New Beginnings in Old Places

[LukeGrump]

Kit smiled, finding the way Westen second guessed everything he said almost endearing. He quickly moved to reassure him. "Let's see what you have. Whatever it is is more than what I have in my own refrigerator." That I know of. I really don't want to open it to see.

He walked out of his house then waited for Westen to lead the way. The neighborhood looked just the way he remembered it, but it seemed quieter, a little emptier. No one was playing out in the streets, everyone had grown up. There was something comforting in the thought, the fact that a place can look the same but still had the ability to change. It only made him feel more confident that this time around, things would be better for him.

He felt an obligation to fill the silence. "What do you like to eat?"

[Bakery]

Westen gave a big friendly smile in return to Kit's words- but he wasn't all sure he had a fully stocked fridge either. "Sounds good to me." he agreed, secretly hoping that he had enough supplies for Kit to be able to cook something.

He led the way to his house and quickly opened the door, stepping aside to let Kit in after him. His home was pretty normal- pictures on the wall, a modern theme with new furnishings...It was a home that he had recreated. After his own parents depature, he couldn't stand the decor and had secretly enjoyed changing the looks and playing around with different styles.

"Make yourself at home...Kitchen is right through here." he motioned toward an archway that lead to a similar stylized kitchen.

"Me?" he asked, glancing over his shoulder at Kit, "I'm pretty much okay with anything. As long as olives aren't involved. I hate olives." he sighed.

[LukeGrump]

Kit took everything in, noticing that it wasn't like his house, it wasn't outdated at all. It looked very stylish and modern. Westen must had changed it from what his parents had, and that made Kit feel excited to make his home his own, too.

I want an herb garden, Kit thought distractedly as he followed Westen. And brown walls.

Kit stepped into the kitchen, first checking out the pantry, then moving to scan the contents in the refrigerator. He considered his options, finally deciding to make something simple rather than have Westen eat something unusual or risk having him not like it.

"Do you like spaghetti?" Kit pulled open a drawer, and not finding what he needed, tried the drawer below it. "My aunt has the best recipe for sauce, I can show you how to make it." Kit smiled, finding what he had been looking for: a large pot for boiling pasta.

[Bakery]

Westen followed Kit into the kitchen, leaning against the counter as Kit searched. He thought for a moment that he should tell Kit where everything was- but then he remembered that he didn't know what Kit was looking for.

It was odd...Thinking about the past. This boy before him...Was the same child he had tried to coax out of the house so many years ago- begging him to come and play in the house.. And here he was, inside the house.

It's a strange thought indeed.

"Spaghetti? Yes, sir." Westen nodded and gave another polite smile. "Oh, nice. I love new recipes." he nodded and turned behind him to pull a tiny recipe book out from the drawer, flipping open to a new page. "I hope you don't mind if I write it down."

He turned to Kit and glanced above him to a cupboard. "Scuse' me, I just need to reach past you for the noodles...Do you like thick, long and easy to suck up or would you prefer the curly, short and easy to bite ones?" he asked, reaching above Kit nonchalantly if he hadn't moved. He hadn't meant to corner the poor boy- Westen just had a problem with patience and waiting for others to move, being an outgoing fellow himself, he liked to get right to the point.

[LukeGrump]

(Was that a subtle sexual innuendo, BAKERY? XDD)

Kit stood very still as he waited for Westen to grab what he needed. It wasn't uncomfortable or unpleasant to be so close to him, just unusual. Kit generally kept to himself in all ways, whether it was physically or through speech. "I like long noodles," he answered without turning his head, fearful that he'd end up bumping into Westen.

If he could, while Westen was reaching above him, Kit slipped under Westen's arm so he would be free. Hopefully he was small enough not to have nudged Westen. As he continued looking in the pantry and around the kitchen for spices and vegetables, he found himself looking back at Westen. "What is it you do?" Kit would probably have to start looking for a job himself soon.

[Bakery]

(Well, I didn't think it was subtle LOL I'll have to try harder next time then XD)

Westen grabbed the noodles and set the box on the counter as he closed the cupboard. He turned to Kit with a polite smile, his fingers brushing against the flesh under his ear- where his favourite tattoo was. It was instinct to touch it- even if it was just flat now- something he did to calm himself.

"I work in the photography field, taking pictures and what not for a privately owned company." he shrugged. "I don't mind it. It's good work. Decent pay- and sometimes I get the best shots...What about you?"

[LukeGrump]

"I'm a bum," Kit said solemnly. "No job, and the only reason I'd ever be able to live here is because the house was left to me." Then he seemed to brighten. "Would you show me your pictures sometime?"

Once the words left his mouth, a light blush stained his cheeks.

"I understand if not, I don't show anyone my work." He smiled down at his hands, which had found a cutting board and knife and were beginning to dice tomatoes. "Sometime I paint."

He turned away from the cutting board then, searching for a smaller pot, and poured in olive oil and white wine. As he waited for the liquid to heat up, he went back to dicing.

[Bakery]

"Oh, sure. I don't mind." Westen gave a bright smile, shrugging, "You might of already seen it, though. Some of the shots a coworker and myself have done have been used in ad campaigns for some companies- but I'm not sure where you've been so then again maybe you haven't." he shrugged.

He should really stop talking about himself.

"If you wanted, I could see if I could get you in at my job- if you wanted, that is." he shrugged once more and watched as Kit cooked. It was interesting to watch- he always admired others who could cook well..

"You paint?" he asked, eyes lighting up the smallest bit. "Ah, I see. Well if you ever want to- I'd love to see. You don't have too, though, I'd be alright if you didn't as well." he quickly added and glanced away, unsure of what to babble about next.

"Are you excited to be back?" he asked, genuinely curious.

[LukeGrump]

Kit finished dicing tomatoes and added them to the pot. As he waited for the tomatoes to heat up until they fell apart, he went to raid Westen's spice cabinet. He tucked away Westen's offer about the job in the back of his mind, touched that Westen was willing to help. He could definitely use it.

"Not really," Kit admitted as he lined up little bottles onto the counter: basil, sugar, salt, mint, and garlic powder. Then he took an onion and went back to the cutting board. "If I could afford to live anywhere else, I think I would." He looked back at Westen with an embarrassed smile. "I'm happy to see you again, though. Seeing you was one of the happier memories I have, living there."

He finished cutting, blinking his eyes, trying to get them to stop stinging. The smile probably looked a little strange, since his eyes were red and watery. "I'm exited to change the house, even though I'm not sure where to start."

[Bakery]

Westen continued his lame ass smile as Kit worked on cooking. He was a little surprised, though, to hear Kit was happy to see him. He couldn't recall a time he had ever even come face to face with Kit...

Had they ever met before this moment? He remembered going over to ask if Kit could come out and play- but never once had Kit ventured out of the house...Had he been watching through a window? Observing from afar?

"Really?" Westen's smile grew and he averted his gaze as he racked his teeth lightly over his lip. "That's awesome to hear, actually. I never really got you to venture out of the house- but I'd always wanted to." he admitted.

"Ohh, decorating? It's so much fun. I started with the living room- not that you can tell though. I can give you a tour, if you like?" he suggested before quickly adding, "After dinner, of course."

Noticing his red eyes, Westen turned to dampen a cloth and hand it to Kit with a gentle smile. "My mom used to tell that wiping your eyes helps with the burning."