got my riot gear on

eric hobbes || 30 || advertising account manager-slash-hypervigilante

[hobbesinaglasshouse]

Date Night

[hobbesinaglasshouse]

dylan-valdez:

“I dunno… probably the same stuff you’d wanna know about me. I just wanna get to know you as the person. Like, I already know you’re cool and suave and all of that… but I’m sure you’ve got some dorky shit in you.” He grinned. “I mean, I’d like to know what kinda animals you like, what your parents are like… what kinda stuff you like to do when you get off work, how you are in the morning. You’re usually up when I’ve woken up because I suck at getting up in the morning.”

He shrugged a shoulder. “I dunno… I just wanna know you. I wanna know so much about you, even the stupid, insignificant stuff.” He was blushing again, suddenly very interested in looking at the tabletop. “I know it sounds ridiculous, and I know there’s probably a lot of stuff you don’t want me to know yet or even at all… but whatever you wanna share, I’d like to hear about it. I just like you. I’ve never really been good at doing anything in halves. I binge on everything. I throw my whole self into things, even into things I probably shouldn’t… but I think you’re one of the good things, y’know?”

His blush was creeping further up his neck and he laughed, a little embarrassed as he buried his face in his hands. “I’m sorry, I don’t think I’m making any sense right now.”

Eric fidgeted slightly in his seat. This was getting slightly...personal. Dylan really wanted to know things - and could Eric blame him? Sure, maybe it wasn’t what he was thrilled about at this moment, but looking back, he hadn’t done as good a job at keeping the young man at a distance as he could have. Or maybe - maybe he hadn’t realized he was doing it, and Eric had let Dylan in more than others because - because he wanted to?

Eric was glad when the waitress came with their drinks, and he fiddled with his for a moment before taking a sip and looking across the table.

“Well, there’s no point in doing anything half-assed,” he replied. Eric licked his lips before he folded his hands on the tabletop, reconsidered, and then did it again. “Hmm - alright. Well, I just...I guess first thing is that this is different for me. I’ve never really been - I don’t know. People just don’t seem to want to stay.” With some introspection, Eric might’ve realized that that even when he wanted someone to stick around, he tended to drive them off, but it wasn’t a thought that crossed his mind. Suddenly, he began talking. “I’ve never really had any pets - parents said they were too messy. My parents were pretty much about their rules - I don’t have any brothers or sisters so I think they decided to pin a lot of shit on me.”

Immediately he regretted saying the thought - almost. Unadulterated truth was not something he was used to outside of his vigilante activities. “I, uh...it’s kind of embarrassing, but I used to like comic books. Still do, a little, but it’s mostly the movies for me now. I don’t get out a whole lot now.”

[hobbesinaglasshouse]

blake-callaway:

“Obviously. Now, do we got to come up with some detailed plan or do you already have one?” These criminals could have connections or information on others. “Because, if we don’t, I got a few ideas. Since you have me on your side, I could be easily used as a decoy or distraction to hit ‘em where it hurts. No one suspects kids.” 

“I’ve got a plan,” Eric said ambiguously. He wasn’t about to let a kid blab and ruin the whole thing, even if he was cautiously optimistic. “I know a guy who’s seen some creeps casing his place. It’s been getting worse, so anytime soon should be good. Best thing to do would be to wait for them to show up, then take them out when they don’t suspect anything.” He waited a beat, then raised his eyebrows. “Wouldn’t mind some company, but I don’t want deadweight either. What can you do?”

[hobbesinaglasshouse]

Date Night

[hobbesinaglasshouse]

dylan-valdez:

Dylan turned when Eric mentioned the question, his heart momentarily stopping over fear of what he would ask. In his twenty-four years of life, he didn’t feel like he had a whole lot to show for himself, but he’d put on as cool a bravado as he could muster. He didn’t want to be questioned about it, for fear that it would all come crashing down.

