"Right. No more for today." He laughed softly, a low, rhythmic sound that vibrated deep in his chest. But this wasn't a first. For a few days now, Xavier had been less of an opponent to mess around with and more of a genuine distraction.
The day we first met, we had a short but relaxed conversation. The next few times it was the same, but slowly we had come to develop this dynamic of retorting the other with sarcasm and—well, he became playfully wicked in that regard. Maybe it could be said he adds a naughty vibe to it, a magnetic pull that explains why so many people are desperate for his attention. He seems to enjoy talking to me, likely because I'm one of the few who is actually good at returning the favour.
Today could be the last time I see him for a while. Even though he thinks I'm a guy, after meeting him here so often at the bar, I feel like we've ended up becoming something like good friends.
I stared for a moment at his apparently fine expression, wondering what could have happened to him to make him give up so fast tonight. I searched his eyes for a sign of fatigue or boredom, but wondering about that would only leave me with no real answer.
"Here you go, Xav."
"Thanks, Ruben."
After his drink was served, I shared a glance with Ruben, who shrugged a little at Xavier's unusual demeanour. I took another moment to watch how he fiddled with his glass, his long fingers tracing the rim of the crystal. Then, I decided to interrupt the palpable stillness that had settled between us.
"What about you?" I asked, leaning in slightly. "Did your life become boring too? You look dejected for some reason."
He paused his hand to look at me and smirked. He immediately reverted to how he usually behaved, becoming even more flirty than before. It was a transformation that made me instantly regret trying to be nice to a guy who's been trying to get me into his bed from the moment he met me.
"Why? Are you worried about me?" He tilted his head, his eyes gleaming with mischief. "Will you pamper me if I say I'm sad, Connor?"
Xavier used that smug face that worked so well with his usual targets. But sadly for him—
"Sure. If you buy me the whole bar, I might reward you with a slap."
—that won't work with me.
"You like it rough? I can go for that if it's what you're into." He chuckled, his voice dropping into a husky, suggestive purr.
"Ugh, just drink and shut up."
"Hahaha!" He laughed, the sound rich and melodic as he signalled the bartender. "Ruben, prepare Connor's."
"Okay."
"Hm? You're still buying me one?"
"It's my duty." As if it were a mandatory requirement, he gulped down his glass, grinning even as he lightly frowned at the drink I still held in my hand. "I can't let others invite you. It leaves a bad taste in my mouth."
"Hah. What a petty guy."
"I'm fine with being petty."
"Really now?"
"Yeah, so let's go somewhere else tonight, Connor."
"Not even in your dreams. Just give up."
I didn't persist in asking what was wrong. We drank quietly together for a while, the ambient noise of the bar swelling around us. After a little more than an hour had passed, I decided it was finally time to go home.
"You're leaving?" Xavier asked as soon as I stood from my seat. He didn't seem to care that he was currently being hit on by a couple of guys who were clearly potential "fun" for him tonight.
Not wanting to interrupt his prospects, I simply nodded and waved goodbye to him and Ruben, who was further down the counter and busy attending to some other customers. "See ya," I said, after leaving a few dollars to pay for my drink.
However, my nice intention of leaving quietly was wasted. Xavier stood up anyway, leaving the guys flirting with him stranded as he followed me toward the exit.
"Wait, I'll go with you." Giving me a look that suggested he desperately needed a break, Xavier came after me, telling the surprised guys to wait. "I'll be right back."
"Come back quickly!" one of them trilled, leaning over the counter with a playful pout.
"We'll drink all of this up if you don't hurry!" the other added in a singsong voice.
"Mhm, that's fine. Let's go, Connor."
"Ah, yeah. Bye, guys," I said, feeling a pang of guilt for the pair who once more glared at me, even while they maintained forced smiles on their faces.
Walking side by side with Xavier, I couldn't help but sigh before deciding to tell him what I actually thought about his little stunt. "You know, if you're so tired of them, why do you keep sitting there? Why do you even entertain them? Just leave and take a break if you want. Don't use whatever you find useful as an escape route."
"Well, if I do that, I won't get laid, will I?"
"Hah. I don't know. I guess so? They might actually still wait for you. They seemed pretty eager to get laid as well."
"It doesn't really matter either way."
"If you say so."
"Hey, Connor, seriously. Why don't we go somewhere—"
"I won't be your 'fun', Xavier. Just give it up. It's not going to happen. Ever." I immediately cut him off, already aware of what he was about to ask. Besides... My body has things you won't find fun and lacks something you do find extremely fun. I chuckled a little at the thought, knowing he would be just as shocked as Mason was when I finally clarified my gender to him.
"Why are you so sure about that?" He stopped walking, his voice taking on a serious tone I had never heard from him before.
"Well, that's because—" I started, but the words died in my throat. He took a sudden step towards me. As we were already at the entrance, I ended up backed against the wall, looking up at him. He was acting incredibly strange. "What is it?"
"I can tell we have affinity. I'm really... really attracted to you, Connor." He leaned into my space, his presence overwhelming. He rested his hand on the wall right beside my arm, his fingers playing with the lace of my hoodie as he tried to use his seductive skills to win me over. "I'm quite sure that I could give you the greatest first time. You'll go crazy. Maybe I will too… How about it?"
I froze for a second as he leaned closer, the scent of his cologne mixing with the cool night air. He had never been so blunt about his intentions, and he certainly had never appeared this serious when around me.
It actually took me a little off guard. But in the end, there was only one answer to give.
"Stop messing around. I have to go now. Have your fun with one of those guys who are currently piercing daggers into my back with their eyes. They seem feisty—perfect for you, right?"
"I want it with you, though. Your kind of feisty."
"Well, that's not happening. Never. Ever." Staring right into his eyes, I spoke with absolute conviction. I reached for the handle of the door and turned it, offering one final farewell. "Bye, Xavier. Thanks for the drinks. They were nice, I'll give you that."
"See you next week."
"Have fun."
For some reason, I couldn't get myself to say we wouldn't meet next week, but neither was I able to say we would see each other. It was an odd feeling. Any other day, I would've coldly blurted it out, but tonight seemed different. Tonight, it felt like if I said it, I would jinx it.