diatarachis

[diatarachis]

“Here you are,” Octavio replies, a subtle brief flicker of warm amusement moving into his tone as he takes Eberhard in, giving him a nudge back, before adding, “Haven’t disappointed me, yet,” a flicker of playful teasing dusting his tone, the rightmost corner of his lips moving upwards, moving to make his own payment for the food before heading outside with Eberhard to the next spot, before cocking his thumb, towards the directon of where they were heading, “and hopefully I Won’t, and neither will this spot,” he adds, before making his way towards the peaceful, quiet garden park carved out of the otherwise hustling and bustling city that he had found with Mina at times they had gone to the Taco place before…

Octodate [September 13, 2021]

IN PROGRESS

Octavio makes his way to the taco place, running his hand through his hair as he checks his reflection in the glass of a shop front he was passing, trying to keep it cool, casual, collected…doing a quick breath check, too, making sure everything was minty fresh…before letting out a breath as he makes his way over to the front of the restaurant, catching sight of Eberhard waiting out front, a little smile peeking onto his lips beneath the mask. “Been waiting long?” He asks, giving Eberhard a quick playful shoulder nudge, hoping he hadn’t been.

[diatarachis]

“No.” Octavio finds a bit of seriousness moving through his tone, even though it may have just been a joke and all that shit but...a little bit of softness crossing into his features as he looks at Eberhard. “I Like you and honestly...I’ve wanted to ask you for a while.” A sheepish smile moving beneath his mask that he was glad that Eberhard couldn’t see because...yeah.

Octodate [September 13, 2021]

IN PROGRESS

Octavio makes his way to the taco place, running his hand through his hair as he checks his reflection in the glass of a shop front he was passing, trying to keep it cool, casual, collected…doing a quick breath check, too, making sure everything was minty fresh…before letting out a breath as he makes his way over to the front of the restaurant, catching sight of Eberhard waiting out front, a little smile peeking onto his lips beneath the mask. “Been waiting long?” He asks, giving Eberhard a quick playful shoulder nudge, hoping he hadn’t been.

[diatarachis]

“Scientifically, maybe...” Octavio teases out, before a little smile glides onto his lips as he moves to point out all of the Top Mina recommendations, giving the little primer on all of them, before a little curiosity moves through him... “...It something you ever think about before?”

Octodate [September 13, 2021]

IN PROGRESS

Octavio makes his way to the taco place, running his hand through his hair as he checks his reflection in the glass of a shop front he was passing, trying to keep it cool, casual, collected…doing a quick breath check, too, making sure everything was minty fresh…before letting out a breath as he makes his way over to the front of the restaurant, catching sight of Eberhard waiting out front, a little smile peeking onto his lips beneath the mask. “Been waiting long?” He asks, giving Eberhard a quick playful shoulder nudge, hoping he hadn’t been.

[diatarachis]

“Shy...?” Octavio lightly inquires back, his brow lightly raising at the word, the mask concealing a wisp of an amused smile on his lips, as he moves inside with Eberhard, not even needing to take a menu, having already asked Mina for the recommendation of what to get, giving Eberhard a little playful nudge with his shoulder. “What, just because I never asked you out on a D word until now?”

Octodate [September 13, 2021]

IN PROGRESS

Octavio makes his way to the taco place, running his hand through his hair as he checks his reflection in the glass of a shop front he was passing, trying to keep it cool, casual, collected…doing a quick breath check, too, making sure everything was minty fresh…before letting out a breath as he makes his way over to the front of the restaurant, catching sight of Eberhard waiting out front, a little smile peeking onto his lips beneath the mask. “Been waiting long?” He asks, giving Eberhard a quick playful shoulder nudge, hoping he hadn’t been.

[diatarachis]

Octodate [September 13, 2021]

IN PROGRESS

Octavio makes his way to the taco place, running his hand through his hair as he checks his reflection in the glass of a shop front he was passing, trying to keep it cool, casual, collected...doing a quick breath check, too, making sure everything was minty fresh...before letting out a breath as he makes his way over to the front of the restaurant, catching sight of Eberhard waiting out front, a little smile peeking onto his lips beneath the mask. “Been waiting long?” He asks, giving Eberhard a quick playful shoulder nudge, hoping he hadn’t been.

