Ezza walked in and found Zas lounging on the couch. He was twirling a colorfully painted object in his hands. Zas looked up and gave Ezza a tired smile.

“Hey stranger.” He said, his exhaustion mixed with his happy tone. Ezza let out a sigh as he fell back on the couch beside Zas.

“Hey.” He pointed at the object asking what it was silently.

It had been what felt like forever since they had seen each other. They always seemed to be passing each other these days. It had been a couple of weeks since they had both been promoted. Clara had come to them one night at the end of their shifts. She had offered them the promotions, it had been great…for Zas. Ezza had been a little disappointed. He really didn’t want to be a chef. Then Clara had given him a wonderful gift. She told him she had worked out a deal with the club where they would train Ezza to be a world-class Mixologist, on the condition that during events that didn’t clash with his bar schedule he would work catering jobs as the Mixologist for Make A Dish. He had agreed eagerly.

“I saw one of those funny dressed people again. They gave me another skull. It’s a little mooshy and smells like liquor.” Zas said holding it up. There had been a rash of people all dressed up and handing out skulls lately. With this one they had nine.

“Jacques?” Ezza asked. They had two skulls like this one. Zas nodded, and Ezza sighed. He got up and placed the skull with the others. Now all he had to do was get a hold of that woman. Suddenly there was a flash and a gold coloured skull sat atop the case. Both men’s eyes widened in surprise.

“Okay, on that note, I’m kicking off for the night.” Zas said clapping his hands in front of him. He got up from the couch and headed for the bedroom. Ezza sat back down on the couch and sighed. Life was busy but good; his phone buzzed in his pocket. He pulled it out and smiled.

I’m home now.

Ezza smiled. Dina had made it home. He gave her a quick text back and then got up and headed towards the bedroom.

 

It was their next day off. At least that hadn’t changed, they still had at least one day off a week together. Ezza was looking at a dress in a window of the clothier. Dina would look good in that.

“I don’t think that’s really your colour; too dark.” Zas said in Ezza’s ear. He had his chin on Ezza’s shoulder. Ezza sighed in exasperation.

“I was thinking of it for Dina.” Ezza said shoving Zas off of him.

“Buying a woman clothes is a big step. I wouldn’t.” Zas said. “Besides were not here for your girlfriend, we’re shopping for a new stove and supplies for renovating.”

“I know that.” Ezza said. He turned and followed Zas further into the store. Their stove had broken down earlier in the week. Zas had cried like his pet had died. Finally unable to stand eating cold cereal, yogurt, or salad for every meal, they had agreed to come out for a new stove. Ezza didn’t want anything complicated to work, but Zas wanted a lot of bells and whistles. Zas was the chef so Ezza was leaving it to his discretion.

Zas was up ahead checking out stoves when he noticed Ezza further down the aisle looking at something further away in another section. He looked absolutely enthralled with whatever he was looking at. Curious about what it was, Zas headed over to him. He chuckled when he saw it.

“Would you like that?” He asked. Ezza just nodded his head yes, Zas chuckled and patted Ezza on the shoulder. He started back towards the stoves, Ezza trailing behind him.

 

“It’s beautiful!” Zas was bent over hugging the newly installed stove. Ezza rolled his eyes, ever since they had brought it home a couple of days ago Zas had practically been making out with it every time he saw it. It was ridiculous.

“I see you rolling your eyes. Just know my little baby,” he said patting the stove top, “means more to me than your life. Besides, I see you stroking those boxes over there.”

Ezza looked towards the corner of the room where his prized possession was stacked against the wall. Once the repairs on the house were done, Ezza would set it up. He started smiling and a warm feeling filled him up from his head to his toes. Smiling to himself he started heading towards his room. He and Dina were going out for another coffee tonight.

 

Ezza checked his reflection in the mirror. He was about to head out.

“Just remember, take it slow. Relax, you can do this. Dina is nice, treat her right. Be respectful.” Ezza said into his reflection. He slapped his face lightly and then left.

Zas heard Ezza muttering to himself and shook his head. At least he was still going out with Dina. Slow and steady my win the race, but it was painful to watch.

“Oh shoot!” Ezza said as he was about to walk out the door. He paused for a moment then let out a sigh.

“What’s up?” Zas asked. “Forget something?”

“Yeah the garden.” Ezza said. He looked a bit conflicted.

“Go. I’ve got the garden.” Zas said motioning for Ezza to leave. Ezza gave him a confused once over.

“I don’t know, I mean not that I don’t trust you or anything. It’s just-” Ezza said waffling back and forth.

