Richard Book is Innocent (![[personal profile]](https://www.dreamwidth.org/img/silk/identity/user.png)
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tweedandtinsel2010-12-04 05:01 pm
oxfordtweed) wrote in tweedandtinsel2010-12-04 05:01 pm
Lamp Light (2/10)
Title: Lamp Light
Fandom: Hot Fuzz
Character/s: Like in the film
Word Count (chapter/total): 2,800 / 47,100
Rating: NC-17
Summary/Warnings: Nicholas spends a few days in London, and runs into some old friends.
Nicholas stepped out onto the sidewalk, met with a heavy rain. Sighing as he pulled his jacket tightly around himself, he quickly glanced up and down the street, deciding that the easiest course of action would be to take the tube. He walked down to the station, fishing enough change from his pocket for fare. The station was crowded, which was no surprise, so Nicholas wound up once more in a queue that was simply too large to be for real. He shuffled onto the car with everyone else, finding himself pushed tightly up against one of the windows, his view limited to either the tunnel walls sipping past, or the teenage passengers in front of him snogging one another as though they were the only two people there.
Nicholas muscled his way to the door at the Regent's Park stop, stopping on the platform for a few moments before making his way back up to street level, disappointed to find that it was still pouring rain. Sighing he made his way down the street the remaining few blocks to the old building. He carefully climbed the steps, not watching to touch the rotting wooden banister, and pressed down on the call buzzer for one of the flats, trying to hide under the small bit of protection offered from the edge of the roof three stories above. After a few long moments, the door buzzed back at him, and he quickly pushed on it, stepping into the warm hall way. He took his jacket off and shook it a few times before walking up the narrow flight of steps to the second floor, finding the door at the end of the hall open slightly. He let himself into the flat, stepping inside carefully. At first, the flat seemed empty, the telly playing Changing Rooms for no one in particular.
"Hello?" he called nervously.
"Back here, Nick," a familiar voice called from the bedroom.
Nicholas nodded, hanging his jacket up on a hook on the wall as he shut the door. He walked back toward the bedroom, finding Travis standing in front of his wardrobe with a towel wrapped round his waist.
"You just get home?" Nicholas asked as he put his bag down near the foot of the bed.
"Yeah," Travis answered easily. "Popped off early so I could be here when you got in." He dug a pair of jeans from the wardrobe. "How was the trip?"
Nicholas shrugged. "No worse than usual," he said, sitting down on the edge of the bed. "I'll be glad when all this is done."
Travis frowned slightly. He took the towel from around his waist and tossed it at Nicholas before climbing into his jeans. "You've been offered a position out here, you know," he said, probably for the hundredth time.
Nicholas shook his head. "I told you," he said. "I've always wanted to settle down in the country."
Travis shook his head and pulled an old T-shit from his wardrobe, pulling it over his head. "Have you eaten yet?" he asked.
"I had some biscuits on the train," Nicholas said simply.
Travis stepped close to Nicholas and pulled him to his feet. "We're going out," he informed Nicholas. "You need to relax for tomorrow. Let's go."
Knowing he couldn't well argue with Travis, Nicholas followed his friend out of the room. "Where we going?" he asked, pulling his coat down from the hook as Travis laced up his shoes.
"I figure we'll go to the pub," Travis said simply.
"You mean the Winchester?" Nicholas asked.
Travis shrugged. "Why not?"
"Didn't they rename it after it burnt down?" Nicholas asked.
Travis stood up, fetching his own jacket and keys. "I think so, yeah."
"That's in Highgate," Nicholas pointed out, following Travis out to the hall regardless.
"So?" Travis asked. "S'not that far away. Let's go." He locked his door and the two of them made their way downstairs, finding it still raining outside. Raining and cold. Each tightening their jackets, they walked back down to the tube station, stopping on the curb so Travis could hail down a cab. They climbed into the backseat, glad to be inside the comfort of the heated vehicle.
"Where to?" the driver asked.
"You know where the Winchester is?" Travis asked.
"You mean the Phoenix?" the driver asked.
"Yeah, that's it."
They sat in the small booth, sharing a basket of chips between the two of them, each with a barely touched pint in front of them.
"How's that boy of yours?" Travis asked easily. "Danny, is it?"
Nicholas nodded. "He's doing better," Nicholas said. "Walking around on his own again."
Travis nodded. "That's always a good sign. Nothing lasting?"
