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[laserhawk]

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[laserhawk]

You're definitely buying.

[ dolph hates that he looks good too. hates the feeling it arouses. ]

[offeringchaos]

Of course. That's fair... drink as much as you want. I'll make sure you get home.

[...]

Alone.

[laserhawk]

[ his lips twitch slightly. ]

Such a gentleman.

[offeringchaos]

C'mon, haven't I always been?

[He's joking!]

[laserhawk]

I don't think you want me to answer that.

[offeringchaos]

Probably not.

[He grins a little bit in return, coming close to settle in next to Dolph.]

So, what are we drinking?

[laserhawk]

[ not red wine. that's too much like the past. ]

Beer's fine, right?

[offeringchaos]

Beer's good, sure. Scotch is better.

[But Dolph can have a beer, and he'll get something stronger. One drink won't land him on his ass -- and he meant that he'd get Dolph home tonight, so he's gotta keep his head a little.]

[laserhawk]

[ dolph huffs, signaling the waiter who prompts brings their drinks over after a minute or so. ]

How's . . . life suiting you here? In the city?

I mean, I know you hate it. But is there more?

[offeringchaos]

More how?

[He questions, tipping his head.]

I don't know. Just been trying to get by, I guess. Met a guy... Huaisang. Said he'd hook me up with some suits. Guess he owns some upscale clothing shop.

[There's a wry smile.]

Otherwise, I'm getting by. How about you?

[laserhawk]

I'm . . . doing well. I have a job.

[ a long pause. ]

And a boyfriend.

[offeringchaos]

[That gets a pause, something troubled passing over his face before he just nods.]

Huh.

[He can't pretend he likes to hear that, or that it's not a blow of some kind.]

What's he like?

[laserhawk]

[ he really shouldn't be doing this. there's no vicarious joy in it. ]

He's nice. Sweet. Unsure sometimes, but enthusiastic.

[ and as many people have told dolph, zack is deeply unlikely to ever betray him. he's a safe choice. ]

[offeringchaos]

[Probably shouldn't have even asked, really. Not for details. They don't really offer much comfort beyond the fact Dolph hasn't found a new asshole to fawn over, at least.

Hopefully.]

Sounds like something you need.

[Sweet, that is.]

This your way of telling me that's it, then?

[laserhawk]

I . . . don't know.

If you found someone, wouldn't it be the same for me?

[offeringchaos]

[What's he supposed to say to that? In truth, he hasn't really... thought about it.

Maybe he's been banking on Dolph coming back somewhere underneath it all. It'd be them against this place -- for real this time.]

Can't say I've really been looking for a boyfriend. Just some people to meet quota with.

[laserhawk]

[ he nods slowly. ]

It's not about replacing you. It's about . . . choosing. And trying.

[offeringchaos]

What?

[He huffs out a laugh that doesn't actually sound all that happy. No, he'll never be replaced -- at least not the time they had together. Going forward? He's not actually so sure.

Choosing and trying, huh?]

And moving on.

[laserhawk]

[ his fingers clench under the table and dolph straightens. ]

You moved on pretty quick when you thought I was dead.

[offeringchaos]

I'm not a bad liar. We both know that by now, I think.

[And maybe he shouldn't, but--]

I'm not dead. At least not here.

[laserhawk]

I took our breakup seriously when you shot me and left me for dead.

[offeringchaos]

... So maybe I should leave then.

[He levels Dolph with a look.]

[laserhawk]

For fuck's sake.

What do you want me to say, Alex? How can we even make this work?

[offeringchaos]

I don't want you to say anything!

[Well, that's not exactly true, but--]

What do you want to work, exactly? You said yourself, you got a boyfriend. Gotten enough comments from people who don't think I should be around you, so I can't imagine they're not telling you the same shit.

So, why don't you tell me what you want? You said it yourself, you're trying to make your own choices here.

[laserhawk]

I don't know! I just — I don't want to cut you out. I don't want you gone.