Movie night! [Rina/Tal/Draco!]

[Rhi-Rhi]

[I guess this takes place sometime after the Treason thread. xD Or somethin'!]

They were late.

There was no reason for them to be late, not when they all lived in the same bloody building and they were all just an elevator ride away. Gabriel pulled his cell out of his pocket, flipped it open, and checked the time again. Five past seven. Five minutes late. Inexcusable. He didn't know Remi all too well--the man had always sort of given him the cold shoulder, just as he did with virtually everyone else but Alaric--but he knew how Roman was about punctuality and Gods help him if Gabriel was ever late when he was supposed to be meeting up with Roman.

But nooo, it was okay for Roman to be late. This made two times in recent memory. Two!

Then again, the arrangement tonight had been sort of impromptu, and he hadn't exactly invited Roman and Roman hadn't exactly agreed. As usual, it had consisted of Gabriel telling Roman that he would be coming to movie night--and he would. The man needed to stop wasting away over his work, and what was more, it had horrified Gabriel that he didn't even know what movies were currently playing in the theaters.

Roman seriously needed a little culture in his life.

Gabriel shoved the phone back into his pocket and leaned back on the couch, glowering at his 36-inch flatscreen television. He'd gotten it all set up and ready to go, and it was currently on mute, playing the menu screen of the horror flick Alaric had picked out. He'd give him a few more minutes, and then he'd unleash hell on Roman's cellphone inbox. He could just call him, or even get Siren to bug him, but there was just something innately satisfying about sending texts and knowing that each time he sent one, Roman would get some annoying notification. He wondered if Roman still had his set on the default beep-and-vibrate one, which would be awesome because that was enough to annoy even him. He knew the guy wasn't too tech literate. Here was to hoping.

"Any word from Remi?" Gabriel leaned against the arm of the couch and looked toward the kitchen, where Alaric was currently fretting over food and probably Remi. Poor guy. Or...girl? Alaric had dressed up like a woman tonight, and Gabriel had helped him coordinate the outfit. He was no expert, but he had a little sister. He thought he did pretty good, and Alaric made a surprisingly hot girl. It was kind of trippy; he kept having to do double-takes.

"'Cause I've heard nothing from Roman. It's like they coordinated this, the lamers." With a sigh, Gabriel got up and padded into the kitchen on white socked feet, dressed comfortably--and normally--in a long-sleeved t-shirt and old, faded jeans. He laid a hand on Alaric's shoulder, practically feeling his distress. Poor guy--girl--was so gone on Remi it was adorable. "Hanging in there alright? Need help? Seriously, if you wanna go try and wrangle Rem-Rem, I can take over in here. I'm just about to try and get a hold of Roman, myself. In fact..."

He pulled out his phone, checked the time again, and frowned. "Yeah, I think we've given them more than enough wiggle room. Dunno about you, Ally, but as far as I'm concerned it's on."

Leaning back against the stove, Gabriel selected Roman from his contacts list and began to compose a series of messages, writing them in the worst text-speak he knew.

Gabriel
7:12 pm
Text: romaaaaaaan
Gabriel
7:13 pm
Text: r u der???
Gabriel
7:14 pm
Text: d00d
Gabriel
7:14 pm
Text: ur l8
Gabriel
7:14 pm
Text: lyk rly l8
Gabriel
7:15 pm
Text: git
Gabriel
7:16 pm
Text: ur
Gabriel
7:16 pm
Text: @$$
Gabriel
7:17 pm
Text: ovr
Gabriel
7:18 pm
Text: here
Gabriel
7:18 pm
Text: !!!!1!

He waited a few minutes, biding his time, then flipped his phone open again so he could send a final text.

Gabriel
7:22 pm
Text: plz? (:

[Anonymous]

Alaric had no idea how Gabriel could be so calm. Well, honestly he wasn't sure how he was so nervous. It's not like he didn't know Remi was a grumpy pants. He had to drag the man kicking and screaming everywhere. Sense Izya had died, Alaric couldn't think of a single time the dratted blond on gone anywhere without a fuss.

Thinking about Izya made Alaric smile briefly, forgetting about being panicked. He missed her quite a bit. They had conspired many a time about ways to tease poor Remi. Though Alaric had enjoyed getting to spend the time with her as much as he had enjoyed teasing Remi.

Remi was late. Not by a lot, but by enough that Alaric was starting to get fidgety. He had checked the food for the millionth time, tugging absently on his loose sleeves. He was now feeling nervous about his clothes. It had seemed rather fun at the time, but now he was worried Remi would think he looked weird. Not that he minded the clothes, it didn't matter to him what gender he looked like, but he was aware that people were used to thinking of him as he.

Alaric didn't look much like a he currently. His long white hair was braided and hung down over his shoulder. He had put on a bit of light makeup that complimented his features well. The clothes had a sexy, casual just rolled out of bed look to them despite having taken quite some time for him and Gabriel to agree on. A oversized, baggy sweater a slightly darker shade of blue then his eyes with a deep v-neck that had a tendency to slide off his shoulder, a white lacy tank top, tight jean mini skirt and a pair of skin tight leggings that showed off the fact that Alaric had rather shapely legs.

