Time Warp: Broken From the Start (Gryph)

[Deleted]

May 2012

Rue wasn't certain what he thought he was getting into.

He'd met Gryphon sort of by chance a few weeks back, and after they'd sort of clicked and exchanged numbers, he'd met him a couple times since for casual outings.  Today was the first real 'date', Rue thought, though it was still pretty light and carefree - just a nice spring day wandering around the farmer's market, with the entire day to do whatever they wanted and just... Get to know each other a little better.

Gryphon's aura was a cute little phoebe that Rue had already grown fond of, despite the colors it was often a mix of that hinted at something going on in the other boy's life that Rue wasn't sure how to ask about.  Maybe, he thought, if this... Somehow worked out into something, then he would ask.

But really... What was he expecting?  It had been only almost a year since he'd broken things off with Phoenix, and Rue still ached from that relationship ending.  Some days he just wanted to go back to Hammel and beg for forgiveness for doing what he'd done... But he told himself he had to move on unless he wanted to get sucked back into that stagnant mindset that kept him from pursuing his own goals.

So now he waited for this new date that he already knew was likely going to fail.  But at least, he hoped, they could be friends.  Rue was leaning against a brick building on the corner where he'd told Gryph to meet him, just a block or two away from the market.  He nervously ran a hand through his dark hair, hoping this wasn't a bad idea.  Just be calm....

[Gryphon Matsuoka]

Things were very unsure when it came to doing anything… intimate, or personal, at the moment, with Gryph. He thought that maybe it would be a good idea to distract himself… maybe get some support, at this time, but he felt a little nervous around people, after what had happened with Nick. He knew there was no harm in giving it a go, especially with someone like Rue, who seemed to be quite gentle and calm, but all the same, he didn’t hold high hopes. His optimism was about as well formed as dust at the moment.

Maybe… maybe it was too soon. And of course, Gryphon was thinking this on his way to seeing Rue, which was the completely wrong time to be having doubts. He couldn’t exactly go back on it now, just because he decided on the way there that he had chickened out. That would be unfair on Rue. Gryph was unaware of the other meta’s relationship problems, and his connection with the winged boy’s old school friend, but maybe that was for the best. He knew this probably wouldn’t go perfectly, so getting too emotionally attached would be the end of him.

In regards to Nick, Gryphon was still at a crossroads. He had this strong, caring attachment to the cyrokinetic that he just didn’t seem to be able to shake. And it felt like it was his own fault, not Nick’s. Like there was something in his personality that was so repellent that the other boy felt it necessary to point out his flaws and make him feel pain. It felt like he deserved it, which was crazy, but he didn’t recognise that either.

He spotted Rue and took a sharp breath, slowly letting it out as he approached him, “…hey.” He didn’t really know what to be doing. This already felt like a bad idea. Maybe he should just make an excuse and turn and run.

[Deleted]

It was sort of sad that they were both thinking similar pessimistic thoughts, but didn't know about it with each other. Besides the general feeling that something was off with Gryph and that Rue wanted to help him with it, the older boy didn't know much. He did, however, wonder if maybe helping someone else out with their problems would help him feel better too... His depression was usually the worst when he felt like he wasn't needed or wanted, so helping people made him a lot brighter.

Enough sad thinking... He needed to be prepared for his date, after all, and this wasn't any way to be doing that. Gryph thought about how handsome he thought the younger boy was, and how sweet and generally soft-spoken. His aura was a cute little thing, too, which was always a good sign. In fact, it was the fluttering of that grey-tinged, ghostly bird that made Rue look up from his internal ramblings and catch sight of Gryphon. Rue offered a smile. "Hey," he repeated, pushing himself off of the wall. "I'm glad you found me, I was afraid I'd picked too confusing of a place to meet." He rubbed the back of his neck and glanced down the street. "I know farmer's markets aren't incredibly glamorous, but they have a lot of good food, and I don't know about you, but I'm pretty hungry." Rue looked back at the younger boy. "Um, how are you?" He hoped once the initial awkward conversation was over, he would feel more relaxed. "You, um... You look really nice."