[diatarachis]

Octavio feels a…relief within himself, for having corrected what almost could have been a potential Mistake, too much or an Impulse decision, before feeling the unexpected embrace, just…meeting it, fully, in the moment. “Happy New Year,” he lowly affirms back, as the weight of just..having Made It to that point resonates through him, and how…giving a bit of a soft swallow in the moment as the edge of the memory dwells on the corners of his consciousness, not quite manifesting in the moment, but still lingering there, like a ghost, as he just…releases a small breath, and the feelings at tached to it in the moment, as he finally draws back, putting a small smile back on his face, as he looks at Eberhard, the silly little shimmying, just…life was Fucking short, wasn’t it? The thought cutting into his consciousness, as he offers his hand out. “With you? Always,” he admits, a bit sheepishly in the moment, even as the little smile stays present on the edge of his lips, not quite sure of the right…way to Ask, the question mingling through the air of his thoughts, but wanting to at least Say that, because it was True.

A Big Day [December 31, 2020]

IN PROGRESS

- New Year’s Eve, Close to Midnight -

Octavio moves to mix the touch of Chambord into the glasses of champagne, it was a special occasion, after all, he reminds himself, even though he felt like���it really didn’t have the same Feel, same Anticipation…as every new year before it…his mind moving back to…quickly shifting his thoughts away from the edge of the memories beyond that soft haze of a thought that had danced along it, and back to…how he should at least be Grateful, that he and Eberhard didn’t have a shift that evening, and could celebrate…even in their own small way…and…Grateful for Eberhard, a small, soft wisp of a smile crossing his lips, as a Truth moves through him at that gratitude, in a small part of him that…placing a cherry in each of the glasses, as a Finishing Touch, to make it a Proper Night Cap, as the man himself might say, a little chuckle moving through him as he heads back to the couch, offering Eberhard the glass. “A little something, to ring in the new year,” he offers, that little wisp of a smile returning as he joins him on it, holding it up for a toast as his eyes meet Eberhard’s, remembering the man’s words, finding them Apt, here in now, with looking forward, “The sun will rise. And we will try again,” he offers, the little smile peeking further upwards, a bit of…hope, moving through him in the moment, maybe.

[diatarachis]

Octavio hears the response, before...almost second guessing himself in the moment, given the state of everything...Kiss? Was that really a good idea? In the middle of all this shit? His thoughts cut harsly back at him, giving a small swallow, a twinge of guilt for even thinking it moving through him....moving to give Eberhard a quick peck on the cheek instead, feeling like that was at least...a compromise, in the moment...for the smarter part of him and the more...hopeless romantic, his thoughts chime in intuitively without giving him much choice in the matter, side of him, as he feels that small...fluttering feeling in his stomach, the fuck, looking back at Eberhard as he draws back, giving him a little nudge. “...Owe me an official one once we’re all vaccinated, ey?” He offers to him, a little curl of a smile moving on the rightmost corner of his lips. 

A Big Day [December 31, 2020]

IN PROGRESS

- New Year’s Eve, Close to Midnight -

Octavio moves to mix the touch of Chambord into the glasses of champagne, it was a special occasion, after all, he reminds himself, even though he felt like…it really didn’t have the same Feel, same Anticipation…as every new year before it…his mind moving back to…quickly shifting his thoughts away from the edge of the memories beyond that soft haze of a thought that had danced along it, and back to…how he should at least be Grateful, that he and Eberhard didn’t have a shift that evening, and could celebrate…even in their own small way…and…Grateful for Eberhard, a small, soft wisp of a smile crossing his lips, as a Truth moves through him at that gratitude, in a small part of him that…placing a cherry in each of the glasses, as a Finishing Touch, to make it a Proper Night Cap, as the man himself might say, a little chuckle moving through him as he heads back to the couch, offering Eberhard the glass. “A little something, to ring in the new year,” he offers, that little wisp of a smile returning as he joins him on it, holding it up for a toast as his eyes meet Eberhard’s, remembering the man’s words, finding them Apt, here in now, with looking forward, “The sun will rise. And we will try again,” he offers, the little smile peeking further upwards, a bit of…hope, moving through him in the moment, maybe.