Gabriel appearing in the kitchen was a nice distraction and he smiled at his friend, "No. No word. And he's normally early for things. So this is...extra late for him!" Alaric huffed, looking quite annoyed, "I really don't want to have to go down to his room and remind him of the fact that I am quite a bit larger then him."

Watching Gabriel text Alaric couldn't help but laugh, reading over his friends shoulder as he harassed poor Roman. Once the text storm was done, Alaric took out his own phone, his message less annoying and had better spelling.

Alaric
7:19 pm
Text: Remi! You are late! You promised! Get over here or I will come get you!

Alaric glanced up at Gabriel, his expression worried, "What if he doesn't want to come? Because he really does hate me..."

[Tally]

The eighth time Roman's phone chimed up to warn him of a new text message, he finally lost it and grabbed the thing off his desk.  Through a lot of guesswork and a bit of random button mashing he found his way to the texts.  Gods above but he wished he had his old phone back.  Never thought he would actually miss that thing.  But no sooner does he  get comfortable with all its bells and whistles than Scheherazade tells him it's time to upgrade to a newer version.  Thus did she drag him once again into the redeeming glow of current technology.

Except it was proving little more than a noisy paperweight.  Even as he read through the barely comprehensible text messages from Gabriel, another popped up.

And another.

And another...

"Son of a bitch," he muttered, getting up from the desk and shoving his chair back into place.  It had gotten dark while he worked, and he too wrapped up in the evening's paperwork to notice.  Another batch of candidates were coming up on their three-month evaluations and that meant hours sitting at a desk and pouring over their training reports.  When he'd begun working, the murky sunlight from the window had been all he needed to see.  Now, a single desk lamp and the city nightglow outside provided the only light, leaving most of the office in shadow.  

He hated to leave all those candidate evaluations just lying there—out of place, haphazard—but his phone chirped yet again.  He clenched it in a fist and thought of replying back—assuming he he could even figure out how—but that would most like just encourage more of the same.  The papers could wait, he supposed.  He didn't intend to be gone for long.

Upon arriving at Gabriel's apartment, he didn't bother with a knock or any such request to enter.  Just let himself in and strode right into the kitchen and right up to Gabriel.

"One hour."  He held up a finger.  "Just one hour.  Then I'm leaving.  Do we understand each other?"  He had shit to do.  Forcing himself to sit still for even an hour would have him restless and anxious.  In the meanwhile, he would get Gabriel to show him how to turn off the text message sound alerts on his phone.

Roman glanced at Alaric to acknowledge him, then did a double take.  He gave the kid an up-and-down, taking it all in.  "That is plain disconcerting.  Huh."  That Alaric was a hermaphrodite was common knowledge, but Roman couldn't recall ever having seen him dressed as a chick before.  It was the familiar face looking at him from the other side of the gender line that made Roman's brows climb up his forehead.

Anyway.

"One hour," he said again to Gabriel, hoping straight up repetition would drive the point into his skull.

[Anonymous]

Groping at his phone, Remi picked up the offending buzzing piece of technology and glared at the shiny screen before flipping it open to glare at it. He was late for that little get together he promised to go to. Gabriel, Roman and Alaric.  Sitting up in his dark apartment, the book he’d been reading falling away from his chest he sighed and pushed a hand through his hair before reading the message Alaric had sent him. Eugh, come and get him. Remi looked around his apartment and sighed softly, no way would he let Alaric come get it.

He’d get a pep talk about cleaning and not living in a big mess. Remi did his work, he did his work well, when he was finished with it he left and went home and had a drink. Well, he hadn’t had any drinks today, he’d just gotten a book and layed on the couch, falling asleep with it on his face and turning off the lights before he fell completely asleep. The slightest noise woke Remi up, so the buzzing had him wide awake in a moment. Of course the book was on his chest now.

Remi looked down and frowned slightly, make that on the floor. Whatever. Sitting up and stretching, he flicked his hand more out of habit than necessity to turn the light on before going to the bathroom quickly to brush his teeth, give a big yawn, give his bright yellow hair a finger comb and open his shirt to poke at his scars. They were becoming an obsession, his scars, ugly disfiguring things. Leaning in close to the mirror he stared at himself for a moment before he sighed, scooped up his phone and changed his shirt. A simple white t-shirt, and he had really switched it up, he was wearing jeans.

Putting his phone in his pocket he began on his trek to Gabriels apartment. That’s where he could remember being told it was being. If only Gabriel was there he’d turn right around and go home, he had gotten on well with the boy while he had been Alarics mentor, but everything had fallen apart after his wife’s death. Letting out a quiet grumble, he made his way to the designated location and glared at the door before opening it and walking it.

Then he spotted the other guests. Roman looking over worked and tired as usual, Gabriel looking like... Gabriel. Alaric looked like a woman. Remi blinked at him and rose an eyebrow at him before looking behind himself at the door, then at the room, then he tilted his head again and blinked. Whatever. Alaric made a great chick, better legs than more than half the full-women pilots.

Remi hadn’t spared the other two men more than quick glance, already feeling awkward around the pair. Shifting form foot to foot he kept his gaze to the ground before he looked back up and clenched his teeth, his finger playing with the wedding rings on his right hand, the ring finger and his wife’s on his pinky. Crossing his arms over his chest he quietly cleared his throat and looked to all of them before giving a slow nod. “Sorry for being late, I,” Remi smirked slightly at a closed off thought, was having another bout of self pity, “was busy.”

