The Other Halfway Line (16/?)
Title : The Other Halfway Line
Chapter : 16/?
Author : unpublicguy
Pairing : Cames with the mention of Sark and other pairings as the story progress
Cast : Cale Mills, James Walker, cupid!Mark, cupid! Darren, cupid!Sarah, cupid!Kris and others
Rating : NC-17
Warning : This is not beta'ed
Disclaimer : I do wish that I own each and everyone who involved in this story (especially Cale Mills) but sadly it's just my imaginary overdrive again.
Summary : Not everyone is lucky in their love department, at least not for James in general. Luckily he got some helps this time around.
“Rise and shine. It’s morning.” James breathed in deeply.
It’s a love and hate relationship for James and morning.
He loves how the breezy winds blew across his face, but he hated cold shower.
Yeah, but then again, he has his hot coffee that he had been looking forward to every morning.
Still, something was missing.
Cale.
James didn't hear any news from him since yesterday.
Not that he didn’t try to text him or anything, Cale didn’t respond to his text.
He wondered if something happened at the office.
☯☯☯☯☯
“Morning James,” Darren grinned as he bumped into his new addition to the crew while he was on his way to his office.
James blinked smiled widely, “Good morning boss.”
He held up his coffee cup for Darren to see, “Want some coffee?”
Darren chuckled shook his head.
“It’s Darren, by the way, James and no thanks for the coffee.”
“You’re my boss,” James shrugged, “So there’s nothing wrong for addressing you in a certain way.”
“James come on, threw the formality,” Darren winked.
Without a warning, a big hand just drop on James and Darren's shoulder startled both guys from their conversation.
“What a great morning, don’t you think so guys?” Mark chimed in.
His face was beaming with smiled; a guitar strapped crossed his shoulder.
“Someone is happy,” Darren smiled sheepishly.
It’s unusual to see Mark like this, even for him.
“Let’s just say I’m happy because of James,” Mark beamed happily.
James chocked on his coffee listened to Mark mentioned his name.
“Because of me? But why?” James asked curiously.
Darren and Mark smirked to one another before Mark focused on Darren solely.
“Darren, I have some new idea about my performance. May I talk to you in private?”
“Yeah sure Mark,” Darren smiled, his eyes back to James, “James, I’m gonna say it again. No formality.”
“And if you have any problem, let me know immediately,” Darren winked.
“Alright,” James smiled warmly.
Darren nodded one last time before he left with Mark at his side talking animatedly.
It’s probably about Mark next performance.
Taking a deep sighed, James walked to his changing room to wear his uniform.
“Here we go,” James whispered softly.
☯☯☯☯☯
Back in the office, Mark and Darren had their own concern.
“Have James tell you anything yet?” Mark asked after his friend.
Darren shook his head, “Not yet.”
“Should we push him a little?"
“I don’t think that’s a good idea Mark.”
“I’m really worried about him. I hope they are not kissing each other yet.”
“I hope for the same thing too,” Darren sighed quietly.
If only he can read into James's mind, that would solve half of their problem.
“But he seems in a good place this morning,” Darren added.
Mark was nothing but hands on his hips, sighed deeply.
He can’t let himself screw this one up.
He knew how fragile James’s heart was.
“Let’s just keep an eye on him,” Mark remarked softly.
He let out a relief sighed as Darren nodded his head, agreed with his plan.
It’s not him to play all cool and calm.
That’s why he had Darren to play the part.
☯☯☯☯☯
“Table 45, the order is complete”
“Right on. I’m on my way,” James strutted across the table, one hand carrying the new order.
He never worked in a diner before.
Guess he's lucky to have a team that can help him there.
There were several teams to cover each part of the diner, but there're only two teams to cover for midnight shift.
One of his new friends of the team named Sebastian Smythe.
He’s the one who taught James his daily routine, which was taking order and sent the order of their area.
It would be lying if he didn’t feel nervous but Sebastian genuine smiled helped him through.
“Here’s your order. Enjoy,” James put the dishes on the table before he left to the next table.
Sebastian quietly put his hand around James's shoulder, making James startled a little.
“Sebastian,” James sighed lightly when his eyes met the familiar face.
“You’re a quick learner,” Sebastian grinned.
James glanced at Sebastian and let out a soft laughed himself.
“I try my best, even though I don’t know what I do at times.”
