Dick snorted at Jason’s comment, the mention of his best friend and ex-lover bringing a fond smile to his face again.
“Don’t you think he’d enjoy it either way? They’re not monogamous, last I checked.” There was no judgement in his voice about that, either. Love was love, as far as he was concerned, but he still looked from Jason to Wren and back again to see if there was any sort of reaction he could catch.
“I didn’t know about the actual fire island either. Did you learn that from a book or something?” There was a little bit of a tease to his voice as he shook out some kernels into a large pot he put on the stove. No one was safe from the teasing, especially not when Jason and Dick were in the same room together. Maybe that was why Jason dropped in, and why Wren accepted Dick’s assistance. He was glad to offer the little bit of respite, if that was the case.
“Hey now. I heard that. I can totally still ride a unicycle.” He leaned back against the counter as the pot and kernels heated up, flinging the towel Jason flung at him earlier right back. “Not all tricks have to be useful, you know.”
With a smile, he reached behind Wren’s ear and emerged with a popcorn kernel between his fingers.
“I think you’re misunderstanding. I never wanted you to behave.”
Wren took mental note of those names - friends from back home? - and snickered at Jason's unicycle comment. They didn't have anything to throw for asking if they read about actual fire island from a book, so they had to settle for making a face at him instead. It pointedly came after the revelation that whoever Roy and Kori were they weren't monogamous. Dick had more varied friends than Wren had originally assumed, but he had been awful chill about anything they'd brought up. It would go to figure that Wren was less an outlier and more par for course.
Then Dick pulled the quarter behind the ear trick -- but with a popcorn kernel. And that damn smile again. Opportunity, though.
With a surprising speed and accuracy - especially given they were drunk - Wren took the kernel from Dick to fling at him.
"That was for asking if I read it in a book."
.................They had, but that was beside the point.
"No, they're not, but if I tell him about it while he's happy, he'll drag me along for the ride." He rolled his eyes, a fond smile stretched wide over his face. He loved Roy. He loved everyone on his team. But a setting like that?
His skin crawled at just the idea. To be fair he didn't like most tourist traps, but he was self aware to admit to himself that he believed some of the common 'queer lifestyle' stereotypes. It wasn't the healthiest mindset, but he wasn't willing to put himself on the line to learn if he was wrong or not. Internalized homophobia? Maybe a little, but he at least faced it head on.
Wren throwing that popcorn kernel back at Dick's face was enough to startle a bark of laughter from him, neatly plucking him from the derailment his mind had threatened and plopping him right back in the here and now.
"Stop flirting and make the popcorn, you show off. Nachos will be done in like...ten minutes. Wren, you wanna leave this idiot and try to find this movie? We can shove his furniture around to make his eye twitch." He flashed Wren a lopsided smile before he was standing up from his stool, stretching a little before heading for the living area. And if he carefully eyed the area to make sure his brother hadn't left a wingding on the coffee table or something else ditzy.
Wren didn’t only pull Jason back to the present moment, they saved Dick from going down his own little rabbit hole.
He could see it when Jason would sink into himself like that, the spark in his eye dimming as he started to slide, along whatever thoughts Roy took him down. He wondered what it was. He was about to apologize or dig or both but Dick had looked to the side for no less than a fraction of a second’s fraction before the kernel was snatched out of his fingers.
“Hey—“
Okay. That was way too slick. Jason was practically falling off his stool laughing after seeing that kernel bounce right off the middle of his forehead between his brows, but Dick wasn’t laughing. Dick was busy staring at Wren in a mixture of amazement and awe. Wow. Wow, it’s been a while since anyone snuck anything like that past him. How? The shock melted off his face into a grin, one that lit up his eyes with wonder.
“Huh.”
Then Jason was standing and walking away.
“Yeah, Wren, please go supervise so he doesn’t turn the place inside out.” He smiled, all teasing fondness as he watched Jason looking around.
Idiot probably thinks Dick’s an idiot who would leave his shit scattered around. No chqnce.
