forum put me back together (one on one/closed)

Started August 10, 2018 by @_sleeby_rat_

tune

Should we skip to after work? Or do you want something to happen?//

Ohhhh, yes! I like that idea!//

(aight, cool)

Bastian watched Halo walk around, though was distracted when a few spotlights trained on the large center stage. He looked around curiously for a moment, but his heart stopped when he saw Argo's boyfriend at the bar a couple yards away. He sank back, knowing that wasn't a good sign. When his attention returned to the stage, a tall, well-muscled man was making his way onto the stage. Bastian's heart caught in his throat when he and Argo's eyes met

Ohhhh boy…//

Halo glances up when the dancer enters the stage. He glances at Bastian, his eyes growing with concern since Bastian seemed occupied with something else… or someone. He's heart catches in his throat as he sees the man Bastian was staring at. The man was handsome, he had to admit. Was Bastian… no… he wouldn't. He took a breath. No assuming. Just… work.

(oh nvm it's Bastian's ex
STILL YO)

(canonically Bastian's only had two real relationships, one of which was with Argo and another comes later in his story but I left that out)

Bastian looked away quickly, a faint blush rising to his cheeks. Argo didn't seem to care how he looked away. Before long he was dancing on the stage, Argo's boyfriend whooping and hollering from the bar. Though when he saw Bastian oggling Argo, he almost immediately got up and slid into the seat opposite Bastian. "Well, well. You stalking my boyfriend again?" he asked. Bastian looked away, putting on a sort of annoyed facade

Halo gulps softly, keeping his gaze away from Bastian. He didn't know what he would see if he did. He glances back, waving at Bastian, closed eyes and wide smile, though he wasn't sure if his lover saw him. He takes a deep breath, turning away as he starts to work.

Bastian caught sight of Halo, though unfortunately it made him look like he was trying to get a better look at Argo. The dancer's boyfriend snarled at that. "I thought I told you not to fucking look at him like that again," he hissed before getting to his feet. Bastian didn't even have time to explain before he was being shoved to the ground

Halo looks back, seeing Bastian forced down by another guy. He bites his lips before walking briskly towards them. "Excuse me, sir. Do you have a problem?" He asks, glaring intensely at the man on top of Bastian. "I'd appreciate it if you removed yourself from him."

The man looked over at him, not recognizing him at first. "And what are you, huh? This ugly bastard's fling of the week?" the man hissed. Bastian got to his feet, growling.

"No one talks to my boyfriend like that," he hissed. At that, the man started laughing.

"Oh, that's cute. Boyfriend? Really? You haven't had one of those since Argo, and even then he was only sleeping with you out of pity. You're a damn snake, though I guess that makes sense considering where you're from."

Halo glances at the man, his eyes narrowing. "I don't know who you are. I don't really give a shit. But no one talks to him like that and gets away with it. I don't care about Bastian's past quarrels with you but if I need to escort you out of this bar myself, I will." He growls. He glances at Bastian, a little hurt in his eyes but then he returns his gaze towards the man.

The man laughed again. "Oh, that's fucking cute. You've got a pipsqueak to defend your honor now." He didn't have time to say anything else before Bastian was slamming his fist into his jaw. He went to punch the man again, but was held back by the dancer from before.

"Bastian! Get the hell off him!" Argo shouted, grabbing Bastian by the arm and dragging him up. Bastian flailed a bit before righting himself. When he turned to look at who had stopped him, he felt his heart in his throat again.

"Oh, uh. H-Hey, Argo," he said with a sort of forced smile

Halo squeaks softly, watching Bastian punch the other man. Halo was a little hurt by the name calling, but jumped when Bastian threw a punch at the man, then was held back by the dancer. "Bastian? Who's this?" He asks softly, his clear eyes filled with worry an fear. These two men were better looking, stronger and… well… better than Halo in every possible way. He always feared abandonment… but Bastian wasn't that shallow.

"Halo, love, this is…this is Argo and his boyfriend," Bastian said slowly. "Argo is…Argo is my ex," he said before looking off to the side. The dancer, Argo, rolled his eyes.

"Yeah, yeah, we dated maybe fifty years ago. Not a big deal. What is a big deal is that for some reason Bastian just can't seem to keep his hands to himself when he wants to break my boyfriend's nose," Argo said bitterly

Halo glances at Bastian, then towards Argo. "Halo." he says softly, extending his hand. "Nice to meet you." he says quietly. He looks towards Bastian. "He wouldn't do anything unless he's provoked." he says, brushing some hair from his face.

Argo shook Halo's hand with a small smile, though it quickly fell when Bastian started talking. "Your fucking boyfriend did provoke me. The bastard was insulting my boyfriend," he sneered. Argo's boyfriend simply rolled his eyes.

"Yeah, sure. He probably just looked at you and you thought it was a good idea to give him a bloody nose," Argo scoffed

"Guys, easy…" Halo says. He takes Bastians hand gently. "Calm down." he says softly. He looks towards Argo, "Sorry about that… I didn't know. I'm actually used to being insulted, so I take no offence at this point." he shakes his head, chuckling softly, "And, I'm really sorry about losing my temper with you." He glances towards Argo's current boyfriend. He laces his fingers gently is Bastians.

Argo's boyfriend rolled his eyes. "Whatever. Let's just go," he said before taking Argo's hand and dragging him off towards the exit. Bastian watched them go, something almost like sadness flicking across his features for a moment before he looked away

Halo released his hand, walking back towards his tray and getting back to work. He said nothing to Bastian. He knew Bastian needed time.

Bastian pushed open the door to the apartment, almost immediately flopping down onto the couch and throwing his jacket over his face. He hadn't changed yet, so he was still in his sleeveless security t-shirt and his knuckles were now obviously cracked and bruised

Halo walks past him, changing in the other room. He looked defeated and tired. His blonde hair was a mess on the top of his head. He collapses on the bed, curling in on himself.

Bastian eventually forced himself up. He walked into the bedroom, flopping down next to Halo before wrapping his arms around him. "Do I still get that reward?" he asked jokingly, his voice a bit drained-sounding as he spoke

Halo turned around and nuzzles his face into Bastians chest. It hurt… a lot… when Argo's boyfriend hand insulted him, and he had seen one of his abusers. He squeezes his eyes shut, trying not to cry.