(An- thx for 400 reads here's the chapter as promised)

"Holy shit," Alex says " what is that animal."

   He quickly got up from the picnic table and rushed towards the giraffe enclosure. He marvled at the way their long necks towered over the gate, reaching over to invade the space of any passerby who might feed them. The other followed behind them, laughing amongst themselves. Alex grabbed some leaves in an attempt to feed the spotted creatures.

   One of the giraffes took interest in the leaves and stretched his head down to examine them further. As if deciding they were good enough, he let his long black tongue help him pull the leaves into his mouth.

"IT'S TONGUE IS BLACK???" Alex shouted, causing the other men to burst into fits of laughter. John and Laf nearly in tears.

*,*,*,*,*,*,*,*,*,*,*,*,*,

   After spending more time with the giraffes, the group decided it was time to eat lunch. There was a small cafe in the zoo that seemed like the best option. It was a brightly lit place, with small cozy booths against one wall and the counter on the other, with a few tables scattered about the room. They took a seat at one of the booths, positioned in front of a large window, and waited for one of the waitresses to come over.

A waitress with long brown hair and a slim build approached them, speaking with honeyed words. Her eyes locked onto Laf, as she took their orders. What time she didn't spend looking down at her note pad was spent looking Lafayette up and down, as she ran a hand through her hair. She spoke in  a sugary sweet tone that rolled off her tongue, and her eyes narrowed as if she was focusing in on Laf's every word. Herc felt his blood boil as she continued to shower Laf in complements, and call him things like  "handsome" and "sweetheart". She couldn't seem to notice the way Herc was glaring daggers in her direction, but John and Alex did. 

   They nervously exchanged glances and began to ask the waitress questions that caused her to take her eyes away from Laf and she soon scurried back behind the counter and into the small kitchen. Herc, who was still livid, pressed his head to the cool window glass, his head swimming with thoughts. He knew that he shouldn't feel jealous, especially when Laf did nothing to encourage her. Laf was quick to shoot down her attempts to call him pet names and brushed off her compliments. Still, Herc couldn't shake the feeling of protectiveness he felt. He knew logically that Laf did not belong to him, and that jealousy wasn't a healthy habit. Still, his blood boiled, and his heart sent a burst of adrenaline pulsing through his veins.

   That was only until Laf leaned in closer to Herc and rested his head on Herc's shoulder, looking up at him with his big brown eyes. Smiling as he softly whispered loving words towards Herc. He responded by allowing his hand to rest on Laf's thigh, returning to his view out the window to hide rosiness now flooding to his cheeks. Laf snuggled closer to him, and the waitress returned with their drinks, appearing slightly annoyed. She set the drinks down with a thud.

"Your food will be out shortly," she said in a blunt tone. "Enjoy."

With that last word, her words now stung like venom, dripping with sarcasm and bitterness. However, Herc didn't feel any hostility. She had reminded him that jealousy wasn't something he should trouble himself with because Laf chose him. Laf chose Herc. Herc chose Laf. 

And that's all there is to it. 

~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~
(Word Count: 405)

(Edited Word Count: 679)

I've not fully returned from Hiatus, but I needed to thank you all for 400 reads. The chapter is a bit short but I'll post a longer one after the break.

Sincerely,
Welp