Remy LeBeau: Here For Your Entertainment. (mssr_lebeau) wrote in valarlogs, @ 2014-10-14 21:04:00 |
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Entry tags: | !complete, athos, remy lebeau (gambit) |
Who: Athos & Remy LeBeau
When: October 8th, after Remy accuses D’Art of being a wife.
Where: Remy’s Penthouse
What: Athos comes to tell Remy not to scare his boyfriend!
Rating/Warnings: PG13 - Language
Status: Complete
Athos needed to talk to Remy. He’d upset D’Artagnan the other day and, while he was sure, it hadn’t been intentional he still needed to understand that certain things which Remy thought of as off hand comments or amusing idioms were more than likely going to cause worry and doubt for D’Artagnan. He was a sensitive person and Athos simply wanted Remy to think before he spoke. Even if it was only around D’Artagnan.
He’d given Remy a quick text to make sure he was at home before he popped round after work. Heading up the path he soon knocked on the door and waited. Honestly they could have done without this latest headache but then he didn’t doubt with D’Artagnan there would always be something. Luckily he loved him very much and didn’t mind most of the drama.
Of course he was home, he was working half days until he felt well enough to get back on the horse completely, so there was no surprise when he was there and waiting. He’d told the security detail down in the lobby to let him up, and when the elevator dinged, he went to open the door with a smile, moving aside to let Athos in without hesitation.
“The Dashing Knight. You look devastatingly handsome today.” A quick once-over came with a smile and his eyebrows raised expectantly. “Come inside.” Of course he wouldn’t question why Athos was here-- whatever it was, it had to be important, right?
Athos couldn’t help smile at the greeting, he simply oozed charm no matter what. He really was ridiculous, he thought, as Remy looked him over obviously. “Thank you, I hope I’m not disturbing you? How are you feeling now?” he asked as he entered.
Of course he was ridiculous. That was Remy’s MO. In all honesty, the Cajun was a very private man. It might not seem it, with the way he threw himself into the public eye, the way he flirted with everyone, talked with everyone, went to every party, every dance, and chatted it up with reporters.. but that was exactly how his life remained private. He wasn’t mysterious, not to someone who wasn’t looking hard. He was outgoing and excitable. He was the sort of friend you went to for a good time, he wasn’t the type who needed anything. He didn’t need a shoulder to cry on, didn’t need support, didn’t need to borrow money, or get advice-- he was a friend with no drama and no strings.
The best sort of friend, one you could have when you wanted and abandon when you didn’t. It was the same sort of companion he was. A friend with benefits-- great to be used until something better came along. And he played it off so well, a playboy that didn’t care, because he was using the woman. No one ever looked at it too closely and just assumed it was all him. No, he didn’t want a relationship, but not for the reasons most people thought. It wasn’t because he wanted to have sex with random women.
No, it was much more complicated than that.
But that was just the point-- Remy was complicated, and he was surprisingly deep. But he liked to come off as two-dimensional and shallow as possible. People could so easily forget that he was a person, too. He didn’t have the same sort of problems that most people did. Invincible, this one.
That was how he liked it. That was why he didn’t actually have real friends.
Because, really, what did Athos and D’Artagnan know about him? Very little. But he knew so very much about them and that was his specialty. He was very good at it.
“You distract me, but you never disturb me.” He’d close the door behind him and make a sweeping gesture forward. Leading him into the living room, he’d pause and look back with a smile. “Want something to drink?”
While it was true that Athos and D’Artagnan knew little about him it didn’t mean that they believed what Remy showed them, Athos had gotten a glimpse of the real man underneath the facade a couple of times. Once when D’Artagnan was under the sleep curse and again in the hospital. It said far more than Remy probably wanted it to that he was so shocked they’d stuck around and kept him company whilst he was stuck in a hospital bed.
Athos himself was an extremely observant person, it had helped whilst he had been training the new CIA recruits and he was used to looking beyond the obvious. He knew a lot of what Remy did was for show, what he didn’t know was exactly why. He could no doubt find out through his connections if he wished but that felt dishonest. Especially when he was hoping to call this man his friend for a while to come.
It was true at first he’d paid little attention to the man beyond the fact that he’d caused trouble for D’Artagnan and kissed him. The latter being the hardest to get over, despite his calm appearance Athos could be incredibly possessive. But once he’d actually spoken to him it had been hard to continue the hostility towards him.
