Blues In The Night (Stefan)

[Thomas Hayes]

Thomas finally managed to make plans with Stefan for a night out. He didn't make any specific plans for the night apart from where they would meet, but the nature of the night would probably sort itself out after a drink or two. Given how busy he had been lately, it was good to get the time to wind down.

He walked into the quieter club alone, passing through the doors and slowing down slightly to take in the atmosphere around him. A local band had set themselves up in the corner, determined to fill the space with a smoother sound as opposed to anything to do with hard rock. Acoustic vibes. Laid back tones. Thomas watched them from the corner for a little while before he readily decided he really needed a drink. His time at the bar was short lived as he took his glass and made his way towards an empty round table with two chairs. It would have to do.

Thomas leaned back in his chair, glass in hand as he idly swirled the dark liquid inside up against the edge. It managed to captivate his attention for a moment or two. Either Stefan liked to be late, or Thomas was notoriously early.

[Stefan Spencer]

It wasn't so much that Stefan liked to be late. In fact, he usually felt bad about arriving later than he told someone he would. Of course that depended on how much he'd been drinking at the time. Sometimes he didn't notice just how late he was.

Today though, he hadn't been drinking. Well apart from his usual morning drink, a few beers with lunch, and several sips from his flask throughout the day. He was actually running behind because he had been on the phone lining up a few interviews for the paper.

He spotted his friend Thomas as soon as he walked in, and felt horrible about the time. He could tell that Thomas had been bored waiting for him and hoped the man wasn't too upset with him. Without pausing at the bar, he simply signaled to the man behind it to send him his regular as he walked over to where Thomas was sitting. It was convenient that Stefan rarely had to actually give his order in any bar or club in Pilot Ridge.

"Sorry," he said, as he took his seat. "I hope I didn't keep you too long. Some lady put me on hold for twenty minutes. I thought'd I go nuts from the hold music. You'd think they'd pick out something actually worth listening to, like that." He gestured to the band playing in the corner. So how've you been old man?"

[Thomas Hayes]

Thomas turned in his seat suddenly when he heard the voice behind him. His eyes followed Stefan as he circled around the table and took the spare chair across from him. As he spoke, Tom took the glasses from his face and idly cleaned the lenses with the hem of his shirt. They weren't dirty, per se, it was just something he did idly.

"It's fine. Seriously, I haven't been waiting long." He replied, offering one of his best and brightest smiles to his friend. He looked towards the band when Stefan indicated to them, nodding along a few times to the beat of the music. "If hold music were like that, I can't see why anyone would dream of complaining."

It was rare to find a live band who were actually this good at the genre. "Old?" Thomas asked, throwing his head back in a laugh as he picked his glass up again. "Do I need to remind you that you are the older one here?" There was something about Stefan that seemed to brighten the bookstore owners day. It was probably his charisma. "I've been busy with work. What the hell have you been up to?"

[Stefan Spencer]

Stefan's worry that the other man would be upset by his tardiness melted away the moment Thomas smiled at him. It was easy for Stefan to spot fake smiles, so he was glad his friend was giving him a sincere one. "Agreed," he replied. "Although I much prefer live performances." Stefan felt that everything from listening to music to chatting with friends was better in person. Although he had to use the phone a lot for work, he tried to set up face-to-face interviews whenever possible.

"Perhaps in body, but not in mind." Stefan joked back. "Though in a race of age and beauty, I'll gladly set aside my title for such a handsome, young lad as yourself." He leaned back as he laughed, making room for the waitress to place his regular glass of scotch on the table before him.

"Oh...a little of this...little of that," Stefan replied, giving Thomas a mischievous grin. "Trying my best to stay in good company and away from trouble." He chuckled again. He felt he'd been doing good on both counts lately.

"How is the bookstore doing? When are you gonna put up an adult section in the back for me?" It was a joke Stefan had kept running since he'd first discovered Thomas's occupation.

[Thomas Hayes]

Thomas was - if nothing else - used to other people's tardiness. In fact, he was guilty of it himself. So in his eyes, it would be hypocritical for him to have an issue with it. So long as everything worked out in the end, how they got there didn't matter so much. "A man who prefers a face instead of a phone." He denoted with an amused smile. That sounded like Stefan to a T.