He hadn’t moved much except for shifting his weight foot to foot and looking around awkwardly, offering a quick emotionless smile. “So, what were we doing again and how soon can I leave?” whoops. Remi winced a tiny bit before lifting his head and moving his hands to his pockets, that hadn’t meant to slip out.

[Rhi-Rhi]

Gabriel sighed and rolled his eyes. "Ally," he said, grabbing his friend's braid and playfully dusting Alaric's nose with the end of it, "You worry way too much. Chillax! That Remi even lets you drag him around pretty much says he likes you."

He let go of Alaric's braid and pat him on the shoulder, giving it a reassuring squeeze. For all that Alaric looked tall and tough with his claws and teeth (well, maybe not very tough right now; right now he just looked pretty and girlie) he was surprisingly vulnerable and Gabriel knew it. "If he really didn't wanna do something, he'd do something assy like pull rank. He's a Noble, you're Echo, you couldn't make him do shiznit if he didn't wanna do it. Heck, maybe he likes being dragged around and that's why he's being slow. So if he doesn't show, that just means we drag his butt here," he added with a smile.

He was more than ready to keep going with the comforting words, hoping to boost his friend's self-confidence, but he heard the door open and turned to see Roman striding on over looking like his usual tired, perturbed self. Probably interrupted him from work--considering that was like all he did, work, work, work. Nonetheless, Gabriel perked up and flashed him a smile as he approached, half raised his hand and opened his mouth to say 'hi'--

But Roman beat him and, of course, cut straight to the chase. Gabriel eyed Roman's finger and slowly arched an eyebrow, then looked back up at Roman and bit back a laugh. One hour. Did he seriously believe what he was saying? Had he learned nothing? Gabriel shook his head and grinned knowingly, deciding to let Roman believe that for the moment. "Well, gee, hello to you, too! It's good to see you. I'm doing great, thanks for asking," he said, and nudged Roman in the ribs with his elbow. One hour. Pffft. Right. That was happening.

Then Roman, in an excellent display of his usual stellar tact and social grace, had to call Alaric 'disconcerting'.

And people said he had no brain-to-mouth filter! "ROMAN!" Gabriel exclaimed, and took out his urge to facepalm on Roman instead, bopping him upside the head. "Have you no tact?! Jeebus! That better only be disconcerting because he's smokin' hot! Which he is!" He shot Alaric a worried glance, hoping he didn't take that to heart. He was already so nervous about the Remi business so this was the last thing he needed.

Catching Roman's arm, he dragged him just outside the kitchen and leaned in close, lowering his voice to a whisper. "Be nice! He's already all worried over dressing like that, so try not to make him feel bad about--"

The door opened again, and Gabriel looked over his shoulder to see Remi, looking like a ray of sunshine as usual.

Talking like a ray of sunshine, too. Gabriel groaned quietly and let his shoulders slouch. "Jeez, guys, how about a 'yay so what movie are we watching?'" he said, frowning at Remi before rounding on Roman again. "By the way, you don't watch movies much, do ya? No movie's an hour long, and then factor in having snacks and stuff. You're staying until the movie's over if I have to tie you to a chair. Both of you," he added, shooting Remi a meaningful, straight-lipped look.

Point made, he smiled again and took a step back from Roman. "C'mon, it'll be fun. We all don't get together enough."

[Anonymous]

"You think so?" Alaric gave Gabriel a small smile, laughing and batting his friend away. He liked to think that because he was the only one Remi did tolerate, that his former mentor did like him. Well, like him in the way Alaric wanted to be cared about. He knew Remi cared about him, he didn't doubt that. Just, if it was like like or not.

Rolling his eyes at himself, Alaric fiddled with the end of the braid. Everything would be okay. There was  Gabriel and movies. What could go wrong, right? It was always fun with just the two of them, so how could adding two of their other friends make it worse? He was just freaking out over nothing.

"You are rig-" He blinked, trailing off as Roman suddenly appeared, jabbing a finger at Gabriel and starting in on his tirade of how he was not staying long. Alaric could never tell if Roman actually liked him or not, and it made him nervous around the Pilot. He got such strong reactions from people, that when he wasn't sure how someone felt about him, Alaric tended to just avoid them.

But Gabriel was his best friend, so he ended up spending time around Roman. And was never sure what to do or say. So he stood there, awkwardly twisting his braid and unsure what to say. Then Roman gave him the weirdest look and informed him he was disconcerting.

Now, Alaric didn't often wear skirts and he expected Remi at least to give him an odd look. But...he had thought he at least looked alright. He hadn't thought he was that weird looking. A look of surprise and hurt crossed his features before he could recover from the surprise of Roman's comment.

His pale skin flushed a bit of a darker blue, all the way out to his large ears, "Oh. I'm sorry...I hadn't..." Alaric stammered, still a little too started to collect his thoughts. He wasn't used to outright insults from Roman.

"Gabby...really...it's okay. Probably should have warned him..." Smacking Roman over it seemed a bit much to Alaric, though he knew Gabriel's heart was in the right place, "Humans are weird about gender roles."

