(Un)Forgettable and (Un)Regrettable [Brendan]

[Brendan James]

It should’ve bothered Brendan that Vin had that many partners… Right? Because it didn’t. Granted, the girls he’d been with had given him a number. None of which exceeded fifteen. And then there had been one who said she was virgin. But he knew that was horseshit. Laughing, he shook his head. “Oh yeah, who’s the slut now?” He really hoped Vin knew that he was kidding. Bren would never purposely insult another like that. Unless they were a total dick.

Aaaand that was that. “Well see now you’ve killed my fun. I can never call you Kid again.” With an obvious shudder, Bren shook his head. Being called a pedo, while yes funny, definitely killed his joke. “I may be able to pull off Michael Jackson moves, but that’s as far as the comparison goes.” Right was when Brendan pulled the infamous Michael Jackson crotch grab move, throwing his other hand into the air.

Laughing out loud, the older man shook his head and gave Vin’s hand a gentle squeeze. “Ok, at some point, you’re gonna have to tell me that story, yeah?”

Brendan wondered how he’d look with a sleeve. Not well he thought. In his opinion you had to have… well a sort of quality to be able to pull off a sleeve. A quality he himself didn’t have. Plus there were a lot of people who didn’t even expect Brendan to be the kinda person to have tattoos in the first place. But he doubted there was a single teacher in the world that seemed like that sort of person. With a wide smith, Brendan removed his hand from Vin’s arm and pointed at his chest. “Uhhh, I was a little busy getting my own mistake at the time.”

Giggling, the teacher shook his head. He had been trying to flirt. And ridiculously so. Perhaps he’d have to relearn his flirting styles. How did the younger kids flirt now days anyway? What was that word? Sexting? Time to get with the times Brendan! Get yourself a better texting plan! But the moment Vin told him the idea for the next tattoo, Bren’s eyes were like saucers. “That. Is. The. Best. Idea. EEEEVEEEER!” That sounded like the most amazing tattoo ever and he was jealous he’d never thought of something like that. “You should….” Trying to hide his smirk, his lips turned into a tight line. “You should do it for your ass.” And he actually started bouncing in his seat. Like a child.

Excitedly, he used the hand that wasn’t holding Vin’s hand to blankly draw on his skin what he wanted. ‘Sketching’ on his chest, he told of his first idea. “Well, I’m gonna put Tweety here in the cage that the old lady on the show had him in. And then Sylvester reaching in, swiping at him.” Or maybe tearing him shreds… But that seemed a little… Well like overkill. “An anchor for my dad, because he goes by Captain. A wolf for one of my sisters. And I don’t know what for my littlest one yet.” Yes, he was intentionally doing tattoos for his family. “But those are just a few.”

…. Hanging his head, laughing. “Holy fuck, I am a pedo. Especially if you’re talking about Charmander.” He clucked his tongue at himself disapprovingly. But, he couldn’t really judge. He may or may not have a stack, a small stack, of pokemon cards under his bed at him. But don’t tell him I told you that.

Gently, Bren ghosted his fingers over the skin of Vin’s wrist as he told him a little about what exactly had happened last night. He struggled, fighting against the cover that alcohol had left him with. “I… Remember a wall?” He offered. “Vaguely kissing.” But he wasn’t sure if that was an actual memory or not. Bren was affectionate. Especially when drunk. So kissing was a huge shock. “What? Why the hell would somebody stop two fine ass guys from a good lip lock?”

Smiling up at the waitress, Brendan felt like a huge ass. What kind of person didn’t remember their first? Well… Not for real time. But first time with a guy. That was kind of a dig deal. Especially for a straight guy. Taking his cup of coffee, he took a long drink from it. And the heat, though it burned didn’t stop him. Especially when it was working so well to dull the pain in his head.

After the waitress left the table, Brendan leaned over the table. “On the plus side… Me not remembering a lot just means we get to do it all over again. Sober this time. So we can look forward to that.” Smirking, he sat back and gave Vin a sly smirk and wink.

[Vincent Verax]

Insulted? Hardly. One would have to work pretty hard to insult Vincent, considering his ego deflects most attempts. Instead, Vincent just pointed his thumbs at himself and grinned. "This guy!" He snorted and stuck his tongue out at Brendan, because that was totally what you were supposed to do when you were trying to convince someone you were not a kid.

Either way, he still managed to discourage the nickname, which filled him with pride. (What doesn't fill him with pride, honestly? Such a sinful young man.) He put his hands on his hips and stuck his chin in the air. "Hah! I fuckin' win." But then Brendan had to do his Michael Jackson impersonation and Vincent bellowed with laughter. Forget everything else, that was more than enough for Vin to decide that Brendan was the coolest person he'd ever met.

Tears had formed in his eyes, due to all the laughing, and Vincent had to take a few deep breaths and swipe at his face to collect himself. What he didn't realize, though, was that he'd just smudged his eyeliner all to hell and back.

"Shit, man, I got a fuckton 'f 'em." Vincent could no longer count on his hands the number of things that had been thrown at him or that he'd been hit with. I suppose that's what happens when you lead a group known as The Idiot Brigade. Or, you know, are friends with Sammy. Or have no personal boundaries. Okay so it's probably a combination of a lot of things, but let's just be thankful that Vin has a thick skull and there weren't many brains in there to damage to begin with. Deal? Deal.

Brendan's expression was entirely too endearing, Vin noted. Not that he understood the word endearing, but shut up I'm writing. And his excitement was more than reassurance enough that he should be getting that tattoo done the instant he could. "Riiiiiight?!" The next comment made Vincent choke and his head fell onto the table while he shook with the force of his laughter. His fist thumped against the table and his sides were starting to hurt from all the laughing, but he wouldn't have changed it for anything. He needed this fun.

Once he straightened back up, he put his chin in his hand and watch Brendan draw over his chest, unable to keep the smile from his face. He seemed to be very close with his family, which flew over Vincent's head. Then again, he hadn't seen his parents since he was 15, and he really had no desire to either. His friends were his family and Vin had been supporting himself for the last couple years, so who needed dear old mom and pop? Hell, he hadn't even told them he'd been engaged.

