#c: akiak & angelo

[fairytailskies]

for: angelo ( @halfwcytohell ) location: meteor shower viewing

Akiak couldn't remember the last time he stopped and looked at the stars. Life had gotten so hazy one day and never really stopped after that. It wasn't until he moved to Hemlock recently that he was learned how to slow down a bit in life and pick up hobbies he used to enjoy doing before. When he saw that there was going to be a meteor shower viewing at the park Aki told himself that he would not miss it, and he kept that promise. What he failed to think of was to invite someone, but it was too late now. He had found a spot to sit down and wait for the shower to begin. His attention would go from the screen of his phone to sky just to make sure he didn't get too caught up in his (stupidly) addicting YouTube reels.

It's only when his phone alerts him that it's on 20% did he decide to put it away for a moment. He casually looks around the different groups of people who had gathered to watch the meteor shower, letting out a small sigh. Then, in the distance, Aki spots someone that he never thought he'd see again, Angelo. He doesn't even think twice before he gets up and makes his way over in the direction of the other. It had been years since the two had last seen each other, Aki was much younger back in those days, and he didn't even know if Angelo was going to recognize him. "Angelo?" He asks, slowly approaching him. "It's okay if you don't remember me. It's...definitely been a while."

[fairytailskies]

Akiak nods, "I feel that." He could understand some days being better than others, sometimes he didn't even want to get out of bed. "I think as long as you keep pushing forward, everything is going to fall into place." He smiles, before asking, "Did you have any food cravings while you were in there? Maybe we can make it a point to go and get some of them for you to enjoy. Even if it's something as simple as a chocolate bar." It was his attempt at trying to make the conversation a little light, while also letting Angelo know he was there for him if he needed anything.

"I'm not sure if you can tell but I had a pretty huge crush on you in high school, that might've had something to do with it," Aki teases, warmly smiling. It was nice to see Angelo smile a little. "I guess we have. I don't know what's better or worse either. You know what I do know? It can only go up from here for us, right?" He takes a sip of his beverage, listening to his ex, Aki gives a little nod at the response. "Yeah, I can't really argue that." He picks a piece of bacon off his burger, "Hemlock Springs is a nice little place; it certainly gives that homey feel almost instantly upon entering the town," he eats the piece of bacon, loving how perfectly crispy it was. " I'm enjoying it here." He's made a couple of friends, so really, could he even complain? "By chance, are you planning on attending Oktoberfest when it comes into town?"

Angelo shrugs at Aki's question, because there's no real good answer that wasn't a lie. Some days were better than others. Some were worse. It was hard to know which day would be which. It was all an adjustment. "Every day is different." Angelo finally replies, feeling his ex's eyes on him. Sipping from his coffee to keep from having to elaborate further right away, he clears his throat, feeling a bit awkward.

"You always thought I was a way better person than I was. Than I am." Angelo points out, though a small smile moves over his face. "Sounds like we've both had a shit time. Not sure if that makes me feel better or worse." Aki deserved more, deserved better; Angelo knew that. "I was in Seattle, one of the men's prisons up there. I had no need to go back to LA or anything, so...Hemlock Springs seemed as good as a place as any." He shrugs at that, quieting again when their food arrives, popping a fry into his mouth. "Do you...like it here?"

[fairytailskies]

Aki didn't argue, just nodded. Not everyone believed in wishing on stars and that was okay too. In all fairness, Akiak didn't much believe in it either. At least, not these days anymore. Instead of wishes he simply relied on his survival instincts to get on by, and it seemed to be working out for him just fine.

Aki was relieved when Angelo didn't immediately pull away at his gesture. He did remind himself to keep that space between them, that they weren't as close as they once were, but it was hard when it came to Angelo. The other man, at least to Aki, had always felt like a magnetic force effortlessly pulling him in.

He smiles when Angel reassures him it's not weird, relieved he hadn't just scared him off. "Lunch sometime sounds nice." Akiak replies, giving a little nod. "I guess we should probably exchange numbers. Fair warning, I still suck at texting and calling on the phone." Just one of many bad habits he was trying to work on. After exchanging information, Akiak tucks his phone back into his pocket. He shoves both hands into his zip up hood sweater, nodding towards the meteor viewing section, "I guess we should get back to the viewing. If you thought the ones we just saw were nice, just wait."

"Nah, I doubt it. But it's all good. I make do without 'em." Angelo was definitely more of a realist than some. He knew better than to get his hopes up or wonder if his wishes would ever come true. He only had himself to rely on. It had always been that way.

