[SEMI-OPEN] AUGUST POST

[catphishing]

Redbright Institute
Mid-Late August, open to Redbright affiliates.

[Redbright has a new IT tech, and at the moment he's pretty enthusiastic about his new role. Anything has got to be more interesting than his last role, especially this. He's ready and willing to help out with any technological problem someone might have, right down to the most basic (though he'd certainly appreciate anything more challenging).

He has a phone line too if someone would rather reach him that way.]

Wildcard

[Anything else. Hit me up on technobabbled or PM me to plot things.]

Comments

[iustitiae]

Work is hectic.

[he lets himself into oliver's apartment and practically melts into the couch as soon as he gets there. he regrets lying to oliver; he can't keep it up forever and it'll only make it harder to tell him when he's ready. but the web of lies was so tangled at this point it ways almost hard not to.]

[catphishing]

Okay. [It's believable at least, though doesn't exactly put his mind at rest. He shuts the door behind Connor, following him over to the couch.]

Well, at least you have tonight off.

[Then again, it's not unusual for Connor to need something work related for him when he comes over. Oliver invited him, but it's also been a while. It wouldn't be that strange if he did need him to hack something.]

Right?

[iustitiae]

Yeah.

[ he manages a smile, or as close to an honest one he can get ]

Tonight is just you, me, and the Thornbirds or whatever thrilling entertainment you have in mind.

[catphishing]

Don't make fun of the Thornbirds.

[He's grinning though. He knows Connor enjoyed it, and even if he hadn't he appreciates that he was willing to give it a shot for him. That he ended up seeming to like it too is just a bonus. Hopefully by the end of tonight he'll be able to smile a little more genuinely. He looks like he's long overdue for some relaxation.]

Have you ever seen Magic Mike?

[iustitiae]

[ wow, oliver, you actually managed to surprise connor with that. he stifles a laugh ]

Like Magic Mike about male strippers Magic Mike?

[catphishing]

[He'd been thinking of something more along his usual lines, but that laugh definitely made trying to be a little less predictable worth it.]

Come on. You can't tell me you don't want to see that.

[iustitiae]

I mean, I do.

[this is connor we're talking about. channing tatum might not be his go to body type but (mostly) naked guys were (mostly) naked guys.]

I'm just surprised you do.

[catphishing]

It's not that weird. I like looking at hot guys too.

[That, and judging by the ratings it's got it's actually decent.]

[iustitiae]

Let's do it before you change your mind.

[catphishing]

[He rolls his eyes, though he does grab the remote for the TV to turn it on.]

I'm not going to change my mind.

[iustitiae]

Great. It'll be fun.

[he scoots a little closer to oliver. don't mind him.]

[catphishing]

[He's honestly a little relieved that Connor still wants to be close to him. He fails to bite back the smile as he sets things up.]

I ordered pizza. Do you want to wait for that to arrive, or...?

[iustitiae]

I'm pretty sure we're not going to be on the edge of our seat with the plot.

[so the pizza distraction wouldn't matter. they could start watching it now.]

[catphishing]

Probably not.

[And if the delivery guy wants judge his choice of movie, it's not like you can see the screen from the door anyway. He hits play, settling back in his seat. Possibly with a slight lean towards Connor.]

[iustitiae]

[ connor definitely is not about to complain that oliver is getting closer to him. at least there's still trailers to talk through before the movie starts ]

Did you take care of everything you needed? While you were there?

[catphishing]

[He'd been starting to feel relaxed, but the question's an uncomfortable reminder that his time away wasn't entirely a vacation.]

Yeah. I mean, we talked. We'll get there.

[iustitiae]

I know we talked a little bit while you were there, but...

[he can obviously feel the discomfort]

If you want to talk in person, I'm. Around.

[it's weird to be offering something like this. not just because of who he is and how rarely he does this, but because he hasn't been entirely forthcoming himself. but it is what it is.]

[catphishing]

[So much for a fun, relaxing night. He keeps his gaze on the screen, though he knows it's probably really obvious he's not actually taken in by the trailer.]

Thanks, but you don't have to do that. It's not your problem.

[iustitiae]

[he knows what this is like. it's what he would do.]

I know. I'm just saying.

[catphishing]

[He feels kind of awkward, maybe a little bad for not taking him up on it, but he's talked about it so much lately. Thought about it even more. He wants to switch off from this as much as Connor needs to from his job.]

Thanks. For offering. I get that we should, and I appreciate you want to. I just... I want to have fun tonight.

[iustitiae]

Fun I can do.

[maybe not the kind he normally means but!! the attempt is here.]

[catphishing]

[He smiles, as genuinely as he can, half turning his attention back to the screen where the movie's finally starting up.]

Yeah. I know you can.

[iustitiae]

[aw yass magic mike]

It's good that you're back.

[which is maybe not quite "i missed you," but close enough]

[catphishing]

I missed you too.

[He rolls his eyes, but the look he gives him from the corner of his eyes is affectionate if exasperated. It's okay to talk about feelings, Connor.]

[iustitiae]

[feelings are gross; touching is better but he remembers to keep his hands to himself for now]

Glad to know I've left an impression.