Great for nerds. Now say "To me, my X-Men!" [His teeth clink around the lip of the bottle, then around his own lip, and he doesn't drink anymore yet--just pressed the cold beer against his neck, it's getting so warm in here.] I think going solo is a good move. The best move. That's the move I made. Am making. [And he's the best, don't forget.]
[Holy shit, was bird boy getting drunk? Cause he sounded hella funny and he had no idea Robin could be like this. You know, lighthearted mockery with a known felon.] So you're flying solo now, birdy? That's cute. Did you get booted off your team? What was there name again? Teen besties or something?
Titans. And they can't boot me out, I made that team, we're just--on hiatus. [And that really, really bothers him, so he breaks face-to-face in favor of slouching against the bar and taking that drink after all. Not that he needs it, but sure is distracting!] Call me Kid Cold. Don't call me cute.
You're not that cold, you're a little emotionally constipate but I assumed that was the dark knights influence. That guy seems hella cold. Though that could just be the whole 'I'm a scary bat guy' vibe he's rocking that gives that impression. [Anyone who dressed like a bat and assaulted people had issues. And anyone with those kind of issues couldn't be a warm and friendly presence.] I'll call you cute if I wanna call you cute. And I will. Cutie.
[Never tell him not to do something, he'll just do it more and worse.]
[Emotionally constipated gets a face. What do you know? Cutie gets a worse one. Tim sucks in a noisy breath through his nose, and turns back. Smooth and quick as anything, one hand grabs Axel by the collar, and the other dumps half a beer down his shirt.]
[Oh man. He's got to be fucking kidding. Axel takes a very long, very sharp inhale of breath, remembering that if he started anything properly here, he could fuck up the party and get himself banned, neither of which he wants to do because he has a hella sweet tab going down here. But still, this punk ass little birdy boy just fucked up his gear. He shoots up to his feet and grabs onto the others collar in return, glaring him down.] You're such a fucking dick. I'm going to punch your lights out for this. See, wait to prove my point, you're so fucking constipated, dude. You can't even laugh at a joke.
[He could teach a class on how to get out of these situations, but when Axel grabs him his head sways like they're buckled into a roller coaster. Rush hooks into his stomach and tugs so hard it tickles and Tim busts up laughing.] You're a joke! Get off me, you don't wanna try this!
[Bites hand into his grin but it doesn't go away even as he leans into the fists in his shirt, head lolling to the side, palms sliding down Axel's front, what did he break to get such a reaction...] You don't wanna try me, cutie, you could. Not. Handle it.
[Being laughed at like that after having beer tipped down him? The very definition of uncool. Axel glares and shoves Tim away, hard as he could without really starting anything in here, just wanting to get him out of his face and get those hands off his clothes. His now ruined clothes]
Talk about being a dickwad. I invite you out, I pay for your drinks and you start on me. The fuck, dude? Either you're a mean drunk or you just really hate being called cutie. [Rolling his eyes, he resists throwing a punch and reminds hmself of how much he likes this club and it's two-for-one promotions. So not worth being booted out over.] If you've got such an issue with me, get lost.
All of the above. [He smirks, sidling back up next to Axel the second he's got his head clear. Having both elbows on the bar helps keep clear too, he's really knocking this out.] Plus I'm just mean, y'know. Just plan mean, probably my upbringing. You have siblings?
Look--look, I'm sorry. [An exaggerated frown, and he can feel how mean the fake apology sounds, so he sniffs and downplays the fake, listen, listen:] I spilled! I tripped, I didn't mean anything. Whattayou want, Walker? I'll buy the next round, you can dump it on me.
No, I don't have siblings. [He was the spoilt only child so, you know, he's used to being number one, most beloved.] I don't think having asshole brothers is a viable excuse to be a grade A dick to the dude buying your drinks. That's just not cool.
[This wasn't over, not even slightly, he's already plotting his revenge. Hell, his revenge is already in the works but for now, he enjoys the entirely insincere apology.] You did it on purpose, you liar. I thought boy scouts like you didn't lie. Then again they don't drink either and yet, here we are. [Rolling his eyes, he looks down and checks the damage. Not too bad, he could live with it.] I'm gonna get you back for that, just do you know. And I play dirty.
Guess you're really challenging your preconceived notions then, wow, big night for Tricks. [He has to iron his mouth shut to keep from sniggering about the word dirty, but it still gets an elementary school smirk out of him as he lays his head on folded arms against the bar.] Don't tease me. It feels like Christmas, whatever will you do?
