racing_stripes (racing_stripes) wrote in valarlogs, @ 2014-10-25 22:21:00 |
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Entry tags: | !complete, bumblebee, d'artagnan |
Who: D'Artagnan & Bee
When: October 24th
Where: A coffee shop
What: D'Artagnan kicks a little ass. Bee is impressed.
Rating/Warnings: PG-13
Status: Complete
Work was exceptionally dull today. D’Artagnan had stepped out of the office for the time being. If he stayed there longer he was going to either give the poor guy in security a heart attack, or fall asleep at his desk. Neither things were holding his attention today. A coffee was necessary.
Not crappy work coffee, real coffee.
He knew Fury tried to provide good coffee, but D’Art was addicted to Starbucks sugar comas in a cup drinks. It wasn’t long before he found one to satisfy his sugary needs. They were on every block now after all. He exited the shop with a frappichino in hand, and took a walk. He really had no burning desire to go back to the office just yet.
***
Trouble must have had D’Artagnan’s number. It seemed to follow him everywhere. On his walk, he’d hear some laughter and some taunting. Just around the corner, there was a group of three men, circled around a blonde man, who had his jaw tight and his eyes narrowed. The men were passing around what looked like a cell phone, back and forth, clearly playing a terrible game of ‘keep away’ with the blonde who just stood there and watched with a displeased expression.
People walked by, but no one was willing to stop and do anything, or even acknowledge it was going on. They felt awkward by the fact that this bullying was going on right here in the middle of the sidewalk, but no one wanted to do anything about it.
Bee didn’t blame them.
**
When D’Artagnan rounded that corner and saw the commotion, he raised an eyebrow. Really though? He had only wanted a starbucks and a walk. This wasn’t something D’Artagnan could ignore. He probably should have, but at the same time he had a special hatred for bullies. “..Another time.” He said to his drink as he tossed it away and approached the group without any hesitation or fear.
“Hey! That’s enough!” He didn’t care how many there were, D’Artagnan knew it wasn’t size or numbers that mattered but skill and how it was put to use. If they decided to fight, he was ready. Honestly though he hoped it didn’t come down to that.
**
Numbers and sizes definitely played a factor here. The blonde was barely five foot nine. In shoes. These guys each had several inches on him and several pounds-- he was lithe, not made for brutw strength, but rather for agility.
He looked aggravated, though.
That was, until the brunette showed up and he looked rather startled. Someone had come to his defense? Really? The bullies would turn back and give D'Artaganan a once over before laughing. He was just as slight as the blonde.
"Go away. We're busy." One of those men declared with a dismissive wave, tossing the phone to his buddy.
**
He really wasn’t in the mood to fight, but it looked like there may not be a choice. There were too many people around to pull a gun out, so he sighed and shook his head some. “I told you nicely to stop.” Don’t say he didn’t warn you.
When the phone came to the guy closest to him, D’Artagnan took matters into his own hands. He rused the guy, grabbing his arm in a lock behind his back and wrenching the phone from his hand. “I said that’s enough.” It was a pressure trick he’d been taught recently if the kid moved in any direction the grip only shot pain through his arm.
**
Blue eyes got wide when that man was suddenly helping him and he’d blink a few times when that bully hissed out a noise of pain.
“Okay, okay-- okay, fine. Let fucking go-- Jesus.” When released, the bully would rub his wrist, his friends snickering at him, and the three would wander off slowly. “This isn’t over, you fucking queer.” He’d point accusingly at the blonde, then head off down the sidewalk with his laughing friends.
Once they were gone, those blue eyes came back to the man who’d helped him and he gave him a sheepish sort of smile and shrugged his shoulders, looking quite embarrassed. He even cast his eyes aside so he didn’t have to look at the guy who’d stopped those bullies. He sort of expected to get laughed at.
**
The bully tried his patience, and so he twisted a little more just for good measure. “Oh, it’s over. Unless you want that broken.” D’Artagnan swore in annoyance as he released him and pushed him forward toward his laughing friends. See how you liked being made fun of.
He dusted off his hands then and reached for the phone he’d put away in his own pocket. “This yours kid?” He hoped it was, otherwise that was a lawsuit waiting to happen, and he was sure Fury was going to love that. D’Artagnan offered the device, obviously not looking for any other action from the blond other than to take back what was his.
