Dan Moore was loving his little mini vacation to Alexandra so far. Slaine and her new man were super accommodating and he loved hanging out with his buddy Liam too. But crashing with a family he also felt the need to not be continually in their faces. He was happy his dear friend had found such happiness to bring her triplets into the world with. That broke his brain. Three babies was triple the babies he ever planned on. But here on this island on Canada Day, he was enjoying the outdoor festivities in the park. He dressed for it too, long red shorts with a black loose tank top that had a grey cat wearing maple leaf sunglasses. The tank featured the full sleeves of his rockabilly tattoos. He had on plain black trainers and black sunglasses.
He had borrowed a lawn chair to cart around to the various little stages and the entertainment varied. He could have listened to India Tor and Kagiso Jackson AKA Aqoustic Soul for the entire day but as it was a family show on their breaks they had various children’s entertainers. One was a juggler who fumbled an egg and it landed on one of the grandmothers. She looked ready to scramble the juggler himself. Then there was a woman clown with a cooing voice that made balloon animals where none of them looked like the animal she was making. The kids called her on it “No lady, that’s still a weiner dog!” And she actually stood there and argued with what looked like a 6 year old girl that it was a sheep. Dan shook his head and got done, picked up his chair and wandered. He passed the police station and then saw the fire hall. Maybe he’d pop in on another old university roommate, Logan Reinhardt, who was an EMT there.
The door to the ambulance and firetruck bay looked open so Dan crept in, looking around. He didn’t spot Logan immediately but was suddenly surrounded in all directions by some gorgeous men. In fact there was a delightful and fit ass that greeted his first view as a fireman worked on one of the engines leaning forward. Fire hall, damn. There were women too but the men outnumbered them and Dan now knew it was men he preferred. This was a candy store for the eyes.
Patrick Peterson had spent his day making sure the engine was in perfect shape. Not that it was being used, but the bay doors were wide today. Moving around it, he touched the rag here, buffed there and rubbed someplace else, until he worked his way back to the front of the vehicle and bent for a second, polishing the bumper before he straightened and leaned against the large vehicle, crossing his ankles and just watching the activity along the street.
He should probably stop drooling and actually ask for Logan. And low and behold the fireman with the delightful ass had turned around and was now leaning on the engine. He was gorgeous from the front view as well. This man was the reason they made the calendars. Dan exhaled, composing himself and walked over “Hi there…” He said with a slightly sly grin “You wouldn’t happen to know where Logan Reinhardt is would you?” He looked up and just drank in the man’s nicely chiseled chin.
Patrick saw the small man approaching him and smiled. This was one of those days when they had to look their best as they represented Alexandra to tourists from all over. “Good afternoon.” he responded and listened as the man asked for Logan. “He’s out on a call. He should be back within the hour.” he explained. “I’m not an EMT.” the man didn’t look ill, anyway. “But is there anything I can help you with?”
Dan gave a little sigh at the fireman’s smile and then snapped his fingers when he heard Logan was out “Ah...ok.” Then the man went on and asked if he needed help. Dan licked his lips and then laughed “Well that’s a big question isn’t it.” He couldn’t help himself now. He looked the fireman up and down. He was just too damned cute. Then he gave another little sigh “Sorry...I know it's a cliche...fireman and all. But you’re gorgeous. I suspect you’re straight so just have a beautiful day. I’ll try to catch Logan later.” He waited for a reply but looked like he would also leave if he offended the guy.
Patrick shrugged when it was suggested that the question was big. Patrick was not autistic. He really had no good excuses for missing the social cues that he did. It was one of the things that made him, when he was half an hour late for a date, have the nerve to ask if she was mad. But the man then went on to call him gorgeous and suspecting he was straight and Patrick smiled again. “I am, but you don’t have to go.” he explained. “They’re just driving around by the ferry, making sure everything is alright.” he tapped the radio on his hip. “I’ll hear him if he’s delayed.” he knew he should be friendly to all and was. “You know Logan, I assume. Is this your first time on the island?” he asked so at least the guy wouldn’t be bored standing around while Logan and Gareth drove around the town.
Dan nodded. It was fair and non judgemental. He had taken a risk. He could still enjoy the view. “Thank you for that. Yes first time here. Logan is a dear friend and old roommate. I’m staying with our other old roommate. I love it here…..it’s so friendly. Did you grow up here or some for the job?”
Patrick gave the man a half a nod. “No problem. Oh .. old college buddies.” he understands. “I was born and raised on this island.” he tells him. “My twin brother works for the police department.”
Dan smiles and then listens. When the guy mentions he has a twin he laughs and puts a hand over his heart dramatically “My god there’s two men who look like you.” It’s a bit of a tease but his mind does race.
Patrick chuckles as the man places a hand over his heart. “Yup. We’re identical twins. There are ways to tell us apart, but most people just can’t figure it out. You have to be close enough to be able to tell the differences.”
Dan looks curious now and also grins "Oh? so how do I tell?"
Patrick smirked. “Moles…” he replies. He straightens and looks down at this man, realizing immediately he will have to bend over, so he does. Using his left index finger he points to a mole under his right eye. “My twins is…” he points to a spot beside his left eyebrow. “Here.” he straightens. “Plus he broke his nose when we were in high school, so his is more crooked than mine.”