Vincent's fingers twitched while Brendan stroked his wrist, the tickling feeling almost enough for him to jerk away. His face fell a little when Brendan admitted just how hazy his memory was and he shrugged. "I dunno, guess w'got too hot fer 'em t'handle." He chuckled, a faint smirk on his face. "Y'dragged m'outta there like th'place was on fire, too." Although at that point, Vincent had been just as desperate to get Brendan alone.

With an unsurprising lack of table manners, Vincent was shoveling food into his mouth at an alarming rate. He often ate like he hadn't seen food in years, which... was not so attractive, but he really didn't care. His stomach certainly rejoiced, enough to stop roaring, and Vin sat back for a moment to rub at it. "Mmm, fuck, sooo goood." Yes, for the record, eating is one of Vincent's favorite pastimes, coming in right after sex.

Better than breakfast, however, was what Brendan said next. Vincent raised his eyebrows, a confident look in his eyes. "Oh hell yeah. An' trus' me, it'll b'th'best y'ever had." Because Vincent's ego would allow no less.

[Brendan James]

Brendan enjoyed watching Vin enjoy his win. Some people might have thought it was obnoxious or something. But he found it to be adorable and his smile infectious. And he couldn’t help but stick his own tongue back out at the younger man. It was either that or poke Vin’s tongue. It had been a toss up between the two. “For now. Only for now you win.” Bren said with a mischievous smirk on his face.

More than just occasionally, Brendan had turned the most ridiculous things into competition. And I wish I could say his competitions were at least normal ridiculous, like pie or hot dog eating. But no, he didn’t believe in normal. Instead he had, ‘Who can be more sexual when eating the banana/Popsicle’. And that was probably one of the more tame ones.

Having not noticed the boy’s smudged makeup until they sat down, Brendan smiled and shook his head, chuckling softly. “Come ‘er.” He motioned his student forward, reaching across the table. Placing both of his hands on either side on Vin’s face, Brendan carefully stroked his thumbs under his student’s eyes and upper cheeks. He was very careful though, trying his best to be delicate. The older man didn’t stop until all of the smudges had transferred from Vin’s face onto Bren’s thumbs. “There. Better.” And he didn’t remove his hands instantly. Instead, he let them linger, then slowly slip from the boy’s face, laying them on the table between them after they finally had.

“The only thing I’ve had thrown at me was a hanger.” He said with shrug and pointing to the scar on his forehead. But he doubted it would’ve left a scar at all if the hanger hadn’t caught him with the tip of the headpiece. “But do I find it not at all surprising that you’ve had multiple pans thrown at you?” He asked with a smirk. “Maybe if you weren’t such a jackass.” And a snicker, smiling an overly innocent smile at him.

Laughing right along with Vin, he realized that it probably sounded as if he were kidding. “No, I’m serious!” He said, tears developing in his eyes. “Imagine it! You could moon somebody and they’d freeeak ooout!” Letting his head fall to the table too, then sat back up quickly. “They be all ‘Aaahhhhh! You have a hole in your ass!’ and you could just say ‘No shit Sherlock!’” Blotting his eyes to rid them of tears, his laughter came to a stop. Well… Was reduced to giggles with momentary pauses.

To Brendan it didn’t seem unusual to him to be so close with his family. There’d been a time, when he lived in New York, that he’d gone long periods of time without seeing them. And by long, I mean no more than a month or two. But after having spent his first nineteen years of life with them, that felt like a long time to him. Even growing up he’d been close to his parents. They were, or had been rather, such a tight knit family that Brendan didn’t realize until high school that some families didn’t always eat dinner together every night. And the recent barriers that they were all putting up… Well they were more than just a little upsetting to him. Not that he would ever EVER tell anybody that. Nor would he allow it to seem as if it were bothering him at all.

Seeing Vin’s face fall gave Bren the most awful feeling in his stomach. It felt like he’d just watched somebody kick a puppy. Actually no… Like somebody had just shown him video of himself kicking a puppy. And he felt like the worst kind of asshole. But the only giveaways his face showed were the way his eyebrows smashed together, causing his eyes to squint slightly. “Well…. You are always too hot for a shirt, that’s for damn sure.” He said with a flirtatious smile, trying to lift his companion’s spirits.

Laughing, the slightest blush colored Bren’s cheeks. Yeah, that’s right. BLUSH. That hadn’t happened to Bren since… Well honestly, he says it’s never happened to him before. But I really doubt that. And Vin had done it. Go Vin! “Yeah er… Sorry. I get a tad… impatient. When there’s something I want to do.” And the blush grew a little more in size and shade.

Watching Vin eat was… Well it was like watching… A guy shovel food into his mouth? He couldn’t quite think of the right way to describe it. But he once had seen a show about snakes. And apparently they unhook their jaw and swallow their prey whole. And there was no doubt in Bren’s mind that that would be exactly what Vin would do if he could. Sipping his coffee, he shook his head, smiling.

Raising his eyebrows at Vin’s confidence, Brendan couldn’t help but to poke a little bit at him. “Well I hope you’re sure about that.” Then he took a nice long sip of his coffee, just to drag out the moment a little bit. “Because performance affects your grade.” And now the best part. “Perhaps you should practice, just in case.” Ew… That was so gross coming from a teacher, it made me shudder.

[Vincent Verax]

For the record, Vincent wants in on that competition. Right now. Fortunately he is not technically aware of it and therefore can say nothing about it, because you and I both know he'd be bragging about his... hmm... techniques. And that is not appropriate public behavior. "Oh yeah? Then bring it." He giggled like a fool, crooking his index finger at Brendan.

At the table, when Bren beckoned him closer, Vin leaned across the table, and smiled when Brendan's hands cupped his face. It was a different smile than normal, less cocky, less cheesy, more genuine. For a moment, he closed his eyes, just enjoying the touch of Brendan's thumbs over his cheeks. He drew in a deep breath, feeling a rushing in his chest that he couldn't explain, and when he opened his eyes again, he stared right into Brendan's own. It was weird, how just the lightest touches from his teacher made him feel lightheaded, but he leaned into Brendan's hands anyway, pouting just a little when they left his face.

"Thanks." He mumbled, looking into Brendan's empty palms and filling them both with his own. He didn't understand any of it, but felt there was no use in trying to fight it. If he wanted to touch, well, there were no pressing reasons why he shouldn't. No one knew them here, no one really cared. Sure, they might have made an awkward pair - two shirtless men hanging off each other and certainly they didn't look like two people who might normally hang out, and maybe they were getting a couple awkward stares, but Vincent didn't care. He was just going to do what he enjoyed.