“Those guys are creeps. Don’t worry about them anymore.”
***
Bee wet his lips and looked back at the brunette and the phone, then smiled a little and nodded, holding out a hand to accept the phone. He’d turn it over in his hands, then pushed at the buttons some and frowned. They’d dropped it a few times in their game of keep away, and now it wasn’t turning on.
Great.
He let out a slow sigh and stuck the phone into his pocket and gave the other man another smile. Then he glanced the way the bullies had gone-- they were waiting on the corner and ribbing one another, but kept glancing back towards the two. They were just waiting for D’Artagnan to leave.
Bee watched them a second, then looked back at the man who’d saved his phone.
***
The kid was quiet, maybe he was just shy or something. Whatever it was, D’Artagnan was a bit awkward about it. But for a moment he just watched. That frown returned to his face as the other young man tried to get the thing to turn on. The careless jerks had broken it, he motioned to see it for a second and gave him a sigh. “C’mon, follow me.” He had a soft spot for him already it seemed. The kid was having a shitty day, and honestly D’Artagnan had more than enough funds to replace the phone. Maybe even with something cooler. Athos didn’t expect rent from him, even though he’d tried to pay his share of the housing. He really didn’t need as much as he was getting just for himself.
He lead the kid the opposite direction toward a near by phone store. “Pick something out.” He didn’t seem to care about the money, or accept any sort of argument about it-if the blond would. So far he hadn’t even said a word. It was curious, but it didn’t stop D’Artagnan from doing this.
***
Stupidly trusting, the blonde would follow him, more than happy to get away from the bullies. Sure, Bee could handle himself, but there was a difference between handling yourself physically and handling yourself mentally.
So he fell into step with D’Artagnan and didn’t even realize where they were going until the brunette spoke up.
Pick something out?
He looked forward again.. then flushed a dark pink.
Wider blue eyes turned onto the darker man and he parted his lips as if to say something, then let out a little puff of a laugh-- though there was no noise that accompanied it, and he shook his head and held up his hands. He didn’t have the money for this. Good Lord, he didn’t even have the money for an apartment at the moment. He was crashing in a seedy hotel. Twenty bucks a night. He slept in the tub for fear of catching pregnancy from the sheets.
**
That probably should have worried him that the guy was willing to follow him before he’d even given him his name. But fortunately for the blond, he found someone who wasn’t about to bully him this time around, or demand anything he couldn’t give.
“I wouldn’t do it if I couldn’t afford it, or didn’t want to. Go on. No catch, I just hate creeps like them.” He wouldn’t accept even the silent argument and stepped further inside. “Trust me. It’s the least I can do. I couldn’t stop them in time not to break it so..just consider it what you’re owed then. “ He gave him a warm smile and looked over a few new items himself, turning away from the blond for the time being. If he happened to find something he liked, he’d be leaving with it and that was it.
He eyed the latest Galaxy and then his own phone. It was a little plain..
**
Was this guy really offering to buy him a phone?
Really?
He couldn’t even fathom such a thing.
But, he would nod some and watch as the man turned away.. and he would look down at the phones and frown just some as he considered. He moved down the line to the less expensive ones and would look them over, picking them up and fiddling with them, testing out the buttons when they had them, or the touchscreens when they didn’t.
Ultimately, he’d find a nice little Volt-- utilitarian, nothing special, but it had a good keyboard and it ran Android. And it was on sale for seventy bucks.
The salesman would hover around D’Artagnan and leave the blonde to his own devices in the cheap phones.
**
D’Artagnan could tell the guy was just looking for a sale, but at the same time he’d been told his phone was a little ancient. He was getting used to using technology now, he caught on quick enough to it. He gave in without much of a fight, and looked over at the kid in the cheap section. Was that really what he wanted or was he just being humble about it? Either way, if that was what he picked, D’Artagnan would get it.
He left the sales guy with his own new phone in hand and closed the distance toward the new kid. “Find something?” He peered down at the item he was holding and nudged him toward the counter.
