Bass laughed and flashed that smile of his again. "Exactly. If we'd lived near the ocean, and I'd have discovered the waves, then...well. There'd have been even more praying for my soul than I'm sure there already was."
Not from his parents, at least, but he'd given the nuns at their Catholic elementary school palpitations, probably, the poor things. They'd meant well.
He took a sip of his own beer, eyes sweeping over Alex appreciatively. "So, with you growing up in Roswell and working in the museum, I gotta ask - do you think it's all a hoax, or did something inexplicable crash there in 1947? I mean, all the deaths of the people connected to the initial investigation seem suspicious, don't they?"
"I think," Alex said slowly, curious about how exactly Bass knew so much about it, "that there are too many crackpot theories out there to separate fact from fiction. Especially in Roswell. Do I believe the government that it was a nuclear test surveillance balloon? I suppose I can always check the records and find out. Thoroughly debunk or confirm it one way or the other.
"And if I ever decide to go back to Roswell for more than just leave, I might do that just to see the look on everybody's faces. But I guess what it comes down to is that when people are telling you every day that aliens abducted Elvis or that they're planning an invasion that never seems to happen, it gets hard to believe that kind of thing."
Alex took a sip and considered it. "You get one of two people in Roswell. The fanatics who'll believe almost everything and the people who live there and laugh about it."
Bass was just curious about things and liked to read--and that included in museums. He'd driven Miles a bit crazy, reading most of the exhibits at the museum in Roswell. He considered Alex's comments, and nodded.
"That makes sense. I just figure--universe is a big place. It seems more likely than not that we are not the only intelligent life in it. What seems less likely is that any of them would have any desire to come here. I mean, we've got great beaches, but other planets must, too."
He shrugged, a little sheepish. "But of all the crackpot theories out there--that something happened in Roswell seems believable, just because of the level of weirdness around it. You should totally dig into the files and see what you can find with those computer skills of yours." He considered, then grinned. "And then laugh about it, probably."
"I agree with you there. And when you think about it, Star Trek isn't far wrong. Any intelligent alien that we find is likely to have hands and is at least bipedal some of the time. Otherwise they wouldn't be able to make ships to leave their planet."
His high school, being Roswell, had assigned Orson Scott Card as one of the readings and he never could figure out how a bug-like creature could manufacture anything, let alone a whole fleet of ships.
He laughed. "As soon as I'm capable of breaking into the DOD or Air Force or whoever actually has the records for Roswell, I'll absolutely get on that. And then I'll let you know so you can have the laugh, too."
"Doctor Who would say the same thing," Bass pointed out. "Of course, that's because apparently most species are at least roughly patterned on Time Lords, so, beyond bipedal, a lot of 'em are humanoid." He grinned. "Jack Harkness is kinda my hero."
Pansexual playboy that he was, who looked dashing in period military wear.
Alex's eyes went a little wide in surprise. "You do not look like the science fiction type." Even if Captain Jack was a bit of a pop culture icon. "Besides, Ianto is clearly the more badass of the pair. He led Jack around by his dick for the first season of Torchwood so he could keep his girlfriend in hiding in the basement."
He could still remember that perfect second season before they started killing everyone off.
He looked Bass from head to toe. "Don't tell me you used to do cosplay." Bass in suspenders. That was a nice image.
"Oh, I love science fiction," Bass returned with a slightly sheepish grin. "There was really only so much to do in Jasper. I liked being outside, sure, but reading and watching TV was always a way to escape to somewhere far more interesting than where I was."
He chuckled. "I'm not knocking Ianto, at all. I just kinda identified more with Jack and 51st century flexibility in dance partners." He considered for a moment. "He was the first character I ever came across who was like me." He'd been 21 in 2005, already three years in the Marines, with one tour in Iraq under his belt, but it had still been a moment like lightning.
He gave Alex another grin. "Not full-out, no. But we hit Comic-Con a couple of times when we were stationed in San Diego. Miles got me the coat for my birthday one year."
"And what's inflexible about Ianto?" Alex felt compelled to ask. Not that he'd identified in that way. He'd only ever been into guys. And he could absolutely see the other arguments Bass was intimating. The military angle for sure. But the only argument he'd actually used was flexibility.
He put down his drink and lifted his hand. "Lisa," he said, ticking down one finger with his other hand. "Jack. Not much variety, I'll grant, but flexible."
He opened his mouth to respond to the coat comment and then closed it again when he realized anything he'd have to say would mostly come out as a 'Yes, please'.