“It’s on the left arm of the sofa. One’s the projector. The other’s the system.” The remotes, he means. He turned back to the popcorn.
He could see what his guests were doing from his perch in the kitchen. Soon, he was pouring popcorn into a big bowl, pulling out some chocolate he kept for occasions such as this, and bringing it all over to Jason and Wren’s new setup.
“I didn’t touch your nachos,” he said, to Jason. “Didn’t wanna get blamed if it tastes bad. Figured you had a special way of putting toppings or something on it.” He winked at Jason as he grabbed a kernel of popcorn and put it into his mouth. He held another up.
“Hey, Wren. Catch.” And tossed it to Wren in a nice long overhand arc, slow and predictable to see if Wren would do it.
Wren's heart caught in their throat as Dick looked at them like that, unsure of what it could mean, too drunk to parse it. Too drunk to be so very careful as they normally were about being so utterly average. It didn't help that Dick had a way of bringing their less polished self out.
And then Jason had to go and call them out like that. Wren didn't blush subtly - their face went bright red, eyes wide and tongue tied at the denial they knew would just dig them deeper but had a kneejerk need to try anyway --
Right. Getting up and off the stool, ducking their head quickly as if that could hide their redness behind their bangs. A little chance to breathe while helping Jason find the movie - that's the streaming service for it - no, those two are documentaries, it's that one - their face had gotten a bit more under control. They still felt some residual heat there, but nothing that couldn't be passed off because of the alcohol. Honestly that probably was the reason the flush was so bad. Definitely just that. During movie-finding, they'd shed their leather jacket, down to just the old faded Nirvana shirt.
At being told to catch, their eyes barely went to the side before their hand went up to catch the popcorn. They probably could have caught it in their mouth, but they were not doing that after Jason's accusation of flirting. So hand it was before popping the kernel into their mouth rather than throw it back at Dick.
He'd already been planning on getting up and heading to the living room, but then he caught sight of Dick's face and his stomach did a quivery little flip flop and he lost any qualms he had about relocating. It was weird, the things Dick could make him feel. He wasn't sure if he liked it, despite being absolutely certain that he didn't dislike it, either. Roy could do it, too, but that was only after a couple of days of them being stuck in a safehouse together, play fighting and planning and rubbing against each other's edges until Jason finally relaxed enough to let down his guards.
Dick could do it with a fucking smile. It wasn't fair. Especially since that smile was usually aimed at someone else.
By the time that Wren joined him in the living room, Jay had dragged the two fancy assed coffee table things off to the side. He was in the process of single handedly wrangling the loveseat inwards to make the couch a 'U' shape, but the rug kept getting in the way. In the end, he had Wren manage the rug while he manhandled the loveseat into place, giving two people (himself and Wren, he assumed) the two long sides to sprawl comfortably on while the third (Dick, no doubt) stretched between them.
At least that was the idea. But then he remembered that there were going to be snacks and that everyone needed to be able to reach said snacks, so instead of stopping at the 'U' shape, he gave another strong shove until the front of the loveseat met with the side of the lounge. The result was just a big, cushy platform. It would be tight-ish, but the three of them could manage until all the food was gone and then Jay could shove the loveseat back to give them all more space.
Still, he tucked himself into the corner of the lounge, keeping his too long legs crossed to give Wren as much space as they needed to be comfortable as they finally got the system running and Wren guided him to pulling the movie up. He didn't want to make them uncomfortable. They didn't know him, after all, and he was....
...his body was what it needed to be to do the job he needed to do and he could do everything in his power to make those around him as comfortable as he could.
"Nah, you're standing. Just pull it out, slap some crema on it and bring it over. And maybe a towel so it doesn't burn your couch."
Dick couldn't help the way he laughed when a pretty wash of colour bloomed across Wren's cheeks and they ended up ducking to try and hide it. It was the only thing that stopped him from giving them shit for catching the popcorn with their hand instead of mouth. Everyone knew that you were supposed to catch food with your mouth, not your hand!
