[Closed] @eidxiety ††

[winterbolt]

u get the small baby bird icon this time

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[eidxiety]

[It's normal for guys to talk about their girlfriends. Ain... didn't go to public school... where that usually happens... but he's heard it in the streets growing up from before Ishmael controlled half of the fucking city and rather was relegated to a tiny city block as an inconsequential cult leader (or rather, at the time as far as Ain's bias window heard it, the Ishmaels were "an insignificant religious family"). He is well aware that they are now a mafia family, but he thinks they're the good guys because of all the good work they do for the people.

Ain's worldview is coloured only in blacks and whites, clearly. Like, yeah, mafias are going to do good for the surrounding community in certain ways, otherwise they move on from "mafia" to "comic book supervillain organization", and how do you get more mafia members if you don't convince the people of your cause anyway? The Ishmael Family are the "white" to the world's "black" as far as Ain is concerned.

Anyway, back to the point: Ain has heard this is a normal male conversation to have. It does not stop his face from getting a little red, and suddenly he looks down into the mess of half-melted whipped cream in his glass.]

I don't. My brothers harp on me a lot for it. I'm sure there's... some girl out there for me. [lol] Probably, maybe. Haha, it's a little embarrassing to talk about, but I've never even gone steady with a girl before. I went to an all-boys Catholic school [oh honey] and between you and me, a lot of the boys liked to sneak off to the all-girls school next door and chase skirts, but I was never like that.

[Looks up. Makes direct eye contact with Wolfwood's titties... looks back down into his glass. Ain shrugs a shoulder.]

I'm twenty-three. I have time. Besides, dating while I'm in school always sounded like too much work, moreso now that I'm doing my residency.

[How many excuses can he come up with as to why he's never even thought about kissing a girl, one wonders...]

[lupusxylem]

[I don't, he says, but...he also spouts everything a straight guy might say. Talking about how there's a girl out there for him probably, even if he's never gone steady. He went to an all boys school and never chased skirts because he was a good Christian boy...

...

There's half of him that feels weirdly disappointed (why? why does he care. he doesn't care) and another half that feels...like he knows something Ain doesn't know.

Whatever the case, the fact he hasn't and isn't dating anyone isn't exactly abnormal. It's not like Wolfwood is either...he reaches out to use his straw to stir his drink a bit, watching as the bubbles rush up to the surface.]

It's not like you gotta rush into that anyway. That's a sure fire way to land yourself in a loveless marriage.

[Where you hold hands until marriage and then have missionary sex only Once for the purpose of having children and not for pleasure.]

Is that even something you want? Cause it's fine to be more focused on your work.

[eidxiety]

[Ain has no idea about things right now. But his gaze lingers on Wolfwood a little bit too long for him to actually be straight. It's not so much an act as it is blissful ignorance. He was the type of boy growing up who couldn't stand changing in public locker rooms during gym class; he'd lock himself in the bathroom between periods and change there. Something about being half-naked in front of other guys was just...

Ain looks Pointedly at the wall.]

This is gonna sound really shallow. I've never really seen a girl who caught my eye before. I mean — don't get me wrong, Audrey Hepburn is pretty, but I dunno.

[Audrey Hepburn. One of the most gorgeous actresses of their time. That's who he names first, because that's the Straight Male Answer.]

Everyone goes on about her, for example, but if I saw her walking down the street, I don't think my head would turn much?

[The man is gay. Wolfwood, the man is so deep in the closet he's suffocating.]

[lupusxylem]

[...ooookay yeah. Yeah.

Wolfwood...sits back again in his booth, suddenly wishing he had a cigarette. This man is so deep in the closet that he doesn't realize he's even fucking there. Like, it doesn't do to generalize or make assumptions, but from his perspective? His gaydar is still working as intended.]

That ain't shallow. Looks don't mean everything. And even then...maybe there's just other things you're attracted to.

[He shrugs one shoulder, glancing off to the side.]

I'm not the kind of guy to ask about that. I'm not good with relationships, or...people.

[eidxiety]

[Ain's gaze shifts to Wolfwood again. He's staring at the cross around his neck, at the way the end of it dips into his collarbone, and he momentarily chews on his bottom lip before setting the glass up on the table.]

Is that right? You were nice enough to me, Mr. Priest. You convinced me to come back, after all. I think you're probably better with people than you give yourself credit for.

