Trent grinned as he pointed up. “Actually, that’s holly,” he said, “but luckily I don’t need mistletoe to kiss you.”
While Trent was looking up to the doorway they'd just came through to the back part of the store Daemon was already off again and moving to a nearby rack. Hand moving to take one of the masks off he was holding it over his face by the time Trent was looking again. Fucking Rudolf of all things! Damn stores were really going all out it seemed this year and this one especially considering it was the party store essentially within the mall. Decorations, bows, birthday, and so on by of course right now Christmas was nearly everywhere already.
"To much?" He teased still holding the mask on and even going to put it all the way on he moved back over to Trent with a cheeky smile still on his face.
Trent laughed. "I think you know by now that too much is hardly enough with me," he said. Then he made a face as an upbeat pop remix of White Christmas came on the store radio. "Mm, except these remakes. I miss Willie Jones. My mom loves him. I get that these pop singers work hard and put in their own effort, but the end result has no soul. What do you think?"
Daemon moved to push the reindeer mask up and sort of smirked "I don't know they can be kind of catchy ..... In a kinda wanna drink bleach to the beat kind of way" He replied before sort of laughing. Moving to take Trent’s hand he again moved to walk along beside him for the moment sort of eyeing the isles for a moment in thought. He'd almost forgotten briefly why they'd stopped here but then spotted the wrapping stuff he remembered. They needed to stock up and probably better to get what they could now and if they ran out they could always get more. Fucking big families at its finest.
"Oh look.... Paw patrol... Perfect! Purposely be childish and unseasonal?" He mused moving to grab the roll from the rack as he snickered.
"Please don't drink bleach," Trent protested, but he squeezed Daemon's hand affectionately. He loved these simple parts of a relationship: holding hands, walking through the mall together, just these cute and sweet moments that the "sweeping romantic gesture" subgenre of romantic movies seemed to always overlook.
Then Daemon went for the Paw Patrol wrapping paper. Trent cringed slightly and grimaced, though he tried to pass it off as a smile. "I'm really more of a traditionalist," he said, reaching for the red, gold, and green MERRY CHRISTMAS paper littered with stylized Christmas trees. "Oh! Actually, what if each of us wrapped half the presents in Paw Patrol and half in Merry Christmas, and then people would have to guess which ones are from you and which ones are from me, and they'd only have a 50% chance of being right?"
Ok well he hadn't entirely been actually serious but as usual and unshockingly Trent had went along with it like this was an actual thing and so much so Daemon was actually snickering again. "Ok I like this idea! Plus, not many people buying this stuff it'll go aways" He added moving to grab a few more roles of it tucking them under his arm for the moment. Then with the other he actually couldn't resist and went bonking Trent in the head with one if the roles just hard enough to be annoying. Of course Trent's reaction had him laughing again all to quickly as he winked and turned to continue through the store again the roll he'd used to whap Trent on his shoulder like a baseball bat. Maturity at its finest as usual!
Trent responded by swatting Daemon on his fine little ass with a roll of his own, one with dancing Santas. He scampered to keep up with Daemon and continued tapping him on the butt every so often, then quickly jumping to the side.
Turning around Daemon went smacking Trent in the shoulder for that before continuing on and ... Then there went Trent doing it again. Damn it what had he actually just started?! Finally though as they were nearing the counter he turned and snatched the roll in Trent's hand "Give me that before I get us kicked out for beating your ass with police dogs in front of children..... Bad example!" He smarted though after his brief moment of sounding like he was actually bitching despite starting it he was snickering again and casting Trent a small smirk as he moved to set the rolls on the counter along with a few bows and ribbons he'd grabbed earlier.
Then pulling out his wallet he was soon moving to use his card on the machine. The cashier meanwhile bagging what she could into a small bag.
"Do you want these in a bigger bag?" The cashier asked casually motioning to the near six rolls of paper.