But the moment passed when Brendan teasingly called him a jackass, which caused Vincent to bark with laughter. "I ain' a jackass! I got a sexy ass!" He bragged, his nose wrinkling up with his grin. "An' I had a lot more 'an pans chucked at m'head. Like shoes an' bottles an' fire." Because yes, it is perfectly normal to have a pyrokinetic best friend who occasionally tries to set you on fire. Or at least it's perfectly normal at Hammel.

The laughing only continued as Brendan expanded on his idea, Vincent now struggling to catch his breath. It felt like too long since he'd laughed like this and even his cheeks were starting to get sore from smiling. "Ohmagawwwd, yer fuckin' killin' me!" When he lifted his head, Vincent couldn't look at Brendan without bursting into another fit, slapping his hand over his face and supporting his head so it didn't fall right back down onto the table. And Brendan, do not encourage Vincent to flash his ass at people. Because he will totally do it.

It seemed that Bren had already figured out Vincent's formula. Merely seconds before he might have been pouting because Brendan didn't remember their kiss, but now he was smirking due to the compliment. "I know." He wiggled in his seat. "An' so are you." And that was the truth. Bren really had no reason to hide all of that under a shirt. Unless you count something like, oh I don't know, teaching. Don't think giving a lecture while half naked would fly too well. Which is a shame, I know I'd be paying more attention.

Vincent caught the faint coloring on Brendan's face and his ego swelled immensely. Making him blush? That was definitely going to go pretty high up on the small list of his accomplishments. "I wasn' complainin'." He finally let on after a moment. "Y'wanted m'that bad, huh?" Now that, that was exhilarating to know.

It didn't take long for Vincent to clear his plate, but considering the rate at which he was eating, that was to be expected. His fork clattered against the plate as he leaned back in his chair, rubbing his finally sated stomach with a loud sigh. That felt much better.

Tilting his chin up, Vin stared at Brendan, appraising him. He licked his lips, smirking and trying to hold in a laugh at the practice comment. "Y'wanna help m'study?" To say that Vincent was looking forward to round two with Bren was possibly the understatement of the century. He felt he had a lot to prove and also that he needed to show Brendan exactly what he had been missing from their night together.

[Brendan James]

Laughing, Brendan shook his head. “Oh no no no… I’m letting you win this time. But you’ll have to wait for our next competition… Later.” Oh yes… Bren was very certain Vin wasn’t the kind of guy to shy away from public humiliation or a little friendly competition. But he found it to be nearly impossible to control laughter. Little spurts of choked giggles escaped his mouth. And his eyes were almost entirely closed his smile had grown so big.

Smiling at the boy across the table from him, Bren laced their fingers together when he finally them back in his grasp. “Anytime.” This was the damnedest thing. Yes, Brendan was affectionate. So constant touching and stroking, even with a guy, wasn’t something he shied away from. But… mostly when being affectionate with guys it was out of habit than anything else. Unless he found out the guys were uncomfortable with it, then he did it to piss them off and he was obnoxious after all.

But he’d never been filled with the overwhelming urge to just simply be touching somebody. Even if it just meant holding hands. Not even with a girl. Well… Not to this extent at least. And it had him more than a little confused. What did this mean? Was he bi? He didn’t think so. Vin was the only guy he’d ever felt any sort of attraction for. So did that mean he was straight with an exception? For the record, Brendan was not a fan of being confused. But he’d wondered and question about it later. At least more freely. Right now, he was enjoying himself too much talking with looking at, and though the man in front of him.

“Well… First of all, don’t sell yourself short! You can be a jackass AND have a sexy ass!” Giving Vin’s hands a squeeze. “And Vin… I believe in you. You CAN be and ARE both.” Shaking his head, “Yeeeah. That doesn’t surprise me either… But why in the HELL were they on fire when chucked at you?” This kid obviously had a death wish. And Brendan would take it on as his own personal responsibility to not let that wish come true.

If only Brendan were kidding. I really wish he would think before he spoke, because if he didn’t regret what he was about to say immediately, he sure as hell would later on. “I’m not even fucking kidding dude! You do that and you can pick out my next tattoo!” Nodding and smiling wide, it seemed like a fantastic idea to him in the moment. Dumbass.

Downing the rest of his coffee, Bren smiled lightly at Vin’s compliment. “Well I’d hope you think so. Because it’d be a damn shame for you to slum it with somebody.”

God… he’d never felt like his face was on fire, at least not like this. What the hell kind of hold did this… young man have on him? And he felt like well just the biggest spaz and for the first time in his life, he had no idea what he was doing. But that would never hinder the confidence he always projected. Confident and cool. THAT’S how you got people to want you! And those who didn’t want you at least wanted to BE you!

With a quiet chuckled, he said, “I must’ve… I only ever rush when I want something.” Smirking at the boy, looking at him through eyelashes. “Really really want something.” Yes, he was flirting. Again. Because that’s what he did. But this time it was for experiment. He knew how girl reacted to this look. His brown eyes were like… Well they weren’t shit brown. They were warm. Inviting. A light brown. Like honey. And well looking at girls through his eyelashes, they often ‘melted’. Their words. And his actually.

A short and loud laugh came from Brendan. “Yes actually. I would looove to help you study.” In fact, he’d been kind of… Craving it. But that was weird. Perhaps it wasn’t the sex that he’d be craving. But he still wanted to be touching Vin. More than he had been. He was sure a good nuzzle against his neck would set him straight.

With an excited smile, Brendan leaned across the table towards Vin. “Ok… So out new competition!” He’d been about to tell him what this new competition was. But than a little old lady sat at the table beside them. He just couldn’t… Brendan had a thing about old people. He wasn’t exactly afraid of them per say. But they definitely gave him a little of the willies. “Well… We’ll need two bananas. Definitely to go.” And he stopped at that. He figured it’d be enough to make Vin want to jump out of his skin to know what his teacher had planned.

[Vincent Verax]

Shaking his head, Vincent reached over to give Brendan a little pat on the shoulder. "S'alrigh'. I know s'hard t'admit when y'lose." Aww, look there, was that sympathy for Brendan's own ego? How sweet. Vincent most certainly not the type to shy away from said public humiliation. Hell, he reveled in it. The more people that saw him doing crazy shit, the better.

