( Normally, the Thursday night closing shift consists of university students, Up locals, Dean Winchester, and Caroline. Tonight is a different, quieter breed. Quieter, because it's a quiet night and, quiet, because Dean isn't pestering the beleaguered owner.
If Michael notices Dean is absent, Damon hasn't pointed it out. He's been serving the customers. It's a Thursday and based on their turnout, Damon asks the top floor bartender to not come in. They can handle their small crowd.
Damon finds it easy to compartmentalize what they did, maneuvering around him to get what he needs, whether it be a glass or a pitcher. Their rhythm pays off as new patrons taper off.
Several times a night, two bartenders might hit a lull at the same time with every customer in the middle of their drink or meal. Damon settles against the back, leaning, crossing his arms. Nancy has their customers on the floor covered. )
We might get another rush in an hour. Or, this is the best it gets.
That's right, I didn't think about it. Your hand. You don't know.
We're from a different time Michael. Noah. He had Isobel and was going to kill you and her, I think. Put me in a pod, or maybe all of us. He just said me, but I don't remember. I was hurt and you came in.
You threw him against a wall and I heard the storm outside and knew. I knew that I could do it. I pulled the lightning into my hands and threw it at him.
[ He'd known Liz had more time on him, but not Max. This is weird.
He's gonna go, though. He heads over to the elevator, and has the bizarre experience of coming out into the Up, which honestly isn't a place he's been that much. It's not that welcoming to submissives on their own, and there isn't really a need to come here much anyway. Unless you're just passing through.
But today there's a reason. He keeps his head down and his hat on, and looks for Max. He's managed to largely stay out of trouble since he came back to life, and he's looking to keep that record. ]
[ Michael doesn't yet know Dean, though it seems to him that the bar is quieter than usual. Maybe it's because everything had been so charged the last time he'd been in here. He'd understood the stolen coin's effect on him after the fact, but in the moment, it had just felt like he was amped up to a hundred. That whole night, Damon's presence in the room had seemed electric to him.
Now, it's not. He feels normal. He hasn't totally compartmentalised it; he remembers what they did, and he's not unattracted to Damon now that the coin isn't a thing.
But they're working well together. They have an easy kind of rhythm, one Michael's even enjoying.
In the lull, he's shining glasses and waiting for more orders. It's not the worst way to spend a night. He glances back at Damon with a smile. ]
I guess there's something about dying at sea that keeps people at home. I know we're down. They'll come back.
[ They'd been busy, before. There's no reason to think they won't be again. ]
( The attraction is there underneath, wrapped in a memory of intoxication he hasn't felt since Elena, since Katherine. Katherine the first time, pre-Pines. And before she pulled her body-steal. He winces at the memory, pushing that away. But, his memory of him and Michael? Of taking him where they're standing. He can't get away from that.
It's only as awkward as they make it, he decides.
Which is why he doesn't. )
They always do.
( He means patrons. Friends. Loved ones. If Elena could forgive him fifty times. (It seemed like fifty.) And Caroline, once. And Alaric, more times, too? Caroline could here. Dean could. He'll have his friend back. The hunter.
Caroline sits at a table in the corner, doing professional thing, laptop open. Damon's phone buzzes and he picks it up from the bar. Over his shoulder, Michael should be able to see that it's Caroline in his inbox and she's asking a money question. He quickly types the message back, hits send, and sets his phone back down. Looking over at Caroline, she doesn't look over to him.
Still ice. )
I uh, had it professionally cleaned. Well. Vash cleaned...here. After. ( Casual talk for a casual guy. ) Are we talking about it?
[It really was weird that they were from so close in time, but not the same time. It made life a little bit more difficult, but that was fine. At least one of their powers could come in handy.
He didn't use the ability to share memories or thoughts often, but it was something Max could do and he figured that it would make it way easier to explain what happened so that Michael would understand it perfectly.
Plus, he'd been working hard on a few other things for the two of them. He knew that it wouldn't go over well, but that was tough shit. This place was not going away and they weren't going to be whisked back to roswell anytime soon. They might as well make do with what they could while they were here.
