Playing House: Less Top Gun, More Cocktail

[notjustaface]

The new job isn't bad, he's only been working a week and they've already upped his hours to almost full time - working the happy hour till after dinner shift six nights a week. Somewhat as he'd expected, the tips are good... really good, and getting better as he starts to draw a regular crowd of people that are drawn to the kind of guy that does what he does.

Which is essentially being shameless.

As it is, it's almost six-thirty and he's already stripped down to his jeans and a bar towel slung over his shoulder - sweat (and just a little bit of the tequila a VIP asked to take a shot of off his abs) shining up his torso. It's kind of his element... like it or not. And admittedly, he kind of likes it... even with his rings on he's the center of attention.

"You missed your calling as a stripper." The owner smirks, handing off a pair of empty glasses to pass back to the dishwasher. "There's more money in it."

"I like this!" He protests, pouring out a double and a vodka martini. "Besides, I'm married." He holds up his finger as though she hadn't clearly seen the evidence when he applied.

"Honey, you think they care?" She raises an eyebrow toward a group of women approaching the bar - clearly ready to party.

"On it, boss."

Comments

[notjustaface]

Content to recline against him, closing his eyes to listen in on the call, Face resorts to gently rubbing his palm over Murdock's belly though his shirt.

Hannibal picks up the phone on the second buzz, recognizing the number but still wanting to be sure they hadn't been caught. "How may I direct your call?"

[notthatcrazy]

He rolls his eyes. He can never decide if the boss is being too paranoid or just paranoid enough.

"I guess asking for a large pizza with extra olives is out of the question, huh?"

[notjustaface]

As far as he's concerned, there's no such thing as too paranoid when you're under constant high alert.

"I don't think Face'd appreciate it unless you put some kind of meat on it." He half-laughed; "What's going on, boys?"

[notthatcrazy]

"Same old boring stuff, thank goodness."

He rests a hand on top of Face's.

"Work, leftovers and a movie."

[notjustaface]

Face snorted, trying not to laugh as he anticipated Hannibal's response.

"Keep an eye on him, Murdock. You know how he gets when he's getting attention."

Like he'd ever let his guard slip.

[notthatcrazy]

"Went to see him at the bar tonight, actually."

He tries to keep his tone light, though he's still annoyed at the implication.

"You'd be surprised how good he was."

That could be taken several ways, most of them true.

[notjustaface]

When it's true, it's true. And Hannibal knows that Face playing into his own game has gotten him in trouble more than once.

"Actually, I'm sure he's excellent. Does he get to take his shirt off?" He half-laughs again, and Face can't help but hold off a laugh with him.

Okay, so he kind of likes getting to work with his shirt off.

[notthatcrazy]

He chuckles. "That's kind of a job requirement."

Glancing back at his partner, he goes quiet for a moment.

"I'm serious, though... there were plenty of times he could've let things slip but he didn't. And I don't think it was just 'cause I was there."

[notjustaface]

Requirement. Sure... everyone believes that.

"I'm just warning you to keep watch, you've still got a few weeks and I'd hate to lose you because he didn't realize someone other than you was watching."

[notthatcrazy]

Requirement, perk... potato, potahto.

"I know. We watch each other's backs."

And fronts. And various other parts. The mention of their dwindling freedom makes him sigh a little, as much as he hates for Hannibal to hear it.

[notjustaface]

"I understand..." Hannibal replied almost wistfully, inhaling deeply off a cigar before adding; "Are you planning to try and stay?"

His voice had dropped quiet enough that Face couldn't hear, which in itself was enough for him to look up at Murdock's eyes trying to read the question before he answered.

[notthatcrazy]

He avoids the curious look in his lover's eyes as he answers quietly.

"He wants to. I don't know yet."

[notjustaface]

"Wants to do what?" Face mutters under his breath so the phone won't pick it up - trying to track the guilty aversion.

"He should know I've been in contact with Captain Sosa - the Army has taken notice of some of our more heroic efforts."

[notthatcrazy]

"In what way?"

He frowns, squeezing Face's hand while still not looking him in the eye.

[notjustaface]

Face doesn't like that squeeze, it means there are going to be questions Murdock isn't going to want to give him clear answers to and might resort to theatrics to get out of.

"They have a job that's probably a trap, but I think we can do it without getting too close."

[notthatcrazy]

He doesn't bother trying to hide his sigh this time.

"You sayin' you need us back?"

He hates having his loyalties divided like this, but he equally hates the thought of the others walking into what might be a set-up alone.

[notjustaface]

"Not yet." Hannibal replies calmly, "But we'll be leaving soon after our scheduled rendezvous time."

Meaning he's already getting everything set up to execute the plan whether they like it or not.

"I'm planning on both of you being there."

[notthatcrazy]

"Right."

Of course he is. He shakes his head.

"Anything else you need or we done checkin' in for the night?"

[notjustaface]

"We're going to need wings, Captain," He answered with a soft exhale; "And room for two extra men."

The implication being an extraction job, of course.

[notthatcrazy]

"Wonderful."

They get to deal with that on top of being back on the run. But he'll get to fly again, at least. He's missed it.

[notjustaface]

Face doesn't like the sound of that. He frowns, shaking his head against Murdock's shoulder before pushing up off the bed to take their dishes to the sink. If they're going to avoid letting him listen in at least he can make himself useful.

"It's the sort of thing that gets us closer to a pardon, we won't be caught."

[notthatcrazy]

"You think so?"

He's trying not to get his hopes up too high. It's still a really big gamble.

"Right, well... I'll tell him."

[notjustaface]

"I wouldn't have taken it if I didn't." He replies honestly, letting out another soft sigh.

"Just... don't let him do anything stupid."

[notthatcrazy]

"Easier said than done sometimes, boss."

He means it with love. Really.

"So we'll see you in a few weeks, then?"

[notjustaface]

"We'll be at the rendezvous point," he answered almost cheerfully. "Be careful, Captain. I don't want to lose either of you."