fourstrings | When the world is too dark

When the world is too dark

[ The Evergreen has a strong no-assholes policy. This is undermined somewhat by the fact that Nick basically runs it now, but it means he can use himself as a gauge. If anyone’s a bigger asshole than he is, they get kicked out.

Steve is the kind of asshole who should have been kicked out way earlier. That’s on Nick. He was over-cautious, cut the guy too much of a break, because running this bar is the only thing that has him making enough cash to keep up with his responsibilities. He’d worried that word would get around that The Evergreen wasn’t a friendly place anymore, and he’d ruin the reputation Al had carefully built up for it over the years, drive customers away. And it’s not just because Al’s basically promised him the place and it’s his future he’s gambling on, but respect for Al. He built Nick sure as he built up this bar, and the very least Nick can do in return is not tank it. And in fairness, Steve had started slow: the kind of coarse jokes that are mean instead of funny, taking sly digs at people. Way too much flirting with women beyond the point it became clear that they didn’t want to be flirted with, at least not by Steve. Nick finally found his balls the night he’d rounded the corner to check there was enough paper in the johns and seen Steve caging a girl in against the wall, face leaning in even though hers was twisted adamantly away. He’d grabbed the man by collar and belt with no regard for the fact that Steve had a good three inches and 20 pounds on him, marched him out the door, and told him not to come back, ever.

Which means that Steve is now going on the Wall of Shame, and he’d been such a dick about it Nick wants to make it a special occasion. There’s a little florist across the street that’s probably gonna close down any day now, judging by the amount of foot traffic they get, so before opening the next day Nick heads over to give them a little last bit of support. There’s a little bell that rings cutely as he pushes the door open, a blast of welcome cool, fragrant air, and… the most beautiful man he’s ever laid eyes on behind the counter. Blond hair in one of those trendy cuts that look goofy on most people that aren’t pop stars but somehow suits him just right, big eyes shaded with long lashes, a sweet little beauty mark.

Nick stops dead just inside the door, confident that if he takes one more step without preparation he’s gonna trip over his own feet. ]

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[ Jesus fucking Christ, he even texts cutely. Nick smiles at his phone until Lena - the cook - asks what's got him so moony-eyed and pretends she's going to try and snatch it off him, resulting in a familiar and affectionate back-and-forth in which he tells her she's fired and she reminds him they'll never know which of the dips is poisoned without her. ]

Are you kidding? Those plants are your babies. I half expected you to tell me you eat meat only.

u know me so well
vash the carnivore 🍖 thats what they call me
a legend in every butcher shop in the city

[ and it's... close enough to closing that it's not weird if he goes ahead and does it, right? it's not like he's hurrying across the street to see mr. bartender priest again sooner or anything! vash just believes in, uh, the principles of a healthy work-life balance. ]

[ That's a joke, right? It's probably a joke. But maybe it's not? He yells to ask Lena if they have any fancy steak and she just comes out of the kitchen to give him a very flat look before heading back in without a word. So that's a no on fancy steak and he's got to think of a clever response, so he's standing behind the bar regretting making the whole place non-smoking just to be ~inclusive~ when he catches someone coming through the door out of the corner of his eye.

He looks up.

Tall, legs for days, the sunlight from the street lighting up a mess of blond hair like a halo. ]

Hey, Vash. You made it.

[ There is a wolf whistle from the kitchen. Nick turns so he can flip the kitchen off behind his back. ]

[ vash doesn't actually spend a lot of time hanging out in bars. he'd hit the scene a few times in college, mostly when friends would drag him out, but it hadn't really been a thing. he's not much of a drinker, and nai always worries if he stays out too late.

so, uh. maybe it's a completely normal tradition to whistle at patrons?

still! it makes him flush a little, shifting from foot to foot, before he makes his way over to the bar and slides into a seat across from wolfwood. it's not too busy yet, but the place has already got some decent traffic -- maybe business would pick up at his place if he could figure out a way to sell booze and flowers. ]

It was a close call. [ leaning forward to prop his elbows on the bar. ] That trip across the street? Dangerous.

[ Nick clamps down hard on the urge to say he can't see how when the sight of Vash must stop traffic. There's the kind of goofy Vash seems to like, and then there's clown-ass boomer humor. He mirrors Vash instead, leaning his elbows on the bar across from him. ]

Sounds harrowing. Let me fix you something to soothe your nerves. What'll it be?

[ Nearby, a woman pauses to look at the little rest-in-pieces display on the wall, and shouts FUCKING YESSSS! before turning to plant a kiss on the cheek of the woman beside her and sealing the deal with a high-five of such ferocity that the clap of it rings over the music and chatter. Nick grins. ]

As you can see, your work's a hit. Tonight you eat and drink for free. Whatever you want.