Nicholas picked at the chips. "I never said that," he said. "If he ever could run, he likely won't be able to any more."
Travis nodded. "How about you?"
Nicholas shrugged. "I can run just fine."
"That's good," Travis said. He drank half of his lager at once. "Wasn't what I meant, but that's still good."
Nicholas laughed. "Really, I'm fine," he insisted. "I'm just tired, is all."
A young waitress came up to them, holding two large plates. "Chicken?" she asked.
Nicholas nodded, watching as she sat one of the plates in front of him, singling out the bangers and mashed for Travis. He smiled up at the waitress, watching as she walked back to the kitchen. "I really wish
you'd stay," Travis said once she was gone. "When we transferred you, I didn't think you'd actually stay."
Nicholas shrugged. "They need me out there," he said simply. And he believed it.
He sat out in the cold hall way, not wanting to see Frank any more than he had to. He was mad at him for what he'd done, and disappointed that he hadn't seen it sooner. Frank had been the Inspector. He was supposed to uphold moral authority, and instead, he twisted the truth and made Sandford a living hell.
There were other officers in the hall, each making a point of not making eye contact with Nicholas. If he scared the other officers before, he was downright terrifying now. And why? All because he saw something that no one else did.
Saw something that no one else wanted to.
Eventually, he was called into the court room, asked to swear to tell the truth, forced to look at the man that he once looked up to. The man that now sat in shackles, knowing that what he had done was wrong, and simply not caring at any of it.
Nicholas answered the questions he was asked; answered questions about the cottage he was only recently allowed to move into, questions about the hotel room, questions about the other officers. Every one of them had been suspect at the beginning, but the fact that they had been allowed to return to work seemed to imply that there would be no charges brought against them. But he was still asked the questions anyway, for reasons he could not figure out, but was sure were important anyway.
When it came time to positively identify Frank as leading the operation, the former inspector finally lost his cool, jumping to his feet. Nicholas jumped backwards in his seat, nearly tipping over. He kept himself pressed against the wall as Frank was subdued, at which point Nicholas was excused.
He returned back to the bench in the hall way, sitting heavily next to a younger officer.
"Is it true?" the constable asked.
Nicholas looked up slowly. "Is what true?" he asked.
"Was there really a massacre out there?" The constable seemed almost scared to be saying anything to Nicholas.
Nicholas shrugged. "Yes, in a matter of speaking," he said. He got up, patting the constable lightly on the shoulder. "Terrible things happen all the time," he said. "It's best not to dwell on it."
He slowly walked away, pulling his tie from his neck. The weather had cleared up, in the sense that the clouds that hung heavily overhead were no longer emptying themselves on the streets of London. Nicholas tiredly walked down to the police station, ignoring the stares and pitying looks he got from the other officers as he made his way to Travis' office. Knocking twice, he let himself in, finding Travis checking his email.
"How'd it go?" Travis asked, looking up.
Nicholas shrugged. "As well as could be expected," he said tiredly. "Am I early?"
Travis shook his head. "Partridge is on his way down," he said. "We were expecting you a little later, but there's not much going on right now."
Nicholas nodded. "You already know what my answer is," he said simply.
Travis sighed. "I know," he said. "But he wants to hear it from you directly."
Nicholas nodded as Travis' office door opened once more, Inspector Partridge letting himself in. "Good afternoon, Nicholas," he said warmly. "How are you?"
"Tired, sir," Nicholas answered honestly.
"Yes, and you've got that long train ride tomorrow, haven't you?" he asked. "Things could be a lot easier, you know."
Nicholas shook his head. "No, sir," he said. "It is an unpleasant trip, but I'd like to stay in Sandford. There's still a lot to be done out there."
Inspector Partridge nodded. "Of course, Nicholas," he said. "But you know, it wasn't meant to be a permanent position."
Nicholas shook his head. "I kinda like it there," he said simply.
He and Inspector Partridge stared at one another for a few silent moments, Partridge all plastic smiles and perfect hair, with Nicholas visibly tired, run down, and still in a bit of pain. "Yes, well," Inspector Partridge said. "I suppose we would need to find ourselves a new inspector out there if you did come back to London," he agreed. He looked down at Travis, sitting awkwardly behind his desk. "Sergeant," he said. "Make sure you get those reports on my desk by five."
Travis nodded. "Yes, sir," he said, watching as Inspector Partridge left his office. "What a twat."
