[Faolan glances up to him as Laurent stands and crosses to the cupboard again, pressing his lips together as Laurent -- rightly so he supposes -- misunderstands what he's trying to say.]
No, no, I. That's not. I would like -- that is. It's not that, it's just. I just. I'm not used to -- all of this. That's all. But I'd like. To spend the time with you.
[He quirks a hesitant smile across the kitchen at him.] I'd like that very much.
[Faolan sucks his bottom lip between his teeth to chew on it for a moment before nodding as he turns towards his plate again.]
You'll be hearing no complaints from me.
[Confusion perhaps, as to why he would go through all of this trouble -- but certainly no complaints on the matter. He does appreciate it -- the lot of it -- more than he could say.
Floundering for something to say that isn't further questioning the other man why, he stuffs more french toast into his mouth. It really is quite good.]
You're...taking the day off from school, then? [With all of these things on their schedule, he must be. He doesn't know why it didn't really occur him until now.]
[Faolan knows he probably sounds ridiculous, especially to someone like Laurent who has always had a loving brother there to dote on him, even if he has not always had his parents.
Not that Faolan's parents did not love him as well, of course, it's just that after his own brother's death... Things had changed. And he had left. And now...
Well, now he has Laurent. Laurent, who has made him breakfast, and who is taking the day off to spend time with him. Faolan's heart swells slightly in his chest.]
I suppose not. [He says, quirking a smile at him before turning back to his food again.]
[ That's enough of an acceptance, so Laurent goes back to eating his food. It's more than he'd normally eat in the morning, truth be told, but it is for Faolan and he didn't want to make something for him then leave him to eat alone.
Should he have got him a card, Laurent wonders. He doesn't see the point, himself, it ends up a collection of bits of paper with the same vague message year after year. He isn't eloquent enough to write something meaningful in one. Food and cake and everything else will have to do. He isn't good at expressing himself in words, but surely this is enough to count?
He slides away from the breakfast bar once he's finished, loads the dishwasher and pours himself some more fruit juice. Then, linking his hands together he stretches out. ]
I was thinking of skipping the gym today, but if you'd like to go don't let me stop you. I just think it won't do much to undo the damage cake and french toast will do regardless.
[Faolan glances up at Laurent as he speaks up again, having successfully cleaned his plate and reached for his coffee, quietly sipping at it as he watches Laurent pour himself some more juice. Breakfast had been good. Quiet. A little odd, since he too isn't used to eating so much in the morning, and not sitting down with Laurent to eat it either. But nice. In a good way. Of course, his mind kept coming back to the keyboard no matter how often he tried to tell himself otherwise. Should he bring it up? No, that was being ungrateful. Laurent was doing so much for him already. He'd only mentioned it the once, he didn't technically owe it to him even after that.
He lets out the huff of a laugh, surprised at the mention of the gym, but he shakes his head at the question, leaning back in his seat as he answers.]
I'm not so obsessed with fitness that I can't miss a day here and there. After all. It is my birthday. I think I can be forgiven. [He might regret it if he goes anytime soon anyway, having eaten so well just now.]
[Faolan watches Laurent stretching a little more attentively than perhaps he should, before catching himself and turning his eyes back to the counter in front of him with a careful breath. Shower. Right.]
Sure. [He moves to curl both of his hands around his coffee mug.] Just want to finish this, then I'll get a move on. Go ahead and get a head start, though. I'll try not to take too long.
[He thinks he might need the few moments to process their plans for the day, and to hold himself back from the desire to trail after the younger man into his bedroom to join him for that matter...]
[ Laurent unlinks his fingers again and swings his arms a little before nodding. ]
Suit yourself.
[ Then he gathers up his tea and walks from the kitchen, taking a sip as he makes his way back to his room to shower and get dressed for the day.
About half an hour later he's dressed in a pale blue button-down shirt, some dark jeans and a long coat to keep out the cold. He has his phone out, checking something, and a bag over one shoulder -- but as soon as Faolan appears he's ready to call a car and head down to reception to wait for their driver to pull up outside. ]
I should get you a thermos.
[ He muses idly, considering Faolan's slightly bewildered tired state in the morning. ]
So you can bring coffee with you everywhere.
