Loïc: Not bad but still trying to get used to the lingo.
Loïc: I've been known to eat, so let's. You're the local, where are you taking me?
Theo: hmmm, yeah the lingo still gets me to this very day! don't worry about it
Theo: ah that is true. i usually don't pick the place so i'll have to think for a mo...
Theo: want to play it safe? there's a properly retro diner around here but it's usually swamped. i don't mind if you don't! they have a dance floor past 7 which is cute
Loïc’s brows shot up in surprise. When Theo had talked about a bad break-up, he certainly hadn’t expected a proposal to be anywhere in the picture. That was an interesting discovery, very interesting. When the momentary shock evaporated, he nodded in some semblance of sympathy, “Well, you live and you learn. Isn’t that what they say?” He reached over, placing one hand on top of Theo’s. Probably not appropriate considering the topic of conversation or the fact that he’d completely vanished from the other man’s life for years, but well, he did it. Then he smiled, “I don’t think I ever heard you curse before but it suits you.”
He shook his head at Theo’s apology, “It’s fine, I just don’t want to bore you with all of that business-y stuff.” Okay, that was only half true. It was all pretty boring to him and his drive to take over mainly stemmed from a competitive streak, but also he didn’t particularly want to tell Theo all about his background. Strange, perhaps, considering how often he had used that to his advantage in the nightlife, but it was a whole lot different when it was someone he actually kind of liked. Annoying as hell, that part.
His hand finally left Theo’s and wrapped around the mug of tea again. “Emi and I are okay, but she is… you know she has her issues.” At least that part was completely true, and Theo had even witnessed them to some extent. Loïc just conveniently left out the part where he was in part responsible for some of them. “It’s hard to trust her with something that took generations to build. Nothing personal.”
The change of topic was extremely welcome, even if Theo’s question was met with a shrug. “I booked an airbnb for the weekend, so that was my plan,” he said, fingers tapping against the mug. “But I think I can stay over here if you’d like that.”
With Loïc’s hand on top Theo’s, the other’s warmth seeped into his skin, comforting him. The gentle support was enough to make Theo’s eyes gloss but he kept his head down, looking at their positioning. ‘’Oh, yeah. Man of God over here.’’ He was aware that his growing devotion to Christianity would be comical to some. ‘’I tend to avoid it but hey, seems like I’ll be saying a Hail Mary tonight.’’
Theo began to revisit memories of Safe Haven as he listened. He thought of the porch, strokes of the cheek, sweet exchanges of smiles and a level of trust that he wanted to return again. It was funny how a simple touch could unlock a whole other section of his mind. Theo loved to touch him and wanted to again - never did he desire Loïc’s touch sexually, never anywhere other than his face, his hands, his strands of hair. It was painfully obvious when the touch was gone but Theo knew he had to swallow it, he could not be rekindling anything especially without a strong enough indicator that Loïc was wanting to reciprocate.
It was admirable that Loïc’s family had something generational, that throughout the years his family had a clear line to follow without space for absenteeism. Although, the pressure that follows was not something that Theo envied. He thrived as a youth, having no expectations to meet. Something was refreshing about nobody having a desired route of progression for you and Theo always enjoyed nobody waiting for some grand achievement. Of course, as his skate career grew more and more serious, more demanding, the pressure took away his love for it. The mentors said that he could have competed for another year but after the, what was to be his last, big win he no longer wanted it. He wanted to stay loving the art rather than loathing his greatest ambition.
Loïc’s compliance with wanting to stay in his home was unexpected. Theo assumed that he would brush it off and play the I-don’t-want-to-be-any-bother card like most would. There was a stammer before Theo could let his mouth catch up with his brain. There were too many questions. ‘‘Wait, so how long are you here for? I mean if you’ve already paid for the weekend you could stay there and if you wanna hang ‘round a tad longer then my place is open.’‘ Theo hoped that his statement didn’t make it sound like he had changed his mind. ‘‘Honest, my door will always be open for you.’‘ It was sincere and enough of a confession to make Theo melt a little at his own realisation.
