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[braveoff]

@drake.holloway | ■ ▲ ◌ ▼

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[slavophile]

White hair... ( Yeah, no, he ... can't see it. ) Well, you look good now. And you're human... now...

( Right? )

[braveoff]

Thanks. And yeah, totally human again. Hope didn't really understand how to cure me so he gave me a completely new body.

[slavophile]

A -- ( Okay. He blinks in recognition. ) So, this really is Drake 2.0.

Coming from someone whose body is his first and only, maybe it's a good metaphor for moving forward. You did the good you could as a zombie. And you're not anymore.

So. People would freeze you. Or, could freeze you and it didn't kill you.

[braveoff]

I like that. Drake 2.0. And as a metaphor. The question is just who I am now.

[ He thinks he's figured it out but it's a big question. Especially since he had an idea but now he's here. ]

Yeah, it's painful but the safest thing to do if you're worried about how you're going to stay fed. The first time wasn't my choice, the second was.

[slavophile]

That's a big question and it doesn't have to be answered today.

( With him over pitchers of beer.

He nods, taking another sip. )

You told me. I didn't run away or pour this beer in your lap. That's not easy, living with something like that. Obviously.

[braveoff]

It doesn't. I've been trying to focus on the day to day, who I am in the moment.

[ And that's somebody here with William, apparently. New connections, new admissions. ]

You didn't, I'm impressed. But you didn't run away after that dream either, so... man, how am I supposed to get rid of you?

[ He's smiling, clearly joking as he reaches for another chip. ]

[slavophile]

You tell me to my face that's what you want. Then I scram. Unless, you don't mean it. Then I give you maybe a day's space. And come back with a vengeance.

( Well-meaning vengeance.

He takes a gulp, forgetting about the game. )

[braveoff]

Well what about you? Any secrets that'd send people running?

[ Somehow he doubts it. ]

[slavophile]

( Is that where they are? He thinks about it, though. His secrets are more personal than jarring. )

Other than my arrested development thanks to being left by my own devices for my more formative years?

( Does that count, Drake? )

[braveoff]

[ Drake blinks. Arrested development? Really? ]

I wouldn't have guessed that, you seem great with people.

[slavophile]

I'm charming with people. I know what they want. I know how to get what I want. What I think anyone would want. Emotionally?

( Emotionally, he's secretly all over the place. )

For a long time, I was lost. I was - searching. And working. And, one night, something left to me by my step mother started beeping. And that began everything. That gave me a purpose.

If there's anything that might send you running, it's that I've had several boyfriends but, I just -- never let them in. I've already told you more than I've told anyone. In any sitting, not just one. And I don't want to send you running. Or, I'd stay clammed up. Or, change the subject. Or, distract you with sex.

[braveoff]

[ Drake is quiet, listening -- really listening. He's kind of had the opposite experience, wanting to be open with his partners but not being able to because of his life situation. All that stuff about putting up walls when it wasn't his choice. He doesn't want to hide from people anymore, thus putting everything out on the table these days.

Well, except one thing, but he doesn't feel ready to talk about that yet. ]

Why do you think you couldn't let people in? There's nothing special about me, you must've made the choice to open up. Something changed.

[slavophile]

What change is I met my dad. I came out to him. I... met my sister. I have family. People cared. I just -- lost sight of that. And I always cared.

( As a kid, he cared too much, even if he didn't show it. Or, show it well. )

I did see something in you. ( He takes one step closer. ) You listen. And you're there for people. You didn't know me, but you wanted to know about me. You weren't making conversation. You cared, too.

[braveoff]

I'm glad you met your family. Everyone needs people who care about them.

[ Drake smiles faintly -- that'd do it alright. Having people who care makes all the difference. He didn't expect the nice things William's saying about him, though, and ducks his head shyly. ]

You're right, I do care about people. Sometimes too much, I actually had to work on that. Be less self sacrificing, figure out what I want.

[slavophile]

( Met him at this age. At the older age. Oliver, he hadn't seen -- he hadn't seen since he was 12.

Leaning in, he tries to get Drake to meet his eyes. )

I can't help you be less self sacrificing. But, I'm all for you figuring out what you want.

[braveoff]

[ It works; Drake looks up at him and meets his eyes, like he's searching for something but isn't sure what. ]

I'm working on it.

[slavophile]

( He lingers there, licking his lower lip. )

I think it's your turn.

[braveoff]

[ Wait, his turn for what? Drake has totally lost track of the game. ]

To try and scare you off? No, you meant-- right, pool.

[ He grabs his cue from where it's leaning against the table, but doesn't pull away just yet. ]

[slavophile]

Right. Pool. I'm not scared off easily.

( He doesn't move away, either. It was something to say. But, he doesn't have to distract or change any subject. He doesn't have to feel like he's barking up the wrong tree. His gaze still locked with Drake's, he leans in, reading up. )

Here.

( ( Pressing his lips to Drake's, he finally does what he wanted to all day. It's not something hot or heavy. It's sweet. And it's just enough, he hopes, as he steps back. )

For luck?

[braveoff]

[ He really isn't scared off easily, Drake thinks, but before he can say anything William is leaning in and -- yup, that's happening. The kiss is gentle and sweet and before he pulls away William will feel something warm and pleased through the bond, but it's for the best that it's quick. They don't want to glow in public, after all.

He smiles at William, finally turning away to take his next shot at the pool table. Sooner or later he's going to have to talk about his engagement but this is nice. And he's distracted enough now thinking about all of it that he misses, straightening up with a 'whoops' expression. ]

Guess I needed more luck. Your turn.

[slavophile]

( Drake gets interest and attraction in those few seconds. )

I'm not going to say it's here when you want it.

( Because that's... something to say. He takes the cue in hand, his front brushing Drake's as he moves past, hitting the next two shots. But, not his third. )

[braveoff]

Too forward for you?

[ Though Drake didn't think he'd ever be in this position. He finds his focus again and takes another shot, sinking one that had ricocheted off William's miss, then circling to find another. He misses -- William is winning but that's not a surprise. ]

Next time we're playing poker, I'm better at that.

[slavophile]

( Or, too easy. He's never been good at admitting who he wants or keeping them. It's too big a vulnerability. )

The next time we can play poker.

( He promises. He also leans over and hits - yep, hits another ball in. )

It's a date. I've never played poker.

[braveoff]

[ Wait what? Drake watches William sink another ball, holding his cue in front of him with bewilderment. ]

...how have you never played poker? I need to teach you.

[slavophile]

I don't gamble. Outside of acquiring companies, I don't -- gamble.

( He could probably play poker. It's odds, right? )

I'd love to learn.