[ Harley wrapped her arms around him and dragged him into a kiss long enough that they missed the chance to get off the elevator and she had to hot the button again. ]
[ Gary didn't even have a chance to respond before she drug him into that long kiss.
Both hands resting on her hips at least until they had to part for her to press the button. Another kiss pressed to her cheek when she pressed the button. ]
[ Harley kissed him again and dragged him with her through the doors when they slid open again, or else the two of them might never get off the elevator. ]
[ As soon as she drug him off the elevator, his eyes went wide.]
Oh! Dude, one second, I left my book over there.
[ The chair he had waited for her in had a thick Vault of Horror graphic novel still sitting on it. At least it was only a step or two away from her to grab it, then back to her to head on outside.]
[ At least the interruption was enough to break the endless cycle of smooching. Harley took his arm as they walked next door to the Chili's and they read comics together, her pressed against his side while he turned the pages, until a table was free.
When they were seated, she started playing footsie under the table. ]
[ The distraction helped, and he didn't lose his book. All in all a win. He enjoyed sitting with her reading over it. Probably explaining some of the characters here and there.
He played footsie back with her once they were seated. The book sat on the seat next to him as he looked over the menu. Looking up, he grinned again. That clearly hadn't struck him yet despite all they had done and said. ]
Oh my god! You're my girlfriend now. This is so cool, Harley, you're so awesome!
Not really now, but before? I don't know. It just seemed possible, you're so cool, and while I think I am cool, I am nowhere near your level. I love you and am glad we always get to spend time together, but before today? Kinda. That's not on you, I still sometimes think of myself the way I used to be.
[ Here's that nervous habit of babbling showing itself. But he squeezed her hand as he spoke, a silent show that he wanted to keep her hand in his.
Now was his turn to look puzzled.]
Well, yeah that, but like what you expect dude. Things like loyalty, which, duh. But, I don't know, don't leave the seat up? [ Gary should have thought that one out too, but he wanted to make sure they had a good foundation. ]
[ Harley listened to him babble with a thoughtful expression. ]
Before now... If you'd asked right after the first time we fucked I would have said no. I would've assumed you were just carried away with the afterglow, and I was still working through the end of everything with Joker. And then there was in Corto Maltese.
The night you came over and we got take out and played Smash. I would have said yes then, but ... I don't think it would have worked. I would have treated you like a rebound.
Tonight is the first time we've had a real shot at this.
[ Gary nodded as she spoke. It all made sense. At least their order was probably already in, otherwise a waitress is walking over to a interesting talk.]
I mean, before you went away, it didn't even seem possible. Plus, I didn't even realize I loved you yet any of those times. [ A small breath taken.]
And, while I probably wouldn't have minded being a rebound, but it would have totally ruined our friendship, I think. I so don't want to happen, it would be wicked disappointing. Even if we break up sometime, I still want us to be able to be friends. I'll always be there for you, dude.
[ Easier said at the start, but he liked to think it was possible. Not that he wanted to think much on it. ]
Oh, Harley, never. I don't even want to think about it as a possibility. That was just hypothetical.
[ That is to be expected. If protecting the Monarch doesn't get him killed, an attempted break-up would. ]
Oh hell yes, there so was. [ He couldn't help that content look when she said that she loved him again. Best kind of butterflies. ] So, we had this long ride back from the Venture compound after shit hit the fan. Monarch was half dead, and we had to take a train back to Jersey since they wouldn't let him on a plane. It took nearly two days. Pretty view, but so boring.
[ He explained with a wave of his free hand.
The waitress dropping their drinks off and scurrying off before either could ask for anything. ]
I spent a lot of time thinking on the way back, and it just kind of hit me that first night. You were there for me when 24 died, you always made me feel welcome before and after, More, so after I took all that time off. [ And came back a beefcake and looking scarier than he was. ] Outside my bosses, you're the only other person still alive, whose always been there for me. Hands down. And not just because you totally popped my cherry.
[ That smile growing had those butterflies stirring again. She was adorable, and this starting honeymoon phase was as awesome as books made it out to be. ]
I think so, too, dude. It's going to be so totally awesome!
[ With his free hand, he lifted the fruity cocktail he had ordered to take a drink. ]
So, what kind of places do you normally like to go? [ That question seemed safe. ]
[ He didn't even think much of it. Just keeping that smile on his face thinking she was adorable. He is always the last to find something out, and today it's danger.
The boy scouts and the fluttering horse did not prepare him for the crazy hot scale.]
That's fair, I've had a few nights like that. As long as your having fun.
[ Maybe he'd figure it out by the time she was walking down the aisle. She tapped the makeshift ring in satisfaction and went back to holding his hand. ]
[ Garys smile went from pleased to more bittersweet. Most of his wild nights had been out with his long dead best friend. He squeezed her hand when she went back to holding his.]
Most of them were due to us all being bored back on the cocoon. Fake Ids and stupid choices. [ his free hand reaching up to rub that back of his head. ] Like the night of the Monarch's bachelor party is still the most I've ever woke up hung over. I still don't remember much outside of getting my first tattoo and us thinking it would be smart to kidnap Brock and the Ventures.
[ He chuckled. ] Still don't know how we pulled that off, really.
[ This big dork moved an arm around her shoulders as soon as she was next to him. ]
Not really, no. When 24 died I straightened up my act a lot. I go to a few parties now and then but nothing major. It's cool though, it gives me more time for my hobbies.
[ The matching straw rings were cute. And that got a kiss dropped to the top of her head.]
Totally not, I want you to have fun, dude. I don't know if it's my scene but I wouldn't mind going now and then. [ He playfully nudged her.] Just don't mess around with another guy, that's all I ask.