So, It was with all those thoughts and a few more that Max met his brother at the elevators. He hated that his brother got stuck in the Down and he in the UP, so stupid.] Hey, Michael. Over here.
[ Michael heads over to him. He's in the Up so rarely that he doesn't even know the place that well. He'd only seen the Up apartments on that first day, from the train he'd been kicked off for fighting.
His expression is shuttered, like it usually is, but inwardly he's worried about this. He's worried about whatever the hell happened to Noah, what happened to Max. Michael had left Caulfield wanting to save Noah, but apparently not long afterwards he'd helped Max fight him, so there's clearly a story. ]
Hey, [ he says, hooking his thumbs around his belt. ]
So I just figured, we were from the same time. What'd you mean when you said 'my hand'?
[ Michael's being casual like he thinks they agreed to be, not bringing anything up and acting like nothing happened. He's played that game before.
He sees who sends that text, and though he doesn't read it, he does glance up at Caroline. It only occurs to him then that she hasn't spoken to Damon all night, and obviously isn't intending to find him now.
That'll be the girl he mentioned, then. That's awkward.
With that on his mind, he's surprised Damon brings up what happened between them at all. His hand stills on the glass he's shining, and he turns to look at him. He tosses the rag he's using over his shoulder, because he's a professional bartender now and that's what they do, and he looks squarely at Damon. ]
I'm gonna go ahead and hope they clean here every night. [ Messy blow jobs and bartop sex aside. ] Do you want to talk about it? Cause I thought you didn't. But if you do...
Nope. Just wanted to open the floor. You need to let anything go, air anything out. It's quiet. If not, I'm good.
( Enough.
He picks up his club soda and sips. Sometimes, it's nice for something fizzy to sip on. Damon is a bizarre bartender. )
How come you and I can do what we did, I fire you, I hire you back. We're fine. Caroline breaks my neck, water under the bridge for me, ice ice baby from her.
( Not that he's not leaving out a few details.
There are things Damon never really says, like what he is. But, Michael probably picked up on his being supernatural. So much so that he talks like this so blatantly. And he's clearly alive. So, it doesn't concern him. Plus, he doesn't see Michael as the after hours bar gossip. And if he is. Well. That's what compulsion is for. )
Okay, so first we'll hit my apartment, and then I've got something to show you.
[Maybe Max is worried a little bit about everything that went down, but everything here just seems to be at the forefront at his mind right now. So, to go strolling backward to a place where he's not even sure if he's alive-- that's a little harder, and the more he thinks about it the more he wishes he'd just given Michael a smoothed over version of everything.
Then again, after sharing things the way they had, Max isn't really certain he could go back to keeping things from Michael again.]
Right, your hand. [He takes a deep breath, and takes off walking toward his place which isn't too far off thankfully. He doesn't bother to turn around as he speaks, but knows that Michael can hear him.] I healed it.
[ Michael starts out smiling, but it fades to a kind of alarm at the news that Damon had his neck broken.
He's not an idiot. He knew that he'd died, just like Michael had, but they'd never really discussed the particulars of that. ]
Well firstly, I'm not gonna hold a grudge over sex that I wanted. You fired me, you brought me back. Water's under that bridge, man. The way I see it, you put up with my shit better than most people.
[ Better than basically anyone except Max. That only strengthens Michael's attraction to Damon, as a matter of fact. Most people walk away from him; Damon had come back. ]
Caroline? Look, I don't know what went down. But she's there, and that's a start. Why did she break your neck?
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| action
Date: 2020-08-07 03:36 pm (UTC)If Michael notices Dean is absent, Damon hasn't pointed it out. He's been serving the customers. It's a Thursday and based on their turnout, Damon asks the top floor bartender to not come in. They can handle their small crowd.
Damon finds it easy to compartmentalize what they did, maneuvering around him to get what he needs, whether it be a glass or a pitcher. Their rhythm pays off as new patrons taper off.