Luckily for Vincent, concerns about his sexuality had never been an issue. To put it simply, it didn't matter to him. He'd always just pursued who he was attracted to without much of a thought to what gender they were. Not that he'd never been the cause for someone else's dilemma, but he never really knew what to do about that. Sometimes he'd just let it go... other times, he'd stick around to see how it all panned out. And with Brendan? Like hell he was going anywhere.

He was momentarily fascinated with the way that his hand looked in Brendan's. It was weird, especially when he compared it to the hand he was used to holding. Moe's long, delicate fingers always felt so fragile, and Brendan's palms were more calloused. The corner of his mouth drew back as he thought he might like Bren's better. That was new. Not bad, but definitely new.

"So 'm a sexy jackass?" He looked thoughtful for a moment before nodding. "I can live wit' that." Yes, I'm sure you can. At Brendan's question, Vincent shrugged in a rather exaggerated fashion, rolling his head around, "Welllll, y'see," He had to hold back a giggle, "m'best friend likes t'set shit on fire." Vincent, do you realize how bad it sounds that your so-called "best friend" is the one throwing dangerous, blunt, and/or flaming objects at your head? Probably not, but such is their friendship. As volatile as it is affectionate.

Thanks, Brendan. Vincent is now seriously contemplating doing just that. Just for the sole chance of deciding what will be next to forever mar your body. It was obvious by the expression on Vinnie's face (one that Brendan should have read as "Omg this is a horrible idea") that he was thinking of all sorts of naughty things he could do with that power. "You! Are SO fuckin' on, man!" Oops. Too late to revoke the offer now.

Vin found Brendan's flirting more cute than anything, but he couldn't really say anything. Vincent's idea of flirting ran somewhat along the lines of "you're hot, let's fuck", which is not exactly... subtle. Surprisingly effective though. Or at least it had been in Vinnie's experience. Don't ask me how. When Brendan fixed him with that look, Vincent could only smile. He gently squeezed Bren's hand and then promptly ruined the moment by opening his mouth. "If y'keep lookin' at me like that, there's gunna b'a surprise practice session righ' here, righ' now." At least Brendan now knows it not only works on girls, but on Vincent's too?

Curiosity piqued, Vincent raised an eyebrow at Brendan. A new competition? Oh, he was so down. Time to once again prove his superiority. "Whatever y'got, 'm so gunna kick yer ass!" He spouted proudly, not bothering to tone down his language just because of the old hag (his words, not mine) that had settled at the table next to theirs. And then there were bananas mentioned and Vincent was now incredibly intrigued. "Bananas? Th'fuck?" He was racking his tiny brain trying to figure out exactly what Brendan could be planning.

[Brendan James]

“You’re kind of a cocky bastard, aren’t ya’?” But Brendan was laughing though. Because he was also cocky. And he loved more than anything when somebody could go toe to toe with him in the cocky department. And yes, apparently my goal for this is to how many times I say cocky. “Look… We both know I let you win that.” A smirk was plastered on his face. Because that was just the look he’d forever have when around this kid, I guess. “But I’ll go ahead and play along. You’re right, I’m upset. Completely heart broken.” He said in what should be the definition of a monotone voice.

Smiling and leaning forward, towards Vin, Brendan nodded. “Yes, yes you are. And it’s good you can live with it. Because you have both qualities in abundance.” And… He too had a moment of reverting back to being a child. Because you stuck his tongue out at Vin. For no reason other than he simply could.

… For a moment, Brendan wondered what exactly he’d gotten himself into. A best friend, who lit stuff on fire, then chucked it at Vin’s head. “I mean this in the best possible way… You are fucked. And so is your friend. And especially your relationship with one another.” Laughing, he shook his head. “What in the hell would possess your ‘friend’ to chuck firey flaming things of death at you head?”

Laughing, Bren’s head fell back to rest on his upper shoulders. Any normal person would’ve taken the look on Vin’s face as a warning. Like ‘Hey Dumbass! Take it back, quick!’ But hope. What did Brendan care anyway? It was just a tattoo. Plus it was only happening if Vin got what the most awesome tattoo ever! Bren’s thoughts, not mine. “Hell yeah! But you have to get the tearing away flesh on your ass!”

Brendan was feeling particularly… Well accomplished. It was thrilling to know a look he’d used many times on women also worked for men. And more specifically, Vin. And a triumphant smirk was set on his lips. Because, even though this was a recent development, BRENDAN WAS KING! His words, not mine. And despite Vin’s ‘threat’, his teacher kept his face exactly where it was and continued looking at him up through his eyelashes. “Hmmm… Well it won’t be much of a secret now. And two… I’m not entirely sure I’d mind a practice session right here and now.”

Not that it showed… But that terrified him a little. Yes, he was wanted desperately to experience what he couldn’t remember of last night. But… Well… It him go ‘AHHHHH!’. Internally of course. He didn’t know what to expect and what he should have to do or any of that. It was kind of like being a virgin again. It had been his mind set once before, freaking out. And it would be his mindset when the time came again.

He couldn’t help but shake his head. Nobody had ever beaten him at the banana game. And Brendan certainly wasn’t about let Vin be the first to do that. “Oh you fucking wish! I’m a master at this game!” Gently grabbing the hand of the waitress as she walked by, Bren smiled charmingly up at her. “I’m sorry dear. Could we both you for two bananas, unpeeled.” Glancing at Vin, he raised an eyebrow. “And if my lovely companion is finished, the check please? Thank you.” Only then did he let go of her hand. Yes, being ridiculously friendly helped to get what you want.

[Vincent Verax]

"Takes one t'know one!" Vin spouted, shrugging in a way that suggested he wasn't bothered at all by being called a cocky bastard. Probably because it was true and there was no use in fighting it. Also probably because Vincent liked hearing Brendan swear. It was cute. "Jus' keep tellin' yerself that an' maybe somebody'll believe ya." Vincent took Brendan's hand in his both his hand and tried his very best to make a Dr. Neville "I am giving you srs advice" face, though it didn't quite work out as well as he thought.

Actually, scratch that, it didn't work out at all, since when Brendan stuck his tongue out, Vincent made a swipe to try and grab it. "Don' stick that out at me, 'less y'inten' t'use it!" Maturity: Vincent is lacking it.

