Silence in the Night ((Quidel/Laina/Angelo))

[Angelo Nyx]

Angelo blushed, and was itching to wave the comments off, but didn't because he did not want to mess up Laina's sketch. "But no one is, so it doesn't matter," he mumbled. People were always saying things like that about him, as if they thought he was some kind of weak child. "I can take care of myself if there is need," he added, glancing at Quidel hesitantly. "I'm not a child," he said quietly, for good measure. He didn't want his new friend to think he had to protect him against every person he walked by, like Kalil acted most of the time.

[Laina Dafydd]

Laina chuckled quietly at their banter. It reminded him of his own parents in a way. He finished the sketch and got his paints out. "There, I'm done with that part. You can move, just... not a lot so I can get the shading right, okay?"

[Quidel Midas]

Quidel nodded slightly. "Mm'kay," he said, shrugging a tiny bit to stretch out his muscles. His body relaxed a fraction and he turned to look at Angelo a bit.

"I know. I wasn't really implying something like that...I'm sure you could take care of yourself if the situation arose. I'm just saying that...You...and Laina, as well for that matter,...are pretty good-looking and I myself know some really nasty people who would try to take advantage of you if they could. Even adults sometimes need help, you know?" he explained.

The pale blond turned back to Laina, leaving Angelo to think about what he said. "So, Laina...How long have you been painting or doing art in general?"

[Angelo Nyx]

Angelo shifted, biting his lip. Now he felt bad. Quidel wasn't even talking about something like that. He felt stupid, too, now. It was clear why Kalil would act like that, then. The cross breed knew he acted like an air head, at least that's what some people said behind his back. Put that and beauty together, and you're bound to get taken advantage of. He sighed softly, letting his wide eyes rest on his hands folded in his lap, listening to Laina and Quidel talk.

[Laina Dafydd]

Laina smiled. "I've been drawing for as long as I can remember. At first, i just used sticks and mud... that was when I was a very little kid. Mother bought me some paper for my birthday one year, and I used up every inch of paper on it. Over the years, I saved up some money and started working at the square. At first, I used the money to buy more paints and things... I started to get more money eventually and I give most of it to Mother. What about you? Do you paint?"

[Quidel Midas]

Quidel smiled. "Not really....Mostly I do sketchings of things and then just touch those up with ink. I find I prefer the classical look of black and white to color when it comes to pictures," he said. He tilted his head towards the ceiling in thought for a moment. "I don't think I've ever really used paints. I did try sculpture once though...It was nice, but I prefer my graphite penicils, you know? It's my medium."

[Angelo Nyx]

Angelo smiled. It made him happy that Quidel and Laina had something in common. He wasn't sure why, but it did. Unknown to him, the other two had already had similiar thoughts about him getting along with them. The cross breed began to wonder what it was about the pale haired men that made him feel this way. It was like... when he was around them, he felt whole. And when they had left, he felt empty. That dull pain in his chest had come up occasionally, but never so terrible as when his two new friends both left him.

Nebula said the dull pain was the missing part of his soul, and when he found his mate the pain would leave. His eyes widened slightly and glanced between Quidel and Laina, only moving his eyes. Were one of these men his mate? But... he felt lonely when both of them left, so.... Maybe his mate had been walking right past him when he met the other two? No... that couldn't be.... You couldn't have two mates... could you? The man bit his lip, and continued to glance between the artists curiously.

[Laina Dafydd]

Laina carefully touched up the last of the painting. To him, the picture didn't quite do them justice. Something was missing from the picture that he couldn't quite place. It wasn't their expressions or the shaping of their faces, or the proportions. He could find anything he could change... but it just seemed.... unfinished. He sighed in frustration and looked up at his subjects. He noticed Angelo's confused face. "Ange? What's the matter?" He blushed slightly at using the nickname, but tried to hide it.

[Quidel Midas]

Quidel glanced down and over at Angelo with a tiny frown at Laina's exclaimation. The other did look a bit preoccupied, but by what? He turned towards the smaller boy, curious about what his answer to the question might be.

[Angelo Nyx]

"Hmm?" Angelo mumbled. "Oh," he blushed. "Nothing! I-I was just thinking...." His head tilted a little and he brushed some strands of white hair behind his ear. He heard Laina call him 'Ange'. It was very sweet of him.... Quidel gave him a nickname too.... This only made him more confused. Why would they give him nicknames? They just seemed to slip out. Was he just thinking too much into it? The cross breed shook his head. No, this has to be happening for a reason..., he thought to himself and placed his head in his hands, trying to figure this out and missing the looks he was getting in the process.

[Laina Dafydd]

Laina set down his brush and sat beside Angelo on the couch. He lightly put a hand on the other's shoulder. "Are you sure you're alright? Is your head hurting?" He glanced up at Quidel. Giving him a questioning look, as if the man would know what was going on.

[Quidel Midas]

Quidel looked back at Laina and shrugged. He didn't know why Angelo looked so confused and disoriented. It was odd...

"Perhaps...we should eat soon," he suggested. He glanced back at where Laina's mother was. "Do you think the soup will be done soon?"

[Angelo Nyx]

Angelo leaned into Laina's hand ever so slightly. "No... I-I am fine," he whispered, giving the man a smile. "Yes.... Soup sounds very good!" he said brightly, taking the green eyed man's hand. "But not before I see your painting," he grinned and walked over to the canvas, taking Quidel's hand as well before standing up. "Oh, my...," he gasped. "This is wonderful... Laina," he said, stuttering a little at his name. What nickname should he give Laina? And, what name for Quidel? He sighed quietly. "It looks like it could be a photograph...."

[Laina Dafydd]

Laina blushed and shook his head. "No, it's not that good... it's...I don't know... it just feels like it's missing something.... you know? It's weird." He sighed and shook his head at himself. "Eh, it's nothing. Nevermind." He walked over to his mother in the kitchen. "Will the soup be done soon?" Decia nodded and smiled.

"Yep. Just a few more minutes!"

[Angelo Nyx]

"I think I know what it is missing," Angelo whispered to Quidel, staring at the painting of him and the other man. "Or... more who is missing. At least... I-I think so." He grabbed the taller man's hand instinctively. "Can.... Do you know too, Quidel? Do you see who is missing?" he whispered, looking into his pale blue eyes desperately. Hoping that he wasn't going crazy or something.