Nicholas laughed lightly, glad somebody finally said it. "I need to get going," he said. "I've still got things I need to do."
Travis smiled up at him. "I'll see you tonight," he said easily.
Nicholas made his way out of Travis' small office, and found his way down the cool halls, tiredly going through the course without really watching where he was going. He looked up from his feet, pausing suddenly when he saw another office door open. Maybe if he didn't say anything, she wouldn't notice him.
"Nicholas, what are you doing here?" she asked sharply.
"Just on my way out," Nicholas said softly. He looked at Janine a few moments, trying to find a way to avoid uncomfortable silences. "Since I'm in town for the night, did you want to maybe--"
"No, Nicholas," Janine said stiffly. "I'm seeing Dave now. You know that. We're finished."
"I didn't mean like that," Nicholas insisted. "I just..."
"Nicholas, just leave me alone," Janine said, a slight strain in her voice as she pushed past him, knocking him off balance slightly. He turned to watch her hurry down the hall before continuing on in his own direction.
Nicholas and Travis stood outside the Winchester, laughing with one another at a girl across the street. They'd had an early start on the night, having each already had a pint of cider while waiting for Dave to finally show up.
"What the hell is she wearing?" Travis asked, trying to whisper. He sounded more like he was being strangled.
"I think I saw something like that in a movie once," Nicholas responded. "Only I don't think she was wearing a tutu in the film."
A sudden wind picked up, catching the large cardboard wings of the girl across the street. Leaning against one another, Nicholas and Travis howled with laughter. "Should we help her?" Nicholas asked. "I feel like we should do something, but I don't think we have jurisdiction over the fashion police's area."
Travis buried his face in Nicholas' neck, shaking with laughter.
"What the hell are you two queers doing?" a familiar voice demanded. Nicholas and Travis looked up at Dave, being trailed by two women, and laughed even harder for a few moments before trying to sober up. "What the hell is that?" Dave exclaimed loudly, pointing across the street. Nicholas and Travis lost their composure again. "You lot are already pissed," Dave said in disgust. "You couldn't wait for us?"
Nicholas straightened up and cleared his throat. "Sorry," he said, a hint of a laugh around the edges of his voice. "You said seven."
Dave frowned and shook his head. "All this one's fault," he said nodding his head toward his new girlfriend, Denise. "Wouldn't leave unless..." he turned round to second girl with him. "What's your name, love?"
"Janine," she answered in a way that suggested she'd answered the same question several times already.
"Right," Dave said. "Wouldn't leave unless Janine agreed to come with. Women, eh?"
Travis and Nicholas both chuckled slightly, leading the way back into the pub, and to the corner booth they had already reserved. Nicholas and Travis slid in first, Janine confidently sitting next to Nicholas while Dave spent several long moments convincing Denise to just please sit the fuck down already. Several moments after getting settled, a waiter came round with three pints of cider, pausing for a moment at the inclusion of two new faces.
"Oh," he said, slightly confused. "What can I get you ladies?"
"Guiness," Janine said simply.
The waiter nodded. "And you?" he asked Denise.
"Oh, I don't know," she said slowly. "Uhm... Maybe just a spritzer."
The waiter smiled lightly and disappeared.
"What do you do?" Nicholas asked, moving a napkin underneath his cider.
"I'm in forensics," Janine answered.
"Really?" Nicholas couldn't figure out why he hadn't seen her before. "Here in London?"
The waiter returned with the drinks, setting each in front of the girls. Janine took a drink of her Guiness and nodded. "Yeah," she said. "I just transferred in from another precinct earlier this month. You're all cops, right?"
Nicholas smiled. "Yeah," he said, taking a drink of his cider. "We go out a few times a week like this. You should come more often."
Janine gave him a sideways glance as she reached for a computer-printed menu from the rack behind Nicholas' head. "We'll see how good the food is first."
Nicholas laughed. "Try the chicken," he suggested. "I think that's what I'm having tonight."
"We'll see."
They leaned over the menu together, Nicholas boldly moving closer to her, a move not missed by the rest of their group. "What's the matter, Travis?" Dave asked quietly, tapping him on the shoulder to get his attention. "Mad that your boyfriend's trying to get laid without you?"
"He's not my boyfriend," Travis insisted.
"I'm not his boyfriend," Nicholas confirmed, his face turning a fair shade of red.
"No, that's right," Dave said. "You'd be official then, and that's against regulations."
