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 Posted: Wed Apr 15, 2015 7:06 pm
It was a Friday, and that meant one of those days where Hitch got to head straight home. For what? Well, an afternoon and evening of merriment doing nothing.
Well, almost nothing. There was one thing he had planned for himself. He was walking around the store, clad in his work jeans, covered in bits of meat, with his work shirt dangling from where it was draped over his shoulder, his hair still tied back and mussed up from when he'd been wearing his stupid work hat, a cigarette tucked behind his ear. With a basket in hand, he was plucking various things off the shelfs - all of them on sale, naturally. The cheapest dried pasta, the tomato paste that was on sale, that kind of thing. It wasn't ideal, but it would do. It'd been like a month since Hitch had taken the time to really sit down and cook something with some thought in it, and even on his downtime, he just didn't have the energy for it.
Today though, today would be the day he finally had a nice plate of spaghetti with some sauce on it. It wouldn't be great or anything, but it was the little things, right? He had to start doing the little things again eventually. His mom would've wanted it.
Suddenly, he felt a tap on his shoulder. Hitch whirled quickly out of reflex, and there was a middle aged man standing behind him with an unamused look on his face. "Where's the paprika?"
Hitch made a face at him initially, but then slipped into a polite smile as he shrugged his shoulders. "You got me man. Try customer service, they can - "
The man sighed aggressively, cutting him off completely. "Listen, I know you work here, I've seen you. Just show me where the damn paprika is." Suddenly, that polite smile was feeling a whole hell of a lot more tight.
"I hate to break it to you, but I work in the deli, sir; even if I was on the clock, I'd have no clue where it was."
"How ******** lazy are you? I just want to know where the paprika is!"
"And I just told you that I don't know where the godda-- I don't know where the paprika is, sir." His teeth were fairly gritting together at this point.
It didn't help that the other guy stepped closer to him, close enough to smell his foul a** breath. "Then why don't you just go do your job and ask? What don't you understand about that?" He said each word so slowly and deliberately, like Hitch wasn't understanding him or something. Biting down on the back of his piercing, he clenched his fists neatly at his sides and tried to just go back to what he was doing, and, "Don't turn your ******** back on me!"kuuropii Sorry this is hella late yo! heart
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Posted: Mon Apr 20, 2015 10:15 pm
Unfortunately for Tolliver, it was his turn to do the shopping.
An argument had already occurred earlier in the morning between Tolliver and his brother, the twins squabbling (in Fritz's case, good-naturedly, and in Tolliver's case, irritatedly) about whose turn it was to make dinner; and when nothing seemed to settle it, it came down to a particularly intense game of Rock Paper Scissors.
Which conceded Tolliver as the loser, and it was with a great amount of disgruntled silence that he tramped out of their shared loft and outside, down out of the apartment and across the street and over somewhat to get to the store. It took him a little longer than it would have most people, considering the cane in his hand (which was still an inconvenient, though now Tolliver used it to whack people who were annoying him: namely his twin brother), and by the time he reached the store, it was already afternoon.
He spent the first few minutes looking around, trying in vain to figure out something, and had only just picked up a jar of applesauce when he heard a commotion. Eyebrows drawing together, Tolliver weaved around a row of cans and found himself looking at two people locked in what appeared to be a heated argument.
At least, a one-sided heated argument, since one person was attempting not to participate. And he looked vaguely familiar as well...
A lightbulb ticked on in Tolliver's head. Making his way over to the two of them, he reached the pair just as the volume reached a level more fit for bar room brawls than in the middle of a grocery store on a Friday afternoon when there were customers looking curiously around.
"Hey." Tolliver slid easily between the man and his quarry - namely Hitch, the one he'd met during New Year's - both of his hands on the cane, because who in the right mind would hit a cripple. Tolliver leveled a look at the yelling man.
"You're bothering people, they're starting to wonder. Get lost."