[Big breath in, and he sits up purposefully, closes his eyes against his head swimming and sets his chin neatly on Walker's shoulder. His hands pinch the other's elbow again.] Can't drink more yet. Please. I gotta move, I'm gonna--burn it off or fuckin--get something worse spilled on you, c'mon.
Trust me, you don't know it yet but I've basically gotten my revenge already. [There's a cunning smirk there because Axel didn't call himself trickster for no reason. Of course he always had a plan and of course it was in the works. Nothing dangerous, not really, Axel didn't play to fight, just to cause a little mischief.] But enough of that, don't worry your pretty head about it, birdy-boy. Just remember that you started it. I could have played nice but you definitely started it.
[Staining his suit in beer? One bad deed deserves another.] Can't you just drink more until that feeling goes away? That's what most sane people do. [Rolling his eyes, Axel gives the bartender a look and orders another drink. No way was Tim tapping out yet.] Trust me, another shot will clear your head. Go for it.
[His mouth turns down sharply at that first gentle threat, at Axel giving him that foxy smirk. In fact, the frown is just a hair's breadth away from being an out-and-out pout as he draws his hands back to himself, folded around his stomach. That sounds like a plan all along. That sounds an awful lot like he took the bait, but his whole body feels dreamy and his head can't wind it's way back to exactly where he bit into that hook. Was it before he got here? Doesn't he already know? He's prepared for anything, so he must have been prepared to be played, but what was his preparation? What was the play?
[He's so distracted in his own scowl that it takes him a second to realize that Axel keeps talking. The music seems louder. Tim scoffs--but still reaches out when the next pair of shots slides towards them.] That doesn't work that way! Now you're lying. We can't both lie, Axel, we can't both lie, then how do we know who's being true? Ah-ah--
[Whichever glass Walker is about to take, Tim reaches for that one instead, gives the other man a glare like ho ho he's onto you.] Okay. Okay. You have to toast, you ordered these, that's your responsibility. I was done. I didn't get a toast ready, I can't do it.
I always lie. I lie by nature, dude, I can't stop that. You're going to have to be the one that stops, you're the hero. Good guys are honest and true, bad guys are liars and cheats. That's my role and I play it well. [There wasn't a thing Axel didn't lie about, it was just who Axel was. If your life was half as pathetic as his, Tim, you'd be doing the same.] I hang with the rogues all the time and all we do is lie to each other so trust me, more than one person can be lying at once.
[Axel picks up the one closest to Tim because apparently he'd determined to be an asshole tonight and swiftly raises it, unable to resist grinning.] A toast? Fine. Lemme see. [He clears his throat, making sure to seem like he's actually trying here.] To the building of bridges between villains and heroes through the magic that is cheap shots and terrible music.
[Maybe Batman and the Joker should just go out, do some shots, party down. Could solve the whole feud so easily. Axel knocks back his shot and slams the glass down, smirking at Tim.] Feel better?
[He fumbles the fell swallow and lets the booze linger too long in his mouth--takes him two gulps to do one shot and he shakes his head vehemently after.] No. No, but-- [What's the logic here, just like before--] --just--takes a while t'kick in. Right? Right. Do you feel better?
[Axel has to laugh, just had to. What a sight. He's definitely feeling the buzz now, the heat, he feels himself flush a little and hell, if it's starting to effect him, God knows what's going down with his drinking partner.] I feel amazing. Maybe you need more to feel this way, you need to get over the worst of it and power through. [Yes, he's ordering more shots. What? It's hilarious!] One more. If it doesn't fix you, we'll get some air. Deal?
[What's going on with his drinking partner is that Tim's featherweight body is starting to betray him. Not used to this or built for it, occasional glass of wine notwithstanding. He can't feel it when he takes the shotglass. Exhales once--then again to make sure--before he drinks and can't feel it going down. It all goes.] I feel--amazing. Building bridges.
[The shotglass rattles as he sets it down, same way his knees rattle as he straightens up and pushes away from the bar and falls he's falling he's falling and he catches Axel by the arm again just before stumbling back against a stranger like an upright crowd surf, help him, help.]