This was nice. He even took a few beats to just watch Jason and Wren rearrange his living room, with Jason fussing about with his layout until whatever complicated train of thought he had finally considered everyone and their comforts. That smile softened when Jason and Wren started looking through his streaming services.
He could get used to this.
"Okay, but don't complain if it's not the way you like it," he teased, knowing Jason wouldn't be picky with it. He did as suggested and brought over the tray of nachos and the bowl of popcorn, with a few towels and napkins for them.
Cute that there was a spot for him right in the middle. He plopped down on it unceremoniously and set nachos on one side of him, and popcorn on the other.
"Okay, play the movie. And don't be shy, you two. I can pass the snacks around but just reach across me if you want. You have my permission."
And if the smile on his mouth was flirty at all, it was not his intention. Really.
![[personal profile]](https://www.dreamwidth.org/img/silk/identity/user.png){kind=small}
no subject
“Don’t you think he’d enjoy it either way? They’re not monogamous, last I checked.” There was no judgement in his voice about that, either. Love was love, as far as he was concerned, but he still looked from Jason to Wren and back again to see if there was any sort of reaction he could catch.
“I didn’t know about the actual fire island either. Did you learn that from a book or something?” There was a little bit of a tease to his voice as he shook out some kernels into a large pot he put on the stove. No one was safe from the teasing, especially not when Jason and Dick were in the same room together. Maybe that was why Jason dropped in, and why Wren accepted Dick’s assistance. He was glad to offer the little bit of respite, if that was the case.
“Hey now. I heard that. I can totally still ride a unicycle.” He leaned back against the counter as the pot and kernels heated up, flinging the towel Jason flung at him earlier right back. “Not all tricks have to be useful, you know.”
With a smile, he reached behind Wren’s ear and emerged with a popcorn kernel between his fingers.
“I think you’re misunderstanding. I never wanted you to behave.”
no subject
Then Dick pulled the quarter behind the ear trick -- but with a popcorn kernel. And that damn smile again. Opportunity, though.
With a surprising speed and accuracy - especially given they were drunk - Wren took the kernel from Dick to fling at him.
"That was for asking if I read it in a book."
.................They had, but that was beside the point.
no subject
His skin crawled at just the idea. To be fair he didn't like most tourist traps, but he was self aware to admit to himself that he believed some of the common 'queer lifestyle' stereotypes. It wasn't the healthiest mindset, but he wasn't willing to put himself on the line to learn if he was wrong or not. Internalized homophobia? Maybe a little, but he at least faced it head on.
Wren throwing that popcorn kernel back at Dick's face was enough to startle a bark of laughter from him, neatly plucking him from the derailment his mind had threatened and plopping him right back in the here and now.
"Stop flirting and make the popcorn, you show off. Nachos will be done in like...ten minutes. Wren, you wanna leave this idiot and try to find this movie? We can shove his furniture around to make his eye twitch." He flashed Wren a lopsided smile before he was standing up from his stool, stretching a little before heading for the living area. And if he carefully eyed the area to make sure his brother hadn't left a wingding on the coffee table or something else ditzy.
no subject
He could see it when Jason would sink into himself like that, the spark in his eye dimming as he started to slide, along whatever thoughts Roy took him down. He wondered what it was. He was about to apologize or dig or both but Dick had looked to the side for no less than a fraction of a second’s fraction before the kernel was snatched out of his fingers.
“Hey—“
Okay. That was way too slick. Jason was practically falling off his stool laughing after seeing that kernel bounce right off the middle of his forehead between his brows, but Dick wasn’t laughing. Dick was busy staring at Wren in a mixture of amazement and awe. Wow. Wow, it’s been a while since anyone snuck anything like that past him. How? The shock melted off his face into a grin, one that lit up his eyes with wonder.
“Huh.”
Then Jason was standing and walking away.
“Yeah, Wren, please go supervise so he doesn’t turn the place inside out.” He smiled, all teasing fondness as he watched Jason looking around.
