[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

[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]

[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?

[scotch_egg]

And with luck I'll never see it again.

[that was a good question. Was he alright? The answer was a complicated one but ultimately]

No.... but I will be... [he gave Anthony a small smile]

Buy you a drink?

[serpentinthegarden]

[ The empty bar was given a look... ]

From who? They are all outside waiting for the sprinklers to go off and the firemen to arrive.

What happened anyway?

[scotch_egg]

Not here. Somewhere sane.

And... I don't know what happened. Things just...escalated.

[serpentinthegarden]

[ What standing in the middle of a brightly colored bar with teddy bears hanging from the walls didn't seem sane to you? ]

Yeah, sounds good. Let's get you out of here. Go for a coffee, hot chocolate or...

[ Even if it was early. ]

Glass of wine.

[ He waved Alec over to the door but paused before leaving. ]

Oh, nearly forgot.

[ With a snap of his fingers the sprinklers flicked to life, drenching everything, and in the process automatically calling in the fire patrol. Wanting to be gone before they arrived he then followed Alec out into the street and took a seat on the back of his motorcycle. He wasn't going to leave it there not with the firetrucks on their way here... ]

Up for a short ride if it take it slow? Just... to the next bar.

[scotch_egg]

[he tries not to jump at the sprinklers. God he hates that that is actually a thing now. He doesn't know how he'll be able to get used to it, but like many things Anthony did, he was sure it would come to him with time.

He looks askance at the motorbike]

Fine, you're the one whose going to foot the hospital bill.

[he tentatively gets on behind his cousin]

These things are death traps, you know that.

[serpentinthegarden]

[ Anthony looked back as Alec climbed onboard and waited for him to settle before kicking the thing into gear. ]

Only fair, since you're buying the drinks.

[ He wasn't taking the hospital bait. What he did do was to take it slow as he peeled out of the parking space. It felt like crawling... Or going backwards... but it was only a short hop over to a café that looked more to Alec's tastes. ]

Easiest things to park in New York though. See? Right out in front!

[ As he spoke he pulled the bike in-between two cars, making them a space where one really shouldn't have been. They fit! This was fine! ]

[scotch_egg]

Can you please stop doing that. [it was giving him the chills] Or at least if you do it, don't lie about it. We both know what you're doing. It's like you think I'm a moron.

[serpentinthegarden]

What?

[ Have one of those completely blank and mostly innocent looking snake stares... They were of the same sort he used to favor his mum with in order to earn a cookie before dinner that he wasn't usually allowed to have. ]

Happens like second nature now.

It matter? We got a good spot, no one got hurt... Up for that coffee?

[scotch_egg]

Just don't pretend it's not you doing it. And aye. Coffee sounds good, since something stronger is off the menu.

[he sighs and rubs some errant grit out of the corner of his eye]

Also the next time I mention anything about dating promise me you'll shoot me.