#int -> mateo. 05.

[rhysdasiorarchive]

It was probably wise not to mention the way his chest fluttered involuntarily as Mateo laid out the inevitable. Prior to Roland’s disappearing act, they’d been verging on inseparable. The vast majority of Rhys’ mornings had been spent waking up beside Roland. Even now, when certain emotions were still slightly raw, Rhys remained endeared to the vampire’s dedication to always being at his side as he woke. It was one of the things he’d found himself missing the most. When he was able to get a few hours of sleep these days, waking up to the cold silence of his own room was always a disappointing experience. “I’m just playing the field, Mateo. Let me enjoy it for a while. Things have been rough for the past few months. I deserve a little fun at least. Besides, watching him work for it will be entertaining. Doesn’t it bring you any joy to think of his efforts being shunned? I thought his disappointment might do something for you.”

Rhys knew what to expect when it came to asking for the thunderbird’s advice and yet he still found himself surprised by it when it was voiced. His expression shifted to one of instant disagreement and he paused to consider the effectiveness of Mateo’s suggestion before leaning across him to snatch his glass, downing the remaining wine as he carefully pushed himself to his feet, taking a moment to recentre himself and gently set the stolen glass on his desk. “And I will. Definitely will. After tonight, I’m keeping him at arm’s length.” Offering Mateo an unfortunately bright grin, Rhys turned to wander towards the door, only pausing once he was halfway out of the office, glancing over his shoulder at the thunderbird. “Oh– don’t worry about locking up or anything. Just make sure there’s a light left on when you go, yeah? You’re a star. Okay, love you, I’ll text you later, all that stuff–” and not a moment later, he made a beeline for Roland’s suite, tugging his phone from his pocket to listen to the piece uninterrupted, this time at a much lower volume for the sake of keeping his pride and dignity intact as he navigated the short distance. Once the suite was in sight, Rhys silenced and locked his phone, shoving it back into his pocket as he approached, taking a deep breath as he knocked gently against the doors. “Ro? You around?”

Mateo was too nice a friend to fake gagging as Rhys said Roland had 'a way about him' but it was a near thing. The wine made it seem like a much better idea. He nearly plugged his ears as Rhys went on and on about the vampire's apparent virtues and good qualities but instead just chugged more wine. Finally, when Rhys was finished, Mateo gave him a look. "Well you shouldn't be allowed to make your own decisions if they're dumbass ones like going back to him." He scoffed as Rhys kept going. "Yeah, and how long's that gonna last? You'll be back joined at the hip sooner rather than later, trust me. I know you. For months I had to listen to how gaga you were for him and you're already starting to talk like that again. You're hopeless." He shook his head, feeling like he'd already made all his very valid points but it still mostly felt like he was trying to get through to a brick wall.

"Saying I'm robbing you is an overstatement!" Mateo protested, laughingly, and somewhat feebly. They struggled but then the song played and it seemed like it was mostly over. Rhys looked as shocked as Mateo was, at least, and like he didn't quite know what to do with himself. The witch took his phone back, though, and Mateo leaned his head back against the desk again, sighing for what felt like the millionth time. He looked at Rhys again when he spoke. "Why would I want to mention it?" Obviously, Byron was an exception to this comment, because he would absolutely be telling the hellhound about this ridiculous grand gesture. At least Rhys was asking him how he should react, though Mateo doubted he'd follow the advice. "Ignore it. Or if you can't ignore it just be like 'nice thanks' and then forget about it. You said you're gonna keep him at arm's length, right? Here's your chance to prove it."

[spy-in-the-house]

This Griessmühle BLN located heavy assault Psycho Thrill Cologne TECHNO throw-back from 2014!

PSYCHO THRILL [@] TALKING MACHINES BLN 08082014

08-08-2014: Another typical club mix in a pure Psycho Thrill CGN vein, played by Claus Bachor for “TALKING MACHINES” at GRIESSMUEHLE / Berlin. SRY here for a few slight rumbles due to a skippy turntable and a partially distorted monitoring which accounts either for some of the “lil'skips” during the mix. However, it used to be a huge night due to the brilliant audience hangin’ out there - movin’ into any direction on the cutting edge of Techno -, the super nice work by the “Talking Machines” promoters and the very cool atmosphere of the whole “Griessmuehle” club as well.