[This is the most beautiful moment of his life and he takes longer than he really should to help his drinking buddy out because there is nothing quite like watching Robin, the boy wonder, just casually falling into everyone and looking about as wrecked as a boy could get. Reluctantly, he gets up and grabs onto the other, steadying him and wrapping an arm around him so he doesn't entirely face plant. Look at that, Axel is capable of charity. Who knew?]
Fresh air it is. You're lucky I'm a man of my word. [He wasn't. At all, but if Tim passed out, this was going to be considerably less fun. No one wants to lug around an unconscious body all damn night.] Still feeling amazing?
I just--I can't loose my--lose my contacts...I didn't bring glasses... [And he's having a hard time seeing, a hard time standing, is kind of the point, but he loses that as they move. Gotta focus more on walking and not passing out.
[His head tilts back on Axel's arm around him, and the heat and noise and people around them all feel muted for a second, like being underwater, like being in a bath. When they hit the outside air, it feels about the same as coming out of the water. His wiry grip in Axel's shirt and the one knotted around his fingers both release. The gravel feels--awesome, and it smells like someone else is smoking out here.] Cigarettes.
[He sucks in a full breath, stands up straight to poke emphatically at Axel's chest.] S'what we need. Cigarettes, you have them. Bad guys--always have them, or we can-- [A look thrown around over his shoulder, some place has to be open.] --get'm, I'll buy.
You wear contacts? [The things he learns. He basically drags the other outside because his coordination right now was just pathetic. It seems likely that once they get back inside, he was either going to have to give him lots of water to try and help sober him up or something stronger to knock him flat out and then just ditch him.
Would he really be blamed if he abandoned Tim alone here to find his own way back? ... Well, yes, probably. Almost entirely likely. He did start this and cause this mess so yes but did he care? Nah.] I don't smoke, dude. I can't stand the things. Some of the rogues smokes and it's damn rancid. It gets into everything.
[No one wants to buy his secondhand shit on ebay if it's been smoked all over. Tragic.] You want to go buy smokes? [Okay, this he kind of wants to see.] Do you even have your wallet on you?
Yessss, I have my wallet on me, jesus christ butimnot-- [Petulant, he wipes at his eyes through the--mask, this is stupid he can't get to them through th--he's taking off the mask, and it should probably hurt a little but he doesn't seem to notice. It's fine. It's dark. Axel promised no pictures--it's fine, and he's already got it off so fuck it.] --m'not buying. A pack, a whole thing so's you can be a fucking nerd about it, I'll get them to give me one.
[Whoever's smoking that is, he's got that, once he breathes enough to stand on his own a little. Pats Axel's chest and point at his eyes, holding them wide open with grave seriousness.] Check them. Are they in? My glasses. My--lenses, are they?
[They are, and they're tinted bright blue. The things you learn!]
[He took off the mask, this was not a drill, He took it off! Holy shit. The mask was off and -- well, this would be a bigger and cooler moment for Axel if he had any fucking idea who the hell this kid was but mostly, he was drawing a blank. He just looked like him but without a mask covering his eyes. Huh.
Anti-climatic.] Check your eyes? Woah. This is the weirdest thing a dude has asked me to do after shots.
[He stares into his eyes and woah, talk about a really strange thing to do for your enemy but he checks them both over regardless cause hey, look, they're total bros tonight and bros looked after bros. Even if said bro spilt beer on him like a total dick.] They're in. I think? It's hard to tell, dude, your eyes are so damn pale, they blend. I'm gonna say yeah. You're set, buddy.
Really? The weirdest ever? [He doesn't believe it, but still gets a little pride off the idea. He's nothing if not competitive. Tim blinks and blinks and blinks for a second after the confirmation, and pinches his own arm sharply until he can feel it.] Thanks. Don't go anywhere. Don't--
[Wandering eyes drift out and come back to Axel focused. It's supposed to be an order, but the way it soudns, he might as well put a "please" on the end:] Don't go anywhere.
[And deep breath before he just goes. Walk is tight, smile is alert and bright and voice is smooth (pitched a little lower) when he eases over to the smoking couple down the sidewalk way. Axel knows he's a mess. Axel will see where he nearly spills over and has to fumble for words, or where it takes him an extra split second to process what's being said to him as he schmoozes. But only Axel is gonna see that. Anyone else sees a tipsy, polite young man making just the right amount of small talk, giving just the right amount of flirting touch (back of the hand, over the shoulder, small of the back)--he's not just getting a cigarette, he's making connections.
