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.
Alex just let the silence draw out for a minute and then he grinned and nudged Bass. "I used to skateboard. I've probably broken more bones than you have. Fewer concussions, though. So you're not the only one who pops occasionally. But thanks. For humoring me. I know I probably sound like an overprotective den mother."
And maybe, one day, he'd tell Bass about Michael and everything that went with that. Not on what was pretty much a first date.
He was already shaking his head halfway through Bass's last question. "You're old, but you're not ancient and I'm pretty sure you can't have a son who's my age." He'd figured Bass was on the other end of thirty, but unless he had his son when he was something like fourteen, he doubted that his son could be that old. "And since I know people who never left Roswell and went straight into having kids...no. That doesn't make you any less my type."
He liked kids well enough, he just didn't have any experience with them, not with being the youngest of his brothers.
"...Probably, yes, then. I mean, there was a share of broken bones, but more often strains and sprains and torn ligaments." He gave Alex a smile. "Thank you for caring enough to wanna make sure it's nothing serious."
He shook his head and gave a bit of a laugh. "Christ, no. He's eleven. I got his mom pregnant a couple months before heading to boot camp." So, not fourteen, but eighteen.
He frowned a little. "She didn't tell me for a long time--her parents didn't want her marrying an enlisted Marine, and she had a full scholarship to Northwestern, so they told her they'd support her and him, but only if she didn't tell me or Miles. So, I only found out about him a few years ago. But I've been trying to make up for lost time, when I can."
Another grin. "I'm glad it's not a disqualifying feature."
"Yeah, well. I'm just getting to know you. I don't want to break you before I've even had a chance to do some of the good stuff with you." He let that stand for a beat too long and then added, "Like surfing and volleyball."
Surfing, volleyball, and other sweaty sports that were definitely not featured in the Olympics but were nevertheless things he enjoyed.
He cocked his head when Bass started talking about his son and he smiled. "I bet you'd make a good dad. Though being in the service has to wreak havoc with trying to work on an existing relationship let alone try to create a new one."
Especially when they weren't married. At least married people got to move around together when they weren't being actively deployed.
Bass smirked. "Well, if ever I needed incentive to make sure that I stay in good health...I'd hate to miss playing volleyball and teaching you to surf."
His gaze flicked over Alex in a way that made it clear he was thinking about those other sweaty sports, whatever ones they were verbally talking about.
He gave him a wry smile. "I don't know about a good dad, really. He's got a great step-father, and I mostly try to not step on his and Emma's toes. Part of me's pissed she didn't tell me sooner, so I could've been more of a real father to him all along. But we're getting to know each other. He's coming over here for a month or so this summer, so long as they don't change their minds and send us back to the sandbox." He really, really hoped they didn't.
"What kid wouldn't love a summer in Hawaii?" Alex asked. Assuming Bass was still in Hawaii this summer. To be honest, he'd have loved to spend his summers in a place like this. Instead, he got the beach without any of the water.
Well, that answered the question of marriage. It made sense, he supposed. Normal people got married, had children, and it wasn't even the gay thing because there were states he could actually get married in. It was that he was stuck living in the past.
"He seems excited by the possibility," Bass said with a nod. "I think Emma and Greg are planning to come for a week, then I'll fly back with him later." Which he was not looking forward to, at all. He hated going back to Indiana now.
He shook that off, though, and smiled at Alex again and nudging back a little. "Thank you."
Glancing around, he stepped a little closer as they walked, arm brushing against Alex's. "So, are we going to the hospital?" None of the clinics were open after five, except urgent cares off base.
Well, Alex hadn't thought of it in those terms. Put like that, it did kind of seem a little bit overkill. But then Bass brushed up against him and he lost his train of thought. He brushed his thumb up along the inside of Bass's arm, starting at his wrist and then moved away, the corners of his lips turning up.
"I guess we are. Unless you're going to agree to go first thing tomorrow."
Which, now that he was thinking about it, could sound like Alex was offering to go with Bass first thing, which implied other things and he was definitely overthinking this.
The slight caress made Bass's breath catch briefly. Christ, it had been a long time since he'd bothered with those little moments, or cared to indulge in them.
"The walk-in clinic would probably be more appropriate than bothering the ER," he pointed out with a bit of a smile. "I mean, whatever it is, nothing's broken or acute. If anything, it's something with the ligaments, and there's nothing that'll go amiss overnight, so long as I don't push it..."
He liked the idea of Alex sticking around to make sure he went, but he wasn't going to push his luck, either.
Alex couldn’t help but shake his head, even though Bass was right. It probably was best to do it in the morning. “Fine. I give up. But I’m calling you tomorrow.” Because now it was just a point of pride that Bass go and get his shoulder checked out. If he was going to be ridiculous, he might as well be all the way ridiculous.