As his blond friend dragged Roman out of the kitchen, Alaric did his best to recover from the comment. He shouldn't have let it or the look get to him. It was expected. He had been expecting it. He just hadn't really been expecting it to hurt that badly.

The door opening again got Alaric to move into the other room, curious if Roman and left or Remi had arrived. He was still rather blue cheeked from Roman's comment and not looking quite as perky as he normally did.

He started to smile at the sight of Remi in jeans, until his ex-mentor did a double take, turning to check he was in the right room. Alaric's blush got even worse and he looked a bit hurt by the look. He had been trying to look pretty, not stupid. This was the last time he was going to ever wear a skirt. Ever.

Remi's next comment at first made Alaric feel a little guilty, then the pilot stood up straighter, glaring at Roman and Remi, "You know what you two? All we have done is asked that you spend a few hours watching a damn movie with us. Because for whatever reason, Gabs and I like your company. Stop acting like it's damn torture!" Alaric had gone right past self pity and into annoyance. "Now, sit your asses down on the fucking couch and pretend you actually like us for a minute. It wont kill you!" To emphasize his point, he jabbed one long, wicked looking claw at the couch, "And I am sorry my wearing a stupid skirt is so damn disconcerting! I wont do it again! And the next person who looks at me funny for it is getting kicked!"

Alaric continued to glare, daring someone to argue with him about it. This was going to be fun god damn it, "Also...I have made snacks. Please help yourself."

[Tally]

"What?" Roman said, matching Gabriel's volume.  Alaric could hear every word for all he cared.  Say one thing that wasn't validating his friend's self worth and the Gabriel threw a tantrum.  As if Alaric would crumble into tears at one mildly critical word.  Roman refused to believe that and if it were at all true then Gabriel was doing Alaric a disservice in encouraging that kind of sensitivity.  

"I didn't say he looked bad did I?  Huh?  No!  So don't have a bloody hissy fit over nothing!"  Roman shut his mouth then, reminded suddenly of a certain incident over a certain spoon that had gotten him way angrier than it should have.  "And don't bop me," he added, and flicked Gabriel in the forehead in retaliation.

His gaze cut to the door as it opened to admit Remi.  Roman didn't have much for him beyond a nod in acknowledgment of his presence.  Years ago, when Roman had gotten back from campaign on Mars, Remi had already made Pilot and aside from a few chance meetings when they were mentoring Gabriel and Alaric, their professional lives had not crossed much.  All Roman really knew of the man was that he minded his own business, and considering how many Pilots suffered from a powerful need to meddle, that was enough for him to hold a positive impression.

Roman looked from Remi to Alaric, who had the oddest hurt puppy look on his face.  Made Roman consider the girlish outfit in the light of new understanding.

Which wasn't going to get Alaric off the hook for this sudden outburst.  Eyebrows climbing up his forehead, Roman stared at the younger Pilot.  Alaric had never dared to speak to him like that.  He'd wanted the kid to stop it with the meek self pity bit, but this wasn't what he'd had in mind.

He considered just how angry he should be over this, taking into account that they were off duty and that he couldn't very well tell Gabriel not to make a big deal over nothing then commit that very act himself.  Then again, he still didn't think what he'd said was all that bad.  Didn't warrant Alaric going batshit, and Roman didn't generally tolerate a subordinate cursing at him.

He said nothing out loud.  But in a closed thought to Alaric he said simply, "Try to find a setting between oversensitive and insubordination yeah?"

There.  Not too harsh.  And as Gabriel didn't know about it, he wouldn't be able to get on his back about it.

If he was stuck here, he was going to be comfortable, so he chose one of the big armchairs and settled into it.  Gabriel had nice furniture, he had to admit.  Cozy-like.

"Let's get some food over here," he commanded, snapping his fingers at Gabriel.  "And drinks."  Smiling, he added, "Best keep me happy or I might leave."  He should have thought of this sooner, holding his presence hostage to get what he wanted.

[Anonymous]

( it's suck )

Ooo, bad time. Remi blinked owlishly and just stared. He knew Alaric was a hermaphrodite, but the fact that Alaric only ever dressed like a man, seeing him dressed in a skirt was a bit of a smack in the nose. He’d have reacted the same if Gabriel was running around in a tutu, stare for a few minutes, shrug it off, decided he was just fucked in the head and go about on his merry little way.

When Alaric got his back up about it, Remi could only assume that Roman had stared, too. Obediantely, because while Remi had been mentor and was a higher rank, one swipe of those nasty claws could leave Remi with a new set of scars, and all in all, Alaric was possibly the stronger psychic of the two higher ranked ones who as far as Remi knew about Romans ability, were more subtle and less...  Remi paused on his mental meandering and looked to Alaric. Like a child flailing around bubbles.

All the would be popped eventually, unless they ran away.

Remi was all ready to sit on the couch, closest to the door, he was sitting resting his hand on his chin when Roman snapped his fingers. Odd pink eyes turned towards Roman and he watched the elder Pilot. Of course Remi knew of Roman, but hardly had they ever actually conversed outside of Pilot duties, both being so obviously different. Shaking his head and rolling his eyes to the other Pilot, Remi leaned back in the couch and crossed his arms over his chest.

