fluorite | irl things

[...Right. Yael doesn't have to worry about any of that as a largely typical man. He had no issue entering into a relationship with another man, but there's no shortage of people who would.

Yael can't change the world. He can't stick his middle finger up on Yuui's behalf when the risk of retaliation looms on his mind. He acquiesces in silence, heading off in the direction of the restaurant.]

I get it. Don't think you've offended me.

[It's only a shame that no one is truly free to be their true, unvarnished selves in the eyes of the world.]

Let's enjoy the meal. We can do whatever we want when we're on our own later.

[ Yuui follows, catching up to walk side by side with Yael. He can at least do this much. ]

Alright.

[ As they get to the restaurant proper, Yuui places a hand on Yael's elbow, holding him back for just a second. The look on his face is hard to read, purposefully so. ]

Thank you for understanding, Sheza.

[...He would assure Yuui with a kiss if only he could. It's fine. Truly. Yael would rather behave as if they were friends in public than risk Yuui's personal life or career derailing because the wrong people saw his true self. Yael understands all too well the risks that come with being too open and honest.

Yael pulls open the restaurant door and motions for Yuui to step inside. Placing his hand on his back, it lingers there for a moment.]

Yeah.

[He gets it. Gets Yuui. Following him inside, they're greeted and placed at a booth in a far corner of the restaurant and handed a couple menus. Yael's sat up straight, poking at Yuui's menu to impart him with his vast knowledge of Mediterranean food.]

Order that.

[Vast, vast knowledge. He's pointing at the Horiátiki Salata, a Greek salad with all the typical fixings in addition to black olives and feta cheese. A string bean like Yuui should have no problem with a relatively light dish like this.]

[ That hand lingering on his back just a moment longer than necessary is more than enough assurance for Yuui, to the point that there's a little smile on his face as they head into the restaurant.

Getting comfortable in his side of the booth, his gaze follows Yael's finger. ]

Oh, that looks good. [ Yael has made a very, very good choice. ] What are you getting for yourself?

[ He needs to know since he'll be sneaking food off of that plate. ]

Why don't you pick for me?

[A cruel ask when Yuui is woefully unfamiliar with the menu, but that's why he has an Arab man here to answer his burning questions. Yael grins, leaning forward on bent elbows, chin perched on his palms.]

Go on. Tell me what catches your eye.

[ He'll pour over the menu in a second, but right now? He points right at Yael. ]

It's hard to look at the menu when there's such a nice-looking dish right in front of me.

[Alright, that was pretty good. Score one for you, Twinky.]

Aren't you sweet? I don't know about you, but I feel like eating my dessert first.

[He has no qualms looking Yuui up and down, up and down, contemplating where he'll sink his teeth in first.]

[ Yuui leans forward on the table, close enough so that only Yael can hear him. ]

Wanna take things to the bathroom? We can be quick.

[ He said no touching until Yael made it up to him, so consider this a little test of will. ]

[If Yuui's trying to trick him, he's doing a piss poor job. Yael hears that and immediately scrunches his nose, waving off the notion with a hand.]

No way. What kind of animal are you, fucking in bathrooms? You need psychological help.

[ Damn, Yael didn't take his bait. What a shame. ]

Haven't we established that already? [ Yael is supposed to drive him to his appointments, etc., etc. ] Besides, fucking in a bathroom is exciting. Not like you'd know.

Exciting? Did you mean disgusting?

[People poop in bathrooms, Yuui.]

[ And Yuui poops from his ass, yet that doesn't keep Yael from sticking his dick up there, does it? ]

Sometimes a disgusting place is exciting.

[ Anyway. Yuui sits back and looks at his menu, humming thoughtfully as he makes his selection. Finally, he points to something. ]

What about this? Hashweh?

[ He glances up at Yael. Did he say it right? (No, he was only kind of right.) ]

Hashweh, huh?

[Yael leans in, squinting upside down at Yuui's menu.]

Looks hearty enough. What are you trying to say?

[That he's a big beefy man who can only eat rice and meat?? Yuui isn't wrong, but damn, he doesn't have to be so right.]

[ Yeah, actually, that’s what he’s trying to say. ]

A man like you needs something nice and filling to stay nice and beefy.

[ Heh. With a smirk, he taps his foot against Yael’s shin. Even his calves have some heft. ]

Oh, and it looks good enough for me to steal off of your plate.

[ After all, Yael has resigned himself to letting The Wife eat his food. ]

So you do have ulterior motives. I should've known.

[smh my head.................. The waiter swings by and Yael places their order. In addition to the food, Yael also orders two drinks for them: Italian hot chocolate and a tall glass of ayran.]

I'll have to take you back home some day. That'll give me an excuse to make a trip back and let the old man know I'm still alive.

Old man? Care to tell me about this person?

[ Who knew Yael was keeping such heavy secrets from him?! For shame...

But Yuui doesn't mind, instead taking a long sip of the water that's been dropped off for them before they get their other drinks. ]

The man who adopted me. It's complicated, to put it lightly.

[...But knowing Yuui won't be inclined to like the man once he knows more about him, Yael's just gonna come out and say it:]

He's the man who enlisted me in the service. If I wanted to live with him, I had no other choice but to learn how to look after myself.

[ He messes with the straw wrapper still on the table, tearing it to little bits and pieces. ]

...How do you feel about him?

[ At least he's being nice and asking this before saying he hopes the man is dead. ]

[Yael closes his eyes, exhaling a long, long sigh.]

Dunno. I don't love him, but I don't hate him either. He adopted me and gave me a place to live and food to eat, so how could I?

[Realistically, Yael knows he owes the man nothing, but it's a much more complicated affair on reality. Severing ties with the only parent you've ever known? That's easier said than done no matter what abuses they've entreated you to.]

...I get it.

[ And he's well aware of how that sort of thing works. Someone gives you stability while taking it away at the same time. His foster parents provided him a home while at the same time trying to slyly send him to conversion therapy.

But, he at least had a bed. ]

It's a complicated thing. When you go see him, I can accompany you. [ A pause. ] If you want.

[The idea of Yuui meeting Him is... hm. Yael pauses, hums, fishing up Yuui's hand in the bath and fiddling with his fingers.]

Can you promise you won't provoke him? That man is not one you want to argue with.

...I'll try not to.

[ Taking another piece of bread, Yuui wonders what Yael's "father" might act like if he's so worried about Yuui trying to provoke him. ]

You could have a little more faith in me.

[Pouring oil on a fire is generally inadvisable. It's not Yuui he's concerned about, but he does have to put his foot down with m'lady to head off any misunderstandings.]

You're not the one I worry about. Call me crazy, but I don't think you'll see eye-to-eye with the man who forced me into the military.

...Probably not. I already have negative feelings for him.

[ So maybe he actually can't promise he won't start a fight. Yuui uses a sip of water as an excuse to give it a little more thought. ]

I wonder if it would be best for me to stay back, then.

[Yael gives it some thought himself, idly chewing on a piece of stuffed flatbread.]

I'd like you to come with me to Egypt regardless. Outside of his temper, he's also pretty traditional.

[Which, considering the conversation they just had outside of the restaurant...]

...I want to keep you safe. I don't trust that man will share that sentiment.

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cw homophobia

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