Just Follow the Directions (Attn: Alexander)

Eiryk was having a -very- hard time concentrating, Alexander had promised to come over for dinner and a movie. That was very -very- happy news for him. It might have him a little optimistic too. But Eiryk was trying very hard not to get his hopes up and respect Alexander's boundaries. Of course, boundaries changed all the time...

It wasn't until that day before that it occurred to Eiryk that Alexander might actually want to eat dinner. Well that was a pickle. He had no food and hadn't cooked in, well actually he couldn't remember. What an exciting challenge. He'd run out to buy a cookbook and then called for some groceries. He had no idea what he'd ordered but the instructions he'd given were to cover everything in the recipe for Cornish game hens he's picked out and then to stock a basic kitchen. His fridge looked a lot different with food in it.

Alexander should be here, soon, and he had planned to have the birds in the oven before Alexander arrived but Eiryk was very confused. Alternately staring at the cookbook and staring at poultry. He was starting to think hunting was considerably easier.

Alex Aristos 13 years ago
Alex would have been lying if he said he didn't stand outside Liefde for a few minutes letting the enormous building intimidate him. In a good way, he supposed. It was impressive. And massive.

He hadn't expected to be greeted by a disembodied head on the wall when he entered the building. If the hair on the back of his neck could have stood up, it would have. As it was, conscious of the two or three people in the lobby with him, he affected impartiality and did his best to act like he did this all the time. She seemed to know who he was when he gave his name, and he gaped only slightly as she lit him a path toward the elevators.

Cool.

Alex got off on the twelfth floor, turned down the hallway, walked ten feet, turned around, and went back the other way until he found Eiryk's door. He paused only a moment before knocking. In the past couple weeks they'd gotten together three more times and had a great time. There was no reason to hesitate in coming here, except...

Except that at some point Eiryk would want to get closer to him, see where he lived, and Alex didn't exactly have a posh Nachton skyrise to offer. He was probably an interior decorator's worst nightmare.

Or best dream.

Alex knocked softly on the door.
Eiryk 13 years ago
Eiryk practically charged the door. He did charge the door, trip over his shoe lace, realize he hadn't washed his hands, ran back to the kitchen washed his hands, charged back to the door and stumbled into it. It was a damned good thing he was immortal or he'd have killed himself ages ago. Giving himself a chance to regain his composure and let Alexander in. He did wait until the door was closed, out of respect for Alexander, before he kissed him.

Once he was satisfied Alexander wasn't going to run away he read his T-shirt. Eiryk had found Alexander's wardrobe to be highly amusing, and very flattering. Chuckling his approval he took Alexander's hand and led him to the kitchen.


"Make yourself comfortable, I'm sure there is something in the fridge to drink."Â?

He hoped. Eiryk though they had brought some juice and soda, but he wasn't sure.

"Or tea? Coffee? Something stronger? I had meant to have these ready when you got here but... it seems to be taking a bit longer than I figured."Â?

Or he could be stuck, on step one. But he wasn't quite ready to admit that to Alexander. Eiryk fully planed on looking competent in the kitchen. You know, like a human.
Alex Aristos 13 years ago
Alexander waited for a few moments while he listened to the noises from within, trying to guess at what was happening. Someone at the door - enthusiastic greeting with a near-faceplant. No, retreating footsteps... running water... hrm, fixing his hair? Washing hands, possibly. Okay, running footsteps sans faceplant... no, no, there's the trip and the fall...

And then the door was opening and Eiryk's cheerful face was framed within. Alex stepped in and almost got a greeting out before the door closed once more and Eiryk was molded pretty comfortably against him, giving Alex what he'd come to realize was his usual enthusiastic greeting. Alex returned the kiss gladly, much more comfortable here than anywhere else they'd seen each other.

Eiryk was dressed comfortably, for Eiryk, in khakis and a button down shirt. Alex was considerably more casual, well-worn jeans hugging his thighs, a long-sleeved fitted blue shirt on top with a grey tee over that. He stood still to let Eiryk read it but kept his arms loosely around the blonde's waist.


