( The band comes on and the show starts. Mickey likes being in such close proximity. He feels like himself. He even feels new and improved for the first time. Not defective and not compelled. Just Mickey, from Texas, who was recently turned but there is more to him than just that.
He claps between songs, leans in when he has commentary and sings pretty good under his breath to songs he knows.
He buys the next round.
During the final song, he finds himself looking more at Wes than at the band. He tries... (6) not to be too obvious. )
[Yeah, but Wes has been a vampire a while, and he's been in the dating pool even longer. He notices (20). Totally not because he might be looking himself. But he meant what he said about taking things slow, and when the band takes their last encore, he glances over with a smile.]
So, I got your greatest hits tonight. ( He finishes his beer, stretching his legs out under the table. ) You know, for the first time in a long time I feel like myself again. Like I wasn't just someone else's soldier.
And, look, I - I'm staying at my friend's boyfriend's family's, so I have a lot to figure out. And if you're - involved and you want to do this again, I'd do it.
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[Wes shifts to face him more, resting his beer on a table.]
Just wanting to know where on the field we're starting.
[Because yes, let's keep the football metaphor going.]
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( He's not going anywhere despite starting from the beginning. )
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We've still got a full game to play. There's no need to rush.
[Wes prefers not to rush anyway. He's old fashioned that way.]
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( Is he taking it too far? Is taking it too far cute? If not, he'll pull back! )
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We do have a season. So let's see how game one goes, and we'll figure out the rest from there.
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He claps between songs, leans in when he has commentary and sings pretty good under his breath to songs he knows.
He buys the next round.
During the final song, he finds himself looking more at Wes than at the band. He tries... (6) not to be too obvious. )
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That was a good night for them.
[A beat.]
I may have see them perform a lot.
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( He likes it all. He feels reawakened. )
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[He knows it won't be an easy road - mindsets like those are hard to break, especially when other people have been compelling them onto you.]
I'm glad to hear it.
[He doesn't want a soldier, he wants a partner, though that's a future conversation.]
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[But because boundaries are important.]
But I was serious when I said I wanted to take things slow. Call me old fashioned, but I like to take my time when I'm getting to know someone.
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( He smiles. )
And, look, I - I'm staying at my friend's boyfriend's family's, so I have a lot to figure out. And if you're - involved and you want to do this again, I'd do it.
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Yeah. I have many more cover bands for New Jersey based cover bands to show you.
[He's kidding.
Or is he?]
We'll do this again.
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( He lingers outside, gives him one last hint of a smile before he takes off in the opposite direction, pulling up his rideshare app. )
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