everyonelives | if she'd been covered with glitter

Or anyone with expectations.

( As groundless and rootless as he feels, it's the first time someone has given him permission to be. )

You're speaking with experience, underneath all the Mia Queen of it all.

I did just pull a pretty epic disappearing act.

[Mickey saw the tail end of it, and probably doesn't know many of the details, but at least she knows how freeing it can be.]

When your entire worldview shifts, there's nothing wrong with needing a minute to adjust. Though ... you can probably still take a minute without going radio silent.

Come back to me when my world tilts back on its' axis.

( He's counted three-times now his world view's changed. It has nothing to do with freezing out his family, or their mutual indifference. )

Fair enough.

[She finishes off the last of her shots before getting to her feet.]

I want to dance. You guys coming?

["I'm game," Zoe smirks before glancing back to Mickey. "What about you?"]

Yeah. Sure. Let's dance.

( Mickey is not a great dancer, it's more hopping up and down and not knowing what he should do with his arms, but he likes the escape into the music. And if it's in a certain bartender's eye-line, then, that's just a nice perk. )

[Oh, he does. There's definitely a small smirk as he goes about fixing fruity drinks for the clubbing clientele.

Fortunately for Mickey, however Mia (9) and Zoe (7) are not paying that close attention and is focusing on just getting their dance on.]

( He does his best to let it all go, finally, let his guard down, his training, his past, his life go as he leaves it all on the dance floor.

He doesn't know how long they dance, just that one song transitions into the next. That is, until a serious, headscratching choice for a needle drop starts, and he his body slows.

His expression changes as he glances in the DJ's direction before finding his new friends' faces. )

[Yeah, Mia doesn't seem thrilled by the choice in music either - way to kill the vibe. She will be speaking to Uncle Tommy about this DJ. But poor mortal Zoe is starting to feel her alcohol and Mia sighs, before shaking her head.]

I should get her home. You need a ride or are you good?

( Real mood killer, but his eyes travel elsewhere, not hiding his affinity for a certain bartender. )

You know what, I can catch another ride home.

[Mia does catch it that time (18), but she won't call it out. If he wants to go flirt with the hot bartender, then who is she to judge?]

Okay. Text if you need anything.

[Stay safe, blah blah blah - this is still Star City, at the end of the day. If he needs help, the super squad will rally.]

( He won't. Or, he's planning on not needing their help. Not that his best laid plans haven't gone down in fangs and blood. But, he was already turned into a vampire, it can't happen again. )

Get her home safe.

( He watches Mia shoulder her friend out before finally making his way to the bar, taking a seat when one opens up. )

[Wes finishes the drinks he was working on before sliding over in front of him with a smile.]

What can I get you?

Maybe a ride? Later on. If you don't mind me calling this seat home until close.

( It's bold, right? But, he's feeling bold. The adrenaline and high energy still courses through his system from earlier's dance. )

Not at all.

[For him calling the seat home anyway. The ride depends on where exactly he's heading, but he's not opposed, since he did see Mia and Zoe leave.]

Don't feel like heading home yet?

No, I like where I am. And, I'm not going back to the uh -

( He pauses. )

Did I tell you I was staying with the Queens? Because my best friend is like, in love with William Queen. So that's - where I've been living. With Mia and the Green Arrow and briefly with my friend's separated parents which got... uncomfortable.

... That does sound like it was more than a little awkward.

[He wouldn't have chosen it if he had the option.]

How nice of your best friend to leave you there.

He didn't...

( He hangs his head, rubbing the back. )

William's grown, the house was crowded, moreso after -- Cooper's mother crashed. ( He looks up. ) But, they're gone now, both Sullivan's. And I like Mia. And I duck Oliver Queen. And - yeah. I told you I had no direction.

Ducking Oliver Queen is always a good choice, at least from what I've heard about him.

[But getting along with Mia is good. She's always struck him as good people.]

Though I do like his wife. She's fun.

Yeah, I get the feeling she likes ... chaos.

( The expression she was sporting when she came back to announce Evelyn's arrival was something else. )

And Oliver Queen is as intimidating as he seems. ( His intimidation isn't directed in Mickey's direction. ...He should probably check in with Cooper as friends one of these days. But, it hurts. And it's too early in his friendship with Wes to go into that ) Anyway. It's not home. It's a very nice, very palatial home.

So you're not really an estate guy? Not a bad thing, but something you might have to get used to if you keep running in vampire circles.

[They are, by virtue of being old as balls, estate people.]

I'm small town.

( What can he say. )

You run in estate circles? Am I getting myself in over my head?

I did mention that my parents were old Southern money, didn't I?

[He's pretty sure they had the complications of the antebellum south conversation the first time they met.]

They still have a lot of those holdings, given that they're, you know, still alive. But I didn't grow up with it, so it's still a little strange.

( He did, that's right. )

Yeah, it was never weird for your parents? They take you in, you're -- gay -- but they're like, Antebellum plantation owners. Must've been an adjustment. Nice to know unconditional love has survived across the decades.

( He left his unconditional love behind. )

Honestly, I think once you hit your first century, the rules of humanity don't seem to matter as much. Like a lot of homophobia as we know it now is based in Christian rhetoric and ... well, they're vampires. They're already not on God's short list.

[What does it matter who they love when they're already monsters, is how Scarlett explained it to him once, and while he doesn't think he's a monster, nor does he think she is ...

Well. Scarlett's been through some shit and has never been one to spare someone who's wronged her, so he knows that she errs closer to the side of vampire than human most days. Honestly, that bit of Scarlett is likely why she and Damon get along so well.]

You're smart.

( He can't help it. The attitude. His whole schtick. The way he talks. He just likes it. )

Go. Mix all the ology. And um - I'll take a beer if you get the chance. And, I'll be right here.

(no subject)

mojitos - 2023-10-03 02:43 (UTC) - Expand