Lookin' for Love (closed:tags Nathan)

[Bradley Reeves]

After his older sister had "dragged him out of the closet" in his college years, Bradley had been in a few relationships. Some a little serious. Some a lot less. Still, he had never considered the fact that at some point he might was to settle down. True he was a little lonely sometimes with just him and his piano in his apartment, but it was actually his mother who had put the idea of searching for a relationship into his head.

"Just because you're never going to give me any grandchildren," she had told him during their last conversation. "Doesn't mean that you shouldn't be happy and have someone to share that with."

So here he was, late at night, sitting on a bar stool, and checking out the crowd.

Finding a place that he felt comfortable in had been the first, and perhaps the hardest part, of this adventure. Cleanliness was key. But also a fair amount of light. After all, how could you tell if the bar top was clean if you couldn't see it? To further complicate things, Bradley had to search for the right quantity of people. Too many people and one felt like they couldn't breathe. Too little and one felt like they couldn't hide.

Bradley wasn't sure that this club was the perfect spot. But he had already ordered his drink, a strawberry wine cooler, so he decided to at least sit long enough to enjoy his drink. Even though he half-thought his mother expected to be hearing wedding bells within the next few weeks, Bradley was more realistic. Still, she had awoken the need in him for companionship.

Even so, Bradley felt that he wasn't very good at this whole situation. He fiddled with the umbrella in his drink, wishing that someone would show him some sort of sign.

[Dr. Nathan Reed]

So far, no-one had really grabbed his interest. Or, perhaps it was the other way around. He knew he was getting on a bit in age but he wasn't that bad looking, was he? A few lines here and there but he was still pretty much the same as he'd been two decades ago, wasn't he? It would have made him feel somewhat insecure if he wasn't actively trying to keep the negative thoughts away.

Only an hour earlier he had completed paperwork and got off the phone from a difficult argument with a patient who wanted pills she'd heard she could get imported. Never mind that they were dangerous and dodgy, she had to lose weight now. And now what Nathan needed the most was a pleasant distraction.

And then he spotted him. a fairly handsome blond sitting all by his lonesome, looking a little out-of-place. Well, he couldn't have that. There was someone who desperately needed to lighten up, and with any luck, someone who would respond positively to his advances. Someone who could be the night's distraction. Quickly downing the rest of his vodka, he made his way over to the stranger and leaned in close. Not too close that he might scare the guy off; after all, lonely or not, he still looked like the 'deer-in-headlights' sort. The kind who would be easily spooked if he did or said the wrong thing.

"You know, I wish someone would pay me as much attention as you are to that umbrella," he murmured into the stranger's ear, a mischievous smile playing around his face. Without waiting for an invitation, he took the empty bar stool next to the blond and made himself comfortable. "You look like you could use some company. I'm Nathan."

((ooc: I hope this is okay for you >_> ))

[Bradley Reeves]

(( of course it's okay...perfection as always))

Bradley was nervous, but also a little heartened, when a man sat down on the stool next to him. He blushed slightly at the umbrella comment and move his hand away quickly. Trying to cover up his nervousness, he took a long drink from his glass. He had to admit the other man's playful smile was quite attractive.

"Company would be nice," he said, smiling. He wished he had a line for situations like these, but sadly he wasn't the type one would describe as "smooth". At least not with someone he had just met. "I'm Bradley," he said, fighting the urge to play with his umbrella again.

Instead he took another drink, realizing that he was getting close to empty. Although he had planned on leaving once he was finished, that had been before Nathan had sat down. And something about the other man's smile and the fact that he seemed perfectly comfortable sitting there on the stool made Bradley want to stick around a little longer. In fact, he was a little envious and impressed by Nathan's composure. A few more drinks and conversation couldn't hurt, right?

"Shall we get some refills?" he asked Nathan, noticing the other man's empty glass as well.

[Dr. Nathan Reed]

He wasn't entirely yet whether 'timid' was the correct word for the blond. He'd blushed a little, a handsome colouring to his cheeks that he attempted to hide quite artfully with a long drink from his glass as he calmed himself down. It was like watching someone put on a pretty veil or mask and Nathan's Cheshire Cat grin simply got wider as he kept his eyes fixed on the lovely blond. If he hadn't been such an observant man he probably wouldn't have noticed the blush or the longer-than-normal drink from the glass. He didn't pass comment on it, deciding that now was not the right time to play Sherlock Holmes (or was he James Bond tonight?).

Suppressing the words he wanted to say in response ("of course it would") he reclined comfortably against the bar and set his empty glass on the bar, as though claiming his place. "Bradley, eh? Well, I'm looking forward to getting to know you, Bradley," he said with the slightest hint of innuendo, the kind that could be easily missed especially if you weren't looking for it.

"Oh, absolutely," he said, straightening up enough to look decent for the bartender, rather than having to twist and stare at the poor fellow upside down. No, that sort of behaviour was reserved for other times. Such as... whenever he could possibly get away with it. "Same again?"

Ordering their drinks and paying for them without waiting for a debate to start over who should pay, he turned back to his distraction with a grin. "So tell me about yourself," he suggested. This would be a slow process, but he had started and he was damn well going to finish.

[Bradley Reeves]

If Bradley had been a little less nervous, he may have noticed the innuendo behind Nathan’s words. As it was, he was merely glad that the other man was being polite and kind. At the start of the night he had worried that either A) no one would talk to him and he would just sit alone in the corner of the room. Or B) anyone who did talk to him would be a rude, idiot.

