Gaby Teller (gaby_teller) wrote in valarlogs, @ 2019-05-03 20:42:00 |
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Entry tags: | !complete, alex manes, gaby teller, michael guerin |
Who: Gaby Teller, Michael Guerin & Alex Manes
What: A German and two Americans meet in a bar
When: April 26th, evening
Where: A Bar
Rating: PG
Warnings: N/A
“So I heard from Flint,” Alex said, around another sip of his beer, “that Master Seargent Manes is due to be on tour for at least another six months.” The relief on his face as he spoke was more than a little obvious. Though Alex was more than capable of handling his father, in the wake of his combat injury, these dreams (which were evidently far more traumatic for Michael than for Alex, or Kyle) and finding out about what was happening to Kyle’s father, it was just one less thing for him to have to worry about if the old man didn’t just roll back into town.
He’d wanted to ask Michael about Easter, but when it had come up, Michael had looked uncomfortable, said that he had been stuck playing peacemaker and looked like he wanted to leave it at that. Alex figured he could let that one go, having spent a great deal of time coaxing information out of Michael and Kyle both recently Alex figured he could give being Nancy Drew a break for a little while and accept that if people wanted to talk to him they would do that rather than trying to poke it out of them.
He rubbed the back of his neck and put his beer down, glancing over the table at Michael as he did. His lips curled up a little and he leaned back into the booth, thumb rubbing along the neck of the bottle. “You know,” he said after a moment, “I think that’s about it from me, from a catching up perspective. Kyle’s dog can open doors, that too. She’s a pain in the ass.” Lovely, and Alex was already really fond of her, but she was a pain in the ass (one who also always seemed to just know when he was having a bad night and was there, comforting on his chest with her tail thumping against the mattress, he wasn’t entirely sure she wasn’t part something other than a dog). “Oh- I forgot. Kyle and I have doppelgangers.”
Michael didn’t miss the look of relief on Alex’s face which in turn made him feel a sense of relief. Michael already hated Alex’s dad for what he put Alex through back in high school. Maybe even longer than that. Alex hadn’t said too much, but it was enough for Michael to understand what went on. And hate the asshole. “Good.” Michael decided to leave the subject at that. There was no need to push for more information about Alex’s dad right now. Besides things were six months off. It was an issue for another time.
Michael took a swallow from his bottle looking over at Alex as he did. But let’s face it, Michael never really looked away from Alex. That small smile on the other man’s face caused one to form on Michael’s as well. Hell he almost even laughed at the idea of Kyle’s dog opening doors. “Yeah?” Michael questioned with a brow raise. “She walk in on you doing something inappropriate?” he teased taking another sip from his bottle before setting it down.
“You and Kyle have what now?” Michael definitely needed to hear more.
As for him not much was new. He touched on Easter but didn’t really want to relive how miserable that had been for him. How used he had felt. And then he had a few more dreams about growing up in foster care in Albuquerque and Santa Fe. But he had already made such a big deal about the group home stuff he didn’t want to bother Alex with that. Besides it wasn’t anything he hadn’t already lived through. Just in a different state.
“If you call licking my arm while I’m in the shower inappropriate,” Alex responded with an arch of his eyebrow. His smile faded in the corners, slightly, because it wasn’t the only thing she’d caught him doing, though none of that was fun and it didn’t really meet the parameters of their conversation. He didn’t want to drag anything down.
He nodded, tipping his head back to drink a good few swallows of his beer before he said, “Yep, doppelgangers. I’ve run into both of them, now.” Pointing the lip of his bottle in Michael’s direction, he continued, “Anything else you need to catch me up on?”
“And now,” Michael said lightly. “I am slightly jealous that a dog gets to shower with you.” He did catch the brief falter in Alex’s smile though. Michael bit down on his lower lip contemplating for a moment whether to press for more information or not. Ultimately he decided against it. They had a lot of serious talks lately. He just wanted an evening of fun.
“Nah,” Michael replied taking another swallow from his bottle. “My life isn’t all that exciting.” Even if he had felt more excited since Alex got back to town. But for the most part he just worked and drank. With the occasional odd dream.
