Jason Lopez

“True.” Finn snorts, reaching up to brush his damp curls out of his face. Before meeting Jace, he pretty sure he had never worked out this hard in his life. Not that he wasn’t in shape, because he was, but these workouts were definitely kicking his ass a bit. “I will. And thank you for offering. I really do appreciate it.” Jace offering his home to him meant a lot. He knew it was a place he shared with West, and Finn didn’t want to get in the way of that in any way. He would be perfectly happy sleeping on the firefighter’s couch. He had certainly slept in more uncomfortable places. “Please. I wouldn’t want to kick West out of his own room. I could always take the couch when it’s his weekends.” Finn suggests as he moves to switch places with Jace, shrugging lightly. “Alright, alright. But I’m definitely complaining to you tomorrow when I can’t feel my arms. Just giving you some fair warning.” He says teasingly, swinging at the punching bag once Jace is in position. “Also I’m definitely going to require a smoothie or something when we’re done. I don’t think I’ve ever sweat this much in my life.”

It made sense for Jace to offer his step-son’s room to Finn until his friend found a better place to stay. West was only staying with him every other weekend so the space might as well be put to good use in between. He knew it was an uphill battle, that he had no right to fight, but trying to win shared custody of his ex’s kid was pretty much everything he could focus on at the moment. That’s basically all that took his time, work and West, Mulligans and the gym. Finn had somehow webbed his way into Jace’s otherwise pretty predictable routine which had been, all in all, a pleasant surprise. Despite all hesitation and initial mistrust from his part, Jace liked Finn. They had become close friends fairly quick which wasn’t exactly much of a surprise once he got to know the other better. There was so much about Finn he admired, so many ways in which they complemented each other. 

“Alright. I think that was the last of the boxes. You’re all set for now?” The firefighter asked, moving to his kitchen, well, their kitchen for now, grabbing two beers from the fridge. He managed to open them as he waited for Finn, offering one to his new roommate. “I mean, you’ve been here before and the place really ain’t that big so there’s not much else to show you, just, you know... welcome home!” He added, touching his bottle to Finn’s with a grin. “Fell free to move whatever you need to make room for your stuff in the room. West won’t really mind as long as the Star Wars posters stay. I already told him. He’s actually pretty excited, if that makes you feel better, and has now started referring you as his roommate... maybe next weekend he’s here we can plan something for you to meet, if you’re not too busy.”

“I definitely do not. I love Nick and Duncan, but I don’t want to be their roommate.” Finn chuckles, shaking his head. He definitely didn’t want to be in their way, especially not now. Their relationship was still new and Finn didn’t want to put a damper on their honeymoon phase. “I happen to quite like the rain. Maybe if California got a little more, there wouldn’t be so many fires! Honestly, it’s too warm here. I thought it’d grow on me, but I’m not too sure. I miss my sweaters.” Finn’s mostly teasing. though he definitely wouldn’t mind if the weather got cool enough every so often for a cozy knit sweater. “No, no. Nick would never. It’s very kind of him to offer me his old flat…and his couch at his.” The blonde says, shaking his head. Jace’s offer catches him by surprise though, pursing his lips slightly at the thought. “That’s awfully kind of you, mate. Are you sure West won’t mind if I borrow his room? I mean, obviously I would take the couch on his weekends, I wouldn’t want to impose. Just until there’s something more affordable available.” He adds, stepping out from behind the punching bag to switch positions with Jace. “You getting tired? Let me let you take a break.” 

“I think we could definitely need some of that rain here, yeah, but you know, fires are kinda what helps me bring home the bread and butter!” Jace shrugged one shoulder as he made a point, the LAFD shirt he was wearing damped in sweat sticking to his back to prove it. “You get used to it. Then again, I’m from Texas so what do I know!” He never knew a different weather, and he didn’t really know if he could get used to anything much colder. He needed winter jackets when the temperature dropped from the mid 70s as it is. “Just think about it, I guess. LA market is ridiculous and I have a room if you don’t get something before your cousin has to move out. I’m not home much anyway.” Jace’s work schedule was already unique, and he took a lot of overtime just because he really didn’t have much else to kill the time. Then there was West’s custody situation. He only got to have the kid nights and two days in total a month. “West won’t mind. And he can crash with me when he’s over until you find your place.” Jace didn’t foresee it being too long but his door was open. He liked Finn. He trusted him despite their rocky beginnings at the station. He steps away from the punching bag with a snort, rolling his eyes playfully at Finn’s little jab at him. “Tired? I want to see you do something for a change, come on. Let’s break a sweat, Austen.” 