“Come on then. “ Yet again without even a complaint he paid for both items. “You going to be okay getting home, or do you need a ride?” His car wasn’t too far, he wanted to make sure the boy got back to where he needed to be without being harassed again if he was entirely honest. “It is getting late, maybe I should just give you a lift..My name’s D’Artagnan by the way. I think I forgot to say so. “ He couldn’t tell him he was with the police anymore, or even the Agency. It was odd. Most of his life he’d been able to say what it was he did to help people put their trust in him. He couldn't offer any of those types of words anymore. Only a kind hand where it was needed.
***
He nodded when asked if he found something. Really, he only needed it to make calls, text, and download a program that would speak when he typed. He didn’t need anything special.
So, checked out, Bee would rock a little on the balls of his feet in an excited manner, he looked so thankful-- and perhaps he might have said something, but then D’Artagnan was offering him a ride him. He’d taken the bus here, he was still trying to work on his car, but he wasn’t allowed to do so in the hotel parking lot, so he had to do it in the dead of night.
It was difficult.
But here was this complete stranger, who could have been a serial killer, offering him a ride.
And the blonde was nodding, then extending his hand out for a shake. He was so very glad to meet you.
And thank you for the ride.
He’d fumble with the phone for a moment-- it had a GPS, that was wonderful!-- and he’d type in the address of the motel and point it towards D’Artagnan. That was where he was staying. And surely the brunette would know, just from the cross streets, that it was an exceptionally bad section of town.
**
D’Artagnan didn’t want to be the one to tell him he really shouldn’t accept rides from strangers, but he was worried. He was glad he’d gotten to him and not an actual psycho. He was too trusting. He didn’t even seem to hesitate when they made their way back toward D’Artagnan’s car.
The brunette watched him for a moment but returned that hand shake none the less. At some point this would be a conversation that needed to be had, but why worry him more than he already had been today? He shook his head with a slight exasperation as he watched him with the phone.
“There? Are you sure?” He knew that area well, both from his work with the police and the Agency, it was often used for undercover operations. That only made him worry more.
“Are you staying with someone?”
***
He would nod when asked if he was sure. Of course, when the next question came, he shook his head. It was just him. He’d pull his wallet out and produce the room key. The SandMan Hotel. It had hourly, daily, and weekly rates. He’d taken two weeks, he knew it’d take him that long to find an apartment. At least that long.
When they got to the car, he would pause and wait for the door to be unlocked. Once D’Artagnan got in, he would slide in also then smile over at him. He seemed friendly enough, he just must have been painfully shy. He seemed shy, after all.
He was shy.
***
D’Artagnan didn’t like it. That place was trash, and for someone like this guy sitting beside him without question it could end badly. “What’s your name kid?” Not that D’Artagnan was likely much older than he was, but still. He didn’t know what else to call him yet.
He waited to turn on the car before shooting Athos a quick text of his own for a moment as he waited for some kind of answer.
***
The answer might not be one he expected-- the blonde went to type on his phone and would play with it for a moment before turning it towards D’Artagnan. The notepad was open and it said simply: Bertram. Or Bertie. Or Bee. I don’t have vocal chords. Just get it all out in the open, so he didn’t look like a total freak.
It wasn’t just that he didn’t want to talk to you, it was that he couldn’t talk to you.
***
D’Artagnan was only half paying attention for a moment while he texted Athos. He expected it might take the kid a bit to respond, but he didn’t expect that. The phone screen being shown to him caused him to raise an eyebrow. “I think Bee suits you.” He didn’t look like a Bertram, far too serious for the almost cheerful look he was getting until that text. He didn’t know what to say. For the first time that night he was the one out of words.
“You like the beach?” He managed finally. He wondered how someone didn’t have vocal chords, but everything he came up with in his mind was probably far worse than actual reality-and he didn’t like it. It also wasn’t his place to ask, so he just waited for an answer again and gave him a small smile of reassurance. “I’m not a kidnapper or anything like that. For the record.” He added.
***
When asked about the beach, he’d nod enthusiastically. He loved the beach. He couldn’t swim, not really, but he loved the beach. He’d spent most of his life on an island, after all. But beaches in Japan were so different than American beaches.
Though, he’d soon be told that his new friend wasn’t a kidnapper and he’d laugh-- it had to be strange to see the action, but not hear the sounds that came with it. He shrugged and turned his phone back to himself, then after a few seconds, pointed it again at D’Artagnan. Good, the message said, I would hate to have to beat you up. :) Then a few more taps on the phone and he was turning it back again. Thank you so much. If you give me your number, I’ll make sure I get the money back to you. He could ask his parents to send some.
