Because I Said So (Stefan.)

[Gregory Strickland]

"Oh, it was a long time ago," Greg said with a sheepish smile. "I was part of a group called the Radicals. Fighting for those who can't fight for themselves." For Greg it was a lot of fun. Sure he took the issues seriously, like homosexuality, but he got quite the adrenaline high from those rallies. Kids these days didn't do what he did when he was their age.

"Interests, yes," he agreed, nodding his head a couple times. His interests before included working, and spending time with his husband. He had plenty of hobbies, but those included his late husband and really, getting completely hammered was the only thing he couldn't associate to Nate.

"I..." Greg said, about to answer, when Stefan jumped the gun. Greg's eyes crinkled as laughed, giving his new friend a pat on the back. "You know me so well!" Really, it was startling how alike they were. He sighed and shook his head. "Well other than visiting friends, mostly a lot of drinking. Thinking about getting my own place." He liked it here well enough to start again. And maybe quit drinking so much.

[Stefan Spencer]

Stefan returned the other man’s smile, although his was less of the sheepish variety. Although Stefan had been at protest before, he always felt like he had a greater effect fighting for one person at a time. He still felt like protest had possibility to make a change, it was always nice to see the immediate benefits of fighting for one person at a time. “Always good to stick up for the little guy,” he said, knowing of course that it wasn’t always a ‘little guy’ that one was looking out for.

“Yes, interest. Got any of those?” he asked. Having already given the other man his hobbies, outside of drinking, Stefan figured it was time for Greg to talk a little more about himself.

Stefan shared in the man’s laughter. “Well if your friend ever kicks you out you’re welcome to room with me,” he said. “As long as you don’t mind cats.” Normally he might not have offered something like that to someone he had just met, but the alcohol had him in a very giving mood. “You’re welcome to come over and check out my spare room tonight.” He laughed softly, even though he was only half-joking. It was getting late and the bar was going to close up soon. Maybe he could at least convince Greg to come over for a nightcap, even if it was just as friends.

[Gregory Strickland]

Greg shrugged, twirling his glass around. “Not really. I like going to operas and dancing, but there doesn’t seem to be a lot of either around here.” He smiled, almost sadly. He had many hobbies, but none of them were fun to do alone. He just didn’t like being alone.

“Cats? Depends on how many there are,” Greg jested. He didn’t really mind animals, so long as they didn’t mess up his clothes or stink up the place. “Is that an invitation?” He asked, grinning. He wouldn’t mind a sleepover, but there would be some strict parameters. Well, unless there was more alcohol involved. He hadn’t been with someone in a while, not that he was looking for that, but hey, anything could happen. He was a free man so to speak. He would’ve invited Stefan over, but he wasn’t sure how Josh would feel about visitors, so, Stefan’s place would have to do.

[Stefan Spencer]

“You dance?” Stefan asked, his eyes lighting up a little. “We’ll have to find somewhere for us to do that much at least.” He grinned. It was half invitation, half joke. Although there were days when Stefan’s leg didn’t really want to cooperate on the dance floor, he thought even then he might make an exception for Greg.

“Just one,” Stefan answered. “I’m not a crazy cat lady or anything.” He laughed a little at the image. Although he probably wouldn’t have minded one or two more animals around the place, he didn’t think Sebastian would agree to the idea. Between that cat and Stefan, there was already enough personality and drinking around the house.

“It is defiantly an invitation,” he said, finished off his drink and he rose from the seat. “As long as your accepting it.” He held out his hand to Greg. “Come on, we’ll have a few more drinks and talk about the good ol’ days when there was a dance hall in every town and a beer in every hand,” he laughed a little. “Seriously though, I’ve got plenty more alcohol and spare bedroom, how can you say no to that?” He grinned, hoping that he was right to assume that Greg would go along with this and it wasn't just the alcohol talking.

[Gregory Strickland]

Greg smiled good naturedly. “Of course. A man who can dance is a man of many talents.” He said, glancing around. Really, here would’ve been an excellent place to dance, but he wasn’t really in the mood for it now. Another really good place to dance was in ones room, it was where Greg had the most practice.

“Just one? I think I can deal with that,” Greg said. He wasn’t one for animals, but he didn’t hate them either. And whenever he saw a commercial about the local human society, well, he was sure he teared up as much as anyone else watching them who had a heart. Although Greg would probably pay quite a lot of money to see a cat drinking...

Rising with Stefan and taking his hand. “Sounds like the days right now if you ask me,” Greg said with a laugh, downing the last of his drink and ordering another. “Well I can’t, so accept this courteous invitation,” he said, giving Stefan a bow before wrapping his hand around the final drink. “Cheers! I haven’t had a sleepover in ages,” he took a swig, “now that reminds me of the good ol’ days.”

[Stefan Spencer]

Stefan nodded along with Greg’s statement. He had always be comfortable on the dance floor and pitied other men who never wanted to dance, whether at resturants with their dates or at parties.

“Glad to hear it. You’ll love Bash,” he said. “He’s just like me.” And in many ways it was true. They both loved company (girls and guys), both drank, and even shared the same blue eyes. Of course Stefan didn’t usually leave fuzz balls around the apartment. And as for Bash’s drinking habits, Stefan was used to the disbelief many of his friends had a first. But personally, it was just habit to pour the cat a shot before he got one for himself.

“To the good old days,” Stefan said, pulling the other man close. “Here let me help you into a cab.” It was as good an excuse as any to hold Greg as little closer as he walked towards the door. “And no trying to share paying for the cab, this is my treat.”

((wrap?))