He didn't expect Brendan to understand his relationship with Sammy, because there were few people who did, but his reaction was quite humorous. "Cause 's fun!" Vin answered, as if it were the simplest thing in the world. He scratched the back of his head. "An' maybe 'cause I get 'im in trouble a lot... an' I broke his wris' once." Sammy did avoid the hell out of skateboards after that incident. There was also probably the fact that Vin had blackmailed him for nearly a year... but he kindly neglected to mention that one.

Brendan, be careful, because there is absolutely no reason why Vincent won't leap over the table and jump you right now. "Not sure? Hmph. Get'ver here an' we'll find out jus' how much y'mind." He was joking... well, a very tiny bit. He was actually kind of hoping that Brendan would, because the table between them was starting to become more of an annoyance than anything. And with Brendan looking at him like that? Let's just say "yes" and "please." (And quite possibly "right now.")

Vincent was still staring at Brendan while he stopped the waitress, trying to figure out what he was up to. Yes, he's slow. Haven't I mentioned this before? Still, whatever it was, he was confident, because he wouldn't be Vincent if he wasn't confident. "Hope yer ready t'give up y'title!"

When the waitress returned with the bananas and the check, Vincent dug his oh-so-classy duct tape wallet out of his back pocket (there was a penis drawn on it with sharpie, thanks to Emma.) "So c'mon, spill, th'shit w'gunna do with those?" He asked as he set several wrinkled bills on the table. "'cause y'know, banana peels don' work like they do on MarioKart." Because yes, Vin and Sam have tried to imitate that in real life. And yes, that is exactly where Vincent's brain went when it came to bananas. I guess he's given up on that whole child thing.

[Brendan James]

“Well of course it does.” Brendan said with a light laugh. “I know I’m a cocky bastard. But I’m fucking hot. Honest to god. Just walking down the street, I make panties drop. Jelly?” No. Just no Brendan. You canNOT pull off saying ‘jelly’. That’s the most ridiculous thing ever and I want to smack you upside the head for that. Bad Bren! Bad!

And the face that Vin made… Well it had Bren laughing. Or it would’ve actually. But he pulled back when the younger man tried to snatch at his tongue. Pulling away quickly, he laughed. “Oooh feisty!” But Bren wanted to. “And if you insist I put it to good use.” So with a smirk on his face, he pushed out his chair, stood up, slowly leaned across the table (with little grace, almost knocking the dishes from the table. Smooth Bren), and so close to the boy that he’d be able to feel Bren’s breath on his face. Only to then swerve and lick along Vin’s cheek, laughing hard when he sat back in his seat.

Still having trouble controlling his fit of giggles, Brendan shook his head. “Man, you’re gonna get yourself killed one day.” Mental note: Fix that. If… whatever this was… was going to become a regular and substantial thing (which Bren was definitely getting his hopes up for. Like really. If it were to not work, he’d be like a sad puppy), Vin getting things, things on fire, thrown at his head wasn’t going to be something he’d let continue. Well… At least not without somebody standing right there with a fire extinguisher at least. A job Bren would be happy to fill, I’m sure.

A snort escaped his lips when Vin gave reasons as to why his best friend just might wish to be rid of him. It wasn’t too surprising when one considered Vin’s behavior. But it perplexed Bren. Why would somebody ever wish to rid of him? “So… Why exactly do you hate the hell of each other? Oh wait… Are you that new word? What is it… Oh! Frienemies?”

Lifting Vin’s hand, their fingers interlocked, Brendan smiled. This was just…. Amazing. Astonishing. Bren felt as he’d found somebody almost exactly as he was. Not so exactly that Vin became boring to Brendan. But exactly enough that he wondered if they’d ever have an argument? He turned the boy’s hand over and gently kissed the inside of Vin’s wrist, smirking and still looking at him through his eyelashes.

“Oh don’t worry… I’m going to blow you.” Long pause. Even longer pause. Damn it Bren, now it’s just awkward! “Out of the water.” Vincent was not the only one at the table who wasn’t mature in the slightest way.

With money on the table, Brendan stood up, grabbing their bananas. No, the actual bananas! The ones you eat? The yellow ones damn it! “I’m aware they don’t.” He said with a chuckle and shake of his head. Only once the two were outside did Bren describe the game. “Ok… So here it goes. We each get a banana and take turns eating our own banana. But! You have to eat it provocatively as you can manage. Whoever gets the more stares, wins!” Already thinking he knew Vin’s answer, he licked his lips and giggled. “So, are you in or are you chicken?"

[Vincent Verax]

There was a moment, a brief moment only about ten seconds long, when Vincent's face was completely blank. He blinked slowly once, twice, and then came the bubbling torrent of laughter. Apparently it took him that long just to process what Brendan said. His entire face wrinkled up and he was snorting, the tears that had been forming in his eyes finally rolling down his cheeks. Vin was starting to find it was difficult to breath, but every time he tried to take in a deep breath, he choked on it and started laughing again.

It was a good five minutes before Vincent finally calmed himself down enough to form words again. He was holding his sides, which were aching from the effort, and he was breathing heavily. "Oh. My. Fuckin'. Gawd." He wheezed, giving Brendan a look somewhere between accusation and admiration. "YOU!" Definitely more accusing now. "Are fuckin' evil." But there was so much fondness in his eyes that it was impossible to take his words at face value. "An' if y'ever say that again, I'ma throw somethin' at you." He wouldn't, really, unless it was like... a pillow, but he can say that he would!

Vincent rubbed at his cheeks to wipe away his tears of mirth. "But y'are hot." Figured he should at least give Brendan a little ego stroke after all that. He was having so much fun with Brendan that he was dreading having to leave his side. He didn't want this day to ever end. Especially when he thought Brendan was actually going to comply with his request. He smirked when Brendan leaned over the table, expecting a kiss, but when he felt the warmth of Bren's tongue on his cheek, he started laughing again.

"Tease!" He shouted, balling up his napkin and throwing it at Brendan's face. "Tha'ss so not what I meant!" He even went so far as to pout, because of all the places that Brendan could have licked, cheek totally had to be the lamest.

Vincent shrugged, "Pro'lly, but I don' plan on kickin' th'bucket anytime soon." He had a few more good years left in him, but when it came to the prospect of getting old, Vin was ready and willing to take a quick exit. If he was going to go out, he wanted to go out with a bang. "An' we don' hate each other! S'jus' fun t'fight sometimes, y'know?" Yes, Vincent, we know you're so manly. All that brawling with your friend totally proves it. End sarcasm.

