[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 grins as he drops his arms down and gives the man a little space. Very little. Just enough that he isn't pressed against him anymore.]

You're welcome. No one stands a chance against my charms. I guess it might have been a little easier to just try and charm her but she wasn't really my type.

[Was Alec his type? Hard to say. But it was more fun for him this way. Not that he hasn't just randomly made out with strangers at the club before, but he didn't think it would have been that easy with her. He reaches out to straighten Alec's clothing.]

Now that you are are free, what are you going to do?

[scotch_egg]

[he swallows hard and takes a deep breath through his nose at the casual intimacy of that gesture. A shiver walks fingers p and down his spine]

I don't doubt... [the question threw him off. he was thrown off by this whole bloody thing. He tried to search for a good answer to that question]

Ah... no idea. Rethink my life choices. Probably. Unless you have a better plan.

[chenqing_player]

[He laughs at that answer. Without realizing it, making people rethink their life choices and question their sexuality seems to be one of his specialties.]

I did disrupt your date. Hope I didn't throw off any plans you hadn't gotten to yet.

[Another thought hits him, realizing that he hadn't really asked if Alec was even okay with being kissed by a guy before he acted.]

Ah! Since you were on a date with a woman, I don't know if you actually like guys in that way but you don't have to worry about any of this ruining your reputation. I don't kiss and tell.

[scotch_egg]

It's fine. No one cares. It's just... I mean... That-- I should-- do something for you other than just...provide entertainment-- You went out of your way...

[and it's...awkward. He doesn't like having a debt unpaid even if it is for...this]

[chenqing_player]

It was no problem. But if you are treating, then I wouldn't turn down a meal. Or dessert if you have already eaten.

[He figures that Alec probably already ate with his date but that doesn't mean he can't enjoy a dessert from one of these fancy shops.]

[scotch_egg]

Ah there's a gelato shop somewhere I think.

[he doesn't exactly want to ...linger. Besides which he doesn't know if he can eat anyway]

[chenqing_player]

To the gelato shop then! Do we need to find a map?

[Because Wei Wuxian definitely doesn't know where to find anything but he can use the same app that got him here.]

[scotch_egg]

No I think I know where it is. [in the mall thankfully. hands jammed in his pockets he starts to lead the way, though leaving a bit of distance between them] Do you often play knight in shining armor or were you just bored?

[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.