Yikes, was really the only thought that came to Anthony’s mind at the other’s sudden outburst. He was a fairly composed person so rather than snapping back, he simply waited on him to cool down. Once he apologized, he gave a nod and tilted his head at Bash. “Well, I know the scones at Starbucks are nothing special but when you’re hungry, it’s better than nothing,” he replied simply at first. “It’s quite alright. Listen, I know all of this… angst is not just over pastries. If there is something on your mind you would like to talk about, I am here to listen.” 

everyone in town knew of the mayor’s son and his anger issues. composure was only something he exhibited when pianist’s fingers were gracing keys and losing themselves in melodies. it probably was ridiculous. bash was a twenty-six year old man who still got so hot and bothered by his father and his offensive comments. “yeah uh that’s pretty true. still pretty expensive for a mediocre pastry...if you like scones though...have you tried the bakery on third?” more calm now and trying to extend an olive branch. he gave a shrug of his shoulders, “all good. nothing to talk about.” or rather nothing he COULD talk about. “so um...you mentioned you were recently back in town?”

                         hanging with bash again was something noah hadn’t thought he’d have the pleasure to indulge in. not after their break up a few months ago, anyways. but after they hung out a few days ago, they seemed to really hash through things & while he didn’t say it out loud, he was really glad to have bash back in his life. he missed him. genuinely. that didn’t stop him from rolling his eyes when bash unashamedly began flirting ( it was always inevitable with his ex, noah low key liked it though ). “ you’re one to talk, aren’t you ? tall & handsome, i on the other hand, lack in the height department, but i’m glad that doesn’t seem to take away from your attraction to me. ” he chuckles, “ my usual - bourbon on the rocks.. ” he cleares his throat, “ i’m uh- kinda glad you came out here with me. figured it’d be a good time to get drunk off our asses & see what sorts of trouble we can get into. kinda like the good ole’ days.. ” 

he already felt lighter since the other night, finding that noah had that effect on him, making his head less dizzy from the dark and destructive thoughts that clouded his mind and dizzy instead from the unique effect that noah had on him. bash actually SMILED when he saw noah, a genuine smile, one that he felt like he hadn’t done in ages and it felt nice...if not foreign. with a cheeky raise of his brows, he leaned forward, that dimple of his ever so evident on his features, “you think i’m handsome? knew it.” with a dramatic sigh, a huff of breath emitting from pink lips as he ran a hand through ruffled raven curls, “you can’t resist me.” he teased. god. he couldn’t remember the last time he was in THIS good of a mood. “you’re the perfect height.” bash said honestly with the shrug of his shoulders, ordering their drinks from the bartender, “i’m glad you invited me. seriously. you always make these things way more fucking bearable.” he grabbed the drinks from the bartender and handed noah his bourbon before turning to face the other, “that’s exactly what i need.” well maybe he needed NOAH but this wasn’t a coherent, sober thought that bash knew. “what kind of trouble are you thinking of, huh handsome?”

                          “ yeah yeah, we’ll see about that .. best behavior - you !! that’s funny. ” noah can’t help but comment. he honestly didn’t know what bash was like when he was on his ‘ best behavior ’. or if he was even capable of such a thing. when he hears though that he’s inspired some ‘ new pieces ’ noah spares a glance off the road & at bash. was he serious ? no, he definitely was. bash wouldn’t say something like that if it weren’t true. “ i inspired them ? ” he looks forward at the road again & he hides the fact that .. he likes that. had bash actually missed him as much as noah’s missed him ? he wonders now. “ yeah .. yeah. i kinda am, actually .. pretty interested in hearing it. ” that sort of thing would say a lot, wouldn’t it ? hearing what he’s .. inspired bash to write. he’s still looking forward, but a smile plays on his lips.                           noah can’t help but laugh when bash reminds him of just how much sex they had in his back seat. “ yeah fucking right. i scrubbed those out .. but .. we did have a lot of sex back there & i will have you know, i’m still just as flexible as i was then. ” he pulls his bottom lip between his teeth then. his memories are very vivid. maybe too vivid ? “ getting drunk & getting into fights, huh ? ” he turns to look at the other, eyeing him for a second before tearing his gaze away. he can’t help but wonder. he didn’t know everything involving him & his father, but he knew enough.                           another glance is spared at bash, his eyes linger a little longer this time before noah looks forward again. the hand on his bicep felt all too familar & was all too welcomed. he briefly wonders if the two of them hanging out again is a good idea - neither of them were ever on their best behaviors & thought with their dick a lot of the time. “ yeah, ” he looks over at bash again, offering a smile before looking at the where he was driving. “ i miss you, too .. ” he admits, “ a lot. ” the words leave his mouth before he can even think about stopping them. he silently curses himself for that. “ life’s not as .. interesting without you. ” he looks over at bash again ( he can’t fucking help it no matter how hard he tried ). “ glad to see you’re still the same ol’ bash though. ”

“yeah well…if i recall…you used to prefer me on my bad behavior. never got complaints before.” before…felt like a fucking life time ago. their time apart had felt like an infinity and bash knew that he’d never possess enough self restraint to completely stay away from noah. he needed the other in his life. even if it was just as a friend. a soft chuckle escaped from his lips once more, rubbing at the back of his neck nervously, “uh yeah, man. you inspired them. i’ve written a lot of pieces about you.” his heart felt like it was racing, hammering against his chest at the thought of noah rejecting his offer. but when he agrees, he’s cocking a brow, smile tugging on his lips, “okay. cool. it’d be nice for new ears to hear it.”

                         “ okay, okay .. that actually makes a lot more sense. i meant you were biased because you’ve seen me naked. ” noah clarify’s with a chuckle although, bash made a lot more sense spelling it out that way. his ex r e a l l y was vain as fuck. “ yep, you do that. ” noah presses his lips together. bash was relentless when he began flirting .. it makes him miss him more than he has already. while he & bash’s relationship a few months ago was messy, he couldn’t deny that he d i d love him. then & maybe now, still.                           noah wasn’t sure before, but now bash definitely invited him over & noah scratches at the scruff that covered his chin. he can’t help but think about his invitation though for a few seconds, looking up at him when he speaks up again. that makes him laugh. he wonders if bash could really keep his hands to himself. “ yeah, alright, we’ll see about that - i mean, you on your b e s t behavior ?  that’s sorta laughable. ” he teases, but he isn’t lying. “ you wanna play me something ? what do you wanna play me ? ” he can’t help but ask.                            when they’re in his car & bash mentions all the memories they had in it, noah huffs out a laugh, sparing a glance in the backseat - they really did have a lot of memories back there. “ yeah, no shit .. i don’t think i ever had so much sex in a car until i met you. ” he says as his eyes are on bash as if looking for a reaction. he puts the car in drive & heads off in the direction of bash’s dad’s place. “ huh, would’a thought you’d have gotten yourself into some stupid shit or something .. much like you did tonight. ”

his classic lopsided smirk preyed onto his lips, tilting his head as he looked at his ex, “why yes...i HAVE seen you naked and let me say...it’s a really lovely sight. definitely one of my favorites.” bash was a flirt but with noah it genuinely came effortlessly. their push and pull had been undeniable since the moment they’d first met. nothing but untamed passion and fire. which was probably one of the main reasons why their relationship burnt out so quickly. but this really was cute. noah trying to resist and all.