[ He can't be certain, but he has a feeling he would be jealous. The swinger thing Malcolm and Sheila had never seemed appealing to him.]
To be clear, do you mean no other guys or no other person? 'Cuz I dated a guy who was really into me hooking up with women. Not that I plan on fucking around behind your back! I just want to make sure we're on the same page.
[ She didn't really want to mess around with anyone if he wasn't part of it anyway. ]
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[ Harley wrapped her arms around him and dragged him into a kiss long enough that they missed the chance to get off the elevator and she had to hot the button again. ]
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Both hands resting on her hips at least until they had to part for her to press the button. Another kiss pressed to her cheek when she pressed the button. ]
This is such an epic day, total win!
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Stop being cute or we'll never get to dinner!
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[ As soon as she drug him off the elevator, his eyes went wide.]
Oh! Dude, one second, I left my book over there.
[ The chair he had waited for her in had a thick Vault of Horror graphic novel still sitting on it. At least it was only a step or two away from her to grab it, then back to her to head on outside.]
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When they were seated, she started playing footsie under the table. ]
You're my boyfriend now.
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He played footsie back with her once they were seated. The book sat on the seat next to him as he looked over the menu. Looking up, he grinned again. That clearly hadn't struck him yet despite all they had done and said. ]
Oh my god! You're my girlfriend now. This is so cool, Harley, you're so awesome!
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Oh thank God, it woulda sucked if we weren't on the same page there.
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[ He admitted, but when she reached for his hand, he held hers in return. That grin so wasn't fading anytime soon. The waitress better be prepared.]
So, since I'm a novice at this, any rules I should know, dude?
[ Obviously no cheating, but he's sure there's more. ]
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Does it feel like I would've said no?
[ She tipped her head and looked a little puzzled. ]
Rules? Like my safeword, or what?
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[ Here's that nervous habit of babbling showing itself. But he squeezed her hand as he spoke, a silent show that he wanted to keep her hand in his.
Now was his turn to look puzzled.]
Well, yeah that, but like what you expect dude. Things like loyalty, which, duh. But, I don't know, don't leave the seat up? [ Gary should have thought that one out too, but he wanted to make sure they had a good foundation. ]
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Before now... If you'd asked right after the first time we fucked I would have said no. I would've assumed you were just carried away with the afterglow, and I was still working through the end of everything with Joker. And then there was in Corto Maltese.
The night you came over and we got take out and played Smash. I would have said yes then, but ... I don't think it would have worked. I would have treated you like a rebound.
Tonight is the first time we've had a real shot at this.
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I mean, before you went away, it didn't even seem possible. Plus, I didn't even realize I loved you yet any of those times. [ A small breath taken.]
And, while I probably wouldn't have minded being a rebound, but it would have totally ruined our friendship, I think. I so don't want to happen, it would be wicked disappointing. Even if we break up sometime, I still want us to be able to be friends. I'll always be there for you, dude.
[ Easier said at the start, but he liked to think it was possible. Not that he wanted to think much on it. ]
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[ If he ever leaves her, he's a dead man. But it should go without saying. ]
Was there a moment when you knew? I didn't until tonight, and then it was like-- ding, obvious, of course I'm in love with you.
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[ That is to be expected. If protecting the Monarch doesn't get him killed, an attempted break-up would. ]
Oh hell yes, there so was. [ He couldn't help that content look when she said that she loved him again. Best kind of butterflies. ] So, we had this long ride back from the Venture compound after shit hit the fan. Monarch was half dead, and we had to take a train back to Jersey since they wouldn't let him on a plane. It took nearly two days. Pretty view, but so boring.
[ He explained with a wave of his free hand.
The waitress dropping their drinks off and scurrying off before either could ask for anything. ]
I spent a lot of time thinking on the way back, and it just kind of hit me that first night. You were there for me when 24 died, you always made me feel welcome before and after, More, so after I took all that time off. [ And came back a beefcake and looking scarier than he was. ] Outside my bosses, you're the only other person still alive, whose always been there for me. Hands down. And not just because you totally popped my cherry.
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She's gonna marry this guy one day. He's got no idea what's coming. Haha, sucker. ]
We're not going to break up. This is for keeps.
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I think so, too, dude. It's going to be so totally awesome!
[ With his free hand, he lifted the fruity cocktail he had ordered to take a drink. ]
So, what kind of places do you normally like to go? [ That question seemed safe. ]
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I usually stay in alone or go out clubbing and get absolutely blackout wasted. I'm not good at, like, moderation.
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The boy scouts and the fluttering horse did not prepare him for the crazy hot scale.]
That's fair, I've had a few nights like that. As long as your having fun.
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Yeah? Tell me about your wild nights.
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Most of them were due to us all being bored back on the cocoon. Fake Ids and stupid choices. [ his free hand reaching up to rub that back of his head. ] Like the night of the Monarch's bachelor party is still the most I've ever woke up hung over. I still don't remember much outside of getting my first tattoo and us thinking it would be smart to kidnap Brock and the Ventures.
[ He chuckled. ] Still don't know how we pulled that off, really.
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That was so long ago. Do you not cut loose anymore?
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Not really, no. When 24 died I straightened up my act a lot. I go to a few parties now and then but nothing major. It's cool though, it gives me more time for my hobbies.
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Will it bother you when I go out? Do you want to come with me?
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Totally not, I want you to have fun, dude. I don't know if it's my scene but I wouldn't mind going now and then. [ He playfully nudged her.] Just don't mess around with another guy, that's all I ask.
[ He can't be certain, but he has a feeling he would be jealous. The swinger thing Malcolm and Sheila had never seemed appealing to him.]
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[ She didn't really want to mess around with anyone if he wasn't part of it anyway. ]
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