ever the chase

The first cut is the deepest but the rest still flipping hurt you build your heart of plastic get cynical and sarcastic and end up in the corner on your own.

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Having A Blast [Chase/Gil]

[gildedstone]

[Stares at Chase blankly, carefully deciding to (mostly) withhold comment on the slow dawning realization at just how awkward of a person the other man is.] Uh. Okay.

[He watches long enough for the chef to unwrap the lumpy pair of socks - reindeer embroidered into the ugly green-and-red stitching. At this he snickers, discarding the tea bag from his mug onto the brick outcrop of the fireplace to pick up later and takes a small sip of the tea.]

Heh.

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[Blinks at the gift, staring at it for a long pause.] ...

[Finally both eyebrows go up and a smile forces its way onto his lips with an awkward short laugh - working its way quickly to a more natural chuckle as he tugs the socks from the packaging, holding it up to see easier.] Wow, heh-- thank you, these are-- these are quite possibly the ugliest things I've ever seen. Exactly what I've been holding out for all these years, heh.

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Having A Blast [Chase/Gil]

[gildedstone]

[Makes a talking motion with his hand, rolling his eyes. If Gil had a G for every time someone told them they’d heard one of his lectures before, he could probably afford to buy all of Castanet and then some.]

[Sighs slightly - for no reason other than he now must push himself back to a standing position after just haven taken a seat on the floor. He dusts himself off as he wanders aimlessly into his bedroom, ignoring Chase’s awkward protesting before returning with a lumpy package adorned with cartoon Santas. He tosses the package to the other man before re-taking his seat.]

Don’t start that with me. It’s hardly anything, and I didn’t get it to exchange it for something. In fact, it’s more of a gag gift than anything else.

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[Stares at Gil as the man reappears in the doorway, having watched him exit with his own stammering awkward words following him out.]

[Doesn't move until the lumpy package is thrown at him, catching it with a fumble and frowning at it for a few seconds before heaving a huge sigh of relief and relaxing with an awkward, short laugh.] Ahah-- heh, thank the goddess. Er-- thank you. Heh. [Smiles awkwardly up at him, flipping the package over and looking down at the wrapping paper with another huff of amusement.] I never know how to react to-- gifts, given or taken. Never know when I need to get something back or when to act like it's something I'll actually use--

[Pauses, staring at the package for a few seconds as if he already recognizes what might be inside, before quietly pulling in a deep breath and tearing the paper open.]

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Having A Blast [Chase/Gil]

[gildedstone]

[Echoes:] “Once or so a week.” Hmm. [Shakes his head - not judgementally, but simply quietly surprised.] Maybe it gets dirty in here faster because there’s two of us living here. It must be nice to live alone.

[Glances over his shoulder at Chase, taken off-guard by this attempt at humor. It takes Gil a moment to decide how he wants to respond to it after being so thoroughly surprised by its source - before cracking a slight smile and returning his attention to the kettle.]

I know. I’m a monster.

[Pours the boiling water into two mugs that he pulls down from the cabinet - no longer looking around at Chase as he continues to speak.] That’s not necessarily a good thing. It’s a pretty foolish “tradition”, too, if you ask me. Just because you do something all the time and always have doesn’t make it a good idea. Or a smart one. Or a healthy one, even. I could go on, but I think you get my point.

[Ponders the mugs of hot water quietly for a moment - before deciding that his preparation has merited they be turned into tea, now. Chase probably isn’t the sort of person who enjoys hot chocolate made from hot water and hot chocolate powder mix. Gil drops a tea bag in each of the mugs, and brings them over to the fireplace - setting both down on the brickwork to steep and taking a seat by the hearth a short distance from the chef, making sure to sit so that he’s facing the bay windows still blossoming with the exploding fireworks.]

[It isn’t until after he’s sat down that he suddenly remembers with a start, and glances across the room.] Oh— that reminds me. I have Christmas present for you. I forgot to give it to you.

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[Shrugs, smiling blandly at the fire as he thaws in front of it, extending his palms toward it with the fire poker lolling heavily over the thumb of one hand.] Yeah, yeah-- I get your point. trust me, you're not the first person who's given me that talk, either-- heh.

[Smirks over his shoulder at Gil as he approaches with the mugs in hand, watching him with a slighter smile.] I get on just fine, either way-- [Blinks, eyes looking up to the other man with a brief lapse in thought before his expression pulls into confused guilt as he tries to piece together why Gil would get him a gift.] Er-- what?