“Just go! I’ll take care of the garden and then get some work done on the house.” Zas began pushing Ezza out of the door.

“Don’t water them too much, but give them enough to drink. Also, check the leaves for spots. There shouldn’t be any. If there is-” Zas closed the door in Ezza’s face after he finally got him out the door.

 

Ezza made it to the bakery where he and Dina were to meet. She was waiting outside for him. When she saw him walking towards her, a smile spread over her face. She stood a little straighter and gave him a quick hug as he reached her. Ezza blushed and looked down and then up through the bakery doors.

“Is there a line up?” He asked her. Dina shook her head no.

“I was thinking actually. We’ve been doing a lot of coffees lately. Do you want to try something new?” Ezza looked at her curiously.

“What were you thinking?” He asked a little hesitantly.

“Well, I was thinking we could go to Europa,” she started. Seeing the look on Ezza’s face she hurried on. “Listen, I know you work there, but this time you’ll be a guest. Also, my sister isn’t working tonight. I thought it might be fun to try the other side for once. Besides I was hoping to dance.”

Ezza watched her as she danced around in front of him as an example of her point. He started to chuckle. He couldn’t dance, but neither could she; they’d make the perfect pair on the dance floor. Laughing he grabbed her hand and started heading in the direction of the club. Dina tugged his hand and led him to her car.

“I parked over here Romeo.” She said unlocking it. Ezza climbed in the passenger seat and watched as Dina got in. Her eyes were shining with her mirth.

*****************

Zas finished placing the cover back on the tv. He had finished up the last little touches on the tv, and now there’d be no more static during the good parts of the movies. He wondered how Ezza was doing with Dina. His friend needed to just cut loose a little in life. Mates knew he deserved it. He wiped his hands on a paper towel and then decided to head out to the garden. He didn’t want to face Ezza’s wrath for not taking care of the plants; and Ezza would somehow know.

Zas had just finished watering the last plant. Now he saw what Ezza saw in this expansive jungle. It was very relaxing standing under the open sky, listening to the sound of water running. Smelling the scent of the earth as it got dampened. It was amazing, he might have to help out more often. Besides, now that Dina kept taking Ezza out, their money source had to be taken care of by others to keep it going. Zas put the watering can down at the side of the house and was just heading inside; his phone rang.

Zas knocked on the door. He was a bit nervous. Katrina had called him over to talk to him, he’d never been to her house before, she’d always come over to his. Her house was large and had an expansive yard behind it that ended in a lake. Ezza would love it here. Wait has he already been here? Huh, now that was a thought.

The door opened, and there was Katrina. He smiled up at her and threw his arms open wide.

“Mi’lady! You beckoned and I came running.” Zas said dramatically. Katrina giggled and motioned for him to come in with her head.

“Get in here Romeo.”

Zas went inside and looked around. The house was large but full of furniture. It wasn’t cluttered, but it didn’t feel empty. It was tastefully decorated. Then he heard a giggle from a room in the back. He looked towards it, Dina was supposed to be out with Ezza. Had they come here?

Suddenly, a shorter busty redhead came out of the back room. Her hair was a lighter orange than Katrina’s ruby-red. She looked a lot like Dina. Following her was a tall man in an exercise suit. He had dark hair under a bandana around his head. He wore jogging pants and a muscle shirt.

“Oh sorry Kat. I didn’t realize we had company.” The young woman said.

“No problem Nin, just try to keep the noise down.” Katrina said, then she pointed her finger at the man. “Especially you Don.” Don smiled at her.

“Kitty-Kat when have I ever been noisy. Can’t keep the screamer quiet though. That’s asking too much.” He said slapping the woman on the butt. Katrina sighed and rolled her eyes. Then reached over and put her hand on Zas’s arm.

“This is my youngest sister Nina. The man, and I use that term loosely, is Don. He’s a family friend.” The last word was spoken with a little disgust.

Nina smiled and waved at Zas while bouncing up and down. Don nodded in his direction.

“You the new meat?” He asked Zas.

“Don!” Both sisters practically yelled his name. Don shrugged and walked off.

“Nice to meet you!” Zas called after him. Nina giggled, and Katrina shook her head. Zas asked to use the washroom, and was led to a small bathroom behind the main stairs. He had just flushed and was washing his hands when Nina walked in. He jumped when he saw her standing behind him in the mirror. He turned and looked at her.

“Darn, I was too late.” She said snapping her fingers in a swing across the front of her body.

“Too late for what?” Zas asked. He smiled sweetly at her. Nina giggled, and came a little closer.

