Eyes Cast Down | Edward

[Basil Zivaen]

[after the events in Trails

It had only been a few days since he had met Edward on the trails when he was running. Since then Basil had been one hell of a confused person. The man had thought he's known who he was, but maybe that wasn't so. He was pretty shaken up, a little jumpy, and very tired. The whole idea and decision sort of haunted him, in both a good way and a bad way. The man wasn't sure if what he was doing was wrong or right. He only knew that he'd been losing sleep battling over the decision he made. And why had he done it? Was he still trying to act out against the teaching of his parents even now? That seemed rather illogical to him since they were both gone and no longer had any had in his life. At least, no active hand anyway.

Rosemary skittered over to him, her little fluffy body shaking with how deeply she was purring. Basil picked her up, taking comfort in her small warmth and her happiness. The little kitten was such a friendly creature. He gently rubbed her purr, making her purr even more than she was before. If only everything was this simple. His brow furrowed and she shook his head. The man sighed and leaned back in his chair. At least the garden was still warm. Of course, it would be all winter so that he could continue to grow his plants.

A sound upfront made him jolt, and Rosemary jumped away, of in a flash. It was the bell of his shop door, ringing back here because he had put a duplicate up set to ring so he could hear even when he wasn't in the shop proper. He stood slowly and stretched, thinking of grabbing a cup of tea first real quick and letting whoever wa out there look around.

[Edward Scott]

Edward had never been more depressed in his life then right then. Basil had been haunting his mind in every single way after what had happened with Malcolm. It felt like there was NO one in the world who'd be willing to give him the time of day except Basil and yet, he always hovered in the side walk instead of knocked on the door. He'd had sex with this guy once and now he needed him. Maybe he was seeing guidance in Basil. Basil was older, smarter and Basil had the most comforting arms in the world, he'd realized. He was confused right now.

Maybe not about the same thing Basil or Malcolm were... Hell, Malcolm? Malcolm didn't give two shits about him or his feelings. What was he expecting? But what about Basil? What about Drew? The soft hearts he'd seduced. Did they spare him two thoughts? Edward bit into his bottom lip and sighed softly heading down the street until he stopped by the quite little flower stand. They had to have white roses inside. Drew had always liked white roses, hadn't he? Edward sighed softly brushing his fingers across the yellow daisies.

He liked yellow. Yellow seemed such a happy color. He wanted daisies... and white roses and red ones...Maybe he can...Maybe he can what? Go give them to Basil? Go give them to Malcolm? He could imagine what would happen with Malcolm and he was not about to watch these beautiful flowers get crushed on the floor so maybe Basil would appreciate a token. Edward stared for a moment longer at the flowers then scooped a bunch out of the bucket before heading inside the shop looking for some roses. He heard the jingle anouncing his entrance before found a bunch of Red Roses inside.

Now only white to go. Hidden behind a display he peeked out to where the registry was.
"Hey! Hello! Anyone 'ere?"
His thick english accent came out before he bit into his bottom lip and stepped out from behind the display. The scent of the flowers made his eyes fall shut in pleasure and he gave a soft sigh, smiling.
"I could stay here all day..."
He whispered softly.

It felt... nostalgic... somewhere else smelled like this. Somewhere he felt safe... happy... Happy place. Edward scoffed slightly at the thought. He was being SO gay right now.

[Basil Zivaen]

The kitchen was fairly quiet, the only sound was of his cats purring. All three of them. The little buggers were sitting on the counter watching him as if something very interesting had happened and they were all waiting for the results. Silly cats knew what was up. Always had. He shooed them off politely and they went running into the front of the shop, obviously to see who was there. Basil wasn't going to worry about that for the moment. He simply took a thick porcelain mug and started making himself some tea. It was nice to have all the loose leaf tea, because he could mix the flavors to siut his mood. Right now he was going something like rosehips and chamomile, with the slightest edge of orange. Soothing and calming, but enough so that he wouldn't fall asleep.

As the water boiled he looked around the rather empty kitchen. It was kind of small, but definitely clean. He'd been cooking a little in here lately, but he did most of his cooking in his own home, above the shop. In fact, that made him think. When he had brought Edward here he had taken him through the back door, so that he younger man had never even seen the shop. He didn't even know that it was here. While that was a halfway comforting thought it also worried him and made him feel guilty. He shouldn't take comfort in the fact that Edward didn't know his shop even existed. He had probably seen the greenhouse out of the back window since it covered the expanse of what used to be a wide backyard lot. But that was something to b expected since Basil was a photosynth. He loved plants. It was part of him.

