Cormack Owle
58. The Captain and the Engineer: Fly With Me
As soon as Vincent was handed his bowl from the street vendor, he eagerly slid a spoonful of his spicy and delicious chicken curry into his mouth. Ah, that was the flavor and heat he was wanting! A soft, happy moan escaped him before he turned to face Aiden who was just...standing there and staring at his own bowl. Oh, how skeptical he looked! Vincent smirked a bit as he scooped more curry onto his spoon once again and asked, "Is it too spicy for you?"
"No!" Aiden said a little quickly. "I'm just...letting it cool off some more is all." Vincent smirked a little more but said nothing as he returned to his bowl and began to walk away from the vendor. Aiden followed along and lifted his curry to his nose and gave a small sniff. That was going to burn! He just knew it! When Vincent had asked him how spicy he wanted his bowl to be, Aiden had stated how he'd go for whatever Vincent was having. Vincent had warned him he liked his spicy and hot but Aiden boldly insisted he'd try it anyway. But now he was mildly regretting his decision. Finally, he brought the spoon to his mouth, blew on it for show, then stuck it in his mouth.
As Vincent slowly chewed his dinner, he watched with great interest and amusement as Aiden's face steadily grew a dark shade of red and his eyes began to water. Yet...he was eating it! And then he went for a second spoonful! Then a third! Vincent thought to himself that Aiden didn't have to get it that spicy! He didn't feel bad for him at all! ....okay, maybe he felt a little bad. After another few bites, Vincent chuckled and told Aiden, "Come with me." Then, he turned and led a confused Aiden away in the opposite direction.
As they turned a corner, Vincent paused in front of another street vendor (a drink vendor Aiden realized) where he ordered a large cup of cool milk for Aiden. Aiden found himself blushing in embarrassment when Vincent glanced up at him with a highly amused smirk. Aiden glanced off to the side and ran his hand through his hair awkwardly. Without having to say a damned thing, Vincent knew Aiden would get the message that he wasn't going to let him forget this humorous event!
Vincent took the cup once he'd received it and offered it to Aiden. Once it was taken, he took Aiden's bowl so he could drink and relieve the burning in his mouth. Without another moment's hesitation, Aiden quickly began to drink and was unable to contain his sigh of relief. Vincent found this even more amusing! But instead of making fun of him, an affectionate smile graced his lips as he told his friend, "You are such a git." He chuckled softly before he shook his head and began to wander off in search of a bench or somewhere they could sit. Aiden nibbled his lower lip as he followed Vincent and tried to push down how his stomach filled with excited butterflies at how Vincent used it as a term of endearment.
It didn't take long for Vincent to find them a bench facing the lake. As they ate dinner, Aiden noticed how Vincent seemed just a bit more subdued than he had earlier in the day and he kept staring out towards the lake. Aiden would dare say he looked almost bummed despite the enjoyable day. He'd noticed earlier how Vincent kept staring around at Leon's Claw longingly. As they neared the last few bites of their dinner, Aiden finally asked, "Is everything okay?"
"What do you mean?"
Vincent looked genuinely surprised so Aiden elaborated, "I....well, I was noticing how you seemed a bit more bummed. Not that it's overly noticeable! I just was wondering if maybe something was on your mind." Vincent blinked as he was taken aback. He hadn't realized Aiden had been paying that close attention. Perhaps Aiden had just come to know him that well.
"Heh, why am I not surprised?" Vincent gave a small shrug and stared off towards the colorful clouds of the sunset. With a wistful sigh, he explained to Aiden, "To say I miss flying would be an understatement. If I'm being honest, I'm feeling restless and bored and it's starting to REALLY get to me. Being on Leon's Claw today made me miss it more than ever." Aiden had paused eating as he focused his attention on Vincent. He understood how Vincent felt. Even Aiden was longing to be back up in the air! But Vincent had his flight with Damien coming up soon!
"But you'll be going up with Damien in a few days. He's supposed to come back tomorrow night, right? You can take Leon's Claw tomorrow if you want!"