“Let’s get back to these doppelgangers though. You’re telling me, there’s someone that looks just like you running around town?” And Kyle apparently. But Michael was more focussed on the idea of another guy as hot as Alex walking around.
Alex laughed, bottle being placed down on the table before he shook his head. “Don’t be too jealous, she’s a terrible showering companion.” Besides, he sort of thought if he and Guerin got into the shower, there wouldn’t be much showering going on.
“Well neither’s mine but you insist on asking, so I’m just returning the favour,” he retorted. It helped him, too, to some extent, listening to Michael and Kyle and Liz, something to keep his mind busy so he wasn’t thinking about other things.
Wetting his lower lip he nodded his head, “Yeah, there- this place got weird in the last decade, Guerin, I feel kinda insulted you didn’t warn me.”
“Exactly why you should go with me next time. I’m a much better companion,” Michael replied with a smirk. Alex was right. There definitely wouldn’t be much showering happening. Which was the whole point.
“I don’t know,” Michael replied with another sip of his beer. “Meeting a doppelgänger sounds pretty damn exciting... though I doubt he’s as hot as you.” He winked giving Alex’s foot under the table.
“Would you have even believed me if I warned you?” Michael questioned with a brow raise. “But honestly I didn’t notice anything strange until about a month ago.” He did wonder how he had been so oblivious all this time.
Alex chuckled, “I’ll think about it,” he said, though the bathroom in Michael’s airstream was hardly big enough for them to do much and he wasn’t sure that he was able to bring someone back to Kyle’s guest house (or if he even should, since it was Kyle’s home and that felt kind of rude), so for the foreseeable future, the occasional lick from a nosey pup seemed to be the only shower companion he had.
Coughing on his beer at the blatant flirting, Alex ducked his head to hide the laugh that crept up on him in the wake of Michael’s wink and gentle foot knock. “He’s got longer hair,” he offered, figuring that commenting on how Caleb looked on a scale of attraction was a little too close to self-flattery. “We have the same scar.” He lifted his hand, thumb brushing over the one on his forehead. “But he’s younger.”
He shook his head, “No, probably not. Still. It’s weird to think about. Just… that all this stuff’s going on and we had no idea until recently.”
Michael would take it. It wasn’t a definite yes. But it was better than nothing. Besides it wasn’t like the shower was the only time he’d get to see Alex in all his glory. A smirk formed on his face at the thought.
Michael had to admit he loved the reaction he got from Alex. It made his stomach do a flip when Alex got shy like that an indication that Michael was falling even more for him. “Yeah?” Michael asked. “Does he have the scar behind his ear too?” Sharing scars was pretty damn strange. It was one thing to look like the person. But to have the same scars too? What did that even mean.
“I know,” Michael agreed with a nod taking another sip of his beer. “Realistic dreams included.”
Alex’s eyebrow lifted and he gave Michael a deadpan look as he said, “You know, Guerin, I didn’t grope him quite that thoroughly to notice.” He wondered that himself though, now Michael has mentioned it. He supposed not, but weirder things had - and were - happening. “I’d hope he doesn’t share half my damn scars.”
He hummed a little. “You had more?” He asked, eyes focusing on Michael. “Of the dreams?”
The image of Alex groping a guy that looked just like him was too much for Michael. He practically spit out his beer but managed to swallow before he burst out laughing. “I guess we’ll just have to leave that job to me,” Michael teased large grin on his face. Though he couldn’t help but wonder if he had a doppelgänger out there. Broken hand and all.
His smile went away though. First at the mention of Alex’s scars. It hurt him that Alex had been through so much trauma. Both from his dad and when he was away at war. One day he would find out how Alex had gotten each and every one of them. But now wasn’t the time. “Yeah,” Michael admitted taking another sip of his beer. “A few.”
Alex snorted, “Yeah, good luck with that one, I’m pretty sure I wasn’t getting even the slightest hint of same-sex attraction from him. You could probably ask him real nice if you can put your hands in his hair, though.” It was much longer than Alex’s own. Though he didn’t think that would suit him, the really long hair.
