"Are you a shoes off kind of guy?"

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After having a moment of panic as to what to wear in the anticipation of Clark coming around, seemingly unexpectedly. Roshan decided to dress just as unexpectedly, which interpreted as him making an effort to look like he was not making an effort, by wearing a casual dressing gown over some clean pyjamas...A dressing gown he had received from his mother four years ago and only made an appearance when he felt poorly. But Clark wouldn't know that. Clark would think he was disturbing Roshan, that it really was an unexpected moment. Little would Clark know that if he had actually called around unannounced, Roshan would have been sat on the couch in just his underpants and fluffy bed socks watching netflix, with a bowl of cashew nuts.

Roshan was just popping on one last atmospheric lamp when the doorbell rang. He pulls the rope of his belt to tighten the knot a little more before heading to the door.

"I'm really sorry about this." Clark repeats as he stands under the arched porchway, portraying a sorry grin.

"Oh it's fine! You found the place ok?" Roshan wonders as he lets Clark into his home.

"I'm here so yeah." Clark laughs back, his eyes everywhere as he takes in the very well presented house which felt very homely from just stepping one foot over the threshold. "Are you a shoes off kind of guy?" He wonders but by looking from the hallway into the living area, with it's deep pile cream carpet, he could have guessed the answer.

"Yes. I've just had new carpets." Comes the reply, making Clark chuckle under his breath.

Roshan now enters his living space, calling over his shoulder,  "Do you want drink?"

"Uuh yeah." Clark half answers, getting distracted by a massive hole in one of his socks. Ordinarily it wouldn't have bothered him, but Roshan's immaculate show home just made him suddenly feel very unkempt. He quickly tries to poke his big toe on his left foot back through the unwanted hole, before catching up with Roshan, who was in the process of getting a bottle of wine from the fridge.

"This ok?" He gestures.  "I mean it's Saturday night."

"I wouldn't expect anything less from a chef's fridge." Clark smiles raising an eyebrow.

"And I guess you have Ovaltine in your cupboard because you are a bookworm." Roshan retaliates playfully.

"Nooo....hot chocolate actually." Clark laughs.

"So I guess we play our parts well." Roshan concludes as he pours the drink and hands a near full glass of wine to Clark.

He takes a sip before noticing the atmosphere in more detail. The soft lighting, the warm piano music. "You really are sophisticated, with your mood lighting, tunes and wine."

"Ah not really." Roshan really wasn't! But now felt like he had to play that part. Well at least for a few hours. "Come, sit." He suggests as he proceeds to sit on his luxury looking brown leather couch. Clark nervously follows with wine in hand, hoping to God that he wasn't going to spill any on the leather upholstery. He sets the wine down on a ready and waiting coaster before tactically sitting on his foot with the holey sock. Roshan would never know!

"So tell me, you said you were kicked out of your shop." Roshan begins.

"Morton, my friend. I think he is trying to impress someone." Clark says roiling his eyes.

"And he needs your shop?" Roshan wonders.

"He told them he was the owner. He's trying to show off in front of his night class teacher." Clark concludes.

"And now he's got to play the part, hang on....wait..." all of a sudden Roshan sits up a little straighter on the sofa. "Is this Raphael?"

"I just know he's the language teacher, well he would have been mine I guess." Clark concludes.

"Well I'm glad he's not." Roshan says, now relaxing back into the seat again. "He's known for being a total flirt with the students. So unprofessional."

"Oh yeah?" Clark raises an eyebrow. "Wouldn't catch you doing that."

"This is different." Roshan insists.

"Why?"

"Because...because...oh just leave it." Roshan huffs, which makes Clark laugh.

"Hey I'm just teasing. I know you are trying to resist my charms when at work." Clark reaches forwards and pats Roshan on the knee.

"Roshan looks at the hand before looking back up at Clark.  "It may be too late now, especially with that rumour floating around.

"Like I said. No one has approached you or me. It's just a rumour. Besides, it could be Raphael for all we know." Clark points out.

"Maybe. I wouldn't put it past him. Hey, do you think it was with your friend?" Roshan once again leans forward with mild excitement.

Clark shakes his head. "Morton told me about the rumour in the first place. I mean, I know he lies a little, but he wouldn't lie about something like that."

"Mm." Roshan responds, taking some wine to his lips. He then notices the strange way in which Clark is sitting. "Tell me, why are you sitting like that?"

"Like what?" Clark replies innocently, trying to laugh it off.

"It looks like a weird yoga position." Roshan says, now gesturing towards the strangely angled leg.

Clark lets out a defeatist sigh as he slowly brings the shamed sock into view. "I have a hole in my sock." He mumbles.

"What?" Roshan says almost laughing. "That doesn't matter."

"It does matter. Look at you, all sophisticated with your glass of wine and posh pyjamas." Clark now gestures towards Roshan which makes Roshan look down on himself.

He looks back up at Clark smiling. "I put this on because you were coming over. I don't really wear nightwear."

"They why did you?" Clark wonders with interest.

"I'm not ready for you to see me at my worst." He says, before adding. "Do you really want to see me in just my underwear, with air dried hair from the shower?"

"Are you seriously asking me that?" Clark smirks, licking his upper lip.

"Hey stop that!" Roshan playfully pushes Clark back, but was low key pleased with the compliment.

"Why should I stop it? You're not at work." Clark replies. He looks at Roshan a little more serious this time, causing Roshan to mirror the action. "The only two people right now stopping anything from happening, are you and me."