"Nothing," Bass said honestly. "But Jack was on Doctor Who before Torchwood, so he was still the first I saw, and I was already attached and identifying with him before we ever met Ianto. And we got to see Jack before his resurrection, and then after, and how he changed and...I guess I identified with that change, too."
Not so much the actual resurrection, of course, but. Who he'd been before he went to war, and who he'd been when he came back. Who he'd been before Thanksgiving 2010, who he'd been after.
And that was a little too serious, even if just in his head. "But I've got nothing against Ianto. I mean, he showed extreme ingenuity, and I still want to know what he had in mind to do with the stopwatch."
"And that's why I'm the better fit. I can think of at least a few things." Alex grinned and picked up the beer again. "And that's just off the top of my head." Now that hungry wasn't his first reaction, he was able to ask the question that'd come to mind when he first found out about it. "So, I'm going to get to see you in that coat, right?"
Better to talk about that than changes that could be associated with an almost literal rebirth. Especially since not all of those changes could be considered positive.
"I could look around the pawn shops in the area and see if I can find a watch."
Bass chuckled, leaning in a bit more, so he could pitch his voice a little lower, little more intimate, even in the bar.
"Are you suggesting we do a little Jack and Ianto roleplay?" There was a teasing note in his voice, though an intensity burned in his gaze that said it might be ridiculous, but he would be totally down with that brand of ridiculousness.
After all, sex didn't have to be a deadly serious business.
Alex's thumb slipped along the neck of the bottle as he reached almost kissing distance with Bass. He had to admit it was tempting. To just say to hell with it and give in to this frisson between them. Except he was actually enjoying spending time with Bass just talking and if he gave in - now, at least - to the flirting, he might lose the rest of it, too. Or maybe those were just his own experiences coming back to haunt him.
Either way, he leaned in just that little more and slid his cheek along Bass's so he could whisper in the other man's ear. "Can't. I don't have the pocket watch yet."
He leaned back against the bar and took another drink. There was an intensity in his eyes, too, but it was tempered with the self-control that he wouldn't just fall into Bass's bed tonight.
Bass's smile blossomed slowly as Alex settled back against the bar. He was downright delectable, in all the best ways. It had been a while since Bass had actually met someone he genuinely liked who swung his direction. Granted, that was probably at least in part because he hadn't been looking. He had Miles, for almost everything, so he didn't tend to worry about forging emotional connections.
But he liked Alex, enough to be willing to be patient.
It had been a while since he'd put off instant gratification, too.
So, he grinned. "Well, when you find one...maybe you can see the coat. I think I can even dig up suspenders."
"And I'll start compiling that list of ways to use the stopwatch," Alex said, grateful that not only did Bass's smile not dim when he realized that Alex was only taking the flirting so far, but actually getting bigger. To be honest, in a lot of ways he'd almost rather have a friend. If he could have a friend he could sleep with without any hurt feelings? All the better.
He cleared his throat. Bass could be very distracting, even when Alex had already made up his mind.
"And now you need to come up with a change in subject before I start brainstorming them right here." Because his mind was blank.
"I'm counting on you to be creative." Bass's smile shifted a little into a teasing smirk. He settled back against the bar in turn, and couldn't help being a little flattered that Alex apparently seemed to be...noticing him in all the right ways.
Waiting was so much easier when you knew it was more a matter of building up to something than lack of interest.
Of course, now he was thinking of all sorts of things they could eventually do. Which wasn't helpful.
"Uh...Do you ever...do you like to sing?" They'd talked music, hadn't they? Alex really had pretty eyes.
Alex swallowed at the way Bass was looking at him and he had to remind himself this was not happening. Not tonight, at least. Even if that smirk could tempt him into so many things.
"I can, I guess. I was always more lead guitar than lead singer, but I won't make any dog howl with my voice." He'd never really thought of it. He just knew that playing the guitar hurt in ways it sometimes felt impossible to get over. He'd never considered singing as an alternative to music.
Bass chuckled. "We still haven't managed to find a drummer, sadly..." Not that Bass didn't still think they could totally have been rockstars instead of Marines had he convinced Miles to defy his dad.
"But I was back to thinking of things to get out out to do for fun. Miles' favorite bar has a karaoke night on the beach. Lots of tourists in season, but that keeps it from being the same old people all the time, and then more amusing, because the tourists don't care because no one will see them again. Makes for both great people watching and, if you like to sing, a fantastic audience for doing so."
He shifted a little, rolled his shoulder to work out a kink from PT. "There's also beach vollyball. We get a game going at least once a week."
