[LOCATION: MAIN STREET]

[friar_trip]

[Trip liked his alcohol. That much everyone knew. Rarely a day went by when he didn't have a drink of some sort. But given the responsibilities of both of his jobs, he rarely got drop dead stinking drunk.

At last call tonight, he'd passed that 5 beers ago. Everything, from Mal's admission then avoiding him to the usual feeling in the pit of his stomach that was somehow made worse by the situation, had come to head and he just hadn't been able to stop.

And now he was walking home through the deserted street, abet slowly and with many detours, so as to avoid the disappointed looks from Leo and Felix. Everything was funny and nothing hurt. For the moment.

And that telephone pole looked fun to swing around right about now.]

Comments

[scarlock]

[Mal was walking home from a late night at the office when he made his way down Main Street and spotted a drunk Trip. His first thought is, of course, to stay out of sight and keep walking home, but after his conversation with Mary Margaret, he decides against it and heads over towards him, trying to do his best not to look as awkward as he feels.]

It's a bit late to be out, isn't it?

[friar_trip]

[While Trip would have been shocked to see Mal walk up to him instead of away while sober, drunk he was absolutely giddy. He kept spinning around the pole until he could finally make himself stop, then took a few staggering steps towards Mal, one hand reaching out to brace himself on Mal's shoulder.]

Heya Mal! Is it late? The bar closed so it must be. And it's dark... Hey, you aren't walkin' away!

[scarlock]

[He instinctively reaches out to grab Trip so he doesn't fall over. That would just make everything worse and it's already bad enough.]

Yes, it is quite late out. [He pauses for a moment.] Is it a good thing or a bad thing to you that I'm not walking away?

[friar_trip]

[Trip attempts to give Mal an indignant look but doesn't quite make it, especially since he can't seem to stop grinning.]

'course it's a good thing! Been seein' so much of yer back, I'd almost forgot what yer face looked like. [He reaches up and taps Mal's cheek.] It's a nice face.

[scarlock]

[Trip's words and the tap on his cheek makes Mal turn red and look down at the ground.]

Well, ah, thank you. I should probably get you home before you completely lose the fight against gravity.

[friar_trip]

[The blush was adorable and one adds to Trip's good mood]

Ah, ain't you just ma knight in shining armor. Does this make me the damsel in distress? Guess I'm lucky such a gentleman came by.

What are ya doin' out so late anyway?

[scarlock]

Wh-what? I'm just doing what anybody in my situation would do. It would be wrong just to leave you here like this.

I decided to work late tonight, though I didn't think I would be out this late.

[friar_trip]

You ain't a gentleman? Should I hold out for someone else? Like that song?

[Of course, this means he's going to sing.] I'm holdin' out for a hero! La la la somethin' till the end of the night. I need a hero...something, something...gotta be fresh from the fight!

See? Workin' late, fresh from the fight! It works!

[scarlock]

I meant more that I'm not a knight in shining armour nor you a damsel in distress.

[Mal looks completely embarrassed as he he tries to shush Trip.] When I said it was late, I meant it was extremely late. People are going to be quite angry if you keep this singing up.

[friar_trip]

Why not? I think you'd look cute in armor. And ya saved me, didn't ya? Instead of runnin'. Did I mention I'm glad ya didn't run? Don't like it when ya run from me...

[Now Trip frowns.] why do ya keep runnin' from me? I'll keep singin' if ya don't tell me!

[He mumbles through the verse before starting to sing the chorus again.]

[scarlock]

I think I'd look ridiculous in armour, clanking about in all that metal, not to mention that if I was in knightly armour, you'd be wearing the outfit of a princess and I don't think you'd look good crossdressing.

[Mal does the first thing that comes to mind and puts his hand over Trip's mouth to stop the singing.] Will you stop that?

[friar_trip]

[And Trip's reply is to shake his head and lick Mal's hand.]

[scarlock]

[That makes Mal pull his hand away and wipe it off on his pants.]

Are you always this childish when you're drunk or is this a special occasion?

[friar_trip]

I donno. Ya gonna stick 'round long enough to find out? Ain't that what yer supposed ta do when ya like someone?

[There is an attempt at a pointed look and he's not above singing again.]

[scarlock]

No, I'm not having this conversation with you while you're drunk.

[friar_trip]

Ya sure as hell ain't havin' it when I'm sober either. Makin' me feel awful every time ya run off. Least ya could do is still me why!

[He takes a deep breath to start singing again.]

[scarlock]

Do you really want to know why? It's because I don't want to know what you think of me, so I avoid you so I don't have to face whatever truth is there. I'm a coward when it comes to dealing with these sort of things and nothing's going to change that.

[He sighs and looks at the ground, laughing bitterly as he does.] For all I know, you might not even remember this in the morning.

[friar_trip]

[He lets his breath out and stares.] Well that's kinda stupid. Ya ain't even givin' me the chance ta get ta know ya. What if I could like ya, but I'll never get the chance ta know?

[From experience, he knows he probably won't remember but he doesn't say that. Hell, the world suddenly sways and he puts a hand out to steady himself against the telephone pole so he doesn't fall over.]

[scarlock]

I never said it was smart, just that I was cowardly. If I gave you the chance to sort out your feelings, what then? Would you crush my heart or let me down easy?

[Mal's there, just trying to keep him steady the whole time, not wanting him to fall. Thankfully, he's got practice dealing with wobbly drunks and is strong enough to basically carry Trip around town if he needed to.] I need to get you somewhere so you can sleep this off. My apartment's closer, may I take you there? I have a spare bed you can use. [He pauses.] Though if you want me to take you home, I can do that instead. I don't want to make this uncomfortable for you or anything.

[friar_trip]

Are ya always this over dramatic? I ain't even askin' for a date! Yet. I just wanna be yer friend to start out with...that alright? Or does it not play into yer scenario of me breakin' yer heart? Nice respect ya got fer me by the way.

[And suddenly, Trip isn't feeling so good and the looks he knew he'd get at home would only make him feel worse.] Whatever's closer. Ma stomach is startin' a revolt.

[scarlock]

I've been told I'm usually like this. Don't take this as a slight against you, I just find that I'm a difficult person too be friends with and even worse as a boyfriend, so I don't let anybody try. It's less painful that way.

[Well, guess he'll just start half-carrying Trip to the apartment then.] My place it is. It'll only take a couple minutes.

[friar_trip]

But I wanna try. [That may have come out sounding a little like a whine.] Give me a chance?

[Thankfully, Trip is still mostly on his feet...except when he has to detour to throw up in a bush.]

[scarlock]

We'll see. [Closest you'll get to a yes right now, Trip.]

[...yep, he's definitely going to dump Trip into the shower once they get to the apartment.]

[friar_trip]

[Thankfully, or not, Trip is too busy throwing up to call you on it Mal.]

[Now that he's proceeded into the sick part of drunk, he was quite happy to let Mal lead the way wherever. He trusted him.]

[scarlock]

[He's never been so thankful for someone to be throwing up than he is right now.

...He does think he'll have to go find that bucket he has around the apartment somewhere. Though he's not really trying to drag Trip around while he's still throwing up. He'll wait until he stop, then he'll lead him down the street.]