“I’m good. I’ll sit here and wait for the movie to be over.” He smiled brightly before leaning back into the couch and getting comfortable.

[Rhi-Rhi]

Gabriel smiled smugly, satisfaction replacing annoyance as he eyed Roman knowingly. If that wasn't the pot calling the kettle black, Gabriel didn't know what was; it didn't take much to goad Roman into a shouting match over something neither of them should care about. His grin only faltered when Roman flicked his forehead, and he winced, rubbed the spot, and opened his mouth to retaliate when Alaric cut in.

Oh crap. He thought he had diffused the situation, but apparently not.

When Alaric snapped, Gabriel stared silently. It wasn't like he'd never seen Alaric angry before, but it still surprised him whenever it happened because it was so few and far between--and that made him just a little scary when he finally did get pissed. Oh no. He was even cursing Roman and Remi out. That couldn't end well. Gabriel looked over at Roman and held his breath, simultaneously proud of Alaric for standing up for himself and desperately hoping this whole get-together wasn't about to deflate before it had even begun. Roman could be unpredictable like that. Not long ago and Gabriel had full on harassed him about a spoon with no consequences, yet prior to that he'd nearly earned himself a lockout for calling Roman a 'n00b' online--and Gabriel was fully aware that Roman tolerated more from him than from other Pilots. Aware of it, and abusive of it.

But Roman said nothing. He looked surprised, seemed to consider it for a moment, and then just went over and took a seat in the armchair. Gabriel released the breath he had been holding and exchanged looks with Alaric. Now the crisis had been averted.

Didn't take long for Roman to make himself at home and start barking orders, and Gabriel rolled his eyes at him. He half expected him to tack on a 'woman' at the end of that. Jeez. "Sure thing, honey. Anything for you, muffin. Do you want me to feed it to you, too?" he asked, and then clamped his mouth shut, recalling the pie incident. "Uh, never mind. Just hold your horses. Ally, you better get on weighing Remi down with food, too," he added with a wink.

Leaving Alaric to handle Remi, give them a little alone time to meet and greet since that hadn't been much of a greeting, he escaped to the kitchen, fished a glass out of the cupboard, and poured Roman a glass of the tea Alaric had made earlier that had been cooling in the 'fridge. Then came the ice, and last but not least a little slice of lemon on the rim--not in the glass, as much as he would have loved Roman to have a conniption, but since Roman was holding himself hostage he'd be nice. Lemon. He never bought lemons and if it weren't for Alaric he'd probably have a typical bachelor's refrigerator, but tonight he'd come prepared and he and Alaric had made sure his house was stocked with stuff their friends liked.

Like tea and lemons. Blech. He didn't see why Roman couldn't just have lemon flavored tea.

Opening up his microwave, he stuck a bag of popcorn in, and while that popped he fixed up a plate of cookies and carried that and the tea out to Roman.

"You play dirty, by the way," he said, reaching over Roman to set the plate and the glass on a side table by the chair. "And after everything I've done for you, too. I cut up lemon for you. Squirted me in the eye and everything, so when you drink that, remember it was made with my sweat and tears--wait, that sounds gross, don't think, just drink it. Promise it's just tea and lemon in there. Anyway, popcorn's on the way, and Ally, I think that last batch of whatever you had in the oven's done. Oh, right!"

He went over and snatched a coaster off his coffee table, then leaned against the side of the armchair and waggled the coaster at Roman. "Forgetting something? For shame."

[Anonymous]

To be honest, Alaric was about as surprised as the rest of them at his outburst. He had just kind of reached the end of his tolerance for people treating him like a freak. He didn't try and look like a guy. And he only used male pronouns because he didn't like the connotation it had. He wasn't a man or a woman. He was both. But apparently humans...and fae, couldn't seem to handle that.

And having people act like it was a hardship to spend time with him was getting old. And that had caused him to snap. Which now that he had lost his initial flash of rage he was starting to regret how badly he had lost his temper. His pale icy blue skin flushed to a slightly darker blue and he lowered his clawed hand, looking sheepishly at Remi.

Roman's comment in his mind got the older Pilot a sharp look from Alaric and he frowned slightly. But he knew that Roman was a little right. He shouldn't have sworn. He kept his reply to Roman closed off from the other two, "I apologize for the swearing. That was uncalled for. I stick by the rest of it. Sir."

Roman flopping onto the chair made Alaric relax a little. He really hadn't wanted to ruin everything. Roman's comment to gave made Alaric's mouth open slightly. And the fact that Gabby skipped off to bring him the drink only made it odder.

Glancing over at Remi, Alaric gave him a 'don't even think about it' look, "You want a drink, you can say please."

He glanced over at the time, then sniffed the air. The cupcakes should be done. Actually, they should have been out a minute ago, but he had been a little distracted. Gabriel's comment as he returned from the kitchen confirmed it. He grinned at his friend, "Thanks Daddy."

Not realizing his slip up, as Gabriel had won last time they had fought in WoW, Alaric opened the oven and pulled the cupcakes out, setting them onto of the stove, "Hey Remilander. The cupcakes have to cool first, but do you want chocolate or vanilla frosting on them?"

[Tally]

This isn't so bad.