[ He catches the glint of a car through the glass doors and begins to step forward and out to meet the driver. ]
Maybe we can look for one. One moment --
[ Then Laurent is stepping over to lean through the front passenger window -- showing something to the driver and asking if he can take them there before drawing away to get into the back. ]
[It isn't that Faolan dresses himself more casually than Laurent per se, seeing as once he emerges from his shower and his bedroom he's wearing a pair of jeans and a button-down as well. It's in the way he wears it, and his presentation. Laurent could be wearing the same outfit as he and the younger man would still seem better dressed. Perhaps it's something in the attitude. Perhaps it's the scruff of stubble that Faolan leaves on his face, and the brown leather jacket he slips his way into as he stuffs his keys and wallet into his pockets and ties on his boots. Perhaps it's also something to do with the gun holster he clips onto his belt on the way out the door as well.
A thermos. He supposes it makes sense. Hell, he supposes it's even a good idea, considering. He makes to comment on it only to find Laurent stepping forward to speak to the driver and he shakes his head. No doubt he has a specific cafe in mind. He waits for Laurent to let himself into the car before he climbs through after him and shuts the door.]
It would solve a lot of problems. At least, in starting out the morning.
[Faolan gives Laurent half a look of exasperation as he buckles himself in as well, but only half. He can't truly be exasperated with him when their mood is so light, when Laurent is being so kind to him, and when he's sitting so close as he is. He's been sitting close a lot, lately. Like something of the barrier has come down between them, after Faolan's promises during Halloween. He's really not certain what to make of it. What he should be making of it.
He sets the thought aside for now and concentrates on answering the question instead, offering Laurent half a shrug.]
Not much, really. Work, I suppose. Sometimes I had a few drinks with the other guards, if I wasn't on duty. But it wasn't really...
[They weren't birthday drinks. It's not like the other guards knew it was any different a day from any other. They weren't exactly friends, after all, it was just... He shrugs again.]
It's usually the same as any other day. Though my parents call sometimes, I suppose.
[Faolan raises his eyebrows at that. Call them from the apartment? He supposes he could. Truth be told, he hadn't even considered it. He wonders what kind of a son that makes him out to be, in truth.]
Yeah, maybe I could.
[He turns to glance out the window for a moment at the following question as they drive though. Do they have the address? A more complicated question than Laurent probably assumes it to be.]
They... Might. I don't know, we're not. We only really speak on holidays and birthdays, my parents and I. My sister has the address for the apartment, in case she needs me for anything. They can get it from her if they want to.
[He usually leaves the decision of reaching out up to them, these days.]
Well, I wouldn't recommend you hand it out to everyone of course. But I don't see why they shouldn't have it.
[ Security permitting, of course. The car turns down a side street and Laurent squints out the window, leans forward after a moment. ]
Here is fine.
[ With that, the driver pulls over a little and sets on his hazard lights, and Laurent undoes his seat-belt and slips from the car -- waiting on the pavement for Faolan to follow him out. ]
[Yes, he does know better than that, thank you Laurent. He offers another little shrug as the car starts to pull to a stop.]
It's not that they can't have it, it's just. Complicated, yeah? We don't really talk much anymore, they don't... Really approve of the choices I've made. The direction I've taken my life.
[He moves to slide out of the car after Laurent, running a hand through his hair as he does, glancing aside at the other man.] They've made it very clear that it's not that they don't love me any more. It's just that they're disappointed I didn't follow through on my dreams and make something more of myself, that's all.
Something more? Is there something wrong with being a bodyguard? I'm quite grateful to have one, myself. I'm sure plenty of people are.
[ Isn't the usual thing for parents to disapprove of arts degrees, like music? To prefer something more practical? Or is it that being a bodyguard is too dangerous? Laurent frowns as he begins to walk, eyes flitting between studying Faolan and the pavement ahead. ]
[It's probably most likely something to do with the latter, though Faolan is a grown man and free to make his own choices, including training himself to risk his life and safety for the life and safety of other people.
Faolan moves to stick his hands in his pockets, letting out a sigh.]
They paid a lot of money for me to attend a conservatory. They were so happy for me when I got into the Academy. And then... [Dubhan died] I withdrew. They thought it would be a phase, that I would recover and they could beg the school back into accepting me again. My father is a lawyer, he can be very... Convincing, when he puts his mind to something. But I can be stubborn too. And this is what I decided for myself instead. [He shrugs again; he keeps doing that, like maybe doing so might make it seem like less serious a topic. He didn't really mean to bring it up. But he also doesn't feel like keeping secrets from Laurent anymore...]