Idiot probably thinks Dick’s an idiot who would leave his shit scattered around. No chqnce.
“It’s on the left arm of the sofa. One’s the projector. The other’s the system.” The remotes, he means. He turned back to the popcorn.
He could see what his guests were doing from his perch in the kitchen. Soon, he was pouring popcorn into a big bowl, pulling out some chocolate he kept for occasions such as this, and bringing it all over to Jason and Wren’s new setup.
“I didn’t touch your nachos,” he said, to Jason. “Didn’t wanna get blamed if it tastes bad. Figured you had a special way of putting toppings or something on it.” He winked at Jason as he grabbed a kernel of popcorn and put it into his mouth. He held another up.
“Hey, Wren. Catch.” And tossed it to Wren in a nice long overhand arc, slow and predictable to see if Wren would do it.
no subject
And then Jason had to go and call them out like that. Wren didn't blush subtly - their face went bright red, eyes wide and tongue tied at the denial they knew would just dig them deeper but had a kneejerk need to try anyway --
Right. Getting up and off the stool, ducking their head quickly as if that could hide their redness behind their bangs. A little chance to breathe while helping Jason find the movie - that's the streaming service for it - no, those two are documentaries, it's that one - their face had gotten a bit more under control. They still felt some residual heat there, but nothing that couldn't be passed off because of the alcohol. Honestly that probably was the reason the flush was so bad. Definitely just that. During movie-finding, they'd shed their leather jacket, down to just the old faded Nirvana shirt.
At being told to catch, their eyes barely went to the side before their hand went up to catch the popcorn. They probably could have caught it in their mouth, but they were not doing that after Jason's accusation of flirting. So hand it was before popping the kernel into their mouth rather than throw it back at Dick.
"... Okay, it's good."
no subject
Dick could do it with a fucking smile. It wasn't fair. Especially since that smile was usually aimed at someone else.
By the time that Wren joined him in the living room, Jay had dragged the two fancy assed coffee table things off to the side. He was in the process of single handedly wrangling the loveseat inwards to make the couch a 'U' shape, but the rug kept getting in the way. In the end, he had Wren manage the rug while he manhandled the loveseat into place, giving two people (himself and Wren, he assumed) the two long sides to sprawl comfortably on while the third (Dick, no doubt) stretched between them.
At least that was the idea. But then he remembered that there were going to be snacks and that everyone needed to be able to reach said snacks, so instead of stopping at the 'U' shape, he gave another strong shove until the front of the loveseat met with the side of the lounge. The result was just a big, cushy platform. It would be tight-ish, but the three of them could manage until all the food was gone and then Jay could shove the loveseat back to give them all more space.
Still, he tucked himself into the corner of the lounge, keeping his too long legs crossed to give Wren as much space as they needed to be comfortable as they finally got the system running and Wren guided him to pulling the movie up. He didn't want to make them uncomfortable. They didn't know him, after all, and he was....
...his body was what it needed to be to do the job he needed to do and he could do everything in his power to make those around him as comfortable as he could.
"Nah, you're standing. Just pull it out, slap some crema on it and bring it over. And maybe a towel so it doesn't burn your couch."
no subject
This was nice. He even took a few beats to just watch Jason and Wren rearrange his living room, with Jason fussing about with his layout until whatever complicated train of thought he had finally considered everyone and their comforts. That smile softened when Jason and Wren started looking through his streaming services.
He could get used to this.
"Okay, but don't complain if it's not the way you like it," he teased, knowing Jason wouldn't be picky with it. He did as suggested and brought over the tray of nachos and the bowl of popcorn, with a few towels and napkins for them.
Cute that there was a spot for him right in the middle. He plopped down on it unceremoniously and set nachos on one side of him, and popcorn on the other.
"Okay, play the movie. And don't be shy, you two. I can pass the snacks around but just reach across me if you want. You have my permission."
And if the smile on his mouth was flirty at all, it was not his intention. Really.