“Oh I think you know what I was watching for. Don is a large man, but he’s very vanilla. He didn’t use to be like that. He was very good when I stole him from Katrina. but he’s become boring. Kat always picks the best lovers.” Nina looked down his body and stopped her gaze just below his waist.

Zas cleared his throat. Whoo-boy. He looked towards the door silently asking Katrina to hear his thoughts and come help him.

“Well, that’s a lovely thought sweetie, but I really like Katrina. So I’m afraid your stuck with Don.” He said trying to squeeze past her to the door. Nina reached out and placed her hands on his chest pushing him back and at the same time groping a bit.

“Ooo! So firm. Do you work out? I like a man who works out.” Nina said stepping towards Zas and driving him further into the room.

“I work out Nina.” A deep male voice spoke from the doorway. Zas looked towards it and there stood Don. He was looking sadly at Nina, but when he met Zas’s eyes his gaze hardened and became angry.

“See, Don is buff. Now if you’ll excuse me I’m going to find Katrina.” Zas tried to push around Nina towards the door, but this time Don blocked his way. Zas sighed.

“What’s going on Nina?” Don asked her while pushing Zas back into the bathroom.

“That’s what I’d like to know.” Katrina said behind Don before Nina could answer. Don moved in the bathroom more making room for Katrina. Nina and Zas got pushed towards the back. Zas sighed as he resigned himself to being in the very angry bathroom.

******************

The sun had set and Dina was feeling dazed. Her head was reeling from Ezza’s kisses. They had a great time dancing at the club. Ezza had talked to the Mixologist for a bit when they ordered drinks. They had joked about the crappy service for a bit, and then had danced some more. But a couple of drinks later, Ezza had gotten a bit juiced and needed to sit. So they had gone to the basement only to find bathrooms and closets with no resting place. So they had gone to the second floor.

They had started talking about what the night had been like so far, and then Ezza had gotten flirty. Not that Dina minded. Then he had started caressing her and kissing her. Now Dina felt drunk from all Ezza’s advances. She let out a small moan as Ezza sat back catching his breath.

 

“Ezza, I need air.” She said laughing and pushing on his chest as he leaned in again.

Ezza sat back with a satisfied look on his face. He reached out and caressed her face with his hand. He liked the way she closed her eyes and nuzzled into his hand.

“I want you Dina. I’m tired of holding back all the time.” He said to her, his voice soft and full of desire. Dina’s eyes widened, and she nodded.

“Me too.” She said taking his hand and leading him to the stairs.

“Zas will be at the house.” Ezza said following her down to the main room. Dina kept going down the next flight instead of heading towards the exit.

“I can’t wait that long.” She said ahead of him. Ezza a bit puzzled followed behind her to the basement. When he got to the bottom, he saw Dina looking all around them while standing in front of the closets. Then she giggled and slid the door open a bit. She motioned Ezza to go into it.

  

  

************************

Zas was sitting on the couch wishing he could sleep. Katrina had eventually simmered down, but that had been a long time after the fight had started. Correction, not fight, family debate. He had learned that the Caliente sisters didn’t fight; they passionately debated, very loudly. He rubbed his eyes trying to make the pain in his head stop when the door opened and in sauntered Ezza.

He had a large grin on his face and his clothes were a little disheveled. He held a tulip in his hands. Ezza spotted Zas and collapsed beside him on the couch. He looked over at Zas and smirked.

“Well, it looks like somebody had a good night. Don’t tell me you ditched the girl to study a new plant.” Zas said pointing at the flower in Ezza’s hands. Ezza gave Zas a smirk.

“It’s beautiful like Dina. She’s like a beautiful flower, I took it to remember.” He said slurring his words slightly. Zas barked out a laugh. He clapped Ezza on the shoulders.

“Finally!” He yelled laughing. Ezza laughed with him, not quite sure why, but he was happy. He felt relaxed and satisfied. A bit sore from the hangers in the closet, but that had barely registered until after they had finished. Heck it barely registered now.

“She’s so soft, and silky like the petals on a beautiful flower. But she has a mouth Zas. She has a wonderful mouth.” Ezza smiled at his friend as Zas laughed and told him he did good. Good at what? Dina was the good one, Ti’Voxi had never loved him like that. It had always felt cold, like a duty with Ti. Not with Dina though. He liked human woman.

Zas laughed and pulled his friend to his feet. Ezza grumbled the whole way up.

“Time for bed Lover boy.” Zas said directing Ezza towards the bedroom. His friend had finally explored a planet as it was meant to be explored; through its woman. Zas chuckled as he listened to Ezza’s drunken ramblings until they fell asleep.