***
Poor Athos, now not only did D’Artagnan find trouble, he also brought home new people. He looked over at his reaction and smiled at that. There was something about him that D’Art liked, he didn’t care if he didn’t talk. He would be the guys friend even still, it seemed like he could use some. “How about staying with me for a while, until you find a place? Hotels aren’t comfortable. Trust me, I lived in one for a while.” He offered with a shrug. “We have a beach in the back yard.” It wasn’t a typical thing, he hoped that would be enough to entice him.
Then the blond was typing something else that caused an amused expression. “Oh yeah, I’m real worried about that one.” He gave him a playful nudge before sticking the keys into the ignition of the car. Peering over at the phone again he rolled his eyes. “What’d I tell you? I don’t need the money. Just having a new friend is enough for me.” Yeah, he said weird stuff like that sometimes. D’Artagnan wasn’t the sort to hold back what he wanted to say usually.
***
Bee didn’t look too sure about the offer to stay-- that was so nice, he didn’t want to impose.. but with the mention of a beach in his backyard? Well, he brightened and nodded. Okay, you’d twisted his arm. He wanted to see your backyard beach. He wanted to see the house that had a beach-- God, this man must be rich. Was he a moviestar or something? Not that Bee would know.
He clearly lived under a rock.
But, once again, here he was.. going home with a man he’d met ten minutes ago.
His face was going to be in the paper one day, found dead in a ditch somewhere. He was just too trusting.
Of course, his things were at the hotel-- they’d have to go there first, and the prostitutes standing on the corner would eye D’Artagnan’s car as he pulled up and come slowly to the window.
The blonde held up a finger to say he’d be right back, then would climb from the car.
And he trusted the brunette would be here when he got back.
The prostitutes would pause to talk to Bee, who was smiling. They’d smile back. It was a friendly interaction-- he’d been here almost a week and even the drug dealer sitting on the corner gave the kid an up-nod. He was just nice. Easy to get along with.
Likable.
Into the building, he’d be back out just five minutes later with a duffle bag.
A duffle bag.
Of course, it was a little longer than a normal duffle and looked pretty heavy. It said ‘Beckham’ across the side.
He’d toss it in the back and settle into the front seat and bring his hand up to his mouth, then swing it down. Sign language. Thank you.
**
D’Artagnan didn’t want to be seen particularly. This part of town was often used by police for stings. He put on a hooded sweater that he’d had in his car even though it was warm and pulled up said hood. It wasn’t much, but it was enough to not give the guys a particularly good view of his face.
He nodded as Bee went in to get his things. He’d in the meantime rolled up the windows and locked his doors to wait. He was uncomfortable, this neighboorhood was awful. Even if the people Bee knew were kind to him, they weren’t so kind to authority figures. D’Artagnan had enough adventure for the day.
D’Artagnan kept his hand near his clutch, which was of course where his gun was on his hip. He was tense until the kid returned, and he unlocked his doors only then.
“Lets get out of here..” He didn’t explain why his hood was suddenly on, he hadn’t bothered before. He also didn’t give him all that much time to settle, only enough really to get his seatbelt on before he peeled out.
“I think you’ll like this place, and we can see about either getting you an apartment or at least something less..like this.” He motioned back toward the hotel in their rear view mirror.
***
Bee slid into the car with a smile and would turn to get the seatbelt on-- but they were already moving and he looked a little startled. He’d click the belt in and focus his attention on the man driving. It wasn’t until they got to a stop light that he’d put a hand on the brunette’s bicep and just let his hand rest there, like that would somehow reassure him that things were okay.
If nothing else, at least Bertie had a very calming presence.
He’d release his shoulder, though, as the light turned and he’d play on his phone for a moment, a long few moments, actually. Then the phone spit out a clearly feminine voice. Mechanical and feminine.
“Is everything alright?” He seemed so upset.
