[Mick absorbs all of this without much reaction other than a few slow nods. Investors might be risky, but then this isn't a job, or a score where they need to keep a sharp eye on everyone else involved, make sure everyone's playing by the rules and no one's lining up a knife in the back. This is—amazingly—a legitimate business venture. Besides, they both know mercs. Can't trust 'em, but can work with 'em.]
Sounds like a deal. Unless you want to comparison-shop. Won't find another place like this.
[Len doesn't trust Rumlow, but he'll take his money and make a deal. It's just business.]
I've been shopping. I've seen some shitholes, but none good like this. And I've seen some nice places - too nice, and too expensive. I don't think we'll find anywhere like this.
[They're good at business. Good at keeping things just business, too, and this place might not be such a risk for that. The incentives again. Mick nods, trying to pretend he isn't as pleased as he is, trying to pretend he isn't so pleased that Len is happy with it.]
[Len considers him for a moment, leaning on the bar next to Mick and surveying the place that will soon be his domain.
Mick's not really a business man. Not that Len is, but Len is good at making deals, being charismatic, thinking things through. He bumps his shoulder against Mick's bicep, smiling up at him]
[There are a few moments when Mick's face softens and he's tempted to bend, rest his forehead against Len's, find his lips, but instead he just leans back into the shoulder, and then straightens.
The owner is in the partitioned space on the second floor that serves as an office. They'll need to increase security everywhere, that much is obvious, but they'll have the time. And the old man is delighted to meet Mick's partner, shakes his hand with both hands, waves them both into chairs and pours them all vodka.
The terms are simple, the deal is already generous but Len goes back and forth a few times for the look of the thing, and at the end, another drink. The whole thing can't take more than half an hour before the building—the bar, the second floor, the apartments above—is all theirs.]
[Len's charming and warm as he deals with the older man. He can be ruthless in business, but he knows the terms are already generous, so he doesn't dicker too much. He is very well aware that he's hurting for capital compared to his usual situation, though, so he has certain limits he simply can't cross.
The vodka is good, and Len feels the flush of victory as he drinks his glass. When they're done, they walk out of his 'office' and catches Mick's hand as they walk out, twining their fingers together and arching a brow at him.] Did you tell him that we were 'together'?
Told him we were partners looking to keep busy. He decided what that meant.
[Although exactly what he'd decided it meant, Mick isn't sure. He'd certainly looked delighted when Len walked in, and said they looked like a good, solid pair. Mick had already become 'Misha' to him, and Len had become Lyov, after a few moments' thought, and Mick had a feeling that's what they'd remain, to the old man.
Mick's fingers tighten a little on Len's as they step back into the dingy bar. They'd agreed to take over in a week, give the former owner time to pack up and say his farewells, but the place is theirs. There's a strange, disorienting sense of grounding as he glances around again.]
He thinks we're partners, Mick. But not partners the way we're partners. [Len turns and looks up at the other man, fingers still entwined with Mick's. He's not smiling, though there is a twist to his lips.] He thinks we're married.
[Oh. Maybe he should have seen that coming. It was true that one of the questions he'd been asked was if he was seeing anyone, and as soon as Mick had mentioned his partner, those questions had stopped and 'when are you bringing him to meet me' had started.
...which, now that he thinks about it. Hm.
Mick's face has always been more expressive than Len's, and now he looks uncertain, a little off-balance.]
...should I tell him we're...it's not like that? Can go back up, if you...
[Okay, maybe it was cruel, but Len had really wanted to see how Mick reacted. It was easier to gauge his partner's reactions and decide how he should pretend to feel, then to show his own emotions and hope that they synced with Mick. Maybe he was more sensitive and uncertain of his footing with Mick than before, or maybe he had always been this uncertain, and only now there was more to worry about.
As he Mick offers to go back upstairs, obviously thrown off and almost hesitant, Len allowed himself to smile and catches the other man's arm with his free hand, as if he'd been about to rush off]
Nah...don't bother. It doesn't matter what he thinks, right?
[He hadn't quite been pulling away to go back upstairs, but he'd been thinking about it. It's been a very long few months, and he's gone back and forth between hating Len and...well, something else. Nothing like hating him at all.
He can feel the edge of Len's ring pressing into his finger, not uncomfortably, and for a moment he wants to know what his partner thinks. But he doesn't know what kind of answer he'll get, and he isn't quite ready to find out.]
[It seems neither of them are ready to find out how the other really feels. But that's fine. Len doesn't need to know. So long as things run smoothly, there's no need to talk about it.
