Tim Drake-Wayne (redrobin) wrote in doorslogs, @ 2012-11-05 13:09:00 |
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Entry tags: | red robin, stephanie brown |
WHO Nick and Spencer
WHAT Just a little chat
WHEN Before Bruce goes crazy & the break in
WHERE Spencer's place
WARNINGS None
He wasn’t nervous, not at all. At least it wasn’t the first time they were seeing each other again, but now it was an entirely different context from comics. Spencer was glad that they got pulled apart when they did because he had been prepared to spill his heart out to that stranger that wasn’t such a stranger. It would have been worse, he thought, if he’d told Nick without realizing who it was. He felt like absolute shit though, because Nick had become what he did because of him. Because he’d left. Spencer wasn’t sure if he could handle that on top of the guilt and envy in his heart already. And he wasn’t just envious of Nick for living his life without him. No, he was also jealous of Tim and Steph because despite all of their problems, they could still work together and depend on each other. Maybe it was because Tim also had things to be angry with Steph about that made it work. Spencer couldn’t make himself be angry with Nick over anything. Nothing quite compared to what he’d done, after all. So yes, he’d cleaned his little one bedroom apartment from top to bottom and changed his outfit four times, but he wasn’t nervous for Nick to arrive for chinese food and beer. There were a few bottles of hard liquor in the cabinet above the fridge, which would surely be broken into after Nick left, but they remained hidden and out of sight. The chinese food was on its way and the beers were in the fridge. Even after all this time, he didn’t need to ask Nick what he wanted. The doorbell rang and, assuming it was the food, Spencer opened the door as he was reaching for his wallet to pull out a twenty. Of course, as soon as he looked up, he flushed just slightly. “I uh...thought it was the food,” he offered quickly, stepping aside to let Nick in. Nick felt strange in his own limbs. Over the past few months, he would spend little time actually in Las Vegas and sacrificed hours upon days upon weeks to Stephanie and her antics across the door. He couldn’t wrap his mind around the events of the past few months, and simply resigned himself to hide away as long as he could. Now, he popped into Vegas, of course, to complete projects on time and exchange words with people when necessary; for the most part though, Nick hardly spent any time at all as himself. Las Vegas wasn’t home, not to him, not since Alexander had gone “missing.” There was a sickening lurch in the pit of his stomach every waking moment because all he could wonder was why. But, now Stephanie refused to stay behind her door, and knowing the girl was going through a rough patch, Nick obliged. After all, it isn’t every day a Batkid decides to hang up the cowl. He knew she wasn’t finished permanently, even if she denied it every time she brought it up, but he would give her the time away. She needed it, she did. It frightened Nick though, the idea of diving back into the real world and facing his problems. Most immediate of which was whatever hung in the air between he and Spencer. Spencer, who joined the army and left him, who left their relationship stagnant and on pause. It was still a problem, years later, for Nick to even wrap his mind around seeing someone else, and he couldn’t quite categorize his feelings for the other man in ways understandable. Still, he cared for Spencer, whether it was love or not, and that had him agreeing to come over to his place. When Spencer swung his door open, Nick offered him a smile. “If you needed to pay me to come over, this would be an entirely different set of circumstances.” He spoke in that alarmingly aloof way that a man wrapped in his machines and video games often did. Too much intelligence, and too little social expertise. He stepped forward, held up the six-pack in his hand, and waved it to gain Spencer’s attention. “In case we needed more. I felt strange arriving empty-handed.” Distance was never a good thing between the two of them, Spencer knew, but he didn't want to push. He knew that something had happened with Alexander but they hadn't talked about it in so long. It didn't help either that Spencer spent most of his time working at UNLV, through the door for Tim, or as a vigilante of sorts, roaming the streets to stop muggings, robberies, and the like. He still had yet to meet up with Falcon to break into Tristan's place, but that would be soon. A lot of preparation needed to be done for that. But those were all things that paled in comparison on the importance scale. Things were just as unresolved for Spencer, who had stayed monogamous despite he and Nick putting a pause on their relationship so they wouldn't have to deal with the strain distance had caused. "You'd be food then," came the quick counter, a smile warm and welcoming on his face. Spencer stepped aside to let Nick into his apartment and left his wallet, and that twenty, on the small table by the door. It was easier that way. "Sure, it's fine. Can't ever have too much beer," he replied, taking the six pack and moving over to the fridge. Same brand, but he wasn't surprised. Two cans were retrieved, popped open, and one handed to Nick. "How've you been?" He asked, leaning back against the kitchen counter. It was a relatively open floor plan, the entrance way leading into the main living/dining were and the kitchen was just off to the side, separated by a breakfast bar type divider. Nick followed Spencer further into the apartment, eyes passing back and forth to absorb the space Spencer created for himself in the short time he had been in Vegas. He smiled at the small homey touches, and while it was pretty different, there were little reminders of the time before