**
D’Artagnan raised an eyebrow and looked over at him. Only once they were out of sight did he seem to relax at all. Giving him a strained smile he shrugged. “Authority figures aren’t exactly popular in those parts.” He had a job in law enforcement. Sort of. It was more like a spy job though now wasn’t it? Titles were confusing. All the same, he didn’t like that place and it showed, but once they were out of range he seemed to loosen up. “Don’t worry about it. “ This was so odd. While Bee could have been the nicest guy in the world-D’Artagnan really wasn’t entirely sure what his story was either, and yet there he was willingly driving him home. Athos was going to be so pleased…
**
It was true. The blonde could have been anyone-- he could have been a drug dealer, he could have been.. a prostitute, or a killer. A hit man. Maybe this mute thing was all an act and he was actually here to cause problems.
Who knew. There were sick people out there.
And speaking of, his bag looked a little long. Longer than a normal duffle should be. And there were a few.. roundish ends pushing up some. Shotgun barrels?
D’Artagnan would certainly be able to see them in his rearview.
Still, the blonde would smile at him, then look forward again. He just looked so pleased.
**
D’Artagnan really hadn’t thought this through properly. Who was this kid in his passenger seat? “So..why were those guys picking on you?” Maybe he’d be able to dig for a little more information that way? He was not looking forward to Athos’ reaction. His eyes watched that rearview mirror for a moment before they noticed the bag. Were those weapons or was that his imagination?
***
Those were weapons. The subtle click of metal on metal inside the bag. The rubbing of wood against metal, also.
But the blonde looked nice. Hell, with that messy mop of blonde, he looked sweet. But looks could definitely be deceiving.
He’d tap at his phone and turn it.
“I am different.” Came the mechanical, feminine voice. It sounded so detached and cold. Of course it did, it was a phone. “Do you know what that is like?” The voice asked a moment later.
**
That worried him. They could handle themselves, but what exactly had he gotten them into? He was distracted by that voice though, and the statement. Ever since word had gotten out that he was gay, of course he knew what it was like. Maybe not to that extent, but he did notice he got treated different at times. “Yeah.” The world didn’t look kindly on those who were different. He could accept that, and worry a little less now. “I have an idea of it.” He admitted but he didn’t exactly give away anymore information just yet except for one bit. “By the way, I live with one other person.” He wasn’t going to admit anything about his personal life beyond that just yet. It probably wouldn’t be hard to piece together, but for now he was being a little wary. Protecting what he could. He wouldn’t toss Bee away because he was different just yet, but he also wouldn’t give everything to him either.
***
Blue eyes turned onto D’Artagnan and he considered him for a long moment before typing on his phone again.
“You are having second thoughts.” The phone would declare. “The hotel was plenty comfortable.” He’d give him a smile and a shrug, then thumb behind them, indicating the way they’d come. Take him back. You didn’t even have to drive all the way back. He could walk.
His fingers moved across the keyboard again, then: “You won’t hurt my feelings.” Perceptive little thing, wasn’t he?
***
D’Artagnan had been quiet again until that phone voice interrupted his thought process. He frowned at that statement. “It’s not that. Just..The one I live with might not be so open to this. But it’s okay. I’ll talk to him. We’ll work it out.” He worried a little, he hadn’t had many arguments with Athos. He hoped this wasn’t going to be one. He really did think he was doing the right thing here, that hotel was not a good place for the guy to be. He worried more about bringing him back there than he did bringing him home.
“Just don’t be offended if he’s not exactly accepting..?” Athos was many things to D’Artagnan, but to other people he just came off as scary. D’Artagnan knew this, he wondered how it would be with this new guy. Would he turn on the scare charm or feel things out? He had a sinking feeling the ice wall would go up. D’Artagnan was never able to block people out like that even when or if he should.
***
He smiled more when told not to be offended and would shake his head. He wouldn’t be offended. He was used to people not being accepting-- it was a part of daily life. Human beings weren’t accepting by nature. They didn’t trust things they didn’t understand. It was evolution.
“Thank you.” Came the mechanical voice again. He really didn’t know what else to say. This perfect stranger was being so.. well.. amazing. He wanted to repay him somehow, he just didn’t know what to do.
**
D’Artagnan really couldn’t just dump Bee. Not after all this, they were both strangers. How hypocritical would that make him? It didn’t take them long to drive up to the house. It was huge, not only would he notice they in fact did have a beach back yard but they had a real one too. In that real back yard there was also a swimming pool.
The brunette lead him into the living room. “Make yourself at home. I’m..going to go see if I can find Athos and explain things..” Before he got upset.