Thread: An Unexpected Romance [Xanatos and Sigr]

Alex was mostly focused on the food, trying to think of something to say to Mike, something to ease his doubts. He'd find something soon enough, no doubt, but what could that be. Austin sounded like the voice of reason to her, saying that Mike should do what he wanted, but that was one thing and finding that calling another one entirely different. She frowned a bit, unable to puzzle the situation, specially when Seth of all people, reached to Mike, touching him gently, a strange show of affection that she couldn't quite decipher. Yeah, there are things a parent doesn't want to hear, and liking Mike's cooking more is one of them she continued Austin's joke, feeling a bit awkward and focusing her attentions on the plate. Mike was surprised by Seth's gesture, but he didn't even flinch. Ah- he just mumbled, catching himself thinking the same thing twice in a few minutes, about how cute Seth was when blushed. Thank you he just said before Austin started to talk about Alex's parents food, the fleeting thought he had about Seth still floating in his mind. It was normal, right? After all he had that long hair, that small smile, finding him cute meant nothing. Anyone would find him cute and that wouldn't mean a thing. Mike got a good chunk of sauce dripping pork into his mouth, savoring it and distracting himself with his cooking. The idea was basic and it worked, maybe a little too rich, but he didn't make dessert, so it was fine if it was a little bit on the overwhelming side. As the meal progressed he found himself eating more than usual, almost matching Alex's eagerness when it was strange on him. It was tasty and the plums were in season, but even if it wasn't just that he had enough to process, and resisted to add anything else. Seth's worked breath made him look, wondering what was going on, finally noticing that he almost didn't touch his food. He knew it, it was something about the girl he had drawn, she was part of his troubles. As Austin was easing him up, Mike and Alex nodded in silence, trying to look reassuring. Mike was left in awe, glancing for a moment to his hand where Seth had comforted him, then back at Seth. Alex was wide eyed, but she slowly nodded, as if the pieced were starting to fit in her mind. Mike had been terribly right and horribly wrong about the sketch at the same time, and leaving the cutlery he was about to reach Seth when Austin tried to speak, prompting Seth's escape. Mike looked dumbfounded while Austin went for the sketchbook and back, his mind drawing a blank. He wasn't specially informed about that and his family wasn't precisely forward thinking, so he wasn't quite equipped for such a thing. Seth doesn't know the city... was all that he mumbled, before getting up from the table. Alex looked at Mike, reading him like an open book. We'll be here in case Seth comes back, pick your phone she instructed, more focused than the couple of boys. Mike just grabbed his phone and bolted out to the street, trying to guess where could have Seth gone, ready to ask around for the redheaded boy. But he's not... he mumbled stopping for a moment, then resuming his search. What a first day of school Alex said back at the house, dragging her chair next to Austin's and holding him close, passing her arm over his shoulder. Try to be positive, try to be supportive. Now you now what was going on this entire time she said, her voice lower and more gentle than it had been that entire day, looking at the pages of the sketchbook. I know that we have just met, but I'll be there for you two, and Mike... well, he has just bolted out after Seth, so it goes without saying she nodded. It must be weird, being twins Alex realized.