"Um yeah.... Kinda seems like a no shit Sherlock kinda question. Fuck carrying them across this whole stupid mall" Daemon replied like it really should have been obvious. The last person who'd been here hadn't asked.
"Well it is but the bags are now an extra four dollars.... Holiday ones" She added picking up the rather large paper bag with a Christmas design on it.
"Are you serious? You know what just because I'm not paying into corporate fucking scams never fucking mind" Daemon replied rolling his eyes. Jesus these idiots really did try to get every penny they could this time of year. Watch next month they'd be.... Bagging large items for HALF THE PRICE also known as selling you a bag you didn't really want but lazy people....
"Yeah. You should beat my ass later, when we're not in front of children," Trent announced, slightly louder than necessary as he cuddled up to Daemon's side.
He cringed again seeing how Daemon treated the cashier.
"It's okay," Trent said gently, nudging Daemon aside. "I'll pay for it. It's not your fault your store engages in corporate scamming," he added cheerfully. "I'll just write to the Better Business Bureau and then the state Senate!" One of his very few Karen moments, but it was something his mom would do, regardless of whether it would actually get results. The squeaky wheel gets the grease, and all that.
"Um .. No Trent, we're NO..." Daemon started to argue back before hearing how cheerful Trent had just told the cashier that. Mixed with the look on her face he was soon cutting himself off if only because he was trying hard not to bust up laughing. Fucking TRENT! Infuriating absolute idiot! Then of course there was him going in to talk like he was actually going to try and get them in trouble for it. Like that would even work! "Ah yes I'm sure the Better Business Bureau will make all the time with the amount of complaints they're probably getting this time of year.... Trent pay or get back out of my way" Daemon finally added shooting the other a bit of a half-irritated look finally.
Trent had already tapped his credit card against the machine and was helping the cashier bag their stuff. "Then one more complaint won't hurt, right?" he asked happily. "Where to next?"
Well that worked like a charm, Trent was moving to grab the bags before Daemon could say much more. Turning to lead the way out Daemon slowed briefly just outside the store so Trent could catch up. "Next I'm going to throw myself off the escalator to see if I bounce if you ever do that again. If you're gonna offer to pay.... Do it beforehand" He suddenly sort of snapped at Trent shooting him an irritated look. The day had just started and Trent had managed to make him look... Dumb. Yeah as funny as it had been on one hand Daemon was a bit irritated about it.
"Honey, I'll pay for the rest of this trip if you want me to," Trent said, confused. "You know I don't mind. And don't throw yourself off the escalator. I tried that once, you won't bounce. And it'll hurt like hell," he added in a serious, matter-of-fact tone.
"Sarcasm Trent..... Sarcasm" Daemon replied before heaving a sigh. Yeah why did he even try to explain that? Wasn't going to work anyway. "Wait... When did you fall off a fucking escalator? Shit you goon how many times have you managed to get yourself fucked up? Jesus .." He added having fully processed the others comment finally. He swore every time he turned around he was hearing something new. Trent fell this time, Trent got hit by a bus this other time, what next? A story about a time he'd kissed a freight train!?
"It was in freshman year of high school," Trent began. "I don't know if I told you, but I was one of two male cheerleaders on my high school squad. The girl cheerleaders were popular. Not so much the boys. Well, this one time, my friends and I were at the mall. I hadn't changed out of my cheer uniform, cause I usually waited till I got home. These older kids kind of snuck up on us and so my buddy and I split. I ended up heading for the escalator, a couple of the older kids followed, and without thinking about it, I just... jumped. The doctor said I was lucky I didn't break more than just an arm, but I also dislocated a hip and had to sit out cheer for a while. Yeah. So I don't recommend jumping off an escalator, no matter how much I apparently embarrass you." Trent's tone was almost as chipper as always, but there was an undercurrent of bitterness. In his life he'd had two boyfriends and one girlfriend. So far, only 1/3 of his partners had ever been embarrassed by him, and he found he didn't like the way that felt. But he figured he'd get over it. He always did.