"Well, colour me impressed." Thomas began, catching Stefan's laughter in his own. It was infectious, really. "Barely a minute and you're up to your old tricks. How you turn a simple phrase into a flirtatious pick up line is actually a very amazing talent." And no one could say he wasn't a master at it. It was as impressive as Tom's humoured voice expressed it to be.

Tom pursed his lips to stop himself from laughing out loud. He then countered it by bringing the glass to his mouth; "You? Staying out of trouble? Now why do I have a hard time believing that?" He asked with as much sarcasm as he could muster. Stefan was notorious for his outgoing nature, if not his trouble making ability.

"When you become an incredibly dedicated business partner." Thomas quipped back, well aware of the games Stefan liked to indulge himself in when it came to the bookstore owner; "It'll be for your eyes only. Like an office, but... Dirtier."

[Stefan Spencer]

Stefan laughed at Thomas's comment. Although he doubted Thomas was all that surprised to here one of Stefan's lines so early in the conversation. Some people chatted about the weather. Some about their jobs. Stefan...well he had a slightly different version of small talk.

"What can I say? It's a curse," Stefan continued, catching the way Thomas hit his laughter. "And a blessing." At least in my old age I spend less time in the drunk tank." Which was technically true. Of course he still made more visits than the average person.

"Oh I can be incredibly dedicated," Stefan said, taking a drink. "And I have no problem with...dirty." He almost lost his glass after another bout of laughter. Although in reality Stefan wouldn't give up his journalism job so quickly. He really loved what he did. Still what were friend for, if not for coming up with wondrous fantasy such as these.

"Of course I'll have to be interviewed first." Stefan added as he motioned for a refill on his drink. "I hope you're game." He gave his friend a wink. Whether Thomas took that as a joke, or as an actual request, Stefan was game for either.

[Thomas Hayes]

If nothing else, it was a testament to Stefan's character. He was a skilled flirt. Probably the best Thomas had ever seen. It was almost... Inspiring. And that was a weird thought to have.

"Hardly a curse. It works for you, doesn't it?" He asked, knowing he didn't need to hear an answer. Stefan's track record was practically perfect. Still, Thomas had to laugh at the thought as he took a swig from his glass, emptying it. He was almost a little jealous of the other man.

Tapping his fingers against the table, Thomas had to grin at what Stefan was saying. Damn, he was making this way too easy for him. Everything was a clever quip or a flirtatious joke. He felt he should make it a little more difficult.

Stalling for time, Thomas simply laughed again, motioning for another drink from the hovering waitress. "Stefan, compared to you there's one thing I like to pride myself on." He started, leaning forward and resting his elbow on the table. "The ability to ward off your advances. I'd rather not be the talk of the town. Or the latest conquest among my friends." But damn it all - he was a difficult one to resist. Honeyed words and all that.

[Stefan Spencer]

Stefan was fairly proud of his flirting skills. Although they sometimes got him into trouble, more often they were a blessing. Even people who didn’t end up accompanying him for the rest of the night were usually pleased by the comments. Most people liked to think they were attractive, even if they were interested in Stefan.

“That it does,” Stefan said, smiling as if he had received a compliment about his athletic abilities. Although he had other skills, flirting was one he was certainly proud of.

“Oh Thomas, you know you don’t have to worry,” he said, returning his friend’s smile. “I never kiss and tell.” He laughed, but was okay if Thomas wanted to move past his version of small talk. For now.

“So have you heard the latest ‘conquest’ among our friend? There seems to be an idea in the works for a camping trip soon. I do hope you’re up for a manly weekend in the woods.” By Stefan’s smile and dancing eyes it was clear that he for one, was planning to enjoy himself on this latest adventure he’s group of friends had come up with.

[Thomas Hayes]

"In our circle of friends? I find that hard to believe." Tom shot back, grinning at the other man before sinking his attention into his glass again. The bookstore owner would call that a bullet dodged, but he wouldn't be surprised if he was shot at again.

Thomas pressed his lips together, stopping himself from laughing at the news he hadn't heard yet. Camping? In the woods? "Who's going? Is it everyone?" He asked, knowing a majority of that everyone was a bunch of couples. Not that he minded his friends pairing up as they did, but it made outings a little more predictable.

"I can't imagine you in the woods. Your suit'll get dirty. And possible ripped." He quipped quickly, though the concept of Stefan in a tent and a suit wasn't surprising at all.

