MIDNIGHT TALKS

[GRIFFIN'S POV]

"Would you like to be my boyfriend?"

When those words came out of his mouth, I stopped myself from laughing and just looked at him being amazed at how he suddenly changes the subject. But knowing him, he does this whenever he likes or wants it.

Is he already drunk and can say a few things like this? To think about it, he can say anything nonsense and surprising words with or without getting drunk.

He stares at me and suddenly bursts out laughing, "I'm trying to get you to laugh but I'm the one who got my joke!"

"Eryx, if you have another problem, you can share it with me." I sarcastically replied.

"I'm just trying to change the mood, we are being dramatic over Eros."

I sigh and I drink another can of beer.

"Griffin, I want to ask you something."

I wait for him as I grab a bite of kimchi and he says, "If you met me as a stranger, would you like me? Not as friends but, something more?"

I think I understand him now, he wants assurance that someone would like him, a decent man like Eros. He wants someone who can accept him for what he is. He wants that, he wants to make himself feel better.

"No," I answered and he throws a worn-out tissue at me, that I don't know where he has it at first.

"Why not?"

"Would you like yourself then?" I asked, asking the same question but for himself.

He looks at me and analyzes my question, and says, "I... I... don't know. Why are asking me back, I'm the one who asked you first."

He pouts.

I didn't say anything but I emptied the can, "Are you done with what I have sent you earlier?" I changed the subject, it might be sad for him to continue these things, and when it comes to these things, I don't know how to advise or keep things better.

"Yes, I already said that to you, right?"

Oh. I forgot. He already did say that. Was it obvious that I am changing the subject? Or the beer is kicking in just now? But, I have a high tolerance when it comes to beers and liquors.

"I forgot." I excused.

He grabs his glass and empties it again, "You're getting old, Griffin."

"Yeah, but at least I'm not desperate for love."

"Ouch." He reacts and overreacted a little that gestures a piercing hand onto his chest.

"I'm desperate for affection, you know. But love doesn't seem to like me."

"There are many ways to earn love, you know how? Is to love yourself first." I replied and he drinks again.

"I heard that plenty of times already, on social media and other self-love quotes." He sarcastically said.

"Then, why not try that instead of avoiding Eros? You know, in this situation, you cannot keep on avoiding him forever. There will come a time that you need to talk to him."

He sighs, "I know that. He's still the boss and we are working together and he's still a friend of mine. But, I'm still adjusting."

"Okay." I softly say and he stood up from the floor and walks to the kitchen.

"Where are you going?"

"I also brought ice cream earlier, you know how hard it is to hide and be alert because he might see me?" He says and grabs a popsicle from the freezer.

"Beer and ice cream?"

"This is a good way to enjoy the conversation you know, sometimes I wonder, I can invent an ice cream and beer combination, like, a brownie with a liquor in it." He adds and sits on the floor.

He's getting talkative and does random stuff now, I think the beer is kicking in.

He opens the popsicle wrapper and he licks it. The way he licks it, it becomes sensual plus he's closing his eyes as well, what is happening to him?

"It's good. This tastes good." He says and puts the popsicle in his mouth, and I looked away.

"Do you want some?" He asks.

"No, thanks."

"Why are you looking that way?"

I looked at him and he's like a kid who gets stains on his mouth and his clothes.

"Just eat it whole and finish it, or you might get something on the floor," I said to him.

He licks it again, side by side while looking at him like he's enjoying it.

What am I thinking anyway? That is just an ice cream being eaten, nothing more.

"Don't worry, I will clean it up, Griffin. You are such a clean freak like Eros." He chuckles and continues, "Anyway, do you sometimes miss someone who you can hug and kiss with?"

I nodded, "It's normal to feel that way."

"Me too. I miss eating-"

"What are you going to say?" I quickly said.

"That I miss eating with someone, like dinner and casual dates. What are you thinking about?"

"Nothing."

He chuckles, "Oh my goodness, don't tell me, Griffin, you missed having sex?"

I cough as soon as I drink the beer, "S-stop being weird, Eryx." Suddenly, I feel someone licking me barefoot and I was almost startled and forgot that Dog is here and awake.

"You have woken up, how are you, Dog?" I grab him and pets him on his fur.

