Date After Work (Oriel)

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Working at a pet store was surprisingly hard work sometimes. It was only Phoenix's second day, but already he'd had to start memorizing where everything was located, learning about all the different animals that were in the shop (wow, it really did require a lot to take care of a pet!), and juggling tasks with interacting with customers at the same time. With Phen's still injured leg, he was somewhat limited to what he could lift and how fast he could move, but the shop owner, his boss, was very patient, and didn't make him try to do anything he wasn't capable of doing.

It also involved a lot of cage cleaning and all that sanitary stuff, but Phen had a fairly strong stomach, and he got used to it pretty quickly, fortunately. The hardest part was not getting distracted by the various cats, dogs, birds, rodents, and all other assortment of animals in the shop. Phen wanted them all! At least this way he could be around them without having to worry about actually owning them. It was a win-win situation, overall.

It was almost time for his shift to end, though, and Phoenix was just wrapping up his duties for the day, restocking some of the shelves and making sure everything was clean and there weren't any spills or anything. He wiped at his forehead, taking a deep breath as he studied his work. He was wearing a dark blue apron with the store's name on the front, along with a nametag with his own name; his hair was tied back in a tiny ponytail, too. "I think that's everythin'," he mumbled to himself, slowly turning on his heel to go find his boss and let him know.

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Oriel was glad that Phoenix had managed the job at the pet store. After the hell that had been going on over the past couple of weeks, the boy really needed the break and chance to be happy about something. Being able to spend his weekends with the animals that Oriel had seen make him regress into a 5 year old would be the perfect formula for de-stressing. Oriel remembered the night they had brought back the little kitten Boo and how happy it made Phoenix to be able to interact with something so small and alive and different than the illusions he'd been lost in before, and seeing Phoenix get the chance to experience that all the time was enough to liven Oriel's own heart.

He still loved to see that boy smile, no matter how much of a dork he was being.

But today there was another reason to be happy. After three whole long months of being confined to campus, Oriel's sentence was finally served(aside from an everlasting long run of detentions which would likely never go away), and he could finally go out and do stuff. Granted, there wasn't a whole lot he wanted to do - mostly just grocery shopping and errand running - but he could at least do it. But the one thing he was most looking forward to was being able to take Phoenix out on a real-live honest-to-goodness date!

He wasn't all that much better at being out of his element than he was before, but the thought of being able to spend that time with Phoenix made the discomfort worth it. Plus, all those months he'd been spending not doing anything important, Oriel had managed to save up a bit of cash to prepare for this outing. All this anticipation was enough to have Oriel practically humming a tune with a skip in his step as he approached the pet store where his waifu was currently spending his day.

"Hello~" he called out along with the tiny tingle from the door as he opened it. "Phoenix?"

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Phoenix, being the only person working at the time other than the manager, quickly found his boss and let him know he was leaving, just after a few more moments of playing with the little cage of kittens. They were all so cute and fluffy, he just couldn't resist. Forgetting to put up his apron yet, he squatted down next to the area where the little fuzzballs were playing, sticking his finger between the bars and watching one of them come to investigate the wiggling offer.

When it pounced, Phen giggled, just in time for the bell signaling the front door was opening to ring out and announce someone had come inside. Phoenix peeked up as he heard the greeting called out, instantly recognizing his boyfriend's voice. Wait... Oriel was here!? Why hadn't he told Phoenix?? The pixie boy hopped to his feet (as best he could with his injured limb) and made his slightly hobbly way over to his Squishy, grinning from ear to ear.

"I didn't know you were comin'!" he exclaimed, ignoring his own rather ruffled, sticky appearance and going in for a nuzzling hug. "You didn't tell me you were!" Phoenix had actually, through some of their already many conversations, found out that his boss was gay, and thus he didn't feel as worried about showing affection for his boyfriend as he may have somewhere else with authority figures. Didn't mean he was going to full-on make out with him, though, so he pulled back and simply beamed at his Oriel. Things had been hard recently, yeah... But... They were going to be alright.