“I wouldn’t say I prefer the quiet life,” he replied, a little confused, “I don’t think my life was ever quiet.” Certainly not at Safe Haven. He was genuinely wondering how they had such different perceptions of the same place. Perhaps it was secluded but Loïc had not had a single dull moment in that house. Ah well, all about perspectives.
“Glad you’re over it.” He genuinely meant that, although he wasn’t entirely positive that he believed Theo. Maybe he was misjudging the other man, quite a possibility considering their time apart and… well, did they even know each other that well in the first place? Either way, Loïc didn’t exactly think of Theo as someone who just got over things. Case in point that nervous stutter that had returned. “You don’t have to talk about it but who was he?” he took a sip from his tea and gave a light shrug, “I’m curious, sue me.”
As much as he wanted to know about Theo’s life, he wasn’t particularly keen on all the questions flying back at him. Hell, he wasn’t even sure how much Theo knew about his life in Belgium. Emmanuelle and he had agreed not to overshare but it occurred to him that he wasn’t sure how much Theo and Em had spoken in the last three years. “I wouldn’t mind it, actually I was studying business so I can stay on top of it. I can admit that I mostly want to keep her from running it into the ground… but I don’t want to bring you into all that drama. It’s not very interesting anyway, trust me.”
How ‘over-it’ Theo was truly depended on the day. Theo no longer had feelings for his previous partner but the events did upset him from time to time. “Um, well, his name is Blake.” Theo's lips pursed at the name. “I was going to propose to him but I guess we had different intentions with our lives.” He was bitter but no longer upset. “I guess I wasn't brainy enough for him and he wasn't secure enough for me. Excuse my language Lou but, it was a bit shit. To better word it I'm over him now but I'm still a bit annoyed that I spent so much energy on someone who, in the end, didn't really ever get me.” His hands clasped together, as he let his fingers squeeze. Theo hadn't ever said anything on it before. Perhaps he said too much but he wanted Loïc to know and then this way he wouldn't have to say it again. Theo hated being bitter.
Theo quickly tried to recover and moved on, listening intently to Loîc, letting his face relax. “I bet you it is interesting. Everything about you is interesting.” He shuffled forward on his chair to mean on his elbows. “So, are things not going well with you and Emi? I haven't spoken to her since she left Safe Haven.” The longer Loïc sat across from him, the more strikingly obvious it became how little Theo knew about him. He had invited a handsome stranger into his home. “I'm sorry if I'm making you uncomfortable at all, I wouldn't want to do that to you especially seeing as you're my guest...” He trailed off, letting his gaze drift to the window to listen to Beau's playful barks. “How long are you here for? If you ever need to stay here you can.” Again, a handsome stranger, c'mon Theo.
Theo didn’t vocally acknowledge his joke about the dog’s name, but he didn’t need to. That was very on brand, anyway; Lo always having some kind of line ready, and Theo not quite knowing what to say. It was a solid dynamic, and he was glad it hadn’t changed much even after three years. Honestly, though, it did not feel like that much time had passed at all. Sure he was aware that he was just barely an adult back at the centre but sitting down opposite Theo now, their stay there did not feel that far away at all.
He shrugged at the New York comment, his eyes following as Theo switched the radio on. Loïc was genuinely surprised not to hear show tunes, but he wasn’t going to comment on that and risk actually being subjected to them. “Well, it’s fine,” he replied, hand flailing to signal his indifference, “But you know, I did college for a couple of years and it got boring. I actually liked it better in Louisiana, can you believe it?” Hard to do, even for himself. He still didn’t like to say the name of the place out loud. It sounded so pathetic.
“You really uprooted it all then, huh?” he asked, almost incredulous but mostly impressed. Safe Haven Theo had seemed far from strong enough to do something like that. “I was going to say I’m sorry about the break-up but…” he paused to take a sip of his tea and add that dramatic flair, “I’m not.”
“Ah, I don’t know. I’m still supposed to finish college here and figured out a career but…” He cocked his head to the side and gave it a little shake. “Maybe I will, but I think eventually I’m going back to look after the business. Emi is, well, not cut out for it.”
