webshooter | ( open rp )

[ 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.

[Upstate might as well be nowhere these days. Large property or ghettos is usually where you keep the Italians and Irish in this city. Things are getting better. Slowly but surely. Enough for Frank to feel comfortable enough for the less rural life.]

Sounds like a librarian to me. I wouldn't have corrected you. I got a job in construction. They're putting together all kinds of things around.

[Nothing glamorous. Definitely the opposite side of the spectrum.]

[ His brows go up at that, ]

Really? That must be hard work. I can't even imagine trying to build one of those skyscrapers.

I've never been up there. Not yet. They got me on the ground. I'm not scared of heights though or anything. They say the view's beautiful.

[Frank licks his lips and takes another drink because he's already thinking of suggesting they go and see sometime. Just a drink right now. Just a few good, long moments.]

Any places you think that are really worth seeing? As a native I mean.

[ Peter nods, ]

It is. I've been in a few, just to see the view.

[ Heights have never bothered him, either. It's why he would end up climbing out on the fire escapes to get to the roof of the apartment he shared with his aunt. He licks his own lips after another sip and thinks for a moment before, tapping the table. ]

The bridge over the river is pretty great. Especially at sunset. The lights start coming on and the sun hits the water just right. It's beautiful, really.

[ And he catches himself around the end, ducking his head as he realizes he's rambling a bit. ]

Edited 2017-10-22 09:23 (UTC)

Every time I think I seen the tallest building, there's another one.

[Which would sound like a bumpkin sentiment if he didn't have a plain and honest awareness of his own inexperience there.]

That really does sound like somethin'.

[Something worth sharing. Frank sighs.]

So what do you do when you're not perched on a stool here or at your library?

[ Peter ducks his head again, nodding because he feels the same way. He was born here and lived here all his life and the city continues to surprise him. He takes another sip of his drink and gives another nod, ]

It is. I hope you get to see it.

[ He shrugs at the other question, ]

I've started doing photography. Not much, though. It's really expensive to get the film and develop it and all. I'm still saving up for my own camera. A friend is letting me use theirs right now.

[Frank props one arm on the table and tilts his head to be propped up on his fist. The conversation is normal as normal can be. It shouldn't make him this calm, this friendly but it is.]

One of these times.

[As though it is a deal now. Somehow. Between them.]

Do you take pictures of the views? Is that why you're up there?

[ Peter hopes he isn't boring the other guy. But he's still at the table, still talking to him... ]

Sometimes. I usually just take pictures of... moments I want to keep. Sometimes it's people or animals or fire escapes or birds or church steeples. Anything that catches my eye.

[Nope. Not bored. Just... getting a glimpse into how his mind works, what he likes. This is what he'd do with a gal he'd be interested in except it wouldn't go anywhere.]

That sounds like it'd be well worth the money to keep something like that forever.

[Worth the film, worth the camera.]

My hobbies are pretty cheap. I like to read. Maybe...I could go and find myself a book at your library.

[He feels daring, and reaches below the table to place his hand on Peter's knee. If his intentions weren't clear before... then there you go.]

[ He perks up more at hearing Frank likes to read, ]

Yeah? Me too! We got a lot--

[ He cuts off suddenly at the feel of the hand on his knee and feels his cheeks grow hot all over again. He licks his lips but he doesn't move away. He keeps talking. ]

We got all kinds of books. Anything you'd want to read, really.

I bet.

[And fuck now he's imagining them. Together. Not just here. And Peter isn't shoving away his touch, Frank keeps it light. Cautious. Massaging a little where there's points of contacts on his knee. This shouldn't get his blood pumping as much s it does.]

I think I know what I like...

[ He looks down at his drink, a small smile on his lips and cheeks flushed, ]

I hope you're not disappointed.

Why would I be?

[Frank keeps his touch gentle, and by all rights even though this is the first time he's truly touching Peter it's remarkably chaste.]

I don't know all that much about you, Peter. But I'd like to.

[He takes a drink for courage. There's a lot he'd like to do actually. Having a real moment with someone he's attracted to is just the start.]

You'd be the first to.

[ A beat, still looking down at his drink. ]

Everyone else would have left by now.

[ And for all his awkwardness and shyness, those rejections did hurt. ]

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