"I was just wrappin' up, uh..." He looked to the ground and scuffed his foot. "I missed you," he mumbled a little timidly. Phoenix was so used to spending nearly all of his waking (and sleeping) hours with Oriel, it was weird and uncomfortable to be away.

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Oriel rounded one of the shelves to see his boyfriend pop up and greet him with the most relaxed, excited smiles he'd seen on him in days. Yeah, working here really was good for him. When the other boy threw himself at Oriel, the taller boy just wrapped his arms around him, not caring that his apron might muss up his own clothes and greenish jacket. "Thought I surprise you," he said, giving Phoenix a little peck on the forehead. "You do get off right now, right? I didn't just make a whole trip down here for nothing?"

Phoenix gave his answer in his next statement then turned into a blushing little girl that had Oriel chuckling to himself over how adorable he was. "'course you did," he said, ruffling up his hair. "I did too." It was weird with Phoenix not just being around all day for Oriel to bug at any time he pleased. Now, there was a schedule he had to work his bugging around.

He gave Phoenix a light tap on the back. "Go finish up, I'm gonna wait up here for you. Got some more surprises." Was Oriel transparently excited? Maybe.

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"Mmm..." Phoenix hummed happily feeling Oriel's strong arms wrap around him; it hadn't been all that long since the last one, just earlier that day, but it felt like far too long. "I like surprises," he mumbled, feeling his cheeks heat up a little. It was so nice to see Oriel able to be off-campus, especially like this, unexpected and happy. "Yeah, yeah, I just... Oh, man, I forgot t'take off my apron." He struggled to undo the tie in the back, and eventually just turned so Oriel could do it for him, before folding the article up in his arms, also forgetting his hair was still up in its silly little topknot.

A silly little topknot that only got more mussed up as Oriel ruffled his hair. Phoenix sent him a playful scowl, but it quickly softened as Oriel admitted his own feelings. "It's gonna be hard, bein' away all day on a regular basis like this..." he mumbled. "But hey, I get paid, so that means I get t'spoil you all I want." His smile returned at the thought. Of course, he needed to think about saving up for when he graduated too, but... It was just exciting to actually have an income now.

He nodded quickly as Oriel tapped him, eyes lighting up even more at the promise of more surprises. "Okay!" he agreed, quickly going to put away his apron and clock out before hobbling back to his Squishy. "I think that's everything." He leaned down and prodded his finger into the side of the kitten cage one last time. "Bye Oreo," he told a little black and white kitten, giggling once more before standing and linking his hand with his own Oreo. "So... Where to?" he asked, barely managing to contain his excitement; his wings, which were doing well enough to only have a slight brace now, fluttered a little.

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Oriel fumbled through untying Phoenix's apron when he turned, but it was still just a few seconds before it was done and Phoenix could take it off and fold it over his arms. Oriel bounced his hand off the little topknot. "My little boy, all growed up now," he sobbed pathetically.

Oriel snorted. "You? Spoil me? Sorry, but I think you got that the other way around." He stuck his tongue out. "What do you think this surprise is about?" Oriel planted another kiss on Phoenix before sending him off to clock out.

He laced his fingers into Phoenix's as he hobbled to Oriel's side and led him out the door. "Oreo?" he asked. Whatever, just a dumb kitten. And adorable kitten, but still dumb. "Well…we, my fine fluttering friend, are going on a date." The location was still a surprise thought. They needed to catch a bus first. Luckily, it wasn't that far. Oriel swung their connected hands as they headed down the sidewalk.

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Phoenix rolled his eyes at Oriel's 'sobbing', pushing his boyfriend lightly on the chest. "Oh stop, it's just a silly job," he mumbled, though he was smiling anyway. It was amazing, really - who'd have thought he'd ever manage to get a job, let alone one that he actually enjoyed so far? "And besides, I'm older than you, so I'm not your little boy," he added playfully. He finally reached up and pulled the little rubber band out of his hair, which did little to make it look better - now it was just all mussed up around his face.