[He gets a smoke and a light and two business cards in the five minutes he's away from Axel and keeps his composure the whole time. Walking back to his bad influence feels like a dream. Even closes his eyes for the last six feet, dragging hard and that smoke is--harsh, pretty harsh but it scrapes around his brain like a mental exfoliant, that's the grounding he needed. Looser, he reaches out and shoves the business cards into Axel's front pants pocket.] She's an editor. For your manuscript, if you need an editor, you know what that means?
[Looser, he doesn't think twice about leaning into Axel's shoulder again for balance, keep looking cool.] Here in Bumfuck, New Jersey, that means she works at the sec'nd--the thrift shop and cries cuz she spent--seventy grand on an English degree. I can't believe you don't smoke.
[He hates that he agreed to no social media. Hates it. He wants to be recording it himself, taking pictures, live tweeting this insane night because what the hell even was this? Talk about partying hard. Here he was, watching someone he always assumed was the prime example of a goodie-goodie boy scout type and there he went, staggering, stumbling, almost face planting all to get himself some cigarettes for -- for reasons? Axel still has no idea what the fuck is going on in that drunken wittle head of his.
It's just fascinating and he almost wants to document it so other people could study and learn of what he had discovered. That beneath that justice and goodness bullshit was this rude fucker who couldn't hold his booze. At all.
He takes the card shoved at him and reaches out to stabilise the other, keeping an arm on him just in case. Like he said before, Tim is his drinking buddy. Has to look out for him. Even if he has to basically hold him up.] Oh for my manuscript? Oh yeah, I legit got one of those thingies, I'm all about the written word. [If that word was written on twitter and was easy to read.]
You know, not all crooks smoke. Some of us think it's totally gross and I am very much in that camp. If I smoke, all my gear smells like smoke, I get breathless faster and it lowers my chances of hooking up on tinder. [Nobody dug the smoking thing these days. Looked cool? Check. Scored dates? Not so much.] I can smoke -- if it bugs you that much. We can share or something?
You could lie on your dating app. Isn't lying all you do, tough guy? Isn't that your MO? [The second card he jams into his own back pocket, an actual person he might want to get in touch with later. The cigarette pinches between his lips as he does so, grinning. When he takes it out, he holds it away from Axel smugly.] Uh, do you even know how? Are you sure? Don't wanna ruin your hook-up chances, are you sure?
People can tell. You can always tell a smoker. Seems pointless to lie. It'd be like lying about having a peg leg or some shit. Pointless and hella dumb. [Rolling his eyes, he decides to be less than nice about this smug teasing and all but let's go of Tim. You wanna play it like that? Stand on your own shaky legs and tease him, he's not being your crutch if you're going to diss him.] Of course I can smoke a cigarette, it's not rocket science, genius. And fuck that, I got no chance of hooking up tonight. We agreed no ditching so unless I'm hooking up with you or you're into voyeurism, I doubt I'm 'hooking up' so just give me the damn cigarette.
[Snickering, swaying, he passes the smoke off.] I like it. The smell. That's hot, when you see someone light up, it's hot. [Please don't go too far, he's a little swayzy still, like his fingers snag in Axel's belt loop for a second like he's gonna fall, but he saves himself with gasp that screws up his expression.] Whattayou do? You, like a job or like--puzzles? Video games? Bird watching? Like--is this it?
[Axel pulls one out and sticks it in his mouth, an amused smirk on his face because damn. Just damn what did he even do with this? He lights up with the lighter he always had in his back pocket. Not for smoking, no, how else do you think he lit those fireworks last week? Best thing Mick Rory ever taught him, always have a way to make fire.] Who knew the boy wonder was that into smoking? [Axel takes a deep inhale and holds it, just holds it until he's looking partially at Tim, swaying and barely staying upright, clinging onto him. How can he resist? He blows the smoke into his face gently, unable to resist teasing him. This nark really thought he didn't know how to smoke? Cute.]
I do whatever I wanna do. My job is being a rogue and a rogue has no rules. [he takes another inhale and blows the smoke up into the air this time.] I play video games and my twitter is buzzin' so I have more than this, dude. Way more. Why? What do you even have going on that's so damn important you feel you can quiz me all the time?
I'm getting to know you! I'mmm making conversation, I'm just curious. Y'know I keep trying to have fun and be nice, and you keep yelling at me.