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Posted: Sat Jun 06, 2015 10:45 pm
Even if Tolliver was walking with a cane, the unruly customer lingered for a moment or two too long, like he was really debating whether or not it would be worth his while to take his bad day out on a cripple. He leaned in close, the kind of close that showed each pore and sparse hair on his upper lip, just like he would actually make good on that physical threat... before abruptly easing back with a snort and turning on his heel to storm away.
The whole thing took Hitch sort of by surprise. It'd gone down and ended so fast, he'd barely had time to consider how he'd get the guy off his would-be hero if it came down to it. He frankly hadn't expected anyone to bother to step in... even less for it to be someone so familiar, someone he hadn't seen since the incident. "Holy -- Tolliver?!"
He stepped around to face him, just to confirm. Forgetting names didn't come easily to him, especially since he'd thought back on that night a lot. How could he not? Talking cats, weird costumes, a lot of fainting. (Plus even failing all that, the cane was kind of distinctive.) The harder he tried not to dwell on the memories, the harder it was to leave them behind. "You didn't have to do that!" he exclaimed, though made sure to keep his voice kind of hushed because people were still sort of staring.
Still, even if Hitch was sort of embarassed that someone had to come in and defend him, he was clearly delighted to see Tolliver there. "But thank you. Really. I'm so sorry about all that -- how've you been?"
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Posted: Thu Jun 11, 2015 11:49 am
He maintained his disgruntled expression, even as the customer was staring at him with a mutinous face, Tolliver's stance quite impassive. He didn't particularly like his space invaded, especially by someone who smelled like old sweat and socks, but he stood perfectly still and waited.
Eventually it paid off; the customer stomped off, rather childishly, and Tolliver felt his shoulders ease a little as he turned partially around, brows furrowed together in annoyance.
"Hey," he said, his accent coming out a little thicker than normal, gaze landing on Hitch's surprised expression. Some of the irritation seemed to ebb out of his face, and Tolliver pressed his lips together in what might have almost been a smile - almost, since he didn't exactly do it very often. "Sorry for intruding, that guy was bloody noisy."
He hadn't seen the other man since that night at New Year's, but here they were now, ironically, in the middle of a store. "Well, no, I suppose not," said Tolliver. "But either way, y'know, what's done is done."
He seemed a little embarrassed. Tolliver shifted the cane in his hands. "I've been all right," he answered, eyes resting on the other man's face. "Haven't been up to much since, well...all of that. Keepin' quiet, and all. Don't suppose you've been getting yourself knocked around by people in capes, have you?" he asked, clearly intending it to be a joke.
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Posted: Sun Jun 14, 2015 11:26 pm
"Don't be sorry, seriously - if you liked him, you should see some of the others that come through here, " Hitch remarked with a snicker, tugging his work shirt off his shoulder and throwing it into his shopping basket. "Food service brings out the worst in people." He said 'food service' like it was some formal thing; okay, he sliced meat and threw some raw chicken coated in flour into a deep fryer. But at least it was something he could do relatively well. He wasn't exactly a man of a million skills.
Suddenly, he grew very conscious of the fact that he probably looked like a royal mess. It was easier not to care when they were just regular faces in a crowd, but when it was one of the only people he'd actually talked to outside of work, suddenly he got worked up. He ran his fingers along his hair, finally thinking better of it and just tugging the hair tie out so his hair fell, messily, back down to his shoulders.
But then Tolliver bought up the people in capes, and Hitch couldn't help it; he barked out a laugh, short and sarcastic. "I wish I could say no. - twice, I've gotten shaken up by these ******** since then. Both times on my way home. Two different guys." He ran his fingers through his hair to try and smooth it out, which did a whole lot of nothing. "Can you believe that? I tried to go to the cops, but since I'm not dead, missing, comatose, or robbed, apparently being knocked out on the pavement isn't exactly priority one." He shrugged, throwing his hands up into the air to express his sheer disbelief.
