Jailbirds or Lovebirds? (Greg)

[Stefan Spencer]

Stefan usually avoided the Churchkey bar. It used to be an advantage that he knew most of the employees there. Now, it didn't work as well. Some of them wouldn't serve him. Or would only allow him one. Pilot Ridge was a small town. Everyone knew about his arrest, his jail time, his probation, his living in a half-way house. And while Stefan was the one who would get into trouble for getting drunk and not the person serving him, it seemed that most people thought they were at risk just as much he was. Or they felt it was for his own good.

But tonight was different. He figured since he wasn't alone he might get a drink. Also he didn't really know where else would be a good place to have dinner. All he knew were bars. At least all the places he wanted to go were bars.

He had been meaning to have a real sit down dinner with Greg since getting out of jail. True, the two of them had talked and bumped into each other several time. But this was the first time it was just the two of them since Stefan had been a free man. And Stefan really wanted to pay Greg back for everything. He'd had a lot of friends call or visit, but Greg had been so consistent. It really meant a lot to Stefan, though he was so afraid to expect it, even from a guy as good as Greg.

And yes, he knew that Greg was currently dating someone, but that wouldn't stop him from harmlessly flirting. And it didn't stop him from hoping, as much as that scared him

He'd gotten a table and ordered a drink for himself (a soda for now). And he couldn't help but look up at the door every few seconds.

"What the heck is wrong with me?" he mumbled to himself, trying to focus on the beautiful people in the bar instead of staring at the door.

[Gregory Strickland]

Stefan should feel so loved and lucky, what with practically everyone in town helping him remain relatively sober. Greg had heard a couple conversations between bartenders on how Stefan was someone to look out for, help even. Greg thought the gesture was sweet, but Stefan no doubt probably found the whole thing annoying.

Greg hadn’t been bar hoping as often as he once had when he first moved to Pilot Ridge. He had slowed down in the drinking department and spent his time on other things. Apparently it wasn’t hard to socialize without a drink in hand, and he was sure had he continued the way he had been going, perhaps it might’ve been he in the halfway house.

There had been a slew of emotions involved whenever Greg visited Stefan – empathy, understanding, sadness, anger… It really depended on the day, but Greg didn’t want to see Stefan living anywhere but home for longer than necessary, and he certainly didn’t wish for Stefan to go back. So maybe Stefan didn’t pick the least tempting place, but if he thought Greg was going to be lenient, he was about to see a whole other side of the blond.

It helped that Greg had purchased his own vehicle in order to visit, but he would’ve found a way to Stefan regardless of owning a car or not. Greg had pulled up to the place in said car, finding a spot without problem and adjusting his suit jacket after clicking the car locked.

Greg spotted Stefan upon entering the bar, and after taking a close look at the other man’s drink and deciding it wasn’t alcoholic, his face lit up with a smile. “Stefan! My good man, I hope I didn’t keep you waiting long.” He sat across the table from Stefan after a couple good claps on the shoulder.

After ordering a Diet Coke for himself, Greg surveyed Stefan, noting the tiredness in the man’s eyes. “So, how are you fairing now that you have some freedom back?” Greg new that Stefan wasn’t going to just been left to his own devices from now on. There were regular checkups and check ins to make sure Stefan was still on the right track after his road to recovery.

[Stefan Spencer]

Stefan was also in a hurry to get his freedom back and move back home. Right now he was subletting the place, or at least attempting to. And with his work being a little hit or miss these days, it was hard to justify not just selling the place without a move day in sight. Hopefully he could get that all sorted out the next time he met with his parole officer. Assuming of course that he could keep his nose clean til then.

Stefan lit up the moment he saw Greg's approach. And he couldn't help but run his eyes up and down the other man's figure as always. Of course Stefan tended to do that to everyone. Though half the time it wasn't anything sexual per say, just he was of getting a reading on the other person. But with Greg, Stefan's eyes tended to linger in certain places.

"Greg! You are always worth the wait," Stefan said, grinning as Greg sat down.

The grin faded a bit at Greg's question. Not that he wasn't elated to be out of jail, it's just that Stefan didn't really consider himself to exactly be enough of a free man just yet. He wanted to tell Greg that he'd be doing a lot better if he could get something other than soda in his glass, but he had gotten more protective about his drinking habits. Even from his friends, he found himself hesitant to ask for a drink. He couldn't stand the dismissive look in their eyes. He didn't think he could stand seeing it in Greg's baby blues just now.

"I'm fine, just fine," Stefan said after thinking. "You know how it goes."

"Though I'm doing better now that I'm sitting across from a handsome man," he added, his smile back now.

"How are things with you?"

[Gregory Strickland]

After a good laugh, Greg put his hands on the table and leaned in ever so slightly to do his best listening, though Stefan didn't seem to have much to say. There was so much going on in those eyes of his, but Greg wasn't going to pry.

It was normal for Stefan to deflect things via flirting, and Greg wasn't going to object for the time being.

"You've been through a lot, and yes I do know how it goes." Not entirely, but he had been there for Stefan, of course he already knew much of what had to happen now because of what had happened before.

Greg sat back. "Oh, I'm good, getting the crew ready to finalize plans for the house and start building." When he had visited Stefan, Greg had told him all about the plans for his new house, which he had designed and was now going to see built from the ground up. "Not exactly with my own two hands but..." His stomach gurgled and he laughed. "I hope there's more than just drinks here."