The kettle whistled shrilly and he dumped the steaming water into the cup, taking in the aroma the leaves produced when submersed in the liquid. He plonked two sugar cubes in the cup and started to clean things up when he heard the person voice. It was slightly familiar, but most of it was blocked by the distance. Someone who had been here before then. That was good! He finished putting hings away and walked to the other room, sipping his very, very hot tea.

When he turned the hallway corner to see who was there, surprise bloomed in his features and he dropped his mug. It shattered, hot water covering his feet and porcelain spraying everywhere. The one person he hadn't expected to see was standing there holding red roses, obviously picked up from the display in front.

" Hello Edward. Nice to see you." His confusion only grew. Why? Because it was nice to see Edward again. No matter how confused the man couldn't deny that.

[Edward Scott]

Edward yerked when he felt something brush up against his leg and seeing the tiniest of the cats rubbing up lovingly against him, he quickly crouched down.
"Heya pusspuss. "
The movement a few steps away from him caught his eye and he raised an eyebrow at another cat sat a few feet away from him watching him intently. The another came jogging toward him seeing that attention was being given out.

"Wow... You guys belong to the local cat lady or something...?"
Edward whispered to them shoving his hair behind his ear when it had fallen into his face. Edward's head snapped up when he heard the shatter of a cup and his eyes widened. The Cats had scattered in different directions from the loud sound. Edward gasped when he saw who it was who had shattered the cup and slowly lay his flowers down on the ground.

"Shit, Basil... Are you okay!?"
Edward kicked bits of porcelain out the way and took Basil's hands in his, examining them with a look of concern plastered across his features.
"If you got burned then it's good to put it under... cold..."
Edward lifted his eyes to look into Basil's and a slowly warm smile grew on his face letting his thumbs slide across the elder man's hands.

"I ... uh... "
Edward licked his lips searching the ground for the right words. What could he say? 'Wow.... you really don't want me here if you're shattering cups at my appearance?' Edward lowered Basil's hands at the thought frowning at the ground now. Or 'I've not stopped thinking about those arms of yours.' Edward's blue eyes searched across Basil's arms then closed his eyes and tried to keep the thought of being in them out of his mind.

Or 'You don't have to ever be scared of giving it to me straight... so spill.' Oh if only... His eyes found Basil's again and he bit into his bottom lip for a moment before glancing around and frowning.
"Your house is round the back... sooo... this is yours?"
Edward said softly shoving his hands in his pockets before glancing over his shoulder. The flowers... what a waste of time that would be. Buying Basil's flowers for Basil... Edward pointed to them.

"I'll just go put those back and... uh... go..."
Edward half whispered.

[Basil Zivaen]

The surprise was palpable really, thick enough to slice through. The cats ran every which was, and Edward came over, looking at his hands and arms to see if they were okay. Other than a few small burns everything was in order. But Edwards hands were warm, which made the photosynth's heart beat slightly faster. Thoughts drifted into his mind and he was glad his assistant wasn't here. They weren't exactly the most appropriate of thoughts anyway. Edwards fingers moved softly against his skin and Basil just......well, Basil didn't day anything at the moment because there were enough emotions swirling around in him to blow up a building. When the younger man let go he had to stop himself from immediately snatching them up again. how confusing this is he thought to himself.

Edward hesitated and Basil could only imagine the thoughts going through his mind. He certainly didn't want the other to leave, not with all the thoughts that had been going through his mind lately. That would just be criminal.
" Yes, this is my shop. I'm surprised you've never been in here before." or maybe he had and Basil just hadn't been in. He wasn't sure. He stood, breathing in slowly so as to stay calm.

"I'll just go put those back and... uh... go..." Edward spoke slowly. Basil quickly scooped up the flowers and flung them onto the counter, wincing slightly as he did so. He hated abusing his own flowers, but they were second to Edward. He had already let them take him away from one person. Basil then wrapped his arms around Edward, holding him tightly.

" Don't go. I'm sorry, I was just really surprised. I've.... I've been a little confused. That's all." his voice was soft as he spoke in the blonde's ear. He didn't want to let go of Edward. He just knew, that no matter what his past had been this was something he had never thought of for himself, and was another thing he had almost given up hope on.