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Posted: Mon Jun 15, 2015 10:38 am
"So I've noticed," Tolliver murmured, eyes flickering over Hitch's appearance with a sort of bemused curiosity. Clearly the other man had just come from...well, somewhere, work, perhaps, considering the state of them. "I used to do a bit of serving back in the day, but nothing recent. Still, food service..."
He made an expression of disgust and lifted his gaze back to the other man's face. Hitch may have been self-conscious about his appearance, but Tolliver didn't particularly mind; he was used to coming home and seeing his brother covered in paint and whatever other mysterious art materials.
His brows rose in slight surprise. "Bloody hell," Tolliver said, "They seem to like picking on you, don't they? I haven't had a run-in since New Year's, for which I count myself fortunate. It seems you have been quite as lucky." He waved a hand in annoyance. "The coppers don't do jack s**t apparently, that's rough."
Hesitation made him press his lips together, Tolliver very much aware that they were still standing in the middle of a store. He was not one for idle conversation, nor was he particularly friendly or engaging, and did not make friends easily - but considering that the both of them had been involved in the same mess, well...
"Let's not stay here," said Tolliver finally, glancing around. "Wanna go to the pub next door? I'll buy you a drink, if you don't mind the company."
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Posted: Sat Jul 11, 2015 8:45 pm
"Maybe I'm just too charming for my own damn good, " Hitch groaned dryly, rolling his eyes as he waved an index finger at Tolliver - then realized it was probably rude so he cut that right out. "You know, before I even moved out here, I wondered why the rent in this city was so damn cheap. It all makes sense now."
He laughed again, shaking his head. Seriously, it was kind of bullshit. It wasn't even like he could afford to move anywhere else, so he just had to suck it up and ******** watch himself. His hand tapped a slow rhythm on his thigh, some channel for his internalized irritation.
The offer genuinely shocked Hitch, and it showed. "Really?" When the shock faded, he just looked so - well, s**t, he looked ecstatic, a lopsided grin on his face and all. Like a dog given a bone. "I mean, yeah, I'd be cool with that. I got nowhere to be."
Literally. Except for home, he didn't.
Already, he'd internally reasoned that if Tolliver was buying him a drink, then he'd make it a point to buy him a second. He'd budget it in there somehow.
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Posted: Mon Jul 13, 2015 1:45 pm
He was not much one for smiling - or really, even being particularly nice - but Tolliver found his lips twitching upwards slightly, the faintest hint of an amused look passing across his face. "Maybe you just have something about yourself that they like," he said, shifting his cane a little. "That's why they keep coming after you."
The offer had surprised himself as well, in spite of being the one to make it. Tolliver was ill experienced in making acquaintances and friends, and this had grown since his accident, the limp making him feel surly and dissatisfied with life in general. But Hitch's eager, excited expression took him aback, and Tolliver felt his face growing slightly red, wondering if he would later regret this.
"Well, since we've both been through, you know," he said, nodding his head towards the door to indicate they should make their way to the exit. "I figure we're both now familiar with certain ways of society, it makes us, you know. Comrades in arms, at least."
Tolliver pushed open the door, gesturing for Hitch to go first.
"Perhaps we can...get to know each other a little," he said, somewhat awkwardly, because how did people even make friends.
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Posted: Mon Jul 13, 2015 1:59 pm
Hitch wished he'd gotten to the door first - not because Tolliver walked with a cane or anything, but the least he could do was get the door for a potential friend that was offering him a drink. Still, he bobbed his head in thanks as he passed him.
Get to know each other a little. "I'd like that - I haven't really - " He tried to think of a way to say it that didn't sound desperate, pathetic, or like he was out for pity. " - with the move an' the new job an' weirdo costumed terrorists an' all, it's been a little hard to get out there, y'know?" Hitch still hated the way it sounded. If Tolliver hadn't already invited him, he probably would've assumed it was a pity drink. His cheeks burned briefly, but that was the only sign of his agitation - after all, it was directly squarely at himself.
