. “You obviously haven’t been served by yours truly, and I wouldn’t wish that upon you. You’re taking smart choices with where you eat. Keep it that way.” When Seth went with it, Angelo hummed. “If you break a hip, I’m bailing. There’s only so much kindness I can stand, I’m sorry to say.”

[sethelkins]

“That’s my secret, I try my best to sound cool when in reality, I’m actually really lame. Or maybe I’m just getting more uncool every year. That might be it, since, believe it or not, I was actually popular in school.” Shrugging his shoulders, Seth just accepted the comment with a smile and chuckle, clearly taking no offense. “Oh yes, the fun never stops with me. Me, that’s who. Or else I’ll end up one of those tweed wearing, pot bellied English teachers. Though running might not be my sport. Maybe I ought to pick up tennis again...” Seth mused, before waving it off. “But that’s a problem for another day. Are you saying if I break my hip you’re going to leave me in the middle of the street? Because I hear they frown on that, young whippersnapper.”

[okangelos-blog]

“As long as you don’t tell anyone about my act of kindness. I’d like to keep this between us,” he said, leaning forward a bit to make his point that this was meant to be a secret. “It is nice to see you like this,” he commented, before clearing his throat. “I mean, you know, having a hard time. Not in the perfect shape you always seemed to be in….” His voice faded off, shaking his head back and forth. “Well, I was close. If I hadn’t decided that wasting my life away was a good choice, I probably would have gone that route, too. Instead I decided to try and force myself into a impossible profession along with being a waiter at an awful restaurant. I’m really living life to the fullest potential,” Angelo joked, crossing his arms over his chest. “You’re not old,” he argued, scoffing. “But, when you catch your breath and want to head back home, let me know so I can help you cross the street.”

[sethelkins]

“Mum’s the word, I promise. Besides, I hardly talk to enough people to be spreading secrets anyway,” he commented with a laugh. Lifting his shirt to wipe off his face quickly, Seth chuckled though he did wish he was in better shape. “I spend my free time reading or working in my yard, I think the fact I can run at all counts as a miracle.” Shaking his head, Seth smirked a bit. He was never one to judge, so he simply laughed off the comment. “Well, you know, I’ve never met a waiter I didn’t like... or a teacher I did, so I have to say I approve.” Seth couldn’t help but chuckle, rolling his eyes. “Looking to get your merit badge, youngster? Just don’t let me break a hip.”

[okangelos-blog]

“Oh, you’re one of those people,” Angelo groaned, rolling his eyes before offering Seth a small smile in order to show that he was joking. Or to portray that he was. He wasn’t particularly comfortable being an asshole to Seth, given their history. “Well, hopefully you are lucky enough to keep up your good rep through kicking the students asses in tennis. Or, I’m assuming you still have a good one. I know you did your first year, and I’m sure most students nowadays appreciate your…. teaching style just as much as we did.” He didn’t respond to the idea of the skirt again, shoving his hands into his pockets. “Twice a week? That is a little - well, I think you’re underestimating my own level of sad. It’s pretty low,” he challenged, raising an eyebrow at him. “ As he went on, Angelo let out a breath, shaking his head back and forth. “I think I prefer that you don’t like me. Nothing personal, just my preference with everyone,” he explained, scratching the back of his head. “Guess I’ll have to work on that. Starting with calling you Mr. Elkins, because it makes you feel old. How perfect.”

[sethelkins]

“Seems like I am. And you did save me from passing out, so I can’t really be too upset anyway,” Seth commented with a casual wave of his hand, before taking another gulp of water. In the end he supposed he didn’t care if he was being made fun of or not, he’d never been one to take much personal offense. “I’m taking the fact that they’re forcing me into this staff vs student game to mean they still like me well enough. Or I suppose they might just want to watch me make a fool of myself.” Seth’s fond roll of his eyes said a lot about his soft spot for his students, but he couldn’t help it. “It’s a little excessive and very sad, believe me, I know. “ Raising an eyebrow, Seth couldn’t help but smirk a little. “I think you’re forgetting that I’m a teacher. I chose to go back to school every day forever. That’s about as sad as it gets. And I also get to disappoint you by continuing to like you. I’m on a roll. In your eyes I probably am pretty old so I guess I’ll just have to suck it up and start looking into buying a walker.”

[okangelos-blog]

“Meeting me should never be considered a good thing,” he corrected, shaking his head.·"Luck out with tennis? The only reason I’d ever imagine someone saying that is if they’re good at it.” He felt himself shuffling uncomfortably at Seth’s suggestion. “No. I was thinking pants. Pom-poms, sure, but… definitely with pants.” Clearing his throat, he took a small step back from Seth, realizing how close he was standing. “I really only visit every couple of months, so I haven’t reached that level of sad. Yet. You’ve just given me a new goal.” He let out a breath, finding his shoulders falling as he started to relax, but it didn’t last long as Seth went on. “Bad impressions, sure, but if you’re smiling when running into me, I definitely didn’t annoy you as much as I intended. Which is a damn shame, but I also welcome failure… a very confusing life I have, Mr. Elkins.”