"No," Vincent explained dejectedly. "I got a note from Damien this morning saying it will be another two weeks. No reason why other than he decided to stay longer." Vincent hunched slightly and brought his bowl and spoon up to finish his meal. Before he took his bite, he grumbled, "I should have known he'd do this again."
Despite being relieved to hear that Damien wouldn't return for a couple more weeks, Aiden knew that meant Vincent would have to wait even longer. He put aside his own feelings and continued to empathize with Vincent as a friend. "What do you mean?"
"He has a habit of changing plans at the last minute, is all. It's just....well, the moon is going to be full the next couple of days and the weather's been perfect for flying! But...it's fine. Really, it's...not a big deal. It's just two more weeks."
Aiden said nothing as Vincent brushed it off with a slight smile and continued with his meal in silence. Aiden quirked his mouth and faced the sunset once again. As he slowly finished his meal, he allowed himself to get lost in thought. It wasn't 'fine' at all. Vincent had obviously been looking forward to this! It was a couple of minutes later, once they'd finished eating, that Vincent, himself, broke the silence.
"I'm sorry."
"What do you have to be sorry for?"
"I don't know. For...bringing the mood down with my complaining? It's what I do. I always bring everyone down."
"You have nothing to be sorry for!" By now Aiden was facing Vincent in earnest while gazing into that sea-colored gaze he loved so much. He continued before Vincent could cut in, "You sure as Hell do NOT bring everyone down! Your whole family loves you! Tom was all smiles today and had a fantastic time with his uncle! He's been eager for this, remember? And you definitely aren't bringing me down! I enjoyed today. Even now! You're my best friend, Vincent. I want to be here for you! You don't have to carry your burdens on your shoulders silently all the time, you know? That's what friends are for! I asked you what was wrong. It's not fair to you that Damien brushed off your plans like that. It's normal to be disappointed. I would be! You don't have to pretend it's okay because it's not! So...please don't apologize. You really, really have nothing to be sorry for."
Every time Vincent had wanted to cut in and tell Aiden why he was wrong, he found he couldn't find the words. All he could do was sit there as Aiden went off on a passionate, long-winded speech to tell him why he shouldn't be sorry. And by the end, Vincent was sitting there in a stunned silence as he processed all of that. Did...did Aiden really just do that? No one had ever spoken to him like that! Well, Aiden had once before but nowhere near like this! And as Vincent stared back into that serious gaze, his cheeks colored a touch as he licked his lips and glanced down. Aiden had silenced him. So, instead, he managed a small nod as he conceded.
Aiden smiled softly and reached out to take Vincent's bowl for him who smiled back and mumbled a quiet thanks. Aiden wandered a short distance away towards a trash bin where he disposed of their bowls. He quickly drained the last bit of his milk then disposed of the cup as well. He knew there was a very real possibility that the evening would be drawing to a close now.
Though, as Aiden turned to face Vincent again, he couldn't help but pause and stare. There was just something about how his captain was relaxed and completely entranced by the colors of the sunset and how light sparked and shimmered across the water. The way the sun rays were hitting him made him look as if he were almost glowing. It was beautiful. The moment felt magical, Aiden felt. It was as if almost anything could happen...
"Fly with me."
Vincent blinked and turned his gaze up at Aiden in surprise. Not only was his young engineer asking him to join him to fly, but in a bold move he was actually extending his hand out towards Vincent for him to take. Vincent's lips parted as he glanced down towards Aiden's hand then back up to his eyes. Uncertainly, he asked, "Fly?" Aiden bravely kept his hand out towards Vincent as a small but confident smile spread across his lips. He wasn't going to miss this opportunity!
"You said tonight's a perfect night for flying, right? You need this. Do this for yourself. Just for tonight, you and me...let's run away together on Leon's Claw and just forget the world. Fly with me, Vincent. What do you say?"