[There had never been time before. Now they almost have too much time, stretching in front of them until some unspecified completion point, and given that neither of them has ever been good at talking about that kind of thing, it still might not be enough time.
Mick turns the kiss deeper for a moment, almost fierce, but only for a moment. He's still leaning close when he speaks again.]
[He has to know what that tone does to Mick. What it's always done, for years now. Mick's other hand snakes around Len's waist and pulls him closer for a long moment, and he leans down to press a bare-toothed grin against Len's neck, but then loosens his grip.]
C'mon.
[They'll avoid the second floor, Len's seen most of that already anyway, and head right to the third floor so he can assess the state of the apartments for himself, decide how much needs to be done before they can move. Practical things.]
[Len rather loves the reaction Mick shows to that tone. He hums with pleasure and presses in close, then steps back slowly when the grip loosens, his gaze somewhat heated as he looks up at Mick.
But he doesn't complain as he follows Mick up the stairs to the third floor. There are four apartments upstairs, and Len pokes his way through them thoughtfully, already considering which one he wants.]
Hm. See what I can do. [There will be places to get building material outside the system here, a city doesn't exist that doesn't have cash-only under the table businesses.
But that's enough to have him grinning again, a speculative look in his eyes as he watches Len walk through the apartments. He always has the patience to watch his partner casing anywhere. He's thorough, and there's something satisfying in it, even for the observer.]
[Len leans over to look out a window and decides he likes this particular room. There's a fire escape nearby and a good view of the approaches both up and down the street.]
If my sister's sleeping next door? Definitely. Neither of us much wants to listen to the other doing the horizontal tango.
[He laughs, quiet and sharp, folding his arms and leaning against the wall of the room Len has picked for his own.]
Could trade off on giving 'em the shovel talk, like we did before. [When Mick wasn't in prison, he'd occasionally stepped in to talk someone questionable out of dating his best friend's sister. It had always worked. And it had been fun. He still isn't sure Lisa knows about that.]
[Len laughs and turns around, folding his arms and leaning on the windowsill]
We will. But I don't want to cramp her style so long as she's enjoying herself. She's my baby sister, but she's a grown woman now. And she's here to cuddle and fuck, just like we are. I don't know what she's here for, but if it's important to her, I don't want to stop her from getting it.
[Mick accepts that with an easy nod. It isn't like back home, when Lisa had been just a kid, and attracting the wrong element. She can handle the wrong element all on her own these days. Sometimes just for something to do.
He hasn't asked about her incentive. Too risky. Means Mick might need to talk about his own, and he isn't ready to tell Lisa about Len dying.]
[Funny. Len has the same reason for not asking Lisa about her incentive.
He shifts up, walks towards Mick]
No shovels, unless we need to. She's still my sister, and I'll still protect her no matter what. But there's no reason why all three of us can't have fun so long as it's safe.
[He curls a finger in Mick's collar and tugs him down a few inches, mischief in his eyes] What do you think, hubby? Can you see us living here for a while?
[Mick looks impassive as he's tugged forward, and impassive as he gets asked the question, and impassive as he retaliates by calmly reaching out, wrapping one hand around his wrist, and putting his partner in a mild headlock.]
Yeah. Sounds good. Hubby.
[Neither of them should be saying that word while sober. But the headlock lasts only for as long as it takes for Len to start struggling, then he'll let him go again. But they've been mushy enough for one day without some kind of a punch getting thrown.]
[Len yelps as Mick puts him in an unexpected headlock, and squirms, but before he can punch him in the gut to get him to let him go, he's released. He's grinning, though, as he straightens up, recognizing the joke and teasing for what it is.
He backs casually out of arm's reach, and then starts moving towards the door before tossing his next salvo.]
Careful. If I know it gets your goat, I'll start calling you even cuter names.
[That's sure not true. Len would dare almost anything if he could. He's fearless.
Mick follows, heading back down to the bar, taking another look around with a satisfied little hmm. It'll take time to convince himself that it's theirs—they're not exactly roots people—but...it'll be good.]
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Sounds like a deal. Unless you want to comparison-shop. Won't find another place like this.
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I've been shopping. I've seen some shitholes, but none good like this. And I've seen some nice places - too nice, and too expensive. I don't think we'll find anywhere like this.
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Want me to make the deal?
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Mick's not really a business man. Not that Len is, but Len is good at making deals, being charismatic, thinking things through. He bumps his shoulder against Mick's bicep, smiling up at him]
Let's do it together.