The fact that Greg had altogether forgotten to mention his love life would've been an indicator to anyone who knew him. It wasn't like Greg to forget the romantic side of himself, which he so willingly and frequently shared with everyone, even if they didn't want to know.

"And now that that elephant's out of the way, I'll have you know I'm buying tonight," he looked very sternly at Stefan, "no arguments." He couldn't keep a straight face for a long and quickly grinned. Tonight was about celebrating small victories.

[Stefan Spencer]

Stefan continued to smile at the other man. He enjoyed watching him talk. And picking up on all of the little signals that Greg gave in his movements. Though he hadn't made the connection (or at least wouldn't allow himself to) Stefan's ability did work better now that he wasn't drunk 24/7. And though he had noticed and enjoyed this change, it wasn't enough for him to recognize that he should keep his alcohol in check if he wanted to keep things this way.

"That's exciting. Do you have a ball park date for when it'll be all done? I need to know when to start planning your housewarming." Because yes, there was going to be a party. Not that Stefan needed much of an excuse for that, but he knew how much this house meant to Greg. And he wanted the other man to celebrate. More importantly, he wanted to celebrate with him.

Stefan laughed at the sound of Greg's stomach. "Of course they do. I hear the nachos are good. But they also have excellent burgers and fries if you're thinking something a bit more substantial." Though Stefan wasn't to the stomach making noises stages of hunger he could definitely eat. Though he was a bit more excited about the drinking part of the evening.

"Shall we order a pitcher while we're at it?" Stefan said, faking that he was busy looking for a waitress while he waiting for Greg's reply to that. He didn't think he could take it if Greg had any disappointment about his wanting some alcohol. At least he didn't want to see it in the other man's eyes.

"Though if you're treating maybe I should order a round of shots," he added, trying to play it off like a joke and not a desperate hope. Stefan had found that lately he had to be extra cautious around his friends and drinking. And it hurt to have to hide it and act like it wasn't a big deal.

[Gregory Strickland]

Greg often wished he knew what having powers felt like. The majority of his friends (especially here in Pilot Ridge), were meta humans, and he always found each power as unique as the owner who beheld it. He would just have to live vicariously through those around him.

“You’ll have to coordinate said party with Sean and Josh,” Greg said smugly. It was nice, being cared for. His friends were also his family, and that was blessing enough for him. “But I’m thinking everything should be done by Spring. They said February, but this isn’t my first rodeo. Building always goes longer than planned.” But once the time came, it would be worth celebrating the first thing Greg had planned and built since Nate’s passing, and he certainly wanted Stefan to be there with him.

“A burger sounds fantastic,” Greg said, also turning and looking for a nearby server. He was sure his stomach would start eating itself if he didn’t indulge it soon.

“We could,” Greg obliged, though some warning bells were going off in his mind. Was alcohol such a good idea for someone recovering from an alcohol addiction? Greg found himself quite stuck in a delicate situation.

Laughter ensued, and Greg patted Stefan’s hand affectionately. Progress was progress, and there was no denying how proud he was of Stefan. Nobody got to decide what they did but them, and since Greg had been on the cusp of alcoholism, he knew it wasn’t going to help Stefan one bit to be his counselor.

“I think a pitcher would go well with some burgers, but I’m also thinking we’ll have to go somewhere else for dessert.” Greg wasn’t hinting towards anything, though it could’ve been taken that way. But he simply meant he doubted a bar would have a good selection of the kind of dessert he had in mind.

Eventually a server would come and their orders were placed. Greg could ask just about anything of Stefan, the blond wasn’t shy. “I do hope you’re not seeing anyone exclusively,” he said slyly, “otherwise, they would be very jealous of our date here.” The smile on Greg’s face said this was all in good fun. Stefan needed love right now, and that was that.

[Stefan Spencer]

Stefan nodded along, already making plans for a party when he realized that it was going to have a be different plans if Josh...and particularly Sean were to be part of the planning process. He tried not to let this revelation show on his face. It wasn't that he dind't like Sean. On the contrary he looked up to the other man a great deal. Sean was wise. And kind. And everything that one would want in a good friend. Except that he was a little too all-knowing. A little too...moral for lack of a better word. Meaning that Sean had noticed Stefan's continued drinking. And he didn't seem to want to just let it slide.

"Sounds like I've got plenty of time to make it perfect for you," Stefan said, with a grin. Of course he would want any party to be perfect. But something celebrating an achievement of Greg's...that would have to be a real shindig.

When the server came, Stefan ordered a burger and fries as well as a pitcher. He tried not to seem too excited about the alcohol. Tried to make it seem like it was just that beer went so well with burgers.


"Desert sounds great," Stefan said, of course taking it another way. Even if Greg hadn't been hinting at it and Stefan hadn't been able to pick up on it with his ability, he still would have taken it that way. "You know how I love a good dessert," he added, giving Greg a long look up and down just to be sure the other man knew what he was talking about.

"Oh you know me," Stefan said. Exclusive wasn't really in his nature. He was too afraid to get that attached. Though he did have...regulars for lack of a better word, they were all no strings attached.

Still at the idea that this was a date (a date with 'dessert' no less) made Stefan's heart beat a little faster. He looked at the smile on the other man's face and just wanted to lean across the table and put his lips on that smile. But he couldn't be sure that Greg wasn't just joking around. So instead he just nudged Greg leg under the table, testing the waters.