[His head is feeling clearer, but when he takes Axel's hand to pull it closer, he doesn't feel the cherry on the cigarette. Still numb. Just lulling. Tim pulls his hand close to take a drag right out of Axel's palm. Lets go when his lungs are full.] Who the fuck uses tindr? [It rushes out all at once, and this time his falling back is a little less precarious.] What's--whattayou want? Out of life?
Do you notice that you ask me things all the time but never answer anything I ask? If we're getting to know each other, you should tell me things. Like what your name is, where you live, what you like to do, what's your five year plan?
[Why was he always the one being asked shit? Tim knew more about him than he knew about Tim. All he knows is that he calls himself robin, wears contacts and can't hold his booze.] Irt's hard to meet people in my line of work, you have to get creative. Every time I go to a bar to pull, Lenny steals my girls or the Flash gatecrashes us. [he lets the other steal a dag, holding it obligingly as he watches with faint interest. tsk tsk smoking, birdie-boy? Bad boy.] I want to be the Trickster and have all kinds of money. Why? What do you want out of life?
Y'know, the Flash is always gonna gatecrash, if you wanna be a moneyed Trickster. [That's a joke, but only really reads as a joke because he laughs as he says it. A few steps back, he gives Axel a onceover, wandering and long and completely blatant without his mask--judging just how much he wants to quid pro quo on this.
[He takes a quick, deep breath.] I want--a team. And a desk and--I'm gonna put Batman out of business. I wanna be the best.
Well going good isn't going to get me anything, is it? I go on the side of good and I go straight to jail for all my crimes. As a rogue, it doesn't matter if I break the law and avoid punishment. [Given that he broke out of jail twice in the past month, he very much doubts that he's going to get a pass from the law if he shows up and declares himself a good boy. His best bet is to keep doing as he did and hope the flash cools it.]
You're never out Batman out of business, he's the bat. You're just like his slight campy sidekick, I don't think you have that level of swag, bro. You do, however, sometimes rock that nerdy team you ditched. That's something?
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Date: 2016-06-14 08:46 pm (UTC)strOLLSIN L8 BUT HERE I AM
Date: 2016-06-17 01:28 am (UTC)Pffffft fashionably late!
Date: 2016-06-17 03:28 pm (UTC)no subject
Date: 2016-06-17 09:01 pm (UTC)no subject
Date: 2016-06-17 09:06 pm (UTC)[Never tell him not to do something, he'll just do it more and worse.]
no subject
Date: 2016-06-17 09:25 pm (UTC)no subject
Date: 2016-06-17 09:30 pm (UTC)no subject
Date: 2016-06-17 11:14 pm (UTC)[Bites hand into his grin but it doesn't go away even as he leans into the fists in his shirt, head lolling to the side, palms sliding down Axel's front, what did he break to get such a reaction...] You don't wanna try me, cutie, you could. Not. Handle it.
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Date: 2016-06-17 11:32 pm (UTC)Talk about being a dickwad. I invite you out, I pay for your drinks and you start on me. The fuck, dude? Either you're a mean drunk or you just really hate being called cutie. [Rolling his eyes, he resists throwing a punch and reminds hmself of how much he likes this club and it's two-for-one promotions. So not worth being booted out over.] If you've got such an issue with me, get lost.
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Date: 2016-06-18 12:38 am (UTC)Look--look, I'm sorry. [An exaggerated frown, and he can feel how mean the fake apology sounds, so he sniffs and downplays the fake, listen, listen:] I spilled! I tripped, I didn't mean anything. Whattayou want, Walker? I'll buy the next round, you can dump it on me.
no subject
Date: 2016-06-18 10:40 am (UTC)[This wasn't over, not even slightly, he's already plotting his revenge. Hell, his revenge is already in the works but for now, he enjoys the entirely insincere apology.] You did it on purpose, you liar. I thought boy scouts like you didn't lie. Then again they don't drink either and yet, here we are. [Rolling his eyes, he looks down and checks the damage. Not too bad, he could live with it.] I'm gonna get you back for that, just do you know. And I play dirty.
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Date: 2016-06-21 03:24 am (UTC)[Big breath in, and he sits up purposefully, closes his eyes against his head swimming and sets his chin neatly on Walker's shoulder. His hands pinch the other's elbow again.] Can't drink more yet. Please. I gotta move, I'm gonna--burn it off or fuckin--get something worse spilled on you, c'mon.