He didn’t have anything to worry about though, except for the flattered, bashful expression Eric’s question got in response. “Wh–” he stammered a little, blushing and unable to stop smiling. “I don’t mind, ‘long as you grant me the same liberty. I don’t want some hot waiter snagging you out from underneath me either.” Still, with a compliment like that, Dylan was definitely feeling like the most handsome man in the room. Either Eric was a hell of a charmer, or Dylan was just easy to woo. Possibly both.

Dylan followed him into the restaurant, letting the hostess lead them to a table that was just for them. He was proud of himself for not feeling like he needed to order the strongest drink on the menu in order to get through this unscathed… No, tonight, so far, he was feeling pretty confident. He had forgotten what it felt like to be like this, so sure of himself– he hadn’t felt this way since he was dancing in high school, before college, before… 

Ah, well. Who would have thought all it took to get back to this emotion was a compliment? It really did hinge on who it was coming from though.

“i’m afraid I’m not really well-versed in the whole date-talk thing,” he said to Eric, leaning his cheek on his fist with a lopsided smile. “Plus, it’s probably a little bit backwards how we’re doin’ this and all. I mean, most people go on a first date before they bang, but hey, you don’t hear me complaining. Still, I feel like there’s a lot of stuff about you I don’t know, and I wanna know. Don’t feel like you have to spill it all right now or anything, but… y’know, talk to me about yourself.”

Taking pride in Dylan’s blush, he had to stop himself from laughing. It was honestly kind of adorable, but Eric had figured out that Dylan was the sort of guy who valued saving face, and he wouldn’t laugh at him in public. He only allowed himself a small smile before leaning in slightly closer and grinning. “Well, you’ve set the bar pretty high for the “hot” scale, so you should be safe for tonight. Unless someone comes in carrying a plate of tres leches.”

As they walked inside, Eric’s thoughts wandered briefly. He realized that he had not yet taken anyone to this place - a curiosity, but something he placed firmly back in the background as he sat and asked the waitress for a drink.

“Date-talk is overrated,” Eric mentioned off-handedly almost as soon as Dylan brought it up, but he listened to him regardless. Dylan wanted to know more about him which was natural, given that they had been physically close for some time, but emotionally, they weren’t at the same level. Not that Eric wasn’t cognizant of that - he had, in some ways, encouraged it. “Well,” he began, frowning slightly as he tried to think of an answer. “Think I told you most of the basic shit but, ah -  went to college here at Emerson. Met lots of pretty cool people there - think I even had some of my prereq’s with some royalty, but that’s just a rumor. Went to work in advertising after that and, well...here I am. What kinds of things did you want to know?” Eric asked, looking over at Dylan curiously.

[hobbesinaglasshouse]

Date Night

[hobbesinaglasshouse]

dylan-valdez:

It was going to be great. It was. He had to believe that he wasn’t gonna fuck this up.

He hoped.

He made sure he had a flask stashed away in his jacket just in case though.

He followed Eric down to the car (and fuck, he’d forgotten how nice his car was– but then, he had been a little drunk the last time he’d ridden in it, not to mention distracted). “You really know how to impress a dude,” he said as he climbed into the passenger seat. “We haven’t even gotten to the restaurant yet, and I already think you might get laid.” He laughed. 

Dylan looked out the window as the apartment disappeared from view. Being away from there already made him feel better. No matter how good he cleaned the place, it still didn’t look great when he compared it with Eric’s place. Eric had been nice about it, but surely he wasn’t actually impressed… well, maybe he was… Eric was just cool like that.

How did a cool guy like that end up going on a date with him? 

Dylan wasn’t sure, but he’d count his lucky stars and hope he could make it last. Maybe it was dangerous to think this way so quickly, but he’d never really felt this way before about anyone. He wouldn’t quite say it was “love” yet, or if he even believed that kind of shit was possible in reality (at least for him), but it was definitely stronger than anything else he’d experienced romantically up to this point… The craziest part was that Eric actually seemed to like him too.

