Captain William Laurence (betwixtsea_nsky) wrote in valarlogs, @ 2020-08-12 17:49:00 |
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Entry tags: | !complete, william laurence, winn schott |
Who: Winn and Laurence
What: Tie shopping
When: Recently
Where: A tie shop
Status: Complete
Laurence had always been fond of shopping, no matter what for, though he had to admit that tie shopping was one of his favourites. There was something indescribably calming about choosing a tie, and so, when the Admiral had invited Laurence over for dinner, Laurence had thought that it was an opportune time to buy a new tie.
He didn’t especially enjoy ties that were particularly loud. He liked them more as a subtle splash of colour in his usual attire. While he might have only needed one tie, he did not feel the need to be limited to only one tie, and so he had a a couple draped over his arm when he spotted the tie he was certain he would wear to dinner.
It was made of satin, a slight sheen to the fabric, and was the same handsome bottle-green colour of the Aerial Corps jackets he wore in his dreams. He reached for it.
Winn had yet to go shopping for ties since he arrived in Orange County. Of course he had plenty from back in New York considering he wore one practically every day. Especially when he was at work. Winn was a fan of plain ties, either solid colored or with a simple pattern. Nothing too loud or intricate for him. It wasn’t like he needed to find something special, however it felt right to buy one from his new home.
There was one that stood out to him. it was green, which wasn’t his usual color. Most of his ties were blue or red, a few grey ones. However he felt like changing it up even just a little bit for his new fresh start. However he saw someone else reaching for it. He looked over to see William Laurence. The man from the farmer’s market that let him have the cookies. “Looks like we have the same taste,” Winn commented with a small laugh.
Laurence started when Winn spoke, withdrawing his hand from the tie; he’d been so consumed in his search for a tie he had not even noticed him. Unconsciously, glanced to the wall of ties to see if he could spot another tie in the same colour - only a fraction of a second, though he noticed none in that time - before he turned his attention back to Winn.
“It would seem so,” Laurence said, breaking into an easy grin. “I suppose this is the point where I say that we really must stop running into one another like this, though I must admit to being pleasantly surprised. How were the biscuits?”
“I’d say the same,” Winn agreed. But given that this was the second time in almost as many weeks? It almost didn’t seem likely. “Though I suppose the universe has other plans for us or something,” he shrugged before awkwardly scratching the back of his head.
“They were delicious,” Winn replied almost smiling at the memory of them. He had pretty much devoured them all in one sitting. “Did you find something else for yourself?” He wasn’t too concerned about the tie. He was fairly certain he could find another one he liked easy enough. He wasn’t about to take something else from William.
“This county does have a way of bringing people who are supposed to know one another together,” Laurence said. It was one of the more charming aspects of the county, and one that he almost always welcomed.
“I’m pleased to hear it,” he said. “I was, actually. The same stand had the most delightful puff pastries. I’m afraid to admit that they didn’t last very long.” Pidge had perhaps had the lion's share, but Laurence had had more than his fair share as well.
Since the last time Winn had seen William he had dreamed about Supergirl. Who also happened to be someone he had met in a coffee shop. So yeah he got what the man meant by that comment. “A few weeks ago I probably would have said that was bull shit.” But now? Not so much.
“Glad you found something,” he went on. It definitely made him feel better about the cookies. “I might have to go back and look for those,” he added with a small laugh before looking back over at the tie. “Take it.”
Laurence’s lips tightened at the profanity, though the expression passed after a moment. “I would certainly recommend it,” he said.
His eyes slid over to the tie again, before he said, hesitantly, “You should have it. It will bring out your eyes,” hoping that Winn would offer the tie to him again so that he could accept it guiltlessly, while at the same time hoping that Winn would not know just how much he wished for it. It was only after the words were out of his mouth that he realized that he had laid it on a little too thick. The tie would bring out Winn’s eyes, though Laurence normally would not have dreamed of being so adulatory.
“Um, thanks?” Winn said at the comment about his eyes. Awkwardly scratching the back of his head again. “But nah it’s fine. You should take it. After all I got the cookies,” he paused, eyes scanning the rest of the store. There were plenty of ties to choose from. “I’m sure I can find something else that will, uh, bring out my eyes.” Not that he really cared about that sort of thing.
Laurence flushed a little as Winn echoed back his words, realizing just how impertinent his comment had been. Even still, he was relieved that he was able to take the tie. “If you insist, thank you,” Laurence said, reaching for it, and draping it over his arm with the others. “Are you searching for something for your new position?” he asked.