"So what you're saying is that you want me either shirtless or serenading you." He was mostly teasing, but a part of his mind was already wondering if they had Kings of Leon. If he was going to play rock god for the night, might as well go with something he could really rock out to. And yeah, the more he thought about it, the more he realized how much he'd buried his head under the sand after leaving Roswell.
"Okay, okay. You've convinced me. There are more things to do here than sit around at my computer. Even if I still thinking messing with the computer is fun."
He frowned a little when Bass rolled his shoulder. "Everything okay?"
"Technically, I was proposing mutual shirtlessness and serenading," Bass said with a smile and a shake of his head. It was a nice image, though, thinking of Alex in either capacity. The younger man definitely seemed like he could use some more fun in his life.
"Nothing wrong with having fun with the computer, either," he allowed. "But it's good to mix it up sometimes."
Another roll of his shoulder, and he nodded, dismissed it with a wave of his hand. "Took a hit training this morning. Think I knocked it out a little; it just keeps popping, but it'll be fine."
"Technically it looks like you could use a walk to the doctor," Alex said, lifting an eyebrow. "Especially if you want to get sweaty in the sand with me any time soon." Or sweaty anywhere else. He slid his wallet out of his back pocket and tossed a few bills, enough for both him and Bass and a tip, on the counter.
He slid off his seat and nodded at the door.
"C'mon. I'll walk you." As much because it meant he'd be able to keep talking to Bass as because he thought that Bass would not end up getting checked out if he didn't go.
"It's not that big of a deal," Bass protested. "I promise...I iced it a bit earlier, and I'll ice it again before bed, take some ibuprofen, and it'll be fine in the morning..."
But he stood, as well, willing enough to get out of the bar and the people starting to crowd in around them. Especially with any discussion of getting sweaty, even if it's not happening tonight.
"Popping," was Alex's reply. "I had a friend, Michael, who broke his hand. He didn't let a doctor look at it and..." He shook his head. It was bad. Really bad and not something he wanted to dwell on because it had been his fault. If only he hadn't been thinking with his heart things might have been different.
He turned in the direction of the base when they left the bar and began walking.
"Besides, it'd be a shame if your arms weren't fully mobile when I manage to get my hands on that stopwatch.
Bass shot him a look, frowning slightly. There was a story there, clearly, but he didn't know Alex well enough to press. "I can promise you, it's not broken. Although I did break my collarbone onece, but it was while sliding in to home base at the state championship game for the win, so. Worth it." But he had gotten treatment right away. "I've dislocated my shoulder more than once and had a piece of shrapnel lodge there in Iraq."
He gave Alex a rueful smile. "So, I think some popping is to be expected."
But he walked along next to him without real complaint. "Though, to be fair, I really would like to be sure to be fully mobile for that, too."
"And you wonder why I call you an old man," Alex teased. "Pops. What's next? Creaks? Snaps?"
And yeah, he knew he was probably overreacting and it wasn't even like he knew Bass that well, but he knew what he could and couldn't stand. He couldn't stand someone being hurt when he could help. So here he was, helping. He rubbed at his left hand absently.
"Lucky for you, I guess old men are my type."
He thought about that, frowned, and amended, "One old man is my type."
"Christ, kid," he teased back. "I played high school football and baseball for a championship team. I had things already popping, at least, when I was your age, way back when."
But, really, he appreciated the concern. He was even willing to play along, make sure it was just a bit of strain or overuse, and lay off the sparring and pushups for a week or two if the doc thought it wise. Mostly, he was humoring Alex, but...it was nice to have someone care about the little things. Miles had tossed him an ice pack and told him he'd dropped his guard and to pay better attention.
Which, admittedly, was Miles-speak for "don't get hurt, idiot, because I don't like to see you hurt," but it was still nice for someone to evidence actual, spoken-aloud, concern.
He chuckled. "I guess I can live with that, so long as I'm the old man in question. Though, I gotta say, I already had a complex about my thirtieth birthday, so you're not really helping." Though, that did bring up a thing. "Does it make me more or less your type if I tell you I have a kid?"
He never brings up Connor when he's just finding someone to hook up with, but he likes Alex, and he's kind of over-eager with the being a dad thing since Emma kept it from him for so long, so the kid's bound to come up in conversation. Might as well toss it out there now.
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momijizukamori
no subject
Date: 2019-03-23 05:55 am (UTC)Not from his parents, at least, but he'd given the nuns at their Catholic elementary school palpitations, probably, the poor things. They'd meant well.