Vincent stared up at Aiden so long that the latter was starting to doubt himself. This had been such a daring move on his part; especially offering his hand out for Vincent to actually take! And Vincent's expression was giving nothing of his thoughts away other than his initial surprise.
And indeed Vincent was unsure what to make of all this! What was going on with Aiden?! But as the seconds passed and he gazed up in those beautiful eyes, his heart began to beat a little harder in his chest as excited anticipation began to fill him. He knew his answer. Without another moment's hesitation, Vincent reached up and placed his hand in Aiden's as he took a step closer with a smile on his face as he gazed up at his friend.
Aiden's smile spread into a grin as his fingers closed over Vincent's. Taking his hand firmly in his, he turned and began to lead the way but Vincent took him by surprise! Instead of following him, Vincent squeezed his hand and ran ahead as he tugged Aiden along with a laugh. Once he was steadily keeping up, Vincent let go of Aiden's hand. Yet Vincent stayed comfortably by Aiden's side and exchanged looks of joy and laughter together.
Vincent felt liberated to let this side of himself come out! And it was all because of Aiden! And while he was still denying it to himself, he knew deep down that the excitement and joy in his heart wasn't just because of the upcoming flight.
---
NEXT PART:
www.flickr.com/photos/153660805@N05/53653293054/in/datepo...
To read the rest of the story, here's the album link:
www.flickr.com/photos/153660805@N05/albums/72157717075565127
***Please note this is a BOY LOVE (LGBTQ+) series. It is a slow burn and is rated YOUNG ADULT!***
Special thank you to my husband Vin (Be My Mannequin? Pose Store) for collaborating with me on this series and co-starring as The Captain!
DISCORD SERVER: That's right! The Captain and the Engineer has a Discord Server! If you would like to join and chat with other crewmates and see what's new and happening before it gets posted to Flickr, click the link!
***NEW!!!!***
The Captain and the Engineer now has a FACEBOOK PAGE! Please come Like, Follow, and join the crew! Thank you so much for all your support!
FACEBOOK PAGE:
www.facebook.com/profile.php?id=61558531406088
58. The Captain and the Engineer: Fly With Me
As soon as Vincent was handed his bowl from the street vendor, he eagerly slid a spoonful of his spicy and delicious chicken curry into his mouth. Ah, that was the flavor and heat he was wanting! A soft, happy moan escaped him before he turned to face Aiden who was just...standing there and staring at his own bowl. Oh, how skeptical he looked! Vincent smirked a bit as he scooped more curry onto his spoon once again and asked, "Is it too spicy for you?"
"No!" Aiden said a little quickly. "I'm just...letting it cool off some more is all." Vincent smirked a little more but said nothing as he returned to his bowl and began to walk away from the vendor. Aiden followed along and lifted his curry to his nose and gave a small sniff. That was going to burn! He just knew it! When Vincent had asked him how spicy he wanted his bowl to be, Aiden had stated how he'd go for whatever Vincent was having. Vincent had warned him he liked his spicy and hot but Aiden boldly insisted he'd try it anyway. But now he was mildly regretting his decision. Finally, he brought the spoon to his mouth, blew on it for show, then stuck it in his mouth.
As Vincent slowly chewed his dinner, he watched with great interest and amusement as Aiden's face steadily grew a dark shade of red and his eyes began to water. Yet...he was eating it! And then he went for a second spoonful! Then a third! Vincent thought to himself that Aiden didn't have to get it that spicy! He didn't feel bad for him at all! ....okay, maybe he felt a little bad. After another few bites, Vincent chuckled and told Aiden, "Come with me." Then, he turned and led a confused Aiden away in the opposite direction.
As they turned a corner, Vincent paused in front of another street vendor (a drink vendor Aiden realized) where he ordered a large cup of cool milk for Aiden. Aiden found himself blushing in embarrassment when Vincent glanced up at him with a highly amused smirk. Aiden glanced off to the side and ran his hand through his hair awkwardly. Without having to say a damned thing, Vincent knew Aiden would get the message that he wasn't going to let him forget this humorous event!