“You’re nervous. That’s cute.” Sebastian winked playfully making James blushed a little.
“What will you do today?” Sebastian asked quietly.
James shrugged, “I don’t know yet.”
“Tell you what? We should hang out.”
“Yeah, that’s a good idea. We should do it.”
“Great, meet me at the front door after work,” Sebastian smirked.
“Okay,” James smiled warmly while they both taking their own direction.
☯☯☯☯☯
Another day was almost passed and yet there’s no news from Cale.
“Should I call him just to check?” James sighed worriedly.
He’s flipping his phone deciding whether he should go with his gut or not.
Of course, someone needed to startle him with hand over his shoulder.
“You’re ready?” Sebastian smiled warmly; his eyes glanced on James.
He noticed rather fast James shocked expression.
“I’m sorry. I didn’t mean to-“
James shook his head; a smiled tugged at his lips, “It’s okay. You didn’t do anything wrong.”
“Come on,” Sebastian brought James over his shoulder.
James nodded quietly as he walked next to his new friend.
They didn’t walk more than five steps when they felt someone was yanked their collar from behind.
Turning around, Sebastian's spat angrily, “What’s the big idea?”
“Where do you think you go bringing my boy like this?” Mark asked angrily.
“Your boy?” Sebastian smirked evil.
James looked back and forth between Sebastian and Mark.
Even though there’s clearly shown how angry Mark's was, Sebastian didn’t back out either.
Instead, his smirked grew widely.
Even he felt confused at the time.
Did Sebastian do something wrong here?
“Another fight?” Darren popped out of nowhere, stood firmly between Mark and Sebastian.
“Sebastian,” Darren glanced over the tall slim guy carefully, “What’s going on here?”
Sebastian shrugged innocently, “Just hang out with James. I don’t know what the big deal is.”
“Don’t you have better thing to do?” Darren asked quietly.
“Oh come on, Darren,” Sebastian sighed warmly, “Even my boy needs some alone time.”
“Wait…wait…wait,” James cut in, making them all looked at him for the first time.
“Did anyone of you is actually..... gay?” James asked quietly.
He shocked when those three men were laughing at his question.
He didn’t say anything funny.
“No,” Sebastian grinned widely, his head shocked in disbelief, “Neither one of us is gay.”
“But you guys just said my boy, and that include me,” James asked.
“Damn right,” Mark beamed brightly, “I saved your ass before, didn’t I?”
“That’s true, but I’m still confused,” James scratch his head.
Is this some kind of inside joke?
He’s sure not getting any of it.
“Come on,” Darren smiled warmly, “Let’s go grab some dinner, my treat,"
James shrugged quietly, “But you haven’t answered my question.”
Darren chuckled lightly.
James was sure stubborn, just like Mark had mentioned before.
Meanwhile, there’s another banter going on between Mark and Sebastian.
“You almost blow our cover,” Mark gritted his jaw, hissed angrily.
“I’m the one who in fault?” Sebastian smirked widely, “You the one who decides to butt in a few minutes ago.”
“You know damn well that James is under my protection.”
“You need to cool off a little. I’m here to help you and Darren.”
“What makes you think we need your help?” Mark spat angrily.
“James needs a friend who can relate to him. I don’t think he will run to his boss or his barely known friend for help,” Sebastian sighed quietly.
“You have a point.”
“I know what I’m doing,” Sebastian grinned cheekily, “Trust me that will be over tonight.”
“You think so?” Mark asked curiously.
“Did you know he was checking his phone when I found him?” Sebastian lifted his eyebrow; curiosity filled in his voice.
“Something happened to James, am I right?” Mark asked quietly.
“We will find out tonight.” Sebastian replied quietly.
☯☯☯☯☯
Looking at the place, James sighed silently.
Didn’t Darren mention something about getting a dinner?
“You’re not looking happy,” Darren smiled warmly to the confused James.
“I thought you said something about dinner?” James asked as he glanced at Darren briefly.
“They serve food here too James.”
“Like real food?”
“Come on,” Darren chuckled as they made their way to the table.
Mark and Sebastian already got their own spot.
“I’m hungry,” Sebastian grumped quietly.
Mark waved his hand on the air asking for a waitress.
A girl dressed with stripped red uniform came over to their table.
A warm smiled tugged at her lips.
“Your order please?”
“Hamburger for me,” Sebastian quickly requested his order.
