Crispies

As Ryan shifts her weight and looks at him, Tal gives her a soft kind of grin that said he was comfortable too, but he knew they both should probably get up. Having her come in for a last short kiss, he returns it softly and watches as she leaves. His hand absentmindedly trails across his chest where her touch had been.

Sighing, he sits up in the corner of the couch, trying to keep his eyes focused on the television. But even though that's where his gaze was, his mind was a very long ways away. He and Ryan barely knew each other. He'd been watching her from a distance for a long time, sure, but what guy didn't? He did feel like he knew her a little better than some, because of Eli - he talked about his sister a lot and for a while now, Tal had been getting to know Ryan without any interaction at all. But still... was this even possible?

Had Ryan really meant that kiss? Had she really liked cuddling into him and being held by him? Or had it just been to satisfy a need after she'd been put through the wringer by Alec? Had it actually just been her needing someone for the moment and he'd happened to be there? If that were the case, then he felt a little guilty - he didn't want to take advantage of her. She was probably on the rebound and he didn't want to give her the impression he'd just been waiting to pounce. On the contrary, he'd seen her with Leo and Alec both and had always kept his distance. One, because he'd always figured he didn't have a chance anyway, and two, because he respected her relationship with other guys and wouldn't interfere.

His whole intention here had been to just try and see if there was any way he could help. He didn't like the thought of what Alec had done, and he knew Leo was taken now, which meant she had no one else to go to. And like he'd talked to Eli about... he understood she could vent to her brother and have his company, but it wouldn't be the same. Tal had simply wanted to see if there was anything he could do, and if not, he wouldn't have fought it. It helped that he and Eli were becoming friends - but that was just a natural opening for him to be here tonight and he didn't have any "plans" to try and help Ryan... he just wanted to keep his eyes open and be there, should an opportunity arise. Now though... now he really wasn't sure what to do or what would happen after this.


Joined in the kitchen by Ryan, Eli grins. "Yeah, I figured you'd probably wanna do the salad yourself anyway. I can't ever cut the lettuce right to keep anybody happy." He smirks as he turns over a steak. "You know me - I'd probably just chew the lettuce right off the head and have a carrot on the side, rather than work at chopping it all up. And by the way yes, of course it smells good in here - it always does when I cook." He tosses her a silly look - the only thing he cooked well was steak or hamburgers. He points his fork at her. "Not a word, Speedy."

It didn't take long for the food to finally be ready. The apartment really did smell good and everybody's stomachs were growling by now. The living room was the dining area of choice tonight so they could finish watching the game while they ate and it was more comfortable anyway...

"Soup's on!" Eli comes traipsing into the living room with Ryan, bringing the food and presenting it to Tal. "One medium rare steak for you and one well-done for me." He sets down both the plates on the coffee table, letting Ryan have the easy chair and end table. "Neither of which are little burnt crispies, mind you."

Tal grins as his plate is set down and he shakes his head. "I'm never going to live that one down, am I? All I was doing was warming something up in the microwave and I accidentally put it in for way too long!"

"There was smoke everywhere!" Eli waves his arms around. "We had to clear out the break room and everything."

Tal sighs and stands up. "Yeah, yeah."

"Hey, where you going?"

"To get a glass of water."

"Well sit down... I'm going back there anyway."

Tal rolls his eyes, but obeys and sits. "I really don't know why you're treating me like a king, but I guess I won't complain."

"Don't worry," Eli shoots over his shoulder. "Come tomorrow at work, you'll be my slave again."

Something in Eli's tone made Tal just a little bit leery. Glancing up while Eli is out of the room, he catches Ryan's eye, his gaze one of hesitance. Had their brief little makeout session meant anything more than what it was or... did he need to forget about it and move on? He didn't have enough time to say anything before Eli got back though, making the moment an awkward one. He bites his lower lip and lifts his eyebrows slightly.