[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]

[Hey, he already admitted he's a coward.

Mal sighs and just holds him to keep Trip standing as he pulls him along, trying to ignore who is leaning against him.] We're almost there and then you can rest.

[friar_trip]

[It bares repeating.

Trip sighs softly as his head starts to hurt, suddenly very glad he'd run into Mal. For many reasons.] See? Knew you were my hero.

[scarlock]

[He'll get better about it eventually. Like when he remembers he's Will Scarlet.

That makes him snort, not really believing that.] Some hero I am. I can't even talk to you.

[friar_trip]

[And that will end so well.

Trip, on the other hand, laughs softly before it turns into a grown.] Actions speak louder then words. Ya coulda run away again.

[scarlock]

[It will be a trainwreck.

He just looks at him like he's mad for a moment.] And leave you wandering around the town drunk until you're dragged down to the jail to sober up? I wasn't going to do that. Despite how I may act, I somehow do have feelings for you.

[friar_trip]

[Trip forgives him the look, mainly because he doesn't see it.]

It's not like I haven't done it before. I woulda made it home. Or Felix or Leo woulda found me. I'm glad ya did and they didn't.

I'm glad we had this time ta talk. [Even if he won't remember it. He hopes Mal does.]

[scarlock]

Why are you glad I found you and they didn't?

Don't be glad. You're drunk.

[friar_trip]

Because I hate when they give me that disappointed look of theirs. It's a kicker. Ya ain't gonna think less of me fer this, are ya?

Hey, whatever works. [He leans a bit more heavily on Mal, the farther they walk.]

[scarlock]

Not at all. I'm quite used to carrying Christopher home after he's had too much to drink.

I'd rather we have this discussion when you're sober and I'm sure you will be able to remember it. [They finally get to Mal's building and he ignores the stairs to instead take the elevator, not wanting to help Trip up the stairs.]

[friar_trip]

[Trip laughs rather hard at that.] Yeah, a few o' those nights have been with me. Those were good nights too. [His voice gets wistfully softer.] It's no fun to drink alone.

[Trip is also thankful for the elevator, but still leans more on Mal then he probably needed to. It...felt good. Nice. Yeah, it felt nice.]

[scarlock]

So you're the one to blame for that. [He says it teasingly.] I'm not the sort to drink or I might join you next time.

[Mal is conflicted over Trip leaning against him so much. On one hand, it's nice to have him so close, but on the other hand, Trip's drunk and Mal doesn't want to do anything beyond clean Trip up and dump him into bed so he can sleep it off.]

[friar_trip]

Come on now. Everyone drinks! Just a matter a when or where or the occasion. [Trip didn't quite believe him, he thought Chris might have mentioned Mal drinking before. Or not. It was starting to get hard to keep his thoughts straight... as it's also started getting harder to stand.

He looks over to say something to Mal...and for some reason that was lost in his beer soaked brain he just stared instead.]

[scarlock]

I don't drink often then.

[Part of him thinks this is now the elevator ride from hell what with Trip starting to have more trouble standing and then the staring. After a couple moments of that, Mal seems to turn awkward, looking down at the floor.]

...Is there a reason why you're staring at me?

[friar_trip]

Well, ya should. With me at least. It'll be fun.

[Trip's face scrunches up in confusion at Mal's question.] I'm not starin'. I'm just lookin'. What's wrong with lookin'?

[scarlock]

I get rather silly when I drink, so I believe I'll decline.

[He stares intently at his own feet, ignoring the blush creeping up his cheeks.] Nothing's wrong, I'm just curious as to why you are doing so.

[friar_trip]

I think you'd be cute actin' silly.

Maybe I like it. Didja ya think of that? [The blush was adorable but Trip had the sense of mind to bite his tongue before he said that out loud. He didn't want to be left in the elevator.]

[scarlock]

I wouldn't be cute.

...w-what? [He looks up at Trip, clearly blushing at that.] You like looking at me? Why would you do such a thing?

[friar_trip]

Yeah, yeah ya would. But yer free to prove me otherwise some time.

Why wouldn't I? Somethin' wrong with that? With you? [He grins, giving in to his previous impulse.] Yer even adorable when ya blush, Mr. Scathelocke.

[scarlock]

You only say that because you want to see me drunk.

I don't see why you would. I highly doubt I'm the type you would like to look at. [Well, that last part makes him even more awkward, but thankfully the elevator stopped and opened its doors. Mal took advantage of that to busy himself with half-carrying Trip out and into the hallway towards his apartment.]

[friar_trip]

Maaaaaaybe.

Well...[Trip kept talking even as Mal walked them down the hall.] It had never occurred to me ta look before. Then I did...an' I liked it. 'cept when you run off. Don't like lookin' at yer back, even if yer ass is quite nice.

[scarlock]

[Oh god, Trip, shut up before you kill Mal from embarrassment.]

W-What?! You look at my ass? [Note to self: wear clothes that hide body from wandering eyes of certain people that are trying to be avoided. Okay, and calming down from that bit of panic.] ...So you like to look at me?

[friar_trip]

[Nope. Not till he's sober. Then he wouldn't dare say any of this, even if he wished he could to get back at Mal for running from him.]

Yeah, why not? I said it was a nice one. [Then he nods, a bit exaggerated even as his eyes start to droop. Did everyone suddenly feel so tired?] I told ya I did, didn't I? Never thought ta look before, then ya said that stuff in the diner and, well...I looked. An' I liked it. Why's that so hard?

[scarlock]

Because it involves me. [That's all he's saying on the matter.]

[Mal leads Trip down the hallway to his apartment quickly, unlocking the door and bringing Trip inside. He quickly keys in a code on a alarm system with one hand and not even looking, wanting it off before who knows what sort of security system of Mal's tries to murder them.]

I've got a spare room for you to sleep in. Christopher normally uses it whenever he's around and tonight he's not, so you may borrow it for the rest of the night.

[He then leads Trip back to where the bedrooms are, but instead of going into one of them, he instead takes him into the bathroom and dumps him into the shower before turning it on at full blast and cold. This is partially revenge for this whole evening, Trip :| ]

[friar_trip]

[Trip's eye lids were starting to droop, more dozing standing up (or leaning on Mal) then anything else. So he misses just about everything Mal was saying to him, not that he'd remember anyway. Maybe Mal had a bed he could borrow...?

What Trip doesn't miss is the sudden shower of cold water that makes his eyes fly open and a startled howl to errupt from his throat.]

Je-sus, what the hell Mal?!

[He fumbles for the controls but between his muddled brain and the sudden shock, he just can't seem to find them until he's thoroughly soaked.]>

[scarlock]

I thought you'd like to wash up before bed.

[Mal can be a bit of a dick when he wants to be. Just imagine how he would be if he didn't like Trip.]

Christopher leaves some clothes here and I believe that they would be a close enough fit for you to wear until your clothes are dried. I'd let you borrow a set of mine, but you're much too tall to fit into mine.