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]

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."

[notthatcrazy]

He knows Hannibal's trying to look out for them, but he's still getting tired of hearing that.

"Got it, boss."

[notjustaface]

Face stood in the door way as the conversation ended, leaning against the open frame between their main room and the small kitchen. It didn't sound good.

"We'll talk in a few days." Hannibal said, terminating the call on his end.

[notthatcrazy]

He blinks at the phone before putting it away. "Nice talkin' to you too, Colonel."

He holds out an arm to Face. "C'mere."

[notjustaface]

"He's got a job." Face says with a stoic look on his face as he approaches the futon.

He doesn't even need to ask, he knows the boss. Always business.

[notthatcrazy]

"Yeah."

He reaches for his arm, tugging at it to get him to lie down beside him.

"Sounds like an extraction. He says it's important."

He leaves out the part where they're likely walking into a trap because Hannibal won't let anyone genuinely in need go without their help.

[notjustaface]

"When does he need us?" He asks as he lays down - punctuating his frustration with the hollow squeal of the metal frame.

Extractions are messy and usually mean drugging BA to get him on a plane and then getting shot at.

[notthatcrazy]

They're definitely not his favorite jobs. Especially when he's gotten used to it being just the two of them and they have to contend with keeping two extra people safe.

"No sooner than we planned." That's something, at least. "But he wants us to be ready."

[notjustaface]

It's better than he expected, at least. Still, he curls against Murdock's side and asks; "And what aren't you telling me?"

Don't act like you weren't trying to hide something, he knows better than that.

[notthatcrazy]

He wraps his arms around him, their bedtime routine so deeply engrained at this point that it's practically a reflex.

"Hannibal's been talkin' to Sosa. We're workin' for the man on this one."

Figuratively speaking, of course. He squeezes him tight, resting his head on his shoulder again.

"It's risky, but the boss thinks it might help lead to a pardon down the line "

[notjustaface]

There are other parts to the routine, too - but after hearing thew news he's a bit less interested than he might normally be.

"Christ..." he sighs, shaking his head against Murdock. "He's trying to get us killed."

[notthatcrazy]

He reaches up to run his fingers through Face's hair, his free hand resuming the earlier gentle back rub.

"What else can we do, though?"

Those divided loyalties are rearing their ugly head again

[notjustaface]

He grumbles a response, closing his eyes before taking a deep breath to calm himself.

"You know it's gonna be a trap."

[notthatcrazy]

"Yeah, I know," he sighs. "But Hannibal knows too, which means he'll be on the lookout for it."

[notjustaface]

Of course Hannibal knows, he always does. Still, it's not very comforting.

"You know..." he sighs; "for a minute there today, the worst thing I had to worry about was if a drunk blonde was going to make a scene. And it was pretty fucking nice."

[notthatcrazy]

"We still got a few more weeks before we have to go back."

It's not much of a comfort, he knows.

[notjustaface]

He appreciates the effort, though.

"Guess we'll just have to make the most of it." He offers a wan smile, patting Murdock's belly.