“If we’re not getting you checked out, you might as well see me home.” Yes, he was being old-fashioned in this not-quite-a-date. But there was a part of him that didn’t want this to end and if he said goodnight here, it would.
And he’d just have to remind himself that he wasn’t going to invite Bass inside.
"I promise I'll go. You can come make sure of it, if you want to, even."
Bass rolled his eyes with a put-upon sigh, but there was a smile tugging at his lips that said he didn't really mind the, yes, kind of, ridiculous fussing. It was nice to be fussed over.
His lips twitched a little again at the old-fashioned words, but he nodded. "I kinda feel like I should offer you my arm, now, but. It'll be my pleasure. You'll just have to lead the way..."
Alex chuckled. "Only if you wait for me to get my petticoats and parasol." He nudged Bass again. "Also, I don't know whether to bow or curtsy."
He caught Bass by the hand and pulled him to a stop. Then he produced the most elaborate bow he could manage. Something he'd probably seen on some Jane Austen movie marathon he'd watched in high school. And then he bobbed a quick, awkward curtsy.
"So I'll do both," he said and started walking again.
Bass laughed in delight at the bow and curtsey both, the whimsy of it something he hadn't had a lot of in his life since...well, since the accident, really. The slightest shadow falls at that realization, but he's got a handsome guy holding his hand, and that's enough of a distraction that it passes quickly.
He keeps hold of Alex's hand when they start to move again, winding his fingers through Alex's and refusing to let it go easily.
"I bet you could rock petticoats and a parasol, but I prefer you in jeans. A petticoat would hide far too much, and a parasol would inconveniently occupy your hands."
"So, basically what you're saying is that you're prefer to look at my ass while my hands are doing...what? You?," Alex said. He was a bit surprised when Bass twined their fingers together, but he ended up smiling because of it. He'd buried his head so much in his work that it seemed like forever since he'd done something as simple as this.
"A parasol would only occupy one hand. You'd be surprised with what I could do with one hand."
He rubbed his thumb along Bass's. He could do things like this with one hand.
Bass liked to touch--things, people--and liked to be touched. It met some tactile craving he'd never bothered spending much time considering--it just was. And physical affection was part of that; it didn't have to be sexual; Christ knew it never was with Miles, but that didn't stop Bass from deciding he needed his head in Miles' lap to watch a movie, if it was just them.
Physical things were just good.
The brush of Alex's thumb was also good, though he cast him an amused look, because he hadn't been trying to tease.
"It's a very nice ass," he said, with a grin. "And I'd be happy to learn what you can do with one hand when you're ready to show me."
“What?” Alex asked, shooting Bass an innocent look. “That wasn’t what you meant?” Actually, when it came to that, he didn’t know what Bass meant. He only needed one hand to hold Bass’s and he couldn’t think of anything innocent that would be hiding in a petticoat. Or maybe his mind was just stuck thinking about what was going to happen the next time he saw Bass, or maybe the time after that. But eventually.
“You’re already seeing what I can do with one hand right now.”
And honestly, he was happy with just this. He liked this simple, uncomplicated gesture.
Bass grinned a little bit. "Well, you said I'd be surprised what you could do...I'm not surprised, yet." He gave a bit of a shrug, though his thumb stroked over Alex's hand in turn. "Pleased, but not surprised."
And he meant the pleased part. His body might be skipping ahead a little, but not with urgency so much as pleasant anticipation. It liked the brush of Alex's finger on his skin--his stomach twisted pleasantly.
Alex considered Bass as they walked and then used his hand to tug him to a stop. He slid his hand up Bass’s arm, caught the back of his neck, and pulled him in for a soft kiss. He pulled back with a small smile and tucked his hand in Bass’s again.
“Surprise.” Not that Alex really expected it was. But he’d felt compelled to do that most of the time he’d been talking with Bass. The only real struggle of the night would be not inviting Bass in.
The kiss was actually a bit of a surprise, and Bass returned it with a soft sigh before Alex was pulling back. He wrapped his fingers back around Alex's and gave him a smile in turn.
"That's a nice surprise." And something he hadn't been sure if was going to happen tonight. This wasn't something he'd done in a very long time, this holding hands and soft kisses, but he found himself liking it, warmth bubbling up inside of him that was occasionally in rare supply these days. "Feel free to surprise me with that at any time."
Alex smiled a little and ducked his head. Today had definitely been interesting. From flirting with Bass via text to actually getting to know him a little. He’d decided after actually talking with Bass a little that he wasn’t going to just fall into bed with Bass because he actually liked him.
But a kiss? To show that he was interested, even if Bass had no doubt clued in by now? Definitely a kiss.