He watched the smile fall from Michael’s face with a soft, swirling guilt that he was accustomed to feeling. He wanted to apologise but since he wasn’t sure what he was apologising for it seemed that it would be insincere, even if it was anything but.
“Yeah?” He asked, “were they just as bad as the first one?” He looked concerned, brows creased in worry.
“I feel like you’re underestimating the power of my sexual prowess,” Michael joked with a small laugh. He had to admit he was intrigued at the idea of the guy. Wanting to see what this longer haired version of Alex looked like. Even though he knew the guy could never compare to Alex. Of course Michael thought Alex was hot as hell, but their connection was way deeper than just looks.
Alex has nothing to feel guilty about. Michael just cared about him. He hated the fact that he had been hurt so many times. “No,” Michael replied in answer to Alex’s question. “Just growing up in foster care.” Which wasn’t exactly the most fun to relive. But at least he didn’t have to watch Max and Isobel be chosen and loved while he was treated like a piece of garbage. “Same shit, different state.”
Later, Alex would claim that a madness came over him as he leaned forward and said, in a low voice, “Believe me, there’s no doubting your sexual prowess.” After all, despite having only been together for a brief time before they were separated by Michael moving to a different foster home after the… incident, he’d stayed on Alex’s mind for years after that. He guessed that was what happened when you found your soulmate. “But I’m pretty positive he’s straight.”
He wrinkled his nose and shook his head, “That- that still sucks,” he sympathised, knocking Michael’s foot under the table again. He could see on Michael’s face that it hurt him, whatever the content of the dreams were and he felt his brow crease again. His dreams hadn’t been so bad; he’d dreamed about building a treehouse with Kyle and both of their parents and then outdoor survival with Kyle and the Manes patriarch which had been… something else. But nothing compared to dreaming about getting left behind or being bounced between foster homes.
Michael licked his lips at Alex’s comment. Even if they were just joking around he could still feel his face growing warm. “I guess,” Michael finally said taking a swallow from his bottle. “I’ll just have to settle for seducing you,” he added his voice equally as low.
“It’s fine,” Michael said finishing off his beer. “All in the past now.” Even if the dreams were a pretty shitty reminder of it all. “Ready for another round?” He asked standing up prepared to get another one for himself at least.
“I guess so,” Alex said with an upward quirk of his lips, leaning back and tipping the bottle to his lips, swallowing the rest of his beer and wiggling the bottle. “Uh, yeah- I could have another.”
He paused, reaching forward to catch Michael’s wrist before he moved too far away. “You know we can talk about it,” he reassured, “not today, but if you need to.”
“I know,” Michael said with a small nod trying to ignore the sparks of electricity coursing through his arm at Alex’s touch. And he did know. Sort of. It was still a new thing for Michael. Someone actually caring about what he was dealing with, what was going on in his life. But he was trying to open up and let Alex be there for him. However, tonight wasn’t the night. He just wanted to have fun. “But tonight,” Michael said bending down so his lips were close to Alex’s ear. “I’d much rather seduce you, Private.” Back to the lighter conversation. And well he did like the effect he had on Alex. Alex sure as hell had the same damn effect on him. However, he left it at that and went to buy their next round.
A few minutes later Michael returned, two beers in hand. He handed one to Alex before sliding back into the booth across from him. Letting his foot tap Alex’s, but he didn’t move it away this time. He wanted to be touching the guy in some way, even if it only was feet under the table.
Alex loved and loathed how the low rumble of the wrong rank caused a shudder up his spine. He was pretty sure that Michael knew what effect it had, too, which was why he threw it out at the most random of times. Still, it was a promising start to an evening if they were going to be able to sit and subtly flirt back and forth and get back to establishing some kind of normal for them, a baseline they could work up from.
He didn’t move his foot away when Michael’s came to touch his. If anything, he moved a little closer, bumped their boots together and smiled a little, opening his mouth to say something when he caught someone approaching their table and he felt his eyebrows lifting, glancing at the petite brunette who was approaching and Michael, since she wasn’t his friend.
