ggdarrinxlevine:
In addition to being a dumping ground for excess merchandise, the cluttered backroom at Verbatim Comics had been gingerly crafted into Darrin’s office space (although, in truth, he hardly ever got any work done in there). After all, beyond the solitary desk in the corner, he used it to store the arcade machines he had collected over the last few years: a blinking Pac-Man, a pinball game based on an obscure movie, Space Invaders, what may or may not have been a genuine Polybius console, and exactly one crane machine, filled now with an assortment of candy in which Darrin himself could not actually partake. A blinking cathod TV displayed the title screen of Dragon’s Lair.
Leading Robin into the space, he closed the door behind them and flicked the overhead light switch to turn off the fluorescents. The new darkness allowed some of the black light posters dotting the walls to come to life, wizard faces and twisting serpents shimmering beneath the glow from the assorted novelty lamps, one of which was a flapping neon bat. It was funny. “I cashed out. Locked the front door. Turned out the lights. Flipped the open sign. No one should be by,” Darrin droned on, counting off on his fingers as he lowered himself onto the faded plaid sofa. He pushed aside some forgotten board game pieces from the table and flashed his friend a smile.
“You can have a go at the crane if you feel like it, but I have stuff in the fridge too. Or I could just…unlock it. And you can take whatever you want.” All of this felt forbidden in its own way, but perhaps no more forbidden than the few times he’d partaken in someone’s secret stash as a human. This high was different, though. And as much as he enjoyed these hangouts, he still yielded, allowed Robin to set the tone and speed. “Uh…how was work today?” What a dumb question. But it was small talk for the sake of small talk. “I think I might get a sword; did I tell you? I saw one online today from Willow, and that’d be pretty badass, yeah?” @sugarhoneyrobin
Having arrived at his friend’s comic book shop, Robin eyed some of the items on the walls and thought of specifically the ones that resembled his realm. It always gave him some comfort being here, not just because of what he’d get. But, it was most definitely a big part of it. So, when Darrin guided him to the back like usual, Robin let his glamour fade from his appearance to reveal the scars but leaving his rather human facial features since he didn’t want the other to see him in his truly fae form. It was too much for some, since he did look otherworldly.
As he saw the claw machine filled with sweets, Robin’s eyes flashed their fae color as he nipped his bottom lip. Oh that taffy looked appealing. “I’ll use the machine. To make it fair. But I’ll do it in a minute.” Robin told him, smiling over to the vampire before moving over to the couch. “Work? It was busy like usual. Ever since the ball, I’ve been getting quite a bit of business.” He said, taking off his coat, he placed it over the back of the couch and sat down next to him. “A sword? That sounds lovely. I don’t know what ‘Willow’, I’m still catching up on human stories and pop culture.”
Thinking of his realm and his family, he remembered watching his brothers play with wooden swords and shields for fun while he helped his father by the fire. “I’ve never been one for weapons. I spent my time learning to bake while my brothers played pirates and knights.” He said, smiling fondly at the memory as he turned a bit in his spot so he could look at Darrin. “I did have a crystal dagger back home, but I...” He sighed and smiled to Darrin as he didn’t want to bring down their session. “Tell me about Willow. What is it about?”