Keeping is grip on the bag Jace is currently punching, Finn shrugs, biting his tongue for a moment. He was in a bit of a tricky situation, really. His lease was ending soon and he had originally planned to stay with Nick, but now his cousin was moving in with his boyfriend. And while he was thrilled for Nick and Duncan, it didn’t exactly help his finding a place to live situation. “Ah, well…he’s definitely moving in with his boyfriend…and while I adore them both, I’m not too keen on sleeping on their couch. They’re still in their honeymoon phase, if you catch my drift…” Shaking his head, he scrunches his nose, not wanting to think about what the two of them did in their alone time. “Nick said I could have the flat his job provided for him, but it’s a little pricey…and it’s not very close to campus. It’d do in a pinch and obviously I appreciate the offer, but I’m still looking. I’ll be here for at least a couple more years, so I need a flat of my own. Remind me why California real estate is so expensive? It’s so hot and you don’t get any seasons!” 

The jabs come rhythmically, unfazed by the distraction. It was a routine exercise and an activity they both were getting more and more used to, having conversations at the punching bag. “What, you don’t want to be the third wheel?” Jace joked, tilting his head in understanding before the next blow, letting out a breathy laugh. “Yeah, that’s prime location. I couldn’t afford that place even if I had three jobs. The view seems nice, though, but definitely not worth killing myself to pay rent.” Being a firefighter provided a steady income but definitely not enough to allow himself such luxuries. And even if he didn’t have to pay child support, he still had a child he was semi responsible for. Extracurriculars often came out of his pocket, as did most of the clothing and other needs for school because he was still somehow the main contact for West’s teachers. He didn’t mind it. Holding the punching bag still with both gloves as he tries to catch his breath. “Because you get anything other than rain season in England?” He smirks, shrugging as he looks back at his friend. “When do you have to move out, then? I mean, we can ask around. Craigslist is pretty okay, too, if all you’re looking for is a room in the meantime. Sure, you can end up rooming with a serial killer...” He was kidding, of course, but not entirely. “I’m sure your cousin won’t just leave you on the street but, if you need, I have an extra room you can crash in until you figure it out. West comes over for a weekend every other week, though, and might want to claim it back for those few days, and I’m barely home, really, work... and you’ll find something soon. It’s just better to take the time to look than desperately sign up for a bad lease so just think about it.” He wiped some sweat off his forehead with his forearm, hands being tied in the gloves, and shrugged. “You want to give this a go or are you giving up?” 

Finn quietly takes in Jace’s place, looking around and noting the small things that he now knew belonged to West. Jace’s place definitely looked like a single guy lived there minus the few kid’s things, though Finn couldn’t say much about it. His place looked very similar. “How come…I don’t go out a lot?” The blonde asks, slightly surprised by the question. Finn supposed he had always been a bit of a homebody. He didn’t have a lot of friends growing up and always preferred a night in reading a book or doing his homework and studying than going out to parties. It was kind of Nick and Duncan to include him in their places at times, but even in his younger years Finn knew they didn’t need him third wheeling on their dates. After moving to California, he had made a small group of friends with people in his classes, and he was happy with that. Sipping from his beer, Finn shrugs, lips pursed slightly in thought before he responds. “I don’t need to go out to have a good time. This…having a drink with a friend…I prefer it. I guess I never took to clubbing.” Finn shrugs at that, unsure if his answer will satisfy Jace. He feels a little lame, and maybe a touch defensive, washing it away with another sip from drink. “Besides, I’m only decently good looking. Not sure my brains are enough to reel anyone in.” Finn adds jokingly, a chuckle escaping his lips. 