Roman leaned back into the chair and let go some of his tension.  He minded this all far less than he was letting on.  Grousing was just a habit.  But here he was in physical comfort, in company that he actually enjoyed, and without an excess of work on his mind.  He had a chair cozy enough to fall asleep in and Gabriel waiting on him on pain of desertion.  He was content and—dare he even think the word?—happy in this moment.

That had to be bad luck though, and he wished the thought hadn't occurred to him.  Acknowledging a good thing always made him aware of the innumerable ways it might be ruined.  It wouldn't surprise him if they got called away for some crisis in the middle of this.

Then again, the evening might end before it even began if Alaric kept pressing his point.  Roman wasn't about to listen to it, and damn it but now he was half way to taking real issue over this where before he'd been happy to hand wave it away.  Without looking at Alaric he answered.  "Not getting it are you?  Swear all you like.  But put a lid on the tantrums.  It's embarrassing.  And if you give me anything even vaguely like an order again, Echo, you'll spend the rest of the night staring at the wall of a Lead Room cell.  Now drop it."

He aimed one hard stare Alaric's way to drive the point home then dropped the matter from his mind, a move Alaric would be wise to mimic.  Another word about it and Roman would have to make good on his threat, movie night or not.

He's sure happy though, Roman thought, watching Gabriel scurry off to do his bidding and smiling a bit when Gabriel caught his own words and cut in before Roman could bring up what had happened the last time they got on the subject of feeding each other.  And he certainly would have brought it up.  He tried to work that into conversation at every given opportunity.  Even better when Gabriel was within hearing.

But he and Remi had obviously made Gabriel's night.  Any cheerier and he'd be bouncing off the ceiling.

"Not bad," he said, making a show of examining the tea.  And when the coaster made its appearance he genuinely didn't have a thing to complain about.  "Could have done without the commentary."  Sweat and tears.  Really now.  Was there a thought that passed through Gabriel's head that didn't make it past his lips?

Roman snatched the coaster from Gabriel and set it in place.  He snagged one of Gabriel's belt loops before he could disappear to the kitchen again, from which popping sounds issued forth along with the scent of popcorn.  "Shouldn't you be wearing a frilly apron of some kind?"

[Anonymous]

Pink eyes drew to the pale Alien and Remi stared at him for a moment with his eyebrows up, mouth dropping open slightly. “My mother taught me manners, Alairc, you don’t need to worry.” The overwhelming urge to stick his tongue out at Roman rose up his throat, but he just flicked his eyes towards the other man and then resumed his vegitative state on the couch, half listening half mentally falling asleep.

“Daddy?”

His voice was quiet and he smirked slightly, not turning his head and instead just shaking it slightly, his fingers plucking at his pants, his pack of smokes heavy in his pocket. He couldn’t do that here. Maybe he could hang out a window, or sit beside one. Remi chewed on his lower lip before, “Vanilla.” fell out of his mouth, he had to take a minute to think about what he was answering.  “Please.” Oh, right cupcakes.

Mmm, cupcakes.

Screw this. Remi stood up and stretched, running his hands through his hair, succesfully pushing it back past his ears, showing off the poor abused features, reaching into his pocket and going over to a window to crack it open and stand beside it before lighting up a smoke and breathing it the wonderfully addictive death breath. He had to lean outside slightly to make sure most of the smoke got outside.

Funny. They were Pilots, they were all going to die in the line of duty, no falling asleep to do it, no getting the plug pulled. Mortality rate was high. Remi took another drag from his cigarette and smiled softly before smirking and blowing out the smoke. Well, at least they’d be safe from his horrible habit. “So, what’s on the agenda for tonight, People?” Besides vanilla covered cupcakes.

Mmm, cupcakes.

Mmm, vanilla frosting.

[Rhi-Rhi]

Not bad? Coming from Roman that might as well have been glowing praise and Gabriel took it as such. He laughed as the coaster was snatched from his hand. "Whaaat? I figured you'd appreciate it even more if you knew how hard I slaved over that. I mean, c'mon, lemons. I bought lemons for you. Real ones! Not just the juice-in-a-lemon-shaped-container things, but the real freakin' deal. Who else does that for ya, huh?"

He pat Roman on the cheek and turned to follow Alaric into the kitchen so he could help with frosting the cupcakes--and tease the hell out of him for the daddy thing,  which was generally reserved for when no one else was in earshot--but Roman snagged him by a belt loop and he jerked to a halt. He twisted to look at the other Pilot, then at where he was holding him, and a familiar sort of startled embarrassment swept over him before he fought it back the way he always did.

By upping the stakes and taking control.

"D'aaw. Would you like that, Romance?" Gabriel asked as he slid in closer, waggling his eyebrows. He reached down and ran a hand through the other man's hair, massaging his scalp with his fingertips, and leaned in close until his lips almost brushed his ear. "A frilly black maid one with pink bows and ribbons and nothing underneath it?" Then he straightened up and gave Roman's head a light push to the side. "Oh, honeybear, I didn't know you were into that! You dirty old man, you! Now drink your tea and stop fantasizing--I know I'm amazing, but sheesh, time and place, Romy, time and place."