Several times a night, two bartenders might hit a lull at the same time with every customer in the middle of their drink or meal. Damon settles against the back, leaning, crossing his arms. Nancy has their customers on the floor covered. )
We might get another rush in an hour. Or, this is the best it gets.
text: un; justaguy
Date: 2020-08-10 03:08 pm (UTC)You know the other alien here Clark Kent is Superman, right?
He's going to pick me up outside my balcony tomorrow at five. On my balcony, Michael. I'm going flying with Superman dude.
Okay, weird geek moment over. I just had to tell someone.
no subject
Date: 2020-08-10 10:27 pm (UTC)I met him actually. I was in the park, he just came straight down out of the air
Even I know that's awesome
You know you really should talk more to Alex. He freaked out about this too.
no subject
Date: 2020-08-10 10:36 pm (UTC)So, I'm going flying. I'll take a pic for you.
no subject
Date: 2020-08-10 10:37 pm (UTC)I wanna know why we don't fly, Max. That and laser vision. Superman lucked out.
no subject
Date: 2020-08-10 11:13 pm (UTC)I can call lightning down. I'm almost like Thor.
no subject
Date: 2020-08-10 11:35 pm (UTC)You can what?
Since when?
no subject
Date: 2020-08-11 12:08 am (UTC)We're from a different time Michael. Noah. He had Isobel and was going to kill you and her, I think. Put me in a pod, or maybe all of us. He just said me, but I don't remember. I was hurt and you came in.
You threw him against a wall and I heard the storm outside and knew. I knew that I could do it. I pulled the lightning into my hands and threw it at him.
I killed him.
I saved us.
no subject
Date: 2020-08-11 09:40 pm (UTC)Max, I don't
Last thing I remember I was driving back to Roswell to save him, from the serum that was killing him
What the hell happened?
no subject
Date: 2020-08-11 10:09 pm (UTC)no subject
Date: 2020-08-11 10:12 pm (UTC)no subject
Date: 2020-08-11 10:17 pm (UTC)no subject
Date: 2020-08-11 10:20 pm (UTC)Okay.
You gotta meet me at the elevator, though, I'm sure as hell not wearing a collar up there.
no subject
Date: 2020-08-11 10:45 pm (UTC)no subject
Date: 2020-08-11 11:43 pm (UTC)Okay
If you want, I can come now
no subject
Date: 2020-08-12 01:28 am (UTC)no subject
Date: 2020-08-13 01:59 am (UTC)He's gonna go, though. He heads over to the elevator, and has the bizarre experience of coming out into the Up, which honestly isn't a place he's been that much. It's not that welcoming to submissives on their own, and there isn't really a need to come here much anyway. Unless you're just passing through.
But today there's a reason. He keeps his head down and his hat on, and looks for Max. He's managed to largely stay out of trouble since he came back to life, and he's looking to keep that record. ]
sorry for being so slow
Date: 2020-08-15 11:54 am (UTC)Now, it's not. He feels normal. He hasn't totally compartmentalised it; he remembers what they did, and he's not unattracted to Damon now that the coin isn't a thing.
But they're working well together. They have an easy kind of rhythm, one Michael's even enjoying.
In the lull, he's shining glasses and waiting for more orders. It's not the worst way to spend a night. He glances back at Damon with a smile. ]
I guess there's something about dying at sea that keeps people at home. I know we're down. They'll come back.
[ They'd been busy, before. There's no reason to think they won't be again. ]
hon, this is a hobby!!
Date: 2020-08-15 05:18 pm (UTC)It's only as awkward as they make it, he decides.
Which is why he doesn't. )
They always do.
( He means patrons. Friends. Loved ones. If Elena could forgive him fifty times. (It seemed like fifty.) And Caroline, once. And Alaric, more times, too? Caroline could here. Dean could. He'll have his friend back. The hunter.
Caroline sits at a table in the corner, doing professional thing, laptop open. Damon's phone buzzes and he picks it up from the bar. Over his shoulder, Michael should be able to see that it's Caroline in his inbox and she's asking a money question. He quickly types the message back, hits send, and sets his phone back down. Looking over at Caroline, she doesn't look over to him.