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Date: 2016-06-23 06:41 pm (UTC)[Staining his suit in beer? One bad deed deserves another.] Can't you just drink more until that feeling goes away? That's what most sane people do. [Rolling his eyes, Axel gives the bartender a look and orders another drink. No way was Tim tapping out yet.] Trust me, another shot will clear your head. Go for it.
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Date: 2016-06-23 07:26 pm (UTC)[He's so distracted in his own scowl that it takes him a second to realize that Axel keeps talking. The music seems louder. Tim scoffs--but still reaches out when the next pair of shots slides towards them.] That doesn't work that way! Now you're lying. We can't both lie, Axel, we can't both lie, then how do we know who's being true? Ah-ah--
[Whichever glass Walker is about to take, Tim reaches for that one instead, gives the other man a glare like ho ho he's onto you.] Okay. Okay. You have to toast, you ordered these, that's your responsibility. I was done. I didn't get a toast ready, I can't do it.
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Date: 2016-06-23 07:56 pm (UTC)[Axel picks up the one closest to Tim because apparently he'd determined to be an asshole tonight and swiftly raises it, unable to resist grinning.] A toast? Fine. Lemme see. [He clears his throat, making sure to seem like he's actually trying here.] To the building of bridges between villains and heroes through the magic that is cheap shots and terrible music.
[Maybe Batman and the Joker should just go out, do some shots, party down. Could solve the whole feud so easily. Axel knocks back his shot and slams the glass down, smirking at Tim.] Feel better?
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Date: 2016-06-23 08:09 pm (UTC)no subject
Date: 2016-06-23 08:24 pm (UTC)no subject
Date: 2016-06-23 09:11 pm (UTC)[The shotglass rattles as he sets it down, same way his knees rattle as he straightens up and pushes away from the bar and falls he's falling he's falling and he catches Axel by the arm again just before stumbling back against a stranger like an upright crowd surf, help him, help.]
no subject
Date: 2016-06-23 09:19 pm (UTC)Fresh air it is. You're lucky I'm a man of my word. [He wasn't. At all, but if Tim passed out, this was going to be considerably less fun. No one wants to lug around an unconscious body all damn night.] Still feeling amazing?
no subject
Date: 2016-06-23 09:47 pm (UTC)[His head tilts back on Axel's arm around him, and the heat and noise and people around them all feel muted for a second, like being underwater, like being in a bath. When they hit the outside air, it feels about the same as coming out of the water. His wiry grip in Axel's shirt and the one knotted around his fingers both release. The gravel feels--awesome, and it smells like someone else is smoking out here.] Cigarettes.
[He sucks in a full breath, stands up straight to poke emphatically at Axel's chest.] S'what we need. Cigarettes, you have them. Bad guys--always have them, or we can-- [A look thrown around over his shoulder, some place has to be open.] --get'm, I'll buy.
no subject
Date: 2016-06-23 10:13 pm (UTC)Would he really be blamed if he abandoned Tim alone here to find his own way back? ... Well, yes, probably. Almost entirely likely. He did start this and cause this mess so yes but did he care? Nah.] I don't smoke, dude. I can't stand the things. Some of the rogues smokes and it's damn rancid. It gets into everything.
[No one wants to buy his secondhand shit on ebay if it's been smoked all over. Tragic.] You want to go buy smokes? [Okay, this he kind of wants to see.] Do you even have your wallet on you?
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Date: 2016-06-24 03:09 am (UTC)[Whoever's smoking that is, he's got that, once he breathes enough to stand on his own a little. Pats Axel's chest and point at his eyes, holding them wide open with grave seriousness.] Check them. Are they in? My glasses. My--lenses, are they?
[They are, and they're tinted bright blue. The things you learn!]
no subject
Date: 2016-06-24 08:06 pm (UTC)Anti-climatic.] Check your eyes? Woah. This is the weirdest thing a dude has asked me to do after shots.
[He stares into his eyes and woah, talk about a really strange thing to do for your enemy but he checks them both over regardless cause hey, look, they're total bros tonight and bros looked after bros. Even if said bro spilt beer on him like a total dick.] They're in. I think? It's hard to tell, dude, your eyes are so damn pale, they blend. I'm gonna say yeah. You're set, buddy.
LONG POST IM SORRY
Date: 2016-06-24 09:36 pm (UTC)[Wandering eyes drift out and come back to Axel focused. It's supposed to be an order, but the way it soudns, he might as well put a "please" on the end:] Don't go anywhere.