FULL TRACK-LISTING feat. 53 Vinyl-Only tracks by 

01 VELVIT: Chic Anatomy [ A-side from Exit Records | S.T.Holdings Ltd.Distr. UK Promo-10” ] 02 PIP WILLIAMS: Analog Sequencer [A1-track from “Analog Sequences” SHAMELESS TOADY 007 | Veto Music Distr. UK 12" ] 03 DREXCIYA: Dr. Blowfin’s Black Storm Stabilizing Spheres [ B1-track from “Harnessed The Storm” Tresor Records 181LP | EFA Distr. EU 2xPromo-12" ] 04 PEVERELIST & HODGE:  Bells _ Dream Sequence [B-side from Punch Drunk 031 | S.T.Holdings Ltd.Distr. UK  12"] 05 LIIT [PABLO MATEO & S.HOFFMANN]: Islando [ B-side from “Lungo Islando EP” Lack Records 002  | DNP Distr. EU Promo-12” ] 06 FRED P: Ram [ A-side from “Fred P / Kai Alce” Finale Select 001 / Final Sessions UK | Veto Music Distr.  UK 12" ] 07 SIGHA: Purita [ B1-track from “Living With Ghosts” Hot Flush Recordings LP 009 | S.T.Holdings Ltd.Distr. UK  2x12" ] 08 L’ESTASI DELL’ORO: Dichotomous Life [ A-side from Flaneur Audio 005 | Hard Wax Distr. US GL-12" ] 09 ANDREAS GEHM: Fade To Spring [ A2-track from “Watch Them” Chiwax 011 | DBH Music Distr. EU Promo-12" ] 10 MODULA & THANKSMATE: State Of Mind [ B1-track from “Behind The Shapes EP” Rawax Ltd. 006 | DBH Music Distr. EU Promo-12” ] 11 CON-FUSION KIDDZZ [RON TRENT & ANTHONY NICHOLSON]: Stresskill _ Anger Mix [ A-side from Prescription Records 123 | Cajual Distr. US Promo-12" ] 12 PSYANCE [RON ALLEN]: The Answer [ A-side from Plus 8 Records 8038 | Intellinet Distr. CAN Promo-12" ] 13 STASIS [STEVE PICKTON]: Space 1993 _ Unbroken Dub Remix [ B-side from Only One Music 005 | DBH Music Distr. EU Promo-12" ] 14 SILVER SHOWER [IAN POOLEY]: Ice Fractions 2-2 [ A2-track from “Ice Fractions 2” Plus 8 Records 8061 | Intellinet  Distr. CAN Promo-12" ] 15 THE KVB [BURMA CAMP]: I Only See The Lights _ Shifted Version [A2-track from “Immaterial Visons Remixes”  Citi Trax 009| Complete Distr. US  WL-12” ] 16 FUNCTION [DAVID SUMNER]: Disaffected [A-side from “Anticipation” Sandwell District 010  |  Hard Wax Distr. UK WL-12" ] 17 THE MAGHREBAN [DR. ZYGOTE]: Amok Time [ A-side from Zoot Records 007 | Hard Wax Distr. UK 12" ] 18 LUKE SLATER: She Showed Me Heaven _ L.B.Dub Corp Remix [ B-side  from Mote-Evolver 010 | NEWS Distr. UK 2x-12" ] 19 MORGANISTIC [LUKE SLATER]: Leaf [ C1-track from “Fluids Amniotic” Input Neuron Musique LP 001 | EFA Distr. UK Promo-2x12" ] 20 PAUL WOOLFORD: Pandemonium _ Norman Nodge Remix [ B-side from Intimacy Plate 001 | Hard Wax UK 12" ] 21 PLANETARY ASSAULT SYSTEMS [LUKE SLATER]: Booster [ A-side from Peacefrog Records 029 | EFA Distr. UK Promo- 12" ] 22 LEONEL CASTILLO: Deep Blue [ A-Side  from “Deep Blue EP” Sushitech 024 | WAS Distr. EU 2x12" ] 23 RON MANEY [aka DJ SKULL]: Reconstruction [ A2-track from “2 Entities” Relief Reco0rds 761 | Cajual Distr. US Promo-12" ]  24 TENSAL [HECTOR SANDOVAL]: Aa2 [ A2-track from “Tensal2” Tensal 002 | Intergroove Distr. ESP 12” ] 25 THEMIS [NAIL TOLLIDAY]: Your Round [ A-side from