The feeling of Aki's hand on his shoulder makes Angelo pause resisting the urge to stiffen under his touch. He was still getting used to it, the casual touches that everyone seemed so comfortable with. Maybe he was just a highly uncomfortable person though. That was always an option.

"I don't think it's weird." He finally replies, shaking his head. It was nice, actually, to think that Aki still wanted to see him after so many years. "Maybe lunch sometime? I work nights most days." Angelo suggests, offering a proverbial olive branch. "Whatever works for you."

[fairytailskies]

Akiak simply smiled at Angelo's comment, giving a little shrug. He could've gone on about how the other was worth believing in with a seemingly endless list of reasons he had, but he felt that would probably make things a little awkward. However, Aki silently reminded himself, their relationship had ended many years ago. They were meant to break up, so they could each forge the path they had wanted, which is what he had told himself back then. It did not take long for Akiak to realize what a mistake he had made in allowing their story to end the way it did. Despite the close friendship he held with Angelo's brother, Raul, he was not someone that Aki had expected to ever cross paths with again. Now, for some reason, all he wanted to do was apologize to his ex-boyfriend.

The small bit of silence that passed filled him with a bit of anxiousness, but that quickly washed away hearing Angelo speak again. Hearing that the other man also did not go out often either made him want to both thank the universe for allowing their paths to cross again, but also question it all the same. He looks in Angelo's direction with just enough time to catch his faint smile, and Akiak had to admit, it had been a while since he had seen anything as beautiful as that smile. "I guess that's a good point," he replies, casually, softly chuckling. "LA did make it hard to see shooting stars."

At Angelo's next comment, Aki gently smiles. "It's never too late, Angelo. I'm sure one or two of those wishes could still come true." He reaches out to give Angelo's shoulder a gentle squeeze of reassurance, bringing his hand to drop back by his side after a second. That brief moment of contact with the other shot a surge of electricity through his fingertips, that made its way up his arm and spread across his body. "Anyway," he says, softly clearing his throat, "it's nice to hear, and see, that you're doing good these days. I did wonder about you after high school." Aki turns his attention to the night sky for a second but then looks back to Angelo. "I was going to suggest hanging out some time, perhaps grabbing some food or drinks. But I have to admit…I don’t know if that’s weird to ask. Is it? I can understand if it is. I promise I won't take it to heart."

"You always did have too much faith in me." It was one of the things Angelo had loved about Aki, really. Aki had never seen him as a disappointment or like he was a burden to be around. Angelo had always worried about letting him down. He had told himself it was for the best when things ended between them, and it probably was. That was a lifetime ago, and Angelo had never expected to see Aki again.

"That's cool." He replies after a few moments, realizing he might've let the silence linger for a little too long. "Me either. I don't really go out much." Except for this night, when he had decided to make some sort of effort to be part of the community. Life worked in mysterious ways, he supposed. "Yeah...it's been an experience/" Angelo echoes, nodding. If only he knew. His gaze follows Aki's in time to catch the meteor going through the sky, a faint smile moving across his face. "Wow, cool." A pause. "Uh, no. I don't think so. Though I'm not sure how many shooting stars we actually saw in LA either." Angelo points out, shrugging. "I don't think any of my wishes ever woulda come true anyways."

[fairytailskies]

"You could never disappoint me, Angelo." Aki replies, honestly. He only hoped that Angelo wouldn't become too disappointed with the person he has become these days, if he ever ends up finding that part out. Until then he could at least pretend that everything was fine, and life wasn't as crappy as it actually was. "The diner is a cool place, from what I hear. I've yet to stop by but maybe I'll come surprise you one day," he gently teases, smiling a bit.

"Anyway, my life isn't much more exciting than yours. I work down at Audio Roulette, and I live with a roommate. I haven't really made much effort to go out and explore too much of Hemlock Springs yet." He admits, giving a little shrug. "I'm honestly not really sure where to start. Starting over in a new place is always so weird for the first couple of months." His gaze travels up to the night sky, slowing down a bit. "Check it out," he says, nodding. A meteor shoots by, followed by another a couple of seconds later. For a second, Aki is reminded of when he was a kid and all the wishes he made on shooting stars. Before he could change his mind, he found himself asking, "when you were a kid, did you ever make wishes on shooting stars?"

"Yeah, life." Angelo echoes, clearing his throat softly. Life certainly had a funny way of sneaking up on someone, he thought. Twenty years had come and gone, and what did Angelo have to show for it? Nothing. Absolutely nothing. He had spent the last two decades rotting behind bars, though rightfully so. Angelo had accepted his fate with no argument. And now that he was out in the free world again, he didn't quite know what to do with himself.

