[somewhat accidental video] -open

[scotch_egg]

[he is on a date. At a restaurant maybe, in a store, walking into or out of a theatre. It is an awkward date from any way you look at it. Either the person is loud, or awkward, or touchy-feely and Alec looks like a mad rabbit ready to bolt at any moment. Whatever moment the camera catches is bound to cause second hand embarrassment.

At some point though during the evening, Alec will find a way to squirrel away from his...other to hiss into the camera:]

Help me.

[though he meant to send it to Anthony, well, that's not how it turns out]

Comments

[scotch_egg]

Aye fine, fine.

Just...next time you see me, turn me into a newt.

[because newts didn't have to worry about dates first, last or otherwise]

[scotch_egg]

['Is that true?' she demands. 'He cannot be cuter than I am!']

No comment. [or should he have commented? Would it have been better if he had commented?]

He has a better... erm... [he's not going to say arse. That's going to get him into a lot of trouble] um... shoes.

[this was going terribly.

The woman totsses her hair back

'I don't believe you were together at all! Prove it!']

Oh God.

[serpentinthegarden]

Big place Manhattan. Can you see a street sign, store name, something? Bloody ask her before you end up in a seedy dive some where without any cell coverage.

[scotch_egg]

She says I'll know when I get there? Something about a lot of bears? Do you know this slang?!

[chenqing_player]

[Alec..he will apologize later but unfortunately, Wei Wuxian is completely shameless and not afraid to do..well..anything.

He gives her a look up and down and with as much sass as he knows how to muster..which is actually quite a bit...]

Oh honey..he's really not big into that whole 'baby's got back' kind of craze and you're really trying a little too hard for that in that outfit.

[he turns to Alec and leans up to whisper in his ear, the one not facing the obnoxious woman, with a smirk.]

If you don't smile..grab my butt..something..then I'm going to full on kiss you in the middle of this mall. The choice is yours.

[serpentinthegarden]

Oh, you're in deep trouble.

You're either heading to Bear-a-Bear where you will be forced to... kiss a plastic heart and stuff it into your overpriced bear... Or...

[ Swift intake of breath. ]

She's dragging you out to the Bear Bar. That's... bit of a wild place... especially for some one who has just come out of the closet...

[scotch_egg]

[are you mad? he can't seem to move and he's not grabbing anyone's anything out in public. He tries a smile. It looks more like a pained grimace or a warning from a feral dog]

[chenqing_player]

[He can't help but laugh softly when Alec's attempt is..terrible at best. Please don't hate him because he did warn you...

He brings his face around kisses Alec fully on the mouth, no hesitation, arms still draped over his shoulders. Just accept it because at least Wei Wuxian is an excellent kisser. And honestly..no one else is even paying attention since public displays of attention in a mall? Pretty normal scenery.]

[scotch_egg]

fuck fuck fuck fuck fuck fuck fuck

[a beat later]

i told her i'd die. she told me to thank her later. can't Americans get a hint or do i have to claw my way out into traffic myself?!

[serpentinthegarden]

Just go inside, don't make eye contact with anyone, and if a big drag Queen with a blonde wig comes up and asks you to dance... Don't. I'll be there quick as I can.

[scotch_egg]

[it... had been a long time...since he'd been kissed by anyone. He knew what it meant, or more specifically what it didn't mean-- and he wasn't even all that attracted to the kid--

But he found himself to his faint horror, relaxing to it anyway, his hand finding the small of Wei's back. He didn't return the kiss but it was all he could do not to as it was nothing and meant nothing and would be nothing.

It was a desperate measure in desperate times and he would come to regret this deeply]

[scotch_egg]

Aye. Okay. I'll be here. Don't leave me.

[serpentinthegarden]

Be round in a bit.

[ Which as he was traveling from the Bronx took a wee bit longer than a bit. Traffic, even with a speeding motorcycle breaking the traffic laws, could slow one up. He sauntered into the club like one of those cowboys in the old westerns. Stepped through the main door and stood there like a gunslinger to take in the scene... hunt down Mad Dog Roberts for the reward marked on his poster... or in this case rescue his kidnapped cousin from a date gone sideways. ]

[hardtoignore]

Sure thing. Sounds fun!