Ideal Trax T-011 | EFA Distr. UK Promo-12" ] 26 HALCYON [COLIN MCBEAN]: Tribal Imbalanced Messed With … [ B2-track from Halcyon Daze 002 | Sonic Groove Distr. US Promo-12" ] 27 UNKNOWN ARTIST: Saver 56 [ A-side from Delirium DELS 95072 | Delirium Distr. EU 7" ] 28 AIR LIQUIDE: Zeitgeber [ A1-track from “Stroboplastics” Harvest 12P 519477 | EMI Distr. EU 2x12" ] 29 333 [PAUL SLATER] vs. FRED EX [FRED GIANELLI]: Burst [ A-side from “Backbreaker EP” Telepathic Recordings PSI-030 BS | Sonic Groove Distr. US Promo-12" ] 30 BORAI [BORIS ENGLISH]: Midnight Run [ B-side from Tasteful Nudes 003| WAS Distr. US WL-12" ] 31 FORWARD STRATEGY GROUP [Al MATTHEWS & PATRICK WALKER]: A Marvel [ A-side from “Levity” M-Records Ltd. 021 | Intergroove Distr. ITA 12" ] 32 THE NOISEMAKER [RICARDO PIOVESIAN]: Interface [ B1-track from Silent Steps Records 009| Intergroove Distr. FRA 12” ] 33 HODGE : Resolve [ A-side from Punch Drunk 033 | S.T.Holdings Ltd.Distr. UK  12" ] 34 UNTOLD [JACK DUNNING]: I Can’t Stop This Feeling [ B-side from Hemlock Recordings  006 | S.T.Holdings Ltd.Distr. UK  12" ] 35 HODGE: Amor Fati [ A-side from Dnuos Ytivil 699 | S.T.Holdings Ltd.Distr. UK  12" ]   36 THE 65D MAVERICKS [NICK DUNTON & RICHARD POLSON]: Estrangement Of The Past _ Surgeon Remix [ B-side from Surface Ltd. 003 | Rubadub Distr. UK 12" ] 37 JAMES RUSKIN: Return _ Regis Remix [ A-side from Blueprint Ltd. 002 | Neuton Distr. UK Promo-12" ] 38 TROLLIN DWARF [ROLAND CASPER]: Play Hooky [ A-side from Jakpot 009 | Intellinet  Distr. US Promo-12" ] 39 SDX: D3 [ B1-track from Reference 005 | Hard Wax Distr. UK 12" ] 40 MURAT [MURAT GOKSEL]: Pilgrimage B2 [ B2-track from “Pilgrimage” Method 11:11 005 | EFA Distr. UK Promo-2x12"] 41 SDX: D4 [ B2-track from Reference 005 | Hard Wax Distr. UK 12" ] 42 JEFF MILLS: i9  [ B-side from Axis Records 015 (1) | Axis Records US-Promo-12” ] 43 JEFF MILLS: “The” part 3 [ B1-track from “See The Light” Prt.3 Axis 038 | Axis Records US-Promo-12” ] 44 JEFF MILLS: Clark [ A1-track from Axis 019FV (1) | Axis Records US-Promo-BL-12” ] 45 JEFF MILLS: “Light” part 3 [ B1-track from “See The Light” Prt.3 Axis 038 | Axis Records US-Promo-12” ] 46 JEFF MILLS: B2F-7 [ B2-track from Axis 019FV (1) | Axis Records US-Promo-BL-12” ] 47 JEFF MILLS: Vertical [ B2-track from Axis 008 (1) | Axis Records US-Promo-BL-12” ] 48 DJ QU: Eden [ A side from Ygrec 002 | Underground Gallery Distr. JAP Promo-12” ] 49 ARCHITECTURAL [JUAN RICO]: Untitled B [ B-side from Architectural 005 | Rubadub Distr. ESP 12” ] 50 ARCHITECTURAL [JUAN RICO]: Untitled A2 [ A-side from Architectural 003 | Rubadub Distr. ESP 12” ] 51 RENNIE FOSTER: Call The Sun [ B1-track from Soiree Rec. Int. 158 | DNP Distr. US Promo-12” ] 52 FUNCTION: Variance 1 [ A-side from Sandwell District 013 | Hard Wax Distr. UK WL-12” ] 53 KEITA SANO: She Was The One [ B-side from “People Are Changing” Mister Saturday Night Records 010 | Complete Distr. US 12” ]//

