A Man Among Men

James had been intruded upon a fair few times in his life but he’d never minded quite as much as he did in that moment. Even he would admit he gave Tony more leeway in the bar than he had any legitimate reason to, but this? This was a step too far. If it was any other person Tony caught a glimpse of, James would probably have given him a pat on the back. But, goddammit, this was Rosie. James worked so damn hard to get where he got and he didn’t appreciate Tony just waltzing into his flat. He threw his duvet over Rosie, leapt out of bed and began shaking his hook at Tony.

“Get the hell out!”

Ella gave up after three attempts to pick up at least one box, and she was left to lead the way. She gestured for him to head to the apartment building. “I’ll buy you a hot dog and a corn dog. I might even splurge for a Pepsi,” she added with a dramatic gasp, before erupting into soft laughter. “Honestly, Gyeong, whatever people say about you, you’re my hero today.”

“Innocent? Yes, I agree. Or do you mean ‘besotted’?” He asked, curious. “It’s a rather fitting word, I would say, given your insistent pursuit of Miss Beaufort. It could also mean intoxicated, as from alcohol,” he explained, in full scholar mode. At the joke about the ‘conversation’, he frowned. 

23. a kiss pressed to each fingertip

“And what does that make you? An innocent, besotted…farmboy?” Tony’s stubbornness was amusing when he wasn’t being a complete dolt. But the notion of a date surprised Ambrosius. “Did you now? But if talking is overrated what do you expect to do on your date?”

                     it was quite possible kiefer was nearing a dangerous level of intoxication for himself. normally he could have a few beers and be alright, but he and tony had been knocking drinks back since ten pm and it was now nearing last call. he lets out a hiccup when tony pats his back, which brings on a fit of gut-bursting laughter. his head shakes in refusal of the drink, but his lips seem to have different plans.

                     “ i’ll keep it classy and use a glass, thanks tone. ” he gives the other’s thigh a friendly squeeze, before bringing his hands back up and resting his forearms on the bar top. when wendy brings over his beer he can’t help the large, toothy grin that overtakes his face. he knows tony is probably giving him the look ( the you’ve been staring for thirty seconds you complete idiot look ) but he doesn’t care enough to tear his eyes away. only when she walks off to the other side of the bar does he give his head a shake before turning back to tony with a dramatic sigh.

                     “ d’you think i’ll ever actually talk to her ? ” he asks, taking a large drink from the glass in front of him. “ or am i destined to stare at her like a fish out of water until she finally thinks i’m creepy enough to warrant refusing me service ? ”

“I’m sure you’ll ask her for the time any day now,” he said. Tony wasn’t sure why Kiefer had such a tough time talking to women considering he had given him enough pointers over the years. “Maybe even for more napkins. You do realize she flings them at me when I ask for them?” He sighed for a moment. “Please, Kiefer, Key baby, tell me she at least knows your name.”

It was admittedly not a dealbreaker in his case, but he had a feeling Wendy was not that type of girl. Mostly because she had flung a glass of water at him the one time he tried to proposition her. “Maybe you just need some more liquid courage. Or, you could buy her a drink.”

Kiefer was his best friend, but he was really killing him here. He could not have a best friend with that kind of face and yet no game. It was bad for his reputation.