When they arrived at the restaurant, he was smiling easily, actually relaxed.

Chuckling, Eric leaned over to give Dylan a quick kiss on the cheek as soon as he found his seat in the car. “Sounds like a promising evening already,” he joked before turning the keys in the ignition and pulling out of the parking spot. The ride was nice, with Eric navigating the streets smoothly and with confidence. At one point he looked over at Dylan. The light from the street lamp illuminated Eric’s date, and once again, Eric’s veneer of confidence wavered ever so slightly.

He shook his head at himself and finished up the ride normally mouth quirked in a not-entirely-happy expression. When he pulled up to the parking spot, he hesitated, and paused for a second before licking his lips.

“We’re here,” he announced, reaching over to trace his finger over Dylan’s shirt sleeve. Eric smiled before withdrawing and rushing over to the other side to open the door for his date offering his hand to Dylan.

“Question before we go inside,” he said, stopping at the door. “Do you mind if I tell you how handsome you are before we go inside? You know, just in case a handsome waiter threatens to sweep you off your feet once we get inside,” he said with a grin.

[hobbesinaglasshouse]

blake-callaway:

Blake snorted. “Yeah, finding the last crumbs in their donut box. Showing up to look pretty at political events, and say they’re tough on crime.” Their eyes narrowed at the thought. “Putting on a show, like there’s no victims. Everything’s fine and dandy. It’s such bullshit.” Shaking their head, they glanced up at the man. “But we’re gonna do something about this, right?” 

Eric looked over, not quite sure how much was talk and how much was actual willingness to act. “That’s the plan. Thing about this is if you hit ‘em, ya gotta do it right. No room for errors, because the cops’ll bust ya even if they’re a bunch of lazy bastards - they don’t like the competition, I guess.”

[hobbesinaglasshouse]

Date Night

[hobbesinaglasshouse]

dylan-valdez:

“Hey, man, ain’t nothing wrong with Denny’s,” Dylan laughed, eyes alight as his nerves eased off of him. Sometimes it was easy to forget Eric could be silly, considering how cool he was. “I have been hungover and ended up many a time at a Denny’s. It probably isn’t first date restaurant material, no, but if you took me there tonight, I’d still eat there.”

He leaned over the counter so that he was closer to Eric, grinning, “and besides, if you fell off the seat trying to kiss me that would just tell me I knocked your socks off, right? That married dick-bag didn’t deserve you. If it helps, you don’t have to worry about a ring on my finger. Hell, I don’t even have my life together enough for a dog.”

He kissed Eric then, quick and chaste. It wasn’t much, but it still made him feel a bit brave. “So, you wanna head out? I think I’m getting pretty hungry. We wanna make sure to have some time to paint the town, right?”

“Well, at least if we went there, we’d be guaranteed to be the best dressed,” Eric said with a grin. “And I’d have the hottest date...even though I’m pretty sure I will anyway.” He waggled his eyebrows at Dylan, harmless banter feeling quite nice right at the moment. Maybe this was what he had needed - just a night out. That’s it - even though the problems of the city still lingered in the back of his mind.

“Well, you’ve knocked my socks off and other things,” Eric said, reaching out to brush Dylan’s hand. “That ship’s already sailed, so...” He listened to the rest of Dylan’s comment curiously, wondering if there was a specific reason Dylan seemed to lack so much self confidence. “Hey, you have a place to live, a job, and actual dreams. That’s more than a hell of a lot of people have, and that’s most of what really matters anyway,” he said in a genuine attempt to cheer him up - although the darting kiss seemed to suggest Eric’s effort was unneeded.

“Yeah, let’s do this. I can’t let you starve. After all, I gotta make a good impression,” he said and winked. Eric reached out to tug at Dylan’s hand before he brought him in for another kiss if he allowed. “It’s gonna be great.”

