themightybosstone | Limelight Pregaming

saturday?
i'll pick you up at four ish in the morning?

[This is not a date. Obviously not. 100% bro platonic hike.]

we can catch the sunrise together or something

oh bro good planning
we can get up to the bluffs in time
gonna be a view

[ It's OBVIOUSLY not. Clearly not. It's just a good time to go hiking!!

And these are not the zoomies, he just. Had been standing in one place too long and needs to stretch a bit. ]

yeah see you then
dont forget your beanie im telling you last time it was frostnip

[Days later (he was too jittery to message Sett again for their normal 'look at this cool thing I saw' and 'have you seen this lady at the Olympics' and 'give me a picture of your cat(s)' will find Blade sitting in his car in front of Sett's place, Sesame safely ensconced in his carrier at the back.

He hasn't announced he's here yet. No honking no text no anything. This is because he is too busy psyching himself up with his forehead against the steering wheel.]

[ The thing is, Sett hasn't sent anything either?? NORMALLY HE WOULD. Like, there's a new kitten: Nunchucks, and he's BARELY sent anything.

But like, what if he makes it weird! This is just a hike!

SETT DON'T MAKE THIS WEIRD.

And then, the door opens without a honk or a text because Sett had been up and waiting. Is it early? It's probably early. ]

BRO! Though I was gonna have to jog there!

[ The beanie is on hand, a jacket and a knapsack. The other hand has a small offerings of treats for Sesame because he knows who's Boss. ]

[He had allotted 15 minutes for his self-pep-talk, so it's a little early, and he looks genuinely surprised to see Sett stroll up. He nods at him through the window, and when Sett comes around to ride shotgun, he reaches across to open the door for him.]

Hey man.

[He can't hold back the grin, reaching out for a fist bump.]

Nah, you're too much of a wuss to try.

[There's a deep yowl from the back seat, where Sesame peers through his mesh prison, claws scraping against the canvas. The British shorthair was very fond of Sett, and he lovingly showed this through all manners of cat violence against Sett's person.]

[ He would never leave him hanging. The fist bump is just natural as he slides in, lowering the seat so he doesn't have to hunch SO much. ]

You'd just be shamed when I beat you there, man.

Hey SES! Miss me? [ He absolutely puts his hands by the mesh, just to need to yank them back. ] Yep, thought so.

Just wait until he's out, he's been antsy. You left a face towel last time and he refuses to let me wash it.

[Because clearly it was normal to hang out at each other's houses after working out together you know even if they were Adults with their Own Lives or something ANYWAY

He realizes too late that he has leant over to pull Sett's seatbelt over him, so he just. Goes all the way. It's a little tight. Ah.]

Heh. He knows what's good and..

[ Sett turns back around in his seat at about the same time- and oh he's. Really close.

He just, kind of stops, pupils blowing wide. ]

Stuff.

[ NAILED IT. TOTALLY NORMAL INTERACTIONS. ]

[He stops, too, staring at Sett. His eyes flick down to his mouth.]

Stuff.

[He leans in, just a little, tiny bit, a little more--]

MRRRROWW!

[Blade rears back so sharply the back of his head hits his rearview mirror. Sesame lets out another growl, claws scritching softly.]

[ His hand is so close to resting on Blade's side that he might even feel the warmth before the HOWLING OF DOOM!!

SETT YANKS BACK INTO HIS SEAT.

And then covers with a- ]

BUDDY, you get the treats AFTER the harness is on! You know the rules.

HEH, dude, I am NOT payin' for your car if you thrash it. That's on him.

Sesame, you little fucker, calm down.

[He reaches back to let Sesame sniff at his fingers - this is a feat of flexibility he probably shouldn't be doing at his age - before settling back into his own seat. Oh that was so close. He inhales and laughs, trying to get his heartbeat back to normal.]

I'll just put him to work at your place. [DRIVING OFF NOW TO PREVENT ANY MORE MISHAPS.] He needs to earn his keep. Worst roommate ever.

Hey, the life of a star is hard, aint it Ses? Yeah, you got it the roughest.

