videodrome

“Uh- are you okay?” Chase asked, raising an eyebrow. He was concerned hearing the other male go on about some shampoo and conditioner. “You know, you probably wouldn’t like it without your hair. I almost shaved my hair once but then backed out, you know?”

“Not lately, no. What gave it away? The whole ‘talking to myself’ shit? Lots of people do that.” Ant replied gruffly, making a bit of a face, nose wrinkling up and brow creasing. However, the ill-humored response seemed more directed at himself than anyone else. He grimaced. “I mean, seein’ as you ain’t running around bald or nothing, I’d have to imagine. Why’d ya back out? I mean, you ain’t really a fair example. You got some kind of windswept thing going on.” 

“So what happens if i’m into you?” He asked, tilting his head to the side. What would that make him into, he wondered. “Maybe killing it a little, but I ain’t gonna stress over it. You’re something nice to look at.”

“It means you didn’t pay close enough attention in school, man. You’re supposed to ‘just say no’ to the scary fucks in the anti-smoking videos; don’t you know that? Speaking of which, I need a cigarette somethin’ fierce. You want to come?” He raised an eyebrow, and while it was not an overt invitation, it seemed to be a genuine invitation nevertheless. “We’ll see what bad habits win out tonight. And you can get a glimpse of what all this looks like in proper lighting.” 

“I mean I guess…” He shrugged before downing the rest of his drink. “Should we just leave then or stay here drinking?” Jackson asked, tilting his head to the side. He had found that guy to be hot, but maybe he really wasn’t.

“I mean, that’s fine. You can be into Eraserheads. Some people are.” Ant replied nonchalantly, fiddling with his own glass and making sour faces at himself in the mirror over the bar. “I can be in a bad mood here or a bad mood somewhere else. Either way, I’m really killin’ your night, ain’t I? Kind of making you unapproachable by proxy?” 

“No. No. I’m not talking to that guy over there.” He paused before stopping the other figure. “And neither are you. Yes, I may find him attractive, but i’m shy here…” He admitted, shaking his head lightly.

Ant narrowed his eyes, looking between the two people with a dull, unimpressed grimace. His nostrils flared, and he offered a wrinkle of his nose. “I mean, that’s probably for the fuckin’ best. He sort of looks like Eraserhead. Remember that movie? Like, this is some real David Lynch shit we got goin’ on here. No offense or nothing.” 

The hustle and bustle of the dinner rush had finally calmed down and without any pending orders to take care of, Eugene was keeping an eye on the floor while his servers took their smoke break together. There were still a few tables milling about: a family huddled over a dessert, a couple clearly on their first date who had already settled the check, but were still chatting, and then… The same man who’d been there for… Long enough for Eugene to walk over to see what exactly his deal was.

“Waiting for someone or just can’t find anything you like?”

Ant did not immediately respond; rather, he took a long swig from his water glass, allowing it to slosh to the back of his throat and go down hard. He seemed to be putting on some kind of show, pretending he was drinking something harder than he was. It was amusing for him and him alone.

Either way, offering a roll of his shoulders, he turned to give a quirk of his brow. “What? I taking up prime real estate or something, dude?” he asked flatly before clearing his throat. “...Sorry. But, no, I dun’ t think they’re coming. Can I tip my waiter and go?” 

“Mother fuck, these fuckin’ allergies I’m gonna sneeze again. I hate outside.” Kieran stopped in the middle of the sidewalk, 6 inch heels already killing his feet. He had been in drag all day for a photoshoot and he was ready to strip down and just relax his body.

“You know, there’s whole groups out there that think allergies are our bodies’ natural response to the deadly chemicals the government pumps into our air and shit.” Ant offered this with perhaps more nonchalance than was appropriate, cocking his head upward. “Don’t trip now.”