...

So, what're you attracted to, then? Do you know?

[lupusxylem]

Wh- me?

[Wait, what is he attracted to? Is he not assuming he's straight?? There's a moment where genuine panic flits across Wolfwood's expression, because while he knows he's gay...that doesn't mean he's out.

...but then, after a second to reflect, he realizes that isn't what Ain is asking. He's asking what, not who, and he's maybe made himself seem unnecessarily suspicious over nothing.

He huffs, ears blazing red as he shoves a fry into his mouth and looks over at the people dancing by the jukebox.]

I mean...I can tell when somebody's good looking, or whatever. But...you know. It's the personality that matters more, right?

[And whether they're a mannnnnnnnnnnnnnwoooman of the lord. Or not.

Yeah.]

[eidxiety]

[Ain assumes Wolfwood is very straight. Why would he dress like he's trying to get pretty girls to ogle him otherwise? Everyone is straight. Gay people aren't real. They can't do that or they'll go to Hell, it's just a sickness, et cetera... so Ain's assuming, because Wolfwood wears a choker, he is straight and Catholic, even if this town might've made him real rough around the edges.]

Yeah, definitely. ...I guess I don't think about these things much, haha.

[...]

We don't have to talk about it, though. We should dance instead, with everyone else. I've never danced at a jukebox before, but I know a couple of non-northside dances. Uh... I think it's way outdated, but I know the Charleston.

[Oh boy his mom would Kill Him if he admitted he knew any flapper dances, Jesus.]

[lupusxylem]

...haah? You wanna dance? Really?

[This white Christian boy wants to dance? Holy shit.

Well hey, anything to get off that subject. It's making him feel...weird.]

Didn't know you'd be down to boogie. ...but alright. What the hell.

[He gets up from the booth, tossing back the edge of his jacket as he goes.]

You ain't too full to be cuttin' a rug, are ya?

[eidxiety]

Haha, nope! I could probably eat another burger, honestly.

[Ain???

Either way, he stands up and stretches, then heads toward the little dance floor. It's easy enough to find a spot in the small crowd of couples and friends alike, where they can dance to whatever upbeat songs are playing. They have to leave room in front for people to switch the songs whenever, but that's fine, they can be off to the side, sort of near the corner and the wide open windows. Ain glances into the street real quick, admiring the view — and the rain, it's started to rain — before turning back to Wolfwood.]

Come on! You know how to dance, right?

[Because Ain is going to start doing the Charleston to the next funkiest song on the jukebox unless Wolfwood stops him.]

[lupusxylem]

Me? Course I do.

[.......no. No he does not. He doesn't know the Charleston or any fancy dances like that, really...so the moment they get up there, Ain is already showing him up by just dancing aggressively like he was made for it. The people around him seem impressed, whooping and hollering excitedly when he joins in.

Meanwhile, Wolfwood looks a touch more awkward trying to figure out where to slot in with the activity. Don't get him wrong, he's glad Ain is having a good time since he doesn't seem to get out much...but at the very least he can kindof bop around in place. That counts as dancing, right-]

[eidxiety]

[...lmao no you don't.]

I think you're lying to me! Come on— [Ain is mid-spin as he says that,] Like this. I'll slow down for you. Put your feet here...

[Ain puts his hands on Wolfwood's shoulders for balance and kicks his feet apart. There are some other people following his guidance when he looks back up.]

And you're going to move your feet in and out like you're clicking your heels together. That's the first step. Then you do two steps forward while making that same clicking-heels motion, and then two steps back...

[He's helping. He'll explain the arm flailing in a second. Apparently he's teaching a class now.]

[lupusxylem]

H-hey, hold on a sec-!

[He did not! Volunteer for this!! He was just going to watch Ain dance and be cute, now he's being dragged into it-

But the best Wolfwood can do is sputter helplessly as Ain puts his hands on his shoulders, instructing him verbally even though he's standing there pigeon toed like he was born with two left feet. While people around them are following his lead, Wolfwood still looks a bit perplexed, his face flushed in a way it hasn't before.]

You make it sound easy. I'm going to end up dragging you down onto your ass-

[eidxiety]

[He did not, but he wasn't groovin' the way Ain thinks he should, and it's clear that it's Wolfwood who's out of his element for once.]