[diatarachis]

Octavio lets out a warm laugh, it coming easily, almost naturally, in the moment as they dance together, until he feels himself pulled over as the chanting begins, finishing the last part of the countdown with Eberhard, “Two, One...” Before the ball finally drops, and Octavio looks at Eberhard, taking him in for a beat, before asking, a rare...tentativeness moving into his tone, but wanting to, feeling almost Right in the moment, in this New Year, through all the shit they had been together, for it to be... “Can I kiss you?”

A Big Day [December 31, 2020]

IN PROGRESS

- New Year’s Eve, Close to Midnight -

Octavio moves to mix the touch of Chambord into the glasses of champagne, it was a special occasion, after all, he reminds himself, even though he felt like…it really didn’t have the same Feel, same Anticipation…as every new year before it…his mind moving back to…quickly shifting his thoughts away from the edge of the memories beyond that soft haze of a thought that had danced along it, and back to…how he should at least be Grateful, that he and Eberhard didn’t have a shift that evening, and could celebrate…even in their own small way…and…Grateful for Eberhard, a small, soft wisp of a smile crossing his lips, as a Truth moves through him at that gratitude, in a small part of him that…placing a cherry in each of the glasses, as a Finishing Touch, to make it a Proper Night Cap, as the man himself might say, a little chuckle moving through him as he heads back to the couch, offering Eberhard the glass. “A little something, to ring in the new year,” he offers, that little wisp of a smile returning as he joins him on it, holding it up for a toast as his eyes meet Eberhard’s, remembering the man’s words, finding them Apt, here in now, with looking forward, “The sun will rise. And we will try again,” he offers, the little smile peeking further upwards, a bit of…hope, moving through him in the moment, maybe.

[diatarachis]

Octavio gives a bit of a swallow as he lets Eberhard take in the message, before taking in the...smile, feeling...a bit reassured, through all of the...shit, curdling in his stomach, from bringing back the...shit that the memories carried with him, the shit he had done to...get him there, moving to click out of that message, not wanting to look at it again, swallowing a little bit again before he hears the...funkadelic beat? Cut through his thoughts, finding himself bopping along to it naturally before...a little snort cuts through him as a smile peeks onto his lips moving to get up, his body easily and naturally moving to the beat as he moves in close to Eberhard, “Hell no,” he says seriously, yet playfully, at making Eberhard dance alone, a small curl moving onto the rightmost corner of his lips, getting into the action on the chorus with him as his voice deeply joins in, a glint of energy moving into his eyes as he sings fully, robustly, the “Give it to me baby...”

A Big Day [December 31, 2020]

IN PROGRESS

- New Year’s Eve, Close to Midnight -

Octavio moves to mix the touch of Chambord into the glasses of champagne, it was a special occasion, after all, he reminds himself, even though he felt like…it really didn’t have the same Feel, same Anticipation…as every new year before it…his mind moving back to…quickly shifting his thoughts away from the edge of the memories beyond that soft haze of a thought that had danced along it, and back to…how he should at least be Grateful, that he and Eberhard didn’t have a shift that evening, and could celebrate…even in their own small way…and…Grateful for Eberhard, a small, soft wisp of a smile crossing his lips, as a Truth moves through him at that gratitude, in a small part of him that…placing a cherry in each of the glasses, as a Finishing Touch, to make it a Proper Night Cap, as the man himself might say, a little chuckle moving through him as he heads back to the couch, offering Eberhard the glass. “A little something, to ring in the new year,” he offers, that little wisp of a smile returning as he joins him on it, holding it up for a toast as his eyes meet Eberhard’s, remembering the man’s words, finding them Apt, here in now, with looking forward, “The sun will rise. And we will try again,” he offers, the little smile peeking further upwards, a bit of…hope, moving through him in the moment, maybe.