"Not much, honestly." Angelo continues with a shrug, glancing back at Aki. "Work, mostly. I, uh, work at the diner. It's nothing special, but it's a job." The pay was decent, though he was highly considering looking for a second job too. It was better to keep busy, he thought. "My life's kinda boring, I hate to disappoint you."

[fairytailskies]

"I wouldn't have blamed you, if that had been your real reasoning. They were both pretty hot." Aki smiles, hearing Angelo's quiet chuckle. Memories of the two of them marathoning Star Wars, lying in bed together, hanging out, just all came flooding his mind at once. Suddenly he was hit with both a sense of nostalgia and a bit of heartache. Life had not only been much simpler back then, but it had been one of the last times Aki could remember feeling genuinely happy. He was filled with so much drive and countless dreams of a future much brighter than the one he was currently living in.

Angelo's voice broke through the flashes of images going on in his head, which he was silently thankful for. He looks up towards the starry night sky as they walk, trying to avoid looking at Angelo too much. Aki nods as he listens to his ex-boyfriend's response to his question, finding comforting in the fact that he didn't have to go into too much detail either. "I've been surviving. You know. Life." It was an honest response, his voice calm. A gentle summer breeze passes them just then. "I'm happy to hear you've been okay. I really am." Was he supposed to mention that he had bumped into Raul too? He thought about it but decided against it. Just like he thought about telling Angelo he had missed him, but also decided against that. Finally, Aki looks over in his ex-boyfriend's direction, "What are you up to these days here in Hemlock Springs?"

"I mean, we didn't watch all the Star Wars movies that many times just 'cause I thought both Princes Leia and Han Solo were hot." Angelo points out, chuckling quietly. He had never minded listening to Aki talk though, whatever the subject may be. They had spent a lot of time curled up together with Aki talking and Angelo listening. Life had felt much simpler back then, he couldn't help but think, shaking the thought from his mind after a few moments.

Angelo didn't like crowds. Or most people, for that matter, so when they started to walk away from where everyone was gathered, he felt a bit of relief, letting out a soft breath. "Yeah, it's a small world." He agrees, glancing back at his ex carefully. "Uh, I've been okay. You know. Life." He shrugs at that, not exactly wanting to go deeper if he didn't have to. It was hard enough telling Raul where he'd been, and he already seemed to have known. "You?"

[fairytailskies]

Knowing Angelo had a different number did make him feel better, it even caused him to softly chuckle, "I'm a bit relieved to know that, actually." The Dr. Pepper and black coffee came, which he was thankful for, he hadn't realized how thirsty he was until he had the beverage in front of him. He keeps his gaze attentively focused on Angelo as he spoke, giving a little nod. It was certainly not something he had expected to hear, but he didn't change his perspective on this ex-boyfriend. "I can only imagine the adjustment you've had to make, Angelo. How are you doing with it all?" He leans in a little more, giving Angelo his full attention. It was only a matter of time before it became his turn to confess something, and he tried to think of the proper way to word things without sounding too alarming. Should he just rip the band aid off as well?

The food is placed in front of him, followed by two glasses of complimentary iced water. Hearing his ex-boyfriend apologize, Akiak shook his head, "Angelo, you have nothing to apologize for. For what it's worth, I still think you're a pretty great person. Always have, always will. Besides," he clears his throat, looking down at his food, " I don't exactly have the happiest or bright news to give either." A minute goes by as he gathers his thoughts, then he looks back up, Akiak sighs, "Long story short, I fell down a drug infused rabbit hole for a while. I'm better now, it's been a quite the journey, but yeah. I have a friend who lives around here, so here I am." It was out there now and all he could hope for is that Angelo wouldn't be repulsed by him or think low of him. He took another sip of his drink, suddenly feeling his throat really dry. "What brought you here, if I may ask?"

Angelo stuck to ordering a cup of coffee - black, nothing fancy - his attention turning back to Aki once the waiter has finished with their orders. "I—" He starts to say something and then stops when the other starts to speak, listening quietly. Angelo understood the feeling completely, probably more than Akiak would ever know. He appreciated Aki sharing and that he felt comfortable doing so, but that meant he'd have to get into his own whereabouts from the last 20 years, which was something Angelo never liked talking about. Aki at least had some good memories left of him, and he was about to ruin it, he was sure. "I didn't, if that makes you feel better. Have the same number." Angelo states, the corner of his mouth twitching upwards for a moment. The smile quickly fades though, clearing his throat in attempt to buy him a few more seconds before he'd have to continue. "I've been in prison the last twenty years. I just got out a few months ago, and I moved here." The older man states, gaze shifting away from his ex again. It was better to rip the bandaid off and just say it, right? There was no use in beating around the bush or being dishonest. Akiak could make his own decisions about how he felt about him, and he deserved the truth now more than ever. "So...that's it. Sorry it's not anything bright or shiny or happy."

