nicholas d. wolfwood (![[personal profile]](https://www.dreamwidth.org/img/silk/identity/user.png)
anthophilia) wrote in ![[community profile]](https://www.dreamwidth.org/img/silk/identity/community.png)
fourstrings2023-02-28 09:03 pm
anthophilia) wrote in fourstrings2023-02-28 09:03 pm
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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he looks at Vash's face as it happens, handsome and playful, and his objection dies on the spot. Ends up opening his mouth obediently, and hey! It's no deep fried hash brown, but it's pretty good. He chews and swallows, is (quite rudely, given who's house he's in) not even thinking of Nai when he smiles at Vash. ]
I'm fighting a losing battle here, huh? You'll have me civilized in no time.
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[ which is punctuated by a snort from knives that suggests he's thirty seconds away from calling animal control at best, but. ]
You sure you're not hungry? I can make you some coffee if that's more your thing in the mornings?