"You don’t need to but... it’s fun.” Jace tilted his beer as he made his point, pursing his lips playfully. It was a rough night. A rough day. Fuck it, a rough year, if he was honest, and he felt bad that he had, somehow and to some extent, ruined Finn’s night along the way despite of what the other was saying. “I really can’t talk much either. I mean, at the end of the day, I go from work to the gym to Mulligans, here and back again. Kacey can be fun but she’s also a big pain in my ass!” Since his divorce, Jace had picked up more than one too many over time shifts to make up for the cost of the lawyers and finding his own place and trying to survive, really. It was a lot but at least it kept him busy, his mind on other things than the complete disaster that was his personal life which could be lethal in his line of work. When he laughed, it wasn’t really because he found Finn’s words funny but highly arguable. “I hope that your version of decently good looking with brains is the British equivalent to what most of us Americans would call a fucking catch.” Jace wasn’t even trying to hit on Finn, he just meant it and he wanted Finn to hear it, too, as friends. If he didn’t think Finn deserved so much better than all of his shit, Jace would’ve probably tried something earlier on, before they cross that line. Now it was too late. He didn’t want to jeopardize that. This. “I’m sorry if I was out of place asking that, man. There’s so much I would’ve done differently when I was younger if i had the chance, I don’t know. I guess I just trying to understand why you willingly chose to be here instead than anywhere else. We waste so much time on people who don’t deserve it. It’s time you can never get back.” He wasn’t talking about them, really, mostly his time with Craig. There was a lot he regretted, just not West. 

As bad as it might’ve sounded, Finn grew up wishing his parents had gotten divorced. They weren’t particularly happy together…or maybe they had just never been particularly happy with him. Parenting had never been their strong suit. His parents weren’t bad people, per se, just bad parents. “—yeah.” The blonde finally says, realizing he’s been quiet a few moments too long, nodding slowly. “I know it doesn’t seem like it now…but the very fact that you’re so worried about what West thinks of you only shows how much you haven’t bailed. If you didn’t still care, you wouldn’t be thinking about him. But you are, and you do…and he knows that. I’m sure he does.” Finn says reassuringly, giving Jace a light pat on the back. “You got yourself out of a bad situation. That’s always the right choice.” He adds, letting his words hang in the air between them. Before long they’re at Jace’s front door, hesitating for a moment before he nods at the offer. “I could go for another beer. You’re all good, mate. I’m happy to have a night in. I’m more of a homebody, in case you haven’t noticed by now.” 

It was hard for Jace to wrap his head around everything that was going on, especially when he was going through it alone. He kept a lot of the hardships related to his divorce from his parents if only to save himself the told you so’s from his family who hadn’t been too supportive to begin. While his parents were okay with his sexuality, they were also the kind of family that liked to keep things under wraps for ‘el qué dirán’, what would people say! It’s part of the reason why he moved away. He needed to break away from that. He needed to leave that cage so he could spread his wings, even at the risk of flying too close to the sun and getting burned like he had with Craig. Jace often liked to psychoanalyze himself, which is why he hated Finn doing it for him. Tonight, however, he didn’t have the strength to fight it and he was relieved to know Finn kept his end of the bargain and didn’t push it too much either. All he needed was the company. That alone helped more than anything else. 

Letting Finn into his apartment as he made his way getting the lights on on his way, Jace asked him to get comfortable. His apartment was both eerily organized while also looking very much like a bachelor’s pad with a box of crayons or toy trucks here and there. Pulling two beers from the fridge, he walked back towards Finn and offered one. “How come?” He asked, leaning against the counter as he watched Finn carefully. “Since I’ve met you, Finn, you’re either studying or working except when, somehow you agree to come grab a drink. You’re young. You’re, you know, good looking, and you’re smart. You definitely must have better Friday night plans than to deal with my mess.” Jace half laughed as he tried to make a point.