[chenqing_player]

[At least Alec didn't stay completely stiff. It just needed to be believable. He tries to hear if the crazy lady walks away but it's hard to hear footsteps in a busy place. So he lets it linger for about how long he would expect it to appear convincing that they were a thing.

When he breaks it, he doesn't pull away. He stays close and moves his lips along to Alec's ear. Brushing his lips against his cheek and keeping the whole act going just in case but making it so Alec can see behind him.

He whispers into his ear again.] Did it work? Is she gone?

[scotch_egg]

[He still wants to die but for an entirely different reason. It takes him a moment to register the question, mostly because of the tickle in his ear and he has to remind himself of several things in quick succession-- the predominant was was his mind begging him not to be pathetic, or if he had to be, not to show it]

Aye... [he realizes it's a whisper and clears his throat] Aye. Aye she's gone. Thank you. [he drops his hand but doesn't immediately push Wei away]

[scotch_egg]

[Alec is standing in the corner, arms folded, nostrils flaring. Three burly men are arranged around him in various trappings of leather. Though he seems more pissed off than anything, there is also a sense that he would flee if given half the chance.

Save him from any awkward explanations of his sexuality]

[chenqing_player]

[He grins as he drops his arms down and gives the man a little space. Very little. Just enough that he isn't pressed against him anymore.]

You're welcome. No one stands a chance against my charms. I guess it might have been a little easier to just try and charm her but she wasn't really my type.

[Was Alec his type? Hard to say. But it was more fun for him this way. Not that he hasn't just randomly made out with strangers at the club before, but he didn't think it would have been that easy with her. He reaches out to straighten Alec's clothing.]

Now that you are are free, what are you going to do?

[scotch_egg]

In the meantime, any tips of extracting yourself from a date short of arson?

[hardtoignore]

Never really been on a date before. I know, lame for an 18yo but I haven’t had many prospects.

Call her ugly and leave? Won’t have to deal with her again after that.

[scotch_egg]

[he swallows hard and takes a deep breath through his nose at the casual intimacy of that gesture. A shiver walks fingers p and down his spine]

I don't doubt... [the question threw him off. he was thrown off by this whole bloody thing. He tried to search for a good answer to that question]

Ah... no idea. Rethink my life choices. Probably. Unless you have a better plan.

[serpentinthegarden]

[ To some people being surrounded by three big leather clad men would be a party! Poor Alec looked ready to bolt for the nearest rabbit hole.

Observing the scene from the doorway the men looked a touch large for even two Crowley's to take on by themselves and Anthony didn't fancy having to dance with any of them so... ]

Alright people!

[ He sauntered into the room, making as much noise as possible to be overheard over the dance music and chatter. ]

In about five minutes the sprinkles are going to go off and this whole place is going to be filled with firemen!

[ Some one in the crowd cheered. Anthony looked their direction, smirked, and even took a little bow. ]

Your welcome. But for anyone wearing big fancy dresses or outfits made of leather you have to know what the water from the sprinklers will do to them... It'll ruin your skirts and wet leather, oooh, shrinks something awful, doesn't it? Really uncomfortable. I suggest you all run outside now before that happens!

[scotch_egg]

Don't rush into it, lad. Dating is not worth it. Go it alone and you'll never be disappointed.

I might just tell her I've got an emergency and leave. She won't buy it but this was definitely a mistake.

[scotch_egg]

[it was probably the most ridiculous thing Alec had ever heard and yet it cleared out the room well enough. Not in a mad stampede like he'd supposed but a casual laughing stroll as if people didn't believe it but wanted to see what might come of it. One of the burly men remained by Alec and with a leer reached for him.

Alec fixed him with a look]

If you touch me I will break your bloody arm.

[this apparently was enough for the man to get the memo and he hurried out as well. Alec flops against the wall, running a hand over his face and sighing]

That moment you regret...everything.

[serpentinthegarden]

[ It might have been crazy but it worked. The bar emptied as he had wanted it too and his hopeless cousin was freed. ]

Could look at it as an adventure? You never would have seen the inside of a place like this without taking a few risks.

[ He didn't approach but his head tilted to one side as if this allowed him to see what Alec was going through from a better angle. ]

You alright?