"Hi," he said with a grin, finally. "I'll have whatever you're having."

He watched Eiryk's face closely, still learning his expressions. What Alexander was getting now was not Eiryk's style at all, but also not difficult to read. Clearly whatever was happening in the kitchen wasn't going well, if it was going at all.

Carefully Alex removed his hands from Eiryk's waist and took the other man's hands in his. Slowly, he inspected them front and back, then counted.


"Well. You still have all ten. It can't be going too badly. Maybe four hands can get it done."
Eiryk 13 years ago
This was down right cuddly for Alexander and Eiryk was doing his best not to behave like a schoolgirl. The boy was -so- coming over here more often if it got him to loosen up.

Well that was brave. Eiryk had chilled and opened a bottle of mead. It was one he'd made himself, it was rather dry with very subtle pumpkin over tones and some balanced spice notes. It was fall after all and he'd felt like embracing the season, but it didn't hit you over the head and scream 'pumpkin pie'. It was light enough that it could be served with dinner or as a before dinner drink. Eiryk was rightly, he thought, proud of it. He poured them both a glass and set it near Alexander's hand.

Willingly he let Alexander take his hands and just watched as Alexander counted them. He chuckled at the joke made at his expense. When you spent as much time walking into things as he did you -had- to laugh at it and he loved that Alexander would tease him.


"Neither rain, nor snow, nor missing digits shall cause me to miss a date!"Â?

Eiryk boldly declared. Not bothering to point out that the fingers would regenerate, eventually.

"Oh good. I'd left of here..."Â?

Doing his best not to look at Alexander Eiryk pointed to the first instruction, something about kitchen scissors, right after the list of ingredients.
Alex Aristos 13 years ago
Alexander's smile came more readily now that he was learning Eiryk's ways. He really was friendly, he really was that enthusiastic, and he really was in danger of losing a limb in a tragic game-hen roasting disaster. Alexander looked down at the cookbook while Eiryk poured them a glass of something light-colored from a bottle. Ambitious. But not impossible.

He picked up his glass an sipped absently, then glanced at the contents and took another sip.
"What is this?" he asked Eiryk. "It's good."

Alexander glanced down at the book again, not so concerned with the recipe. He wasn't bad in the kitchen. He could not only follow a recipe but his own experiments were generally edible and, in some cases, tasty. He wasn't surprised at Eiryk's choice. Several dates thus far had proven that Eiryk had a tendency to bite off more then he could chew, which was, oddly enough, complimentary to Alex's own tendency to bite off nothing at all and stay in the background doing zilch.

The concern right now was finding something for Eiryk to do in this recipe that wouldn't cause pain or suffering. Not that Eiryk was in any way inept, but trouble seemed to follow him everywhere. Eiryk wasn't a disaster waiting to happen; he was a disaster in progress. Damage control went a long way.


"Why don't you start here, and I'll work on chopping?" Kitchen shears weren't deadly. Alex would take care of the knife work.

Proceeding in an organized fashion, Alex found what they needed and washed his hands, then set to work.
Eiryk 13 years ago
"Mead."Â?

Eiryk answered with a little bit of pride once Alexander admitted to liking it. He let himself brag just a little.

"Its one I made myself."Â?

Standing much closer than he actually needed to Eiryk peered at the cookbook with Alexander. The difference was that Alexander seemed to understand what he was looking at, where Eiryk had wasted a half an hour looking for more pictures to help explain things.

It tickled him to have Alexander take charge. He didn't seem to be opposed to taking charge and he certainly wasn't inept. Alexander just seemed to need a little bit of encouragement here and there. A tiny little push and then he was fine.


"I think I can manage that."Â?

At least he hoped he could.

"But If I did cut myself you'd kiss it and make it better right?"Â?

He didn't dare look up from the job he'd been given for fear he really would cut himself and have to explain the whole very fast healing thing. But his eyes danced as he happily flirted with Alexander.

It was odd that he should be so comfortable with Alexander so quickly. Eiryk, however, chose not to look a gift horse in the mouth.
Alex Aristos 13 years ago
Alexander took another look at the clear golden liquid in the glass on the counter where he stood. "Wow," he said, "nicely done."