“Okay.” Finn says softly, not wanting to upset Jace further by saying anything else. He didn’t know the situation with his ex and he certainly didn’t want to pretend that he did. Finn knew better than to push an already sensitive situation, and he didn’t need to be a therapist in training to tell how tense Jace was feeling. Giving the firefighter’s shoulder a reassuring squeeze, Finn offers him a smile, lips pursing slightly at the apology the other man offers. “It’s alright. You don’t have to thank me.” The Brit responds, shaking his head. That’s what friends were for, right? And they were certainly becoming friends. Or at least Finn thought that they were, especially given the fact that they were hanging out more and more lately. The admission that Jace’s ex is a man doesn’t make Finn pause, though he can tell that Jace is watching him for a reaction, simply nodding as he listens. It didn’t really matter to him what Jace’s sexuality was, whether he was straight or bi or gay wasn’t any of his business. Finn was glad he felt comfortable enough to tell him though, happy to get to know the other man a big better. "You know that I’m gay, right?” Finn points out after a minute, raising a brow over at Jace. “Your ex sounds like a prick though. I’m sorry he’s such an arse. He shouldn’t be using West as a bargaining chip.” The blonde sighs, shaking his head. “Not that you asked for my advice, but…just be honest with West as much as you can without trashing his dad. Children understand more than we give them credit for. He may be upset with you at first, but…he’ll come around.”

The silence wasn’t uncomfortable between them, Jace noticed as they walked towards his apartment without really planning it. He appreciated it, too. The last thing he wanted to do was say the wrong thing and take out all his anger on Finn. It was hard to anyway, especially when Finn reassured him he was gay which only earned him a snort. “I had an idea.” He admits, shaking his head. He always hated having to define himself one way or another. There is a light grin playing on his lips hearing Finn calling his ex an arse, echoing the word himself but the mention of West just makes him sigh again, approaching the stoop to his place. “Divorce is shitty no matter who’s involved.” Jace, runs a hand down his face, waving it between them as he talks, as if the gesture will help his words make any sense. “I just don’t want him to think I bailed on him. I’m not—talking about the birthday party either but the whole thing. I moved out. I left him behind. Sometimes I don’t even know if I made the right choice.” Not that he wanted to get back together with Craig. Jace really didn’t want that at all. Craig was manipulative and controlling. He thought that, because he brought in most of the money, things would go his way, people would do his bidding. He had no voice, no say. He was miserable in their marriage since the moment the facade dropped and the honeymoon stage was over. He allowed himself to believe he could have it all only to realize it was just fake. He could be telling all of this to Finn but Jace didn’t want him to think he was just another fucked up guy who needed some help. “This is me.” He said, tilting his head towards the door. “Do you uh- wanna come in? I got some beer. I won’t be such a fucking drag, I promise. I just... needed to get out of there, you know, there were too many people, it was too loud.”

Finn wasn’t really sure what he was expecting Jace to say, but it wasn’t the fact that he had a kid. He’s mostly surprised that it hasn’t come up before, but then again, they didn’t exactly know each other’s life stories. Their friendship was still pretty new, all things considering. He’s not upset, nodding slowly as he listens to Jace explain the situation. “I’m really sorry to hear that. I know it’s hard for him to understand now, but…I’m sure you’ll get a chance to explain.” Finn replies, trying to offer some advice without sounding like he was trying to therapize him in any way. “Just be honest with him. Kids…they understand more than we give them credit for.” Clearing his throat after that, Finn scratches the back of his neck, shaking his head when Jace mentions ruining his nice. “Nah, don’t worry about it. Let’s get some takeaway and head back to your place. You can tell me more about this kid of yours, if you’d like.” 

Jace wasn’t sure why he hadn’t brought up West before. At first it made sense for him to keep that information to himself. Finn was just a guy he just met and happened to cross paths with a few times. Even if he didn’t quite know the extent of their friendship yet, the truth undeniable truth was that they were spending more and more time together. “I don’t know that, Finn. That’s the thing.” The firefighter sighed, pinching the bridge of his nose for a moment trying to calm himself. His exterior seemed mostly composed even if tense but, deep inside, he was this close to exploding and he didn’t want to take his anger and frustration with Craig on the man standing before him. Finn didn’t deserve that. Jace was about to stop him, to turn around and leave him behind before he could make a bigger fool of himself but for whatever reason, he stayed, waited for Finn to grab his things and walk down a few blocks without saying too much but appreciating the company after all. “I’m sorry.” He offered quietly, not really sure what to say or where to start. “Before I say anything else, thank you.” For the walk, he added with a shrug, for the company. It went unsaid, really, but Jace pressed his lips in a thin smile that didn’t quite reach his eyes. “My ex-husband—” Pausing almost as if worried about Finn’s reaction to that new shed of information, careful about people’s reactions to same-sex marriages. Not that it mattered but they hadn’t officially introduced each other and shared their sexual preference, even if they probably had an idea by now. “He travels a lot for work so it was mostly just his kid and I back home. When I divorced him, I did it selfishly. I did it because I needed to get away from him, but I never wanted to leave the kid behind.” That guilt still got to Jace and Craig knew just how to use it against him. “Now I can’t do anything about it. I’ve tried. I’m still trying. I just don’t know how let West know that I haven’t given up yet. He’s six. There’s only so much of this he can understand.”