Biting on one of his piercings, Vin watched while Brendan's lips grazed over his wrist. He moved his palm closer to Bren's face, gently stroking his thumb across his cheek. While he greatly enjoyed how easily and how much Brendan could make him laugh, it was moments like this when his chest felt funny that he found himself looking forward to the most.

Nodding his head and waggling his eyebrows at Brendan's comment, Vin was perfectly willing to accept it just as it was. So it goes without saying that he wasn't so much excited about the little add on. Still, he shook his head and laughed. "Aw but we're already out 'f th'water." He pointed down with a grin that suggested everything. "So c'mon get t'it!" He giggled, making a face at Brendan, and stood up with him. He still had to figure out what was up with the bananas, after all.

As the walked outside, Vincent's attention was focused solely on Brendan while he described the nature of the competition he had planned. And once he was finished, Vincent tilted his head to the side much like a confused puppy. "Y'serious?" He stepped closer to Brendan, putting his hand over Bren's own, then slowly curled his fingers around one of the bananas. "I'd rather b'doin' this with th'real thing," He looked down, running his tongue over his lips "But 'f ya insis', I'll give ya a preview." It was his turn to flash Brendan a seductive look while his other hand wound it's way down to his hip.

[Brendan James]

Brendan thought he might’ve broken Vin. He honest to god thought that maybe this kid was broken. The way he just sat there and stared blankly. What the hell? Nobody had done that to him in the middle of an awesome time like this before. And for about half a second Bren was legit freaked out.

And then the bastard started laughing. After Brendan had just convinced himself Vin was having some sort of… mental breakdown right in front of him, he had the gull to start laughing. “Holy shit man! I thought I’d like… broken you something!” The teacher exclaimed, but laughing himself into a tizzy, tears forming in his eyes. “It’s truuue though! Panties just drop! I don’t understand it, but I sure as hell ain’t complaining!” And Bren had at least one prime example from earlier in the week. But… What about Vin? Whose panties had dropped and who was the panty dropper? Not that he was wondering. He didn’t care. But it’s an interesting question…

Smirking, Brendan stroked his fingers along Vin’s hands and arms. “Yeeeah, I know I’m hot.” He said, giggling and biting his tongue at the guy in front of him. “But trust me… I’m not the only one steaming up this little restaurant here.” And unashamedly, he slowly let his eyes travel from Vin’s face down to as far the table would allow Bren to see. He even went as far to sit up straighter and lift his head higher so he could see a little more. Not much, but a bit.

Laughing again, he swatted at the napkin that was thrown at him. But he missed it. Hand-eye coordination… Nooot Bren’s strong suit. And he often told people it was that reason he didn’t play sports. Yeah, that’s why. Either way, the napkin got him on the chin. Which only made him giggle more. “What? You expect me to give up the goods so easily? Psssht! Bitch pleeease!” But in reality… Yes, yes he would. Well, he already had! But more importantly, he was thinking about when things would happen again.

“Well thank god for that!” He said with a laugh, trying not to call attention to it. Vin was too intriguing. And Bren wanted, desperately so, to see where this was going. So no Vin, death is not an option for you. Not at this juncture at least. “Truth be told… I’ve never been in a fight. Physical at least.” But he did have the very odd craving to just want to punch somebody. For two reasons. One being to say that he has. Two being that he wanted to know what it was like. And if you counted the part where Bren thought it was a guy thing that almost HAD to be done, you could actually make it three.

A soft smile spread on Bren’s face. It was completely unlike the other smiles Vin had seen that day. Or probably any other day. It was wide and over the top and sparkling. But more like… Like a content smile. A smile that said he was happy to just be in that moment. And he was. There was something about this day and Vin (mostly Vin) that just had him at ease. Yes, he’d been thinking about the possible consequences. But they weren’t worrying him. Yes, he had wondered what his family might say. But that could be dealt with later. Right now, with his lips on Vin’s skin and Vin touching his face, he was content and calm. Which was new for him since he hated sitting still. But leaning into Vin’s touch, he suddenly didn’t mind it too much.

Aaaand Brendan’s stomach was in knots. Vin was standing so close… And he was talking about things. And he was touching Brendan. It was thrilling and nerve racking at the same time. His breathing became a little heavier as he breathed Vin in. And that smile… Smiling back at him, Bren leaned in closer. “Well… Maybe since your stomach is now filled… We could…” Leaning in even closer, Brendan brushed his lips lightly against Vin’s.

But only for a moment did he do that before pulling back a little bit, a small smirk set on his lips. “I mean… Unless kissing like totally isn’t your thing or whatever. Because then we could proceed with our game.” Bren’s hand had somehow made it way onto Vin’s back, but now it traveled around his hip, up his stomach and shoulder, until his arm rested on the boy’s shoulder. “Keep in mind, your answer could affect your grade.”

[Vincent Verax]

With Brendan insisting on the truth of his statement, Vincent started coughing from laughing too hard. He had to pound on his chest to remind his lungs of their primary duty: breathing. And, for the record, Vincent claims he's the panty dropper, simply by virtue of the fact that he does not wear panties. I don't know what significance this holds, but he insisted I put it in.

It felt like it took ages for Vincent to finally catch his breath after all that laughing and he slumped back in his chair like he'd just ran a marathon. He let his head roll back over the top of the chair, his body hanging limply in place. "Fuuuck me." He breathed, mostly as a cry of exhaustion, but he was totally open for it to be taken literally as well. Wink wink nudge nudge, Brendan.

Vinnie shifted in his seat, looking at Brendan out of the corner of his eye while he was being checked out. He ran his hand over his chest and stomach, as if he were rubbing at them to relieve the soreness, but it was obvious from the way his fingertips traced the lines of muscle that he was only doing it for Bren's benefit. "Mmm, I do what I can." He purred, his lips twitching into a smirk. "Y'wanna come 'ver here an' w'can make this bitch a sauna?" He lifted his eyebrows, trying his hardest not to laugh again.

