Chapter Text
“Joel, bad boy dare.” Joel raised an eyebrow at Grian as he took a seat at their dining room table.
“What are we, eight? No thanks, Gri.” Jimmy made an upset sound, his hands going up.
"You literally just bad boy dared me a few weeks ago, Joel! You made me embarrass myself in front of Tango!” Joel chuckled, remembering how red Jimmy's face had been when he dared him to serenade his crush in the middle of a crowded bar. Tango had looked just as embarrassed when he covered Jimmy's mouth with his hand and shushed him loudly before dragging him outside.
“Yeah, cos it was funny.” He replied, reaching over and stealing a piece of bacon off Jimmy's plate, ignoring his sound of protest. “Besides, he asked you out afterwards, didn't he? You should be thanking me for that. I helped you out, you're welcome.”
“Joel, bad boy dare. Come on.” Grian insisted. Joel groaned dramatically, leaning back in his chair.
“Fine, let's hear it then.”
“I dare you to go ask Scar about the current state of the Disney parks. I need him distracted for a little bit.” Joel immediately shook his head.
“Pass.”
“Joel please!” Grian begged. “I need him busy so I can finish making sure everything's ready for the,” he quickly looked around, making sure Scar wasn't nearby, before lowering his voice. “surprise party. I have some stuff hidden in Timmy’s room that I need to sneak out to the car.”
“No can do. I passed. I get one pass a month don't I? I'm using it. Guess you'll have to dare Jim.”
"Joel, it's like you don't even love me.” Grian whined.
“Cos I don't. I tolerate you at best.” He teased. “Besides, I've got plans today. I'm meeting Lizzie in a little bit for coffee. I don't want to be late because Scar has opinions on CEOs and park policies.” Jimmy and Grian both gasped, leaning in towards Joel.
“Are you telling me my man's got another date?” Jimmy asked excitedly. “Look at us! All three bad boys in a relationship at the same time!” Joel hesitated, shifting nervously in his seat.
“I mean, I don't think it's anything, like, serious. We've been on, what, four dates? It's just getting coffee. We're sort of taking things slow, yeah?”
“Me and Scar said we were taking things slow, and four months later he was moving in.” Grian replied. “You never know, Joel. She's seemed interested in you for a while, I wouldn't be surprised if things were serious soon.”
‘Doubtful.’ Joel thought. He just shrugged, stealing another piece of bacon from Jimmy.
“We'll see. I'm in no rush. We're still young, after all.”
“I call dibs on best man at your wedding!” Jimmy laughed, pulling his plate closer to him. “And quit stealing my breakfast! There's more on the counter!”
“That's a long way away, babe. And nah, it tastes better from your plate. Anyway, is Tango coming tonight? I haven't gotten a good chance to scare him about what will happen if he breaks your heart.” Joel relaxed as Jimmy took his attempt at steering the conversation away from his love life and towards the other's without batting an eye. Joel didn't like thinking about his own relationships, or lack thereof. Not that he wasn't trying! He had a coffee date in an hour, after all! He just knew it wasn't likely to go anywhere. It never did with any of the girls he had dated in the past. He always told his friend's he just wasn't looking for anything as serious as his girlfriend's were, but he knew that wasn't the truth. Joel would love to be in a steady, serious relationship. Just…Not with any of them.
“Oh, by the way, Grian, Tango wanted to know if he could bring a couple of his friends tonight. I told him it was probably fine but I figured I should check before I let anyone crash the party.”
“Sure, the more the merrier.” Grian said, at the same time that Joel said “Absolutely not.” Both Jimmy and Grian turned to him, matching looks of confusion on their faces.
“Why not?” Jimmy asked.
“It's supposed to be a fun party, and nothing kills the vibe like nerd talk. And knowing Tango, his friends are gonna be just as lame as he is.”
“Hey, that's my boyfriend you're calling a nerd! And for your information, his friends are very cool. You'll see!”
“Cool for nerds doesn't equal cool by regular standards, Jim.” Joel pushed his chair back and stood, stretching his arms above his head. “They can come, but I can't promise I'll be nice if they start using jargon and lingo. Anyway, I've got to shower and get ready. Have fun talking Disney with Scar.”
“Someone's talking Disney with me?” Scar asked, walking in and standing behind Grian, leaning down to kiss the top of his head.
“Yeah, Tim had some questions.”
“And that's my cue to leave!” Joel waved, getting out of there as quickly as he could
--
“Hey, Etho, are you doing anything tonight?” Etho looked up from his laptop at his roommate, Impulse.
“Not really. Why do you ask?”
“Tango's new boyfriend invited him to a party, and Tango wanted to know if we could come too, since he's still getting to know most of Jimmy's friends. I think he wanted some moral support. Skizz and I are both in. You wanna come too?” Etho made a face, shaking his head.
“I dunno, you know I'm not really big on that kind of thing.” Impulse nodded.
“I know, but I figured if it was to support Tango you might be more willing to come.”
“Can I think about it? What time would we have to be there?” Impulse picked up his phone, scrolling through his texts.
“Tango said it starts at 5. And you don't have to stay the whole time. It would mean a lot to Tango if you came.” Etho looked back down at his laptop screen, shrugging.
“I'm not making any promises, but we'll see how I feel later.”
“It'll be fun, you'll see. And if it's not, I'll give you ten bucks. Deal?” Impulse asked, holding his hand out for Etho to shake. Etho glanced at it before leaning back in his chair, putting his hands behind his head.
