Late nights and coffee shops [open]

[second_son]

Demetri's only been back in the city for a day, but it feels like more. He's spent all of it in the makeshift town hall offices, getting the paperwork together for his proposal to the council the next night. The funding hadn't been easy to get, especially with the lack of strings that he had demanded. No oversight committee, no outside presence helping them dispense the grant money. Siren Cove business would stay just that, Siren Cove business.

There's more work to do, but he knows he should go home and get some sleep. But sleep is exactly what he doesn't want to do. With sleep comes dreams - nightmares more like it. Of all the things that have been happening in his town whilst he's been away, of everything that had happened in the months leading up to that. His brother being gone and the questions that had remained unanswered about Fabrice's attack.

He settles on setting up in a diner in the end. He has a beer at his elbow and a cooling plate of fries he's not really touched. Laptop open, he's playing with files without really making any changes or doing much work. It's a distraction more than anything, a reason to not go home.

Comments

[second_son]

It's a face he hasn't seen for a while, and one he's not sure how to approach when it comes down to it. The standard seems the safest, public Demetri, unconcerned except for the welfare of the city and his family. "Some of us do have to keep this city moving."

[bachjones]

"And you're really good at making things move, so I'm glad the city's in your hands."

He smiles, not up for any not-fun trouble. "Mind if I sit here? I won't play footsie nor bother you in any other way. Just want to watch."

[second_son]

As a compliment, it's a good one, exactly the type that makes Demetri smile and feeds his ego. He is good at his job, even if it's not the job he'd choose without his father pushing him into it. "Watch me type? Go ahead, but I can tell you, you're in for a boring time."

[bachjones]

"That sounds amazing. I mean, honestly Dem, the things I've been through the past week, it can't be boring enough. Maybe you could tell me about your taxes while you're at it or something, to make it even better."

He stretches for the waitress' attention. "Some almost white coffee, please? Yeah, I know it's been too long. I started sleeping at nights, sorry, sweetheart. You want anything to go with your dead fries, Demetri?"

[second_son]

“That bad? Here I left and missed all the fun.” He raises a brow, actually curious at just how intense the week could have been. But he’s had a few crazy ones himself, especially recently. It’s never much fun, he knows that too damn well. It’s the reason he’s been out of town, trying to help sort things out for their town. “I’m working on a presentation for a grant program for community services.”

“Another beer, thanks,” he says to the woman, pushing the plate toward the edge of the table so she takes it away. “You sure you don’t want a drink.”

[bachjones]

"A presentation for a grant program for community services."

Bach leans back. "Are you going to do it with all those pictures and graphs things in the background on your computer screen? No, I've had enough alcohol for the month. Guy named Coop had his birthday party. I was almost drunk by the end of the night."

[second_son]

“Right? Exciting stuff, isn’t it?” He nods and taps the mouse, pulling up a powerpoint that he keeps tweaking no matter how done he might be. “Graphs, charts and lots of information on the types of businesses and ventures we should support.Scintillating. You should come to the council meeting, you might learn a thing or two.”

“Almost drunk,” he says, raising a brow. “Is that really an accomplishment?”

[bachjones]

"It sounds super fun. You could talk a man out of an erection with that subject, I'm sure." Bach yawns. "or into one, because people have the strangest kinks."

"That is an accomplishment, it's hard to get drunk."

[second_son]

"If I was trying to talk you into one, I don't think I'd be mentioning work," he says, having to laugh at the idea that anyone would find this kind of thing a turn on.

"Is it?" It's curious, and he likes knowing more about the things that make him curious. "Any reason, or just a cruel trick of fate?"

[bachjones]

"Shit, does that mean you're not trying at all?" He mock-pouts. "Disappointing, now I have to carry on looking."

"Good system? Maybe it's the scaly monster bullshit, that makes me unable to cook as well, if I have to believe Lara Quinn .. drugs work fast enough though, it's just alcohol."

[second_son]

"No, it means that I'm not trying to pick you up with a presentation. I haven't ruled it out completely." Though he's not trying tonight, and he's for the most part joking.

"Shit," he lets out a low whistle, leaning close to Bach. "Are you one of them?"

[bachjones]

"Ooooh. Much better answer. Thank you."

He leans in as well. "Sort of. Are you worried or turned on because of it?"

[second_son]

“A bit of column a…” It isn’t like he’s not been a regular customer at Lara’s for years now. It’s been their secret just who he chooses to see there, and that it’s never any of the girls, but that’s something that he’s sure Bach would guess. “And a bit of column b. What do you mean, sort of? I thought that was a you are or you aren’t proposition.”

[bachjones]

"I wish you would be much bigger a bitch, man. You're just too good right now. I can never break my heart over you if you carry on like this."

He purses his lips. "I'm a bastard. Now I just know that I was born one. The scales only come from my father's side."

[second_son]

Demetri snorts at that, shaking his head at Bach's words. "Your heart isn't going to break over me, believe me. You'd have to fall for me first, wouldn't you?"

"Huh," he could only imagine that was a surprise to discover. "That must have been fun."

[bachjones]

"True. That's not something I do."

"Yeah, yes, it was." Bach sits back, scratching his sideburn. "Not only do you finally know the guy, but he also gives you some skin disease that makes some people really angry."

[second_son]

It hadn't been what he did either, until recently, but that isn't something Demetri wants to discuss. "Skin disease? That's one way of looking of it. I wouldn't say that to Lara if I were you."

[bachjones]

"Oh, oh!" He bursts into harsh laughter. "I did. Several times. Why do you think I'm here, instead of the place where I can get beer and pick up people?"

[second_son]

Demetri laughs too, trying to picture Lara's face at hearing that. "I am surprised you're even allowed in town, my friend."

[bachjones]

"Oh, this is the thing that makes you go soft on me? Because I have more stories about her screaming abuse at me."

"What is she going to do, get the police on me? I think I'm allowed to insult people. Aren't I?"

[second_son]

“I’ve known Lara a long time.” They’ve had an arrangement, and Lara has kept his secret. “No, but she might find someone to turn you into a newt.”

[bachjones]

"A what?"

He shrugs. "Is that really going to be worse than my life right now? Come on, she's busy screwing the detective's brain out, as long as I'm not in her sight she won't do anything."

[second_son]

"Newt. Small lizard? Seriously?" Demetri looks at him in utter disbelief. "You've never seen Monty Python? The Holy Grail?"

[bachjones]

"I rather see you making such a face for different reasons, to be honest. And from a different position."

He shrug-nods. "That's TV? Never really had a TV, my mother thought it would give me the wrong ideas."