[Edward Scott]

Edward was just about to reach down when he felt the brush of flower petals being snatched from his finger tips and he straightened in alarm. The defensive wall keeping Basil from him was pulled up and the elder man was straight forward and cold. This alone made Edward expect the worst. The sudden grabbing of the flowers was surely to be followed by screaming for Edward to leave or maybe just the words spoken in a cold but polite way. The thing with flings were that you didn't return a week or two afterward for a second round.

You let it go. Besides, there was Malcom to amuse himself with and he knew he and Malcom would never fall into any type of closely committed relationship. At least not any time soon. Edward was just having fun. Just playing a field he had no right to be playing and he was expecting that at some point he'd get mauled for it. The roses were tossed onto the desk making Edward flinch. He was about to step back to make his retreat when Basil pulled his close. For a moment Edward tensed up in surprise but the warmth of the older man's arms soon made him melt into Basil's arms.

Edward wrapped his arms slowly around the older man's shoulders listening to those words. A soft smile settled on his lips. Confused? Basil was straight then? Well, whoops... At least Malcom had been wanting the experimentation before Edward had stepped into his life and blackmailed him into dating Edward. Basil had been spur of the moment. Basil had been a yearning for comfort which the older man had easily provided him with. Basil had been just a quick fix. It had always been Malcom. Malcom had always been his target...

But being here... Being in this man's arms. Being clung to like this... What was it that he'd wanted from Malcom. That fine, strong body? The puppy dog eyes? The smirk he wished to constantly break into a shocked expression? He couldn't think now. His head was spinning. He wanted this. He wanted comfort, stability. He lived on comfort and stability. His life had been full of Malcom and although he hated the rollercoaster ride of emotions Malcom provided, he still craved it but what you wanted in life was not always what you needed now, was it?

Edward placed a quick kiss under the older man's earlobe then moved his hand to cup the back of Basil's head.
"I'm sorry I made this more difficult then it ought to be. There should have never been confusion. I thought we were just.... fun and a new experience unless, that's still what you want. It could be you know. I'm not going anywhere. Not if you don't want me to."
Edward purred in Basil's ear stroking through the older man's greying hair.

"Those flowers?.... they were for you...I was gonna try and find your house again and drop them off."
He smiled against Basil's ear slowly melting his body against Basil's and sighing in contentment at the feeling of Basil against him.

[Basil Zivaen]

He was so glad when Edward didn't resist his hu. Basil wasn't sure he'd be able to handle it. He had seemingly found...dare he think it? Love, in a sort of hopeless place he had never thought about before. Fun and expieramentation was all well and good but Basil thought he was too old to just be having flings. Besides, he was the sort of person to get attatched. He didn't like to let go of things easily, not with how his life was, how it had been. And he didn't plan on letting Edward out of his grasp anytime soon. The sort of more possesive side was showing...sligtly. While Basil wasn't going to let it totally control the situation it was still there. Only his childhood ethos and rather strict training from when he was younger kept him from being a completely unbalanced person. He had to just calm that side of him.

This was what he wanted. He didn't want ti to be a fun fling, he didn't want this to end. He wanted Edward to stay, to not leave and to be with him. It was a big decision for Basil, as it would change a large part of who he was, but it was something he was willing to do. The benefits were well worth it. Well worth it.

" It isn't your fault this is dificult, it's more mine. I haven't ever been faced with a decision...similiar to this. Ever. It might take me some time to wrap my had around the ramifications....." He leaned his face onto Edwards shoulder, sighing deeply, pulling in the mans scent. For some reason, despite how it had all started he had a good feeling about this. About how mybe...maybe he could make something like thos work.

" I don't want you to leave. I want to be selfish and keep you to myself, but I don't want to control...." He had a hard time articulating the feeings swirling around in his mind and his heart. Basil.... Basil wasn't the kind of person to talk about feelings. He told them by actions, by simple gestures and the things he did, smiles and expressions. Words, though he had an excellent vocabulary and the ability to use it, failed him when it came to these emotions.

" Stay. I can figure myself out. Right now I know that this....this feels right. I had never thought about it in my life, but it just fits." He let go slowly, stepping back to look at Edward. The flowers had ben a sweet gesture, and Basil felt bad for throwing them acros the room even thought it had been for the better. Otherwise...who knew what could have hapened. He'd rather not dwell on it.