[hobbesinaglasshouse]

the-littlest-cadet:

“Nope. Not right now. You’ll have to wait in line like everyone else.”

“Right. Well, good on you for being...vigilant.”

[hobbesinaglasshouse]

blake-callaway:

“Crimes usually are. All those people there probably got years worth of PTSD now,” Blake commented casually, propping their legs up on the table and crossing them. “They usually don’t stop either. Unless they’re caught.” 

“Yeah, it’s a shame the police are too busy to deal with these. They must obviously be concerned with far more important things than actual crime.” Eric quirked an eyebrow - he recognized one of the youngest recruits, if not the youngest, and was curious what would come of the conversation.

[richard-kelley]

“Thank you. I tried. If you do, I’d bring some beer.”

[hobbesinaglasshouse]

“Well, fuck, with an offer like that, now I sort of have to!” Eric said with a grin, already wondering what kind of something he could throw together.

[hobbesinaglasshouse]

“It’s a real shame about that store being held up by armed robbers,” Eric said, shaking his head as he put aside his newspaper. “Don’t you think?”

[hobbesinaglasshouse]

Date Night

[hobbesinaglasshouse]

dylan-valdez:

Dylan spluttered a little, searching for the right way to put it. “Uh, well… yeah, it is but that’s sort of to be expected, I guess. I haven’t gone on a real date in general really uh… ever. I mean I dated a girl or two in high school, but it doesn’t count if you have to be driven there and all you do is hold hands, and none of those relationships ever amounted to anything anyway. This might surprise you, but I wasn’t exactly well-liked.” He snorted at himself, shaking his head. “I was kind of a conceited asshole, only focused on my dancing career. Big fish in the little pond, y’know? I dunno, I guess I still kind of am that guy…”

He ran a hand through his hair. “That being said, I uh, I was err… with a guy, once before, but we didn’t date…” He started to say more, but found the words getting stuck in his throat. In fact, his whole throat felt like it closed up over even the idea of telling Eric anything about Shane. It surely had a lot to do with the perspective he’d gained over talking about it with anyone else, the realization of what might have been– what surely had been…

He cleared his throat and tried to dispel the thoughts and the urge to drink that came along with them. He smiled instead and said, “I guess I was just saving that date for the right person… or maybe I just needed that right person to find me. I don’t feel like I’m hard to understand, but… maybe I am. Maybe I’m over-complicating it and I really am just an asshole, I dunno… but you said yes to coming out with me tonight, so honestly, I feel like the coolest guy in town.”

He ducked his head shyly, laughing a little. “I kind of feel like I’m embarrassing myself but I don’t even mind.”

“Ha! Those definitely don’t count,” Eric said with a good natured laugh. “I don’t believe you, though - not well-liked? Conceited? It’s not a bad thing to have dreams. Sometimes people get jealous when all they see if their own future stuck in the same goddamn place they’ve always been. It’s not on you that they can’t past it; it’s on them.” Eric would never fault someone for dreaming to be better to do better. The only way the city was going to change was if the dreamers managed to organize to make their wishes a reality, after all.

“Oh” Eric said, watching Dylan. Something was up, and although Dylan hadn’t said anything about it for Eric to have a clue as to what specifically it was, it clearly made the young man uncomfortable, and Eric knew better than to dwell on the subject. “Don’t worry about it. If I really thought you were an asshole, we would’ve just fucked and left it at that,” he said bluntly, taking a sip of his pop. “And you know what? I feel like I’m taking the coolest guy in town out, so really, I think I’m the winner here,” he grinned.

“Well, I’ll tell you embarrassing - my first date with a man. I was only 18 - I think - and we had been talking online for a few weeks before we met up. Didn’t think much at the times, but he took me to goddamn Denny’s of all places - and I was still so nervous I practically almost pissed myself. After, he tried to kiss me, I leaned to the side, and fell off the chair in front of everyone. And you know what? He was married. So see? It could be worse. I could be married - god save my soul if I ever do.”