James cut in, “I want that too.”
“Make it two please,” Sebastian smiled and winked.
“Can I get some fries and nugget?” Mark asked
The waitress nodded and wrote on her order list.
“Let’s have some side,” Darren remarked, "four plates of spaghetti.”
The girl nodded as she kept writing to the paper.
“How about drinks?” She smiled warmly.
“One pack of Bud Light and a large cup of float,” Mark ordered for the guys.
The girl nodded again smiling, “Your order will be arrived in a few minute.”
“Thank you,” Sebastian replied warmly.
His eyes back on the table when the waitress left their table.
“What float Mark?”
James shrugged, “It’s when they put ice cream inside a soft drink.”
His eyes averted to Mark curiously, “How did you know that I like float?”
“Who doesn’t love float?” Mark shrugged quietly.
“Right….” James eyes his friend quietly.
“Gentleman,” Darren cut in, “How’s work today?”
“James here is a quick learner,” Sebastian smirked widely.
James blushed, “No I’m not.”
“Isn’t he’s the best?” Mark wrapped James by the shoulder, earning a few chuckled from Darren and Sebastian.
“Let’s talk about something else,” James lowered his head feeling embarrassed.
Why do they need to compliment him all the time?
“Okay, so I was attending this one lady,” Sebastian picked up quickly.
“What happened?” Darren asked curiously.
“She accuses me for taking her order wrongly,” Sebastian replied.
“Maybe she’s right,” Mark smirked widely, “I know how you work.”
“Geez, thanks Mark. Your word really does comfort me,” Sebastian snarled back.
Mark shrugged smirking widely, “You’re welcome. I know I can make you feel better.”
“It’s my first day at work, so I don’t have anything to share yet,” James added.
Mark looked over at James said, “If someone messed with you, let me know. I’ll come and settle for you.”
“I’ll keep that in mind,” James chuckled.
“I encourage for you to do the same James,” Sebastian added.
“Why?” James and Mark asked in the same time.
They both looked at each other before focused on Sebastian again.
“Who doesn’t want to see Mark getting a splash with customer drink?” Sebastian giggled wickedly.
“Why you," Mark hissed a little.
Darren who was there all along decided to join with their pity banter, “It’s been a while isn’t it?”
Sebastian nodded as he laughed which Darren joined too.
Mark was about to say something when their food finally arrived.
“Yes,” Sebastian exclaimed happily.
“I don’t know which one to eat first,” James voiced out his concerned.
Darren smiled knowingly, “Eat what you want. We mostly drink the beer.”
“Except me,” Sebastian added as his hand was digging the hamburger.
“Yes,” Darren chuckled earning a wide smirked from Mark, “Except Sebastian.”
☯☯☯☯☯
Despite the loud banging of dance music covered every inch of the room, the food was amazingly good.
They finished their dinner for a while.
Of course, Mark and Sebastian still on their banter with Darren looked at them with interest.
“I’m going to order another pack,” Mark waved his hand lightly.
“Isn’t that too much? Even for you?” Sebastian asked.
“Don’t tell me that you’ chicken out Sebs,” Mark chuckled.
Sebastian hissed a little, “I’m not.”
“Why do you guys need to fight?” Darren's cut in, “We all know I can drink more than both of you.”
“Is he drunk already?” Sebastian glanced at Mark and then at Darren.
“Are you drunk?”
Darren shook his head, “I’m not. My head is just spinning a bit. I’m good though.”
“I knew it,” Mark sighed quietly followed by a nod from Sebastian.
“What do you know?” James asked curiously.
“Darren is very easy getting drunk,” Mark replied quietly.
“Is he going to be okay?”
“Don’t worry James. We knew something like this would happen,” Sebastian giggled.
“I need another can,” Darren picked up the last tin on the table.
James sipped his drink quietly, his mind racing back to Cale.
Not sure why he has kept thinking about Cale lately.
Is he missed Cale that much?
Mark patted on James, startled James from his thought.
“You’re pretty quiet. Is everything fine?"
“Yeah,” James sighed a little, “I’m all right Mark.”
Mark glanced at Sebastian earning a nod from him.
“You know you can tell me anything James.”
“Thanks Mark but I don’t want to turn myself into a weirdo.”
Mark chuckled warmly, “Try me.”
James sighed quietly. Should he tell his problem?
“It’s about a boy.”