After a while, Vincent straightened up in his chair, cheering his napkin-attack on Brendan's face. He threw his fist in the air in a celebratory manner, whooping just for the sake of making noise. But of course, Brendan's attempts to play innocent were not going to go over so well. "Y'weren' playin' so hard t'get las' nigh'." Vin said with a wink and a nod of his head. Obviously he had to bring that up, considering that he had all this delicious information that he could lord over Brendan's head. Or at least until round two, that is.

Vincent almost looked surprised when Brendan admitted to never being in a fight, but then he remembered how his teacher looked when he wasn't shirtless and flirting with him, and it was suddenly a lot easier to wrap his head around. "Y'missin' out." He said simply while shaking his head. And while Vincent had been in real fights before, he still found that he enjoyed his "resling" matches with Sammy the best, when there was no real animosity, and it was just a couple of rowdy teenage boys doing what they do best - behaving like animals.

To say he was grateful for the rapidly diminishing space between them would be a vast understatement. As he drew closer to Brendan, he felt that magnetic pull again, as if all the forces of the world (or at least two giggly fangirls) were pushing them together. As before, that spark was instantaneous when their lips touched and he followed Brendan's retreat for a few centimeters. Looking thoughtful, Vincent lifted his hand to Bren's face, his knuckles grazing over his jaw before his palm found a hold at the base of his skull.

"I'm goin' for straigh' A's." He mumbled, for probably the first time in his life, before pulling Brendan back to him and kissing him proper. Now that he knew just how foggy Brendan's memory was, Vincent was determined to show him just what he was missing. He didn't care if people walking by stared at them, because as far as he was concerned, they didn't exist. This might not have been Brendan's original idea, but Vincent was finding that he liked this a lot better.

[Brendan James]

The fact that Brendan had Vin choking and crying out of laughter was completely and utterly awesome! And this is what Bren was addicted to. Being the life of the party. Showing people how awesome and hilarious he was. And the fact that Vin so obviously found his teacher to funny… Well that brought a joy to Bren that he couldn’t describe really.

Licking his lips, Brendan smirked. And it was obviously a smirk that said his thoughts were in a very very very dirty place. “Hmmm… I was unaware you could also read minds too.” Of course, he hadn’t really been thinking about that. Well, not at that precise moment at least. But it was mostly definitely at the forefront of his mind now. How unfair was it that he had no recollection of their night before together?! If he thought he’d be able to actually succeed in abstaining from alcohol, he would. But where was the fun in that?

“Mmmmm…” Bren couldn’t help but stare at Vin’s hands as they touched his own muscles. What was this spell that his student had over him? It was something he couldn’t describe. Brendan had only ever been attracted to woman before this. And it had never been like this. At all. Not even with his college girlfriend, who he had almost proposed to. “And you think I’m tease.” With a chuckle and a shake of his head, Brendan said, “If we get started in here, we’ll set fire to the whole damn place. And as many times I’ve been arrested, I don’t think they just let you off the hook for arson.” But seriously… How badly Brendan wanted to climb over the table and just attack Vin… It was a tad embarrassing. And he had his feet wrapped around his chair to keep him in place.

“I remember saying I was straaaight at one point…” Can you say awkward? Bren pressed his lips together, smiling and trying not to laugh, and shifty eyes. It was mostly only awkward to him because he’d never been in a situation like this before. But he doubted it was uncommon for somebody like Vin who just seemed to ooze confidence and sex appeal. “Well… No matter how hard to get I was playing, you obviously succeeded.” Smiling wide and chuckling softly, he said, “So congratulations are in order. And… I’m glad you did.”

I do not claim any responsibility for this. None whatsoever. But… Brendan’s IMMEDIATE response to Vin was “Well… I suppose you and I will be doing some wrestling later on then, huh?” Of course, real wrestling wasn’t on his mind. Seriously, they’d been awake, what? Two hours give or take? And he was loooving this! Never before had so much fun over breakfast. Especially when hungover! And it was all Vin. Vin was making this the best day already! Like hell Bren was going to let it end when they returned to Pilot Ridge. No. He’d figure out a way. But this day was going to continue. Even if he had to kidnap Vin again. But for whatever reason, he really doubted kidnapping was going to be necessary.

Ok… So, to say that Brendan was loooving this, well that’s a gross understatement. Horrifyingly gross. Because with the simple touch of their lips, he felt like teeny tiny electrical currents roaming through every part of his body, even in the little hairs that covered his body. And feeling Vin’s skin against his face, Bren automatically leaned into his touch as if he’d been doing it forever.

For the first time, Brendan understood the phrase to ‘have butterflies in your stomach’. He had imagined what it probably felt like and thought that he’d understood it well enough. But it was much more than he had imagined or thought. He was know feeling an entire swarm of butterflies burrowing their way out of his stomach and… It wasn’t entirely unpleasant. Especially considering it was Vin kissing him putting them there in the first place.

This was so much better than what Bren had planned for their little adventure. Or game. Or whatever. And his hands made their way to Vin’s chest. Though, slightly awkward, because he was still holding the bananas. Without a thought to their game, he dropped them. They were hindering Bren’s ability to be touching Vin, so losing them wasn’t too much of a loss. Moving his lips against Vin’s, he said, “Well you’re definitely on the right track for that.”

[Vincent Verax]

He released a breathy chuckle at Brendan's insinuation that he was a mind reader, a lazy sort of self-satisfied grin creeping over his face. "What can I say? Ahm a man 'f many myst'ries." And by that he means a man of no mysteries whatsoever. No, really. He's an open book if there ever was one.

Had he known the extent of the effect he had on Brendan, Vincent's head would have swollen to the size of the entire building. As it was, he could tell that Bren was at least intrigued by his advances, but knowing that Bren was actually having to hold himself back, well... he would have really put on the charm. After his ego exploded, that is. "Oh, I'm no tease. I fully inten' t'give y'exactly what y'want." That didn't mean there wasn't fun to be had in drawing out the inevitable, but Vincent was hardly the type of person to tempt and run.

Hearing about Brendan's arrest record, while comical, was just another reason why Vincent was entirely too excited for everything that had happened. "Shit, dude, where th'fuck have y'been all m'life?" He was shaking his head, glad to have someone that wasn't really going to stop him from his more harmless, yet no less stupid crazy antics, and may even be willing to join him on his ridiculous plots.

