[ 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. ]
Uhh, let's go with no other person for now. We can revisit the other one later, if that's cool.
[ For some reason, he had expected some kind of argument there, it was kind of nice not to be right.]
Oh no, hard same, I want us to be on the same page. I don't have any interest in anyone else, or sharing you with anyone else. But, I am also still kind of learning here.
[ And now their food was being set down before them. The waitress smart enough to say nothing as she asked if they needed anything, but would scurry off fast either way.]
[ Harley's deepest secret: she's actually pretty good at monogamy.
She smiled at the waitress when the food was set down, not that the woman saw it with how fast she retreated. Harley plucked a fry off her plate and popped it in her mouth. Something was still bothering her and she chewed it over. ]
Does it bother you that you didn't get to fuck other people before settling down? Is that something you'll regret?
[ If he realized it, that would probably make him giddy.
The woman likely knew who she was, if not both of them. No one wants trouble at work. Being between Gotham, Newark, and New York? Lots of costumed crazies come in. Gary had gotten himself a steak with some broccoli and loaded mashed potatoes. Being careful of the paper ring, he started to cut it up when she asked her question.
He paused, looking to her at his side. ]
Nope, not at all, dude. I don't care about that. You make me happy, I hope I will make you happy, and that's what matters to me. As long as you don't care that I'm not very experienced, then I don't care either.
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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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[ For some reason, he had expected some kind of argument there, it was kind of nice not to be right.]
Oh no, hard same, I want us to be on the same page. I don't have any interest in anyone else, or sharing you with anyone else. But, I am also still kind of learning here.
[ And now their food was being set down before them. The waitress smart enough to say nothing as she asked if they needed anything, but would scurry off fast either way.]
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She smiled at the waitress when the food was set down, not that the woman saw it with how fast she retreated. Harley plucked a fry off her plate and popped it in her mouth. Something was still bothering her and she chewed it over. ]
Does it bother you that you didn't get to fuck other people before settling down? Is that something you'll regret?
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The woman likely knew who she was, if not both of them. No one wants trouble at work. Being between Gotham, Newark, and New York? Lots of costumed crazies come in. Gary had gotten himself a steak with some broccoli and loaded mashed potatoes. Being careful of the paper ring, he started to cut it up when she asked her question.
He paused, looking to her at his side. ]
Nope, not at all, dude. I don't care about that. You make me happy, I hope I will make you happy, and that's what matters to me. As long as you don't care that I'm not very experienced, then I don't care either.
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Gary.
Babe.
You love to eat pussy and you have a dick like a coke can. You make me very happy.
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Dude, the things you say. [ A kiss placed against her cheek.] Glad I can make you happy, like for real.
[ He'd never thought he'd hear his dick described as a coke can, but it was flattering, for sure.]
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