They haven't ever really come to terms with it. My sister, my younger sister, acts as something of our go-between. It's worked well enough so far, I suppose.
[ Laurent slows down and stops outside a white building, which on taking a step back and looking appears to be a music shop. Although, from the look of it, it might be closed?
Laurent presses what appears to be a doorbell or buzzer of some sort and puts his hands back into his pocket. ]
I did think that was why we were here. Maybe your parents will even like me if you tell them I bought you a keyboard?
[ He jerks an eyebrow, and a second later the door is opening and a man is smiling brightly and waving them inside. Although the place definitely has other instruments in the window, the majority of the shop seems to have been re-arranged to set up a wide variety of keyboards for playing.
So that Faolan can find one he likes, of course. He needs to test them to be sure, in Laurent's opinion. ]
[Faolan is so preoccupied with the thought he is sharing that he isn't paying attention to their surroundings as well as he should. He could undoubtedly have been able to see someone coming to threaten Laurent, but as far as anticipating where they stop? Laurent ringing the bell and the man letting them into the shop to be shown to the center of a room ful of keyboards?
Despite his excitement leading up to the anticipation of this moment, he had honestly started to convince himself that he had been mistaken. Thus now for this turn of events to occur, it throws him for another turn yet again.
Faolan walks dazedly into the shop behind the owner, taking in his surroundings in disbelief before turning back to Laurent. His mouth all but hanging open in the face of the younger man's nonchalance.]
[ Laurent shrugs off his coat and drapes it over his arm, lofting at eyebrow at Faolan as the shop owner shuts the door again and comes back to fuss at them. Tea? Coffee? Do they want something to eat? ]
That was the agreement. I buy you a keyboard and you play for me. Tea would be lovely, thank you. Jasmine or chamomile if you have it?
[ He flashes the man a smile and gives up his coat when prompted. ]
[The shop owner fusses at Faolan to give up his coat as well and he does so dazedly, only worrying after the fact that giving up his coat will expose his gun but it seems not to bother the man. Maybe he's grown immune to the eccentricities of life here in this city, he can't say for certain.
Glancing back to Laurent, he shoots him a look of awe before he's stepping forward across the room to where the keyboards are gathered. He could probably use a coffee but he'd also probably be terribly distracted from it. He runs his fingers over the keys of one of them without pressing down, before glancing back to Laurent once more.]
I. I was starting to wonder whether you'd even remembered saying it, but this... [Faolan glances around the store, before realizing something retrospectively and glancing back to Laurent to ask:] Did you have the shop close today? For this?
I wanted to make sure they had plenty in store for you to try, and that you didn't feel rushed.
[ So obviously the solution was to have the shop close for a while.
Laurent, that's ridiculous. ]
If none of them appeal, we can always try something else.
[ Just in case Faolan has a specialised taste in keyboards that somehow this shop has failed to cater to. The majority of the ones they've set out and plugged up appear to be mid to high end, but Laurent didn't particularly know if Faolan had a brand preference. He doesn't know anything at all about keyboards, after all. ]
[So he didn't feel rushed. Faolan continues to gape at the younger man for a moment longer, before he turns to the keyboards themselves. A few of the models aren't quite what he would pick for himself, to be fair, but there are still more than enough to choose between. Tentatively he presses down on one of the keys and yes, proves that they are all plugged in and waiting for him to test them out.]
Would I have to keep it in my room?
[That would probably influence the size of the instrument he's choosing, after all. How easy it is to put it away.]
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No, no, I. That's not. I would like -- that is. It's not that, it's just. I just. I'm not used to -- all of this. That's all. But I'd like. To spend the time with you.
[He quirks a hesitant smile across the kitchen at him.] I'd like that very much.
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[ He takes a sip of his drink as he settles back onto the stool, begins cutting himself some more of his breakfast to eat.
If you want to spend time with him, Faolan, spend time with him instead of trying to tell Laurent not to buy you cake. ]
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You'll be hearing no complaints from me.
[Confusion perhaps, as to why he would go through all of this trouble -- but certainly no complaints on the matter. He does appreciate it -- the lot of it -- more than he could say.
Floundering for something to say that isn't further questioning the other man why, he stuffs more french toast into his mouth. It really is quite good.]
You're...taking the day off from school, then? [With all of these things on their schedule, he must be. He doesn't know why it didn't really occur him until now.]