Depends! What do you recco --

[ but his attention is caught by the sound of that little celebration, twisting around in his seat just so he can see. jeez, this guy was popular, huh? vash is going to have to google meaner flowers for the anniversary.

but! he's smiling as he turns back to him, even though he tries to wave off the offer. ] Whoa, whoa, you're giving me too much credit. I'm not the one who threw the guy out, I just gave you some flowers for the occasion. Just one free drink is fine!

No deal. I got curious after I left, googled some florists nearby. Cheapest I could find for a funeral arrangement was eighty-five dollars and it looked like dogshit compared to yours. I'm not gonna hassle you to drink more booze than you're comfortable with, but you're at least letting us feed you.

[ God, he's cute when he smiles. Nick can't help smiling back. ]

A-Ahaha, it seriously wasn't that big of a deal! [ hands up, palms spread, signaling his defeat! ] But... it's your bar, your rules, right?

I'll have whatever you say is good. [ propping his cheek in his hand, turning the full force of that smile on him. ] I trust you.

[ Fuck! Critical hit! Nick likes taking care of people, and this guy gives in with remarkable ease and a gorgeous smile. Also, if he's honest, he's always had a bit of a thing for those baby-of-the-family vibes, and Vash is marinating in them. He sighs, catches himself, and straightens. ]

You trust me, huh? Mind if I freestyle this one?

Sure! [ it should be a little terrifying when a bartender you've only known for a few hours wants to freestyle you a drink. unfortunately, nai totally sucked up all of the common sense and survival instincts, so vash is just leaning forward, curious. ] Show me what you've got, Mr. Bartender Priest.

[ Alright! Elderflower's a given, for the floral connection. Vodka to give it a little oomph, but not too much. Honey simple, because everything about Vash screams sweet but with a little more complexity than a straight sugar simple. Some grapefruit to add interest and cut the aggressive sweetness of the liqueur and the honey. He cracks ice into a shaker with a few deft hits from a barspoon and can't resist putting a little finesse on it as he pours in the ingredients, flipping and spinning bottles. The Evergreen is usually a no-flair establishment, but Vash did ask Nick to show him what he's got. He shakes until he can feel the shaker frosting up, pours it into an ice-filled highball, tops it with club soda and twists some grapefruit peel into an elegant little curl for a garnish. And then he slides it to Vash without even a moment to second-guess himself and hope that "sweet boy likes sweet drinks" isn't as much of a misguided stereotype as "florist is a vegetarian". ]

A special, one-of-a-kind drink for a one-of-a-kind guy.

[ whoooaaa! it actually seems crazy that this guy had been so enthusiastic about vash being able to throw some flowers together for him when he's the one who can do... this! it's almost like watching someone do a magic trick, or like a gunslinger spinning their pistol around their finger just to remind you how cool they are.

and vash is leaning forward, eyes wide and bright with interest, into it.

getting the drink is almost the most disappointing part, because it means the show's over. but now vash is flattening himself to the bartop to look at it, curious as a cat. ] Whoa, seriously? You just made this up?

That's so cool.

Might wanna save your praise until you've tried it. First one I've ever made. Could taste like ass and I wouldn't know.

[ This is... a slight exaggeration. Partly because he knows the flavours he's used will be harmonious, and partly because he's confident that anything using Vash as inspiration has gotta be good. ]

No way! Nothing that looks that cool when you make it can taste bad. Pretty sure it's a rule.

[ and he was serious when he said he trusted wolfwood's expertise.

there's... only one problem. mainly, that vash is stupidly desperate to look cool in front of this guy, and most of his knowledge of drinking comes from watching tough guys in movies. so, uh. that means you're supposed to drink the whole thing in one go, right? that's what a Very Cool Person would do?

sure, okay, vash can do that.

which is why he proceeds to take a drink that is absolutely not a shot and slam it like it is one. and... wow, okay, it is good, even if he has to put some effort into not coughing and squinting like a lame-o. slightly choked, but with a thumbs up: ] Five stars!

I-

[ Nope, he's too late. By the time he's realized what Vash is doing it's done, which... is kind of impressive, considering a) the amount of liquid in the glass, and b) teh fact that the glass is filled with ice and Vash somehow didn't shower himself with it. His eyebrows go up of their own accord, and then he grins. ]

That trip across the road was rough, huh?

[ wow. this stuff kinda goes right to your head, huh? but in a good way! there's a fuzzy kind of warmth spilling through every inch of him, and even the faintly dizzy feeling is kinda... nice.

obviously, this is all because wolfwood is a great bartender. ]

Tried to warn you! The horrors I faced would chill the heart of any mortal man.

[ mainly, it was yelling at legato to go home, already! and getting the stank eye in return. ]

In that case, I'm happy I could help out. Word to the wise, though - if you ever feel like having me make you another one, I pictured it as more of a sipper.