"That's not being weird. It's natural to miss that, when was the last time you had one anyway? A century ago?" He teases.

"I don't mind if I don't get to have that, it's between two persons who are in love with each other and not just a random stranger who do it for fun and regret later." I say to him and he overreacts again by saying, "Oooh!"

"Why are you being mean to me? Sometimes, you have to enjoy life. You are such an introverted person, you know."

Here it goes, judging an introverted person again and again. It's like I'm having a deja vu, from the first time we met.

I sigh and I am about to answer him but he answers first, "I don't mind being an introverted person, having Dog is good enough. You mean to say that?"

And Dog barks at him, making that my answer.

I ignored Eryx mocking me and I just smile at Dog and says, "Good boy."

"Don't you miss eating something that tastes so good and satisfies every inch of your body?" He says while doing touchy things in his body while a popsicle is inside his mouth.

"Eryx, whatever you do-" He's moving closer to me and teasing me, even Dog moves away from my lap.

"W-what, hey, s-stop-" I say to Eryx and he's laughing at my gestures.

"Oh come on, Griffin, I looked handsome and sexy, why are you disgusted by this? Don't I looked sensual enough to make you turned on?"

"Is this the effect of you drinking beer and having the burnt pork belly? Because if it does, I won't buy those again." I replied.

He chuckles and drinks again, "I just missed this feeling, like having fun and nothing to worry about. Maybe it's the person that I am with, don't you think Griffin?"

"Are you making me feel grateful?" I sarcastically asked and he moves away and sits in his place.

"Maybe." He chuckles again and eats the kimchi and a piece of the burnt pork belly.

I looked at my clock on the wall, and it's late already, and I have work to do.

"I have to go now, if you are still going to drink, please don't forget to clean it up," I say to him.

"Awww you're going to go now? How about skip work tomorrow? I won't tell Eros anything." He smiles, showing his teeth.

"No," I say and stood up from the floor, grabs Dog, and walk to my room.

"Griffin!" He calls and I locked the door.

Knowing Eryx, he will pout and leans against the sofa, and starts...

"GRIFFIN! I know you are still awake. I know you more than you know it!" He calls again.

I sigh and walk to my bathroom, and go to wash up and brush my teeth.

Meanwhile, I got out of the bathroom and lays on my bed with Dog and noticed that it became quiet. Maybe, he's already sleeping?

Wait. Did he clean it up?

I hope it does or it will smell by tomorrow.

I stood up from the bed and take a quick peek outside the room. He did clean and he's already laying on the sofa, sleeping. I open the door and there's a blanket on his side, I take it and cover him.

Everything he said tonight means something from his feelings, I appreciate it knowing that he shared it with me, I hope every piece of advice I gave him, gives encouragement and helps him.

Hours passed by, morning came.

When I got out of my room, I smell something from the kitchen and found out that Eryx is cooking something.

"Morning!" He says and continues, "Are you going now? I've cooked breakfast."

"It's fine, Eros would be waiting."

"Nah, don't mind him. Health is wealth, alright?" He drags me by the chair and makes me sit.

"It's finished." He lays a plate of rice, bacon, and eggs. I looked at it, it has a smiley face of ketchup.

"Isn't lovely?"

"What happened last night?" I asked.

"Last night? We drunk beers and ate burnt pork belly. Did something happen?" He asks the question back at me.

"I mean, why are you being this way?"

"Nothing. I don't want to be a burden here without doing anything, so I will cook for you and clean your place."

"Eryx, don't get me wrong but you're not thinking of staying here for a long time, right?"

"Umm, just give me some time, Griffin. I can do this." He smiles and grabs a glass of milk and serves it for me.

"I'm not quitting my job, I'm just having a vacation, okay? I already emailed Eros and he understands, so he gave me days to contemplate."

"What?" I'm confused.

"I already told Eros about my feelings for him and about my... you know, my avoidance for him, of course, he would tell me the nicest things, but I don't want that. I want something from myself, and you are right. I have to love myself more, so that is what I am doing."

He messaged Eros as soon as he woke up, he's determined to do this. I don't have anything against that. But...

"And you are planning to stay here longer?"

He smiles, "Why do you keep on repeating that? It's making me feel burden again."

I sigh.

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