Burning passion 

„To a pleasant evening then!” Calister raised his glass half heartedly, his nervousness still pounding in his throat despite the bitter wine on his lips and tongue. Reed smiled softly, raising his steaming cup in response.

“You surprised me quite a bit by actually letting me invite you here.” Calsiter nearly spat out his wine at that sentence, his friend had caught him off guard. Not that he would ever admit that.

“Have I? I thought it was the only logical step to take.” At least he was good at lying through his teeth, if not anything else. Certainly not normal conversation. Calister forced himself to take a deep breath before looking back at Reeds beautiful blue eyes. The other man smirked, the corners of his lips splitting his perfect white skin. If it would have been possible, Calister would have vanished into thin air.

“I appreciated it. It’s not often that people just let me apologize.” Reed huffed, looking a tad annoyed before his face settled back into a pleasant expression. “I seem to have a time… relating. Words never come out right. It’s odd.”

“Maybe you don’t try hard enough.” The words had left his lips before he could stop them and he immediately felt Reeds smile beginning to fade.

“No that’s not…I’m sorry Reed!” He pressed out, knowing that he’d likely just thrown his only chance of having a normal conversation with Reed away.

“You are probably right.” There was an air of indifference flowing around Reed, his response apathetic and his voice low. Calister bit down on his bottom lip, embarrassed as well as angry at himself. If he responded now, he’d only make it worse. So he kept his mouth shut, the uncomfortable silence festering between them until their waiter returned to their table.

His mind drifted, not even paying much attention to what he had ordered, his gaze directed anywhere but Reed. It felt like if anyone, it should be Reed to rekindle their conversation. Foolish. Stupid. An utter moron.

Calister could feel his fingers grip his wine glass slightly too hard, his other hand grasping the fabric of his dress pants tightly. As long as he didn’t have to meet Reeds gaze, he was all right.

“Your food is getting cold.” The other man sounded conversational enough for Calister to risk a peek at him, surprised to find a soft smile had comfortably found a place on Reeds face.

“Ah sure.” He picked up his fork, staring down on the spaghetti he had apparently ordered. Reeds plate looked so much more sophisticated than his, a dainty piece of meat garnished by a small leaf of sorts, surely with an unpronounceable name.

“So. How is university going?” Reed looked him straight into the eyes as he sipped his tea, the steam only partially hiding his face. His long fingers held the cup carefully, his slim face tilted to one side, causing his short black hair to fall into his eyes.

Calsiter took his time to respond, carefully choosing his words this time around, not wanting to commit another social faux pas. He calmed his voice.

“It’s…. going good. Really good actually. My classes are working out all right, so….” His coarse fingers found the back of his neck as he looked away again. “It’s good.”

What a dumb way to answer a question. Calister crossed his arms, staring down at his plate. He wished anything would – could – happen. Literally anything. He’d be happy even if his plate caught on fire instead of having to endure this horribly clichéd and heavy silence.

He screwed his eyes shut, feeling like the petulant little boy he probably looked like. Good that Reed couldn’t see him.

Next thing he knew a sharp smell penetrated his nose, startling him enough to open his eyes. It took him a bit to fully realise what exactly was causing it until he looked down at his plate again, which for some inexplicable reason had caught on fire.

With a start he threw his napkin over the plate, jumping up with a confused cry, startling Reed as well. But it was already too late. The restaurants sprinklers had activated, dowsing them in cold water along the other guests, filling the room with a chorus of angry and confused yelling.

Reed stared at him, blue eyes wide open, his lips slightly ajar.

“Did you just…?” He couldn’t even reply, starring back as shocked as his friend. Reed strut over to him with three long steps, grabbing his arm, his fingers digging into his biceps.

“Come on. Let us leave.” Calister followed his command automatically, reacting to Reed soft but stern voice. They followed the group of people in fancy dresses and pretty suits, most of them now ruined, out into the parking lot. Despite the staffs best efforts to keep the situation under control the first cars were already rolling off the parking lot.

Calister was still slightly shaking when they reached Reeds apartment complex, both of the dripping wet. Reed hadn’t spoke a word since they’d left the restaurant, not that Calister could blame him. His attempts to apologize had gotten stuck in his throat. He didn’t even know what he was apologizing for.

“Don’t….” Reed kneaded his hands together, looking over at him, his smile feeling plastic and lifeless.

“Call me when you get home safe.”

Then he got out, his soaked scarf limply hanging off his neck. Calister left after the door to his building had fallen into it’s lock.