He knew a few people who brewed their own ales but he'd never had an opportunity to sample. The mead was sweet and spicy at the same time. Alexander could taste fruit but he couldn't place it right away. He didn't try to; he was no expert on the subject and was more than happy to enjoy the result of the process now and then.

Eiryk's flirting didn't go unnoticed as they each bent to their separate tasks. Alex was quick with the knife, mincing garlic and dicing onions and celery in the quantities directed by Eiryk's cookbook. Eiryk seemed to have the arrangement of the birds under control, although Alex had to laugh a little when he broke focus to be flip.

Alex smiled at Eiryk's turned back.
"Of course," he said. "If for no other reason than the fact that someone told me last week bloodstains were totally out this year."

Not that there weren't other reasons, not the least of which was that kissing Eiryk seemed mildly addictive. Alexander had to watch himself. Eiryk's manner was infectious sometimes - most of the time. Alexander didn't want to seem, well, easy.

Setting aside the vegetables he began to work on the next step of the cooking process. It didn't look like a lot of prep; he thought they'd have dinner in the oven within the next ten minutes.


"These are going to be a couple hours before they're done," Alex said, looking down at the book once more. It was going to be an awfully late dinner. But, the excuse to hang out was welcome; they hadn't set a time limit on this particular night and, Alex though as his face turned red, tomorrow was Saturday. The store opened late.
Eiryk 13 years ago
"It's a hobby. But I'm glad you like it."Â?

He was too. It was a good brew and he knew it, but somehow it seemed better now that it had Alexander's approval. If they both hadn't been playing with sharp kitchen utensils Eiryk would have pulled Alexander to him and kissed him for the compliment.

He felt just a little bad that things weren't ready to go. He had meant to feed Alexander not starve him. But it was hard to keep feeling bad when they were playing in the kitchen together. It felt so damned cozy and domestic. Not that Eiryk had a lot of domestic skill, he tended to hire everything out, but still.


"You'd save me from a fashion faux pas? That is... generous, no sweet, no brave! Maybe all of the above."Â?

Finished with the birds and Alexander being finished with the rest of it they quickly combined things as directed by the recipe and shoved the birds in the oven.

"Good! Now wash your hands and let's go start that movie."Â?

Eiryk quickly washed his own hands and waited for Alexander to do the same before guiding the other man to the living room.

"Now what did you not want to watch."Â?

He said with a grin that managed to combine sweet, innocent and flirtatious.
Alex Aristos 13 years ago
"Oh, I don't know about all of that," Alexander said in response to Eiryk's teasing. "It was your own advice anyway, I can't take credit."

Eiryk had been the one to say it after cracking his knee hard enough on a bench seat to draw blood. While his pants were beyond repair the cut had closed up quickly enough and had been the subject of much light ribbing.

Alex obediently wrapped up the last of the ingredients they'd used, stashed them back in Eiryk's fridge, and washed up at the sink.
"I don't know," he said, not really sure what Eiryk considered a good movie. "Something old, maybe." Alex loved classics. Well, pretty much anything went but he did like black and whites.

Eiryk's living room was just as unreal as the kitchen. Interior design apparently did pay for some people. It was clean and fairly simple but nothing looked old or even inexpensive. The home theater was enough to make Alex consider building a small shrine. He couldn't even begin to figure out what was where in Eiryk's collection of movies so he just took a seat on the sofa and nodded his approval when the blonde fished around a little and flashed a copy of the Maltese Falcon at him with a questioning look.
Eiryk 13 years ago
"Oh shut up and rescue me. It might be fun."Â?

Eiryk teased right back and then mentally proceeded to dress Alexander in some armor and put him on a horse just to see if he liked the picture. It wasn't bad. He did, however, manage to stop himself before putting Alexander on a long ship or in a toga though. All in good time he reminded himself.

His little trip through the bookstore had Eiryk in a detective sort of mood and he'd started gravitating to that part of his collection.


"I knew as soon as you accepted the second date you had good taste. This just confirms it."Â?