He took a sip of his own beer, eyes sweeping over Alex appreciatively. "So, with you growing up in Roswell and working in the museum, I gotta ask - do you think it's all a hoax, or did something inexplicable crash there in 1947? I mean, all the deaths of the people connected to the initial investigation seem suspicious, don't they?"
no subject
Date: 2019-03-23 08:46 am (UTC)"And if I ever decide to go back to Roswell for more than just leave, I might do that just to see the look on everybody's faces. But I guess what it comes down to is that when people are telling you every day that aliens abducted Elvis or that they're planning an invasion that never seems to happen, it gets hard to believe that kind of thing."
Alex took a sip and considered it. "You get one of two people in Roswell. The fanatics who'll believe almost everything and the people who live there and laugh about it."
no subject
Date: 2019-03-24 02:43 am (UTC)"That makes sense. I just figure--universe is a big place. It seems more likely than not that we are not the only intelligent life in it. What seems less likely is that any of them would have any desire to come here. I mean, we've got great beaches, but other planets must, too."
He shrugged, a little sheepish. "But of all the crackpot theories out there--that something happened in Roswell seems believable, just because of the level of weirdness around it. You should totally dig into the files and see what you can find with those computer skills of yours." He considered, then grinned. "And then laugh about it, probably."
no subject
Date: 2019-03-24 03:14 am (UTC)His high school, being Roswell, had assigned Orson Scott Card as one of the readings and he never could figure out how a bug-like creature could manufacture anything, let alone a whole fleet of ships.
He laughed. "As soon as I'm capable of breaking into the DOD or Air Force or whoever actually has the records for Roswell, I'll absolutely get on that. And then I'll let you know so you can have the laugh, too."
no subject
Date: 2019-03-24 04:15 am (UTC)Pansexual playboy that he was, who looked dashing in period military wear.
"Excellent. I will hold you to that."
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Date: 2019-03-24 04:47 am (UTC)He could still remember that perfect second season before they started killing everyone off.
He looked Bass from head to toe. "Don't tell me you used to do cosplay." Bass in suspenders. That was a nice image.
no subject
Date: 2019-03-25 01:58 am (UTC)He chuckled. "I'm not knocking Ianto, at all. I just kinda identified more with Jack and 51st century flexibility in dance partners." He considered for a moment. "He was the first character I ever came across who was like me." He'd been 21 in 2005, already three years in the Marines, with one tour in Iraq under his belt, but it had still been a moment like lightning.
He gave Alex another grin. "Not full-out, no. But we hit Comic-Con a couple of times when we were stationed in San Diego. Miles got me the coat for my birthday one year."
no subject
Date: 2019-03-25 03:02 am (UTC)He put down his drink and lifted his hand. "Lisa," he said, ticking down one finger with his other hand. "Jack. Not much variety, I'll grant, but flexible."
He opened his mouth to respond to the coat comment and then closed it again when he realized anything he'd have to say would mostly come out as a 'Yes, please'.
no subject
Date: 2019-03-25 03:16 am (UTC)Not so much the actual resurrection, of course, but. Who he'd been before he went to war, and who he'd been when he came back. Who he'd been before Thanksgiving 2010, who he'd been after.
And that was a little too serious, even if just in his head. "But I've got nothing against Ianto. I mean, he showed extreme ingenuity, and I still want to know what he had in mind to do with the stopwatch."
no subject
Date: 2019-03-25 03:53 am (UTC)Better to talk about that than changes that could be associated with an almost literal rebirth. Especially since not all of those changes could be considered positive.
"I could look around the pawn shops in the area and see if I can find a watch."
no subject
Date: 2019-03-25 04:51 am (UTC)"Are you suggesting we do a little Jack and Ianto roleplay?" There was a teasing note in his voice, though an intensity burned in his gaze that said it might be ridiculous, but he would be totally down with that brand of ridiculousness.
After all, sex didn't have to be a deadly serious business.
no subject
Date: 2019-03-25 11:54 pm (UTC)Either way, he leaned in just that little more and slid his cheek along Bass's so he could whisper in the other man's ear. "Can't. I don't have the pocket watch yet."
He leaned back against the bar and took another drink. There was an intensity in his eyes, too, but it was tempered with the self-control that he wouldn't just fall into Bass's bed tonight.
no subject
Date: 2019-03-26 02:26 am (UTC)But he liked Alex, enough to be willing to be patient.
It had been a while since he'd put off instant gratification, too.