Finn could tell that Jace was distracted. He wasn’t sure why - maybe a bad call or a long shift - but he didn’t have to be a psychology student to see that the man was on edge. Jace’s phone kept ringing, and even though Finn kept saying go ahead, answer it, he couldn’t help but feel a little…jealous? It was silly, really. Jace had other friends, maybe even a significant other. Finn knew that and was fine with it. Of course he was! That wasn’t the issue. There really wasn’t one, not really. Whatever was on Jace’s mind and whoever kept calling him was obviously important. 

“It’s alright.” Finn replies when Jace returns, offering the firefighter a small smile. “If you need to go, we can call it a night. This, uh, West seems pretty important.” He had caught the came on the caller ID once, not trying to snoop, looking mostly out of curiosity before he could stop himself. “Seriously. If someone needs you, you should go. No hard feelings.” 

Running his hand through his hair when Finn repeats himself, Jace scratches his eyebrow idly and shakes his head. He’s well aware about how little he’s shared to his new friend about his life which was quite a fit considering Finn was brought to the station with the main intention of having the firefighters open up to them. This, however, he wasn’t quite ready to share. He wasn’t yet either but as the phone blinked with another text that read from West but was really Craig, the firefighter had no other option. “West is my kid.” He said, voice sounding almost in defeat, replying to the text regardless. “Well, my ex’s kid.” He corrected himself. “I can’t see him but it was his birthday this weekend. My ex actually told him I was coming to the party to which I wasn’t invited and I still can’t go because there are legal court hearings we have coming up and I can’t do anything that could make my custody case even worse by showing up unannounced… but he waited for me and I never showed up.” That’s what hurt the most. How can you explain to a 6-year-old kid what’s going on? Jace closed his eyes, downing what was rest of his drink, which wasn’t much anymore but melted ice. Shaking his head, he pulled his wallet and dropped a couple of bucks on the bar. “Did I just ruin your one night out this week?” He offered a small apologetic smile. “Dinner’s on me to make up for it.”

“I don’t know. I suppose it depends on where the job offers come from.” Finn says honestly, shrugging a bit. He still had a few years left of school left before he had to make any major decisions. In all honesty, he would be perfectly happy not moving back home. His relationship with his parents wasn’t the best and he didn’t have many other connections there aside from Nick and his family. It’s a thought for another time, an amused laugh leaving the blonde’s lips when Jace tells him not to answer the question about his niceness, holding up his hands innocently. “Yeah? I’ll do that once he gets settled. His company’s renting him a flat, so at least he doesn’t have to worry about too much.” 

Being around Finn was easy, refreshing. Jace could get away from the constant stress from work and fighting with Craig over West while hanging out with Finn, which had become a more regular thing after they met at the bar for drinks. Much to Kacey’s regret, and maybe a little of his, too, they had somehow come to a quiet agreement about it all, their friendship. Jace wasn’t in the right mind to even attempt hitting on Finn and, to be honest, he wasn’t even sure if that would be reciprocated. They sometimes met for dinner or a drink at Mulligan’s after a long shift or Finn’s study groups, like had been the case that night. Jace had almost ditched, though. It hadn’t been a good day. West had been calling him constantly. The kid was expecting Jace to pick him up but his dad had never really agreed. Jace was fighting the urge of just showing up regardless but he knew better. He couldn’t afford doing something that could hurt him in court and that was, perhaps, exactly what Craig was trying to do. He was a little jittery and not entirely there in the conversation, excusing himself more than once when his phone rang. It wasn’t the first time he had picked up a call from West around Finn, and he had always excused himself for some privacy, but this time it was different. It wasn’t just the fact that Finn could probably read him but also having spent so much time together lately, he was probably not going to have it as easy to pretend nothing was wrong. 