"I can spoil you if I want to!" he retorted, pouting out his lower lip. Even though Oriel was doing the surprising, Phoenix already had his own plan for Valentine's day when it came around, and it involved a good portion of the money he would make between now and then.

He smiled crookedly at the name. "Yeah... Doesn't he look like one?" he asked, peeking back at the kitten. "He's super rambunctious too. And a little terror. Reminds me of you." He nuzzled his nose against Oriel's cheek. He gasped at Oriel's declaration, his wings beginning to flutter even more despite himself. "A date? Like, a real, real date?" he asked, absolutely ecstatic. They'd been together for a couple months now, but between the various detentions and troubles they'd gotten into, they'd never been able to go on a proper one before. He glanced down at their hands and grinned, stepping in to walk closer to his lover. "So... You gonna tell me anything else, or am I gonna have t'wait?" he asked, not realizing they were heading towards the bus stop.

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"You're older? Since when?" Again, despite the fact that Phoenix was actually older, it was hard to tell given their dispositions. Which still suited Oriel just fine, he got to take care of his Squishy on a regular basis. And Oriel loved taking care of people.

Oriel laughed. "How do you think you can spoil me when I'm busy spoiling you?" He bat the boy playfully on the forehead, pushing him back a slight.

"I guess," Oriel said with a roll of his eyes. Though he had to admit, the kitten was pretty cute. It sucked that they couldn't keep one at the dorms. His eyebrows shot up at Phen's description. "What? I'm a terror? And rambunctious? You must be talking about someone else." As if Oriel was any of those things.

He had to stifle a laugh seeing Phoenix's wings flutter about at his excitement. That was….really cute. And Oriel wondered just what else he could do to make him excited just like that. "Yes, a real date," he said, trying to maintain his nonchalance. It wasn't something that Oriel had ever tried before, but now that he had the chance, he really wished he could have earlier. "You're going to have to wait," he teased. Oriel stopped them at the bus stop and motioned for him to sit down on the bench.

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Phoenix stuck his tongue out, squinting his eyes at Oriel. "Technically I'm an adult, too." It was hard to believe, and something he didn't like thinking about, so he quickly let go of that thought. Nope, he didn't need to grow up, he'd worry about that when he graduated, it was still like five months away, plenty of time...

"I... I can!" he protested, stepping back with a pout as Oriel batted him. "An' you can't stop me!" His boyfriend was going to be smothered in gifts on Valentine's Day, he'd just wait and see.

"Oh come on, you know you love them," he gushed, prodding a finger into Oriel's side. After all, he hadn't been the only one that had giggled and fawned over the little Boo. Phen was determined to get a kitten... Once he graduated... And now he actually knew how to take care of them! "Oh, right, sorry, you're a sweet, innocent baby," he replied with a chuckle, pecking Oriel on the cheek. "I don't know how I ever thought otherwise."

Phen didn't like to have his wings out specifically for this reason - they gave all his emotions away! (As if he wasn't incredibly easy to read already). The fluttered when he was excited, drooped when he was sad, stiffened up when he was angry... They were like a beacon. And they looked dumb. "Oh my God, you're the best," he gushed, giving Oriel's hand a squeeze. He couldn't wait to see what his Squishy had planned. He whined a little, impatient, but sat when Oriel motioned him to, wondering where on earth they were going that they had to take a bus. He leaned into Oriel as they waited; fortunately it wasn't long, and the bus pulled up as Phoenix pulled out some coins for the fare. "How was your day, anyway?" he asked conversationally as they found two empty seats. "Since, you know.... I haven't seen you for hours." This felt like such a strangely normal couple-thing to do, Phen almost felt like he was acting.