Eiryk bubbled a bit as Alexander gave him permission to look for something old. Eiryk just hope Alexander's enjoyment of old things stretched from movies to him because Eiryk was... old to say the least. But he digressed, black and white was just so much more romantic and he had the perfect movie.

Having gotten the movie up and running he settled himself on the sofa next to Alexander, but he was on his best behavior. It hurt. But Eiryk just kept telling himself he was letting Alexander set the pace. He didn't want to push too hard and chase him away. So instead of getting all grabby and forward he just left himself open subtly encouraging Alexander to cuddle, just a little. Which would progress... he hoped... a lot...
Alex Aristos 13 years ago
Alexander had to laugh again at Eiryk's teasing. He had figured out early on that Eiryk's good humor would spill over into nearly any situation and as much as he tried to be on good behavior, Eiryk loved to tease and didn't often hold back. Alex didn't mind; he wasn't the funny-man Eiryk could be but he could still enjoy a joke.

They were soon settled on the couch, lights turned down low, the smell of roasting chicken wafting from the kitchen. Alex couldn't help being aware of Eiryk next to him. Even in the dim light his sunny-blonde hair seemed bright. His blue eyes were intent on the enormous screen of the TV but they still somehow managed to sparkle with some kind of inner amusement.

As the opening credits began to roll and the introduction flashed up on the screen, Alex held his arm up in invitation. It wasn't as if Eiryk hadn't given every indication of desire. Instead he respected Alex, who wasn't unwilling... just worried about taking on more commitment than he needed right now. It wasn't hard to find that sort of integrity even more appealing

When Eiryk turned with a question in his eyes, Alex smiled softly.
"I don't bite." He kept his arm raised until Eiryk moved then settled it down again around his shoulders, unaccustomed to but enjoying the sudden warmth and weight against his side.

If he wasn't careful he could get used to this.
Eiryk 13 years ago
Oh! Invitation accepted! Trying not to behave like a sock with a ferocious case of static cling Eiryk slid over and snuggled himself up against Alexander. If he wasn't careful he might start purring. Not that Eiryk had -any- trouble making the first move but it was more than welcome when Alexander did. It was a tiny bit or reassurance, confirmation so small Eiryk wasn't even really aware he needed those affirmations.

"You could if you wanted. I don't think I'd mind."Â?

He'd -love- to bite. But he couldn't, not yet, and he knew it. Eiryk had made sure to go out hunting the night before, he didn't really -need- too. He was old enough to go a while without eating, but he knew full well that being around Alexander was just going to making him hungry. A meal the night before kept that primal drive under control. Other primal drives he was having more trouble with, but one thing at a time.

Comfortably snuggled together and mostly watching the movie Eiryk slowly slid an arm of his own around Alexander. After another minute or two, when that wasn't rejected he almost idly, casually started letting his fingers drift through Alexander's hair, over the soft skin of his neck, around his ear. Anything he could do to be distracting and encouraging with out being completely obnoxious.
Alex Aristos 13 years ago
Alex was definitely staring at the television but he was having a really difficult time following the movie because Eiryk's fingers were too distracting. It had been far too long since he'd been with anyone; longer still since the someone had been a person in whom he was genuinely interested in spending time with beyond a few weeks of dating. Of course he didn't know Eiryk inside and out yet but he wanted to.

For the first twenty minutes of the movie Alex suffered through each feather-light caress in silence. Come on, Alex, he thought as Eiryk's fingertips on the back of his neck nearly made his hair stand up in pleasure. What did you think you were going to do when he invited you to his place? Chutes and Ladders?

"Oh fuck it."

Alex's words surprised himself as much as they did Eiryk, but not as much as his next action, which was to reach over with his free hand, tilt Eiryk's chin up, and kiss him soundly upon his mischievous, smiling lips.
Bastard, Alex thought fondly. But he was a fan of compromise. After all, Eiryk had clearly been trying to respect Alexander's wishes. It was only fair to accommodate Eiryk as well.