“Twenty.” He said with a smirk.
“Fifteen.”
“Fifteen, and you do the dishes this week.”
“Deal.” Etho shook Impulses's hand. Impulse grinned, quickly typing a message on his phone. Etho assumed it was probably to Tango, confirming that he was coming. “Easiest fifteen bucks of my life.”
“I think you'll have fun. In fact, I think you'll be thanking me afterwards for dragging you out of the house.”
“Uh huh, sure.”
“Anyway, I'm meeting Bdubs to talk more about the plans for the house he's flipping. You're welcome to come with me if you want to, you know he's always happy to see you. And we could use a tie breaker vote if we can't agree on paint colors or something.” Etho smiled and shook his head.
“You sure you want me to come? After last time? He seemed pretty upset when I gave my opinion on the tile he picked for the bathroom.”
“To be fair, he did tell you he could handle it if you said you didn't like it.” Impulse replied, standing to put his dishes in the sink, before heading to the door and putting on his shoes. “You know where to find us if you change your mind. Feel free to stop by if you get bored.”
“I've got plenty to do today, don't worry about me. Go have fun with Bdubs.” Etho closed his laptop and stood up as Impulse opened the door to leave. “And don't forget to hit up an ATM to get me that fifteen bucks!” He called after him, hearing his friend laugh as he shut the door behind him.
--
Etho was on his way to the grocery store, the list he and Impulse had compiled over the last week folded up in his pocket. It wasn't the usual day for shopping, usually Impulse would go after work on Wednesdays, but Impulse had drunk the last of the coffee while Etho was showering that morning, and he wasn't about to go four days without it. Which is why he was making a quick detour before the store, and stopping in at the local coffee shop just down the road.
He adjusted his mask before walking in, smiling when he caught sight of the red haired barista behind the counter as he got in line. The odds of getting a free drink had just increased.
“Hello Cleo.” He said cheerfully as he approached the counter. “Fancy seeing you here.” Cleo rolled her eyes, but he could see her trying to hide a smile as she leaned against the counter.
“Yes, it must be quite the surprise to find me at the coffee shop that I own. Maybe you'd see me more if you actually came by every once in a while.” She teased. Etho pretended to be shocked.
“But Cleo! I'm here every day!” He lied, putting the back of his hand against his forehead dramatically. “Maybe you'd know that if you worked up front more often.”
“That's bull, but I'll let it slide this time on the condition that you buy a pastry with your drink.” Etho lowered his hand, giving Cleo his best heart broken look.
“I would never lie to you, my dearest Cleo.” Cleo let out a laugh, shaking her head.
“That's rich coming from the man who told me he loved me on prom night, only to break up with me a few months later when he came out as gay.” There was no hostility in her voice, no hard feelings. The two of them had long since reconciled from their teenage breakup.
“Hey, that wasn't a lie. I just neglected to add ‘platonically’ to the end of the sentence.”
“Yeah, yeah, yeah. Just pick a pastry, I'll get your usual drink ready.”
“Thank you, Cleo!” Etho said in a little sing-songy tone, grinning wide behind his mask.
“Be as cute as you want, you're still paying today.”
'Damnit.'
--
In the end, Cleo had given Etho her discount.
He stood off to the side while he waited for his coffee, the paper bag with a danish inside clutched in one hand as he looked around the room. It was pretty busy today, but he wasn't surprised considering it was still morning.
Etho turned towards the door when the bells jingled as it was pushed open. The man walking in immediately caught his attention, but he wasn't sure what part to look at first. Leather jacket, sunglasses perched low on his nose, a single green streak in his hair, boots that were definitely being used to boost his height an inch or two. Unfortunately Etho would be lying if he said he wasn't intrigued. He watched the guy saunter up to the counter and place his order with one of Cleo’s employees, and oh that was a generous tip he just dropped in the jar.
‘Good looking, and he tips well. Wait- good looking? Slow down, Etho.’
He jumped when he heard someone clear their throat next to him. 'Oh snap.' Good Looking Guy was standing right there.
“They say if you take a picture it'll last longer.” The guy said, smirking. Etho felt his face heat up, very glad for his mask hiding his blush.
“I have limited space on my phone, I'd rather not waste it on someone who wears sunglasses indoors.”
‘God damnit, Etho. Learn how to flirt, would you?’
“You're just jealous that I look so cool, and sexy.” The guy replied, seemingly unphased.
“I mean, I never said that. Besides, I prefer my men a little taller.” That wasn't really true, but Good Looking Guy didn't need to know that.
“Excuse you, I'm a perfectly good height. And maybe I would be taller if you had saved some height for the rest of us.” Etho leaned back against the wall, grinning. He couldn't resist doing what he was about to do.
“What are you talking about? I'm only 5’6”.” He lied, grinning more at the way that made the other man scowl.
“No you aren't. I'm 5’8”, you are not 5'6”.”
'Got him.'
“5’8”, huh? Pretty sure that's below average.” Etho said calmly.
“Below ave- Listen, asshole, I am not below average at anything!”
“Etho, will you please stop harassing my customers?” Cleo’s exasperated voice interrupted before Etho could respond. “Here's your drink, go away.” Etho took the coffee from her, hoping she could see the apologetic look he was giving her behind his mask.
“Sorry, Cleo. Thanks for the coffee.” He gave her a quick wave, glancing back at Good Looking Guy one last time before quickly heading to the door. He held it open for a woman with pink hair before stepping out, oblivious to the brown eyes watching him from over a pair of sunglasses as he left.