“Oh yes, I’m well known for being distracting” Athos replied sardonically, “So distracting you forgot my other question” he added pointedly. “No drink thanks”
If Remy knew he’d spoken such volumes with his surprise, he would have been much more tight with the facial expressions he shared while in the hospital. It was hard, though, under the influence of those drugs to have such a tight hold. Honestly, it was why he never got drunk-- he’d done it just once while here in the OC and he’d stayed in his own home, though he had been texting D’Art. Thankfully, he was smart enough to not do that on a normal basis. He never went out and had more than a drink or two, usually he nursed one all night long.
Not because he was a responsible adult-- far from it. But rather because he liked to have complete control of himself at all times. He didn’t seem it, but Remy LeBeau was one of the most disciplined men you’d ever meet. Just look at his body. That didn’t come from eating whatever he wanted and just running around the city. The majority of his diet was boiled chicken and eggs. He spent four hours a day working out. When he ate meals that he shouldn’t, he worked out for six hours.
It was rather disappointing he didn’t do more with his life, he could have been something truly great.. instead he chose to screw off and life the playboy lifestyle.
One day, maybe Athos or D’Art would call him on his bullshit and he’d fess up to it.. but it wasn’t likely. They didn’t want to harm whatever friendship they had, and Remy didn’t want to admit to his many failings as a human being.
“I’m feeling fine. A little sore. Mostly it’s my pride that hurts these days.” Of course ‘A little sore’ in Remy’s world was more than just a little sore, but he didn’t like to be seen as weak. Could they blame him? “And I’m convinced I’ll never be laid again. Who’s going to want to go out with me if I look like this?” He opened his arms with a smile, as if Athos could see the healing wound on his chest through his clothes. “It’s not a pretty sight. Please, sit.” He’d gesture to the couch, then pour himself a scotch and come to sit across from him.
“To what do I owe the pleasure of your incredibly attractive company?” Flirt.
To be fair Athos noticed a lot of things which many other people wouldn’t. It had been part of his training for so long, he read body language as well as what people were saying. It was quite fascinating how often the two contradicted each other. Ironically Athos wasn’t a big drinker either, he’d enjoy a beer or two or even a glass of wine or whiskey on occasion but never get rip roaring drunk. Control was important and he liked keeping a cool head. Something alcohol prevented.
With that kind of discipline there were so many things Remy could do, had Athos known him better he most likely would have encouraged him to make something of himself. But as it was he felt it wasn’t yet his place.
All humans had failings, but all humans had the strength to get over them if they could only admit what they were to themselves and others.
Athos had seen Remy’s chart and knew it was worse than he was making out but didn’t push the issue. He understood pride and knew how important it could be to be seen as strong and capable. “Oh yes I’m sure your hordes of admirers are going to disappear now” Athos said, his tone implying the exact opposite. “You know from what I hear women consider scars to be quite hot” he added offhandedly.
Rolling his eyes at the flirting he replied, “I believe you had a text exchange with D’Artagnan the other day. Something about him being a wife. I’m here just to ask you to refrain from such teasing in future” he said simply.
That was the way to do it, Athos. Just ignore his flirting and let him have his fun. Water off a duck’s back. It was the only way to deal with him, honestly. Otherwise it got to you and you took it too personally. That was dangerous.
“I hear that too, but have yet to see it in practice.” He’d never known of a woman to leap on a man’s penis because he had scars. But he had seen them turn their nose up at scarred men.
Listening to those words, he’d nod in agreement when the comment about the text was made. Yes, he’d done that-- but then Athos asked him to keep from teasing him and he looked surprised.
“Really? Did it upset him?” He’d thought the two of them were far more comfortable in their relationship than that. He’d thought D’Art was completely confident in the arrangement they had.. why would the wife comment have upset him? “Didn’t mean to.” Finally, a frown came over his face. It didn’t belong there, it looked so out of place. “I won’t do it again.” A finger came up to make an X over his heart. No more teasing about being a wife. He’d have to refrain from the pregnant jokes, too.
It wouldn’t get to Athos and he definitely wouldn’t take it personally. He took the flirting with a pinch of salt and didn’t put any stock in it.
“I’m sure it won’t be long” he said, because let’s be honest Remy was an incredibly attractive man with or without scars. He couldn’t imagine it would put many women off, or at least not the kind of woman Athos thought Remy should be going out with.
