webshooter | ( open rp )

[ Peter feels his cheeks flush at the scene, swallowing hard as the guy was definitely bigger up close. He glances at Mario, both embarrassed and grateful. He looks back to Frank and then his glass before giving a shrug, ]

Rum and coke. Not really a fan of the beer.

[Mario gives him a wink and a nod. No matter how the night goes, he wants Frank to have his chance. This secret hole in the wall was not easy to find. Gotta make it worth it.]

Coke's good all by itself. Never thought to put rum with it. I've been a beer guy all my life but uh...

[He gives a lopsided smile and takes a sip from his own glass.]

I'm trying things. Things I should have a long time ago. If it feels right, it feels right.

[While they're two strangers talking about drinks his dark eyes keep on looking over Peter. There's a different subject here.]

[ The smile is enough to tug Peter's lips up into one of his own before he ducks his head, nodding. ]

It's worth trying, yeah.

[ He then looks back up at Frank, his fingers nervously rubbing at the sides of his glass, trying to ignore whatever eyes he can feel on them. ]

This is your first time here? I don't remember seeing you around before.

[His heart makes a leap in his chest. This would have never, ever happened at the corner pub. And this is so much better than making eyes at the ranch hand that would rather sling horse shit than dignify anything attention Frank was trying to give.]

Any chance I can take a sip?

[One of his hands leaves the glass to angle toward Peter's.]

Yeah. I moved to the city a bit ago. Trying to see where it's gonna take me. I've never been some place like this

[There's no shame in admitting that.]

[ And Peter never thought a guy like this would want anything to do with him. It's a night of small miracles. ]

Sure. Not much left, though.

[ But he nudges the glass toward Frank and lets him have what's left in the glass. ]

I grew up in this city and it still took me years to find this place.

Edited 2017-10-19 07:54 (UTC)

I'll still save some for you.

[The sentiment is polite, the delivery is coy and tactful. Frank takes Peter's drink and lifts it up like it's a toast before taking a sip.]

So you like the sweet stuff.

[A little taste and he licks his bottom lip and immediately rubs his mouth aware of how suggestive it is. Well. That kind of thing is okay here though. Right? That's why he came around.]

You come here alone? Or--?

[ He ducks his head again at that, feeling heat in his face go all the way up to his ears. ]

Goes down easier, yeah.

[ At the question he's shaking his head, breathing out a small if tired laugh at himself. ]

I barely talk to anyone, to be honest. Everyone around here... makes it seem so easy.

[ To the point where he trips himself up constantly. ]

[Frank smiles wide in a way he has never ever allowed himself to before.]

I can see the appeal.

[He takes another drink from his own glass once more. It's bitter.]

Oh Yeah? ...am I making this too easy?

[Frank shifts and casts a glance around the small, small bar.]

I don't have a goddamn clue what's what but I like your face and got the feeling you're okay with mine.

[ For the first time, Peter allows himself to grin wide in this place. He's never had much cause to before now. But there really was something about Frank that made him a lot easier to talk to than all the others before him.

He nods, cheeks still hot but not able to stop grinning, ]

More than okay, actually.

[His dark eyes go a little starry seeing the expression lighten in Peter. Enough so he's got to look away and try to gather himself. Used to being contained, subdued.]

Do you uh dance? They dance in here don't they?

[Or try to. There's a severely limited space.]

[ In a way. Though grinding isn't something Peter thinks he could do in front of other people. He shakes his head pretty quickly. ]

Um, no. I'm... not very good at it.

No? [The way he's built, Frank can easily imagine he's agile. Fast. And again he's catching his thoughts going places that usually would have to be contained and quickly.] Maybe you need a little practice.

[With who? And when? Well, one thing at a time.]

I'm going to get a rum and coke. Want another? I'm gonna be here awhile.

[ His cheeks go warm again and he tries not to let his own thoughts go down the gutter at hearing that. He's not all that experienced with much when it comes to other men so it's not hard to feel like he's in over his head with this.

But at the offer for another drink, he nods, ]

Yeah, sure! Thank you.

[Frank grins wide and stands. He gives Peter a pat on the shoulder and pulls back to speak to the bartender. While he's up, while he's got Peter's attention Mario comes to his other side.]