Vincent took the cup once he'd received it and offered it to Aiden. Once it was taken, he took Aiden's bowl so he could drink and relieve the burning in his mouth. Without another moment's hesitation, Aiden quickly began to drink and was unable to contain his sigh of relief. Vincent found this even more amusing! But instead of making fun of him, an affectionate smile graced his lips as he told his friend, "You are such a git." He chuckled softly before he shook his head and began to wander off in search of a bench or somewhere they could sit. Aiden nibbled his lower lip as he followed Vincent and tried to push down how his stomach filled with excited butterflies at how Vincent used it as a term of endearment.
It didn't take long for Vincent to find them a bench facing the lake. As they ate dinner, Aiden noticed how Vincent seemed just a bit more subdued than he had earlier in the day and he kept staring out towards the lake. Aiden would dare say he looked almost bummed despite the enjoyable day. He'd noticed earlier how Vincent kept staring around at Leon's Claw longingly. As they neared the last few bites of their dinner, Aiden finally asked, "Is everything okay?"
"What do you mean?"
Vincent looked genuinely surprised so Aiden elaborated, "I....well, I was noticing how you seemed a bit more bummed. Not that it's overly noticeable! I just was wondering if maybe something was on your mind." Vincent blinked as he was taken aback. He hadn't realized Aiden had been paying that close attention. Perhaps Aiden had just come to know him that well.
"Heh, why am I not surprised?" Vincent gave a small shrug and stared off towards the colorful clouds of the sunset. With a wistful sigh, he explained to Aiden, "To say I miss flying would be an understatement. If I'm being honest, I'm feeling restless and bored and it's starting to REALLY get to me. Being on Leon's Claw today made me miss it more than ever." Aiden had paused eating as he focused his attention on Vincent. He understood how Vincent felt. Even Aiden was longing to be back up in the air! But Vincent had his flight with Damien coming up soon!
"But you'll be going up with Damien in a few days. He's supposed to come back tomorrow night, right? You can take Leon's Claw tomorrow if you want!"
"No," Vincent explained dejectedly. "I got a note from Damien this morning saying it will be another two weeks. No reason why other than he decided to stay longer." Vincent hunched slightly and brought his bowl and spoon up to finish his meal. Before he took his bite, he grumbled, "I should have known he'd do this again."
Despite being relieved to hear that Damien wouldn't return for a couple more weeks, Aiden knew that meant Vincent would have to wait even longer. He put aside his own feelings and continued to empathize with Vincent as a friend. "What do you mean?"
"He has a habit of changing plans at the last minute, is all. It's just....well, the moon is going to be full the next couple of days and the weather's been perfect for flying! But...it's fine. Really, it's...not a big deal. It's just two more weeks."
Aiden said nothing as Vincent brushed it off with a slight smile and continued with his meal in silence. Aiden quirked his mouth and faced the sunset once again. As he slowly finished his meal, he allowed himself to get lost in thought. It wasn't 'fine' at all. Vincent had obviously been looking forward to this! It was a couple of minutes later, once they'd finished eating, that Vincent, himself, broke the silence.
"I'm sorry."
"What do you have to be sorry for?"
"I don't know. For...bringing the mood down with my complaining? It's what I do. I always bring everyone down."
"You have nothing to be sorry for!" By now Aiden was facing Vincent in earnest while gazing into that sea-colored gaze he loved so much. He continued before Vincent could cut in, "You sure as Hell do NOT bring everyone down! Your whole family loves you! Tom was all smiles today and had a fantastic time with his uncle! He's been eager for this, remember? And you definitely aren't bringing me down! I enjoyed today. Even now! You're my best friend, Vincent. I want to be here for you! You don't have to carry your burdens on your shoulders silently all the time, you know? That's what friends are for! I asked you what was wrong. It's not fair to you that Damien brushed off your plans like that. It's normal to be disappointed. I would be! You don't have to pretend it's okay because it's not! So...please don't apologize. You really, really have nothing to be sorry for."
