On a quiet rooftop, high above the city, Arslan finally lets himself breathe. The bustling skyline sprawls behind him, lights glittering like a thousand tiny promises, but it’s not the view that matters—it’s the warmth of the moment. A glass in hand, laughter in his chest, he leans back into the chair as though this night belongs only to him and the one who brought him here. His boyfriend Eiden.
Dinner is simple but thoughtful—grilled skewers, fresh slices, a drink that tastes like sweet alcohol citrus and memory. There’s nothing extravagant about it, and yet, under the open sky, everything feels rare and perfect. It’s not about fine dining or expensive places; it’s about sharing the city, the food, and the quiet kind of joy that only comes when love is sitting across the table. And sometimes that’s more than enough.
Hey guys! So this time around there are several things I have to point out, as I find ways to make my illustrations more dynamic and visually stunning (imo), while keeping those time saving measures in place. I know some people love the painting aspect of art, but I really despise it. That’s why I’m cell shaded/flat colors bitch. I am always trying to improve and learn though. So as I find ways to make things faster, that might change in the future.
However those time saving measures are thing I would like to share here on this blog and tell you about them so that there’s a tracking of this things as well as hopefully they might help someone out.
So – nevertheless, let’s talk about this piece. The first and most obvious glaring aspect of it is the background. This time I opted for a picture, a quick search on Envato (I pay the subscription) and found this lovely image which I think suits the piece quite well. It’s from either LA or China I couldn’t tell you. But either way I love the idea that Eiden is taking Arslan to a fancy dinner in a big city. Since Summer for these two means cozy beach village vibes all day.
So they take a quick escape, probably via helicopter and land in the city only for a private car to pick them up and take them to the desire location. Eiden is living the big life and shares it constantly with Arslan – not at the expense of love but in spite of it. Meaning they’re real love between the two.
City wise – If it’s the latter, I love the idea that Eiden speaks fluent Mandarin and because of that he knows all the best high rise places with fancy dinners and the best views. And you know sometimes I think Eiden’s wealth is good and all but what’s the point if there’s no one to share it with. I think Eiden suffers from depression and sometimes it shows in weird ways like Impostor Syndrome.
Arslan being a little more humble and having to find his way out of a less than ideal family situation, money wise. Arslan found that training and social media was a good way to make money even as a teenager. And since he was always an extrovert coming from a family where he was the only male, thanks to a distant father. It helped him find his independence. Be advised however – Arslan’s family didn’t lack any type of love. His mother constantly blamed herself for not being able to give them more than what they had. While also having to deal with a father that took social drinking into his personal life.
Arslan has this down to earth mentality because of his backstory, and always help bring Eiden back down from cloud 9. But always appreciates the little things Eiden does for him like wanting to give him luxuries that Eiden grew up and share this part of his life with Arslan. Arslan knows it’s not for show but rather a deep connection they have built over the years they have been together.
Remember the first we met?
Our first coffee date?
After having been talking online for a while, including text messages, video calls, and hour long voice messages. Eiden finally invited Arslan to a coffee date. Sexual preference had been already discussed. Arslan was bisexual and had already been with other men, while Eiden was full on gay, having maybe a kiss here or there with girls. You know the drunk type, best friend type, maybe a little too much tongue type.
The kiss being over before more than a second had passed, as a feeling of oh god this is so wrong washed over the two of them. Nothing more shall ever touch this topic and Eiden confirmed. Yes he’s 100% into men.
Kissing another dude – for Eiden felt natural, almost primal, the main difference, girls used too much lip gloss, most men he’d dated before Arslan did not.
So it was – they met a local coffee shop, Eiden showed up in a hoodie a hat, and sunglasses, sitting alone in a table, in the middle of a busy coffee shop at 4PM. Arslan decided to run from his campus all the way to meet him. Having to had lie to a friend of his in order to keep this a secret.
Arslan instantly noticed Eiden from the crowd, as if Eiden felt his presence, he looked up to meet his gaze and waved a little hello. Arslan ran a cold sweat.
“What’s up with the getup?” Arslan noticed how Eiden had covered up, the covered him up and the sunglasses were not helping. He looked like a celebrity that was trying to hide from the public. Poorly.
