[somewhat accidental video] -open

[scotch_egg]

[he is on a date. At a restaurant maybe, in a store, walking into or out of a theatre. It is an awkward date from any way you look at it. Either the person is loud, or awkward, or touchy-feely and Alec looks like a mad rabbit ready to bolt at any moment. Whatever moment the camera catches is bound to cause second hand embarrassment.

At some point though during the evening, Alec will find a way to squirrel away from his...other to hiss into the camera:]

Help me.

[though he meant to send it to Anthony, well, that's not how it turns out]

Comments

[chenqing_player]

[he follows after, looking up at the shop names as they walk.]

I've had to help people out of sticky situations before but this is definitely the first date wrecking I've ever done.

[He looks over at him again.]

Why were you on such a disaster date?

[scotch_egg]

You're good at it. [a wry smile.

At the question he jams his hands in his pockets and shrugs]

It was mostly an experiment to see if I could do it, but I think some people are just meant to be single.

[chenqing_player]

You think so? I think you need to just let it happen instead of experimenting. The right person will just show up unexpectedly and sweep you off your feet.

[He gives a little playful smile.] Single life isn't so bad though. You get to have more fun with more people.

[scotch_egg]

It's not that. I don't want or need a right person. I just need to be able to fake it so people are convinced until... [well, he's not really going to explain that]

I prefer to be single. Less to worry about.

[chenqing_player]

Ahh..so is this that thing where families are determined to make sure you are married because they think married people are happier?

[He doesn't have to worry about that at least.]

So you need a fake significant other so that you can keep enjoy being single.

[scotch_egg]

Something like that, aye. But it's more of a pain in the arse than you would believe.

[chenqing_player]

Sounds like it. Does Anthony even harass you about that?

[He has only met a few people from their family but they all seem pretty intense. He's not surprised they would be pushing him to find something.]

[scotch_egg]

Not in so many words. He just sets up online dating profiles in my name without telling me. I don't even want to know what else he might try.

[chenqing_player]

Wow..[He might be laughing softly though because that is an interesting way to do things.]

So basically we need to come up with a way for your family to get off your back so that you can enjoy what you want.

[scotch_egg]

Something like that. At least until I find an alternative. They're a bunch of bloody pests. [he doesn't mind the laughter. Well, he does, but he can at least also understand it]

[chenqing_player]

Why don't you just carry a photo of someone in your wallet and when they start pestering you just pull it out and say that it is your significant other.

[Boyfriend..girlfriend..Wei Wuxian isn't sure which Alec would prefer so he leaves it open ended.]

We could come up with some big elaborate story about how you met and everything.

[scotch_egg]

Aye? And when the family wants to meet them? Then what? I say they live in Canada?

[chenqing_player]

You give them some really wild reason like..they work for the CIA or something! And so they are out of the country on a secret mission.

[scotch_egg]

My family is not going to buy it. If there's not physical evidence or someone they can pressure about marriage and potential offspring, they're not going to believe it. Maybe I should hire someone. That couldn't backfire could it.

[he's more than a little sarcastic but he's also considering it]

[chenqing_player]

[He tilts his head in thought then grins mischievously.]

I could give you one of my photos. Then I could bail you out whenever they start to get too pushy. And you wouldn't have to pay me.