drift // neighborhood bbq au

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    hole in my soul, don't know how to fill it up

    The onset of fair weather meant that it was good enough for a barbecue day. Aleksei had been patiently waiting throughout the rainy spring for the time when he could fire up the damn grill and invite some neighbors over to feed. The advantages of an early barbecue were many, seeing that it wasn't too hot to be outside and that the mosquitoes weren't out in full force yet. Fuck yeah, he loved barbecues.


    The smell of charred meats filled the air, but Aleksei also provided vegetarian offerings like grilled vegetable kebobs that he had the kids make and corn on the cob. There were some beers in an iced bucket for the adults and a cooler full of juice and soda. The weekend pit master himself was manning the grill, armored from the splattering grease in his favorite master chef 'GRILLFATHER' apron, as he flipped burger patties and sausages.


    apron reference

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    "oh oh, that's very dangerous mister!" lucas couldn't help but mumble, bounding over on his small paws to watch the grill cautiously. as the days wore on, lucas's extreme shyness had thankfully calmed down- olivia, his new hobby with plant growing, and even the voice of his friend in his head had made him the least bit social. for one, he wasn't avoiding eye contact or looking away. he was looking right at the leader in front of him!


    still, even with his warning, he still stood to watch. y'know lucas, i really like burgers. i like to lather mustard on there! not mayo, like you, you slimy little- lucas shut off the voice of his friend. even though he liked the company in is head, his totally completely wrong (mayo WAS good, idiot) opinions tended to annoy him sometimes. "...do you like mayo on your burgers?"

    ✧ —I WANNA SWIM AWAY / BUT DON'T KNOW HOW

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    Percy only came to the barbecue because... well, she was hungry. She had complained at home, and seeing as her home had grown by a few and had an army of dogs to feed, her parents had directed her to get something to eat elsewhere. Aleksei is having something of a block party! Go eat there. She threw on a thick cardigan as even with the warmer air, the breeze still tickled her barren legs. She wore shorts and a thin t-shirt beneath it as a threat, almost, to the fluctuating weather. If she wore the least amount of clothing without being criticized, then the weather would have to comply.


    Nonetheless, she arrived shortly after Lucas, hands shoved into the pockets of her cardigans. She glanced around for a moment before looking towards the two, "Isn't mayo, like, rotten eggs?" she asked, not entirely sure.

    hole in my soul, don't know how to fill it up

    // ah sorry if i didn't make it clear, it's a human au!


    Hearing Lucas' warning, he turned away slightly to see who it was. "Hey, Lucas," he greeted the boy, faint amusement in his voice, as he heard the following question. Mayonnaise on burgers was a controversial topic for some, but Aleksei liked that combination. It provided a nice creaminess that helped meld the meat and bun together. Same reason why he liked avocado on burgers sometimes. It didn't take too long for him to answer, "Yes, I do."


    Percy was next to arrive and Aleksei frowned slightly at her inquiry. Where had she gotten that misinformation about the magical condiment from? Had Persephone been brainwashed by the anti-mayonnaise brigade? "No, it's made from egg yolk, oil, and lemon juice or vinegar," Aleksei corrected.

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    “Haha, you put condiments on your burgers?” Henry’s trilling voice followed suit, coming to stand beside his child. Almost child? Lucas, the boy that Olivia was a mother to, but which Henry hardly had any sort of relationship with. Perhaps it was a testimony to his existence and future, considering his wife was pregnant, but if the children didn’t like him then Henry would make do with the cooking and cleaning and working behind the scenes as Olivia nurtured them. She was good at being a mother — Henry could be good at doing everything else, since it seemed he wasn’t fit to be a very good father. Not from a lack of trying, he almost argued with himself, but he didn’t really want to have an existential crisis at this barbecue today.


    He smiled readily, mind occupied with the current dilemma. Being twenty-five and having spent over half his life at the Institute, luxuries like condiments failed to impress him. He laughed again, taking a sip from his too-sweet soda and plucking up a lawn chair to incline on. “Nothing beats a plain burger!”

    tags in bookmarks

    Percy's eyes narrowed as Aleksei listed the ingredients of mayonnaise and she began to wonder if that was what he did with his pastime; memorize ingredients. Aleksei was a cool guy, someone she often looked up to no matter what his profession was. But the fact that he was so ready with the information made her comically suspicious, "Do you make your own?" she then questioned him, gaze swiveling around to see if he had been hiding any chickens anywhere.


    Henry brought the conversation of burgers back into play, causing Percy to think about it. She often ate what was given to her - she tried a diet once but it didn't suit her lifestyle of nabbing random snacks from the cupboard and taking a lazy day, "I like at least some cheese," she decided on the spot, looking towards Henry, "Unless you season the meat right, it can't stand alone in a bun," she continued.

    i was probably one of the most outgoing neighbors in the whole neighborhood, but i had never thought to do a barbecue (and the fact that aleksei had thought of it before me made me slightly jealous). i had done more than most neighbors would ever dare doing; bringing brownies over for the new neighbors, inviting others over for a glass of wine or dinner- i was a very social butterfly. it probably annoyed most of the neighborhood, but i didn't mind to much. they needed to know about eros love, the fabulous singer extraordinaire and master chef! (i was speaking too highly of myself; i was just the local chef at the expensive restaurant downtown and a casual singer, though i hoped to become big in both fields.)


    approaching the growing group, a mixture of adults and children already, i gave a large smile as i sported a casual blue jean jacket, white shirt, blue ripped jeans, and white vans. "burgers should have all the condiments you can put on them! i lather mine in ketchup, mustard, and mayo, naturally." i brushed back my black hair, putting my free hand in my jean pocket. "thanks for doing this, aleksei. on behalf on the whole neighborhood, we appreciate it." i said to the other man, bowing slightly. it was a very kind thing for him to do.

    hole in my soul, don't know how to fill it up

    "To each their own," Aleksei answered back towards Henry. There was some satisfaction in just taking a bite out of a plain burger, he won't deny it, but that satisfaction was definitely enhanced by the addition of other things.


    He wondered if Persephone was laying a trap with her question, knowing her sassiness. "I have, but store-bought jars are good enough for me," he stated in reply towards the girl. Why make his own when buying saved time and tasted better than his own concoction? Aleksei had always tried to be practical.


    Loveletter's words of appreciation caused a slight smirk to turn the corner of his mouth. "You're most welcomed," Aleksei returned, just a hint of smugness in his voice. He was quite partial to flattery, after all, and an ego boost was always appreciated. "Help yourself--there's burgers and hot dogs and other things."

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