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The owner is in the partitioned space on the second floor that serves as an office. They'll need to increase security everywhere, that much is obvious, but they'll have the time. And the old man is delighted to meet Mick's partner, shakes his hand with both hands, waves them both into chairs and pours them all vodka.
The terms are simple, the deal is already generous but Len goes back and forth a few times for the look of the thing, and at the end, another drink. The whole thing can't take more than half an hour before the building—the bar, the second floor, the apartments above—is all theirs.]
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The vodka is good, and Len feels the flush of victory as he drinks his glass. When they're done, they walk out of his 'office' and catches Mick's hand as they walk out, twining their fingers together and arching a brow at him.] Did you tell him that we were 'together'?
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[Although exactly what he'd decided it meant, Mick isn't sure. He'd certainly looked delighted when Len walked in, and said they looked like a good, solid pair. Mick had already become 'Misha' to him, and Len had become Lyov, after a few moments' thought, and Mick had a feeling that's what they'd remain, to the old man.
Mick's fingers tighten a little on Len's as they step back into the dingy bar. They'd agreed to take over in a week, give the former owner time to pack up and say his farewells, but the place is theirs. There's a strange, disorienting sense of grounding as he glances around again.]
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...which, now that he thinks about it. Hm.
Mick's face has always been more expressive than Len's, and now he looks uncertain, a little off-balance.]
...should I tell him we're...it's not like that? Can go back up, if you...
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As he Mick offers to go back upstairs, obviously thrown off and almost hesitant, Len allowed himself to smile and catches the other man's arm with his free hand, as if he'd been about to rush off]
Nah...don't bother. It doesn't matter what he thinks, right?
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He can feel the edge of Len's ring pressing into his finger, not uncomfortably, and for a moment he wants to know what his partner thinks. But he doesn't know what kind of answer he'll get, and he isn't quite ready to find out.]
Fine. Leave it, easier that way.
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He does lean up and give Mick a kiss, though.]
Right. Easier.
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Mick turns the kiss deeper for a moment, almost fierce, but only for a moment. He's still leaning close when he speaks again.]
Want the tour?
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C'mon.
[They'll avoid the second floor, Len's seen most of that already anyway, and head right to the third floor so he can assess the state of the apartments for himself, decide how much needs to be done before they can move. Practical things.]
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But he doesn't complain as he follows Mick up the stairs to the third floor. There are four apartments upstairs, and Len pokes his way through them thoughtfully, already considering which one he wants.]
We'll need soundproofing.
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But that's enough to have him grinning again, a speculative look in his eyes as he watches Len walk through the apartments. He always has the patience to watch his partner casing anywhere. He's thorough, and there's something satisfying in it, even for the observer.]
Expecting noise complaints, Snart?
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If my sister's sleeping next door? Definitely. Neither of us much wants to listen to the other doing the horizontal tango.
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Could trade off on giving 'em the shovel talk, like we did before. [When Mick wasn't in prison, he'd occasionally stepped in to talk someone questionable out of dating his best friend's sister. It had always worked. And it had been fun. He still isn't sure Lisa knows about that.]
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We will. But I don't want to cramp her style so long as she's enjoying herself. She's my baby sister, but she's a grown woman now. And she's here to cuddle and fuck, just like we are. I don't know what she's here for, but if it's important to her, I don't want to stop her from getting it.
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He hasn't asked about her incentive. Too risky. Means Mick might need to talk about his own, and he isn't ready to tell Lisa about Len dying.]
Fine. No shovels. Unless we need to.
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He shifts up, walks towards Mick]
No shovels, unless we need to. She's still my sister, and I'll still protect her no matter what. But there's no reason why all three of us can't have fun so long as it's safe.
[He curls a finger in Mick's collar and tugs him down a few inches, mischief in his eyes] What do you think, hubby? Can you see us living here for a while?
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Yeah. Sounds good. Hubby.
[Neither of them should be saying that word while sober. But the headlock lasts only for as long as it takes for Len to start struggling, then he'll let him go again. But they've been mushy enough for one day without some kind of a punch getting thrown.]
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He backs casually out of arm's reach, and then starts moving towards the door before tossing his next salvo.]
Careful. If I know it gets your goat, I'll start calling you even cuter names.
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[That's sure not true. Len would dare almost anything if he could. He's fearless.
Mick follows, heading back down to the bar, taking another look around with a satisfied little hmm. It'll take time to convince himself that it's theirs—they're not exactly roots people—but...it'll be good.]
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