Mark nodded, “Is he your boyfriend?”
“God no. We’re just friend,” James shook his head.
“Okay, so what’s the problem between you and your friend?”
“I just feel nervous around him,” James replied, “I never feel like this to anyone before.”
“Do you mind elaborating nervous?” Sebastian asked as he glanced at Mark briefly.
“Yesterday morning, I was helping him with his suit, and there he was half naked.”
“Half naked?” Mark hissed angrily.
“Yeah,” James remembered how close he was with Cale at that time.
His heart was instantly racing again.
Sebastian got a hold of Mark calming him down.
“He makes you nervous right?” Sebastian piped up as he watched James carefully.
“I never feel that nervous before. It’s crazy that I have this feeling now. He’s my friend. I don’t want to ruin our friendship.”
There’s a head suddenly landed on James's right shoulder.
James sighed silently when he found Darren was the one who doing it.
“Does he feel the same way as you do?” Sebastian continued.
James shook his head, “I don’t know. Maybe he doesn’t. I’m the one who makes it weird for him.”
Mark's cut in, “Did he ever try to touch you an inappropriate way?”
James smiled awkwardly, “ No but there're a lot of staring and awkward silent.”
“Do you find him attractive?” Sebastian smirked making James blushed deeply.
“I do but I can’t be the only one who thinks he’s charming.”
Sebastian nodded in agreement, “There’s nothing wrong with admiring another man.”
“You think so?” James asked with curious.
Much to his surprised, Sebastian nodded, “What can I say, heart wants what it wants."
Mark shot a death glare toward Sebastian.
That’s not how he should handle this matter.
“James, while I think it’s cute to see you admire your friend,” Mark added, “I just want you to be careful. Can you do that for me?”
James nodded, “Yeah. Thanks for the advice Mark.”
“From now on, I will count on you to protect me,” James added with smiled against his lips.
Mark replied with equally big smiled, “I’m an expert in kick other people ass and that include your friend if he tries to force you with anything that makes you uncomfortable.”
James chuckled lightly. He didn’t want Cale to get his ass kick.
He felt a little relief though, being able to share his problem without getting judged.
“We all here if you need any help with your friend,” Sebastian winked.
James smiled, “Thanks Sebs.”
Chapter : 16/?
Author : unpublicguy
Pairing : Cames with the mention of Sark and other pairings as the story progress
Cast : Cale Mills, James Walker, cupid!Mark, cupid! Darren, cupid!Sarah, cupid!Kris and others
Rating : NC-17
Warning : This is not beta'ed
Disclaimer : I do wish that I own each and everyone who involved in this story (especially Cale Mills) but sadly it's just my imaginary overdrive again.
Summary : Not everyone is lucky in their love department, at least not for James in general. Luckily he got some helps this time around.
“Rise and shine. It’s morning.” James breathed in deeply.
It’s a love and hate relationship for James and morning.
He loves how the breezy winds blew across his face, but he hated cold shower.
Yeah, but then again, he has his hot coffee that he had been looking forward to every morning.
Still, something was missing.
Cale.
James didn't hear any news from him since yesterday.
Not that he didn’t try to text him or anything, Cale didn’t respond to his text.
He wondered if something happened at the office.
☯☯☯☯☯
“Morning James,” Darren grinned as he bumped into his new addition to the crew while he was on his way to his office.
James blinked smiled widely, “Good morning boss.”
He held up his coffee cup for Darren to see, “Want some coffee?”
Darren chuckled shook his head.
“It’s Darren, by the way, James and no thanks for the coffee.”
“You’re my boss,” James shrugged, “So there’s nothing wrong for addressing you in a certain way.”
“James come on, threw the formality,” Darren winked.
Without a warning, a big hand just drop on James and Darren's shoulder startled both guys from their conversation.
“What a great morning, don’t you think so guys?” Mark chimed in.
His face was beaming with smiled; a guitar strapped crossed his shoulder.
“Someone is happy,” Darren smiled sheepishly.
It’s unusual to see Mark like this, even for him.
“Let’s just say I’m happy because of James,” Mark beamed happily.
James chocked on his coffee listened to Mark mentioned his name.
“Because of me? But why?” James asked curiously.
Darren and Mark smirked to one another before Mark focused on Darren solely.
“Darren, I have some new idea about my performance. May I talk to you in private?”