[diatarachis]

“Really is,” Octavio sincerely agrees, half wanting to see what Eberhard was typing but...giving him his space to do so in private as he looks down at his own phone, taking in some messages, one from Mina in particular making his lips curl a bit into a smile, before...letting out a small, but heavy, breath that he hadn’t fully realized he was holding, looking over at Eberhard, feeling like...yeah, he was someone he could...Trust, that feeling making him feel a bit...warm, in spite of the darkness, the...feelings resurging from thinking back on this shit, almost not wanting to Look at the message again but...bracing himself a bit as he scrolls down towards the group chat, opening it for Eberhard, not quite...wanting to look at it again himself, turning the screen of his phone to show it:

“Just...trying to respect boundaries, even though I kinda...fucked Up last year, not wanting the shit to go unsaid, about how big a deal it is, but this year, I...wanna make good on...y’know...” He trails off, swallowing a bit as the feelings of guilt rub raw against the wound inside of him that never quite...went away, just...healed over, kind of...

A Big Day [December 31, 2020]

IN PROGRESS

- New Year’s Eve, Close to Midnight -

Octavio moves to mix the touch of Chambord into the glasses of champagne, it was a special occasion, after all, he reminds himself, even though he felt like…it really didn’t have the same Feel, same Anticipation…as every new year before it…his mind moving back to…quickly shifting his thoughts away from the edge of the memories beyond that soft haze of a thought that had danced along it, and back to…how he should at least be Grateful, that he and Eberhard didn’t have a shift that evening, and could celebrate…even in their own small way…and…Grateful for Eberhard, a small, soft wisp of a smile crossing his lips, as a Truth moves through him at that gratitude, in a small part of him that…placing a cherry in each of the glasses, as a Finishing Touch, to make it a Proper Night Cap, as the man himself might say, a little chuckle moving through him as he heads back to the couch, offering Eberhard the glass. “A little something, to ring in the new year,” he offers, that little wisp of a smile returning as he joins him on it, holding it up for a toast as his eyes meet Eberhard’s, remembering the man’s words, finding them Apt, here in now, with looking forward, “The sun will rise. And we will try again,” he offers, the little smile peeking further upwards, a bit of…hope, moving through him in the moment, maybe.

[diatarachis]

Text Conversation between Octavio & Ray, Jan 1, 2020: New Years

Translation of Octavio’s Message:

Two clean years, always forward, never back. Keeping my own promise, too, not falling into my own ways. I will never not be proud of you and how far you've come, for what it's worth, especially on days like this.

COMPLETE.

[diatarachis]

Octavio gives a small shake of his head, not wanting Eberhard to think that, “Nah, it’s...nice,” he admits, a small curl to his lips, before focusing back in on the...a small hollow little awkward chuckle moving through him before... “Can you tell Ray you’re proud of him for three years of sobriety?” He sincerely, almost softly—the words coming out almost more gentle, delicate, than his usual gruffly low tone—asks of Eberhard, the...heavy feeling he tried not to dwell on returning as he thinks of Why he couldn’t... “I just... ‘s a big deal and not easy, but Em told me never to speak to them again, and want to still...honor that, but almost feels Wrong Not...letting Ray know how proud I am in some way given...Everything,” not trying to dwell on the wisps of memories flitting at the edges of his consciousness with the Everything, the Before, leading up to three years ago today, back when...who would have known if either of them would have Lived to see this day, let alone for Ray to be sober and...Good, he hoped, deep down, wanting that more for him than anything, at the end of the day...