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Posted: Mon Jul 13, 2015 2:20 pm
Tolliver felt stupidly inexperienced in terms of actually making conversation, but so far it seemed to be going surprisingly well. Or at least, not terribly. He was still a little uncertain as to the proper societal mannerisms, but, well, he would just sort of wing it for now.
"Yes," said Tolliver, and found himself actually meaning it. "I haven't really...gotten to know very many people at all myself. I suppose a part of it is my own fault, for being such a recluse."
His gaze flickered sideways towards Hitch, catching the faint redness to his cheeks, and it made him feel slightly better about the fact that his own face felt more flushed than usual. His stupid leg and his stupid inability to be sociable led to a lot of misunderstandings and unpleasantness, yet Hitch seemed not to mind either of those things.
"So..." said Tolliver as he limped next door towards the pub, taking the two steps up to the door with an annoying amount of care and slowness. "What, ah..."
He floundered for words, feeling himself going even redder, and Tolliver gritted his teeth in irritation. "What do you do for work?" he asked, then mentally slapped himself for such an inane question.
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Posted: Mon Jul 13, 2015 3:27 pm
Hitch couldn't help feeling a little relieved when he realized pity wasn't going to be a factor there; thank ******** god. "I get that - when I get free time I usually just head home. Not like I hate goin' out or anythin', " he amended quickly. He couldn't exactly say it was because he was too ******** dirt poor. "Just, I don't know. My stuff's there, so." He shrugged his shoulders helplessly. Obviously his s**t was at home, but he hoped Tolliver got what he meant. Why go through all the stress of trying to meet people when he could just head home and pound some drums, or eat? Or sleep, and then sleep some more, because he was just always ******** exhausted now.
This time, Hitch took the incentive to sweep up the steps first, proudly holding the door for Tolliver. Favor returned. But when he asked what Hitch did for work, he got a little flustered again. "Ah, uhm - well, " just play it cool. "I work two jobs. Back there, " he jerked his thumb towards the grocery store, "in the deli, an' I do cashier stuff at another place. Nothin' great, but it's money. - how 'bout you?" Change the focus, and fast.
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Posted: Mon Jul 13, 2015 3:34 pm
He gave a slow nod of his head, understanding what Hitch was saying without too much explanation needed. "Right," said Tolliver. "My brother likes to go out and do things and be...well, all sociable and everything, he's a creature of excitement and life, after all, but I'm not the same. There's just..." He gave a little wave of his hand. "A lot of rubbish out here, I like being in my own element."
And now he was stepping out of it, with Hitch, literally as well as metaphorically. Tolliver blinked in surprise as the other darted ahead of him, but he appreciated the gesture nonetheless, still feeling a bit pathetic and annoyed that he could hardly walk normally. He was nowhere near being an old man at twenty-two, yet the cane made him feel positively ancient.
"Money is money," said Tolliver, casting a sideways glance at Hitch as he stepped into the building. "I mean, even if its not the most glamorous of jobs, it's still something to get you off your feet, right?"
The hostess beamed at them as Tolliver held up two fingers, grabbing a set of menus and gesturing for the pair of them to follow her. Tolliver limped along and said, "I don't really...work a whole lot. I used to ride motorcycles before...well, before," he said, embarrassed. "But now I mainly write. My brother draws for a webcomic, and I write the dialogue and the plotlines, so it's basically freelance."
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Posted: Mon Jul 13, 2015 11:14 pm
"I feel you man, " Hitch grunted in agreement; he didn't really hate people. He savored going out sometimes; some part of him still craved friends. But after the s**t he'd gone through in the past few years, 'rubbish' was kind of an understatement for the world waiting for him outside. It wasn't so for everyone, but... no. He'd fought and clawed and ended up with nothing but more s**t being shoved down his throat.