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[ Laurent looks up and quirks an eyebrow at Faolan, as if to question his surprise. ]
We wouldn't make it to the shops otherwise, not without being rushed into decisions.
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Not that Faolan's parents did not love him as well, of course, it's just that after his own brother's death... Things had changed. And he had left. And now...
Well, now he has Laurent. Laurent, who has made him breakfast, and who is taking the day off to spend time with him. Faolan's heart swells slightly in his chest.]
I suppose not. [He says, quirking a smile at him before turning back to his food again.]
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Should he have got him a card, Laurent wonders. He doesn't see the point, himself, it ends up a collection of bits of paper with the same vague message year after year. He isn't eloquent enough to write something meaningful in one. Food and cake and everything else will have to do. He isn't good at expressing himself in words, but surely this is enough to count?
He slides away from the breakfast bar once he's finished, loads the dishwasher and pours himself some more fruit juice. Then, linking his hands together he stretches out. ]
I was thinking of skipping the gym today, but if you'd like to go don't let me stop you. I just think it won't do much to undo the damage cake and french toast will do regardless.
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He lets out the huff of a laugh, surprised at the mention of the gym, but he shakes his head at the question, leaning back in his seat as he answers.]
I'm not so obsessed with fitness that I can't miss a day here and there. After all. It is my birthday. I think I can be forgiven. [He might regret it if he goes anytime soon anyway, having eaten so well just now.]
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[ Laurent links his hands behind his head again and stretches the opposite direction with a wince. ]
Then I'm going to take a shower and get dressed, and I reccomend you do the same. It doesn't look like rain today but it might be cold.
[ He unlinked his hands and pads to the window, peers out thoughtfully at the sky then at the people below to garage how they're dressed. Hmm. ]
I'll bring a light coat. Meet me back out here when you're ready and we can head down.
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Sure. [He moves to curl both of his hands around his coffee mug.] Just want to finish this, then I'll get a move on. Go ahead and get a head start, though. I'll try not to take too long.
[He thinks he might need the few moments to process their plans for the day, and to hold himself back from the desire to trail after the younger man into his bedroom to join him for that matter...]
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Suit yourself.
[ Then he gathers up his tea and walks from the kitchen, taking a sip as he makes his way back to his room to shower and get dressed for the day.
About half an hour later he's dressed in a pale blue button-down shirt, some dark jeans and a long coat to keep out the cold. He has his phone out, checking something, and a bag over one shoulder -- but as soon as Faolan appears he's ready to call a car and head down to reception to wait for their driver to pull up outside. ]
I should get you a thermos.
[ He muses idly, considering Faolan's slightly bewildered tired state in the morning. ]
So you can bring coffee with you everywhere.
[ He catches the glint of a car through the glass doors and begins to step forward and out to meet the driver. ]
Maybe we can look for one. One moment --
[ Then Laurent is stepping over to lean through the front passenger window -- showing something to the driver and asking if he can take them there before drawing away to get into the back. ]
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A thermos. He supposes it makes sense. Hell, he supposes it's even a good idea, considering. He makes to comment on it only to find Laurent stepping forward to speak to the driver and he shakes his head. No doubt he has a specific cafe in mind. He waits for Laurent to let himself into the car before he climbs through after him and shuts the door.]
It would solve a lot of problems. At least, in starting out the morning.
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[ He buckles himself in, leaning slightly into Faolan with a slightly mischievous smile. ]
Something more than grunts and nods. I could get one for myself too, for tea.
[ Hmmm. He considers that a moment as the car pulls away, thinking it over. ]
What do you usually do, for your birthday?
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He sets the thought aside for now and concentrates on answering the question instead, offering Laurent half a shrug.]
Not much, really. Work, I suppose. Sometimes I had a few drinks with the other guards, if I wasn't on duty. But it wasn't really...
[They weren't birthday drinks. It's not like the other guards knew it was any different a day from any other. They weren't exactly friends, after all, it was just... He shrugs again.]
It's usually the same as any other day. Though my parents call sometimes, I suppose.
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[ So that Laurent is paying the overseas call charge, that is. That way it won't show up on Faolan's mobile bill, even if it is a work phone. ]
Do they have this address?
[ To send something to. If they send things? Laurent isn't sure if Faolan's family is the cards and presents sort. ]
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Yeah, maybe I could.
[He turns to glance out the window for a moment at the following question as they drive though. Do they have the address? A more complicated question than Laurent probably assumes it to be.]