“I’m sorry.” The firefighter apologized after he had stepped out for the third or fourth time, his food practically untouched at the bar. “I just gotta take these. It’s um—” He just shrugged, pushing his plate away, grimacing at the taste of his now gone warm beer. “Complicated.”

Chuckling quietly at Jace’s question, Finn shakes his head, reaching for his beer to take another sip. “Nah. Nick’s work is sending him out here for a project. It’s only temporary, I think.” He wasn’t sure if his cousin was planning to go back home after, but Finn was happy to have him around for as long as he could have him. He had always looked up to Nick and Finn really did miss him now that there was so much distance between them. The differing time zones didn’t help either, so when he had heard Nick was coming out to LA for work, he was thrilled. “Yeah?” Smiling at the invitation to bring him to Mulligan’s, Finn nods, accepting the second beer as it comes from Kacey. “And what about you? Will you be nice?” He asks teasingly, smirking back at the firefighter. 

“How about you?” Jace asked randomly. “Is it only temporary for you too?” He really had no ulterior motive for the question other than sheer curiosity. When he moved to LA he knew it wasn’t a temporary choice. He didn’t know it would be a permanent choice either, not back then, not before he met Craig. He would’ve probably considered moving after the divorce, though, a change of scenery, had it not been for West. Jace cleared his throat, washing his thoughts away with a gulp from his beer, practically choking on it at Finn’s teasing. “When have I been not nice?” He knew when, though. Their very own first encounter hadn’t been the friendliest. Jace was going through a rough patch and the last thing he needed was having someone trying to dig deep into things he wasn’t ready to share in the first place. The station was his safe place, his reaction to their presence had been defensive. “You know, maybe you shouldn’t really answer that. I’ll be nice, though. The way you’re talking about him makes him sound like a pretty cool guy. He’ll fit right in.”

Amused by the exchange between Jace and Kacey, Finn chuckles, taking another sip of his beer. “I’ll try to send some rain over from home for you all here. It’s far too dry. I almost miss having actual seasons!” He says teasingly, referencing the fact that it was warm in California most of the time. It did make for nice beach days though, which he certainly did enjoy. He liked the sunshine. “It is. Mu parents are back home, but my cousin is actually moving out here for work soon, so that’s exciting. He’s more of a brother than a cousin, really.” Finn admits, nodding slowly. He didn’t make it home that often, partially because it was an expensive trip and partially because he wasn’t really that close to his parents, but he tried to make it home at least once a year if he could. The space between them was good though, he thought. Finn’s parents had a way of getting under his skin and he didn’t like how they made him feel. Shaking the thoughts off, he looks back at Jace, offering him a small smile. “So that’s exciting. I’m looking forward to seeing him, it’s been a while.” 

Finn seems chill enough, Jace thinks, more so now that they’re not at the station and he’s not being psychoanalyzed. Jace knew it hadn’t been his fault or anyone else’s, really, but he wasn’t used to sharing his problems with anyone and that included how he felt and reacted to things that happened in his life, personal and professional. He had his own way of handling things. He didn’t exactly ignore his issues, he just rather do something about it than talk about them. Now that they had somewhat left that aside, at least for the time being, Jace could say he actually liked Finn, or at least, didn’t mind hanging out with him like this. He was easy to talk to and had somehow fit perfectly into his private space here at Mulligan’s, his hiding spot from the real world, like he called it. He wasn’t sure if it had been a smart idea to let him in like this but it was too late to take it back now and, to be fair, he saw no reason why he’d want to do that. “Is he moving here from England too? Why are y’all fleeing England? Our grass is definitely not greener here, I promise.” He teased but nodded, smiling with understanding. “My family is mostly in Texas though I have a couple of cousins down in San Diego too. It’s crazy I don’t get to visit often and they’re still close in comparison so I can imagine how excited you are about your cousin.” He did have some family in LA but that was complicated. Clearing his throat, he called at Kacey for another round for both of them. “You should bring him over when he’s here, your cousin. Kacey will be nice, I promise.”