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Valentine's Day was certainly just around the corner and since previous years he had no reason to even give it a thought. It was just another day to him. So the fact that it was fast approaching didn't even occur to him. All he knew was that he wanted to do something nice for Phoenix. Something to make him feel special. And a proper date was the best thing he could think of.

Would it surprise anyone that he had been planning this since Christmas? Waiting eagerly for the day his grounding was over so he could finally use the cash he'd saved to make this day a reality. "Just make sure you remember that next time." The playful banter between the two young lovers was the perfect, cheesy way to begin the afternoon he had planned.

"How was your day, anyway? Since, you know.... I haven't seen you for hours."

"Long. And boring. Especially without you." He leaned in and placed a kiss on Phen's temple before he stood and pulled out his own fare as the bus approached. He gave Phoenix a hand, helping up onto the bus. They paid the fare and took a seat on the open seats at the front of the bus. It would take about 30 minutes to get where they needed, but until then, they could talk. "So…how's the job? It's not too hard on you, right?"

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Phoenix had had no idea Oriel had been planning this. As far as he knew, they were just going to continue what they had been doing, spending a lot of time in Oriel's room, messing around, making some noise at night. It was all perfect to Phen, apart from the few setbacks they'd had; and this date, real date, was just making everything that much better. Even though he had no idea what Oriel had planned, he was sure it would be great. Anything would be, as long as Phoenix could be with his lovely snarky Squishy.

"I'm sorry, baby," he pouted, leaning into the kiss. "I'd say you could come and bother me at the shop but... I really don't want t'get fired yet." He offered a small smile. "I'll keep textin' you on my breaks, though." And whenever he got the chance, really. It was some sort of contact, at least, and it was better than nothing. He blushed like a shy little girl as Oriel helped him onto the bus, doing his best not to wobble up the steps. Phen let out a heavy sigh as he sat, resting against Oriel once again and closing his eyes. "Mm... Not too bad," he murmured. "I'm awfully tired though." He yawned. "It's alright though, I'll be awake when we get... Wherever we're going." He cracked an eye open and peeked up at Oriel. "How long we gonna be on here, love?" The bus was fairly empty, especially near the front, so Phen wasn't too shy to give Oriel some much-needed (in his opinion) affection.

"But yeah... It's actually kinda fun," he admitted. "Sometimes cleanin' out the cages is a chore, but I really like all the little critters." Phen's cheeks dimpled in a grin. "There are these tiny dwarf hamsters that I swear never run out of energy, running around all day." He yawned again. "Wish I could have some of their energy..."

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"Guess I'll have to live with that for now." Oriel really had missed being with Phoenix pretty much every waking second of the day. It did remind him that one of these days Phoenix was going to be graduated and….would probably be moving off campus. Their days of living together like this were numbered. So…he had to make the best of the time they had left.

"This…this job isn't going to wear you out too much, right? Like, you ain't going to be too tired to….you know…at the end of the day?" He was speaking in a hushed voice. There may not have been many people on the bus, but there was still the driver. Though even more importantly, "If you're too tired…we can go back." He planted another kiss on the side of his lover's head. "It's going to be a while. You can take a nap if you want."

Oriel ruffled Phoenix's messy hair, pulling him in closer. "Sounds like a great time." He tried to be sarcastic about it, though honestly Oriel felt that any job was a good job so long as it paid. And if Phoenix got to spend time around those little animals and pets that he loved, then it was a great job. "Well, maybe we can hook you up to some energy machine powered by them little beasts?"

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Phoenix didn't like to think about graduation. Well, he did, but it was also very scary, like he was actually finally stepping into being an adult, as much as he would rather not. He hoped... He hoped he could ask Oriel to come live with him once he found his own place, but they hadn't really talked about it yet; Phen wasn't even sure Hammel would allow it. He'd probably end up spending half his nights back in Oriel's room if that was the case.... Not to mention inviting him over all the time to cook for him.