[And deep breath before he just goes. Walk is tight, smile is alert and bright and voice is smooth (pitched a little lower) when he eases over to the smoking couple down the sidewalk way. Axel knows he's a mess. Axel will see where he nearly spills over and has to fumble for words, or where it takes him an extra split second to process what's being said to him as he schmoozes. But only Axel is gonna see that. Anyone else sees a tipsy, polite young man making just the right amount of small talk, giving just the right amount of flirting touch (back of the hand, over the shoulder, small of the back)--he's not just getting a cigarette, he's making connections.
[He gets a smoke and a light and two business cards in the five minutes he's away from Axel and keeps his composure the whole time. Walking back to his bad influence feels like a dream. Even closes his eyes for the last six feet, dragging hard and that smoke is--harsh, pretty harsh but it scrapes around his brain like a mental exfoliant, that's the grounding he needed. Looser, he reaches out and shoves the business cards into Axel's front pants pocket.] She's an editor. For your manuscript, if you need an editor, you know what that means?
[Looser, he doesn't think twice about leaning into Axel's shoulder again for balance, keep looking cool.] Here in Bumfuck, New Jersey, that means she works at the sec'nd--the thrift shop and cries cuz she spent--seventy grand on an English degree. I can't believe you don't smoke.
OH TIM you beautifully dorky trainwreck
Date: 2016-06-24 11:04 pm (UTC)It's just fascinating and he almost wants to document it so other people could study and learn of what he had discovered. That beneath that justice and goodness bullshit was this rude fucker who couldn't hold his booze. At all.
He takes the card shoved at him and reaches out to stabilise the other, keeping an arm on him just in case. Like he said before, Tim is his drinking buddy. Has to look out for him. Even if he has to basically hold him up.] Oh for my manuscript? Oh yeah, I legit got one of those thingies, I'm all about the written word. [If that word was written on twitter and was easy to read.]
You know, not all crooks smoke. Some of us think it's totally gross and I am very much in that camp. If I smoke, all my gear smells like smoke, I get breathless faster and it lowers my chances of hooking up on tinder. [Nobody dug the smoking thing these days. Looked cool? Check. Scored dates? Not so much.] I can smoke -- if it bugs you that much. We can share or something?
shut uP HE IS he's GOT THIS
Date: 2016-06-24 11:33 pm (UTC)he's got nothing bro, NOTHING
Date: 2016-06-24 11:44 pm (UTC)no subject
Date: 2016-06-24 11:56 pm (UTC)no subject
Date: 2016-06-25 12:05 am (UTC)I do whatever I wanna do. My job is being a rogue and a rogue has no rules. [he takes another inhale and blows the smoke up into the air this time.] I play video games and my twitter is buzzin' so I have more than this, dude. Way more. Why? What do you even have going on that's so damn important you feel you can quiz me all the time?
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Date: 2016-06-25 12:31 am (UTC)[His head is feeling clearer, but when he takes Axel's hand to pull it closer, he doesn't feel the cherry on the cigarette. Still numb. Just lulling. Tim pulls his hand close to take a drag right out of Axel's palm. Lets go when his lungs are full.] Who the fuck uses tindr? [It rushes out all at once, and this time his falling back is a little less precarious.] What's--whattayou want? Out of life?
no subject
Date: 2016-06-25 10:26 am (UTC)[Why was he always the one being asked shit? Tim knew more about him than he knew about Tim. All he knows is that he calls himself robin, wears contacts and can't hold his booze.] Irt's hard to meet people in my line of work, you have to get creative. Every time I go to a bar to pull, Lenny steals my girls or the Flash gatecrashes us. [he lets the other steal a dag, holding it obligingly as he watches with faint interest. tsk tsk smoking, birdie-boy? Bad boy.] I want to be the Trickster and have all kinds of money. Why? What do you want out of life?
no subject
Date: 2016-06-27 09:44 pm (UTC)[He takes a quick, deep breath.] I want--a team. And a desk and--I'm gonna put Batman out of business. I wanna be the best.
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Date: 2016-06-28 08:50 pm (UTC)You're never out Batman out of business, he's the bat. You're just like his slight campy sidekick, I don't think you have that level of swag, bro. You do, however, sometimes rock that nerdy team you ditched. That's something?