“Cheating on me in our bar?” Gaby asked, looking scandalised as she placed her large glass of gin and tonic on the table. Her eyes were bright as she looked at Michael, then at the handsome man he was sat with and she held her hand out. “Gaby Teller-Mason,” she said.
“Alex,” he replied, taking her hand and shaking it. “And I feel like I should apologise for contributing to Guerin cheating on you.”
Michael didn’t see Gaby approaching. A usual he was lost in Alex, unable to look away. Even when it looked as though Alex was looking at someone else. Michael had just taken a sip of his new beer when he heard Gaby’s voice. And more importantly Gaby’s question. Michael coughed, almost choking on his beer.
“Gaby owns Teller-Mason Auto Repair,” Michael explained. Even though Alex hadn’t exactly asked for an explanation. He didn’t want Alex to think he and Gaby were anything more than just friends. Especially with the cheating comment. Though Alex seemed to be taking it in stride. “Drinks after a long day at the shop are a thing,” he went on before he finally had to look away from Alex and turn his attention to Gaby.
As long as he was doing some sort of introduction even though the two of them had already introduced themselves to each other, Michael still went on to introduce Alex. “Alex is-” he stopped himself. What was Alex? Not his boyfriend, even though Alex had referred to them as an us a few nights ago. Not exactly a friend either, he was much more than that. But he didn’t know how to put that into words to Gaby. “We went to high school together,” he finished lamely not really knowing what else to say.
“I did not realise we were bringing other people to our bar,” Gaby teased, easing herself into the booth beside Michael, not oblivious to the curious look she was getting from Alex but choosing to ignore it. “I shall have to start informing my friends that this place is no longer off limits.”
Alex chuckled, he liked her. “Guerin and I generally don’t hang out in bars, so he isn’t really cheating on you.”
She shrugged her shoulder, shooting Michael a look that told him she’d be quizzing him about his drinking companion later. “So what was Michael like in high school?”
It took Alex a moment, he wasn’t used to hearing Michael’s name, since he so rarely used it - one last defence mechanism that was supposed to keep him at arm’s length. “Uh-”
Michael scooted over slightly so Gaby had enough room in the booth. Though it didn’t take long for his foot to find Alex’s once again, knocking it slightly before resting there. “Sorry,” Michael replied giving Gaby a sheepish look. “I didn’t realize this was a Michael Gaby only place,” he teased before his eyes fell back on Alex. And yeah his smile may have grown once a bit as he looked over at the other man - as it usually did.
His brow rose at Alex at the question. Curious to hear what his answer was going to be. He gave the man’s foot another nudge under the table waiting for his answer.
“Shorter,” Alex settled on saying with a little grin that was cheeky enough that it made Gaby laugh into her glass, placing it down without taking a sip. He met Michael’s gaze and his grin softened a little around the edges.
Sharp-eyed and observant, Gaby caught it. “You mean he was not always so tall?”
“Well, he was always taller than me,” Alex said with a shrug, “only slightly.” Which was still the case, there were two inches - if that - in it.
“And yes, it was our place, but now you have invited high school friends, I suppose I shall do the same.” Not that she had any high school friends - or really other friends - to bring here, but her comments were purely in jest. She nudged Michael in the side playfully to soften any miscommunication from her words.
Michael couldn’t help but grin at Alex’s answer. Of course there was still part of him that wanted to know how Alex would really describe his high school self. But he had a feeling that answer would be a little too revealing. Probably indicative that they weren’t exactly just high school friends.
He knew Gaby was just joking and he didn’t hesitate to nudge her right back. “By all means,” Michael said picked up his beer. “Invite them all. Hell, invite your other mechanic friends too.” Though he knew he was the only one really. Of her mechanic friends at least. And the same went for Gaby. He was closer with her than the mechanics that worked at the garage. Save for the man that had taken him in and taught him how to be a mechanic.
His attentioned turned back to Alex, because really the guy always had his attention. “I didn’t realize my height was so important to you,” he teased eyes shining as he looked at the person he cared about more than anything.
“I will,” Gaby responded brightly, “all of my other friends. We’ll sit at a big table and maybe leave space for you and Alex to join us.” The more she watched Michael’s face soften, the way his whole face lit up when he looked at the other across the table, the more she realised there was more going on here than might have first been assumed.