With a wink, he pried himself free--but only because he'd heard a window open, and when he looked up he saw Remi. Smoking. He was blowing it outside, but that was beside the point. Striding across the room, Gabriel went right up to Remi and, silently, reached out and snatched the cigarette from his fingers.

"Cheese and rice, do you have the memory of a gnat or what? We're watching a movie and not smoking. That goes for you, too, sugar plum," he called to Roman before once again fixing Remi with a disapproving frown. "This is a no-smoking zone. Now go sit your bum down."

The cigarette was still smoking, and Gabriel wrinkled his nose, looked around, then leaned out the window and snubbed it out against the side of the building, oh so subtly. And let it accidentally slip out of his hand on purpose. Pfft, it's what they had clean up crews for. Brushing off his hands, he closed the window and snatched the remote off the TV.

"Hey, I'm starting the movie! Better get in here!" he called and pressed 'play'. Of course there were still the previews to get through so that would give them all time to get situated, but he figured he'd better start it now before Remi forgot what they were doing again or Roman tried to escape.

[Anonymous]

Alaric just nodded at Roman, dropping the subject. He really needed to learn to not talk. It always seemed to end with his foot in his mouth. And as his best friend liked Roman, Alaric always got extra nervous around the Royal. He wanted to get along with his best friends crush and yet he always ended up tasting toes.

He stayed back in the kitchen, fidgeting around with stuff while he waited for his guilty flush to fade and untense a little. And fixing Remi a vanilla frosted cupcake with a set of quickly piped on pixie wings, "Daddy? What? I don't know what you are talking about Remi."

Damn it, the blush was back. He had been hopping no one had noticed that. Shit! Well, it looked like Remi was the only one. Gabriel's call forced him out of his hiding place. He took a seat on the end of the couch, long legs tucked under him. It was his corner whenever her and Gabe had movie nights.

"Remi. Cupcake." He gently waved the frosted treat at his former mentor, grinning,, "Now stop picking a fight with Gabe and come sit down."

[Tally]

"Any Citadel aide does that for me," Roman shot back, smug, and calmly took a sip at his tea while Gabriel put on his little show.  He was feeling unusually tolerant—but then Gabriel was being unusually reasonable—and couldn't help but smile in good humor at the antics.  The night may actually go well, if he made an effort not to get surly and Gabriel made an effort not to create an argument out of every other statement.

He followed the conversation between Remi and Gabriel—or rather, the lecture Gabriel was giving to Remi—without turning around.  The iced tea was sweating cold condensation onto his fingers, and he placed it back on the coaster.  "Hey, I didn't even bring a pack."

He knew the rules.  He'd been on the receiving end of that lecture before. Though just knowing there was a lit cigarette nearby set a nicotine craving gnawing at him.  He'd been smoking more and more lately, and thus hiding it more and more.  Not from Gabriel or Scheherezade specifically, but in general he didn't want everyone knowing his habits.  And if it kept Gabriel from leaving pictures of black lungs taped to his door and Scheherezade from giving him one of her chilly silent treatments then all the better.

"But he's right, Remi.  If I can't smoke in here, neither can you."

It hadn't occurred to him until now to wonder what he was going to be stuck watching for the next hour.  Given Gabriel and Alaric's level of taste, he felt justified in eyeing the television with some apprehension.

[Anonymous]

His face grew into a frown and his eyes narrowed, for such a brightly coloured man his expression could turn dark quickly and bright pink eyes narrowed did look a little frightning. He blew the cigarette smoke into the Gabriels ear when he leaned over to put the cancer stick out against the outside wall before glaring again. “Not smoking? I can’t not smoke. I need to smoke. It’s a little more addicting than your ass flavoured coffee.”

Another pink glare was shot towards Roman and he slowly lifted an eyebrow up, opening his mouth to say something before he quickly closed it. Then opened it agan, “Guess if the mentor can’t, the asshole can’t either, can he.” Remi stuck his tongue out childishly at Gabriel before he turned towards the cupcake Alaric had waved around, in his distress of losing his smoke he hadn’t even noticed him sit down.

Gently taking the cupcake, murmuring a quiet thank you he looked at it before staring. Pixie wings. A bemused look was on his face before he stared at Alaric and licked the wings off, smiling happily at the sheer joy of sugar. The fae parts of him made him delight in any sort of sugar life had to offer, even if they were slightly mocking and threatened to make him fat. Remi sat down after eating the cupcake in all of four bites and then leaned back.

There was an awkward amount of space between Alaric and Remi and he swallowed and refused to look to the side.

Now it felt a little awkward. Roman wasn’t his friend, Remi was sure Gabriel hated him. Alaric... Remi was amazed Alaric put up with his bullshit. It would be best if he stayed quiet and left when the movie was over. Mimicing Alaric, Remi tucked his feet under himself, his hands periodically going up to pat down the bright yellow hair by his ears to make sure the scarred mutilated messes were covered. A nervous tic that he didn’t notice that probably anyone who watched him did. He cleared his throat, "What are we watching anyway? Or is it a surprise?"

[Rhi-Rhi]

"That's right," Gabriel told Remi, but he wasn't sure what part he was agreeing with--that Remi was no exception or that Remi was an asshole. Probably both. Years later and Remi's sudden shift from friend to cold, distant stranger still hurt, but he sucked it up and tolerated his presence because Alaric liked him. It didn't mean being around him still didn't sting, especially when Remi stuck his tongue out at him like that, almost like they were still two friends kidding around.

