Angelo | John - Thursday Night (Backdated)

[x-pyromania.livejournal.com]

"A true friend is someone who thinks that you are a good egg even though he knows that you are slightly cracked." -Bernard Meltzer-

John took the blueberry pie out of the microwave oven, dropped it onto a plate and headed straight for Angelo's room. He knocked once before poking his head in. "Hungry?"
 
"Usually", was the amused answer, as Angelo got up and headed over to find out what the smell was.  "Did you bake?"

"Now if I did, I doubt you'd want a taste of it." He pushed the door open with his shoulder and handed Angelo the plate. "So I thought we could head over to the loft tonight. See what else needs fixing before we call the movers in."

He took it willingly.  "Smells good, anyway.  An' that sounds like a good plan.  Hopefully it won't be too much."

"Hopefully." John hopped onto Angelo's bed and made himself comfortable. "What do you think of painting the walls a nice shade of black?" He grinned.

"In your room, you can do whatever you want", was the easy answer as Angelo turned away to set the pie down.  "We're not havin' a black livin' room."

John chuckled. "So this is what it's going to be like. We're going to have to come to a mutual decision about everything from now on."

"You want a compromise, I might let you paint the bathroom black", Angelo said with a grin.  "An' only the stuff that really affects us both."

"Okay." He fiddled with his lighter and pointed to the pie. "Eat."

"Eatin'!"  He'd produced a knife from somewhere and was cutting slices.  "So how come you made me a pie, anyway?  Even if you just nuked it."

He let out a smile. "No reason." Only there was. "How's it going with your new girl?"

"Slow but steady", he said with a shrug.  "Which is okay, y'know?  I'm good with it."

"Yeah? Well, you know who I had a little chat with the other night?" John drew a flame from his lighter and played with the fire.

"Amanda?" he guessed, not entirely at random.  There had to be a reason John had brought up his love life, after all.

"Bobby actually but since you mentioned her... " He was going to get to the topic of Amanda eventually. John shifted and moved to sit on the edge of the bed. "She didn't look too happy to hear that you're dating again." Yeah, so he told her. "And good ol' Bobby tried to make amends or something but I sort of told him to fuck off."

"That just came up in conversation, huh?" Angelo said wryly, then looked round at his friend.  "Not ready to bury the hatchet there?"

John shrugged, choosing to ignore that last comment. "You know she thinks you never got over Alejandra." He slipped a cigarette between his lips but didn't light it. "That true?"

That got another shrug.  "Maybe a bit.  I mean, you know how I wound up leavin' LA.  There wasn't a lot of time to say goodbye.  Never did break up properly, so maybe Amanda's right.  Doesn't mean I didn't love her", he added quickly.

John let out a low whistle. "Think I'm gonna pretend I never heard that. But as long as you're happy, Ange."

"Hey, you asked.  An' my life's always findin' new ways to be screwed up... but yeah.  I am.  You?"  The question was honest.

"Me, what?" John stared at the carpeted floor.

"Are you happy?" was the patient response.  "With... I don't know.  Everythin'.  Life."

"Well, you got us a pay raise and we're moving out this weekend. I don't think it can get any better than this." He smirked. "So do you wanna hug now, hold hands and maybe sing Kumbaya?"

"If I ever suggest singin' Kumbaya in my life, you need to get someone to check for mind control", Angelo deadpanned.  "Or failin' that, shoot me."

"Think I'd rather be kept entertained." John laughed. "Now if you're done with that, we should go before it's too late."

"All gone", he confirmed casually, putting the knife down to wash later.  "But you know, we've got the keys.  It's never too late."

"Well, we still gotta be up by seven tomorrow." Not that John ever headed into bed early. "But keys, huh?" He put his hand out. "Gimme."

"Not for much longer", Angelo said cheerfully, then reached into his pocket and tossed over a set of keys.  "All yours.  Got them cut this mornin'."

John caught it easily and pocketed it as he stood up. "What will I ever do without you, huh?"

"Crash an' burn.  Probably literally."