Finn knew extended education wasn’t for everyone. He truly enjoyed it though, even if it was hard work. Growing up, it was easier to focus on his studies than the fact that his parents basically ignored his existence. If he kept himself busy, he didn’t have to think about it. He was smart too, good at what he whatever he put his mind to. “Sorry, sorry. My bad.” The blonde chuckles, amused as he takes another sip from his beer. It was nice to see Jace in a more relaxed setting. He had a nice smile, something that Finn hadn’t failed to notice. “That obvious, huh? I can’t say it’s too much of an exciting story. I finished uni and my MA program back home. Applying out here was a bit of a long shot, but I suppose UCLA liked what they saw on my application, and here I am.” Finn says, shrugging his shoulders. He had always been  bit on the humble side, never one to brag too much about himself or his accomplishments. “Plus California has much nicer weather. Could use a little more rain though.”

You didn’t have to have a post-graduate degree in human psychology to know what Finn was doing humbling down his achievement by discarding a transatlantic move and studies as nothing too exciting. Jace noticed. “You believe this guy? ” He asked the bartender, both exchanging glances and shaking their heads with a chuckle. Tilting his bottle in Finn’s direction, he cheered. “Yeah, on that we can agree! We all could use a break in all these forest fires even if it means job security for me.” It was devastating, year after year, to see families, whole communities, being affected. It also put so much into perspective, responding to these calls and having a first-hand experience. In truth, all of last year put a whole lot into perspective. It was some sort of personal reckoning for him. “It is pretty far from home, though. You go there often or do you have family here?” He was genuinely curious. Jace’s own relationship with his family was interesting. He considered himself close to his family but he did put miles and miles between them for a reason. 

Finn does his best to ignore the silent conversation going on between Jace and the bartender as she gets him his beer, an amused smile playing on his lips. Quietly thanking her for the drink, he brings the glass up to his lips, taking a sip. “Basically. I’ve been in school pretty much nonstop since i was what…four or five? And I’ve still got a few years to go!” Finn points out with a laugh, shrugging his shoulders. He knew it wasn’t for everyone, and despite the crushing amount of student loan debt he was racking up, it was all worth it to him. “Remind me not to have you sign any birthday cards then. Kidding. I’m sure you could write a lovely message if you wanted to. I’ll work on him for you, Kacey.” The blonde teases, winking back at the bartender. “I’m into cheap beer and good wings. The company’s not so bad either.” 

“That sounds like torture!” The firefighter groaned. “I couldn’t get out of there soon enough. Trust me. I tried.” It wasn’t exactly on purpose, though. His attendance was an issue more often than not, mostly because he skipped plenty of times to help either at home or at his uncle’s garage. “The only thing that kept me going was baseball, to be honest. I was more afraid to get kicked out of the team than I was of getting kicked out of school. That and my mom’s chancleta, really. Have you heard of a latin mother’s chancla? You do not want to mess with that!” He laughed into his beer, shaking his head at the memories. His childhood wasn’t perfect but it wasn’t bad either, if only it didn’t feel so asphyxiating. “Alright, I did not invite you here to join forces with the enemy. Kacey. She’s the enemy. Come on, man!” Jace was just having some fun, much more relaxed in this environment than he was at the firehouse in the previous instances they had interacted. I like this one! The redhead shouted back after the wink and Jace just rolled his eyes. “I’m starting to regret this.” He muttered jokingly, shrugging. “So what’s the story? How did you end up all the way here. I mean, by the sound of it, it’s pretty obvious you’re not from around these parts.” 

Finn didn’t go out much. When he wasn’t in class, he was usually at home working on homework or studying. He had a few friends in Los Angeles, but he mostly kept to himself. He had always been a hard worker, and his social life sometimes suffered because of it. But when Jace had asked to meet him for a drink, Finn couldn’t say no. There was something about the other man that caught his attention and Finn wanted to get to know him better. “Well, here I am.” The blonde chuckles, taking a seat beside Jace at the bar. When the firefighter offers to buy the first round, he smiles, nodding back in his direction. “Oh, thanks. It’s going well…I’m finishing up my coursework this year, and then I get ot move onto my dissertation.” Finn replies, ordering himself a pint once the bartender comes back, offering her a small smile. “Which is just a fancy way of saying I’m finishing my classes and then I’ll be starting on my research full time.” 

