Chapter Text
The day was normal, like always. From Polish cave, there were so many things to do, like building houses and helping Multi with… cave. In the north, or better use of words, in the art store everything was also normal. Juan sat in his chair and painted the commissions he was asked to… maybe it wasn’t normal. For some reason, Juan for some days had weird nightmares about death. Death caused by different things, suffocating by candy, drowning in the river besides the north or even - some weird disease. He always brushed them off and just live his life, but everytime he wanted to have a peaceful painting, these thoughts were coming back. Why was he dying? Is this normal? Is something big coming? His mood for the last few days, wasn’t the best. He was a bit paranoid, he was even looking around room while being alone.
Juan was painting a new commission for Funny news guy, thankfully from this he will get more netherite than from anyone. Fuck federation! I mean, he did in fact crack Cucurucho, or just Robleis but anyway. Suddenly he heard a bell, someone just opened the door and went inside. Without any doubt he could hear by footsteps it was Graf, he tried to be quiet but at the same time - noticeable. He didn’t wanted to distract Juan, it was his art shop after all. Artist on the other hand just looked at the stairs and smiled.
“Graf, as expected. What are you going to do today?” - Juan asked after turning to his easel and continued to paint. The polish guy didn’t said anything, he started to clean the other’s setup a little bit. That was a kind gesture from this man, how could anyone hate him?
They were working in silence, Juan with this commission and Graf with cleaning a bit of this mess. These buckets with paint were everywhere, half empty or just about to fell and make much more mess. How was even the artist functioning? It worried a little the pole so he walked beside his beloved and whispered.
“Is something bothering you, Juan?” - His voice was delicate, trying to at least be understood in Spanish by the other. Juan just shook his head while still painting, he seemed to be in trance. It made Graf just nod and continue his little task.
A little while later, which was around afternoon, Graf was laying in Juan’s couch just keeping the other company. He didn’t really was in the mood to talk so silence was it. It wasn’t awkward at all, just comforting. And a little odd, both of them were in their heads. Juan still thought about these nightmares and Graf, about this whole Multi thing. Why did Multi all of the sudden stopped thinking about Graf as a “traitor”? Odd but at least he trusts him.
“Graf… have you ever dreamed about death?” - Artist started, he still was somehow focused on the commission but at the same time, it shifted to the pole. The other, he just titled his head and shook his head.
Juan sighed, it was so… awkward. His question in the first place was weird, Graf is just normal. The most normal thing to say, or just to gesture.
“Nevermind, uhh… you wanted to hang out later right? Date thing or something. Uhm… I will work overnight, like you know I need to do commissions.” - Juan didn’t wanted to mislead Graf’s feelings.
The pole had romantic feelings for him, yes he admitted and it didn’t matter that they weren’t mutual. Of course it was flattering but knowledge that someone really close to him was turned down.
“Understand. Do you need company? It’s hot outside, need some food?” - Graf stood up and looked at the other, he wasn’t nagging, he didn’t said anything against it. He just accepted. Poor Graf, all this to not have returned feelings… and still not accepting himself.
“Uh, if it makes you better?” - he wasn’t sure how to answer, the pole was just worried and it still felt bad. Juan looked up, he didn’t wanted to look at Graf’s face. Even if their relationship was still the same, Graf’s feelings were put aside he still felt like shit, just because of hurting other.
“I would do anything for you, just so you know and remember.” - Pole smiled a bit, he was honest. Like honestly honest. He really would do anything for Juan, even choosing to sacrifice himself. Isn’t that romantic?
Juan looked at the canva he was working with and nodded, he is too nice. Why did he fell for a person like Juan? He is handsome, clever, good looking but at the same time - not ready for a relationship.
Why looking at Graf’s face was so hard? It was okay to look at this fuckass Cucurucho, Foolish or just at anyone else. But Graf? It was like his body couldn’t just accept the fact he likes him.
“Juan you zooned out, but it’s okay. I will grab something you like.” - The pole said and went outside this place. Juan didn’t had time to react, he just accepted it. Goddamnit, these poles. They all were weird, some dog, weird scientist, black magic obsessed priest and Bilingual too nice Witcher. Perfect team you need.
Artist sighed, he sat down on his little chair and looked at these buckets of paint that Graf cleaned up. Maybe he should give more chances to him? Maybe he just needs time to accept his feelings to the pole?
Juan thought about this possibility for a moment, it might be true but at the same time, maybe he just wanted to stop being upset himself. Is it selfish? No, probably not. Maybe he is. But who cares when it comes to other’s feelings.
Graf came back with Juan’s favourite - chocolate ice creams. They seemed to be made directly by this man, “lody rzemieślnicze” what he called them. There were two scoops of chocolate ice creams, with cherry sauce mimicking Juan’s bandana. Nice gesture, really nice. And flattering.
“Graf… uhh, I think I may go on a date with you today.. hang out, like we always do. Is this okay?” - he accepted this snack and begun to eat. It was normal, 100% normal thing. He just asked if their date was still on. Maybe he needed to force his feeling awakening faster! Yes, that was it.
“If you don’t want it, don’t force yourself, Juan.” - it made the artist think for a moment. He didn’t need to force himself, so why did he? Maybe he just needed to spend time with Graf in this way… it was relaxing. Of course this one feral date when Graf seemed to be embarrassed wasn’t relaxing, but everything else? It was fun.
“No don’t worry, I am not forcing myself. I like spending time with you, Graf.”
“If you say so, then please give me five minutes and meet me in the tavern.”
Juan smiled, he felt happy for a bit. Maybe overworking himself was the reason he dreamed about his life being over. Yes! That’s the reason! A nice hang out with friend, with Graf, will make him feel ten times better.
Seeing Graf going to prepare himself all happy made Juan for a minute giggle. It was nice to see the other excited, it was visible that Graf was hoping for his feelings to be mutual. Maybe it really was a moment he finally feels the same feelings to the pole.
⏔⏔⏔ ꒰ ᧔ෆ᧓ ꒱ ⏔⏔⏔