"Sarcasm... " Daemon muttered again but this time far more quietly as he moved to stray off from the direction they were going towards the Third Planet without so much as a word in response. Yeah Trent was probably irritated but whatever! He wouldn't have even understood why Daemon had found that irritating even if he'd tried to explain it. Trent was fucking simple and at times Daemon loved that, it was a break from everyone else and their over thinking and standards. However this was one of those times he wished Trent was less dense for sure. No fuck that that distraction for the time he needed to find something for Rhaenyra who was actually obsessed with this store to the point he remembered she'd actually worked here for a short period while trying to avoid his brother’s desires for her.
"God damn it, Daemon! I love you, but you know by now that if you ask me or tell me something, I'm going to take it at face value." Trent frowned. He'd reached his limit with Daemon's sullen bullshit for today. "One day you complain that I don't tell you anything. The next day you complain that I tell you too much. What does it take to make you happy? Should I buy a puppy who you can take out in public, or maybe build a wallowing chamber for you? Which would you prefer? You know what, don't answer that. It was rhetorical." He took out one of his credit cards and stuffed it into Daemon's pocket. "I'll see you at home."
Oh Jesus fucking Christ..... Daemon couldn't have rolled his eyes harder just then. He wasn't even looking at Trent at this point acting as if looking at something on a nearby rack. At least not until Trent went shoving his card into Daemon's pocket. Finally turning as he pulled it out he moved fast to grab Trent slapping the card onto the others chest.
"No.... I don't fucking need your stupid money Trent! And Rhetorical or not shove all that up you're ever so HELPFUL ass!" Daemon shot before sort of shoving Trent and simply heading for the door. Nope now he was heading straight for the bar and grill on the lower floor. Sulk away his actual desire to bitch smack Trent in his actual stupid fucking head. Together this long and Trent still felt the need to be so overly helpful it had first made him look like an actual bitch and after that he went trying to be condescending with it. The worst fucking part was he had no idea anymore of Trent really didn't know or if he just pretended not to understand some of these things so he could be a little asshole. Maybe a bit of both at this point....
Okay, now Trent was mad. He grabbed Daemon, swung him back round, and punched him in the face! He normally wasn't the violent type, especially with his lovers, but there was no call for Daemon to be acting the way he was!
"FUCK you, Daemon!" he snapped. "I'm rarely anything other than nice to you and you treat me like crap! You said if I was gonna offer to pay I should do it beforehand, well that was me offering!"
Yeah he hadn't seen that coming AT ALL! That being said as the pain radiating through his eye and temple he sort of just stood there in shock for a moment as Trent went shouting. Oh he wanted to keep shouting after that to? After a moment Daemon was suddenly shoving Trent backwards hard however snatching ahold of the others shirt neck so he didn't go all the way back he suddenly went swinging decking Trent in the face. Not once but twice. And.... Oh he was still going.
But Trent was pretty strong and he hadn't taken too many hits before he'd just rolled Daemon onto his back and pinned him down. He held him there for a moment, looking like he was either going to hit Daemon again or start kissing him, then just got up and started to walk away.
Daemon definitely would have kept going if Trent hadn't done that. Hit the ground only pissed him off more though and struggling against Trent he ended up getting angry enough to spit in Trent's face. Honestly they both looked crazy by this point and he'd have run after Trent and shoved him had the security guard not JUST reached them by the time Trent was walking off.
"Fucking touch me and fucking hit your Paul blart ass next bitch!!" Daemon snarled at the guy yanking his arm away almost immediately. "I'm done!" He quickly held his hands up glancing once more after Trent before turning to go the opposite way.
All that over what? Trent just not getting it!? Oh and HE treated Trent like shit!? He hadn't asked Trent along to HELP he'd genuinely wanted a day to actually spend time with him doing something they frankly both needed to do and now that was ruined to. Because Trent was fucking STUPID!!!