“Yeah sure Mark,” Darren smiled, his eyes back to James, “James, I’m gonna say it again. No formality.”
“And if you have any problem, let me know immediately,” Darren winked.
“Alright,” James smiled warmly.
Darren nodded one last time before he left with Mark at his side talking animatedly.
It’s probably about Mark next performance.
Taking a deep sighed, James walked to his changing room to wear his uniform.
“Here we go,” James whispered softly.
☯☯☯☯☯
Back in the office, Mark and Darren had their own concern.
“Have James tell you anything yet?” Mark asked after his friend.
Darren shook his head, “Not yet.”
“Should we push him a little?"
“I don’t think that’s a good idea Mark.”
“I’m really worried about him. I hope they are not kissing each other yet.”
“I hope for the same thing too,” Darren sighed quietly.
If only he can read into James's mind, that would solve half of their problem.
“But he seems in a good place this morning,” Darren added.
Mark was nothing but hands on his hips, sighed deeply.
He can’t let himself screw this one up.
He knew how fragile James’s heart was.
“Let’s just keep an eye on him,” Mark remarked softly.
He let out a relief sighed as Darren nodded his head, agreed with his plan.
It’s not him to play all cool and calm.
That’s why he had Darren to play the part.
☯☯☯☯☯
“Table 45, the order is complete”
“Right on. I’m on my way,” James strutted across the table, one hand carrying the new order.
He never worked in a diner before.
Guess he's lucky to have a team that can help him there.
There were several teams to cover each part of the diner, but there're only two teams to cover for midnight shift.
One of his new friends of the team named Sebastian Smythe.
He’s the one who taught James his daily routine, which was taking order and sent the order of their area.
It would be lying if he didn’t feel nervous but Sebastian genuine smiled helped him through.
“Here’s your order. Enjoy,” James put the dishes on the table before he left to the next table.
Sebastian quietly put his hand around James's shoulder, making James startled a little.
“Sebastian,” James sighed lightly when his eyes met the familiar face.
“You’re a quick learner,” Sebastian grinned.
James glanced at Sebastian and let out a soft laughed himself.
“I try my best, even though I don’t know what I do at times.”
“You’re nervous. That’s cute.” Sebastian winked playfully making James blushed a little.
“What will you do today?” Sebastian asked quietly.
James shrugged, “I don’t know yet.”
“Tell you what? We should hang out.”
“Yeah, that’s a good idea. We should do it.”
“Great, meet me at the front door after work,” Sebastian smirked.
“Okay,” James smiled warmly while they both taking their own direction.
☯☯☯☯☯
Another day was almost passed and yet there’s no news from Cale.
“Should I call him just to check?” James sighed worriedly.
He’s flipping his phone deciding whether he should go with his gut or not.
Of course, someone needed to startle him with hand over his shoulder.
“You’re ready?” Sebastian smiled warmly; his eyes glanced on James.
He noticed rather fast James shocked expression.
“I’m sorry. I didn’t mean to-“
James shook his head; a smiled tugged at his lips, “It’s okay. You didn’t do anything wrong.”
“Come on,” Sebastian brought James over his shoulder.
James nodded quietly as he walked next to his new friend.
They didn’t walk more than five steps when they felt someone was yanked their collar from behind.
Turning around, Sebastian's spat angrily, “What’s the big idea?”
“Where do you think you go bringing my boy like this?” Mark asked angrily.
“Your boy?” Sebastian smirked evil.
James looked back and forth between Sebastian and Mark.
Even though there’s clearly shown how angry Mark's was, Sebastian didn’t back out either.
Instead, his smirked grew widely.
Even he felt confused at the time.
Did Sebastian do something wrong here?
“Another fight?” Darren popped out of nowhere, stood firmly between Mark and Sebastian.
“Sebastian,” Darren glanced over the tall slim guy carefully, “What’s going on here?”
Sebastian shrugged innocently, “Just hang out with James. I don’t know what the big deal is.”
“Don’t you have better thing to do?” Darren asked quietly.
“Oh come on, Darren,” Sebastian sighed warmly, “Even my boy needs some alone time.”
“Wait…wait…wait,” James cut in, making them all looked at him for the first time.
“Did anyone of you is actually..... gay?” James asked quietly.
He shocked when those three men were laughing at his question.
He didn’t say anything funny.
“No,” Sebastian grinned widely, his head shocked in disbelief, “Neither one of us is gay.”