[sethelkins]

“Well unless you’re about to give me some horribly bad news, I really don’t see you ruining this reunion right here. Then again, I like most people as a general rule.” Seth wondered why Angelo seemed so doubtful with his next comment, but he chuckled. “Well, I used to play. I like to think I wasn’t too bad at it either. Oh, right. See when I think cheerleaders I think mini-skirts. It’s one of those stereotypes, I’m sorry to say.” Raising an eyebrow when he noticed Angelo’s retreat, Seth thought about commenting on it but his tendency to avoid tension kept him from saying a thing. “I go twice a week, I am the very definition of sad. Just another hopeless bookworm. Trust me, you don’t want to be as sad as me. I wouldn’t wish that on anyone.” Seth laughed loudly, more amused by the comment than he should have been. “If you say so. It takes a lot to annoy me, I’m sorry to say. If it’s any consolation, you can revel in the fact you failed so much that I actually rather like you.” Seth’s grin shifted to something a bit more mischievous that was almost a smirk. “You graduated years ago and I’m still Mr. Elkins? It makes me wonder if you’re just trying to make me feel old.”

[okangelos-blog]

Though he had a look of offense for a few seconds, Angelo watched as his former teacher chugged half of his water, scratching the back of his head and looking around once he found himself staring. “Keep it,” he said, gesturing to the bottle before giving a nod when the other smiled at him. He blinked as the man made a joke, and letting out a far less enthusiastic chuckle to avoid tension. “How soon until the big game? Because if this is your best best, you might want to settle on cheerleading. I’m sure everyone would love it just as much,” he suggested, shrugging his shoulders and not really considering any of the possible sexual undertones he could have accidentally been implying. “Yeah, well, I don’t go out much, so that’s not really a surprise. I like to keep under the radar as much as possible. I’m surprised you even remember me.”

[sethelkins]

Grinning still, Seth nodded, though taking smaller sips of the water now, not wanting to overdo it. “Thanks again. It really seems like I lucked out by running into you.” Finally catching his breath at last, Seth ran a hand through his hair to try and cool himself down a bit. “It’s in... a couple of weeks. Geez, I really should have started this sooner. Or maybe not started with a two mile run. Maybe I’ll luck out this year and it will be a game of tennis. Cheerleading? What, with a mini-skirt and pom-poms? ... please don’t suggest that to anyone else or they really will try to force me into it.” Seth replied with a laugh, shaking his head and trying to imagine the scene. Immediately he did his best to stop imagining it. “You and me both, my friend. I think the librarians and I are all on a first name basis. Hmm? Of course I do. You make more of an impression than I think you realize.”

[okangelos-blog]

Angelo wasn’t outside much, but when he was, it was usually because he was on his way to work. But today - his mother had called him and scolded him for a solid hour that he needed to be outside and enjoy the sunshine, for once. Of course he’d tried to argue. He liked looking like a vampire, pale and craving sunlight. What was so special about it anyway? He couldn’t figure out the fun when he was already annoyingly hot, carrying a bottle of water in his hand as he tried to get to a park. To sit down, take a picture, and go back home so his mother would leave him alone. Instead, he saw a familiar body making it’s way towards him. He wasn’t sure who or why he recognized him until he got closer… as if Angelo could forget that face. He wanted to ignore it. Angelo wasn’t one to go out of his way for small talk, but when the other seemed to be having almost a heart attack, or something, he was moving towards him and raising an eyebrow.·“Right,” he said, nodding his head and reluctantly handing him the unopened bottle of water.·“I think you should focus less on getting your ass kicked and more on not passing out in front of the kids?”

[sethelkins]

Seth couldn’t look up right away as he was still trying to catch his breath, but when he did, his first reaction was to take the water and immediately open it. He downed nearly half of it before he felt in control of himself enough to look up properly. When he did so, he broke into a warm smile. “Thanks. It seems I’m more out of shape than I thought I was. That’s what happens you spend all your time in the library, I guess. Lesson learned: reading is hazardous for your health.” Seth just laughed, figuring that Angelo probably wouldn’t be as amused with the comment as he was. It may have been a while but Seth liked to think he was good at remembering his students. "That’s sort of where the whole exercizing thing comes in. Or where it was supposed to anyway. I guess I didn’t realize how long it’s been. But thanks again. I didn’t think you were still even in Town actually, so this is definiteley a surprise, but a nice one.”

[sethelkins]

Sometimes Seth really had to question his own decisions. This was one of those. Having done sports in high school, he really liked to think of himself in better shape than he really was. That must have been why going for couple mile run around Town had seemed like a good idea. Finally reaching the end of his run, he stopped, trying to take deep breathes but he ended up launching into a long and loud coughing fit. He hadn’t noticed anyone else around until they came over. “Sorry, sorry,” he said quickly, waving a hand to try to assure them that he was fine. “I just pushed myself a bit too hard. It’s been a while....” he remarked as he finally got a bit better control of his breathing. “There’s the whole seniors vs staff game coming up and all and I don’t want to get shown up too badly. I’ve seen the rest of the staff try to play.”

[havingnolifeiscool-blog-deactiv]