So, he grinned. "Well, when you find one...maybe you can see the coat. I think I can even dig up suspenders."
no subject
Date: 2019-03-26 04:47 am (UTC)He cleared his throat. Bass could be very distracting, even when Alex had already made up his mind.
"And now you need to come up with a change in subject before I start brainstorming them right here." Because his mind was blank.
no subject
Date: 2019-03-30 11:37 pm (UTC)Waiting was so much easier when you knew it was more a matter of building up to something than lack of interest.
Of course, now he was thinking of all sorts of things they could eventually do. Which wasn't helpful.
"Uh...Do you ever...do you like to sing?" They'd talked music, hadn't they? Alex really had pretty eyes.
no subject
Date: 2019-03-31 01:32 am (UTC)"I can, I guess. I was always more lead guitar than lead singer, but I won't make any dog howl with my voice." He'd never really thought of it. He just knew that playing the guitar hurt in ways it sometimes felt impossible to get over. He'd never considered singing as an alternative to music.
"Why? Want me to join your band?"
no subject
Date: 2019-03-31 04:01 am (UTC)"But I was back to thinking of things to get out out to do for fun. Miles' favorite bar has a karaoke night on the beach. Lots of tourists in season, but that keeps it from being the same old people all the time, and then more amusing, because the tourists don't care because no one will see them again. Makes for both great people watching and, if you like to sing, a fantastic audience for doing so."
He shifted a little, rolled his shoulder to work out a kink from PT. "There's also beach vollyball. We get a game going at least once a week."
no subject
Date: 2019-03-31 11:01 am (UTC)"Okay, okay. You've convinced me. There are more things to do here than sit around at my computer. Even if I still thinking messing with the computer is fun."
He frowned a little when Bass rolled his shoulder. "Everything okay?"
no subject
Date: 2019-03-31 08:42 pm (UTC)"Nothing wrong with having fun with the computer, either," he allowed. "But it's good to mix it up sometimes."
Another roll of his shoulder, and he nodded, dismissed it with a wave of his hand. "Took a hit training this morning. Think I knocked it out a little; it just keeps popping, but it'll be fine."
no subject
Date: 2019-04-02 12:01 am (UTC)He slid off his seat and nodded at the door.
"C'mon. I'll walk you." As much because it meant he'd be able to keep talking to Bass as because he thought that Bass would not end up getting checked out if he didn't go.
no subject
Date: 2019-04-02 12:48 am (UTC)But he stood, as well, willing enough to get out of the bar and the people starting to crowd in around them. Especially with any discussion of getting sweaty, even if it's not happening tonight.
no subject
Date: 2019-04-02 02:49 am (UTC)He turned in the direction of the base when they left the bar and began walking.
"Besides, it'd be a shame if your arms weren't fully mobile when I manage to get my hands on that stopwatch.
no subject
Date: 2019-04-02 04:14 am (UTC)He gave Alex a rueful smile. "So, I think some popping is to be expected."
But he walked along next to him without real complaint. "Though, to be fair, I really would like to be sure to be fully mobile for that, too."
no subject
Date: 2019-04-03 03:59 am (UTC)And yeah, he knew he was probably overreacting and it wasn't even like he knew Bass that well, but he knew what he could and couldn't stand. He couldn't stand someone being hurt when he could help. So here he was, helping. He rubbed at his left hand absently.
"Lucky for you, I guess old men are my type."
He thought about that, frowned, and amended, "One old man is my type."
no subject
Date: 2019-04-03 02:46 pm (UTC)But, really, he appreciated the concern. He was even willing to play along, make sure it was just a bit of strain or overuse, and lay off the sparring and pushups for a week or two if the doc thought it wise. Mostly, he was humoring Alex, but...it was nice to have someone care about the little things. Miles had tossed him an ice pack and told him he'd dropped his guard and to pay better attention.
Which, admittedly, was Miles-speak for "don't get hurt, idiot, because I don't like to see you hurt," but it was still nice for someone to evidence actual, spoken-aloud, concern.
He chuckled. "I guess I can live with that, so long as I'm the old man in question. Though, I gotta say, I already had a complex about my thirtieth birthday, so you're not really helping." Though, that did bring up a thing. "Does it make me more or less your type if I tell you I have a kid?"
He never brings up Connor when he's just finding someone to hook up with, but he likes Alex, and he's kind of over-eager with the being a dad thing since Emma kept it from him for so long, so the kid's bound to come up in conversation. Might as well toss it out there now.
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