“Arslan?” Eiden questioned from his seat – having the real thing in front of him was like meeting a celebrity. At least for Eiden. Arslan’s life was nothing compared to Eiden.
Arslan poised an open body language, while Eiden seemed closed off and reserved. Arslan raised an eyebrow.
“Yeah! Eiden, right?” Arslan mentioned. Suddenly Eiden must have felt silly because he stood up and unveiled himself.
“Sorry – this outfit – so cringe right?” Eiden seemed an anxious energy about him.
“No – my bad!” Arslan retorted. “You look fine really, are you cold? That’s why you’re wearing the hoodie right?” Arslan looked for the AC, 18 degrees. Seemed a little weird for a nice spring day. It was a little chilly inside.
“But the sunglasses – who am I, like a celebrity or something? Where are my manners?!” Eiden expressed while frantically taking his hoodie off, he unzipped the front, his right side falling on one shoulder drooping on the side.
Arslan wore his sweatpants and a t-shirt. He also carried a gym bag.
It revealed Eiden’s body – slim and toned, but not as big as Arslan’s though. Eiden was the definition or a muscle twink, Arslan was proper bodybuilder.
“Hey chill!” Arslan said and touched both Eiden’s shoulders.
“Yeah – you’re right – sorry,” Eiden mentioned and seemed to calm down. Hat and sunglasses off they both look at each other, like finally acknowledging this was their first meeting.
“You wanna get a coffee or something?” Arslan said noticing Eiden had nothing on the table.
“Yeah I was hoarding your seat,” he pointed to his backpack on the other side of the table.
At the counter Eiden took the lead and started ordering, he really went overboard, a sandwich, a tart and some cake pops or something, he couldn’t really speak properly and stumbled over his words with the lady at the counter, he was also being awfully nice. Finally.
“Oh and you’re drink?” Both Eiden and the lady at cash register looked at Arslan.
“Oh – no – I’m okay,” Arslan stunned took a step back.
Eiden suddenly took a firm pose on the ground, wasn’t shaking anymore – and firmly looked at Arslan. This look had weight to it – like silent words spoken with just eye contact. Eiden’s eyes lowered and sharpened like knives.
“It’s a date, isn’t it?” Eiden asked.
“Yeah bro, okay,” Arslan said quivering in fear.
A short silence as Arslan looked at the menu , the anxiety was building.
“I’ll just have a coffee of the day,” Arslan mumbled.
“Your total is 45 today please,” Cash register rang him up.
“You guys do Apple Pay?” Eiden said. Unlocking his phone, a black credit card sliding down on his phone.
“Yep! Tap whenever you’re ready,” she said. Eiden tapped and it went through like normal. Their food was delivered quickly.
After they got their orders they were back at the table and this time Eiden was back to visibly shaking from nerves as he stared over at Arslan.
“I – I -got this for you,” Eiden mentioned to the sandwich in front of him.
“Really?!” Arslan beamed.
“Yeah – choose any one you want,” Arslan went for the sandwich.
“Thanks, awesome, haven’t had lunch yet!” Arslan took a bite from the sandwich.
“It’s amazing! Oh you want a bite?” Arslan held the sandwich in front of him.
“That’s okay – I kinda already ate,” Eiden mentioned.
“What you eat?” Arslan still had a mouthful. He was kind cute.
“I ate over at La Marée Haute,” Eiden said in perfect French.
“Sorry what?” Arslan looked bamboozled.
“La Marée Haute, you know The High Tide,” Eiden repeated himself.
“Oh!!!!” Arslan realized. “That fancy dinner place!” Arslan mumbled in between bites.
“I rather go to whole in the walls type of places,” Eiden gleefully accepted.
“I know right! The most underground burger is often the best!” Arslan perked up. For the first time since this conversation started.
“I know right! I know a bunch of places we could go to!”
“That be awesome, we can show each other our favorite spots!” Arslan seemed happy, Sun Golden almost.