“But you guys just said my boy, and that include me,” James asked.
“Damn right,” Mark beamed brightly, “I saved your ass before, didn’t I?”
“That’s true, but I’m still confused,” James scratch his head.
Is this some kind of inside joke?
He’s sure not getting any of it.
“Come on,” Darren smiled warmly, “Let’s go grab some dinner, my treat,"
James shrugged quietly, “But you haven’t answered my question.”
Darren chuckled lightly.
James was sure stubborn, just like Mark had mentioned before.
Meanwhile, there’s another banter going on between Mark and Sebastian.
“You almost blow our cover,” Mark gritted his jaw, hissed angrily.
“I’m the one who in fault?” Sebastian smirked widely, “You the one who decides to butt in a few minutes ago.”
“You know damn well that James is under my protection.”
“You need to cool off a little. I’m here to help you and Darren.”
“What makes you think we need your help?” Mark spat angrily.
“James needs a friend who can relate to him. I don’t think he will run to his boss or his barely known friend for help,” Sebastian sighed quietly.
“You have a point.”
“I know what I’m doing,” Sebastian grinned cheekily, “Trust me that will be over tonight.”
“You think so?” Mark asked curiously.
“Did you know he was checking his phone when I found him?” Sebastian lifted his eyebrow; curiosity filled in his voice.
“Something happened to James, am I right?” Mark asked quietly.
“We will find out tonight.” Sebastian replied quietly.
☯☯☯☯☯
Looking at the place, James sighed silently.
Didn’t Darren mention something about getting a dinner?
“You’re not looking happy,” Darren smiled warmly to the confused James.
“I thought you said something about dinner?” James asked as he glanced at Darren briefly.
“They serve food here too James.”
“Like real food?”
“Come on,” Darren chuckled as they made their way to the table.
Mark and Sebastian already got their own spot.
“I’m hungry,” Sebastian grumped quietly.
Mark waved his hand on the air asking for a waitress.
A girl dressed with stripped red uniform came over to their table.
A warm smiled tugged at her lips.
“Your order please?”
“Hamburger for me,” Sebastian quickly requested his order.
James cut in, “I want that too.”
“Make it two please,” Sebastian smiled and winked.
“Can I get some fries and nugget?” Mark asked
The waitress nodded and wrote on her order list.
“Let’s have some side,” Darren remarked, "four plates of spaghetti.”
The girl nodded as she kept writing to the paper.
“How about drinks?” She smiled warmly.
“One pack of Bud Light and a large cup of float,” Mark ordered for the guys.
The girl nodded again smiling, “Your order will be arrived in a few minute.”
“Thank you,” Sebastian replied warmly.
His eyes back on the table when the waitress left their table.
“What float Mark?”
James shrugged, “It’s when they put ice cream inside a soft drink.”
His eyes averted to Mark curiously, “How did you know that I like float?”
“Who doesn’t love float?” Mark shrugged quietly.
“Right….” James eyes his friend quietly.
“Gentleman,” Darren cut in, “How’s work today?”
“James here is a quick learner,” Sebastian smirked widely.
James blushed, “No I’m not.”
“Isn’t he’s the best?” Mark wrapped James by the shoulder, earning a few chuckled from Darren and Sebastian.
“Let’s talk about something else,” James lowered his head feeling embarrassed.
Why do they need to compliment him all the time?
“Okay, so I was attending this one lady,” Sebastian picked up quickly.
“What happened?” Darren asked curiously.
“She accuses me for taking her order wrongly,” Sebastian replied.
“Maybe she’s right,” Mark smirked widely, “I know how you work.”
“Geez, thanks Mark. Your word really does comfort me,” Sebastian snarled back.
Mark shrugged smirking widely, “You’re welcome. I know I can make you feel better.”
“It’s my first day at work, so I don’t have anything to share yet,” James added.
Mark looked over at James said, “If someone messed with you, let me know. I’ll come and settle for you.”
“I’ll keep that in mind,” James chuckled.
“I encourage for you to do the same James,” Sebastian added.
“Why?” James and Mark asked in the same time.
They both looked at each other before focused on Sebastian again.
“Who doesn’t want to see Mark getting a splash with customer drink?” Sebastian giggled wickedly.
“Why you," Mark hissed a little.
Darren who was there all along decided to join with their pity banter, “It’s been a while isn’t it?”