A Big Day [December 31, 2020]

IN PROGRESS

- New Year’s Eve, Close to Midnight -

Octavio moves to mix the touch of Chambord into the glasses of champagne, it was a special occasion, after all, he reminds himself, even though he felt like…it really didn’t have the same Feel, same Anticipation…as every new year before it…his mind moving back to…quickly shifting his thoughts away from the edge of the memories beyond that soft haze of a thought that had danced along it, and back to…how he should at least be Grateful, that he and Eberhard didn’t have a shift that evening, and could celebrate…even in their own small way…and…Grateful for Eberhard, a small, soft wisp of a smile crossing his lips, as a Truth moves through him at that gratitude, in a small part of him that…placing a cherry in each of the glasses, as a Finishing Touch, to make it a Proper Night Cap, as the man himself might say, a little chuckle moving through him as he heads back to the couch, offering Eberhard the glass. “A little something, to ring in the new year,” he offers, that little wisp of a smile returning as he joins him on it, holding it up for a toast as his eyes meet Eberhard’s, remembering the man’s words, finding them Apt, here in now, with looking forward, “The sun will rise. And we will try again,” he offers, the little smile peeking further upwards, a bit of…hope, moving through him in the moment, maybe.

[diatarachis]

“Hear hear,” Octavio offers back with a wisp of a smile naturally tugging at his lips as he hears the emphatic response from Eberhard, clinking his glass against Eberhard’s before taking a sip of his own, wasn’t too bad, was it? His gaze subtly flitting towards Eberhard to take in his reaction, hoping that he would like it, relaxing back into the couch before...mm, the whole thought pokes through the corner of his consciousness, as his brow momentarily creases, just feeling a need to....mm, even though...”Could I ask you for a favor...?” He tentatively asks Eberhard, not wanting to bother him about it but almost feeling the Need to, like it was something he...Needed to say, needed to...a twinge of mixed feelings moving concurrently through him in the moment...

A Big Day [December 31, 2020]

IN PROGRESS

- New Year’s Eve, Close to Midnight -

Octavio moves to mix the touch of Chambord into the glasses of champagne, it was a special occasion, after all, he reminds himself, even though he felt like…it really didn’t have the same Feel, same Anticipation…as every new year before it…his mind moving back to…quickly shifting his thoughts away from the edge of the memories beyond that soft haze of a thought that had danced along it, and back to…how he should at least be Grateful, that he and Eberhard didn’t have a shift that evening, and could celebrate…even in their own small way…and…Grateful for Eberhard, a small, soft wisp of a smile crossing his lips, as a Truth moves through him at that gratitude, in a small part of him that…placing a cherry in each of the glasses, as a Finishing Touch, to make it a Proper Night Cap, as the man himself might say, a little chuckle moving through him as he heads back to the couch, offering Eberhard the glass. “A little something, to ring in the new year,” he offers, that little wisp of a smile returning as he joins him on it, holding it up for a toast as his eyes meet Eberhard’s, remembering the man’s words, finding them Apt, here in now, with looking forward, “The sun will rise. And we will try again,” he offers, the little smile peeking further upwards, a bit of…hope, moving through him in the moment, maybe.

[diatarachis]

Octavio feels a sense of...loss, maybe, the word immediately not quite being right, but still, the corners of his lips tugging upwards as he raps his knuckles back against Eberhard’s shoulder, letting out a little chuckle at the whole pun, before moving with Eberhard to get started on the dish, repeating what he said before as they get into it, it just being...nice...good shit, ey, ready to get cooking with him.

— COMPLETE —

A Chef Oct Surprise [November 6, 2020]

IN PROGRESS

Octavio finishes drying himself off from his shower after a long, long shift, moving to…just take a moment to release a breath, running his fingers through his damp hair as he slips on some sweatpants and an old Columbia Med shirt he had laying around, feeling…tired but…also a small spark of energy moving through him as he thinks of Eberhard, and the small idea he had to just…bring a bit of lightness into their lives that night, as he makes his way into the living area, a flit of a smile crossing his lips. “I’ve figured out dinner for tonight, seems like…a Chef Oct surprise is in order, ey,” he offers out to Eberhard, as he moves towards the kitchen, taking in if they had what they needed…good, good, perfect… “But if you’re up for it, maybe we could cook together?” He offers, feeling like it could be a nice little break from all the shit, just to cook some good food and…try to relax for a bit.