They... Might. I don't know, we're not. We only really speak on holidays and birthdays, my parents and I. My sister has the address for the apartment, in case she needs me for anything. They can get it from her if they want to.
[He usually leaves the decision of reaching out up to them, these days.]
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[ Security permitting, of course. The car turns down a side street and Laurent squints out the window, leans forward after a moment. ]
Here is fine.
[ With that, the driver pulls over a little and sets on his hazard lights, and Laurent undoes his seat-belt and slips from the car -- waiting on the pavement for Faolan to follow him out. ]
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It's not that they can't have it, it's just. Complicated, yeah? We don't really talk much anymore, they don't... Really approve of the choices I've made. The direction I've taken my life.
[He moves to slide out of the car after Laurent, running a hand through his hair as he does, glancing aside at the other man.] They've made it very clear that it's not that they don't love me any more. It's just that they're disappointed I didn't follow through on my dreams and make something more of myself, that's all.
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[ Isn't the usual thing for parents to disapprove of arts degrees, like music? To prefer something more practical? Or is it that being a bodyguard is too dangerous? Laurent frowns as he begins to walk, eyes flitting between studying Faolan and the pavement ahead. ]
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Faolan moves to stick his hands in his pockets, letting out a sigh.]
They paid a lot of money for me to attend a conservatory. They were so happy for me when I got into the Academy. And then... [Dubhan died] I withdrew. They thought it would be a phase, that I would recover and they could beg the school back into accepting me again. My father is a lawyer, he can be very... Convincing, when he puts his mind to something. But I can be stubborn too. And this is what I decided for myself instead. [He shrugs again; he keeps doing that, like maybe doing so might make it seem like less serious a topic. He didn't really mean to bring it up. But he also doesn't feel like keeping secrets from Laurent anymore...]
They haven't ever really come to terms with it. My sister, my younger sister, acts as something of our go-between. It's worked well enough so far, I suppose.
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[ Laurent slows down and stops outside a white building, which on taking a step back and looking appears to be a music shop. Although, from the look of it, it might be closed?
Laurent presses what appears to be a doorbell or buzzer of some sort and puts his hands back into his pocket. ]
I did think that was why we were here. Maybe your parents will even like me if you tell them I bought you a keyboard?
[ He jerks an eyebrow, and a second later the door is opening and a man is smiling brightly and waving them inside. Although the place definitely has other instruments in the window, the majority of the shop seems to have been re-arranged to set up a wide variety of keyboards for playing.
So that Faolan can find one he likes, of course. He needs to test them to be sure, in Laurent's opinion. ]
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Despite his excitement leading up to the anticipation of this moment, he had honestly started to convince himself that he had been mistaken. Thus now for this turn of events to occur, it throws him for another turn yet again.
Faolan walks dazedly into the shop behind the owner, taking in his surroundings in disbelief before turning back to Laurent. His mouth all but hanging open in the face of the younger man's nonchalance.]
You... You really meant it...?
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[ Laurent shrugs off his coat and drapes it over his arm, lofting at eyebrow at Faolan as the shop owner shuts the door again and comes back to fuss at them. Tea? Coffee? Do they want something to eat? ]
That was the agreement. I buy you a keyboard and you play for me. Tea would be lovely, thank you. Jasmine or chamomile if you have it?
[ He flashes the man a smile and gives up his coat when prompted. ]
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Glancing back to Laurent, he shoots him a look of awe before he's stepping forward across the room to where the keyboards are gathered. He could probably use a coffee but he'd also probably be terribly distracted from it. He runs his fingers over the keys of one of them without pressing down, before glancing back to Laurent once more.]
I. I was starting to wonder whether you'd even remembered saying it, but this... [Faolan glances around the store, before realizing something retrospectively and glancing back to Laurent to ask:] Did you have the shop close today? For this?
[For him.]
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[ So obviously the solution was to have the shop close for a while.
Laurent, that's ridiculous. ]
If none of them appeal, we can always try something else.
[ Just in case Faolan has a specialised taste in keyboards that somehow this shop has failed to cater to. The majority of the ones they've set out and plugged up appear to be mid to high end, but Laurent didn't particularly know if Faolan had a brand preference. He doesn't know anything at all about keyboards, after all. ]
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Would I have to keep it in my room?
[That would probably influence the size of the instrument he's choosing, after all. How easy it is to put it away.]
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