'’You went to college?! That’s amazing Lou.’’ His smile was wider than any he had given so far, face oozing with pure joy for him. ‘’And you prefer the quiet life? You seem a changed man, or maybe I never knew you at all.’’ It was true that maybe Theo’s excitement might have upset Loïc seeing as he dropped out but Theo had no intentions behind it other than sharing his pride that Loïc got to Uni.
‘‘Yeah, I got all my stuff together, moved there, trained, won a competition, fell in love, had my heart broken, adopted Beau then bought a gorgeous cottage.’‘ Theo gripped his mug, biting his lip, proud of both of their achievements, looking deeply into his mug of tea but then suddenly being ripped from that moment to another. He spluttered at Loïc‘s comment about his breakup, highly amused yet taken aback. ‘‘L-Luckily I’m over it or else me a few month ago would have been crying..’‘ He forced out a laugh, falling into a pit of what-if’s wondering the meaning behind his statement other than maybe being insensitive.
‘‘Well, what is it you want to do most in the world? Do you want to be in that business?’‘ He enquired, still thinking about what he previously said, ‘‘What were you studying? Sorry, I’m throwing lots of questions at you.’‘
Theo’s warning was welcome as Loïc just managed to avert his head in time and dodge the attack from a fern… or whatever the hell it was. His home in Belgium had plenty of plants, in fact it had gardens — plural, but the same could definitely not be said for any place he had inhabited since. “Roger that. This is like that Home Alone house, isn’t it?” he joked, peering outside the window to spot the dog in question. He hadn’t really pegged Theo for a dog person before, but it actually made complete sense when he thought about it. “Beau,” he repeated as he spotted the cocker spaniel out there, then turned to Theo with a cheeky grin, “Did you name him after me, huh? I’m flattered.”
Loïc took the mug, examining the design with great amusement, “Ouch.” He chuckled at it, though. Probably deserved it anyway, although he felt like he had been relatively restrained with Theo, all things considered. Maybe that was why he couldn’t quite let go of it all.
“New York’s alright, but I’m kind of… over it,” he admitted, voluntarily handing over his actual feelings about the place and not the usual speech about how great it all was. He was over that one, too. “It is weird here, yes. It’s like Haven, but then it’s not.” He took a sip from his mug, blissfully unaware of how vaguely pretentious that statement had sounded. More than ready to change the topic away from himself. “How did you end up here? I was wondering if you had gone back to England, but I did not imagine this place.”
That cheeky grin coerced an amused smile from himself. Theo had forgotten what a character Loïc actually was and remembered exactly what enchanted him to begin with. He was cocky in a way that didn’t annoy you, only made you want to hear more from his ego. Theo could never be like Loïc but he hoped that one day he would have at least an eighth of his confidence.
Theo placed his mug down on the corner of the dining table before pulling out two chairs, one for himself and the other for his guest, ‘’Please sit. If there’s anything else you want, just say.’’ He moved to the back door, pulling the handle to leave it ajar for whenever Beau wanted back in. Theo chose to ignore his reaction to the mug as he switched on the radio, twisting the tuner to the local vintage station, putting it on low. ‘’Over New York? That’s one thing I have never heard.’’ Theo laughed, he was just too good for one of the most iconic cities in the world and he was not even surprised that was so. ‘’I much prefer the quieter life, at least at the moment.’’ It was honest.
Moving back over, Theo sat opposite Loïc’s space, taking his first sip of tea. ‘’Oh, no. I’d never go back to England, I kind of hate it there.’’ He scowled before lightening his expression, ‘’After leaving Louisiana, I moved to California and then quickly wanted to move back south- and by quickly I mean after two years. I got into a messy break-up so I was like, ‘See ya’ then retired from skating after I won my last competition.’’ After his rambling he sighed, eager to then go back to Loïc. They were almost taking turns. ‘’What do you do now? I’m a full-time community gardener.’’