Still ice. )
I uh, had it professionally cleaned. Well. Vash cleaned...here. After. ( Casual talk for a casual guy. ) Are we talking about it?
no subject
Date: 2020-08-15 11:29 pm (UTC)He didn't use the ability to share memories or thoughts often, but it was something Max could do and he figured that it would make it way easier to explain what happened so that Michael would understand it perfectly.
Plus, he'd been working hard on a few other things for the two of them. He knew that it wouldn't go over well, but that was tough shit. This place was not going away and they weren't going to be whisked back to roswell anytime soon. They might as well make do with what they could while they were here.
So, It was with all those thoughts and a few more that Max met his brother at the elevators. He hated that his brother got stuck in the Down and he in the UP, so stupid.] Hey, Michael. Over here.
[he waved his arm to call michael over]
no subject
Date: 2020-08-15 11:36 pm (UTC)His expression is shuttered, like it usually is, but inwardly he's worried about this. He's worried about whatever the hell happened to Noah, what happened to Max. Michael had left Caulfield wanting to save Noah, but apparently not long afterwards he'd helped Max fight him, so there's clearly a story. ]
Hey, [ he says, hooking his thumbs around his belt. ]
So I just figured, we were from the same time. What'd you mean when you said 'my hand'?
<3
Date: 2020-08-16 01:01 am (UTC)He sees who sends that text, and though he doesn't read it, he does glance up at Caroline. It only occurs to him then that she hasn't spoken to Damon all night, and obviously isn't intending to find him now.
That'll be the girl he mentioned, then. That's awkward.
With that on his mind, he's surprised Damon brings up what happened between them at all. His hand stills on the glass he's shining, and he turns to look at him. He tosses the rag he's using over his shoulder, because he's a professional bartender now and that's what they do, and he looks squarely at Damon. ]
I'm gonna go ahead and hope they clean here every night. [ Messy blow jobs and bartop sex aside. ] Do you want to talk about it? Cause I thought you didn't. But if you do...
no subject
Date: 2020-08-16 01:24 am (UTC)Nope. Just wanted to open the floor. You need to let anything go, air anything out. It's quiet. If not, I'm good.
( Enough.
He picks up his club soda and sips. Sometimes, it's nice for something fizzy to sip on. Damon is a bizarre bartender. )
How come you and I can do what we did, I fire you, I hire you back. We're fine. Caroline breaks my neck, water under the bridge for me, ice ice baby from her.
( Not that he's not leaving out a few details.
There are things Damon never really says, like what he is. But, Michael probably picked up on his being supernatural. So much so that he talks like this so blatantly. And he's clearly alive. So, it doesn't concern him. Plus, he doesn't see Michael as the after hours bar gossip. And if he is. Well. That's what compulsion is for. )
no subject
Date: 2020-08-17 10:41 pm (UTC)[Maybe Max is worried a little bit about everything that went down, but everything here just seems to be at the forefront at his mind right now. So, to go strolling backward to a place where he's not even sure if he's alive-- that's a little harder, and the more he thinks about it the more he wishes he'd just given Michael a smoothed over version of everything.
Then again, after sharing things the way they had, Max isn't really certain he could go back to keeping things from Michael again.]
Right, your hand. [He takes a deep breath, and takes off walking toward his place which isn't too far off thankfully. He doesn't bother to turn around as he speaks, but knows that Michael can hear him.] I healed it.
no subject
Date: 2020-08-20 04:03 pm (UTC)He's not an idiot. He knew that he'd died, just like Michael had, but they'd never really discussed the particulars of that. ]
Well firstly, I'm not gonna hold a grudge over sex that I wanted. You fired me, you brought me back. Water's under that bridge, man. The way I see it, you put up with my shit better than most people.
[ Better than basically anyone except Max. That only strengthens Michael's attraction to Damon, as a matter of fact. Most people walk away from him; Damon had come back. ]
Caroline? Look, I don't know what went down. But she's there, and that's a start. Why did she break your neck?
[ A pause. ]
She do that on the ship?