Still, no point in mulling over the unavoidable tonight. Not when he had company for a change; even if it went to s**t later, at least it was something.
He fought the urge to snicker in favor of a wry grin, "Heh, guess that's one way to put it." Money was money, and it was never enough. The bills kept piling. The calls kept coming. If someone crept up on him in an alley and offered him some quick cash for a kidney, Hitch couldn't even pretend he'd refuse. "Hey, d'you know if they're cool with smoking in here?" That didn't help his costs any... but to be fair, he didn't exactly spare himself a whole lot of luxuries.
Without thinking, Hitch went ahead and Tolliver's chair out for him as he listened, and his smile grew more genuine. "That's pretty badass, though. - how's that goin' for you guys? It's so hard to get out there with creative s**t, but web comics are pretty big now, right?" He wanted to ask about the motorcycles and the accident. What exactly had happened to Tolliver? - but that was one of those sensitive things, and so he chewed at the back of his lip piercing and kept quiet. He didn't want to ******** this up when it was just getting started. "How long you been doin' it for?"
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Posted: Tue Jul 14, 2015 12:34 am
So far, Hitch was proving to be surprisingly enjoyable company. Tolliver wasn't quite sure what to make of this, but he decided to simply go with the flow as it was (Fritz would have been proud of him, stepping out of his comfort zone), and let things play out how they would. He found he had strangely similar viewpoints with the other man, even if they didn't seem at all alike at first glance.
"I think they're okay with it, if we're in the right section," said Tolliver, and the hostess, who had heard Hitch's question, gave a cheerful nod and easily redirected her footsteps, leading them not to the open area on the floor, but to a slightly sectioned off area in the back that was still comfortable and pleasant. She dropped the menus on the table and was gone before he could say thanks.
Tolliver made to sit down, and was both surprised and mortified that Hitch had pulled out his chair for him, his face flushing as he reminded himself forcefully that he was simply being friendly, not pitying. Hitch's smile was bright and entirely relaxed, without the faintest trace of the usual dripping sympathy that was usually directed Tolliver's way.
"Apparently so," he said, taking a seat and sliding his cane to rest against the side of his leg. Thank you," Tolliver added, somewhat belatedly, as his fingers fluttered over the menu, which was short and one-sided. "It's going well, Fritz is an excellent artist - not that I would ever tell him that to his face - and knows how to work the masses, so he does well with marketing the comic."
He shifted in his seat, and then ran a hand through his hair. "A few years," said Tolliver, the faintest hint of a smile touching his lips. "It started off slow, but now it's booming, I suppose is what you could say. It's really rather impressive, even if Fritz is a git sometimes."
His eyes swept over the menu.
"What are you getting? If you'd like something other than a drink, please feel free."
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Posted: Tue Jul 14, 2015 1:47 pm
Oh thank god. Hitch breathed an audible sigh of relief and made sure to heartily thank the waitress as he plucked the cigarette from behind his ear. He fished out a half smoked pack to fetch his lighter, but afterwards made sure to extend the pack to Tolliver in an open invitation. "Y'want?"
It wasn't that he didn't notice when Tolliver flushed or his brow furrowed or any of the little signs - but he just thought it was better not to mull over them or draw any undue attention. Tolliver seemed mostly okay. If Hitch tried anything, inevitably he'd say something stupid and this whole thing would be ******** cracked a smile when his - was it safe to call him a friend yet? - companion for the night talked about his brother, and not for the first time wished he could have had that. "That's ******** - that's really damn awesome, " and he tried to curb the language a little. "You'll have to gimme the link or somethin'. I'd seriously love to see it."
Something other than a drink - his eyes skimmed over the menu, and his stomach roared ominously. He hadn't eaten lunch today, just shoved an apple down his throat. To be fair though, he hadn't bought the groceries. He could afford to do this; there was no way he was letting this guy pay for a drink and food. "Mmmm? Oh well, maybe a burger - yeah, I could totally do a burger."
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