[fairytailskies]

Akiak laughs, also shaking his head. He wondered then where most of the friends he had back then where, probably working for NASA. He could only imagine the things they'd say if they knew how his life had turned out, and that thought shifted over to the man in front of him. Suddenly he felt self-conscious, wishing he had double checked himself, mostly his outfit of choice, and he wished he would've waited until he was a little less scruffy looking to have approached Angelo.

"I'm glad you never found my silly space rambles boring," Aki admits, softly chuckling. It had always been a bit of a fear of his back when they were dating that his rambles about science, space, and all things spooky would sometimes bore Angelo. He looks down the path Angelo gestured toward, another chuckle leaving him at the next comment his ex-boyfriend made. Aki wanted to make a small joke just then but thought about it and held back instead. "I don't really like crowds either." He replies, walking towards the path that lead away from all the stargazers. "It's nice to see you again, Angelo. How have you been?"

"God, I hope not." Angelo chuckles, shaking his head. He didn't have very many fond memories of high school outside of the man standing in front of him. Life in Los Angeles felt like a lifetime ago, and all reality, it was. He was a different person now, and if he had to guess, Aki was too. A whole lot could happen in twenty years.

Shrugging back at Aki, Angelo clears his throat softly, trying to find the right thing to say. He had never been good at it, at expressing himself, but was there really any right thing to say to your ex you haven't seen in years? "You were always teaching me stuff." Angelo points out, a fond smile crossing his lips. School had never been his thing, despite his teacher's efforts. "I could go for a walk. Uh, this way?" He asks, gesturing toward the path leading away from where everyone was sitting in anticipation of the meteor shower. "No funny business, I promise. I just don't really like crowds."

[fairytailskies]

Aki chuckled at the crazy comment, nodding in agreement. Of all the towns, in all the states, Angelo had to be living in this one. Some people would call it fate, others a coincidence, but Aki considered it a cruel prank from the universe. If his life hadn't taken the turn it did after high school, then Akiak would've been more happy to run into Angelo. Still, regardless of the disappointment he felt within himself, the man was happy to see his ex again after all these years. "If we give the universe another month or two, perhaps we'll have a proper high school reunion." He jokes, trying to ease the slight awkwardness.

Aki kept a small, soft smile on his face as Angelo spoke, despite the slight dread bubbling at the pit of his stomach hearing that he lived here too. Ultimately, he was happy to know he'd have a chance at seeing Angelo around town now. "Ah. I've been here for two months. Maybe a little bit more, but not by much." Aki shrugged. A brief pause passes, just comfortable silence, as Akiak forces himself to muster up a little bit of courage. "You know, one of the things that hasn't changed throughout all these years is my love for space. If you're up for it, we could go on a walk around the park. Maybe catch up a bit? Or you could ask me about meteors, if you'd like."

The universe had to be playing some sort of joke on him, right? First Raul, now Aki...it was like the list of Angelo's greatest hits and biggest regrets were suddenly popping up in his life all at once. "That's uh...that's crazy." He finally manages to say, scratching the back of his neck. This was awkward. He was awkward.

"Uh, yeah. I guess so. Can't say I've ever been to one." Angelo admits with a shrug, glancing around at everyone else seated at the park. It felt like the entire town had come out to see the meteor shower, but that was probably an exaggeration. "I live here. Not that long though, six months or so." He replies, shaking his head at his ex's question. "Definitely not. I dunno why I came to this thing anyways. I don't really know much about meteors."

[fairytailskies]

"True. You could've been like 'fuck this loser' and not shown up, though, and I wouldn't have blamed you for it." His tone held a light playfulness to it, and he gave Angelo a little smirk. Even back in their high school days it was hard for Akiak to imagine someone like Angelo wanting to be with him, given the person he turned out to be, it only rang truer in his head these days. Whether it be in the form of a romantic connection or just a friendship. He absentmindedly picks up a nearby menu, scanning the various items. "Burgers and fries sound pretty perfect. Perhaps a cup of cheese to add to the side."