Just at the thought he went kicking over a trash can on his way by which easily got a second security bitching at him. Which he ignored this time soon hitting the stairs down he headed through the lower half of the mall and out into the parking lot kicking a rock rather angrily in passing as he headed for where he'd parked the Hummer. Climbing in he sort of slammed the door a bit hard before slouching down into the seat staring for a moment. Oh look there was TRENT....
"You treat me like shit by letting me live in your god damn house, by not actually kicking me out even though I brought over my psycho ex and probably still suck his dick, even though you invited me to come when you didn't have to, even though you're the only one who finds my dumb ass tolerable enough to want me around all the time, even though you're willingly meeting my SHITTY FAMILY!! Man FUCK YOU TRENT!!" Daemon went from rather childish baby talk mocking to shouting. Then moving to turn the hummer on he hit the gas hard causing it to leap forward the moment Trent went passing it but before it actually hit him he hit the brakes hard and held up a middle finger at him.
Trent had let a few tears fall once he'd reached the parking lot. What had he done to deserve this? he wondered miserably. He turned, his eyes went wide and he stumbled backwards and fell instinctively as Daemon revved the car at him and almost ran him over. What the fuck? So now Daemon was trying to kill him?
He took out his phone, sniffling a bit before he hit speed dial. "Hey. It's Trent. Is he with you?.... I need a ride from the mall on Ocean Avenue. Daemon and I got in this huge fight.... I don't know, he just tried to run me ovー ....no, don't call the police, it's, um, it'll be fine.... Okay." He hung up and just sat there, pulling his knees up to his chest and burying his face in them.
Barely a couple minutes later, Nate's ice blue Lamborghini blazed into the parking lot, deliberately bumping Daemon's Hummer on the way to Trent. George beeped the horn. Trent looked up with a small smile. George was driving, Sebastian and Nate were in the back... holding hands. Well, that was new. Trent clambered into the backseat next to Nathaniel, nudging him over into the center seat.
"You sure you don't want us to call the cops for you?" George asked. Trent could tell he was quietly horrified at what Trent had told him.
Trent shook his head. "No, I started the fight, and he was recently on house arrest. I don't want him all cooped up."
Sebastian lifted his head off Nate's shoulder and looked round to give Trent an extremely judgmental eyebrow raise. Trent frowned back at him.
"By all rights, you should be in jail, too," he pointed out.
"Not without evidence," Sebastian reminded him slowly. "Don't... Don't go back to him, Duckie. Don't let him treat you that way."
"Can we just go?" Trent pleaded. "I want to go home."
Sebastian cringed. "Yeah, about that.... Your house is kind of... gone. I mean, it's being rebuilt, but the fireー"
"DAMN IT, SEBASTIAN!" Trent snapped.
Sebastian flinched. That was warranted, but still.
"Fine. Drop me off at the shelter," Trent huffed.
"Don't be a silly ass," Nate grumbled. "The apartment across the hall is up for lease. You and George can move in there. We'll just go fill out the papers."
Trent frowned, remembering recently when Daemon had almost destroyed the hat and scarf set Troy had made for him. "I want to pick up my stuff first," he said. He called Erryk.
"Hey, Erryk? It's Trent. I'm moving out; can you please make sure Daemon doesn't destroy any of my stuff before I get there to grab it?"
"Jesus," Nate said, definitely loud enough for the mic to pick up.
"I'm on my way," Trent added.
"Daemon are you fucking kidding me!?" Rhaenyra sounded tense over the phone currently and for good reason. He'd just told her. Best she go and get his stuff for him and meet him at the airport then he bother.
"I know I know I probably fucked up… But he's such a clueless ASS and very fucking time all he does is act like he's fucking some innocent cherry in the situation!!" Daemon replied a bit mellow dramatically. He'd left the mall and ended up outside a set of storage units. The hummer was still running at least while he waited for Pat to show face.