[Edward Scott]

Oh my god. Basil said Ramifications. Basil knew what Ramifications were! Intelligence! There was intelligence in the older man. He used proper english. He spoke proper english. Not many Americans bothered. Slang this and slang that. Though he suppose in England it was just the same thing. Edward moaned softly into Basil's neck at the words. Wait... He thought this was too compelx for him to grasp? This would take time for Basil to get used to? Basil felt that there were ramifications due? Edward gave a quick sigh in the other man's grasp.

No, this could be so easy. Then another thought hit him. Basil was considering all the consequences of this decision, this choice, this closeness they shared because Basil wanted it on a more permanent level. Well would you look at that. He'd gone and found the two men in the world that were Drew split up. Drew's looks, only darker, in the awkward Malcom and Drew's brain and personality, in the charming older Basil. One was a meta though. Malcom was a meta and Edward was obsessed with Metas where as Drew disapproved of the obsession.

Maybe... maybe to be able to follow his dream he needed to go with the person who would not object to him following his dream but Damn this stability that Basil was giving off felt sooooo goooodddd....Edward allowed the other man to step back away from him, fixing his eyes on Basil and listening to those words.
"Wow. I turned a perfectly straight man curious... or Bi..."
Edward said in a dreamy way before shaking his head.

"There I go labelling stuff again."
Edward slowly turned in a full circle glancing around the shop before turning back to Basil with a playful smile.
"Though this shop? It's pretty girly. It's beautiful. I'm glad the universe decided that I had to walk in here and find you I guess..."
Edward stepped toward the broken cup and started picking up the pieces in his hand.

"Maybe I can get you another cup from across the road and we can have some coffee so I can stay?"
Edward would have stayed forever if he could. He could have moved in right now, given the chance. This amazing calmness... he missed it so much and when he was here with Basil, he had it. The scent of the flowers, Basil's mere pressence. He felt warm and not detached anymore like he'd been feeling for some time now.

People like these were a dime a million. He knew that and he didn't even need to be asked to stay. He really wanted to stay.

[Basil Zivaen]

He chuckled softly at Edward for berating himself over a label. Although Basil was not fond of labels himself he didn't mind what Edward said because it was true...in a sense. Basil right now didn't know what he was, or how to explain the emotions churning around inside of him. He would just have to be patient and wait until they decided to even themselves out. Basil looked around for a moment. Of course, he didn't think that his shop was girly, but then again he wasn't sure what the definition consisted of. The colors were rather darker and comforting for him, having the same tones as plants and nature. Everything was elegant, as befit him. So maybe he was just a tad bit biased. When Edward started to pick up the rest of the cup Basil leaned over to help.

" That would be fine with me. I needed a new cup anyway. I think this one was beginning to crack." A lie. It was a fairly new cup, but Edward didn't need to know that. It looked old because of the way it was made. He had gotten it the last time he had gone to one of the bigger cities. Pilot Ridge didn't always have everything he needed so sometimes travel was necessary. Once the largest pieces were picked up Basil quickly swept up the smaller bits and dumped the whole of it in a waste bin. Then he looked at the flowers he had flung on the counter.

" It makes me sad to hurt them." He said in a sort of sighing voice. " They are resilient things though. For that I am glad." A slight smile lit up his face as he picked up the bruised and misshapen roses. They were rather sad looking. But not for too long. Slowly Basil ran his fingers over the bruises and they receded, making the roses just as bright and lively as they had been. The petals that were barely hanging on were drawn back to the flower the way they had been, and any rip or breaks in the stems and leaves knit themselves back together. It wasn't very often Basil used his power like this, to fix a plant in such a manner. Most of the time he just used it to influence growth, color, to listen to the plants. Maybe sometimes to know the weather, if he didn't know already.

" Much better. See? No harm done." The older man walked back to the very front and replaced the flowers from where they had come from, ready to get a new mug, if that's what Edward wished to do. Although he was just as happy using one of his other mugs and making them lunch. It seemed about the right time. Pasta sounded good. Of course, that could wait until later and they could actually go outside and do something, even if it was getting colder and colder all the time.

[Edward Scott]

Basil crouched down to help him gather the pieces of the cup but Edward was being ever so careful not to make Basil take pieces with sharp edges. He never wanted Basil to get hurt around him. Wow, what a strange thing to think about a man he barely knew. Maybe that one night in Basil's arms had been enough. Having Basil in him. It had been enough to make him care for the older man. Edward smiled softly making his fingers brush lightly against Basil every time Basil's hand moved to collect a piece of glass. Yes, he was totally doing it on purpose.

