The Devil In Him

Shane Nichols, 25.Personal Assistant, Father.

[shane-nichols]

thedancervaldez‌:

“Yeah, slowly, over time. Since the day I married you, and even more after we divorced,” Enzo said in perfect Spanish. This was how the ordeals usually went. He and Shane knew how to fight one another, verbally anyway. Every now and then the shorter male would give him a smack, but Enzo never took that to heart. It was the Latin blood in the both of them, and Enzo preferred not to be saying anything in this level of magnitude, in English. At least there was less of a chance of people paying attention to them fighting, since they didn’t really understand. “Deal with me, really? When I’ve been the one putting up with your ass since before and after we got married, then got divorced.” Enzo didn’t want to sit down. He was too tense and angry already, he didn’t want to start his day off like this but honestly, with Shane, there was no other option. “And I thought I told you I never put Ruby in harm’s way, Shane. I’d never leave him with anyone I don’t trust or would endanger him. And any of the guys I’m involved with, we never do anything in front of Ruby. Maybe a light peck on the cheek, but that’s about it, because we know better than to impose that kind of stuff on Ruby. What force? You gimme a smack it feels like a kitten’s pawing at my face. You honestly have nothing to worry about you’re worked up for no apparent reason. Get over it. Ruby loves meeting and getting to know my friends, and they all love him.”

The admission of Shane being the cause or implication that Enzo was stressed startled the younger of the two, he honestly didn’t expect that curveball from his ex-husband. That Latin temper began to overshadow his otherwise sunny disposition. “That’s your problem, you’re involved with half of the guys in this town, don’t you think that’ll confuse Ruby? I don’t want my son growing up with that kind of attitude.” It was a lifestyle that Shane didn’t want to put up with, and wouldn’t have Ruby exposed to, he couldn’t protect and shield Ruby from everything, but he would do his best to. “I might be a headache but that doesn’t compare to what you are. A thirty-year old bedhopping asshole.” Their son wasn’t around to witness the arguing between the two, something the two always tried to spare the boy, it would only cause the boy pain to see both of his fathers bickering. “I’m not dealing with you or this, right now. Go home to Mark or one of the several guys you’re sleeping with. I’ll go pick up our son from my parents house and put him to bed. And no, my dad still doesn’t like you.”

[shane-nichols]

oliverxwilson‌:

“My names Oliver Wilson, are you Ruby’s dad? He’s told me about visiting you and how cool you are.” Smiling at Ruby he gave him a thumbs up. “Your Dads are both really cool, and Ruby’s a greay boy you should be proud of him.” Smiling at the guy he was glad to meet the rest of Ruby’s family.

Maybe his premature hostility with Oliver was less than appealing for Enzo’s cohort, his parents raised him better than to portray himself as this bitter, spiteful savage. In addition, Ruby did seem thoroughly comfortable in his presence, which was a rarity in perspective. “I am.” An extension of his right hand outward, a proposal for a handshake. “Shane.”

[shane-nichols]

 oliverxwilson‌:

Seeing the guy rush over and grab Ruby he was about to react when he heard him say son, and saw that Ruby wasn’t scared of him. “Kipnap him? No we know each other, I guess he was excited to see me. He’s right though Rubes it’s not a good idea to run off it can be scary.” Smiling at Ruby he wondered if this was Enzo’s ex. He’d heard a little about him but not much.

This had to be another one of Enzo’s friends that he didn’t know spending quality time with their son, just another addition to the pile of names. “Who the h-.. who are you, anyway?” Shane tried his very best to keep his composure in front of Ruby, but this had really stressed him out to no end.

[shane-nichols]

oliverxwilson‌:

@shane-nichols

Oliver was out on a quick lunch run and hadn’t expected to bump into anyone he knew but as he was nearly back at the office he heard his name being called and turned to see Ruby running towards him. Grinning happily he knelt down and caught the boy in a hug. “Hey! This is a nice surprise. I didn’t know you and Enzo were around today?” Letting Ruby go he looked around for Enzo but didn’t see him. “Is he not with you? Have you got lost?” Turning back to Ruby he looked worried for the young boy. He’d grown to care about him a lot over the months and would do anything to protect him.

Shane turned away for a quick second to grab his keys from off the wooden table, and just like that, Ruby had disappeared. Quickly, he rose and hastily began searching, calling out his son’s name. A father’s worse nightmare, several thoughts about someone kidnapping him coursed through his mind, until he saw Ruby with an unidentified guy. Rushing over, he snatched Ruby up in his arms. “Don’t you ever run off like that again, I’ve told you about that.” Holding the boy close, he made eye contact with the other. “Did you try to kidnap my son?”