Travis and Nicholas both reached for the bowl of twiglets on the table, each throwing a handful at Dave. "Fuckers!" Dave said loudly. They each threw another handful at him, Janine joining in on the sport
as well.
Fandom: Hot Fuzz
Character/s: Like in the film
Word Count (chapter/total): 2,800 / 47,100
Rating: NC-17
Summary/Warnings: Nicholas spends a few days in London, and runs into some old friends.
Nicholas stepped out onto the sidewalk, met with a heavy rain. Sighing as he pulled his jacket tightly around himself, he quickly glanced up and down the street, deciding that the easiest course of action would be to take the tube. He walked down to the station, fishing enough change from his pocket for fare. The station was crowded, which was no surprise, so Nicholas wound up once more in a queue that was simply too large to be for real. He shuffled onto the car with everyone else, finding himself pushed tightly up against one of the windows, his view limited to either the tunnel walls sipping past, or the teenage passengers in front of him snogging one another as though they were the only two people there.
Nicholas muscled his way to the door at the Regent's Park stop, stopping on the platform for a few moments before making his way back up to street level, disappointed to find that it was still pouring rain. Sighing he made his way down the street the remaining few blocks to the old building. He carefully climbed the steps, not watching to touch the rotting wooden banister, and pressed down on the call buzzer for one of the flats, trying to hide under the small bit of protection offered from the edge of the roof three stories above. After a few long moments, the door buzzed back at him, and he quickly pushed on it, stepping into the warm hall way. He took his jacket off and shook it a few times before walking up the narrow flight of steps to the second floor, finding the door at the end of the hall open slightly. He let himself into the flat, stepping inside carefully. At first, the flat seemed empty, the telly playing Changing Rooms for no one in particular.
"Hello?" he called nervously.
"Back here, Nick," a familiar voice called from the bedroom.
Nicholas nodded, hanging his jacket up on a hook on the wall as he shut the door. He walked back toward the bedroom, finding Travis standing in front of his wardrobe with a towel wrapped round his waist.
"You just get home?" Nicholas asked as he put his bag down near the foot of the bed.
"Yeah," Travis answered easily. "Popped off early so I could be here when you got in." He dug a pair of jeans from the wardrobe. "How was the trip?"
Nicholas shrugged. "No worse than usual," he said, sitting down on the edge of the bed. "I'll be glad when all this is done."
Travis frowned slightly. He took the towel from around his waist and tossed it at Nicholas before climbing into his jeans. "You've been offered a position out here, you know," he said, probably for the hundredth time.
Nicholas shook his head. "I told you," he said. "I've always wanted to settle down in the country."
Travis shook his head and pulled an old T-shit from his wardrobe, pulling it over his head. "Have you eaten yet?" he asked.
"I had some biscuits on the train," Nicholas said simply.
Travis stepped close to Nicholas and pulled him to his feet. "We're going out," he informed Nicholas. "You need to relax for tomorrow. Let's go."
Knowing he couldn't well argue with Travis, Nicholas followed his friend out of the room. "Where we going?" he asked, pulling his coat down from the hook as Travis laced up his shoes.
"I figure we'll go to the pub," Travis said simply.
"You mean the Winchester?" Nicholas asked.
Travis shrugged. "Why not?"
"Didn't they rename it after it burnt down?" Nicholas asked.
Travis stood up, fetching his own jacket and keys. "I think so, yeah."
"That's in Highgate," Nicholas pointed out, following Travis out to the hall regardless.
"So?" Travis asked. "S'not that far away. Let's go." He locked his door and the two of them made their way downstairs, finding it still raining outside. Raining and cold. Each tightening their jackets, they walked back down to the tube station, stopping on the curb so Travis could hail down a cab. They climbed into the backseat, glad to be inside the comfort of the heated vehicle.
"Where to?" the driver asked.
"You know where the Winchester is?" Travis asked.
"You mean the Phoenix?" the driver asked.
"Yeah, that's it."
They sat in the small booth, sharing a basket of chips between the two of them, each with a barely touched pint in front of them.
"How's that boy of yours?" Travis asked easily. "Danny, is it?"
Nicholas nodded. "He's doing better," Nicholas said. "Walking around on his own again."
Travis nodded. "That's always a good sign. Nothing lasting?"
Nicholas picked at the chips. "I never said that," he said. "If he ever could run, he likely won't be able to any more."
Travis nodded. "How about you?"
Nicholas shrugged. "I can run just fine."