[hobbesinaglasshouse]

richard-kelley:

“I’m faithful when faith is called for, yeah?”

“A good answer. Vague, but good. It’s cool to see you...y’know, cool. Maybe I’ll have to throw an actual party later,” he said with a grin.

[hobbesinaglasshouse]

Date Night

[hobbesinaglasshouse]

dylan-valdez:

Dylan’s whole face lit up in a smile, and he was certain he was blushing. “Thanks, man,” he said, then wondered if he should have used the word ‘man’ like he was talking to a buddy. He still wasn’t used to ‘date talk’ or whatever the hell it was called. “It’s just a little somethin’ I threw together. You look amazing too.”

His fingers wiggled at his sides, anxious for something to do. “Uh, let me get you a drink or something,” he said. “Make yourself at home, y’know? We still got a little time before we go to the restaurant and all so we might as well stay in the air conditioning.” He opened the fridge to see what he had to offer, chewed on his bottom lip when he saw it was essentially all liquor. Eric was driving a car, and they’d likely have wine or something at the restaurant, so it was probably best not to offer that.

Damn, dude, you really gotta stop with the alcohol, he thought to himself, not for the first time, but for the first time really considering it. He’d cut back quite a bit as it was, even though it had made it hard to sleep and made his hands shake, but maybe it was time to drop it altogether. Hm.

He found a couple of sodas in the back of the fridge and set them out. “Sorry it’s not much. The place doesn’t usually look this nice… I don’t know why I told you that.” He blushed again. Maybe it was just hard to keep his mouth shut around Eric. “I may have cleaned up a bit, I guess… I mean, I… I just wanted you to be impressed.”

What a fucking dork you are, he thought, chastising himself.

“So uh, anyway, where are we going tonight? I hope I’m not uh, overdressed. If I’m underdressed I can go get a tie or something. I think I have one… somewhere…”

He trailed off, scratching the side of his neck before leaning against the counter closest to Eric. “I’m sorry. I’m acting like a dumbass… but I’ve never really been on a date before, so I guess I’m just kinda nervous.”

“A damn good idea. I know it’s spoiled as hell, but I can’t help thinking it’s too hot outside.” Eric smiled at Dylan reassuringly, noticing a couple small quirks that betrayed his nervousness. He took off his suit jacket and laid it carefully on the arm of a worn but comfortable looking sofa before he followed Dylan to the kitchen, taking a seat near the counter.

“Hey, don’t worry about it. Don’t think I’ve met a person worth meeting who kept their place clean all the time. If it’s too neat, just means you spend all your time in your place and never actually do anything.” Or that a person was never home, a characteristic of Eric himself. He grabbed the can of pop, letting the coolness set against his wrist before he opened it with a click.

“Nope, you’re perfect. You said you didn’t mind Puerto Rican, so I made reservations, but we can always change if you want something else. Either way, it’s nice, but not ridiculously so. It’s the real deal, so...” he trailed off, shooting another smile at Dylan. “You’d look great anywhere though. Trust me.” He took a drink of his pop, looking around the room one more time. Dylan seemed more talkative than usual, most of it nervous verging-on-blabber. “Can I ask you something, though? Is this the first time you’ve gone on a date with a man?”

[hobbesinaglasshouse]

Date Night

[hobbesinaglasshouse]

dylan-valdez:

Dylan doubted most people took an entire day off of work just because of a first date, but not everyone needed to clean an apartment as badly as Dylan did. He couldn’t possibly be the messiest person on the planet, but while he took out garbage bags to the dumpster he thought he might seriously be in the running. Getting rid of the old liquor bottles alone helped make the place look better, but he still scrubbed it down until it shined. Nothing would make it look like a magazine, he knew, but at least he didn’t look like a total slob. 