No, you won't! There's no contact with this. It's about feeling the beat and moving accordingly, see? A little dated, but we can do the twist later, gator!

[Ain goes back to his dancing, spinning around and flailing his arms from side to side, cheerful, happy. He's laughing, especially as Wolfwood seems to get more nervous by the minute here. It's funny. It's... cuuuu...te...? Mmmm anyway he's having a damn giggle-fit over this. Hilarious.]

It's easy if you start slow and speed up. Come on, put your back into it!

[lupusxylem]

[Yes he will. Somehow, even without contact, he knows he's going to kill them both trying to dance. It is simply inevitable. But even as he's struggling and soft of flopping around like a dead fish, Ain is...laughing. Unlike those times before when he seemed so small, nervous, and unsure, all of a sudden he is the one in his element. His smile lights up the entire room and energizes the other patrons to dance even harder, cheering with excitement as their feet hit the floor and yet more people come up to dance with them. Even with the rain making it dreary outside...the inside of the diner is positively hopping, thanks to Ain.

And Wolfwood tries to move along with him, completely struck by it all. He feels a little silly at first, but given the fact that barely anyone is left sitting at this point, he's less insecure about making mistakes. He follows Ain's lead as best he can, kicking out his heels and nearly slipping on the linoleum a few times as he goes.

He and Ain spin around in unison and he very nearly falls over in the attempt, yet when they meet back in the middle, Wolfwood is...smiling. Laughing.]

[eidxiety]

[Ain does that soccer mom reflex of trying to catch Wolfwood before he goes down, but luckily he doesn't, and so spinning and flailing will continue, at least until the next set of upbeat songs are over. Wolfwood may have two left feet, but Ain does not. Ain may not be allowed to go to jaunty parties or anything, but he sure has seen dancing on TV and stuff, and he sure picked it up from there.

It's more fun with others. With a friend. Are he and Wolfwood friends? Maybe he'll ask later.

For now: Twirling. Dancing. Spinning, having fun, laughing boisterously. The jukebox eventually does switch to something that requires something a little calmer, and so Ain switches to the twist afterwards, especially because that's less energetic and he's out of breath after like, seven minutes of doing this. The Charleston burns calories like that.

So, while they're doing something easier...]

How do you expect to get a girl if you can't even dance?

[Well that's the thing, Ain. He does not. And neither do you, frankly.]

[lupusxylem]

[Wolfwood has no reason to be this out of breath by the time they're dancing more slowly, especially in his line of work, but he is. Maybe it's because he's just worked up right now, but...ugh. It's...sure something, but he's not sure if he can put his finger on it just now.]

Haha...is dancing the secret?

[He almost seems to be asking this genuinely as they dance, kindof surprised by just how many people Ain has managed to coerce into dancing with them. Like sure, there were a lot of people up here to begin with, but still.

He doesn't know the twist either, unsurprisingly, but this one seems simpler than the Charleston. It's easier to copy Ain's movements, anyway.]

[eidxiety]

I dunno! [Ain chirps, watching Wolfwood... try his best out here,] But you've got two left feet, and someone's gotta teach you to dance, or you won't hook anybody.

[Aww Ain that's so cute that you think that. Keep telling yourself that buddy.]

I'm pretty sure that's how it works! Not that I'd know for sure, haha!

[Really, with a laugh and a smile like Wolfwood's, it wouldn't matter if he could or could not dance at his own wedding. Someone would love him anyway. Someone...

...probably a real nice girl. Ain's eyes are staring directly at the cross again and watching it clink against Wolfwood's skin. Jesus save him, he's feeling a little weird.]

[lupusxylem]

[Wolfwood huffs, for once not paying attention to where Ain is looking as they dance.]

You say you don’t know, yet you’ve somehow got half this building dancing.

[He doesn’t think Ain realizes how naturally charismatic he is. He makes you want to know him…and suddenly, Wolfwood is feeling like maybe he lucked out, saving that lost looking guy in the market last weekend.

As the song starts to change once more, Wolfwood…reaches out on impulse, taking Ain’s hand and twirling him around to the tune of more cheering and clapping from the other bystanders.]

Y’see? Think you’re the bees knees, they do.

[eidxiety]

Aww, but they're not dancing because they're into me.

[Don't be so sure, Ain, you could charm the pants off of anyone here right now. He... doesn't know, of course. He's just having fun. He's laughing for what feels like the first time in a long time. He's not as annoyed as he tends to be when he goes home. It's... nice? It's nice.