That was justification enough for Alex, for the moment.
Eiryk 13 years ago
He hadn't gotten slapped yet. That was a good sign. And so Eiryk continued to pretend to watch the movie, while watching Alexander as subtly as possible to see what little touches and teases got the best reactions.

When Alexander apparently gave in to temptation Eiryk was torn between cheering and laughing. The laughing won out and his rich chuckle melded into the kiss.

Give an inch Eiryk was liable to take a mile most days but tonight he only wanted a yard or two. Slowly, coaxing Alexander along he deepened the kiss, just a little at a time. He did try and keep his hands to himself but, it would have been easier to ask Eiryk not to burst into flames in the noon day sun. With a little growl he got slightly more aggressive. One arm pulled Alexander closer to him and the other started exploring, just shoulders arms and upper chest, see how good he was being.

Dear god, even through the clothing it was obvious Alexander was in good shape.

Was he supposed to say something here? Were they making out or talking? He was all over making out. He was listening for Alexander, for any cue that said 'no' or 'too much'. He didn't want to hear those, but he was listening. So far he liked Alexander far too much to just take advantage of him and ditch him.
Alex Aristos 13 years ago
Alexander didn't object to being pulled closer, nor did he mind Eiryk's trailing hand. It was enough, though, to kiss him gently, thoroughly, fiercely, softly. His heart was racing in that excited almost-too-fast way of something new happening and the movie was all but forgotten.

Not that either of them was in any hurry to get wherever they were going. At least, Alex didn't think they were. If they could figure out where they were going. He was, honestly, content to slowly taste his way to Eiryk's neck, enjoying the clean scent of his clothing mingled with whatever it was that made him just him.

Alex finally wrapped his arms around Eiryk's waist and leaned back against the arm of the couch, bringing the blonde with him as he sank back onto the soft leather. At that point they pulled back a little bit, settling into a far slower, far lazier pace. By mutual consent they turned half their attention back to the movie. Eiryk, several inches shorter than Alex, fit snugly half alongside and half on top of him, his head resting at Alexander's shoulder. Every minute or three he would move slightly and Alex would tilt his head down and kiss him again.

Eiryk's hand continued its lazy travels along Alex's side, lingering mischievously when it found a spot that tickled. Alex, for his part, managed to undo several of the buttons on Eiryk's shirt and slide both hands in with a pleased little noise. This didn't serve to cool things down any.

By the time the movie was drawing to a close Alex realized they'd seen little of it and managed to make out for plenty of it. And, oddly enough, he was just fine with that. Lying there with Eiryk felt good. He didn't feel intimidated. The feeling that Eiryk was just looking for a fun fling was wearing off, possibly because he seemed to be enjoying this too.

The idea led to more kissing. And that led to more buttons. And that led to a generous amount of steam in the air over Alex's head while his ears rang incessantly.


Huh. That wasn't right.

Suddenly Alex realized what was happening. He pulled himself away from Eiryk slightly and gripped his shoulders.


"Eiryk, how long has the timer been going off?"
Eiryk 13 years ago
When Alexander pulled Eiryk too him... well Eiryk thought he was going to have a little bit of a seizure. There was very little doubt how much he was enjoying himself and everything he got from Alexander said the same. Oddly enough though, he was relieved when they both pulled back just a little. His fangs had made an appearance and Eiryk was -not- ready to explain those.

He was happy enough to play a lazier game, it let him get a little bit of a handle on himself and resume his secret identity as a mild mannered human. Granted that wasn't easy as they kept teasing and playing with each other but he managed. Although he was very pleased with the fact that Alexander had gotten a few of his buttons undone and he'd gotten his hands under those soft clinging shirts of Alexander's.

Mmmm... more kissing. Eiryk had just buried his hands in Alexander's hair when Alexander finally pulled away. Eiryk was just preparing to pout when he realized he'd been asked a question.


"Timer?"Â?

What was he talking about, timer? And what was that damned buzzing ringing sound? And why was there chicken smelling fog in the living room?

Apparently, Alexander had a better idea than Eiryk what was going on because the next thing Eiryk knew Alexander had jumped up, dumping Eiryk on the floor. Not that Eiryk wasn't used to winding up on the floor but this was not how he usually got there.