“If you have any surprises for me, feel free to return the favor.”
"I will," he said, about the surprise, a smile playing around his lips.
Most people would be surprised he wasn't trying to coax Alex into more than just a kiss, to be honest. But Bass could respect the not just falling into bed piece, heart and mind, at least. It made sense: he liked Alex, too, and didn't want to treat him like just a way to get off. His body was protesting a little, and not entirely on board with his heart and mind, but, well. That was a familiar thing.
Anyone but Miles would be surprised he was letting Alex convince him to take slightly better care of himself, too.
He lightly tugged Alex back into walking, for now. Any other surprises would have to wait, obviously.
"Good," he said softly. Because this entire evening had been a surprise. From flirting with a near stranger to...this. Holding hands and mostly chaste kisses and just someone he'd like to get to know better. Bass had showed up at just the perfect place at the perfect time. He was just the kind of person who could pull Alex out of his own head and get him away from work, away from the computer and actually out into the world.
He brushed his thumb along Bass's and let Bass lead, maneuvering them only when he had to course correct a little.
"Do you want me to come with you tomorrow?" he asked.
If there was one thing Bass had experience in, it was escaping his own head. There were a lot of things in there he didn't like to deal with, to remember, to face. His therapist thought he should, but there was only so much he could handle sober, and only so not-sober he could be without risking his career, so. He found different ways to deal.
If that could help Alex, all the better.
The brush of Alex's thumb had him holding on to his hand just a bit tighter, paying attention when he shifted their course, and giving him a slow smile.
"If you want? Could be good not to have to call someone to pick me up if they do anything I shouldn't drive after." He doubted that would be the case, because he doubted anything serious was wrong, but he also really liked having someone offer.
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momijizukamori
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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."
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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."
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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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Date: 2019-04-04 01:42 am (UTC)And maybe, one day, he'd tell Bass about Michael and everything that went with that. Not on what was pretty much a first date.
He was already shaking his head halfway through Bass's last question. "You're old, but you're not ancient and I'm pretty sure you can't have a son who's my age." He'd figured Bass was on the other end of thirty, but unless he had his son when he was something like fourteen, he doubted that his son could be that old. "And since I know people who never left Roswell and went straight into having kids...no. That doesn't make you any less my type."
He liked kids well enough, he just didn't have any experience with them, not with being the youngest of his brothers.
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Date: 2019-04-04 02:25 am (UTC)He shook his head and gave a bit of a laugh. "Christ, no. He's eleven. I got his mom pregnant a couple months before heading to boot camp." So, not fourteen, but eighteen.
He frowned a little. "She didn't tell me for a long time--her parents didn't want her marrying an enlisted Marine, and she had a full scholarship to Northwestern, so they told her they'd support her and him, but only if she didn't tell me or Miles. So, I only found out about him a few years ago. But I've been trying to make up for lost time, when I can."
Another grin. "I'm glad it's not a disqualifying feature."
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Date: 2019-04-04 04:09 am (UTC)Surfing, volleyball, and other sweaty sports that were definitely not featured in the Olympics but were nevertheless things he enjoyed.
He cocked his head when Bass started talking about his son and he smiled. "I bet you'd make a good dad. Though being in the service has to wreak havoc with trying to work on an existing relationship let alone try to create a new one."
Especially when they weren't married. At least married people got to move around together when they weren't being actively deployed.
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Date: 2019-04-05 01:28 am (UTC)His gaze flicked over Alex in a way that made it clear he was thinking about those other sweaty sports, whatever ones they were verbally talking about.
He gave him a wry smile. "I don't know about a good dad, really. He's got a great step-father, and I mostly try to not step on his and Emma's toes. Part of me's pissed she didn't tell me sooner, so I could've been more of a real father to him all along. But we're getting to know each other. He's coming over here for a month or so this summer, so long as they don't change their minds and send us back to the sandbox." He really, really hoped they didn't.
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Date: 2019-04-06 12:36 am (UTC)Well, that answered the question of marriage. It made sense, he supposed. Normal people got married, had children, and it wasn't even the gay thing because there were states he could actually get married in. It was that he was stuck living in the past.
He nudged Bass. "I hope plans work out."
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Date: 2019-04-06 02:01 am (UTC)He shook that off, though, and smiled at Alex again and nudging back a little. "Thank you."
Glancing around, he stepped a little closer as they walked, arm brushing against Alex's. "So, are we going to the hospital?" None of the clinics were open after five, except urgent cares off base.
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Date: 2019-04-06 05:14 am (UTC)"I guess we are. Unless you're going to agree to go first thing tomorrow."
Which, now that he was thinking about it, could sound like Alex was offering to go with Bass first thing, which implied other things and he was definitely overthinking this.