Even if Jace had been separated and now officially divorced from his ex for a while now, he had no time to be fooling around and honestly no energy to get back into the dating game. He knew what was going through the bartender’s head. After all, she had been his very own personal psychologist through it all. She was wrong. This was not that—whatever it is she was thinking as per the look on her face. Sure, Finn was... possibly more his type than his ex ever was but that didn’t mean anything. Best case scenario, they’d step out of this whole situation as friends, and Jace could use one he didn’t also worked with. “Here you are.” The firefighter nodded as he lifted his glass in the other man’s direction before taking a sip, shaking his head as he continued, not really following until Finn dumbed it down which only made him laugh. “All I get from all of that is... fuck, that’s a lot of school papers.” He shrugged. “I can’t write to save my own life. Words, they’re complicated.” While he had no problem climbing tall buildings and walking through fire, quite literally, Jace dreaded the writing part. “You know when the team gets one of those Get Well or Congrats! greeting cards for someone and everyone writes a cute little message and it’s all nice and pretty? I’m definitely the one that’s just all Congrats! J. Ruining everyone’s fun.” The redhead leaned against the bar and nodded. “It’s true. He won’t even get you a card. For the holidays he just tipped me a $100 abd wrote Happy Holidays, Kacey! on a corner of the bill. I’m pretty sure that’s a felony.” Jace stared back at her, lips pressed, trying to suppress all the ways he wanted to kill her right now. “She’ll grow on you. Or not. Still, beer is cheap and the wings are bomb. Welcome to the neighborhood!” 

Finn isn’t exactly into basketball, but the offer still makes him smile. It would be nice to actually hang out with Jace on purpose. “I’ll see you there.” He promises, nodding once before he starts to walk again, quickly finishing his shopping. After putting his groceries away, there’s still some time to kill, so Finn does a little reading for one of his classes until it’s time to go meet Jace. Tucking his hands into his pockets as he walks into the bar, he nods slightly in the firefighter’s direction once he spots him, walking over to where he’s standing. “Fancy seeing you here.” 

Mulligan’s was Jace’s go-to bar just a few blocks down from his building. He knew the bartenders and the owner, and he was already familiar enough with most of the regulars to enjoy taking a seat by the bar for a few hours on his days off and just chill. It was also some sort of well kept secret so the fact that he had so quickly found himself sharing it with Finn wasn’t missed. Maybe he was just being nice, or maybe he was half sure Finn wouldn’t really take the bait, but when he heard the distinctive accent speaking in his direction, he turned and smiled. “Didn’t think you’d actually make it, doc.” Jace teased, nodding at the vacant stool beside him, the bartender already placing a new coaster in front of him on the bar, welcoming the newcomer. “First round’s on me.” The redhead behind the war looked at Jace with her brows arched, lips pursed, obviously amused. He ignored her. “How’s uh- your research stuff going?”

Even though he wasn’t quite a doctor yet, Finn’s still amused by Jace’s teasing, rolling his eyes playfully. “Hey, this is my regular grocery store. They’ve got the best selection of crisps.” He points out, gesturing towards the bags that sat in his cart along with his milk and a few other groceries. Even though it was probably nothing more than a coincidence that they kept running into each other, Finn was still slightly amused by the fact. Jace certainly was an interesting man. He hadn’t expected the firefighter to call him after he had shadowed at the firehouse. Finn hadn’t taken his reluctance to talk to him personally, so it had been a nice surprise, really. “Not that recently…but for school yes. The accent didn’t give it away that I’m not from around here?” 

Jace grabbed one of the chips from Finn’s cart, inspecting the bag with a chuckle before returning it to its place. “This is LA. I just assume none of us are from around here, especially those who call these crisps.” He poked some fun at the man but he felt curious all of a sudden. Where was he from, actually? Somewhere in the UK was his wild guess because of the accent. Why LA of all places? It was none of Jace’s concerns, he convinced himself, but still just as he was about to turn around and leave, he clicked his tongue and shrugged. “Do you like basketball at all?” He wasn’t sure why he felt like asking but it was the neighborly thing to do, right? “The Lakers are playing tonight and there’s this bar two blocks from here, Mulligan’s, which I’m planning on heading to later if you wanna go for a beer or something. We’re stuck living in the same neighborhood so we might as well just stop, you know, meeting like this before it gets weird.”