[Stefan Spencer]

"Well as far as I know Greg, Sean, and Josh...but I'm sure they'll rope more into it," Stefan explained. He had to admit when Greg had fist mentioned the idea to him, like Thomas, Stefan had been a bit skeptical. Camping out in the middle of the woods wasn't a particularly common activity for many in their circle of friends...well at least not recently. Men of their...age...place a higher value on comfort than they had once upon a time. Stefan certainly wasn't looking forward to trekking through the woods on his bad leg.

Still there would be a few motivations to make the trip.

Stefan laughed. His suit got dirty and ripped a lot. Although usually it was from walking home from a bar at 3 am. Or his cat believing his pants were a nice place to take a nap and leave behind a mountain of hairs. "I know it's hard to believe, but I'm not always the pristine specimen you see before you now," he said, still chuckling.

"But don't you worry about me," he added. "Between Greg and I, the woodland bar shall be well stocked. And if you come, I'll have one more pretty face to easy the pain of sleeping on the cold, hard ground."

[Thomas Hayes]

Thomas nodded along to the names given; all good people. And they all had good friends, so the even would surely grow into something more entertaining. "I'm sure it'll grow to something spectacular." He agreed, looking into the glass before him idly. "Never been much of a camping man as of late." And he doubted most of the others had ever really set foot in the woods willingly.

"Say it isn't so." Thomas replied, being just sarcastic enough to still have a sense of humour about his words. "You can't possibly be seen as anything less than perfect looking, my friend. It'd be a crime against nature."

Thomas had to chuckle to himself; of course there would be alcohol. "It's not a trip with Stefan and Greg if there isn't ample booze." Hard booze at that, thankfully. "For what it's worth, I'd gladly share a tent with you." Banter. Keep it light. Keep it refreshing.

[Stefan Spencer]

"I agree," Stefan said. Of course, when their gang got together it was never anything less than spectacular. At least to Stefan is seemed that way. Granted, he could only remember about half of their get togethers. The others were lost in a drunken fog.

"Well, there's only so much fashion can add to my perfection to begin with," Stefan said, giving his friend a wink and a nudge before erupting in a laugh. Although Stefan wasn't short on self-esteem, he wasn't so egotistical to think he was perfect. "I prefer to think of it as a crime against humanity, actually. Humans are so much more...loving, than nature."

This coming from a man who once got poison ivy trying to make out with a tree.

Stefan smiled at Thomas's chuckle. It was nice to know he and Greg had developed such a reputation. "Oh Thomas, don't make promises you can't keep. You'll break my heart," Stefan said, grinning and covering his heart with his hand.

[Thomas Hayes]

Thomas was glad Stefan was the type to go along with a joke so willingly. Of course, he knew no one would be that egotistical and still be tolerable. He found comfort in the other man's laid back nature. "Well, nature can't keep you warm. At least, not comfortably." Thomas pointed out with a laugh. Stefan would know - Thomas had heard he was prone to sleeping on lawns every so often.

Oh, look at him, faking heartbreak over a potentially harmless joke. Thomas then wore his very best - and obviously fake - shocked look as his eyes glanced across Stefan's face. "Is that why you asked me here?" He said, feigning surprise in his voice, "Is this a secret date? Stefan, I'm flattered. But you really could have just asked."

[Stefan Spencer]

Stefan was pretty willing to go along with anything, jokes included. "You're right about that." He laughed a little. "Besides I've never met a tree that could stand up to your good looks, sir." He grinned at his friend, throwing in a wink for good measure.

"You see right through me Thomas," Stefan said. "I've been lusting after you for years." He still had the feint in his voice, although Stefan pretty much lusted after everyone adult in Pilot Ridge, so it wasn't exactly all lie.

The joke finally got to him and he broke his act to laugh. "I've never been good at secret dates. I find things work out much better when both parties are fully informed." Of course there were times Stefan had been too drunk to realize his company didn't have the same agenda that he did.

[Thomas Hayes]

Thomas ran his fingers along his own jaw briefly, scratching an unforeseen itch at the proposed compliment. "Lucky me." He replied, but the full toothed smile he wore made it known that the kind words were always appreciated.

He could just never be sure if they were genuine or not.

"I knew it." And he added a nod for good measure, playing along with his own joke. When Stefan broke into laughter, he found himself unable to keep a straight face, and his facade broke with an amused chuckle. "I've never been good with secrets in general," He admitted lightly, "Probably because my poker face always lacks strength and merit." And keeping up with lies had never worked for him in the past.