"That's good," Travis said. He drank half of his lager at once. "Wasn't what I meant, but that's still good."
Nicholas laughed. "Really, I'm fine," he insisted. "I'm just tired, is all."
A young waitress came up to them, holding two large plates. "Chicken?" she asked.
Nicholas nodded, watching as she sat one of the plates in front of him, singling out the bangers and mashed for Travis. He smiled up at the waitress, watching as she walked back to the kitchen. "I really wish
you'd stay," Travis said once she was gone. "When we transferred you, I didn't think you'd actually stay."
Nicholas shrugged. "They need me out there," he said simply. And he believed it.
He sat out in the cold hall way, not wanting to see Frank any more than he had to. He was mad at him for what he'd done, and disappointed that he hadn't seen it sooner. Frank had been the Inspector. He was supposed to uphold moral authority, and instead, he twisted the truth and made Sandford a living hell.
There were other officers in the hall, each making a point of not making eye contact with Nicholas. If he scared the other officers before, he was downright terrifying now. And why? All because he saw something that no one else did.
Saw something that no one else wanted to.
Eventually, he was called into the court room, asked to swear to tell the truth, forced to look at the man that he once looked up to. The man that now sat in shackles, knowing that what he had done was wrong, and simply not caring at any of it.
Nicholas answered the questions he was asked; answered questions about the cottage he was only recently allowed to move into, questions about the hotel room, questions about the other officers. Every one of them had been suspect at the beginning, but the fact that they had been allowed to return to work seemed to imply that there would be no charges brought against them. But he was still asked the questions anyway, for reasons he could not figure out, but was sure were important anyway.
When it came time to positively identify Frank as leading the operation, the former inspector finally lost his cool, jumping to his feet. Nicholas jumped backwards in his seat, nearly tipping over. He kept himself pressed against the wall as Frank was subdued, at which point Nicholas was excused.
He returned back to the bench in the hall way, sitting heavily next to a younger officer.
"Is it true?" the constable asked.
Nicholas looked up slowly. "Is what true?" he asked.
"Was there really a massacre out there?" The constable seemed almost scared to be saying anything to Nicholas.
Nicholas shrugged. "Yes, in a matter of speaking," he said. He got up, patting the constable lightly on the shoulder. "Terrible things happen all the time," he said. "It's best not to dwell on it."
He slowly walked away, pulling his tie from his neck. The weather had cleared up, in the sense that the clouds that hung heavily overhead were no longer emptying themselves on the streets of London. Nicholas tiredly walked down to the police station, ignoring the stares and pitying looks he got from the other officers as he made his way to Travis' office. Knocking twice, he let himself in, finding Travis checking his email.
"How'd it go?" Travis asked, looking up.
Nicholas shrugged. "As well as could be expected," he said tiredly. "Am I early?"
Travis shook his head. "Partridge is on his way down," he said. "We were expecting you a little later, but there's not much going on right now."
Nicholas nodded. "You already know what my answer is," he said simply.
Travis sighed. "I know," he said. "But he wants to hear it from you directly."
Nicholas nodded as Travis' office door opened once more, Inspector Partridge letting himself in. "Good afternoon, Nicholas," he said warmly. "How are you?"
"Tired, sir," Nicholas answered honestly.
"Yes, and you've got that long train ride tomorrow, haven't you?" he asked. "Things could be a lot easier, you know."
Nicholas shook his head. "No, sir," he said. "It is an unpleasant trip, but I'd like to stay in Sandford. There's still a lot to be done out there."
Inspector Partridge nodded. "Of course, Nicholas," he said. "But you know, it wasn't meant to be a permanent position."
Nicholas shook his head. "I kinda like it there," he said simply.
He and Inspector Partridge stared at one another for a few silent moments, Partridge all plastic smiles and perfect hair, with Nicholas visibly tired, run down, and still in a bit of pain. "Yes, well," Inspector Partridge said. "I suppose we would need to find ourselves a new inspector out there if you did come back to London," he agreed. He looked down at Travis, sitting awkwardly behind his desk. "Sergeant," he said. "Make sure you get those reports on my desk by five."
Travis nodded. "Yes, sir," he said, watching as Inspector Partridge left his office. "What a twat."
Nicholas laughed lightly, glad somebody finally said it. "I need to get going," he said. "I've still got things I need to do."
Travis smiled up at him. "I'll see you tonight," he said easily.