This club-mix also contains parts from UNDERGROUND RESISTANCE: Kill My Radio Station _ Acapella by Mark Floyd [ B-side from UR7-072 | Submerge Distr. / Detroit Threads US 7" ]

More info and sounds from Claus Bachor/ Psycho Thrill Cologne/ SpyInTheHouse via LINKTR

[seraimstories]

El fantasma de Laura − #05

#05 – INT/DÍA – CLASE

Mateo entra en clase, ve a Míriam ya sentada en su pupitre y se sienta a su lado.

MÍRIAM: ¡Buenos días!

MATEO (saca su libreta): Aquí tienes las derivadas.

MÍRIAM: ¡Oh! ¡Muchas gracias!

MATEO: ¿Me vas a decir ya qué querías decir ayer?

MÍRIAM: ¿Me estás comprando con derivadas?

MATEO (levantándose): Si no me lo vas a decir...

MÍRIAM: Yo maté a Laura y no quiero tener que cargar también con tu muerte.

Mateo, sorprendido por la respuesta, se va a su pupitre de siempre sin decir nada.

[rhysdasiorarchive]

Rhys scoffed as Mateo tried to dismiss his point, rolling his eyes behind the safety of his hood as a dozen responses immediately came to mind. “And how was I supposed to stop myself? He’s got a way about him, Mateo. To you and Seth, I know he doesn’t hold much appeal. You’re both entitled to your opinion of him. But I know him better than you two do. I’ve spent way more time with him. He’s so much more than you think he is. He’s compassionate, empathetic, considerate, surprisingly funny when he wants to be– he’s not some callous, cold-hearted bastard. I know the ghosting thing wasn’t good. Trust me, I’m all too aware of just how awful that was seeing as I was the one going through it, but that’s also precisely why I’m the one that gets to make this decision. I get it, you just want the best for me, and I appreciate that. Really, I do, but when it comes to this, it’s down to me.” Finally, Rhys paused to take a sip from his glass even if yet more alcohol wasn’t likely to help the current conversation. Mateo clearly disapproved of the justifications explanations provided if the noise that left him a moment later was anything to go by but Rhys didn’t let it dishearten him. “His actions have had consequences. I’ve been rebuffing him for the past few months. It’s only… recent occurrences that’ve brought us back together again. Well, kinda. It’s not like how it was before. I’ve made sure of that much, at least.” Realistically, it was only a matter of time before things returned to how they used to be. No matter how hard he tried, Rhys could only deny Roland for so long. Apparently, that much was obvious given how effortlessly Mateo pointed it out barely a heartbeat later. Tugging his hood down with his free hand, Rhys levelled the thunderbird with an exasperated look, leaning over to lightly jab him with his elbow, making sure not to spill a drop from his glass in the process. “C’mon, have a little faith in me. You know how stubborn I can be when I wanna be. This isn’t an exception just ‘cause it’s him. He’s gotta earn his way back if that’s how this is gonna go.”

