as we pass through arrangements of shadows

[shreds]

Comments

[pumping]

It doesn't mean anything, it's just - been... six months? And between London and Prague you had - no contact. Just saying. You work fast.

( How much have they talked, really?

And he didn't see it coming. Not even his side of things (though it snuck up on him, too) but the Cooper he knows and hunted with. )

You were the love em and leave em type. Well, do em and leave em.

[positiveinfluence]

It's not by desire so much as necessity. It's not like I tend to stick around anywhere long.

[He's never been opposed to romance. He just is aware of the limitations of his life.]

Besides, it's always easier when you don't have to ... introduce them to the real world.

[pumping]

You grew up in the life. I just served on the front lines and got recruited.

( He's never had that separation, but he's also never been in touch with his own feelings. And he may not have reconciled them yet. )

So, civilians and hunting. They don't mix.

[positiveinfluence]

Not always, no.

[At least, not in a way that's easier.]

It's kind of like being a superhero. You're living this dual life and you can't always share it. So sometimes flings are easier. But that doesn't mean you don't want something more.

[pumping]

( Even if you miss out on what's right in front of you. It's not a fair thought, he's never voiced what he wasn't ready to. And if he hadn't been compelled maybe he wouldn't have fucked up and gotten personal. )

You deserve the happiness. Rough sticking Sullivan senior with your guy. Really putting him through his paces.

[positiveinfluence]

Yeah, well, we're about to spend some serious quality time with the Oliver Queen, so ... I'm going to pay for it one way or another.

[He makes a face, because on the run is not how he planned on meeting the Green Arrow but here we are.]

[pumping]

Right. Can we talk about how high profile your bf is? Not just tabloid, but I swear he was on the cover of Forbes like a few months ago.

( Maybe more. He caught a glimpse of it at a gas station one time. )

[positiveinfluence]

[He snorts.]

Yeah, I noticed. Not really sure how I feel about that quite yet, but it hasn't really been a problem yet either.

[pumping]

You have time for it to be a problem, if it will ever be a problem.

( And again, the elephant just sits between them, with Mickey content to not feed it. )

But, you love him.

[positiveinfluence]

I do.

[Mickey is content not to feed it, but Cooper feels it in that particular statement, and he knows he has to make a decision. Because as much as he's trying to pretend like nothing's changed, it has changed. He can feel it in the way they spend time with each other.]

Look, I meant what I said. You're my best friend, and that won't change. But if you need space to figure all this out ...

[Things between them, things as a vampire - he won't blame Mickey if he decided he needed to be on his own for a while.]

[pumping]

( He bites back. )

The last thing I need is space. Michael, you, you're my family. And as complicated as that feels, I can't take it back. And I won't change and you shouldn't change. We're fine. I will be fine. Once I get being a vampire in order. Until, then, I don't need space. I'm not longing. I told you how I feel and it's too late. We're friends, Coop. We'll always be friends.

[positiveinfluence]

Just making sure.

[He just doesn't want to put him in the kind of situation that breeds resentment. But if Mickey says he's fine, then he's fine.]

So walk me through this job.

[pumping]

It's routine. You distract, I zoom. There's a delivery in a half hour at the back door, but it's a small clinic and there's only one person at the desk.

You flirt at the front, I'll steal from the back.

[positiveinfluence]

Easy peasy.

[Sounds straightforward enough.]

Any cameras we have to worry about?

[pumping]

Yeah, I don't know that. But, I have speed on my side, right?

( He can even throw a hood up. He doesn't want to over-over-think. )

[positiveinfluence]

[He shrugs, because point.]

Well, I will very clearly be seen, so I want to make sure they don't have a good angle.

[He'll scope out the lobby when he gets there.]

[pumping]

Yeah, I didn't hack the schematics of the small blood bank, or the security. You want to loop in William, give him the real reason we're off on our sidequest?

( A beat. )

My buddy in college was big on the MMOs.

[positiveinfluence]

[He pauses, considering it for a moment, before shaking his head.]

Nah, I'll make it work. He's got bigger things to worry about.

[pumping]

Alright. Let's do this.

( Dropping Cooper off at the front, he pulls off to a side street. Planting himself around the corner of the back entrance, he waits. )

[positiveinfluence]

[Cooper rolls his shoulders, shakes out the nerves and makes his way inside. He beelines towards the front desk and flashes a bright smile.]

Hey. I think I might be a little lost, do you have a minute?

[And that's a (14) for charm.]

[tramplemain]

( A nurse in his twenties looks over, clipboard in hand as he moves to the window. an (8) has him charmed for sure. He checks his watch for a second, looks behind him, but thinks he has enough time. Also, Cooper, you're cute! )

Sure! Yeah. Let me --

( He disappears behind one of the doors and emerges from the one close to Cooper's. )

How can I help?

[positiveinfluence]

So I'm trying to get to Keystone City and my phone decided now was the time to head into the great beyond. So, I figured people found their way around before Google Maps, right?

[Look at him, trying to be all cute and capable but failing terribly. He pulls out the map from his car.]

I think I got a little turned around. I'd understand if you're too busy, but if you could just help me get back on track?

[tramplemain]

Yeah, I've heard something like that...

( He is succeeding with aplomb. )

You know, I don't -- have a physical map on me?

[positiveinfluence]

That's okay.

[Coop can make it work. He reaches for one of the blank forms and flips it over.]

Do you think you could look it up for me, and just feed me the directions?

[tramplemain]

( His charm goes a long way and that shayna punam doesn't hurt. He slips his phone out of his scrubs and pulls up the maps. )

Keystone City?