[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

[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.

[catphishing]

You're good at that.

[He's also good at being a terrible influence. He did not realize there would be bare ass so early on in this movie. This could definitely turn out to be an awkward pick given the uncertainty of where they stand. Maybe he shouldn't have suggested this.]

[iustitiae]

[this is exactly why connor was surprised about this movie in the first place but you know what the damage is done now, and there is beautiful man-ass adorning their screen.]

Kind of figured, since you keep letting me come over.

[fully clothed and everything what a concept]

[catphishing]

[At least it's only for a few seconds.]

I'm not letting you. [At least not anymore. He'd hesitated at first, but he's moved past that.] I like you being here.

[Suddenly Connor's not the only one sounding awkward trying to deal with feelings.]

[iustitiae]

I have been known to bring over some pretty great take-out.

[catphishing]

I should have let you today.

[Maybe then they'd have food already.]

[iustitiae]

I'm sure the pizza guy will be here any minute.

[which truly sounds like the beginning of a bad porno]

[catphishing]

[The effect is made somewhat worse by the doorbell going at that moment, but hey, at least he didn't order it to come with extra sausage. And he paid online so he doesn't have to worry about not having enough cash to pay at the door.

He doesn't bother to pause the movie as he answers the door. As Connor already pointed out, it's not like they're watching for the plot, and it doesn't take long to relieve the delivery guy of their boxes.]

What did you want to drink with this? Water?

[iustitiae]

Water's fine.

[oliver doesn't want him drinking so water it is. he looks over the couch at oliver, trying to at least pretend to be helpful]

Anything I can do?

[catphishing]

[He shakes his head.]

Just watch TV. I've got this. [He hesitates, serving up the pizza as he works himself up to his next question.] Will you be okay if I have beer?

[It feels mean to have that while Connor's stuck with water, but he's seen him in bars seeming to do just fine. He's been doing really well. And Oliver just wants to kick back and have a nice time. Beer isn't necessary, but it adds to that.]

[iustitiae]

[connor all but rolls his eyes.]

Sure.

[and turns back to the movie. at least channing tatum was more interesting than his fake drug addiction]

[catphishing]

[He's not totally convinced it's something he should be doing, but Connor said it was okay. It would be a little weird not to have it now. At least that's how he justifies the detour to his fridge to retrieve a bottle before he pours Connor's glass of water.

It takes two trips to bring both their plates and drinks over to the couch, but at least they have food to keep them occupied now as well as Channing Tatum. There's even a side of chicken wings on the plate because pizza alone isn't greasy enough.]

Did I miss anything good?

[iustitiae]

Plot-wise?

[he takes a bite of his pizza and shakes his head. at least the pizza is great. for all he may work out and look great, he still enjoys terrible food.]

But eye-candy-wise? You may have missed some finer moments.

[catphishing]

[He laughs, taking a bite himself. Even if he has he's sure there'll be more finer moments later on.]

Yeah? Should we rewind?

[iustitiae]

No way. We're just going forward. You missed you.

[catphishing]

That's not fair. I should get to see eye candy too.

[Not that he's remotely paying attention to the movie right now anyway.]

[iustitiae]

I mean, I'm still right here.

[please forgive this stupid child]

[catphishing]

Yeah, but staring at you for the next hour and a half might be pretty weird.

[He's not wrong though.]

[iustitiae]

I could take my clothes off if that would help.

[catphishing]

Connor...

[He hadn't wanted to get into this tonight, but maybe it isn't fair on him to keep putting this off. He'd been doing that since even before his trip to the States and he still is now.]

You know how easily you could find someone else.

[iustitiae]

Yeah, but I don't want someone else.

[they both knew this. he'd tried that and had come crawling back to oliver. but he says it as lightly as he can, without making it seem like it's a big deal. without trying to make implications of when he'd cheated on him]

[catphishing]

It would be better for you.

[He doesn't look at Connor as he says it, toying with the neck of his beer bottle. His eyes stay fixed on the screen, as though he actually still cares what's happening.]