“I didn’t hit my major growth spurt until I was fourteen,” Alex deadpanned, “height was something I took notice of.” In a sense because he had grown into himself late but also because height had played a part in getting intimidated, his father and some of his brothers used it as a way to remind him he was small and weak. He wasn’t anymore. But he did like that Michael was a little taller than him, that Alex had to tip head head up when they kissed.
“And what were you like in high school?” Gaby asked Alex next, who shrugged and sipped at his beer.
“Unrecognisable,” was the answer. “You wouldn’t have been able to tell it was me from the person I used to be.”
Gaby, unsatisfied with Alex’s vague answers, instead turned to look at Michael. She nudged him again, asking without words for a better explanation than the one she just got.
“As long as there is still space for me,” Michael replied there was a smirk on his face, though his eyes were still looking straight forward, not tearing his gaze from Alex. “I guess you can come too,” he teased Alex. “Meet this huge friend group I’ve never heard about before.” Granted Gaby hadn’t exactly heard about Alex before either. But Alex had just come back to town. And it wasn’t like Michael was going to randomly talk about the guy he had hooked up with in high school.
“Damn,” Michael commented. “Can’t believe I missed those years.” It’d be interesting to see Alex pre growth spurt. He gave Alex’s foot another nudge under the table. But then Gaby nudged him wanting to hear more about highschool!Alex. “Yeah,” Michael agreed with Alex’s comment. “He was pretty different back then. Super into black nail polish and eyeliner. Even had a nose ring.” There was a grin on his face eyes still on Alex. “It was kind of hot,” Michael added. Well more than kind of, but he didn’t want to go over the top. Michael didn’t care who knew about him and Alex - whatever they were. He wasn’t ashamed. But he also didn’t know exactly what they were. Or how comfortable Alex was with being out. Given his issues with his dad and well having to be in the closet in the Air Force. But he also wanted Alex to know how attractive Michael thought he was. Both then and now.
Alex barked out a laugh, bright and amused, at the description of himself in high school. He sometimes caught himself thinking of those times as though he was in a different life. He rubbed the side of his head as he felt both of their eyes on him, lifting his beer to his lips. He could see the way Gaby was looking at him, like she was trying to imagine his emo-phase and struggling. She wasn’t the only one.
He knocked Michael’s foot again under the table and shook his head. “I was really into the, uh, end thing.”
Gaby shrugged, “You would look good with a nose ring,” she told him. “Why did you take it out?”
“Frowned upon in the Air Force,” he told her, looking at Michael again. “Though that enough about me, I think.”
Michael held up his hands. “You both already know me,” he replied. In different ways. Alex knew him on a deeper level. But Gaby had known him the past few years. Knew more about his work life and his drinking habits.
“So I guess that leaves you,” he said glancing over at Gaby briefly, though Alex remained in his eyesight the entire time. And then of course his eyes fell back on Alex completely. “Anything you want to know?”
Alex shrugged, whatever he wanted to know he had already guessed from the way the two of them sat side by side. Their friendship was completely platonic and that was, oddly, more reassuring than it had any right to be. She seemed nice and had a good energy about her. Something that was light and Alex figured Michael needed that kind of friend.
“I’ll be right back,” he said, levering himself to his feet, “restroom,” he added, before Michael could worry too much about Alex walking away and not coming back.
After he was gone, Gaby turned to look at Michael properly. Her eyes were wide. “Michael, did I interrupt something?”
Michael gave a small nod, watching Alex walk away. When Gaby spoke though he finally tore his eyes away from the guy. Well that and he had disappeared into the restroom anyway.
“Hm?” Michael asked taking a sip of his beer as he processed Gaby’s question. “Oh, no.” Because she hadn’t really. Yeah Michael had some strong ass feelings for Alex, but tonight they had just been hanging out. Joking around for the most part. Everything had been so serious for them over the past week with Michael’s past bull shit. And with Gaby around it kept the mood even lighter. Kept things from getting too intense between him and Alex, which was where things always seemed to end up. Not that he was complaining. Especially when that intensity manifested itself physically. But tonight he needed a break from all the deep conversations about his past.