[diatarachis]

Octavio feels the...a moment of surprise moving through him in the first split second of the moment  before he just...moves fully into it, the embrace, almost... reveling in it, not having physical contact like this for so long, and it just feeling...Nice, and warm, and...Good, and hoping...he was doing the same for Eberhard, making him feel the same...shit, keeping his arms tightly, safely, around him as he hears his words, “I appreciate You,” Octavio sincerely replies back as he rests his head gently on Eberhard’s shoulder, his hand moving softly along his back.

A Chef Oct Surprise [November 6, 2020]

IN PROGRESS

Octavio finishes drying himself off from his shower after a long, long shift, moving to…just take a moment to release a breath, running his fingers through his damp hair as he slips on some sweatpants and an old Columbia Med shirt he had laying around, feeling…tired but…also a small spark of energy moving through him as he thinks of Eberhard, and the small idea he had to just…bring a bit of lightness into their lives that night, as he makes his way into the living area, a flit of a smile crossing his lips. “I’ve figured out dinner for tonight, seems like…a Chef Oct surprise is in order, ey,” he offers out to Eberhard, as he moves towards the kitchen, taking in if they had what they needed…good, good, perfect… “But if you’re up for it, maybe we could cook together?” He offers, feeling like it could be a nice little break from all the shit, just to cook some good food and…try to relax for a bit.

[diatarachis]

Octavio gives a small little chuckle, before giving a little shake of his head. “Not...intentionally,” he offers out, moving to turn his attention to the ingredients for a beat to make sure they had everything ready, before just... “Glad that if I’m here with anyone, got someone by my side through this whole thing, it’s with you,” he admits with a little, genuine smile, “...and hope I’m doing the same,” before...clapping his hands, definitively, Paella Time, moving to tell Eberhard the first steps and start working together with him to make it....

A Chef Oct Surprise [November 6, 2020]

IN PROGRESS

Octavio finishes drying himself off from his shower after a long, long shift, moving to…just take a moment to release a breath, running his fingers through his damp hair as he slips on some sweatpants and an old Columbia Med shirt he had laying around, feeling…tired but…also a small spark of energy moving through him as he thinks of Eberhard, and the small idea he had to just…bring a bit of lightness into their lives that night, as he makes his way into the living area, a flit of a smile crossing his lips. “I’ve figured out dinner for tonight, seems like…a Chef Oct surprise is in order, ey,” he offers out to Eberhard, as he moves towards the kitchen, taking in if they had what they needed…good, good, perfect… “But if you’re up for it, maybe we could cook together?” He offers, feeling like it could be a nice little break from all the shit, just to cook some good food and…try to relax for a bit.

[diatarachis]

“Yeah, excited,” Octavio admits, giving a little chuckle, “...does that make me sound like...totally uncool, break the whole like...Octavio Mystique?” Teasing out the little bit at the end, a small playfulness sparking into his tone as he gives Eberhard a little nudge, before moving to firmly take his hand. “Co-Chefs,” he agrees, letting a...full grin blossom onto his lips as he gets ready to get back into it with Octavio, excited, fuck it, to prepare this dish together.

A Chef Oct Surprise [November 6, 2020]

IN PROGRESS

Octavio finishes drying himself off from his shower after a long, long shift, moving to…just take a moment to release a breath, running his fingers through his damp hair as he slips on some sweatpants and an old Columbia Med shirt he had laying around, feeling…tired but…also a small spark of energy moving through him as he thinks of Eberhard, and the small idea he had to just…bring a bit of lightness into their lives that night, as he makes his way into the living area, a flit of a smile crossing his lips. “I’ve figured out dinner for tonight, seems like…a Chef Oct surprise is in order, ey,” he offers out to Eberhard, as he moves towards the kitchen, taking in if they had what they needed…good, good, perfect… “But if you’re up for it, maybe we could cook together?” He offers, feeling like it could be a nice little break from all the shit, just to cook some good food and…try to relax for a bit.