[shane-nichols]

[ TEXT ]: Would you please quit harassing Mr. O? I'd never put our kid in danger, or leave him with someone I don't trust. Mr. O is a total papa bear and has done nothing but love Ruby. So save the third degrees.

[text]: Who’s harassing who? He approached me, not the other way around. If anything, I’m being harassed. Don’t you dear try to make me out to be the bad guy like you always do. You had no right bringing anyone around our son without my consent. Just because you’re his father doesn’t mean you can just do what you want with OUR son and not tell me about it.

[shane-nichols]

bbyd3luca‌:

        the  water  was  cold.   he  was  not  expecting  being  drenched  by  such  cold  water.    it  was  tagged  in  the  bucket  ice  challenge,  but  it  was  a  glass.     he  looked  at  the  guy  that  had  stumbled.   “   it’s  ok,  it’s  not  like  you  did  this  on  purpose.  ”    he  responded.    he  chuckled  as  he  felt  the  other  try  to  wipe  the  water  from  his  face.    “   you’re  fine.   like  you  said,  it  was  an  accident.   and  it  was  just  water.  ”    august  said.   “  good  thing  it  doesn’t  stain,  ”   he  joked.

He could never catch a break in life, but at the very least, it wouldn’t lead to a fight between the two. “Well, I appreciate your empathy in the situation.” Maybe it was a sign from the heavens above that he didn’t need to the flavorful treat. He only had secured a few licks of the water-ice but unceremoniously dropping it on the stranger. “Well, Rube won’t be happy.”

[shane-nichols]

dietrichoberon‌:

“Well.. That’s honestly very understandable. But like I mentioned, if you’d like to get to know me, I’d be up for it. I treat Ruby like he’s my own grandson.” He raised a brow. “Well then.. You might know the Oberon name, We’re very popular here and back home in Germany. My sons are Jesse and Wes Daniels, and my other son is Heikki Obreron.”

"I guess getting to know you would be smart, considering Enzo insists on you being around our son.” There were times when Shane opened his mind to reason, this happened to be one of those times. “Uh, honestly? I’ve never heard the name before, but it is nice to meet you, Mr. Oberon.”

[shane-nichols]

linoberon‌:

“Dude, you drive a hard bargain, but okay.” Lin joked around, pointing to his bakery a few buildings away. “Not meaning to sound creepy, but I just live a couple buildings down above that bakery. It might be a bit better as far as cleaning it off and I’ve got water-ice up there myself.” He offered, looking at his soiled white shirt. Nothing a little bleach pen wouldn’t fix. “

Shane didn’t need any enemies, he had enough of one with his ex-husband. “Why would that sound creepy? Are you inviting me up for a water-ice?” Maybe if it was offered to someone younger, an alarm should’ve gone off but nothing exciting ever happened in Shane’s life, these days. “If it’s free, I might accept the invite.”

[shane-nichols]

I agree with you. Enzo shouldn’t bring people you don’t know around your son. It just isn’t right.

Really? Thank you. Didn’t know I had friends among ‘ZoLand.

[shane-nichols]

dietrichoberon‌:

“Wow, okay… Uh… For one, I can assure to you that I’m not a maniac at all. I’m a working man who’s got his own talent agent. Why would I be a maniac? Two, I’ve got three kids of my own who are all very much sane… If you’d like to see how I am around Ruby, feel free, but I can promise you nothing bad has ever happened to him.”

"Whether you are a maniac is not the issue.” Always unwavering in his judgment, unless someone proved themselves worthy of tending to his son. “The issue here is I don’t know you, and I don’t like people I don’t know around my son.” The only people he’d leave alone with Ruby was his parents and Enzo, other than that, he wouldn’t let Ruby out of his sight for a second. “I don’t know your children, don’t know you. You wanted a reason as to why I talk to Enzo like I do. This is why.”

[shane-nichols]

dietrichoberon‌:

“Going to zoos, painting, whatever he likes really. I babysit him once in a while when Enzo is really busy. He absolutely loves my kids.” He shrugged his shoulders. “At least he’s going with trustworthy people and not complete fucking maniacs.”

”You’re not trustworthy to me.” The root of his problem with Enzo, people around Ruby that he was unfamiliar with. He didn’t know what kind of people his ex-husband dealt with, and you think you know someone until you don’t. “You could be a maniac for all I know.”

[shane-nichols]

linoberon‌:

Lin had been minding his own business, contemplating life on a long walk when he received a water-ice to the face. Once he saw the owner, he realized he couldn’t be angry. These things tended to happen. “It’s cool. If water-ice is the worst thing that gets on my face today, I’d say the day had been a success.”  The baker chuckled before licking his l own lips from where a bit had dripped onto them. “Mmm.. Black Cherry. Good choice, man.”