Despite his panic, Rhys couldn’t help but laugh along with Mateo as he tried to keep his balance. “What does it look like I’m doing? You just tried to rob me! I’m not moving ‘til you give it back.” The scuffle for the phone continued with a surprising amount of gusto from both parties and though it was challenging enough through his laughter and considerable inebriation, trying to wrangle the phone from Mateo’s grasp when it had something to do with Roland seemed to suddenly become an Olympic sport of sorts. It was impossible to tell exactly who was at fault for causing the inevitable but as soon as the first few notes began to play, Rhys sat back as if he’d been struck, eyes wide and disbelieving as his gaze flickered intermittently between Mateo and the phone itself. At the very least, seeing his bewilderment mirrored by Mateo was reassuring; it meant this wasn’t some kind of pathetic fever dream. Lifting a hand to cover his mouth and stifle his laughter at the sheer absurdity of the circumstances, Rhys patiently waited until the piece had drawn to a close and snatched his phone back from Mateo’s hold before the thunderbird could complain, locking it and shoving it in his hoodie pocket as he tried to get his thoughts in order. He really shouldn’t have indulged in half as much wine as he had – trying to think straight right now felt entirely out of the question. “Well,” he started, pausing as he tried to find the rest of the sentence as his mind whirred with thought after thought. “That was… that was something. Something that you can't mention to a single soul outside of this room. I'll draft up an NDA for you if I have to. Don't think I won't.” With a hint of reluctance, Rhys finally moved to sit beside Mateo again, reaching for his glass to down the remainder of the wine before turning his full attention back to Mateo. “…How am I supposed to react to that?”

Mateo snorted, loudly and disbelievingly. "Really? That's your defense? Really? You sure didn't try very hard to stop yourself!" The thunderbird could tell Rhys didn't really mean it given how he was smiling. Ugh. This was clearly a losing battle but Mateo kept fighting it anyway. Irritatingly, Rhys agreed with his points but then made the utterly insane statement that it was his decision to make. "No! It's absolutely not your decision because, need I remind you, I'm the one that usually stops you from making dumbass decisions. So I'm making this decision for you and you're not going back to him." Mateo knew that wouldn't stand but he liked to think it was final, at least for a moment. Rhys was stupidly stubborn though and it seemed like it was only a matter of time before he ran back into the vampire's arms. He made a very rude and dismissive sound as Rhys tried to justify Roland's shit behaviour. "Do you hear yourself right now? Not meaning to hurt you didn't mean he didn't hurt you and obviously he did. Spare me the 'it's not his fault' bullshit, please. Actions still have consequences, or they should anyway." He gave Rhys an annoyed look just in time to see him peeking out at him, looking all kicked puppy. It made Mateo want to soften to him but he tried to harden himself against the impulse. The thunderbird let out a long suffering sigh as Rhys claimed he'd set up boundaries but Mateo very much doubted that. "Sure you have. And the first time he croons in your ear or whatever the fuck he does and sweet talks you past all those boundaries you'll fold like a piece of paper."

Rhys objected to his phone being stolen to the point that he just climbed on Mateo and Mateo was so startled and half concerned with not spilling his wine that he laughed. "What are you doing? Get off me!" He leaned away from Rhys to try and keep the phone out of his grasp which was hard when Rhys was literally on top of him. The witch managed to get a hand on the phone and Mateo tried to twist his wrist and then someone's finger clearly hit the play button as piano chords came out of the phone and then a deep, melodious voice started singing. Mateo let the phone slip from his grasp in shock, falling completely silent as the video was clearly Roland at the piano, playing and singing, and he let it go on, alternately staring at it and Rhys in bewilderment. He knew that the battle was lost even before the song was done and sighed, watching Rhys more and sipping his wine. Maybe he could tackle him and pin him down to keep him from going to Roland but that was only a temporary solution. Well, it was well played, Mateo would have to give the vampire that, even if he did it grudgingly.