He wasn't sure how to take that. Remi always pushed him away...

Oh well, happy thoughts! Right now, they were all together and had only had one tiff in under twenty minutes. That was pretty good!

Gabriel cracked a little smile when he saw that everyone had gotten situated--though could Alaric and Remi look any more awkward, sitting as far from each other as possible and making every effort not to look at each other? It was kind of cute, in an awkward way. Shaking his head, he made a quick stop back at the kitchen so he could snag himself a cupcake, and then he was back out and standing between the couch and chair, looking for a place to sit.

"It's some horror flick we picked up. Looked pretty freaky!" Freaky enough to give Alaric an excuse to cuddle close to Remi. "I haven't seen it yet so hey, it'll be a fun surprise for all of us, huh? Something about psychotic psychic poltergeists," he added, looking between the two groups, then shrugged and started over toward the couch before pausing.

Hm. There was still room; he could be evil and make them squish together so he could sit, but then they'd have no privacy. Recliner? Roman had it. Floor? It was plush carpet and he had pillows...

Naaaah!

"Huh. Well, gosh. Looks like there's no room," Gabriel said a little too loud, for dramatic effect, and heaved a sigh to go along with it. "Darn. Guess I'll just have to make do."

Then he shuffled back over to the recliner and, without warning, he plopped himself into Roman's lap and started shifting around to get comfortable, making himself at home whether Roman liked it or not. "Looks like it's just you and me, honeybear. I'm not sitting on the floor in my own place so suck it up and deal, cupcake." He paused, then tilted his head back and flashed Roman a smile, offering up his cupcake which was intact except for the frosting, which was half licked off. "Cupcake?"

Meanwhile, the film's title flashed onto the TV screen before dripping away like blood, the scene panning out to some rickety old abandoned hotel. Typical ghost flick.

[Anonymous]

Alaric shook his head at Remi as his old mentor tried to argue about smoking. At least he gave in without too much of a fight. Alaric used to hate the smell of cigarettes. He still hated most of them, but the ones Remi smoked he started to like the scent. They smelled like Remi.

When Remi sat down, Alaric shifted awkwardly. There was quite a bit of space between them and he wanted to close the distance. But it would seem...weird to just suddenly scoot over and curl up against Remi.

He wished he had Gabe's balls when his friend suddenly dropped himself into Roman's lap. Go Gabe!

The credits rolled and Alaric's lips curled into a smile. So cheesy. Hopefully it wasn't too gory. For whatever reason, movie blood and gore freaked Alaric out. He didn't really get it. He had been hunting live prey with his parents since he was 8. He was a soldier! Real blood and gore, cool. Stuff on a TV screen? Creeeeeeepy.

But it was just ghosts. So it shouldn't be too bad. In the dark, Alaric glanced over at the space between him and Remi and shifted his weight again, bringing him just a little closer to Remi. That was subtle. Right?

[Tally]

There was a gap between Alaric and Remi.  A conspicuous, large gap that neither of them were daring to breach, and a whole lot of Remi pointedly not looking at Alaric and Alaric shifting in his seat when the other Pilot joined him on the couch.

Roman was hardly a gossip, and hadn't had much occasion to witness the two of them together, but they couldn't have been more obvious.  And how long had that been going on, he wondered.  He didn't make any effort to hide his observation of their awkward set up, because really how could two adults with a decent education in psychology be so oblivious?

Sad, that's what it was.

"Hey, no," he said, seeing Gabriel turn toward the recliner after making a proclamation.  It was his own damn fault if he didn't think of seating arrangement beforehand, but he was still coming over here like this was going to happen. "No—what did I just say?!"

He grunted as Gabriel plopped himself on top of him.  "What did I say?  Gods. Stop wiggling.  Stop it! Or I'm throwing you off."  A cupcake was thrust at his face.  "Euh...no thank you."

Instead of accepting the proffered disgusting, licked-on cupcake, he nudged Gabriel's hand to smoosh the last of the frosting onto his face.

[Anonymous]

Pastel pink eyes were on Roman and Gabe instead of the TV while they scuffled in the chair. A eyebrow rose and he stared at them before looking at Alaric and thanking all the beings in heaven that Alaric was more... Gentle... with his affection. Gentle and much more shy. Remi winced slightly when Roman smooshed the cupcake up against Gabriels face.

Remi would never even dream of doing something like that to Alaric. “Roman, with the way you play with food you’d get along famously with my daughter.” While he hardly visited his daughter he still got mail about her. He turned away after giving them a quick look and decided to flop down and use Alarics lap as a pillow.

Now there was no room on the couch. Ha.

He closed his eyes for a moment and snuggled closer to Alaric while he stared at the movie screen. Remi didn’t bother to mention that scary movies weren’t really his thing. Neither were movies in general, Remi also didn’t mention that he was likely to fall asleep. Remi’s hand moved up to where his head was and rested on Alaric’s thigh before he smiled to himself. Almost wishing he could see Alaric’s face. It’d probably be all flustered, right?

A content noise and Remi ended up staring at the TV but not really watching it.