[ WHAT JUST HAPPENED AND HOW DOES IT HAPPEN AGAIN WAIT SHOULD IT HAPPEN WOULD IT MAKE THEIR BROSHIP WEIRD?

Oh fuck why's he THINKING nothing good ever happens with that. ]

Ah, been a while since we've done this trail, lookin' forward to stretching out.

Yeah it's been what. Three months?

[78 days. Blade counted. He's not very sure when he started counting them, especially when he and Sett go years back, being each other's adventure buddy. It was just - really easy to spend time with him; Sett recharged his batteries in a way other people didn't. It sounded pathetic when put that way, which was why Blade carefully haven't thought of it most of the time.]

Have you been to any other trails around?

Heh, somewhere around that. [ 78 days according to his fitness tracker- ]

And nah... you know how it is. Been minding the store. Dude sometimes you're the only reason I get out.

That just means I should take you out more often, huh?

[Wait that can be taken the wrong way though Blade hopes Sett takes it the wrong way because Blade would really like to take him out for enrichment for the both of them and well. He coughs.]

Taking the dog out on a walk and everything. [GOOD OL FASHIONED RIBBING TO COVER UP THE AWKWARD.]

[ That just gets a snort and a bro punch in the shoulder. ]

What part of me looks dog?? EXACTLY which part?

You couldn't keep up anyway, old man.

[ They're the same age- ]

Come on, bark for me. Woof. And I can run faster than you. Just so you know.

[He tilts up his chin, smug.]

We're the same age, asshole. What do you wanna do for this year though?

Hey, buy me dinner before you demand me make sounds for you.

[ He biffs the back of Blade's head. ]

For birthdays?

[Blade just manages to cover up the way he looks out of the corner of his eye at Sett's mouth with an eyeroll - yes he would like to wring sounds out of his best friend (at least. He thought they were. Maybe Blade needed more friends), it was getting a little out of hand (or in his hand), because the little grunts Sett made when pushing himself in the gym was starting to feature in his wet dreams.

Anyway.]

Yeah. Anything special happening?

[Is he fishing so that he can plan a surprise party thing? Maybe?]

[ Dammit dammit dammit no bite why was he hoping for a bite. Dude he should NOT be thinking about his best friend this way. Just cool your jets, Sett. He rolls his shoulders into a shrug, affecting CASUAL. ]

Nothin' much. I mean, if you're free, maybe we can go to my place, watch a game, play some cards.

What, like a sleepover or something?

[WHY did he have to assume it was an overnight thing like was this something millennial bros did. Blade coughs out a laugh.]

Ha, I mean, teenager shit, you know. [He turns off into their exit. Oh he is fucking this up. Cmon Blade you can do it.] I'm game if you're lame like that.

[ He HADN'T thought of that but now he's thinking about that. ]

Hey it just means we can be liberal with the booze. No worry about you drivin' home.

Totally normal.

[ NAILED IT. ]

[Blade doesn't answer until they've driven up to the parking lot, overlooking the valley of the reservoir, gravel crunching under the tire as he cranks his window open to squint at the slot he'd reserved.]

Yeah. [What is he yeah'ing at? He slings his arm over the back of Sett's seat, turns like he's going to start backing up, but ends up just looking at Sett.]

Not gonna invite anyone else? [There's a pause too long for it to not sound a little hopeful.] To see me kick your ass?

[ Dude he's like RIGHT THERE just a few inches and Sett could CLOSE THE SPACE. He's like RIGHT THERE you can just do it.

No he can feel himself turning red so he just. LOOKS AWAY. ]

Dude I would not do your pride that dirty. Be seen losing THAT bad.

Anyways, I'm feeling a quiet year.

You?

I wasn't really planning on doing anything. 's not a big deal.

[Truth be told he was just thinking about going to work and maybe smuggling a six pack or two into the café for Sett and the staff, and maybe get some good ribbing in before going home and forgetting he'd been alive for yet another year.

When Sett turns away, he lifts his hand to tug at the short curls of hair at the back of Sett's neck, and then actually starts parking, like he hasn't done anything.]

Re: Blade

themightybosstone - 2024-08-08 17:55 (UTC) - Expand