Playing House: And It All Ends Far Too Soon

[notjustaface]

His last day at work, they'll be heading out come morning, and Face is torn between the nagging voice in his head that wants to stay more than anything and the sense of duty that tells him he has to go. In the end, it's Murdock's insistence that they go keeps him moving.

He's had a few drinks when he trudges up the stairs to their small apartment and is singing an upbeat song in French when he lets himself in - trying to keep the mood as light as he can.

After hanging his jacket, he calls out proudly; "Reste avec moi pour toujours mon amour?"

Comments

[notthatcrazy]

It's a good thing he didn't make spaghetti, or they'd probably have a Lady and The Tramp moment going on.

"I don't wanna hide it," he says quietly.

[notjustaface]

At the very least - as it is, good food is almost making it hard to concentrate on flirting.

"I know..." he answers with an almost hesitant shrug; "we're just going to have to be careful, you know? The guys are one thing... but who knows what we'll run into out there."

[notthatcrazy]

Now that he's thinking about it, comparisons to a certain Disney mongrel are kind of inescapable. Though he's certainly no Lady.

"The Army wants to hire us, they can deal with it," he frowns stubbornly. "What're they gonna do, kick us out again?"

[notjustaface]

However, Face is quite the Tramp when left to his own devices...

He shakes his head and snorts; "You know people are, man. We'll just tone it down a little..." Face leans in close and brushes a kiss against his lips; "It's better when it's just us, anyway."

[notthatcrazy]

Hell, even Hannibal and BA aren't exactly comfortable with them getting all Public Display of Affection-y.

"I guess."

[notjustaface]

Which is exactly why it's important to be mindful... because honestly Face cares about that sort of thing. Impressions are important - to an extent.

"Hey..." he offers big blue eyes and a soft grin, gently kissing Murdock's chin. "You're still my man."

[notthatcrazy]

He manages a smile. He knows he's trying, but the situation just sucks.

"Always. Even when we're being badass heroes."

He shakes his head, amending that.

"Especially then."

[notjustaface]

"Damn right then..." he murmurs, reaching over with his free hand to brush back a stray curl as he takes a bite.

Licking his lips, he offers; "We've had each other's back forever, right? It aint gonna stop just because we're not quite... this gay."

[notthatcrazy]

He snorts. "Well, that's one way of puttin' it."

He wraps an arm around his waist, leaning on his shoulder.

"Ain't ever worried about you not havin' my back. That's a given."

[notjustaface]

Letting himself rest comfortably close, he's content to leave it at that as he takes slow and appreciative bites.

After a long moment, he whispers; "Je t'aime, mon amor..."

[notthatcrazy]

Even without his rudimentary French lessons, that one's easy enough to translate.

"Love you too," he whispers back. "So much."

[notjustaface]

With a sleepy - almost sedate - grin, he kisses him again, lingering a long moment.

"I know you do. That's why you worry so much."

[notthatcrazy]

"I know you worry about me too."

It's kind of part of the whole loving someone deal. They've been happy here, though...

"Tell me we'll have this again someday?"

[notjustaface]

Unfortunately he'd learned that all too well - he cares, a whole lot more than he's cared for anyone before - and it scares him.

"We will," he hopes it's not a lie, for both of their sake; "just a matter of time, right?"

[notthatcrazy]

"Yeah."

Time and a government willing to pardon their various indiscretions. But he doesn't want to think about that right now.

"How's the food?"

[notjustaface]

While his answer may not have been convincing, it's enough to let Face take a few more easy bites before he asks.

"Amazing," he murmurs around a particularly large bite, setting down his fork to breathe; "you're getting really good at this, you know?"

[notthatcrazy]

"Good at being a housewife?"

House husband, really, but that word still seems to make Face skittish.

"Y'know, I kinda don't mind it."

[notjustaface]

The word 'housewife' makes him smile, admittedly drawing an amusing if not insensitive mental image.

"Good at taking care of me..." he laughs, finishing his last bite and pushing the plate aside. "And knowing exactly what I need."

[notthatcrazy]

"You take care of me too, babe."

The meal over, he crawls back into Face's lap.

"It's kinda part of the deal."

[notjustaface]

Now that was exactly the sort of thing he needed - close proximity, weight spread across his legs and shifting closer as he wrapped his arms around Murdock's chest and pulled him close - burying his face in Murdock's neck.

"Well, I definitely got the better end of that deal..." He usually does.

[notthatcrazy]

"Hey now."

He rests his forehead against his.

"Can you not talk down about yourself tonight? For me?"

[notjustaface]

"I'm not talking down..." he replies defensively, looking him straight in the eyes up close and personal.

"I'm talking up about you. Or don't you think you're the best thing in my life?"

[notthatcrazy]

"I ain't arguing that," he beams.

"But I got a pretty good end of this deal too."

He wraps his arms around him a bit more tightly.

"And don't you forget it."

[notjustaface]

"Oui, Capitaine," he replies with an impetuous smirk, lifting one knee to slide him as close as he could against Face's torso.

"Mine."

[notthatcrazy]

"Brat."

He's still smiling though, and takes the sting out of the minor snark with a soft kiss.

"But you're my brat."