Spencer left, before he and Nick went halted everything. It made him a little less wary of coming that night, at least at that moment. He took the presented can of beer with a nod of his head. “Thanks.” He shrugged then, not really knowing how he had been lately, or at least how to verbalize it all. He swept a hand around his face. “I think the bags under my eyes testify far better than I can.” He still couldn’t sleep much, and now Stephanie wasn’t taking control to force him or steal sleep of her own. “How about you?” The few personal touches he had in his living area consisted of the American Flag he’d received along with the medal he was awarded for being wounded in action that hung over his couch and the smattering of historical and military texts that were nestled on shelves and the various tables around. Otherwise, everything was kept neat and orderly, same as it had always been since he’d joined the Army. While Nick looked over the apartment, Spencer looked Nick over. He looked worn, tired, and like he hadn’t been sleeping. Concern was clear on his face as their gazes found each other again. “Yea, Nicky. You okay? I know we haven’t...talked all that much lately.” He frowned just slightly but masked it by taking a sip from his beer. “I’m alright. Just busy between working full time and giving Tim the time he needs through the door. How’ve you been managing the balance?” Nick shrugged, nursing his beer for a moment. “Right, work. How is that going out here?” His fingers slid up and down the can, fingers wet from the condensation on the aluminum. It felt strange to be standing there, in Spencer’s apartment, exchanging pleasantries as if they did not have their shared history together or the connection between the young costumed heroes in their heads. “Until the party, I had been giving Stephanie the majority of my time. I--she needed to be in Gotham more often than I’ve been needed in Las Vegas. Now, however, she’s refusing to do anything at all. I’m giving her a week or so before I force her back in through the door.” He pursed his lips thoughtfully, and asked (out of his own curiosity and not the blonde bat in his head), “How is Tim doing after the party?” “Not too bad. Recruitment can be fun and it’s a hell of a lot better than being deployed again. It’s just counting down the days now,” he replied. Of course, deployment was a fickle thing and there was still a chance he’d get sent out who knew where. He hoped not, and his company commander knew he didn’t want to leave his post in Vegas. Sometimes that, and a little luck, got the job done. When Nick admitted to spending most of his time in Gotham, that concern grew and Spencer led him over to the couch, gesturing for him to sit while Spencer took the corner, sitting so that he was facing Nick. “He’s fine. Trying to fill Oracle’s shoes a little and he’s gotten close to Helena,” he replied, mostly brushing off the question. “Nick, why-” Spencer stopped for a moment though, trying to figure out the best way to ask his question. “Haven’t you got a job here too that needs your attention?” It wasn’t an accusation by any means, just honest concern. “Counting down until deployment?” Nick was an intelligent person. He knew a lot about a variety of different subjects, but he had never looked into military procedures very much. It was purposeful, and a defence mechanism when he discovered Spencer’s employment. He worried his lip before draining the rest of the beer in a graceless chug so unlike the little nerd. “I heard about him and Helena. It’s very good that Tim has an ally with him there besides Stephanie. Not that Stephanie isn’t an ally, of course. She just has a lot of complications in her life at the moment.” He shook his head as a response. “I consult, Spence, so it affords me plenty of time. I can take some time to work on a project or visit one of the casinos, and then give Steph the time she needs in Gotham. It works out well.” Spencer was honestly surprised that Nick assumed he was leaving again. "No," he replied slowly, "until my time is up. I'm not re-enlisting." He wondered if Nick wanted him to go. The frown that started to form was masked by a sip of beer. There was more surprise, more concern, when Nick chugged the rest of the can. It was so wildly unlike him that Spencer honestly wasn't sure what to do. So he pulled out another beer and handed it him. He ignored everything Nick said about Gotham because it wasn't important at the moment, even if Tim was clamoring to know what those complications were. "When's the last time you worked on a project?" Spencer asked casually. He wanted to tack on a remark about Nick sleeping in his own bed too, but that wouldn't have gone over well. "You're making it sound like she's getting most of the time, Nick. I'm just worried about you." “Oh,” Nick said, taking the beer from Spencer without a second thought. “Good, I’m glad.” He didn’t open it though, content with the buzz bubbling in his brain after the first chugged beer. The can hung limply in his hand, and he stood there stiffly, uncomfortably. Maybe it had been a bad idea, coming there, when there was still so much hanging between the two of them. He shrugged off the bad thoughts like a layer of dirt on his shoulders. “Just before the party. I’ve things scattered across my apartment that I’m working on.” It was a half-truth, at least. He had spent a couple of hours here and there to projects and jobs, but Stephanie got days and days in Gotham. “Gotham needs Stephanie Brown more than Las Vegas needs Nicholas Pierce, Spence. You know that.” Spencer wasn't so sure Nick was glad that he was getting out, but it wasn't the priority. He was stalled in asking anything further by the doorbell, and he smiled. "Food's here," he said, maybe a little unnecessarily,before moving toward the door. It took less than five minutes for him to come back to the kitchen. "Hungry? I