Being clumsy always had its disadvantages, this was the worse to date. If he wasn’t embarrassed before, he was now. The composure of the stranger set his mind at ease, he expected irritation, a reason for always expecting the worse, he had none. “Let me help you clean it off, the least I can do.” Bummed that he spilled his water-ice, but it wasn’t like he couldn’t go back and get another one.

[shane-nichols]

dietrichoberon‌:

“Are you sure about that? Because Ruby has come to visit me a few times and has said some very choice words that a young boy like himself shouldn’t be saying. And I know Enzo wouldn’t be teaching him that now would I?” He frowned. “Well… I don’t mind listening to your side of the story..”

His index finger tapped against his chin, momentarily. “And what is my son doing visiting you? That’s exactly what I’m talking about. He undermines me as a parent by not consulting me who he’s taking our son around, people I don’t know. That’s why I go off on him.”

[shane-nichols]

dietrichoberon‌:

“His ego isn’t what I’m worried about, Shane.” He spoke with a gruff tone for a moment. “What matters is with the way you treat him, it reflects on Ruby. I’m worried about him more than anything and if you keep talking rudely to Enzo, it’s going to affect him as well as how Enzo acts generally. And I do understand. Trust me. He’s told me shit. I understand completely. Hell, I’ve been through that myself, kid.”

"We never fight in front of our son, we both make sure of that.” Maybe Dietrich did have a point but Shane was far too stubborn to listen to reason, especially now, with someone defending his darling ex-husband. Not that he expected anything different from a man that Enzo called his father, it was almost expected. “And I can imagine what he told you. Painting me as the bad guy, like he always does.”

[shane-nichols]

dietrichoberon‌:

“Well.. Maybe if you treated him with respect, he’d treat you back with respect. Shouldn’t be a one sided thing, now should it?” He raised a brow as he crossed his arms over his chest, staring at the other with cold eyes. 

As a small, fragile guy, Shane took a couple of steps away from the larger male, his attempt to protect himself from physical trauma. “You have a bias towards Enzo, you don’t understand. I don’t care if I hurt his feelings, the most important thing is our son, not his hurt ego.”

[shane-nichols]

dietrichoberon‌:

“Well now… You must be the famous Shane Nichols I’ve heard Enzo talk so much about.” Dietrich gave a slight little smirk. “I appreciate you takin’ care of my little grandson but… I don’t like the way you treat Enzo when you’re around him. Mind telling me why?” He moved a little closer, his head tilting slightly to the side

@shane-nichols

At first, Shane said nothing, out of trepidation and intimidation. He was raised to respect his elders, the fact that Dietrich treated Enzo like a son, he couldn’t control that. “With all due respect, sir. I don’t owe you an explanation. When Enzo starts treating me with respect, I’ll treat him with respect. Until then, he gets what he gives.”

[shane-nichols]

thedancervaldez‌:

Enzo didn’t know why he agreed to this, but he did. He told Mark not to worry and he’d be back before his boyfriend knew it. Sometimes, he and Shane needed to meet and talk about their son, the things going on on either of their ends. He was sure Shane would have plenty to complain about. So he took a couple shots of vodka from his bar before heading out and walking to their usual meet up. This kind of cafe that was never frequented. It was probably good the two of them met up to talk about Ruby, since he was important to the two of them. Shane assured him their son was with Enzo’s former in-laws. He came around the corner and saw Shane, shaking his head when his eyes landed on that cigarette he was smoking. He approached the shorter male, yanked the smoke from him and dropped it on the ground, stepping it out. “You better not be smoking in front of our son,” he told him, “I don’t need to smell that shit while we talk.”

Shane narrowed his eyes at the sight of his ex-husband approaching, it was obvious enough that neither wanted to be there. Had it not been about their son, he would’ve been perfectly fine with not seeing that mug again. Startled that Enzo had the testicular fortitude to snatch the cigarette from in between his lips, drop it on the ground and step on it. Staring up at the dancer, if only looks could kill. “You must’ve lost your mind, Valdez.” He had to take in a deep breath to restrain his itchy trigger finger. “I don’t smoke in front of him, I only smoke when I have to deal with you.” If anything, that was the only reason, nothing in his life wasn’t as nearly stressful as dealing with Enzo. “Sit down. We don’t need you causing a scene in this place.” One of his favorite places to visit when he needed a place to think, or just a quiet place for him to relax. “I thought I told you not to have our son around all these guys you deal with? What you do is your business, when you involve Ruby, it becomes my business. You’re really forcing my hand, right now.”