[Frowns slightly, pushing his hand back into his hair as he tries to correct his ungrateful expression to something less embarrassed and awkward.] You didn't have to do-- I don't usually do gifts, I never-- get-- I mean, I didn't get you anything. Anyone-- anyone anything. You don't have to do that--?

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Having A Blast [Chase/Gil]

[gildedstone]

Mhm. [Nods, that matter having been settled. He sees no reason to expound upon it, so he falls silent - until the topic of shoes arises, instead.]

You’ll track dirt that way. Don’t you live alone in that house of yours? Flute Fields, right? [He continues, tending to the fire - not looking up at Chase as the other man draws closer to the fireplace.] So you know what it’s like to do all the cleaning. I try to minimize the cleaning I have to do as much as possible, since I do most of it around this house. It’s got nothing to do with traditions.

[The wiggle of Chase’s toes catches the corner of Gil’s eye, and he spares the feet a passing glance - before wrinkling his nose in distaste. Gil turns away, trying to ignore the bare toes - and returns to blowing on the flame to encourage it to spread across the log.] I suppose. Here, come watch this. [He climbs to his feet and steps out of the way - gesturing for Chase to take a seat by the now building flames.] Just keep an eye on it while I finish making tea. It’ll do you good to sit by the fire, on account of how woefully under-dressed you are for the cold.

[With that, he returns to the stove - sharing a smirk with himself in amusement at his own remark.]

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[Blinks, frowning slightly and looking over the floor around them for the dirt that he could be tracking inside - and seeing nothing but some wet areas where traces of snow were carried in, shrugs slightly and looks back to Gil with a small grin.] I guess that makes sense, though I've never noticed much of a difference before. I clean maybe-- once-- or so a week--? [Scratches the side of his head, eyeing the building fire with a longing gaze.]

Heh-- yeah, yeah. [Shudders slightly at the reminder of the cold, grinning after Gil playfully.] You're thwarting my attempts to get frostbite and a fever, you fiend-- [Settles down and crosses his legs under him, taking up the poker to shift the wood idly as he watches the fire rise over it.] Y'know, you're awfully concerned with my clothing. I'm as dressed as I ever am, the only time I wear more or less is at home. Consider it a-- tradition of my own. ... or something.

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Having A Blast [Chase/Gil]

[gildedstone]

Just passing through, hm. Well, you really ought to stick around and watch. Father goes to great lengths to put these festivals together, you know. I’m not saying it’s mandatory to attend or anything, but it’s a little— depressing when no one shows up. You know?

[He glances over his shoulder at Chase as he says this, his face carefully blank.] I’m not attempting to put that on you, of course. I only mean to say that I feel better knowing people are enjoying them. Establishing a sense of community, and all that.

[Once the kettle is on, Gil crosses the room to the fireplace next - hefting half a log of wood into place and digging for a bit of paper in a box by the brick structure to light the log with. He glances up as he holds a flaming bit of paper to the wood, frowning slightly at Chase in mild confusion.]

Just a thing I do? No— I— what? No, you can leave your sandals on— it’s just a habit, I suppose. [He looks back to the log, frowning at it as the corner finally begins to catch.] Don’t you take your shoes off when you walk into your house?

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[Frowns back at the statement, sinking slightly at the thought.] Right... yeah, no good throwing a party with no attendants-- just usually not my thing, is all-- but I get it.

[Shudders, shivering as he slowly becomes more aware of how cold he was after standing outside so long - eyes drawn longingly to the hot kettle and only half paying attention to Gil until the other man begins lighting a fire.] Heh-- heh, I don't mean anything by it. I just-- just never know when a house wants no shoes or not, you know? Everyone's got their own-- traditions. [Pauses to let a shiver pass, glancing back at the window still flashing with bright colors as he follows closer to the fire.] I guess I never thought about it-- I usually wear them around, at least until I sit or something. Then I guess I take them off. [Stops a short distance away, wiggling his now tingling cold toes as he looks down at them with a smirk.] I never really think about them otherwise, heh-- sorta why I like sandals, easy to forget they're even on.

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Having A Blast [Chase/Gil]

[gildedstone]

No, I mean next Thursday. [Rolls his eyes.] Of course I mean right now.

[He opens the door to his father’s house, tapping his shoes on the welcome mat to dislodge a light layer of tracked snow. He renders this action mostly irrelevant, however, when he immediately takes his shoes off at the door - moving to give Chase enough room to step inside.]

It’s fine. I don’t mind watching them from in here.  [He nods toward the bay windows he mentioned previously, which are allowing the light of the fireworks to flood in and scatter across the hardwood of the house’s kitchen and living room. Gil raises a hand to flick the room’s light switch on, but he thinks better of it - liking the aesthetic better with the lights off - and instead pads across the room to put on a kettle of water to heat up on the stove.] We can go back out for the finale or something, if you want.