Wolfwood twirls him, and Ain has the distant thought that if he was wearing one of those poodle skirts, it would've flared up and hit Wolfwood in the legs. ...well anyway we're gonna compartmentalize that, too, even as Ain spins back around and faces Wolfwood again.]

I ought to show you swing dancing some time. You're getting this much down pretty quick!

[Ain doesn't dare get too close. Something in the back of his mind stops him from putting his hands on Wolfwood's shoulders, or trying to spin him back. He can't pin it. Social anxiety, maybe.]

[lupusxylem]

Maybe not. But it's still more than I've seen most people be able to do in this town.

[Granted, the people aren't, like...mean? Or standoffish really? And you see this diner hopping fairly regularly on the weekends. He does mean it when he says that Ain is making a considerable difference though, given the fact that even the shyer looking folk seem encouraged to get up and dance, even if it's not quite as front-and-center as he and Ain somehow became.

He snorts at the thought of Ain teaching him to dance, for real. With what time? And when? It's almost like he's suggesting...

...h m.]

S'that mean you're planning on coming back here again?

[eidxiety]

[At some point, they're gonna have to sit down again. They need to pay their tab and Ain needs to sit for a spell before he has to run through the rain to flag down a taxi. Maybe he'll start to move away from the floor now, actually, since the jukebox is playing something slower and the thought of slow dancing is—

Well. He looks at Wolfwood and Wolfwood is A Man so they can't. That's really all there is to it.]

Haha, I guess so. I've... been having a lot of fun with you.

[He strays back to the booth and sits down. There's a cheque on the table for them to pay; Ain fishes his New wallet out to grab some bills.]

I don't think I've ever had so much fun, at least not in the last several years. ...are we friends now? Can I call you my friend?

[lupusxylem]

[Yeah, most of the people who remained by the jukebox are couples. All straight couples (or straight passing, at the very least), because it's the 50s and this isn't a gay bar. Wolfwood lingers for a brief moment as Ain walks back towards the booth ahead of him, watching for a few seconds before he follows him over.

He notices Ain pulling out his cash, so he'll do the same himself. He doesn't pay for Ain, but he will pay his own tab. Going Dutch on a first date seems reasonable I mean-

With a soft laugh under his breath, he sits back down as they wait for their waitress to return to collect their payment.]

Friends? ...yeah. Guess I can swing that.

[Ain was just kindof this shrimpy guy he saved at the market. He never thought he'd really see him again after that, yet...here they are. Wolfwood doesn't really have many friends outside of the family either, so it's a new one for him too.]

Any time you're down south, I'll keep an eye on you.

[eidxiety]

[Ain's poor little Catholic heart is going to stop when he finds out gay bars are real and people just do that. You can kiss boys? What the fuck...]

Ginchy. I'll come back some time. If you lurk around the same spots, it'll be easy to find you.

[The cash is on the table. They could just leave. It's the normal thing to do. Ain shouldn't want to linger too long. Someone else could use this table, and their dinner is done, but...]

Did you walk? Haha, it looks like it's raining pretty hard...

[lupusxylem]

[Yeah sorry Ain. There are gay people in this town. They exist.

There also were probably A Lot of gay boys at your Catholic boys only school. They were born there.

Wolfwood swings to his feet, grabbing a toothpick from a container off the table to jam between his teeth.]

Nah, I drove. My car's parked a little up the street.

You took a taxi, right? [...] I could just drop you off at your place, if you want.

[You know if Ain is fine with Wolfwood seeing that he's part of the Ishmael family.]

[eidxiety]

[By the time Stonewall hits it'll be national news that gays are bred in Catholic schools. Ain's one of the shier gays who refused to take his clothes off in the gym locker rooms, as discussed, but others were not like this. This is how the LGBTs can still win.]

Haha... Why not take me to the mid-point of town? [You know. Neutral Territory™. Where there's kind of a melting point of the rich and the poor, the greasers and the devout Catholics. The economic and religious divide is a lot less obvious there. This is a huge town.] There's a stop there. I wouldn't want you to...

[Find out that he's from a mafia family. Not that the average person knows where the Ishmaels live, but... what if?]

...people up north can be judgmental. I can be judgmental. I wouldn't want you to catch flak.