Just as if it was a cue, a server comes over to take their order. Two burgers and fries were promised to be on their way soon, and he ordered a Dr. Pepper for himself. He had always been a Dr. Pepper kind of guy so at least that has stayed consistent throughout the years. "You know," Aki begins, letting out a small sigh, leaning up a little more against the table, "I wish I could sit here and tell you that I've done a lot of good things in the years since we've last seen each other. But the truth is, Angelo, the years haven't been kind to me. I never did make it to space, but I still love it nonetheless. I didn't finish college, but I've been managing regardless. And I lost contact with my family throughout the years." The reason behind that was left unsaid. "I wanted to reach out to you, but...I wasn't sure if you still had the same number." Now, here they were. " So, tell me, what's happened with you since we last met?"

"I mean, we did make plans, so." Angelo points out, though it makes him feel a little bit better to know that Akiak is nervous too. Despite their shared history, they were strangers to each other now, really. Getting to know each other again, getting to know who each other were now was a bit nerve wracking. What if Aki didn't like the Angelo he had grown up to be? Part of him didn't want to ruin the image of himself in the other's mind, but it was too late for that. Angelo knew that too. "Uh, I'm kind of a burger and fries guy myself. But everything's good here, I think." He hadn't really gotten the hang of cooking just yet, so he ate more meals than he liked to admit at the diner as of late.

[fairytailskies]

It felt surreal to hear Angelo say his name after all these years, even more surreal feeling was being in front of him. The last either of them had seen of each other was back when they were teenagers, back when Akiak still had a bright future ahead of him. He was quieter back then, more book smart than street, which was the complete opposite of the person he was today. Angelo's reaction pulled a light chuckle from his lips, it was definitely a bit better than Raul's reaction. Which he was still feeling guilty over. "Yeah, it's me. Very small world." Who would've thought that he would have landed in the same town as Raul AND Angelo. The universe was either playing a very cruel prank on him or trying to be kind to him. At the moment, he couldn't really pinpoint which one of the two it was.

"I guess meteor shower viewings must be a huge thing around this place," he lightly jokes, looking around at the different crowds of people. It felt like half the town was here at this point. "So," he begins, looking back to Angelo, "do you live in town or just visiting?" Part of him was hoping Angelo would say he was only visiting because Aki knew that if he was living in town too, Angelo would eventually see how far into rock bottom Aki had actually gotten. Of all people on this stupid planet, Angelo was the last person Aki wanted figuring out how bad he was these days. Today just happened to be a good day. "Wait. I'm not interrupting anything for you, am I?"

Getting out and about in Hemlock Springs was not something Angelo had really made a priority in the six months he had been living in the town, but his parole officer and AA sponsor had both not so subtly suggested that he try to get out more. So in an attempt to ingratiate into the town more, he decided to check out the meteor shower viewing at the park. It seemed like a safe, low key option where he wouldn't have to talk to too many people. Crowds tended to bother him, which was part of why he had opted to moving to the small town.

He arrives at the park a little late it seems, with plenty of people milling about or staking out their spots on the lawn. He's busy scanning the crowd for an open area when he hears someone call his name, causing him to pause. He doesn't exactly recognize who's calling out to him, eyes narrowing slightly when he sees someone starting to approach him. "Yes..?" Angelo says slowly, trying to place the person's face. He swore they looked familiar, but couldn't quite place their face. It takes a few more moments before it hits him, an amused chuckle leaving his lips. "Oh shit, Aki? Yeah, yeah...it's definitely been a while." It certainly had been an interesting few weeks of people from his past showing up again, hadn't it? "Small world, huh?"

[fairytailskies]

As Akiak made his way to the diner there was a bundle of nerves that twisted and turned in the pit of his stomach. What if Angel changed his mind? What if he regrets giving Akiak more of his time? He tried not to let his thoughts get the better of him, instead choosing to focus on the good part of today. He was on his way to meet Angelo. Even as he entered the diner, spotted his ex, it still felt so surreal this was happening. "Hey. Thanks for having me." He replies, softly smiling. A sense of relief washed over him hearing the next words to leave Angelo's lips. "It's good to see you too, Angelo." He takes the seat across the table. "So, what do you recommend from here?"

closed starter for @fairytailskies (aki) location: the 365 diner

Seated in one of the booths at the diner, Angelo glances from his glass of water to the door and back again, chewing on the inside of his cheek. Waiting for Aki to arrive was making him more nervous than the prospect of seeing his ex again, the anticipation making his thoughts wander. Was Aki just being nice when he had said they should meet up? Drinking from his glass to distract himself, he's just setting the cup back down when he spots Aki walking through the doorway, waving a bit awkwardly to get his attention. "Hey. Uh, thanks for coming." He murmurs, offering a smile. "It's good to see you."