He glanced up again and blinked, then let out a small chuckle, nuzzling his cheek against Oriel's shoulder. "I dunno. I hope not," he replied, trying not to yawn again. "I might just have t'lay there sometimes... Maybe my endurance will start gettin' better after a while?" He was saddened to realize that, had Oriel asked to fool around now, he might not be up for it. "No, no, I'm not to tired," he reassured his lover anyway, doing his best to look awake. Though the thought of a nap was rather tempting. "I'm just gonna... Rest my eyes for a bit." And so he closed them, which definitely did not help his fatigue.

Phoenix barely stirred at the hair ruffle, but his lips twitched into a smile. "It's not bad," he assured him. It could definitely be a lot worse - he could be working at a fast food place or something, having to deal with all sorts of people all day... At least the shop was pretty quiet, and he could distract himself with non-talking creatures if he felt overwhelmed. "Mmmm... That sounds nice," he mumbled, starting to drift off, slowly slipping down further on Oriel's shoulder; eventually his head was going to end up in his lap. Within a few moments, he was sleeping lightly; hopefully a power nap would be enough to boost him awake for whatever was coming.

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Oriel's eyes panned around the bus, looking out the windows and at the scenery that passed them by. As they spoke, the bus started to slow down again to pick up another passenger. "Heh….If you just lay there, you'll make me sad. Who the fuck wants to fuck a limp corpse?" Oriel was into some pretty kinky shit, but necrophilia wasn't one of them. "You better build some stamina. Or I'll just spike your kool-aid with an energy shot or something." Phoenix was supposed to start building that stamina with his swimming. Unfortunately, the broken leg had pushed back those plans and now Oriel didn't know if Phoenix was going to continue with that or not when his leg finally healed.


"It's fine. Take a nap, I'll wake you when we get there." Oriel would just keep an eye out for the stop. The bus started up again with a jolt. Phoenix, however, seemed to have drifted off pretty quickly leaning against Oriel's shoulder. Oriel kept his arm around him, making sure the stop and gos of the bus didn't rock him around too much.

It took longer than Oriel thought to get to their stop. About 40 minutes. When they approached, Oriel pressed the stop request button to signal the driver to let them off. That's when he also gently roused his companion. "Oy, Squishy. Time to move." Assuming Phoenix woke, Oriel would help him off the bus as well and start leading him to their next destination. "We got one more ride, then another walk. Think you can handle it?" The next bus wouldn't last nearly as long though.

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Phoenix peeked up as Oriel spoke, jutting out his lower lip. "Well.... Might just have t'be some nights where we can't, then," he moped. "You know I'm not all that energetic sometimes." He hoped the job would help, and yes, he was hoping to start getting back in the pool after he got his cast off. He'd made some progress already, he wanted to keep going. Phoenix stuck his tongue out at Oriel, adding,"And if you spike my drink, I'm gonna get so jittery you won't know what t'do with me." Heh... Nah, he was sure Oriel could think of something.

He gave a barely audible "Mmm," at what Oriel said; he had been more tired than he realized. He was out like a light after that, not stirring in the least despite the noises and jerking around. The mixture of working for several hours on his feet when he wasn't used to it, plus the comfort of Oriel's presence, worked better on him than any sleeping pill.

His dreams were filled with kittens and puppies and Oriel laughing and playing with said kittens and puppies when Phoenix stirred, roused by his boyfriend's nudging. "I'm awake, I'm awake," he slurred, blinking drowsily. He squinted outside. "Where are we?" He didn't recognize anything. Phen let Oriel help him off like the cripple he was, limping slightly; his leg had fallen asleep. His good leg. "Yeah, yeah, 'm fine," he yawned, starting to wake up a little more. "What the... What the hell do you have planned?" he chuckled, leaning heavily against Oriel until they reached their other bus and got on. "I feel like you're gonna fuckin' propose t'me or somethin'." Nope... Just a first date. A very mysterious, unknown location that Phen still had no clue about.