“It confused him” Athos said, “I got home and found him drinking wine and mumbling about how he couldn’t be a wife because he didn’t know how to cook or do wifey things” He sighed, “I know you didn’t mean to. But D’Artagnan is sensitive. He worries about things he really shouldn’t” Athos noticed the frown and was honestly surprised to see it there. “Don’t worry, he’s fine but if you could just keep it in mind. He needs approaching carefully with certain subjects”
Oh, Athos, now you were going to put Remy on eggshells around the only man he’d never felt like he had to be on eggshells around. He curbed a lot of things, acted differently for a lot of different people for a lot of different reasons. He hadn’t done that with the kid.
But he’d start now.
“Yeah, sure, no problem.” Breaking into another smile he’d roll up his shoulders in a graceful shrug. “Didn’t mean to cause any problems.” Well, not between the two of them, that was. “I just mentioned that I felt like I wife, and that I was in good company because we were both wives and..” It sort of snowballed from there.
“Won’t happen again. Scout’s honor.” He’d watch his mouth-- and his fingers-- around the kid.
He didn’t, after all, want to ruin this sweet relationship the two had.
“It’s okay” Athos assured him, “It’s just that the future, our future, we’ve not really discussed it and, well, D’Artagnan’s not a planner. He hadn’t really thought about that before and I think it freaked him out a little” he sighed and ran a hand through his hair, “I probably shouldn’t have said anything I just...worry I guess”
Athos looked at Remy interestedly then, “How did you feel like a wife?” he asked curiously.
“Ah, I just assumed you had the relationship talk. I mean, you’ve moved in together.. how does he not know that’s a long term relationship? Geez, even I know that.” But he knew a lot more about relationships than D’Artagnan did.. even if the kid had more experience with them. Remy didn’t need experience to know he didn’t want one.
“Sorry again.” He hadn’t meant to scare the poor kid.
But then Athos was prompting him about how he felt like a wife and he laughed and shrugged up his shoulders. “Anna’s.. being Anna.” And somehow she always managed to make him feel like less of a man. When they were good in his memories, they were very good. But when they were bad? Well.
She’d left him to die alone in Antarctica. That should tell you something.
“How’s he doing now? Calmed down?” He didn’t want to talk about him.
He never did.
Athos shook his head, “D’Artagnan had been stayed at my place more and more so when it came time to renew his rent I suggested he moved in with me instead. Then when that place was hit in the earthquake that moved into us just buying a place. No deep and meaningful conversation needed” Athos explained, “This is all new to him, I think he just gets overwhelmed sometimes”
He shook his head, “Like I said, don’t worry I just wanted you to keep it in mind in future” he said casually.
“Women have a tendency to do that I hear” he replied somewhat amused, “I never imagined you being an ‘under the thumb’ kind of guy, is she getting to you?” he asked curiously.
“He seems fine. These things don’t usually last too long. I’m somewhat of a calming influence I think”
“I’ll be better in the future. I promise.” The smile that came was purely smooth, no hint of snark or smirk, something a politician would wear. Three fingers came up. “Scout’s honor. I’ll be good.” No more harassing the poor kid. Remy would just have to learn how to be an adult. Or, you know, give D’Artagnan a little more space.. something he really didn’t want to do, because the damn kid was just about his best friend here.
How sad was that?
“It’s complicated.” Was all he’d say of his situation. He didn’t want to talk about it. “You seem really good for him. You calm him, he makes you less...” He waved a hand some. “You. I think it’s good.” Understatement of the week.
His cell phone began buzzing at his side and he’d push back his blazer to look at it and let out a little puff of breath. Work.
“I gotta take this.” A convenient way of making sure that conversation didn’t keep coming back around to him. He had a feeling it might. “I promise I’ll be better.” A wink was to follow. Thanks for stopping by, Athos.
“I’m not sure you were ever a scout but I believe you” Athos commented with a bit of a smirk. He didn’t really want Remy to give D’Artagnan space, they were good friends and they were good for each other. He could see that now he wasn’t worried Remy was trying to seduce him.
Athos took the hint, even if it made him a bit curious. Maybe this girl had gotten under his skin. “Makes me less me? I’m not sure that was a compliment” he chuckled.
When Remy’s phone went and he said he needed to answer it Athos nodded and stood, “See you soon. Have a good day” he said with a smile and nod before he made his way back out the way he’d come.