That shot of electricity felt so good each time their skin met. He wanted more of it and he would more then likely push to get what he wanted. Edward smirked at Basil's words about needing a new cup because the old one had been cracking up.
"Hmmm. Teaholic? I see I'm in good company then. Don't tell me it's coffee instead though. I'd be thoroughly disappointed. "
Edward straightened up and placed the pieces he'd collected in the dustpan once it was produced.

Edward then hovered when Basil finished the rest of the cleaning with such precise ease, it suprised Edward. Edward's eyes hovered over the flowers and he frowned slightly.
"Yeah. I can understand that. They're like your babies. It's like when I have to give injections to Trypanophobics."
Edward explain then thought to explain what kind of phobic that was but considering the large vocabulary Basil seemed to have, Edward was almost certain that Basil knew what he meant.

Edward smiled when Basil moved to collect the roses. They certainly were resiliant. Edward stepped up beside Basil and watched as he caressed at the petals. The same way he'd caressed at Edward's skin and it sent a shiver up his spine at the thought of being close to Basil like that. Edward's mouth fell open when he began seeing the change in the roses. The way they grew, blossomed. His mouth fell open and closed like a fish out of water. Meta! He was a Meta! Dear GOD! A Meta. Edward's eyes sparkled as he watched Basil.

He was a GOD. Edward's heart was racing. His head was spinning. His eyes glanced around the room. Only healing? Or more? Maybe Basil could make this place even more beautiful then it was. Silence fell and Edward's wandering eyes found the older man hovering close to the door. Edward moved toward him, breath hitching as he closed in on Basil. His hand slipped behind Basil's head and he brought Basil's lips to his, kissing Basil longingly, deeply. His free hand moved t grip at the older man's shirt. Edward pulled his lips mere inches from Basil's to whisper words against those lips.

"You are so sexy to me right now... Please take me. Tea can wait till later. "
Edward kissed him again, pressing his body against Basil, hoping to get the older man's attention away from coffee and flowers and on him. His fingers ran through Basil's greying hair. His other hand began popping buttons and he couldn't help but squirm against Basil. He didn't care where they went for round two. The kitchen, the bathroom, the storeroom. He just wanted Basil RIGHT NOW.

[Basil Zivaen]

Everytime he picked up a piece of the cracked porcelain Edwards fingers brushed his. Not that he minded, it was just slightly distracting. And yes, he was very much a teaholic. It was very rarely, if ever that the man drank coffee. He hated the stuff because if was acidic and bitter. Just plain nasty really.Besides, he had an unlimited number of flavors of tea, literally, right at his fingertips. All her had to do was go into the greenhouse or the stores he had set away and decide what he wanted.

" Coffee is just...." he made a soft of face then shook his head. No, coffee wouldn't do, ever. It was just too disgusting. No one could make it right. Edward started saying something about people with the fear of needles, which Basil honestly wasn't too fond of himself. Of course, they were necessary but that didn't mean he had to like them. After fixing the flowers Basil was very surprised by Edwards reaction. He hadn't known he was a meta? The look in Edward eyes told him so.

When he came over and kissed Basil the older man was slightly shocked, because that was the last thing he had expected. He wrapped his long thin arms around Edward and returned the kiss, moving them away from the window. A smile curved across his lips as he broke away for a moment.
" Follow me."

He grabbed Edward hand, moving them through the shop to the door that would take them upstairs to the apartment. It would be much more comfortable for them up there anyway. His eyes glimmered as they moved, some of the unsureness he had been melting away.

[Edward Scott]

Edward certainly didn't have to ask twice and the response from Basil made him even more excited to be around the older man. He wanted to be around the older man so much that it actually surprised Edward. It was like Drew only... diffrent. Edward was lead out of the shop and up the stairs to the apartment and when they were inside it he glanced around slowly allowing nostalgia to settle inside of him. This was where he and Basil had first come together. He remembered it now.

Edward licked his lips and quickly flashed his eyes to Basil.
"What about the shop? Should I make it quick?"
The uncertainty and disappointment was in Edward's voice as his hands already began to wander. His body was already drawn to press against Basil's like Basil had a magnetic pull on him. His lips were already littering kisses across Basil's neck. He was yearning for the older man already.

"I wish I could stop time for us. Just you and me and nothing else."
Edward whispered into Basil's ear then suckled at his earlobe lightly. The fact that Basil was even allowing this was amazing. There was no push and pull. There was no indicision. There was simply Basil and Edward and the desire.