Hey fella. Be good to my friend, Frank. He ain't ever done this before. And it's okay if he's not your type. Let him have a few moments of your time.

[Because Mario has picked up on the peanut gallery's opinion of Peter. Picky. Looking for Mr. Right. Or at least that's what they've gathered from his stint at the barstool.]

[ There's that grin again. Peter can't help grinning himself in return. Even when he's unbalanced slightly by the pat to his shoulder. He watches Frank go up to the bar, only looking away when Mario starts talking to him.

He looks back over to Frank's back and nods. ]

Okay. I mean, I like him...

[ And he does. He's just nervous because this is the longest he's gone on talking to another guy without messing it up in some way. His fingers are distractedly pulling and hooking on one another as he shrugs, nothing else to pick at but the table. ]

I'm just... not very good at this.

[ He breathes out a laugh, both out of nervousness and out of frustration at his own stupid shyness. ]

[Frank leans at the bar, not aware of what's happening at a distance. He does spare a look, just to make sure Peter is still there. Mario holds up a hand and grins.]

He's my best friend. I'm bias when I say he's a great person.

[If Mario were any more straight, he'd be a ruler. But he's an excellent friend. And the place is welcoming. God only knows Frank has played this role for him a million times.]

...you kids play nice, okay? If you're done, let him down easy like.

[Here comes the rum and cokes.]

[ It makes Peter smile at Mario, the fact he cares so much about his friend. ]

He's very lucky to have a friend like you.

[ But he nods at the request, not even sure if the night will go in that direction. It's usually him that's being let down. But he looks to Frank when he comes back over and his smile widens. Peter doesn't know him but he seems really nice... ]

[There's a smile back at Peter, an urgent and hopeful thing. Frank has been with him every step of the way, through girlfriends and his best man at his wedding. The years are only getting longer. It's high time Frank found someone of his own. Mario can only do so much. Being the wing man at a place like this is all he can do. It's not a world he understands. He only understands that his friend since grade school needs a shot.

Frank sets the glass down close beside Peter. Mario checks his watch.]

Hey pal, I'm going to head back. Don't rush. It was nice meeting you--?

[He extends a hand to Peter and while taking a good long sip Frank realizes he hasn't even asked the guy's name or anything.]

[ Peter takes the offered hand and shakes it, ]

Peter. It was nice meeting you, too.

[Steady, clasping shake. Not threats, just a whole lot of warmth and hope. Mario pulls back and gives Frank a rough pat on the head.]

Behave yourself, Knucklehead. Peter deserves a good night. Treat him right.

[And with that he's on his way. Frank grins and he's not the type to full blown blush but there's a sudden bashfulness that spreads when he realizes that it's just the two of them. Alone. In a bar. Where this kind of thing isn't shameful.]

That's uh--that's Mario. I'm sure he must have told you.

[ Peter grins at Mario's exit and continues to do so at Frank when he sees the change in the other man. He nods, ]

You have a really good friend, there. I'm surprised he's... okay with all this.

[ He tilts his head to indicate the bar around them. ]

[Just them. Like this. He takes another little sip for courage before setting down his drink.]

We known each other since we were learning to talk. Sorta... always had an idea I was different.

[They all are. He rubs his chin.]

Big lug like me, kinda just have to put up with me or get while the getting is good.

[ Peter takes a sip of his drink and finds that he's still smiling. More than he ever has in this club, ]

Well, if he's stuck with you all these years, must be a reason for it. I...I wouldn't mind finding out for myself.

[Frank thought Peter's eyes were bright before. Now they're luminous. Is it possible for someone to be even more handsome? Because he is.]

That's a tall order. I think I ought to be on my best behavior.

[One that makes him feel like he's a balloon rising and rising.]

You work around here, Peter?

[ He almost giggles at the comment, already intrigued about this guy that literally came out of nowhere. He might be a "big lug" but he's already proven nicer than most of the people he's met here. That in and of itself is worth more than just a night. Peter will try to give him a better first night at this bar than he got.

He shakes his head, ]

Not here, no. I work at the library? The one a few blocks from here. I'm not--technically not a librarian. I just stack the books and organize them. And the card catalog.

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