“We were just having a few beers,” he went on. “Jealous I have a new drinking buddy?” which again wasn’t exactly what Alex was. He was a hell of a lot more than a buddy. But they did spend a lot of time drinking together.
Gaby snorted. “Hardly,” she told him, “you look happy. I’m pleased for you, that you have someone who makes you smile like this.” She reaches up and touched his cheek gently, though it was only for a moment. “Happiness is a good look on you.”
“Shut up,” Michael said with a slight eye roll. Though he didn’t deny how happy he seemed to get around Alex. It wasn’t just happiness though. It was feeling like someone actually saw him for who he was and still cared. It was a feeling Michael wasn’t used to. “Besides, I thought you liked my broody self?”
Gaby laughed, “I like your broody self,” she told him, “but this You is…” she struggled to find the right word so settled on, “brighter.”
“Who’s bright, Guerin?” Alex’s voice came from behind them. “He’s a lot smarter than he likes people to think he is, isn’t that right?” His eyes moved to Michael as he eased back into the booth, sliding into the spot he’d vacated earlier.
Alex was back. As usual Michael’s stomach did a little flip at the sound of his voice. “Not the kind of bright she was talking about - “ he bit his lip to keep himself from calling Alex Private. Though it would be amusing to see if it had the same effect in front of Gaby. “But thanks for sharing all my secrets,” he finished teasing Alex, giving his foot a light knock under the table. “Don’t believe a word he says,” Michael added eyes briefly on Gaby as he spoke before they fell right back to Alex.
“Oh, does he let you think he’s not a genius?” Alex asked, knocking Michael’s foot right back playfully under the table.
“He does,” Gaby said with a sip of her drink, turning her head to look at Michael, her eyes alight with curiosity. “A genius, Michael?”
“Yeah,” Alex said with a nod of his head. “Guerin’s one of the smartest people I’ve ever met.”
“Oh yeah,” Michael joked. “I’m right up there with Einstein.” Of course he had to make it a joke. Michael wasn’t great at taking compliments. And yeah he may have gotten good grades in high school but he would hardly call himself a genius. Definitely not the smartest person Alex knew.
“Einstein, huh?” Gaby asked, “The only thing I know is the theory of relativity, and something about light and time travel...” It was one of the only things science-related that she kind of understood. She’d learned a lot about Einstein, since he had been from her part of the world and they were very proud of him.
“Don’t look at me,” Alex said with a hand lifted, “I’m good at math and computers.” Logical things that had no theoretical elements, even the most abstract of computing and hacking was based in logic, things Alex could piece together and pull apart because he knew how they worked. Theoretical physics (physics in general) wasn’t easy for him to understand and he’d spent so much of his teenage years rebelling against his father anyway that the classes that hadn’t truly engaged him he’d skated through on skill alone. “Einstein’s way above my understanding. Don’t let him fool you though, he’s real smart.” His smile was soft and affectionate as he looked back over at Michael.
“For every action there is an equal and opposite reaction,” Michael said picking up his beer and taking a sip. “That’s all you really need to know.” He shrugged playing it off. Though the way Alex was looking at him right now, and the compliments? Michael could feel his cheeks getting warm. He wasn’t used to all this positive attention.
“Gaby grew up in Europe,” Michael informed Alex getting the attention off of him. Though he did return that look of affection Alex was giving him.
“Tired of talking about you?” Gaby challenged with a laugh, sipping her drink as Alex’s attention drifted from Michael over to her. “But yes, I did. I was born in Germany.”
“And you came… here?” Alex asked, “To Orange County? When you had all of Europe?”
Gaby laughed and waved her glass. “That is a long story, Alex,” she told him, but the way Alex leaned forward and rested his elbows on the table, chin in his upturned palms told her that he was more than willing to listen. Bumping Michael’s shoulder, Gaby took a breath before she started talking, sharing the highlights of her life, since she had a captive audience and if she was going to get to know Michael better as a friend it was only fair that she start sharing.