“Yeah, I’d like that too,” Eiden seemed almost to enter a calm state. /
It was easy for Eiden to orbit around Arslan one topic would come up, and Eiden would circle around it just asking one question or another, Arslan was more than happy to dive deeply into the topic. It was mostly an Arslan yap session, but Eiden seemed to want to know more, keeping eye contact, and asking relevant questions when the time came.
Arslan cracked some jokes, and Eiden laughed loudly. Telling stories and getting to know each other. When Eiden talked Arslan listened intently. Arslan really wanted to know more about Eiden as well. They both took turns talking and listening.
They spent hours like that.
The sun set and the moon finally came out.
They finally had to get out of there because they were closing in ten minutes.
Arslan stretched like a big cat stretches, his abs showed a little. Eiden couldn’t help but peek. His hoodie came back on.
“Can I walk you to your car?” Arslan mentioned looking at him, the coffee shop’s light behind them. The open air mall they were at in front of them. It had a cinema on the second floor, and a play area with a video projection in its main square.
“Yeah please?” There was this sudden new awkwardness to them as they walked through the parking lot Arslan following Eiden’s lead.
As they got on the electric stairs. Arslan posed a question. His face red with embarrassment.
“So, is it King or Heart?” Arslan said looking away.
“Huh?” Eiden said.
“You know like that story?”
“Oh, right? Mostly heart!” Eiden said.
“Really!” Arslan suddenly shouted a with an open mouth – “but you paid for everything, you’re so manly back there!“
They walked over to Eiden’s car.
“Manly?” Eiden continued. “I mean it’s just – I’m interested in you – I want this to go somewhere, you know, I kinda wanna share that part of my life with you too, I want you to be able to have you’re autonomy within my life as well, you know?” Arslan flushed real bad. They were well hidden from view thanks to Eiden’s black car.
“I mean I want that too – and what happened at the motel – did you feel it too? I feel like I’m going crazy, this feels way too natural, right?!“ Arslan spouted.
“I sort of feel that too,” Eiden said.
“But like I’m also open to being both King or Heart, you know?”
“I wouldn’t really ask you otherwise unless I’m drunk.”
“And you know how I feel about drinking!”
“I do know.”
“Oh god – can I kiss you right now?” It took Eiden by surprise.
“Only if you want too,” Eiden said and Arslan leaned closer. Only their height difference made it feel like Eiden was being pinned against his own car. Arslan raised one arm over him resting it on Eiden’s car. His other hand resting on the hood of the car. Arslan massive body felt oppressing and like a cage. Eiden couldn’t get out now. Even if the shakes and visible red face came back.
Arslan leaned in sweetly for a kiss, touching his lips to Eiden’s. The moment was sweet, tender and absolute. This moment was only theirs. It was everything. Romantic, tender, and sweet.
Then it was over just like that.
“I have to go back to uni,” Arslan said, slowly lifting Eiden’s chin. “How about another date tomorrow?”
Eiden shook his head yes vigorously.
“Good, I’ll text you,” Arslan leaned in for a quick peck, and finally scuffled to let Eiden free.
“I’ll see you then!” Arslan said hopping and running at the same time with a giant smile on his face, tomato red. Eiden stood to his car like a fly on the wall. Just like that Arslan jumped two at a time on the electric stars and was gone before you knew it.
Eiden sighed of relief but was instantly overjoyed with happiness. /
Want More?
Hey guys, hope you enjoyed that! In case you’re craving more, I recently made a new comic featuring Eiden and Eduardo? Made in a universe in writing for a webtoon. It’s the love that was never meant to be.
Also if you’re craving more Arslan, I recently made a little illustration with him and had some notes to say about my overall art process and where I wanna go with in the future.
Also Exploration Volume 2 – the prologue to the story you just read is now up in a WIP format, which you can read if you’re interested. V2RE with all the fixes is coming soon as I’m also working on V3 at the moment.
I made some VN tests, which you can find here and here(this one’s my fav).
I made a one shot featuring Arslan and Rexford, in the relationship they shared at their first year of uni. (Arslan meets Eiden his second year of uni, so what happened there?)
A new character same old story.
Read the first chapter of Anamnesis the revamped fantasy setting story of Arslan and Eiden.
Th0ru’s Blog 