"Not as straigh' as y'thought, huh?" He couldn't help but to giggle at that. It was always entertaining when he managed to bed a man who claimed to be straight. But the way Brendan said it was absolutely adorable. He reached across the table to pat the back of his hand in what he supposed might have been a reassuring gesture. "An' 'm glad I did too." Well, there was no reason in being dishonest about it. He was absolutely delighted about it and even more with the way things were going today. It was one thing to sleep with someone and enjoy it, it was another to have this much fun just talking and joking and being themselves. Vincent honestly couldn't believe his luck.

But of course, the moment that Brendan mentioned wrestling, Vincent face lit up with all sorts of dirty thoughts. "Game on." He said simply, winking at Brendan to let him know what kind of wrestling he was thinking of. Not that he really needed to, it was Vincent after all, and we all know where he keeps his brain.

It was unusual for Vincent to derive this much pleasure from just a kiss, but being this close to Brendan, feeling the heat from his body and the whisper of his breath, made his head spin. His thumb was resting just behind Brendan's ear, moving in slow, languid lines over his skin, tracing little patterns all the way down his neck. He smiled against Brendan's lips when he heard the bananas hit the sidewalk, grateful for the empty palms that were now resting on his chest.

He could feel his heart beating just that little bit faster, his fingers twitching with excitement at Brendan's hip. "Good. I'd even b'willin' to do some extra credit." He ran his tongue along the part of Brendan's lips, walking his fingers up his exposed side. Words did not exist that could describe the feeling that Brendan created within him. He was happy, that much was obvious, but to a level that he hadn't thought capable. Perhaps because this was forbidden and he knew it and there was always that high he got from breaking the rules or perhaps it was because Brendan was so much like him and Vincent felt like he was meeting another part of himself. Whatever it was, Vincent knew that this would be only the beginning, and he wasn't going to let Brendan get away.

"Mmmf." He mumbled when Brendan's lips met his again, his fingers curling against the back of his neck. "Please tell me ya fergot where y'parked yer car or somethin'." Vin added, a mixture of a joke and a slight amount of hope. He loved Pilot Ridge and Hammel, yes, but he wanted this more. He didn't want to go home when he was still enjoying this fairy tale.

[Brendan James]

Why was Vin so attractive? Not just physically though. Because we all know just how much fun it is to simply look at Vin. But there was something about him that was alluring. Sure, he was loud. Sure, he could be obnoxious and in your face. Sure, he could be inappropriate. But Brendan was all those things too. And just as much as Vin was. So the too of them together could only lead to something… Horrifyingly destructive, right?

But no matter. Because Brendan knew that they were adorable, if not ridiculously hot, simply sitting across from each other and touching each other’s hands and face. And the reason he knew that was… Well look at them? Bren knew he was hot. And Vin was deeefinitely hot! How could somebody not look at them and think ‘daaaaaaaamn!’

Harmless. Yes. His past arrests were all harmless jokes that somebody didn’t like. When he was younger, it’d been switching out regular pasta for… well more adult shaped noodles at a restaurant a friend of his worked at. Yeah, the owner hadn’t been too happy that time. Aside from stupid little things like that, most of his arrests only resulted in overnight stays in the local drunk tank. “A large part of it was spent in a cell with my name on it sir.” He said with a chuckle. Bren was never one to stop somebody wild times. Unless harm could be done to somebody. Property damage, sure. Bodily damage, that was another story. But any other time, he’d encourage it and usually take part in it.

Laughing right alone with Vin, the smile on Bren’s face was ridiculous… If not somewhat adorable. “I guuuess I’m not. I think fucking a guy pretty proves that.” That and Bren was now lusting after Vin like he’d never lusted after somebody before. But that wasn’t something to share with the class just yet. Get it? Class? Bren’s a teacher? He’s the one with the lame jokes, not me. And then Brendan busted out laughing. For no reason other than Vin patting his hand. Here was Bren’s STUDENT who was roughly TEN YEARS younger than him, and the kid was trying to be what Brendan thought was soothing. It was just ridiculous and hilarious. And he loved it!

Honestly, I’d be a little disappointed if Vin’s mind weren’t immediately filled with dirty thoughts. That had been Bren’s intention of course, to fill the boy’s head with dirty things. But in all honesty, he doubted that much effort was required in order to turn Vin’s mind towards anything a little dirty. With smirk, Bren shrugged. “Unfortunately we have no place to wrestle right now. It’ll have to wait until later.”

Not that you’d know it by looking at him, but Brendan realized that he might just be a little nervous. He definitely wanted to proceed and continue things with Vin. Essentially, it was going to be like sleeping with a guy for the first time. Only because he didn’t remember last night. But nerves weren’t something that stopped Bren. Not ever.

He couldn’t stop the chuckle. But could you blame him? Vin wasn’t exactly known as the kind of student who did extra credit. Bren knew this and he hadn’t even been at Hammel that long. “I’ll go down in Hammel history. The teacher that got Vincent Verax to do extra credit.” Of course… Hammel history was out of the question. Bren could only imagine the kind of ‘extra credit’ and that would most definitely put their… affair?… out in the open.

Unable to hide it, a shiver ran through Bren’s body at the touch of Vin’s tongue and his lips parted underneath it. There was a pounding in his head that couldn’t be attributed to drinking last night. His excitement had managed to turn itself into a pounding in his head. But it wasn’t a headache exactly. And somehow it was foggy at the same time. Like when you stand up too quickly and get a head rush. Your head throbs for a moment, but doesn’t hurt, and you get a little dizzy. That was the exact effect Vin had on Brendan.

Bren slid his hands down Vin’s chest, than his flat stomach, only to have them stop when he had the boy’s waist enclosed in his arms. Holding the boy as close to him as he possible could, the teacher allowed himself to laugh, still not taking his lips away from Vin’s. “I could lie and say that….” And he began moving his thumbs against his student’s back. “Or I could tell that’s a little bit of a walk away. Especially if we go slow.”

Were there even other people on the street? Because Bren had the sneaking suspicion that it was completely deserted. But that wasn’t possible. Right? This was New York after all. The streets were never empty. Not from Bren’s experience. Which could only mean Vin had a bigger effect on him than he imagined. And he was ok with that. And even though there were (most likely) people around, Bren kissed Vin again. It wasn’t a porn kiss. Not on the public street, maybe later. But it wasn’t lacking either. And Bren used his tongue to tease his student’s lips just as his student had done before.