From there he had to work on cleaning himself up, and that was another undertaking entirely. It wasn’t that he himself was disgusting (though he was a little bit after cleaning the whole place), however he wasn’t really the dress-up type. He didn’t even have a lot of clothes since he usually used his clothing budget to get a new pair of ballet shoes or tights. He certainly couldn’t wear those to the date.

He settled on a white button-down, dark pants and a pair of oxford shoes he hadn’t worn since he was probably nineteen years old. He combed his hair and shaved and put on cologne. Was it too casual? They were going to a ballet after all. He lamented over for a few minutes and then threw a blazer over the shirt. He sure as hell didn’t want to wear a tie.

The urge to get drunk and avoid the nerves still bubbling up in his stomach was strong, but he refrained. He didn’t want to smell like booze when Eric got there. He just wished he could have cleaned up the outside area of the apartment so it didn’t look like he lived in as shitty a place as he did, but that was outside of his control. 

There was a knock on the door. He checked his reflection in the microwave before going to answer. “Hey,” he said, smiling, trying not to sound too nervous. Eric looked incredible, but that was what he expected. Dylan did feel a little more relaxed now that he actually saw him though. He almost looked like he might be a little flustered too. “Do you wanna come in for a minute?”

Eric’s breath hitched slightly when he saw Dylan open the door - now, Eric wasn’t one for unnecessary formality by any mean, but damn. Dylan looked as handsome as ever, and even though Eric had anticipated the change of dress, he hadn’t expected this. He half wanted to shove Dylan against the wall and start making out with him, but he quickly reminded himself that this was a proper date, and he had to act like it.

“Yeah, sure thing.” Eric licked his lips, and before a moment passed, his usual verging-on-cocky grin was on his face as he stepped in the door. He wondered fleetingly if Dylan was concerned about any of his neighbors seeing a man wander into his apartment, and he was relieved to see Dylan not fretting about it. “Give you a moment to finish getting ready - not that it looks like you need it, because goddamn you look good tonight.” Eric winked as he stepped futher inside to survey the space.

“Look at you, worrying about your place and everything. It’s nice, man. I mean, if you think this is bad, you would’ve hated to see my college dorm room,” he joked.

[hobbesinaglasshouse]

richard-kelley:

“That’s total bullshit and you know it.”

“What, you don’t believe that I believe? Oh, ye of little faith.”

[hobbesinaglasshouse]

Date Night

It had been a while since Eric had gone on an honest-to-God date. Sure, there were the hookups and one night stands, but Eric hadn’t let himself get distracted - not that he was now, he reminded himself. Nope, this was also a step in his plan, albeit one that had involved quite a bit of effort into picking out what he was going to wear (navy blue shirt, sport jacket, shoes actually shined). No, not a lick of distraction, he told himself, though he did find himself hesitating before reaching for the phone. He flicked through the contacts list until he found Dylan’s name and paused - dammit, no, he was going to do this right.

He parked alongside of the street, hopped on out, and headed towards Dylan’s room - or at least he hoped it was. Eric took a breath and knocked on the door, noticing that the usual confident feeling he had was replaced by something resembling nervousness.

Goddammit, he told himself, what the hell is wrong with you?

[hobbesinaglasshouse]

dylan-valdez:

“Well… all right then. You can pick me up,” Dylan said, hoping he sounded more confident than he was and making a mental note to go home and actually clean the damned place up before Eric came over. It would still look like a piece of shit place, of course, but at least Dylan wouldn’t look like a piece of shit tenant.

“And yeah, I think I like more than your place. I think I like a lot of stuff about you.”

“It’s a plan, then.” Eric said with a wink. He looked over at oven clock and sighed wistfully - much as he’d prefer to talk Dylan into another round or just relax, he had an ‘appointment’ to get to. Boston wasn’t going to clean itself up, and Eric couldn’t let a handsome face get in the way of that.

“Let’s pick this up later. Gotta meet a client of mine, yeah?” Eric paused just long enough to kiss Dylan chastely on the cheek. “Thanks for the coffee and I’ll catch you soon.”