Sebastian nodded as he laughed which Darren joined too.
Mark was about to say something when their food finally arrived.
“Yes,” Sebastian exclaimed happily.
“I don’t know which one to eat first,” James voiced out his concerned.
Darren smiled knowingly, “Eat what you want. We mostly drink the beer.”
“Except me,” Sebastian added as his hand was digging the hamburger.
“Yes,” Darren chuckled earning a wide smirked from Mark, “Except Sebastian.”
☯☯☯☯☯
Despite the loud banging of dance music covered every inch of the room, the food was amazingly good.
They finished their dinner for a while.
Of course, Mark and Sebastian still on their banter with Darren looked at them with interest.
“I’m going to order another pack,” Mark waved his hand lightly.
“Isn’t that too much? Even for you?” Sebastian asked.
“Don’t tell me that you’ chicken out Sebs,” Mark chuckled.
Sebastian hissed a little, “I’m not.”
“Why do you guys need to fight?” Darren's cut in, “We all know I can drink more than both of you.”
“Is he drunk already?” Sebastian glanced at Mark and then at Darren.
“Are you drunk?”
Darren shook his head, “I’m not. My head is just spinning a bit. I’m good though.”
“I knew it,” Mark sighed quietly followed by a nod from Sebastian.
“What do you know?” James asked curiously.
“Darren is very easy getting drunk,” Mark replied quietly.
“Is he going to be okay?”
“Don’t worry James. We knew something like this would happen,” Sebastian giggled.
“I need another can,” Darren picked up the last tin on the table.
James sipped his drink quietly, his mind racing back to Cale.
Not sure why he has kept thinking about Cale lately.
Is he missed Cale that much?
Mark patted on James, startled James from his thought.
“You’re pretty quiet. Is everything fine?"
“Yeah,” James sighed a little, “I’m all right Mark.”
Mark glanced at Sebastian earning a nod from him.
“You know you can tell me anything James.”
“Thanks Mark but I don’t want to turn myself into a weirdo.”
Mark chuckled warmly, “Try me.”
James sighed quietly. Should he tell his problem?
“It’s about a boy.”
Mark nodded, “Is he your boyfriend?”
“God no. We’re just friend,” James shook his head.
“Okay, so what’s the problem between you and your friend?”
“I just feel nervous around him,” James replied, “I never feel like this to anyone before.”
“Do you mind elaborating nervous?” Sebastian asked as he glanced at Mark briefly.
“Yesterday morning, I was helping him with his suit, and there he was half naked.”
“Half naked?” Mark hissed angrily.
“Yeah,” James remembered how close he was with Cale at that time.
His heart was instantly racing again.
Sebastian got a hold of Mark calming him down.
“He makes you nervous right?” Sebastian piped up as he watched James carefully.
“I never feel that nervous before. It’s crazy that I have this feeling now. He’s my friend. I don’t want to ruin our friendship.”
There’s a head suddenly landed on James's right shoulder.
James sighed silently when he found Darren was the one who doing it.
“Does he feel the same way as you do?” Sebastian continued.
James shook his head, “I don’t know. Maybe he doesn’t. I’m the one who makes it weird for him.”
Mark's cut in, “Did he ever try to touch you an inappropriate way?”
James smiled awkwardly, “ No but there're a lot of staring and awkward silent.”
“Do you find him attractive?” Sebastian smirked making James blushed deeply.
“I do but I can’t be the only one who thinks he’s charming.”
Sebastian nodded in agreement, “There’s nothing wrong with admiring another man.”
“You think so?” James asked with curious.
Much to his surprised, Sebastian nodded, “What can I say, heart wants what it wants."
Mark shot a death glare toward Sebastian.
That’s not how he should handle this matter.
“James, while I think it’s cute to see you admire your friend,” Mark added, “I just want you to be careful. Can you do that for me?”
James nodded, “Yeah. Thanks for the advice Mark.”
“From now on, I will count on you to protect me,” James added with smiled against his lips.
Mark replied with equally big smiled, “I’m an expert in kick other people ass and that include your friend if he tries to force you with anything that makes you uncomfortable.”
James chuckled lightly. He didn’t want Cale to get his ass kick.
He felt a little relief though, being able to share his problem without getting judged.
“We all here if you need any help with your friend,” Sebastian winked.
James smiled, “Thanks Sebs.”