Dan tilts his head and looks at the mole and then grins. “Beauty marks they call them.” He gives a little eyebrow wiggle and laughs. God, he even smelled nice when he leaned in. Ah well, he could enjoy the moment. “So did you and your brother used to prank people? I would if I had a twin. My friend that I’m visiting and her partner, they’re pregnant with triplets. But those don’t end up identical.”
Patrick’s grin grew a bit wider. “Yea. We did.” he admits. “As we grew older, not so much.” He leans on the engine again. “Oh, you mean Owen and Slaine! I know them. And Liam. He’s a good kid. But yea … triplets … even I have a hard time wrapping my head around that.” he laughs again. “But I know their Dad. Good guy, but a little clumsy.”
Dan laughs and facepalms “He is? Well shit so’s Slaine. So that should be a fun genetic cocktail. She, Logan and Kurt were my roommates when we were all at UBC. I’m Dan by the way. Dan Moore. Late introduction.” He reaches out a hand to shake, still grinning at the lovely fireman.
Patrick can’t help but laugh. “Oh god … It might be. I should put Logan and the other EMT’s on alert.” The man introduces himself and Patrick, whose mouth is still open from his laugh doesn’t react outwardly. But he knows who this man is besides an old roommate of Logan and Kurt's. He shakes the proffered hand warmly. “God, that’s right. Rude of me. I just assume people read the nameplate and are happy … or have known me for ages so don’t need it. Patrick Peterson, one half of what’s known around here as ‘The Peterson Twins’.”
Dan smirks "Well nice to meet you Patrick Peterson of the Peterson twins. I gotta ask, is the other twin straight too?" It's one of those sort of a joke but not "Because clearly I have no shame right?" He gives himself a dramatic swat on the hand and then sighs "It's been a good day though. Saw some amazing music. India Tor and Aqoustic Spirit....man....gotta get some of those albums. The kid's performers after were a little sad in comparison. The juggler dropped an egg on an old lady and she was pissed. Then there was this balloon animal fiasco.....I'm looking forward to the fireworks though. Guess you're stuck here for all of it?"
Patrick shrugs. “We’re identical in that way too. Sorry.” he wasn’t, but it was still amusing. He nods. “We can hear them from here, at least.” he nods towards the park. “In a way. I get the worst seat, almost. Right in the boat. But it feels good to know others will see it, ya know?” he almost says more when an ambulance turns off of 2nd onto Central. It passes the station a bit, then with a ‘beep beep’ slowly backs into the vehicle bay. Gareth is driving and Logan Reinhardt is closest to the engine in the passengers’ seat.
He hops out and slams the ambulance door, smiling. “Dan! What are you doing here? Get enough of my lovesick brother already?”
As Gareth parks, he notices Patrick talking to a short guy and Logan seems to know the guy when he gets out. As Gareth turns the key to off and is ready to get out Tom O'Leary passes the group and comes running up to Gareth "I won the betting pool arsehole. You and Dana owe me a 5er...." Gareth gets pulled into the conversation with Tom and walks away from the group "No...fuckin way....where did they even get firecrackers?"
In the meantime, Dan leans back and throws open his arms "Logan! Your brother is fucking adorable but a little young for me and clearly in love with our friend." He head juts at Patrick "Been chatting with the handsome fireman. How do you ever get any work done in this place?" He watches the other EMT and the curly haired fireman go by too and sighs "I mean seriously… I hope Kurt benefits from all this scenery when you get home." Dan laughs heartily.
Patrick just stands back, grinning. He can hardly wait to see Sajani tomorrow after his shift. She may not even believe him.
Logan hugs Dan. “He’s also pretty much straight, as it turns out. Long story.” he looks at Patrick and then claps Dan on the shoulder. “Kurt does .. he’s a very happy housefrau .. well now he’s the archivist but the housefrau is still in there.” He looks at Patrick. “Hey. I saw your brother talking with his girlfriend AND yours. Are you two corrupting poor, sweet Sajani?”
Patrick laughs. “No, this morning Noelle invited Sajani to spend the day with her, Chris and Blaze. We’re just one big happy family, you know.”
Dan grins about Kurt "Housefrau.....oooh say it in his accent..." He teases, and then he freezes and if Logan hasn't let go of his shoulder he will feel it tensing up like lava that's been flash frozen. He swallows looking at Patrick, He knew Sajani lived on this island but he hadn't seen her. "You're Sajani Singh's boyfriend?" He pauses and then exhales slowly "And I just hit on you...for like 20 minutes....Jesus Christ...." He looks at Logan weakly. "Can you reverse resuscitate me?" He drops his head and looks to the side in total mortification.
Logan feels Dan tense up and looks at him, curiously until Dan starts to speak, and then he laughs. “Sorry friend. No reverse resuscitation.” he pats the shoulder and moves to Patrick, clapping him on the shoulder. “You just let him hang himself.” he shakes his head. “Priceless.” he turns to go into the station. “Kurt insists that you go by the house to see the fireworks. We have a great view in the backyard. See you later.” and he’ll be gone if no one stops him.
Patrick can’t avoid a grin at Dan. When Logan slaps him on the shoulder, he admits it. “Yea, I did. Totally worth it.” he looks at Dan. “Yea. I’m Sajani Singh’s boyfriend. I’ll tell her you said hello if you want…”
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