Pulling himself up he looked toward the kitchen, confused, and followed after Alexander, gradually understanding it was his oven that had been making that noise. Huh, ovens made noise.


"We were supposed to pay attention to that weren't we?"Â?
Alex Aristos 13 years ago
Eiryk's blank stare was information enough. Alex heaved the smaller man from the couch ("Oh my God, we're going to burn your apartment down!") and ran to the kitchen, where a steady stream of smoke was coming from the oven.

"Shit."

Alexander grabbed the oven mitts and opened it up, coughing into a thick fog of game-hen. Waving one mittened hand in front of his face he used the other to pull the game hens out and drop them on top of the oven while avoiding a blast of ridiculously hot air from inside.

Closing the door again Alex continued to wave his hands, trying to disperse the smoke before the alarm went off. With watering eyes he peered at the oven settings.


"475 huh?"

He should have double-checked that. He glanced at Eiryk, who had entered the kitchen and seemed to be handling the smoky air just fine while Alex hacked up a lung.


"We've got bricks," he said with a rueful smile, gesturing a mitten at their scorched dinner.
Eiryk 13 years ago
Seeing Alexander coughing, a lot, Eiryk tried to fake it a bit. It wasn't a bad attempt but he gave it up soon enough. It was just irritating. It wasn't his fault he didn't need to breath.

As Alexander tried to rescue, or extinguish, dinner Eiryk was trying to fan the smoke away from smoke detectors. He finally gave up and ran to open a window, or all of them. Thank god, his art was all in protective frames and the smoke wouldn't damage anything. Who knew food was this flammable?

Trotting back to Alexander to make sure he was OK he looked first confused and then abashed realizing what he'd done.


"Well... they said preheat."Â?

Eiryk offered weakly, not sure what else you said in a situation like this.

"Not salvageable at all?"Â?

Damned he was going to starve Alexander to death and then the boy would leave him and he'd be depressed for weeks if not months. Why did try and cook again? See what happened when you tried to impress a date.

"Ummmm we have got to find you... us... something to eat. I can't send you home hungry."Â?
Alex Aristos 13 years ago
The smoke was beginning to diffuse without any alarms going off, which was a relief. As the air cleared Alex found a glass and helped himself to some water, gulping it down quickly.

Shaking his head at Eiryk Alex just laughed.
"I should have double checked."

At Eiryk's question Alex grabbed one of the oven mitts again and poked the blackened game hen nearest to him. It gave a gasp and half of it exploded with a squeal of expelled air, petering down to a whimper and then into silence.

"Not salvageable," he confirmed. Eiryk seemed a little upset over the whole thing, which Alex understood. If he'd been trying to impress a date he'd have been thrown off by exploding game hens, too. He crossed the kitchen to where the blonde stood and wrapped an arm around his shoulders.

"Come on, we'll make something. It won't be as impressive but we won't starve."

It was nearing midnight and after a long day Alex's stomach was telling him that it was, in no uncertain terms, in need of food. Since Eiryk was clearly at a loss Alex quietly took over the kitchen. In the fridge he discovered plenty of food. As Eiryk got rid of the remains of what was supposed to have been dinner Alex threw together a few eggs, some vegetables, a little cheese, and pretty soon had two mushroom, onion, spinach, and cheese omelets in a pan on top of the stove.
Eiryk 13 years ago
He was clearly going to have to brush up on this being human thing. Eiryk could fake it well enough for the casual observer and since Alexander hadn't said anything, it looked like he could manager for a closer look too. But if they kept this up he was going to have to do better.

Eiryk went from concerned about dinner to quite crest fallen about this. He'd wanted to do something nice for Alexander. OK he wanted to impress him and now he looked like a fool.

He pouted until Alexander comforted him. He still felt bad, but not as bad and was happy enough to let himself be directed as they made omelets. Although, he did apologize a half dozen times or so. As Alexander finished, Eiryk made some tea, decaf at this hour. If anything was going to keep his date up all night, it was going to be Eiryk.

Everything seemed to be done.


"Living room or dinning room?"Â?