[ He should have put a straw in it as a cue. Still! The night is young and his peacocking seems to have been at least moderately successful! ]

Let's get you something to eat, huh?

[ oh. oh. augh! mission: be very cool has experienced it's first setback. ]

Sorry! [ this is where a normal person would admit defeat, fess up to the fact that they don't have a ton of know-how when it comes to alcohol. vash is not a normal person. ] It was, uh, so good that I got a little carried away!

[ wriggling a little. ] If you wanna make me another one, I promise to savor it properly!

Edited 2023-03-01 08:25 (UTC)

You're full of shit.

[ But he's smiling as he says it, and his voice is soft and fond. Vash is a goof, and even when he's trying to cover his ass he dresses it up as a compliment. It's... really refreshing, in world where most people caught in a mistake go on the aggressive and try to turn it around on whoever caught them out. He holds up a finger, says I'll be right back, jogs down to the kitchen for a second - and then right back, just like he said. ]

Ordered you a burger. With extra fries, so I can steal 'em.

[ But Vash sounded open to the idea of another drink, so Nick starts building another - a little lighter on both the vodka and the showmanship, this time. ]

So what got you into floristry? Always been a plant guy?

[ oh. huh. someone ordering you a burger is a very goofy thing to get all twitterpated over, but. it feels like being cared about, and vash's heart responds by doing a bunch of stupid tapdancing in his chest.

it doesn't count as sexually harassing a customer if the customer part is already over, right? so if vash wanted to just lean over the bar, grab wolfwood by the face, and --

distracted by the line of questions, thank god. ]

Ehehe, kinda, I guess. I'm not really that good at anything, but I've always been able to get stuff to grow. Aaaand... [ he just figured out the stool spins. whee! ] I figured that getting to share flowers with people was a pretty cool job, right?

It is. Suits you. Bringing joy into people's days, filling it with meaning.

[ Maybe there's not a lot of meaning to the way he spins on the stool, but it's definitely filling Nick with joy. And it's a good sign that Vash's tolerance isn't as low as he originally suspected, so he slides over the fresh drink. With a straw in it, this time. ]

Never seen anyone do it like you before, though. Growing your flowers on-site. Makes it more special, but it's gotta limit your output. I hope you're better at charging most of your customers than you were with me.

[ that is... agh?! the way the guy says it is so fond, like vash has dedicated his life to washing ducklings off after oil spills instead of something as mundane as running a flower shop, and. yeah, it makes him all fluttery inside.

which is why there's just a second of staring, mouth slightly open, before wolfwood passes over the drink and snaps him out of it.

but then! ] ... wooow. You've really got, like, a business brain, huh?

[ maybe he needs to start asking for tips. business 101. ]

I know shipping 'em in would be easier, and I could knock more out, buuut... it kinda feels better, being somewhere with a bunch of happy, living things, instead of things just waiting to wilt.

It didn't come natural, believe me. Had to grow one if I wanted to pay back the cost of sending me to seminary just to have me throw in the cassock.

[ But he nods along. It's funny - he thinks of the Evergreen as a little family, everyone there looking out for each other, taking care of one another. Seeds had felt like that too, even though Vash was the only person there. Just radiating enough care for his plants for a full staff, Nick guesses. ]

I get that. You take good care of your plants, and they take care of you with flowers to sell. Do you ever just sell plants? I could put the word out. Not a lot of people around here have the cash for something that'll only last a few days, but they'd be a lot more open to something that'd last years with the right care.

[ vash blinks. ]

Wha —? Really, you think that’d work?

[ he’d have a shift a little, obviously. propagate more cuttings from the plants he has, make sure he could replace whatever he sells, but. ]

That’s a great idea! [ and suddenly, he lunges, nearly falling off the stool as he launches himself halfway across the bar to grab both of wolfwood’s hands in his own. he’s beaming, and it’s way too easy to imagine that there’s a puppy-dog tail doing some serious wagging. ] Thank you, seriously! You’re my hero!

[ Nick's grinning too, just charmed by how enthusiastic Vash seems (and the fact that they're holding hands now), so it's a few long seconds of two idiots beaming at each other before Nick realizes one of those hands feels... different.

He glances down. Yup, one of the hands is the one he tried to do a little priestly flirting with, and the other appears to be a prosthetic. A pretty cool prosthetic, obviously technologically advanced from the way it's wrapped around his hand just like the other one has.

Christ, was he really so hypnotized by Vash having a cute face and demeanour that he didn't notice a whole artificial hand? The realization just makes him huff a laugh, and he squeezes both of Vash's hands before he looks up again and grins at him. ]

I'd tell you to save the thanks until you know if it's gonna work out, but I'm enjoying it too much.

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