It probably wasn’t very kind, but Lo was honestly pleased to see that Theo was the same old nervous wreck he remembered. Only for the familiarity of it all, of course, or at least that was all he would be willing to admit to. Theo’s accidental confession made him laugh, even if it was not exactly surprising to hear. “Maybe I should have invited you up north instead,” Loïc replied with dry amusement, “But yes, I think I would prefer that. As much as I like porches.” There was a sparkle in his eye at the recollection of the Safe Haven porch, a nostalgic one for sure. It had been quite the night, even if Theo had shied out of anything really happening.
“Your house is cute,” he remarked, almost pushing past Theo to get inside the house. He still had his manners down in theory but they didn’t seem particularly important to uphold at that particular moment. Had to balance out that shy passiveness, as charming as he found it. And he wanted to get a good look at the new life that Theo was carving out for himself.
It certainly appeared a lot more structured than his own, at least from the outside. The little house actually looked like a home, not some temporary nest. In a way he envied that. More strongly, however, it made him want to dig deeper into Theo’s suddenly so peaceful-looking existence. In South Carolina of all places. That was a choice.
“Do you live here by yourself?” he asked, glancing around the place for anything that didn’t feel Theo. Although they’d talked before agreeing to meet up for old times’ sake, Loïc was not confident he actually knew everything that had happened in the other man’s life. Call it projection; he certainly hadn’t given Theo the full recap of The Loïc Show. “I mean, apart from the rainforest in here, I suppose that basically counts as a housemate.”
Theo’s home was more of cottage in it’s quaint decorations- grey gingham, light woods and more hanging plants than head space. The bungalow only one door for the bathroom, all other rooms separated by curtains in the door ways. The whole space was open and airy. There was no TV, only a radio and record player. He didn’t even have neighbours. Theo was completely, and happily, secluded. It made him happy that Loïc enjoyed his space, he had never gained a second opinion on it as he was the first to ever enter since he moved in a year ago. His home was his true joy. ‘’Ah, no I don’t actually. I have a pup who’s out the back right now.’’ Theo smiled, cocking his head to the side as he walked past Loïc to silently guide him into following his steps into the kitchen. ‘’Don’t hit your head on my hanging plants, you’re taller than me.’’
Theo placed his hand on the kettle, it was still warm. ‘’If you look out the window you can see him out there, probably jumping at birds or something silly.’’ He shook his head fondly, as he opened the cupboard to retrieve two mugs. Outside a pale, disproportionate cocker-spaniel was rolling around in Theo’s beloved flowers. Theo’s garden was well kept yet not landscaped. There were many bird feeders and insect homes scattered around the place as well as inviting garden furniture. ‘’His name is Beau.’’ Theo dropped two tea bags into the mugs before moving to fridge to get some milk. ‘’It feels surreal that you’re here, you know? I can’t believe you came all this way.’’ He grinned, shaking his head in disbelief as a warm glow began to surrounded the corner of his mouth, colouring his apples. ‘’How are things in New York? It must be weird coming here.’’ Theo mixed the two drinks before handing Loïc a Grease mug. ‘’Thought you’d like this one.’’
An awful lot of water had gone under the bridge since his stay in Louisiana. Loïc had never expected to actually go through with his plans of staying in the states, but somehow he’d settled after all… well, relatively speaking, anyway. Things had not exactly been static since he’d packed up and left the center behind, Emmanuelle included. He’d spoken to her and a few other residents, of course, but communication had fizzled out… largely by his own doing. Getting too attached to one place had never seemed like a good idea to him.
Still, he had to admit he’d been tempted to reach back out to Theo more than once. It was naturally only an impulse when he was less than sober, but then one night he’d listened to it and actually texted him. It was not the most coherent, perhaps. An unsettling fact in his own mind because it made the act appear all the more genuine. Heartfelt, even. And what the fuck was that about?
So there he was, standing at a porch again Resorting to chasing a guy like a total fucking loser. It was embarrassing, albeit marginally less so than admitting to himself why he was actually there waiting for that pink lady to appear.