[rhysdasiorarchive]

“It’s not like I chose to have feelings for him!” It was a weak defence at best and the smile in his tone likely wasn’t doing him any favours in propping up any kind of convincing argument. “I mean, yeah, you did warn me, as did Seth, and yeah, you both made valid points. I get that, I don’t disagree with that, but isn’t it ultimately my decision to make?” As Mateo paused to take a sip, Rhys fiddled with the drawstrings of his hoodie with his free hand, ducking his head as he replayed Mateo’s points in his mind with a tired sigh. No matter what the outcome would be, someone in his social circle was going to be disappointed. The witch bit back a laugh as Mateo’s ranting continued despite the good intentions behind it. “It’s not, I know. Trust me, I know. But it’s an explanation. That doesn’t make his actions right but it does prove that there was no malicious intent behind him fucking off for months without a word. He didn’t do it to hurt me, not intentionally.��� Feeling Mateo’s stare resting on him again, Rhys finally plucked up the courage to peek at him from under the safety of his hood, his expression perfectly mirroring that of a kicked dog as he reluctantly listened to yet another slew of frustratingly valid points. “We’ll see when we get to that point, won’t we?” It wasn’t a thought Rhys necessarily wanted to entertain, not now that he’d finally managed to start tentatively rebuilding something with Roland. “But I don’t think it’ll happen again, I really don’t. The conviction he spoke with… it wasn’t just to placate me, Mateo. He meant every word. I genuinely think he’s learned from this. Besides, it’s not like I’m gonna go wandering back and act like nothing happened. I’m gonna be laying down boundaries and expectations when we see each other next to make sure something like this doesn’t happen again if something’s gonna be going on between us. I’ve thought about this, trust me.” 

The quiet ding from his phone pulled Rhys’ attention down to it as Mateo’s focus simultaneously shifted and the sight of Roland’s name made his chest flutter immediately, the surprise getting the better of him for a moment before he moved to try and snatch it back from the thunderbird with sudden urgency, pushing himself up to clamber onto Mateo to try and prise it from his hold. “It’s my property. You can’t just– give it here. I won’t even look at it, just lemme have it.”

Rhys tried to hide in his hoodie but Mateo was sure to speak loud enough that the fabric wouldn't be much of a barrier to the sound. The witch was only hiding because he knew how right Mateo was and that in itself was like an admission. But even if Rhys knew Mateo was right and that Roland was a bad idea, he seemed to be extremely willing to run right back into his arms. Case in point, all the justifications that came pouring out and Mateo stared at him at first then thudded his head back against the desk in exasperation. Still, he let Rhys say all he had to say, gladly taking the refill when it was offered and watching the bottle roll away as Rhys continued to go on and on about how Roland was misunderstood and handled things poorly and all the other excuses he was willing to make for him.

"I seem to remember having a conversation with you about this before where I'm pretty sure I warned you not to have feelings for him because he couldn't be trusted but you just wanted to 'play things out' and 'see where it went' and figured it would all come to an end anyway. And I was right and it did end but you still didn't listen to me!" He took another fortifying sip of wine then got animated again. "Also, unresolved trauma about his ex is not a good reason to fuck you over! That's another red flag! I've got a dead ex too but I don't use it as an excuse to be a maldito bastardo to people." He paused at himself and sighed, then took another large sip of wine, looking over at Rhys. "Sure, he means it now. But what happens when he panics again? Is he gonna abandon you again? I bet he will. You watch." Mateo didn't take any joy in that idea, it wasn't like he wanted Rhys to experience pain, but this whole rant was trying to save Rhys from it though it was getting muddled and he felt like he was failing.

Rhys' phone had fallen out of his hoodie pouch when he'd leaned over to pour Mateo's wine and a text notification went off which was why Mateo noticed it. He saw that it was from Roland and it came with some kind of video attachment so Mateo moved to snatch the device before Rhys could get to it. "I'm not letting you look at this. He doesn't deserve you. This is a vampire free zone right now."