Make yourself at home. I’ll get a fire started in a second, it’s kind of cold in here.

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[Hesitates at the gate, glancing over the garden in front of the house and shoving his hands deep into his pockets before following Gil inside as the other man removes his shoes - eyes watching the motion for a few seconds before curling his own toes in his sandals and looking instead to the windows.] Ah... right. No-- no, either way is fine. I wasn't really up in town to watch the show anyways, I was just passing through...

[Trails off squinting at the window before wiping his sandals against the doormat with an awkward pause, taking in a deep breath and sighing as he tries to feel comfortable in the large - rather cold - house.] Heh, at least it's not as cold as it was outside. A fire'd be nice, though-- [Glances to the nearby shoes as he steps tentatively off of the mat.] Er, should I be removing my sandals too or is that just a thing you do?

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Having A Blast [Chase/Gil]

[gildedstone]

They work well enough.

[He falls silent for a moment, smiling to himself in a cocky sort of amusement as he watches the fireworks wordlessly. After one, two, three of the colorful explosions - Gil calls an indicative “Hey—" and nods his head sideways at the entrance to his father’s home.]

Want to come inside and get away from the noise? I can put on the kettle. You could warm up with some tea or hot chocolate or something.

[He scratches his temple and fails at it with his glove-covered fingers, instead just fluffing up the side of his bangs with static cling.] We’ve got bay windows, so you won’t miss the finale or anything. I don’t think they’re going to stop any time soon, anyway. Last year they went on a full hour past midnight.

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Pf... [Rolls his eyes away with a slight smirk of disbelief, shuddering as he follows suit to look at the brightly lit sky behind them to watch a series of flashes before turning back to Gil's voice.] Er--

[Blinks, glancing up the path before looking back to him quizzically.] --you mean right now? [Purses his lips, chuckling lightly as he glances back to the fireworks again.] Right-- uh, well, that sounds a lot better than standing out here in the cold, at least, heh. Whatever you'd recommend, I guess, if you have good tea or cocoa-- [Smiles back at him with an awkward shift as he side steps back toward the entrance up to the Hamiltons' garden.] You weren't planning to stand out here to watch the full show, were you?

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Ugh, me neither, though maybe it's like, one of those things you won't get until you have kids or something. [Shrugs. She begins poking at the protruding napkins from the napkin dispenser on the bar top, head resting in her hand] Trouble, huh? I've read about girls younger than me sneaking into bars and stuff. I'd like to go just once. I mean, I am legally an adult, you know. [Her eyes widen as she looks over herself quickly] Wait, so like, what do you mean by 'virgin drink?'

Heh— [Chuckles quietly to himself as he checks the batter, smile fading with a small shake of his head as his tone falls more serious.] No, you don’t want to do that. Honest, it’s not that great unless you like being around a lot of loud people who sometimes brawl or have occasional clothing articles missing. Not worth it, sort of a drag really— unless you manage to catch a drunk leprechaun or something, heh.

[Glances back over to her defensive tone, eyebrow high.] An adult, eh? Then of course you know what I mean by a virgin drink. You’ve never had it any other way.♪ Heh, not that you’ll enjoy it, to be honest - the first time is always a terrible experience. Wouldn't want to make you sick as a dog, you wouldn't be able to handle even one drink I'd imagine.

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Having A Blast [Chase/Gil]

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gildedstone:

[Gil purses his lips and raises his eyebrows, putting on a show of great sarcastic surprise and nodding slowly - before redirecting his attention to the light show above them. When he responds again, he’s still watching the sky.]

I could be much closer, actually. I could be down on the beach they’re setting them off on, couldn’t I? And yet I chose to watch them from the comfort of—

[He’s cut off by another particularly large boom - and he waits until it fades, the after-fizzles and all.]

—my own home.

[Turns a light smile on Chase, in something of a better mood now that he’s had the chance to be a little cranky for a moment.] Are you enjoying them, despite the noise? You ought to keep a pair of earmuffs for occasions like this. [He taps a finger against the side of his own green pair of fuzzy earmuffs.]

[Frowns as the fireworks continue to cut into their conversation, clearly not enjoying it as much as he could - glancing behind him and looking back to Gil with a chided pout as the blond continues with a snarky tone.] ... huh. Right.