Felt like years before the door was opened, and he suddenly struggled to actually face the past when it was there right in front of him. Three years older and probably all changed on the inside, but the outside was Theo alright. “I was starting to worry you wouldn’t be home.”
After his recent retirement, Theo vowed to keep his life as stress-free as ever while entering his 30′s. His skating career and, often crippling, anxiety tainted most of his life and he was ready to start anew. Moving to South Carolina promised him peace, sun and the perfect place to start his gardening career. Climbing roses, hydrangeas, magnolias and beloved crepe myrtles and dogwoods all filled Theo’s life with colour. He cared for them as he began to care for himself. Theo grew with his plants, growing stronger each day and blooming brighter by each moving season.
Theo’s attempt to unwind from his previous dramas seemed almost futile. Just as he began to forget about Loïc, his peace was compromised. His iPhone glowed with the dreaded words across his screen like a mantra from God, mocking his attempt of boy freedom. Don’t be confused, Theo wanted to see Loïc deep down but on the surface it would destroy all hope of his cottage becoming disaffiliated from his old self. Loïc was returning to Safe Haven but this time Theo’s own personal sanctuary.
The day was dawning where Loïc was to appear at Theo’s door. He dreaded it. He absolutely dreaded it. What he dreaded most was the fact that when he saw the other he knew that all desire for him to go back to wherever he came from was to disintegrate as his eyes burned it all away, just as he feared it would. Theo was terrified to be falling into trap of the Disney-prince-gone-wrong yet again. Theo was terrified to be disregarded like the butt of one of his cigarettes, being tossed away to sit in the gutter- he didn’t want to be there again.
But of course, when the doorbell chimed he knew it was time to face his fears and come face-to-face with his ghost. The bell seemed to ring in his ears, instructing him to go to his door, put on a smile and greet the man but he simply could not. He could not move. It took a moment for his joints to twitch and his mind to switch back to reality, carrying him to the door. His hand lingered on the chain as a sigh fell from his mouth. He dragged the chain, opened the door, looked onto his porch and was silent.
Theo looked over his T-Bird- he hadn’t changed a bit. And just then his heart began to flutter. I’m a fucking idiot. ‘’Lou...’’ A total fucking idiot. ‘’Er, yeah, no, I’m always home basically.’’ Nice one, make yourself sound like a loser. ‘’Wanna come in? I got the kettle on.’’ Fucking fucked it. Lord if you can hear me, smite me now.
'’I want to know if you will risk looking like a fool – for love – for your dreams – for the adventure of being alive. ‘’ - Oriah Mountain Dreamer
81% Extraverted - 19% Introverted
63% Intuitive - 37% Observant
15% Thinking - 85% Feeling
49% Judging - 51% Prospecting
26% Assertive - 74% Turbulent
Strengths
Curious
Observant
Energetic and Enthusiastic
Excellent Communicators
Very Popular and Friendly
Weaknesses
Overthink Things
Get Stressed Easily
Highly Emotional
Independent to a Fault
Friendships
As friends, ENFPs are cheerful and supportive, always sharing and developing ideas, and staying open-minded, taking in others’ thoughts and feelings. This warmth and sincerity make people with the ENFP personality type masters of drawing people out of their shells, and as a result, they tend to have a huge circle of friends.
As with other relationships, ENFPs view their friendships as opportunities to experience another angle of the universe and tend to imbue potential friendships with that weighty and idealistic quality.
ENFPs’ interest in others can be a double-edged sword – this pure idealism comes with certain expectations, and too often ENFPs hold their friends in an unrealistic light, expecting them to keep up with the constant flow of ideas and experiences that they consider integral to life. ENFPs put their whole hearts into their friendships, and it can come as a shock for them to find that their friends aren’t the flawless Titans that they believed them to be.
Romance
For people with the ENFP personality type, relationships are a joyous process of mutual exploration and imagination, a chance to connect with another soul. ENFPs take their relationships seriously and are known for their uninhibited and unshakeable devotion to the people to whom they’ve committed their hearts.
ENFPs have the advantage of irresistible charm when it comes to attracting a partner – ENFPs’ warmth, excitement and passion are simply alluring.