[rhysdasiorarchive]

Pulling sharply on the drawstrings of his hoodie to shut out Mateo’s pleas, Rhys gave a weak groan from the safety of his material sanctuary and rested his head back against the desk as he tried to downplay the thunderbird’s concerns. It wasn’t as if Rhys genuinely had room to argue; countless individuals had tried to warn him of the dangers of entertaining Roland’s courtship the first time around. The ghosting that had eventually followed had only served to prove every single concern Rhys’ nearest and dearest had held and now that Roland had plucked up the strength and determination to come crawling back, Rhys’ resolve had weakened far quicker than he’d wanted it. The confession had been a lot and though the witch cringed at how cruelly he’d treated Roland at first, he still stood by it all. He’d had a right to be hurt, to utter some home truths, to let Roland know that he couldn’t fix the months of radio silence and avoidance with a swanky gift and some honeyed words. Still, he’d managed to turn up at the right time and had offered comfort when Rhys had needed it most. The gifts from Valentine’s Day had been a pleasant surprise – the note from the peonies remained tucked safely into his wallet even now. Pushing his hood back, Rhys met Mateo’s gaze with a pitiful one, deliberately making himself look as vulnerable as he could. It was only the faint trace of a smile tugging at the corners of his lips that gave a hint to the extent of his amusement towards the thunderbird’s impassioned plea. 

“Things are different this time. He had some stuff to work through, some things to face and work out for himself. Not that it makes any of it okay, but… it’s not as heinous as it seems. There was no malicious intent behind his disappearance. Did he handle it well? No,” Rhys paused to take a generous swig from his glass, gesturing incoherently with it to fill the silence as he swallowed. “But does that mean we need to demonise him for it? Also no. The whole reason he up and left with no explanation was ‘cause he panicked. He realised he had feelings for me and then realised he hadn’t felt that way about someone since his ex. That loss hit him hard. Badly. He wasn’t sure if he could go through it again. He thought that distancing himself from me would make it all go away. Needless to say, it didn’t,” Rhys shrugged, seemingly placated by his own retelling of events before he gestured to himself with a smirk. “Can’t blame him. But on a serious note, he realised that what he felt for me was genuine. He wasn’t lying. Trust me, I checked. Repeatedly. He meant every word of it, every promise made to do whatever he could so that we could rebuild things.” Finishing off the contents of his glass, Rhys reached for the bottle sat between them for a refill and leaned across Mateo to do the same until the last drop fell, rolling the bottle away from them without a second thought as he swirled his glass absentmindedly. “I know you’re not gonna wanna hear this, but… I don’t know if I’d want to banish him from my life forever,” Rhys cut his gaze away sharply to eye the still-wrapped present from December now propped up against one of the bookcases. It’d been moved around the office a number of times by now; somehow, Rhys still didn’t have the heart to open it. “I never said I didn’t feel anything for him– I mean, I do. Obviously. Think I realised I did before he realised he did. I didn’t say anything, though. Didn’t wanna ruin things in case it wasn’t mutual, y’know? I thought I could get away with being selfish about it.”

"Mano, I'm begging you, don't let him pull you back in! Remember how right I was the first time? I'm still right! Just because he's been showering you with gifts and promises doesn't mean he won't leave you high and dry again." Mateo had the distinct feeling he was repeating himself but the fact that he and Rhys had already shared a bottle of wine (or was it two?) probably had something to do with that. He was a little fuzzy, pleasantly so, and for some reason they were sitting shoulder to shoulder on the floor of Rhys' office leaning back against his desk. That seemed the least concerning part of this as he nudged Rhys, a little forcefully, and gave him a baleful look. He wasn't sure if they'd been discussing Roland for a while now or it was a new topic, the details were blurring a little, but Mateo definitely knew it was paramount to get this fact through Rhys' thick skull. Going back to the vampire was a bad idea. Mateo knew it, Seth would've agreed, even Byron would probably think it was a bad idea and he was the king of bad ideas. Rhys just had to acknowledge it.

"What'll be different this time? Tell me. How do you know he won't pull the exact same crap again? I can tell he's getting to you but I need you to resist! This whole persistent bit of his is a red flag, don't you think? You claim it's because you haven't firmly told him no but if you really said 'I never want to see you again' would he really respect that? I don't think so." He took another sip of wine (ranting like this made him thirsty) and waited for the justifications. He was sure there would be some but somehow Mateo was convinced that if he just found the right combination of words he could save his friend from the goddamned Belgian councilman.

@rhysdasior