[Turns his gaze back to the fireworks, not immediately catching the smile as he begins to instead rub his arms in the cold air now that he's stood long enough to feel it.] I guess, though I'm not big on fireworks-- a little too loud this close up for me--

[Looks back to him with a quirked brow, huffing some light amusement and returning the smile with a continued weak laugh.] Heh-- I'm not sure I'm the type for earmuffs. I don't imagine they help block these-- [Mouths under the sound of a blast, sighing and continuing with a louder voice after it fades.] --block these loud noises, do they?

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having a blast

gildedstone:

[Watching the fireworks display being set off on the beach. The show is being conducted nearly a half mile away, but the distance makes for an absolutely breathtaking reflection of the lights over the expanse of Castanet’s bay - and Gil is basking in it quietly as he leans against the side of his father’s house.]

…

… [He almost doesn’t hear Chase over the sound of one of the fireworks going off, and he jumps slightly as he realizes very suddenly the other man is there - only catching the tail end of his statement, “outside in the cold for fun?”]

What? No— it’s the New Year! [Quirks his brow quizzically at Chase, confused as to how on earth he could have missed something like that - and clearly out of touch with the fact that his question had been a joke, having missed the first part of it.] Did you not see the fireworks? They’re astonishing!

[Stares for a few seconds with a slight frown, unsure as to why Gil was so defensive at his humor - and glancing behind him as his attention is redirected to the loud blasts of colorful rockets taking off nearby behind them. As if he hadn't noticed them.]

Uh-- no, I-- I noticed them. Sort of hard not to when-- [Cut off by a loud blast from the docks nearby them.]

[Grimacing as he turns his attention back to the man and calls out over the noise.] --when it's busting my eardrums. You always stand this close with no protection?

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[Cheeks heat up from the mention of her dressing more cute, before she holds up her menu, hiding behind it] Yeah, I'll tell ya, he'd kill me if he knew I was here but- [Looks around, the place quiet] well there's no one really here right now. [Puts the menu down, wrinkling her nose] What? No! It's just one drink, I won't tell anyone! [Brows furrow at the mention of the word 'virgin,' lips pursing in thought] What do you mean, 'virgin,' is it like- [whispers] is it obvious?

Hm, well that seems counter productive to keeping you safe. Killing you. I never understood why someone would do that, heh-- [Glances behind him as she looks over the bar, following suit as he stirs the pancake batter he's in the process of preparing.] Eh, bars are usually slower at this time of day. If you want the rowdy bar types, you'd be better to come back after eight. That's when the real trouble starts--

[Sets the bowl aside to turn on the stove, chuckling slightly with sincere enjoyment at the troubled tone the teenager takes, turning back to her and shaking his head with a small grin.] It's so obvious. I knew from the moment you walked in -- [Pauses with a raise of his brows before continuing in a low tone back.] -- you'd prefer virgin drinks.

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[Text at 2:13 AM:] i'll get right on it

[Stretched out on his couch watching TV when his phone starts buzzing in his hand, not realizing that he was still holding it after that long awkward wait.]

[Purses his lips and frowns slightly at the message.] ... damn, I guess I woke him up.

[Texts back.] sorry to wake you dw about it good night

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what kind of person could you see yourself marrying?

Heh, I don't know if I really thought about seeing myself married. I guess I'd want to be with someone who's happy to see me and be around me. That'd be nice to be around.

And since cooking is my only skill, it'd be good for them to like my food. It'd be nice to be needed, too-- more than anything I'd like to feel useful to them.

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Do you have a favorite Christmas carol? What is it?

Uh— hm. I never really thought about it.

I guess I don’t really like Christmas carols. I can’t think of any that I particularly like. Santa Baby is cute, but even that gets-- old. I don't really like Christmas, if I'm being entirely honest.

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Hark, how the bells, sweet silver bells, all seem to say, "it's COLD out here!"

[Frowns over the top of his couch, not quite sure what to make of the unfamiliar voice calling in through his door.] Uh—

[Glances to his clock to check the time before calling back:] It’s a bit early in the day for caroling, isn’t it?

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If you could spend a night with any celebrity, regardless of whether they were alive or not, who would it be?

Dita Von Teese or Scarlett Johansson.

[Shrugs.] They're lovely. Marilyn Monroe would be on the list if we're expanding the list, though out of respect I'd rather keep it to the living.

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What's one type of food you like so much, that it's borderline arousing for you?

I don't usually get aroused by food, to be honest. Hm... I guess I once had these chocolate dipped meringue cookies flavored with orange zest that just... melted in my mouth. That'd be the closest thing I could think of for that. The texture of them was wonderful, and the taste was-- well, I guess it was sort of a turn on. Something that melts in your mouth like that, soft and rich, that makes you close your eyes to savor it.