Every time Vincent had wanted to cut in and tell Aiden why he was wrong, he found he couldn't find the words. All he could do was sit there as Aiden went off on a passionate, long-winded speech to tell him why he shouldn't be sorry. And by the end, Vincent was sitting there in a stunned silence as he processed all of that. Did...did Aiden really just do that? No one had ever spoken to him like that! Well, Aiden had once before but nowhere near like this! And as Vincent stared back into that serious gaze, his cheeks colored a touch as he licked his lips and glanced down. Aiden had silenced him. So, instead, he managed a small nod as he conceded.
Aiden smiled softly and reached out to take Vincent's bowl for him who smiled back and mumbled a quiet thanks. Aiden wandered a short distance away towards a trash bin where he disposed of their bowls. He quickly drained the last bit of his milk then disposed of the cup as well. He knew there was a very real possibility that the evening would be drawing to a close now.
Though, as Aiden turned to face Vincent again, he couldn't help but pause and stare. There was just something about how his captain was relaxed and completely entranced by the colors of the sunset and how light sparked and shimmered across the water. The way the sun rays were hitting him made him look as if he were almost glowing. It was beautiful. The moment felt magical, Aiden felt. It was as if almost anything could happen...
"Fly with me."
Vincent blinked and turned his gaze up at Aiden in surprise. Not only was his young engineer asking him to join him to fly, but in a bold move he was actually extending his hand out towards Vincent for him to take. Vincent's lips parted as he glanced down towards Aiden's hand then back up to his eyes. Uncertainly, he asked, "Fly?" Aiden bravely kept his hand out towards Vincent as a small but confident smile spread across his lips. He wasn't going to miss this opportunity!
"You said tonight's a perfect night for flying, right? You need this. Do this for yourself. Just for tonight, you and me...let's run away together on Leon's Claw and just forget the world. Fly with me, Vincent. What do you say?"
Vincent stared up at Aiden so long that the latter was starting to doubt himself. This had been such a daring move on his part; especially offering his hand out for Vincent to actually take! And Vincent's expression was giving nothing of his thoughts away other than his initial surprise.
And indeed Vincent was unsure what to make of all this! What was going on with Aiden?! But as the seconds passed and he gazed up in those beautiful eyes, his heart began to beat a little harder in his chest as excited anticipation began to fill him. He knew his answer. Without another moment's hesitation, Vincent reached up and placed his hand in Aiden's as he took a step closer with a smile on his face as he gazed up at his friend.
Aiden's smile spread into a grin as his fingers closed over Vincent's. Taking his hand firmly in his, he turned and began to lead the way but Vincent took him by surprise! Instead of following him, Vincent squeezed his hand and ran ahead as he tugged Aiden along with a laugh. Once he was steadily keeping up, Vincent let go of Aiden's hand. Yet Vincent stayed comfortably by Aiden's side and exchanged looks of joy and laughter together.
Vincent felt liberated to let this side of himself come out! And it was all because of Aiden! And while he was still denying it to himself, he knew deep down that the excitement and joy in his heart wasn't just because of the upcoming flight.
---
NEXT PART:
www.flickr.com/photos/153660805@N05/53653293054/in/datepo...
To read the rest of the story, here's the album link:
www.flickr.com/photos/153660805@N05/albums/72157717075565127
***Please note this is a BOY LOVE (LGBTQ+) series. It is a slow burn and is rated YOUNG ADULT!***
Special thank you to my husband Vin (Be My Mannequin? Pose Store) for collaborating with me on this series and co-starring as The Captain!
DISCORD SERVER: That's right! The Captain and the Engineer has a Discord Server! If you would like to join and chat with other crewmates and see what's new and happening before it gets posted to Flickr, click the link!
***NEW!!!!***
The Captain and the Engineer now has a FACEBOOK PAGE! Please come Like, Follow, and join the crew! Thank you so much for all your support!
FACEBOOK PAGE:
www.facebook.com/profile.php?id=61558531406088