He started to stammer as Nathan ordered the next round of drinks. “You don’t have to…” he started to say, but the drinks were already served and paid for. “Thanks, you’ll have to let me repay the favor.”

“Well,” Bradley began, taking a drink. “I’ve lived in this area most of live. I went to Hammel in my younger days. Now I’m the music teacher there.” Either his second drink was a tad stronger or he was just feeling more comfortable, he was starting to enjoy himself. He even managed to stop fiddling with the umbrella in his drink. “The kids can get a bit…troublesome at times, but I can’t think of anything I’d rather do than teach music.”

His second drink was disappearing much faster as well. He tried to make a mental note to order a soda or something next, since he wasn’t that great at making decisions or driving after a third drink. “How about you Nathan? What do you do?”

[Dr. Nathan Reed]

The other man was clearly a little out of practice with this sort of thing but there wasn't any better place to learn than out here with Nathan. For a moment, he wondered if he should start charging for his infinite wisdom - that is, just to sit in the room and exude confidence. But, at the end of the day, he decided he wasn't willing to sell himself juuuuust yet. He wasn't quite that desperate for distractions.

Smirking a little as he brought the glass to his lips, he murmured; "Oh, well if you insist, but it really was no trouble." He could have gushed about how lovely and down-to-earth Bradley seemed, but he wasn't here for fluff and dating.

Music teacher, eh? What did Nathan know about music? Er... not much, he had to admit, but it was a respectable sounding position. "Music at Hammel, eh? Good with your hands, I suppose?" A beat, and he continued. "I think I'd love to watch you play something. Can you play piano? I do enjoy a little Beethoven from time to time." He had so very nearly said 'organ' instead of piano but goodness that would have been just uncouth. "It certainly sounds as though you're passionate," A rather deliberate pause as he took a sip. "...about your work. Which is always a wonderful thing. There are too few people who truly adore what they do for a living."

Asked what it was he did, he attempted to keep the preening peacock tendencies down a little. Not everyone was impressed by ego, especially not in doctors.

"Oh, I'm a general practitioner," he said, though he could have simply said 'doctor'. "I own the local clinic. I've owned it for, what, fourteen, fifteen years now?" Or maybe more; his memory had apparently forgotten that information. "It's been... well, difficult in recent years but I'm confident that things are going to get better. Besides, I couldn't dream of closing the place." Okay, that sounded sappy, most likely. But he really did genuinely care for the health and general well-being of the town. Even if some residents seemed like they needed a hearty dose of tetanus.

[Bradley Reeves]

Taking another drink, Bradley returned the smile. He appreciated the courteousness in the other man. He was starting to feel a little more comfortable now, probably due to the fact that his second drink was now gone as well. He actually took a second to stare at the empty glass. He knew he should have a soda. But he was having a good time, why spoil it?

"I suppose one might say that," Bradley replied, blushing from the compliment and the alcohol. "The piano is my favorite," he said excitedly. "How did you know?"

"Can I get you anything?" Bradley asked as he motioned the barkeep to give him another. "My treat this time."

He was really starting to feel like this had been a good idea. He reminded himself to thank his mother later for giving him the push he needed. "Passionate, yes," Bradley agreed. "I've been told it's easy to see my enjoyment." He blushed again, feeling bad for complimenting himself. A little flustered he spurted out his next sentence in Chinese. "Forgive me, I'm not usually so forward."

He coughed, took a drink from his glass, and a deep breath. "Um...sorry," he said, this time in English. He smiled, hoping he hadn't ruined the evening. "So...then it's Doctor Nathan? That's wonderful. Or do you prefer M.D.?" He was pleased to learn that. Doctors understood the need for cleanliness. But still nervous that he may have offended or alarmed Nathan with his language switch he attempted to calm his nerves again by taking another long drink from his glass.

"I should probably head out soon before I'm over my limit," he thought out loud.

[Dr. Nathan Reed]

It seemed to Nathan that there would be no cat-and-mouse, no chasing tonight, which was simultaneously gratifying and crushingly disappointing, but he would take what he could get. A distraction was still a distraction and he had to remind himself for a moment that it was all that was needed. Anything to make him feel normal.

Grinning in what he certainly hoped was a charming fashion and not an overbearingly sleazy one, he allowed a hand to slide ever so slightly closer to the other man. Not to touch him, rather to allow himself to get closer without startling the poor fellow. At this point, it almost felt as though he was trying to get closer, ever closer to a frightened deer. Gently does it, Nathan... he reminded himself. "Oh, it was simply a guess. You have the right sort of hands for it, and they certainly look flexible. You take very good care of yourself, don't you?" With an approving smile, he took another sip from his glass, watching the nervous gentleman taking long, soothing drinks.

"I'm sure I'd love to see you at work; I imagine you're quite an expert," he murmured, slightly baffled by the sudden burst of whatever language that was but graciously ignoring it. He was going to say something perhaps a little more suggestive... baby steps, baby steps. "Oh, just call me Nathan... unless you want to call me Doctor Nathan. I'm not fussy."

And then the clock seemed to start ticking loudly as Mr Reeves announced that it was likely time for him to depart. "Oh, must you? And we were having such a lovely time." Pretending to think for a moment, he turned his body completely to face the other man. "If you really must go, I insist on accompanying you. I would love to talk more about you and your undoubtedly skilled hands."

(( >_>

<_<

*casually apologises to everyone and runs to hide* ))