got your favorite," Spencer said, hoping to entice the other man to eat. He pulled out the cartons and grabbed some forks, not bothering with plates. No sense in getting more things dirty. "And I'm not so sure about Vegas not needing you," he replied. "What about Jade? I'm sure she's bored without you around. And I think I might be able to help out with a project or five if you feel up to it," he added, digging into his lo mein. “Thanks,” Nick said with an easy smile, putting the beer down on the nearest counter and taking the offered container and fork. Chinese food was definitely one of his favorites, especially the chicken and broccoli Spencer got him. He stabbed a piece of chicken and popped it into his mouth, chewing thoughtfully for a moment. Nick avoided Spencer’s eyes when he asked about Jade, and he pursed his lips in guilt. “Jade isn’t-- she spends a lot of time behind the door, too, as far as I can tell.” He looked at Spencer then, slightly guilt-ridden, but he shrugged. “It’s easier this way. Steph gets her time to save the people of Gotham, and I take what little time I need.” Spencer felt guilty then, if they were both behind the door more often than not. See? You could let me have more time you know, came Tim's annoyed tones. Spence sighed, but there wasn't much he could do. He had a full time job that he liked. He wasn't just going to screw that up because Tim wanted more time across the door. Once his contract was up, then he'd be able to get a part time job and let Tim cross over more often. "You're more important than you're giving yourself credit for Nick." Spence probably shouldn't have been surprised about that, but he was. He shrugged and took some more lo mein from the container. "Interested in those projects I mentioned?" Nick obviously couldn’t hear the internal argument happening between Tim and Spencer, but he did regret saying anything at all. Maybe he should have lied about it all and spun some story about how healthy he was, how he frequented this little coffee shop near his place of employment, and how he would have brunch with Jade every Sunday. But, that would be a bold-faced lie. He lifted the corner of his mouth, but said nothing more about his importance. “What kind of projects would that be?” he asked, stirring the food in the paper container with his fork. “Think...Lucius Fox from those Batman movies, but on a much smaller scale,” Spencer replied just as easily as if he were talking about Nick picking up his groceries every other week. Like it wasn’t a big deal at all. He didn’t exactly relish drawing Nick into what he was working on, but he knew he could use the support and he couldn’t rely on Falcon for a walk through. He had Adam at the clinic to patch him up, but he’d do better with some gadgets and Nick was the best of the best as far as Spencer was concerned. Maybe it’d work out for all of them and he’d be able to keep his activities a secret, act as a go between to hide just who Nick was helping. Despite everything, he didn’t think Nick would necessarily approve of him being a vigilante. “Sound like something you’d be interested in?” Nick furrowed his eyebrows when Spencer continued, especially considering the casualness of his voice. He searched his face for some sort of giveaway. A smirk or raised eyebrows that told him ha ha, kidding! But, there was no smile or joking demeanor. Nothing that indicated that Spencer was just pulling his leg. “You want me to create military-like weaponry, technology, and defense mechanisms.” He knew Lucius Fox of Batman fame and the work he was known for in media. “Why would you need someone like that?” If Spencer thought Nick would agree to anything like that without questions, he was out of his mind. Spencer grinned then, because he expected the questions. It wasn't a flat out no and that was the best thing he could've asked for. "I've got a friend that could use some gadgets. Maybe not military-like, but stuff to subdue and tie up bad guys. I was exaggerating a little when I said Lucius Fox. Probably." Again, it was all casual, but now there was something akin to amusement in his eyes. "Interested? I can put you in touch with him, if you wanted to work out specifics. He'd know better than me what he needs. Just asked me if I knew anyone." That managed to pull a laugh out of Nick. “I figured you were exaggerating at least a little. I am neither Morgan Freeman nor the genius that is Lucius Fox. Also, I don’t have the resources of Wayne Enterprises at my fingertips.” Jokes aside, he eyed Spencer warily all the same. There was something more to this, he could sense, but he didn’t want to push it at the moment. There was time for that later, wasn’t there? “I suppose so,” Nick said, with a reassuring smile. “Passages?” Because at this point in his life, everyone seemed to be connected to that insane hotel. “Give him my business contact, if not.” He would have implied that him was Spencer because Nick suspected as much, but Nick was never very good at the intricacies of subtle conversation. Spencer 1, Mopey Nick 0. That was just the way he liked it when Mopey Nick made an appearance. “I don’t know. I mean, you’re definitely not Morgan Freeman in any way, shape, or form, but you’re pretty smart. I bet you could give Lucius Fox a run for his money if you did have a billionaire in your back pocket.” Which brought about the uncomfortable realization that he would need a way to compensate Nick for creating gadgets and such for him. And he’d need to finally settle on a codename. Maybe another job was in order. Or you could just use Wayne funds, came Tim’s not so helpful advice. Spencer would worry about that later though. Right now, he was going to cheer Nick up and if he realized they’d completely sidestepped what he had intended to talk about, he wasn’t going to say anything. Nick didn’t need that on his plate on top of everything else. |