Nicholas made his way out of Travis' small office, and found his way down the cool halls, tiredly going through the course without really watching where he was going. He looked up from his feet, pausing suddenly when he saw another office door open. Maybe if he didn't say anything, she wouldn't notice him.
"Nicholas, what are you doing here?" she asked sharply.
"Just on my way out," Nicholas said softly. He looked at Janine a few moments, trying to find a way to avoid uncomfortable silences. "Since I'm in town for the night, did you want to maybe--"
"No, Nicholas," Janine said stiffly. "I'm seeing Dave now. You know that. We're finished."
"I didn't mean like that," Nicholas insisted. "I just..."
"Nicholas, just leave me alone," Janine said, a slight strain in her voice as she pushed past him, knocking him off balance slightly. He turned to watch her hurry down the hall before continuing on in his own direction.
Nicholas and Travis stood outside the Winchester, laughing with one another at a girl across the street. They'd had an early start on the night, having each already had a pint of cider while waiting for Dave to finally show up.
"What the hell is she wearing?" Travis asked, trying to whisper. He sounded more like he was being strangled.
"I think I saw something like that in a movie once," Nicholas responded. "Only I don't think she was wearing a tutu in the film."
A sudden wind picked up, catching the large cardboard wings of the girl across the street. Leaning against one another, Nicholas and Travis howled with laughter. "Should we help her?" Nicholas asked. "I feel like we should do something, but I don't think we have jurisdiction over the fashion police's area."
Travis buried his face in Nicholas' neck, shaking with laughter.
"What the hell are you two queers doing?" a familiar voice demanded. Nicholas and Travis looked up at Dave, being trailed by two women, and laughed even harder for a few moments before trying to sober up. "What the hell is that?" Dave exclaimed loudly, pointing across the street. Nicholas and Travis lost their composure again. "You lot are already pissed," Dave said in disgust. "You couldn't wait for us?"
Nicholas straightened up and cleared his throat. "Sorry," he said, a hint of a laugh around the edges of his voice. "You said seven."
Dave frowned and shook his head. "All this one's fault," he said nodding his head toward his new girlfriend, Denise. "Wouldn't leave unless..." he turned round to second girl with him. "What's your name, love?"
"Janine," she answered in a way that suggested she'd answered the same question several times already.
"Right," Dave said. "Wouldn't leave unless Janine agreed to come with. Women, eh?"
Travis and Nicholas both chuckled slightly, leading the way back into the pub, and to the corner booth they had already reserved. Nicholas and Travis slid in first, Janine confidently sitting next to Nicholas while Dave spent several long moments convincing Denise to just please sit the fuck down already. Several moments after getting settled, a waiter came round with three pints of cider, pausing for a moment at the inclusion of two new faces.
"Oh," he said, slightly confused. "What can I get you ladies?"
"Guiness," Janine said simply.
The waiter nodded. "And you?" he asked Denise.
"Oh, I don't know," she said slowly. "Uhm... Maybe just a spritzer."
The waiter smiled lightly and disappeared.
"What do you do?" Nicholas asked, moving a napkin underneath his cider.
"I'm in forensics," Janine answered.
"Really?" Nicholas couldn't figure out why he hadn't seen her before. "Here in London?"
The waiter returned with the drinks, setting each in front of the girls. Janine took a drink of her Guiness and nodded. "Yeah," she said. "I just transferred in from another precinct earlier this month. You're all cops, right?"
Nicholas smiled. "Yeah," he said, taking a drink of his cider. "We go out a few times a week like this. You should come more often."
Janine gave him a sideways glance as she reached for a computer-printed menu from the rack behind Nicholas' head. "We'll see how good the food is first."
Nicholas laughed. "Try the chicken," he suggested. "I think that's what I'm having tonight."
"We'll see."
They leaned over the menu together, Nicholas boldly moving closer to her, a move not missed by the rest of their group. "What's the matter, Travis?" Dave asked quietly, tapping him on the shoulder to get his attention. "Mad that your boyfriend's trying to get laid without you?"
"He's not my boyfriend," Travis insisted.
"I'm not his boyfriend," Nicholas confirmed, his face turning a fair shade of red.
"No, that's right," Dave said. "You'd be official then, and that's against regulations."
Travis and Nicholas both reached for the bowl of twiglets on the table, each throwing a handful at Dave. "Fuckers!" Dave said loudly. They each threw another handful at him, Janine joining in on the sport
as well.