“No problem,” Winn replied. He was glad this hadn’t turned into a ‘you take it, no you take it,’ thing like the cookies had. Even if he had enjoyed the outcome. He’d definitely be going back for more cookies. And maybe some of those pastries Laurence had just mentioned. “Sort of yeah. I mean I have plenty. But they are all from New York. I just figured that I should uh, get one from my current city or whatever.” It sounded kind of stupid now that he was saying it out loud. “Not to mention always a good idea to know where to get ties,” he added, like it was such a difficult thing to find.
“I understand,” Laurence said. It was a strange thing, but owning clothing that was actually bought in the place you were living went a long way toward making sure that you felt at home. “Thank you again for giving this one up. Perhaps I could help you find one equally as nice?”
“Sure,” Winn said with a small shrug. Because why not? Couldn’t hurt at least. “You do have good taste,” he added with a grin.
“I’ll allow it, though I suspect that you’re only saying that because our tastes seem reguarily run in the same vein,” Laurence said, returning Winn’s smile. “Do you prefer plain ties, or ones with designs?”
“Good assumption,” Winn replied. It wasn’t a difficult one to make given this was their second time picking the same thing. “Plain,” Winn confirmed. “Sometimes a simple design is okay, but nothing over the top.” He wasn’t a fan of loud ties.
Laurence frowned thoughtfully as he scanned the tie shop. “I don’t believe you’ve mentioned what it is you do just yet,” Laurence said, spotting a smart looking purple tie. He made his way over to it, holding it up as if to measure it against Winn. “You must enjoy it if you moved from New York to pursue it?”
“More like my boss transferred me,” Winn replied looking down at the tie that was currently being held up to him. He usually went for more basic colors. Purple was a bit out of his normal taste. “I work for Xanatos Enterprises in cyber security.”
“You couldn’t have said no?” Laurence asked, genuinely curious. He, of course, could not say no when his superiors transferred him - it was part of being in Military. But he would have thought that a civilian job would have more freedom.
Winn didn’t seem interested in the tie that Laurence currently held, so he replaced it and scanned the wall for another one, this time bringing down a deep red coloured tie.
Winn was relieved when Laurence set down the tie opting for another. Red. He was okay with red. He did have a few red ties. “Mr. Xanatos isn’t exactly a man that takes no for an answer,” Winn replied. “But I didn’t mind it really. It was time for a change.”
“Ah,” Laurence said. Winn didn’t seem opposed to the tie, and it seemed to suit his complexion. There were some people who looked unfortunately ruddy when they wore red. “It sounds as though the move worked out for the both of you then, even if you may not have had much choice in the matter. How are you finding California thus far?”
“Yeah. I can’t complain.” And even if he did have something to complain about he probably wouldn’t. Especially not to someone he didn’t know that well. It just wasn’t his style. But he was pretty happy with how things were working out. “I gotta admit, I haven’t really explored much outside of work,” Winn replied with a sheepish smile. “But so far I like it.”
“That’s a shame. There’s such a lot to see here. What sorts of things are you interested in?” Laurence asked.
Winn had to admit he hadn’t done much sight seeing back in New York either. He’d never been to the Statue of Liberty. And only to the Empire State Building once. Though he had checked out some of the museums. And of course Central Park. “Technology, video games, comics,” he shrugged. Not exactly things to go sight seeing over.
Laurence had never done any sightseeing back home, either. Oh, sure, he’d been to some of the museums and art galleries, but he’d never gone for a ride on the Millenium Eye or done anything else that was sure to be swarming with tourists.
“Hmm,” Laurence said, frowning thoughtfully. He’d very little interest in a single one of those things, and he had trouble thinking of anything to suggest. “I’m afraid that I can’t help with any suggestions,” Laurence was forced to admit. “Though, if you ever wish for company while you explore, I could offer that much at least.”
“You know,” Winn began. “I have a feeling that if I don’t ask you to join, I might just run into you anyway.” Given how it seemed to keep happening for them. “So might as well just invite you. Whenever I go.” He still had no idea when and where he would be going.
Laurence laughed. “It does seem that way, doesn’t it?” Laurence asked. He reached for his wallet, and pulled out a simple, yet elegant business card. “Here,” Laurence said, handing it to him. “Feel free to call me whenever you would like,” he said.
“Thanks,” Winn said taking the card. “I’ll definitely be taking you up on that.” It only made sense after all, given how much they seemed to run in to each other. Plus it wouldn’t hurt getting to know someone outside of work. “But for now,” Winn said picking up the red tie. “I should go buy this.”
Laurence smiled, satisfied that he’d managed to help Winn find a tie that he liked, while at the same time still managing to keep the bottle-green tie that he’d wanted. “I’ll walk with you,” Laurence said. He needed to purchase his tie, too, after all.