"Probably? Daemon how many times have I told you your stupid pride is going to be the actual death of you…. That's all that fight was! You couldn't just let it slip because what? Trent paying like that or saying anything at all made your dick size shrink?" Rhaenyra replied a bit harshly. Ok he half regretted calling her now. She definitely never held back what she really thought.
"Yeah …. Well it's done isn't it? He couldn't just let it go either and believe me I fucking tried for once. He just kept going then acted offended I finally did to!" Daemon muttered staring at the steering wheel for the moment, finger picking at a small rip in it.
"My point withstands. The only one who needs to apologize in this is you. And if you think running I helpful you're even more of an idiot." She replied into the phone. "Jace! Get your keys you're driving us to Daemons… yes today hurry up!"
"I'm not running I… Well I had to take this short trip anyway it just seemed like a good time to do it." Daemon replied in a rather dull tone, eyes moving to his window as he saw the red Cadillac cruising up. Fucking flashy Irishman.
"Ok well we'll do that and then call you. In the meantime don't do anything stupid…. Including even pretending to run people over. Even that’s a no ok?" Rhaenyra mused very purposely talking as if talking to a child into the phone.
"Oh fuck off I didn't hit hi…"
"Daemon!!! Still not ok!!!" She interrupted in a chiding tone.
"Ok ok ok yeah you're probably right" He shot back as he turned off the hummer and moves to step out of the hummer. Why did Pat look so fucking mad?
"I'm always right. Ok we'll hang tight I'll call you" She added before moving to hang up.
"Ok bye…. " Daemon replied now fully studying the other blonde who was beelining for him as he got out.
"They know!!! HOW DO THEY KNOW!!!?" He was slammed up against the hummer before he had a chance to process what Pat was saying. "and WHAT happened to your ugly mug!!?"
Daemon sort of dead panned remembering the bruise. "We can talk about my person life over a scotch if you're desperate to know. For now I need elaboration….. who knows?"
Pat just glared this time. "Yeer fuckin family you git!"
------
"Aight stop!!!" Erryk shouted loudly so the driver of the van could hear as he finally had backed close enough to the door of the warehouse they'd be able to unload the mechanic parts just fine from the back. God hopefully this time they hadn't actually left the parts in the boxes to. Shit was heavy! Feeling his phone go off he moved to pull it from his pocket at feeling it ring it was Trent? Hearing him he wasn't all to shocked, however. Fucking awesome. Another burnt shit situation maybe? "Um yeah let me check I'll text you in a few minutes. Kinda at a drop" he replied and moving over towards where Criston stood talking to the cholo in charge of the drop off group he elbowed him and nodded. He then simply hung up.
Both were soon stepping away for a moment. "You and Jamie have this? I really need to go help Trent move out…." hearing this Criston snorted a bit of a laugh in response.
"What did Daemon break his nose for dropping the morning tea?" Criston remarked sarcastically before they were both actually chuckling.
"Hey, can you two like STOP jerking one another and help!!!" Jamie's voice came loudly from the back of the van.
"Yeah go… we don't need them causing a scene and drawing more attention or worse. Fucking think most of us are tired for literally paying for Daemon's mistakes" Criston replied shooting the blonde shouting a bit of a glare.
Nodding Erryk turned to head for where his truck was parked and went climbing in soon texting Trent.
[Omw to the house no worries] He sent Trent before moving to start the hummer and back out.
The drive to Daemon's to pick up Trent's stuff was a quiet one. George tried to liven it up once or twice but his attempts fell completely flat. Sebastian and Nathaniel both looked like they were contemplating murdering Daemon. Trent just looked sad, lost, like a puppy that had been kicked one too many times.
When they got there, Trent just quietly let himself in, packed up his stuff (declining help from his friends), and put his key on Daemon's pillow.
"Goodbye, Daemon," he whispered, a tear sliding down his cheek as he turned to go.
Comments
Post a Comment