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Date: 2019-04-07 01:18 am (UTC)"The walk-in clinic would probably be more appropriate than bothering the ER," he pointed out with a bit of a smile. "I mean, whatever it is, nothing's broken or acute. If anything, it's something with the ligaments, and there's nothing that'll go amiss overnight, so long as I don't push it..."
He liked the idea of Alex sticking around to make sure he went, but he wasn't going to push his luck, either.
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Date: 2019-04-09 03:32 pm (UTC)“If we’re not getting you checked out, you might as well see me home.” Yes, he was being old-fashioned in this not-quite-a-date. But there was a part of him that didn’t want this to end and if he said goodnight here, it would.
And he’d just have to remind himself that he wasn’t going to invite Bass inside.
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Date: 2019-04-11 01:14 am (UTC)Bass rolled his eyes with a put-upon sigh, but there was a smile tugging at his lips that said he didn't really mind the, yes, kind of, ridiculous fussing. It was nice to be fussed over.
His lips twitched a little again at the old-fashioned words, but he nodded. "I kinda feel like I should offer you my arm, now, but. It'll be my pleasure. You'll just have to lead the way..."
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Date: 2019-04-13 12:37 am (UTC)He caught Bass by the hand and pulled him to a stop. Then he produced the most elaborate bow he could manage. Something he'd probably seen on some Jane Austen movie marathon he'd watched in high school. And then he bobbed a quick, awkward curtsy.
"So I'll do both," he said and started walking again.
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Date: 2019-04-13 02:15 am (UTC)He keeps hold of Alex's hand when they start to move again, winding his fingers through Alex's and refusing to let it go easily.
"I bet you could rock petticoats and a parasol, but I prefer you in jeans. A petticoat would hide far too much, and a parasol would inconveniently occupy your hands."
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Date: 2019-04-18 12:54 pm (UTC)"A parasol would only occupy one hand. You'd be surprised with what I could do with one hand."
He rubbed his thumb along Bass's. He could do things like this with one hand.
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Date: 2019-04-21 01:50 am (UTC)Physical things were just good.
The brush of Alex's thumb was also good, though he cast him an amused look, because he hadn't been trying to tease.
"It's a very nice ass," he said, with a grin. "And I'd be happy to learn what you can do with one hand when you're ready to show me."
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Date: 2019-04-21 09:30 pm (UTC)“You’re already seeing what I can do with one hand right now.”
And honestly, he was happy with just this. He liked this simple, uncomplicated gesture.
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Date: 2019-04-22 03:44 am (UTC)And he meant the pleased part. His body might be skipping ahead a little, but not with urgency so much as pleasant anticipation. It liked the brush of Alex's finger on his skin--his stomach twisted pleasantly.
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Date: 2019-04-23 03:33 pm (UTC)“Surprise.” Not that Alex really expected it was. But he’d felt compelled to do that most of the time he’d been talking with Bass. The only real struggle of the night would be not inviting Bass in.
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Date: 2019-04-25 02:46 am (UTC)"That's a nice surprise." And something he hadn't been sure if was going to happen tonight. This wasn't something he'd done in a very long time, this holding hands and soft kisses, but he found himself liking it, warmth bubbling up inside of him that was occasionally in rare supply these days. "Feel free to surprise me with that at any time."
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Date: 2019-04-26 04:09 pm (UTC)But a kiss? To show that he was interested, even if Bass had no doubt clued in by now? Definitely a kiss.
“If you have any surprises for me, feel free to return the favor.”
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Date: 2019-06-09 08:53 pm (UTC)Most people would be surprised he wasn't trying to coax Alex into more than just a kiss, to be honest. But Bass could respect the not just falling into bed piece, heart and mind, at least. It made sense: he liked Alex, too, and didn't want to treat him like just a way to get off. His body was protesting a little, and not entirely on board with his heart and mind, but, well. That was a familiar thing.
Anyone but Miles would be surprised he was letting Alex convince him to take slightly better care of himself, too.
He lightly tugged Alex back into walking, for now. Any other surprises would have to wait, obviously.
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Date: 2019-06-22 10:53 pm (UTC)He brushed his thumb along Bass's and let Bass lead, maneuvering them only when he had to course correct a little.
"Do you want me to come with you tomorrow?" he asked.
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Date: 2019-06-23 03:49 am (UTC)If that could help Alex, all the better.
The brush of Alex's thumb had him holding on to his hand just a bit tighter, paying attention when he shifted their course, and giving him a slow smile.
"If you want? Could be good not to have to call someone to pick me up if they do anything I shouldn't drive after." He doubted that would be the case, because he doubted anything serious was wrong, but he also really liked having someone offer.
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