LOG: Something He Might Regret

[protective_logic]

What: Delta calls the number, Gets some coffee
Where: Green Fairy Cafe
When: Wednesday, April 1st
Warnings: None

He's been playing with the piece of paper for three days now. Ever since it went into his pocket, Delta has been fiddling with the number. He tells himself it's because of the offer of good coffee. Tells himself it's because the week has been a strained one at home. Tells himself a lot of things. But come Wednesday when he finds he's got a few hours that could charitably be called free before he has to go grocery shopping, Delta gets the comm number out and calls. Waits through the prompt and then leaves his message.

"Hey. It's Delta. We met on Sunday at Smithson's Helmet Shop? Anyway, you gave me your number and offered to buy me real coffee if I had some free time. And I could sure go for a cup right about now. So... Call me if you can find the time in the next few hours and I'll meet you there?"

Comments

[depthlesslock]

'Yeah, we. As in you and me. I can show you the world...' He breaks off before he goes into the whole song in the middle of the shop.

'We'll find time. You did today, right? There'll be other chances, no matter how far apart.'

[protective_logic]

Delta rolls his eyes at the line.

"I'm not some locked up Disney princess who needs 'rescuing,'" Delta informs him curtly. "Not that Jasmine needed Aladdin for that until after he messed things up. I'm a man with a large family and not enough money to make ends meet who has to spend his time wisely, not gallivanting off to learn about music and movies."

[depthlesslock]

'Oh good, you understood that reference.' Family with little kids, Disney is probably well known. That shit is timeless. 'No, I'm not implying at all that you need rescuing, just that if you can find an odd hour here or there, I'd be happy to spend it with you, doing whatever.'

[protective_logic]

"Why?"

The incredulous question has passed Delta's lips, and he can't call it back. But it's a genuine one. No one spends time with him.

[depthlesslock]

York smiles. 'Why not? You're a cool guy, I'd like to get to know you better and it sounds like you could do with someone to drag you outside when it's not going to impede on your family or school.'

[protective_logic]

Cool?

"I'm not cool. If you want cool, meet my brother Sigma instead."

[depthlesslock]

'Cool, nice, interesting, take your pick. I think you're a good guy. I'm sure this Sigma is too, but I don't know him. Are you all named after Greek letters?'

[protective_logic]

"You don't even know me," Delta argues, ignoring the comment about Greek letters. He doesn't understand this guy at all.

[depthlesslock]

'I know you a bit. I'd like to get to know you better.'

[protective_logic]

And now Delta is blushing. Because he doesn't understand at all and there is a way to interpret that and that is super presumptuous of HIM.

"I... I should go. Thank you for the coffee."

Oh god what was he doing here?

[depthlesslock]

Red goes very nicely with green, York notices. He leans back a bit to give Delta some space.

'If you need to,' he says, not wanting to force him to stay, though he love to keep talking. 'Take the rest of your cookie with you, at least. And call if you want to meet up or talk again.'

[protective_logic]

"I... I just don't think I understand what is going on here," Delta sighs, shaking his head. "Do you not have someone else to talk to, is that it? Or is it pity?"

[depthlesslock]

'Oh, I do,' he says. 'But that doesn't mean I don't want to talk to you. This isn't out of pity, Delta. I like you, I'd like to get to know you more and be your friend.'

[protective_logic]

Still it doesn't compute. "Why?"

Why is he doing it, why is he bothering York with these stupid questions? Does he not want a friend?

"I'm... I'm sorry. I haven't spent a lot of time with other people since I was a lot younger."

[depthlesslock]

'Well, you've got a chance now. Do you want to take it?' Damn, he really needs to get this guy out more. Poor man. Interesting man.

[protective_logic]

"I..."

Delta sits back down. "Okay. I'm just... Not very good at this."

[depthlesslock]

York smiles. 'That's okay. Everyone's gotta start somewhere.' The temptation to say he'll "take it slow" is strong, but Delta just sat down and he doesn't want to scare him straight off again.

[protective_logic]

"Some would suggest that, at my age, I would have done so already. Made new friends that is."

[depthlesslock]

He shrugs. 'Most people have, but not everyone. Some don't want to, some haven't had the chance.'

[protective_logic]

He's definitely the latter, and looks away in shame. "Maybe some just don't think it's that important when they're busy."

[depthlesslock]

'Your family's important to you.' It's obvious in the way he talks about them, the way it seems he's given up a lot for them. 'There's nothing wrong with that.'

[protective_logic]

"You have no idea," Delta chuckles. He's given up everything, for his family, including friends and moments like this.

[depthlesslock]

'I admire your dedication,' he says, honestly. Sure, he doesn't know the whole story, but just from what he's heard so far, it's impressive what Delta has done.

[protective_logic]

"All I have is my dedication," Delta mumbles.

[depthlesslock]

'I'm sure you've got more than that, but even if you don't, that's a good thing to have.' He finishes his cookie. 'Your coffee's gonna get cold.'