It’s important for ENFP personalities, as with anyone, to remember that relationships are in all ways mutual – mutual interest, mutual growth, and mutual responsibility – and they can’t be solely accountable.
Parenthood
ENFP parents are playful and warm, and love to see their children excited, playing in and experimenting with the world around them. It is likely that ENFP parents will encourage this play and growth by suggesting activities and lessons.
ENFPs will embrace and encourage productive interests as they arise, sweeping away dolls and dinosaurs when interests shift to the oceans and sweeping away the fish when tastes change again, to the stars.
Long as they raise their children with a sense of productive independence, rather than an aimless, against-the-grain antipathy, ENFPs will find that their children have developed a strong sense of self and self-worth, going confidently out into the big, wide world at their own pace and in their own style, knowing that they have both themselves and their ENFP parents to depend on.
One of the biggest tests on a human's heart and patience is distance, especially if that distance appears immediately after becoming official with a boyfriend. Blake had left Westwick for an opportunity in Rome and Theo had never been so impatient for his return and the days had never rotated so slowly. Sure Theo kept himself busy and wasn't moping around all day for him but in his spare time he couldn't help but miss the other and after their last date he missed the other more than ever- it was perfect.
After two weeks of missing the other, the day for them to see one another was exciting yet nerve wrecking all at once. Especially as Blake was to be coming to Theo's apartment for the first time. The free day he had beforehand was definitely a cleaning day to try make the place as nice as possible for the other, although he was unable to tackle the clutter residing at his front door and desk- that was one chore too big to tackle. His place was clean and mostly well organised until it did come to those two corners which were filled with unopened letters, opened letters and post it notes about missed phone calls and emails which were well overdue.
The spent sitting on his sofa, waiting for Blake seemed like forever even though it was no time at all. Impatience, impatience, impatience was the whole scenario but as the doorbell rang, Theo lept to his feet to hurry to the door.
“It’s okay, don’t worry” he nodded, as he leaned down to kiss the other. “I’m sure that one day, I’ll get a lot better I’m sure of it”. “I’ve got an idea, just for a few moments so I can catch my breath I’ll lean against one of the barriers and I can just watch you skate”.
‘‘Alright if you’re sure.’’ Theo smiled, letting go of the other and taking a few glides back before beginning the skate around the rink doing two laps, picking up speed before being able to help himself and jumping into a triple axel. Theo wasn’t trying to show off it was just immediate and almost natural. That one jumped soon streamed into a whole movement of spins, Theo didn’t even need music. He was definitely enjoying himself and as the moments moved on with Theo skating he realised that he had left the other alone possibly too long before coming back close to the other and holding onto the barrier next to him. ‘’Sorry, I get carried away sometimes.’’
“These are my favorite type of friendship, dear. Always an excuse to cook.” Greta declared happily, with a nod. “Portuguese sounding.” She corrected with a laughter and then nodded. “But yes, that’s the goal.” Greta fished for her business card and handed it to him. “Here, if you need to call me. What’s your number?” Taking out her phone, she smiled at him.
Pocketing her card, Theo smiled as he put his number into her phone. ‘’Well then, Greta- let the games begin.’’ He nodded, exiting the store and dashing off to the neighbouring shop with no shame, wanting to win- soon becoming frustrated with the lack of speed in the automatic doors.
JC patted his back “Get out, you were on Disney on ice ? Wow that’s so cool, what character were you?” He smiled and shook his head “It’s okay dude, no problem it went much better than I expected, actually all the pieces were sold, so that’s pretty big, I wasn’t really expecting that at all.”
‘‘Funny enough I was Prince Charming, y’know from Cinderella? It was really funny but also a dream.’‘ Theo laughed, pulling out his phone and opening his Instagram to show the brief video of his skate. ‘’It was at Westwick too about two weeks ago.’’ Theo nodded as the video played before putting it away to celebrate his friend's successes. ‘’Oh my god, that’s great? We should celebrate. Are you free tonight- we could go to the pub?’’
