Marcus Flint (falghun) wrote in vrrpg, @ 2017-09-16 15:04:00 |
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Entry tags: | !complete, char: benjamin vipond, char: marcus flint, location: other, time: 2009 09 |
RP: A pint and a chat
Who: Marcus, Cooper
When: September 15th, 2009
Where: The nearest pub
What: Having a pint after the Kestrels v Magpies match
Warnings: Some language
"Here you go," Marcus said, putting two pints down on the table. The pub was bustling, as was right after a match, but they had managed to snag a table, even though it was right in the middle of everything. Marcus had left Benji to guard it while he fetched their drinks - no, he wasn't about to start calling him Cooper because that was still kind of weird in his head - and he was a little surprised to find that he was still alone when he got there.
"Can't believe I've managed to tear you away from the missus for this long," he teased.
***
Coop chuckled as he took his pint, taking a swig before he finally replied. “The wife knows I’ve got my date night with you after games. I’ve got to be honest with you though, you’re not the only man in my life. I’ve got date nights with Hyperion too.” It had never been a secret that the loudmouthed Slytherin had been close mates with the Gryffindor man in school, their friendship continuing on long after school had ended.
He had caught that Witch Weekly article about Marcus and Ginny, he didn’t know how much truth there was to it but he didn’t think mentioning how he knew the man’s new friend was a good idea. “From what I read, you’ve got your own, how’s that going?” He took another swig from his pint, the next round would be on Coop.
***
Marcus smiled. "Er, yeah." He wasn't all that used to questions about his love life, not unless it was the ever-romantic Terence trying to wheedle information out of him. But, for once, he actually welcomed it. He really liked Ginny so even if he wasn't about to start gushing over how great she was he wasn't embarrassed to talk about her. "Still early days. Well, a few months. But it's good." He'd never felt so much like he was on the same page as someone before.
"I probably don't deserve someone as good as her, but..." He shrugged and took a drink. "She hasn't got rid of me yet, so that's good."
***
Cooper gave a hearty chuckle as he nodded his head, “It’s my experience that’s the best attitude to have. You keep yourself out of trouble better that way. I should know, I always find trouble.” At least he used to, he mused as he picked up the pint and took another swig. Since starting therapy he was getting better at handling his jealousy, as well as communicating better. He wasn’t about to preach that to Marcus though, he had just started dating Ginny. Absolutely no need for it.
“Are you going to be taken off any games the Harpies play?” He was curious how the league handled that sort of thing. He knew that his own situation was a bit unique, coach married to a player. He assumed it was be much different if he had been coaching for a different team. He wondered how that worked for Marcus.
***
"Yeah, looks like it." If Marcus thought about it, it was a strange level of commitment to alter your career for someone but he felt determined to make this work. "I already can't ref Falcons matches, so that's just another one to add to the list. Plenty more teams in the league. I'd wager she's worth it, anyway." Glowing words indeed from the stoic former Chaser.
"I'm still getting used to the whole reffing thing. Feels good to be back on the pitch. Looks like your Beaters aren't doing too bad either."
***
A chuckle left Coop, nodding his head a bit. “There’s plenty more teams, it also will line you up to ref more Magpie matches. We’ll be able to get out more often.” Which was always a plus, he enjoyed going out for a pint after the games they both worked. He was happy for his friend though, he had found love it would seem.
“They’re not doing too bad, they are show offs.” He chuckled and just shook his head, “Before the season even started they hit Gabriel while messing around on the pitch, they’ve got the moves though. I think the whole team is playing better in general.” He gave an amused laugh then, “Gen swears it’s all the love. She’s had those cartoon heart eyes since we got back from Aruba.” He couldn’t blame her, he had been just as bad while they holed away after practices in their flat.
***
"Should have known you'd find the bright side to it," Marcus remarked with a grin. He shook his head in amusement as Benji mentioned the Beaters being show-offs. "You're not exactly the model of modesty and, er, demureness." Yeah, he wasn't sure if that was an actual word, but it sounded sort of right. "But if they're going to be show-offs, they're learning from the best," he teased.
"Looks like you're having a solid start to the season. Might actually beat United this year."
***
“Anytime I can benefit from a situation, it’s the bright side.” He knew there wasn’t a chance that Marcus would favor his team while he was working their games, it did however mean he would get to head out with Marcus more. He knew double dates were definitely off the table, so the only time he’d be able to hang out with Marcus were group settings or like this when it was the two of them for a pint. He wouldn’t subject his friend to his wife when he knew that his wife wouldn’t be around his friend’s girlfriend.
He chuckled though as Marcus mentioned United, the only reason Coop hated the team was because of Oliver. He couldn’t stand the man, though he knew he really didn’t have much of a basis for it. Oliver had shown up at the Leaky once while Coop was working. He had felt like Oliver had been trying to pick a fight, though Coop knew he couldn’t trust his own feelings on that situation. His jealousy tended to taint those situations.
“It’d be nice,” Coop knew it’d be really nice if they got first place. This was going to be Gen’s last season, they were intending to try for children once the season ended. She was done with the sport, she just wanted one last year. He couldn’t blame her, he’d have loved to have one last year without it being ripped from under him. “Won’t lie, I’m curious how that match will go. From what I hear, United isn’t playing the best. Terence healed from that run in just fine?” Which was the only player on the team that Coop cared about, his old schoolmate.
***
"Oh, Terence is just fine," Marcus said dismissively. "Don't get me wrong, it was a bad crash but the Healers had him patched up in no time. No, it was the recuperation period that just about killed him. All that time laying about in bed waiting to be told it was okay to go home? Nightmare." Marcus had experienced his share of that towards the end of his career - every time he hurt his shoulder, waiting to get the all clear from the Healers had got more painful every time.
"I have to say, I don't miss that side of things. Endless Healers." He had to maintain a level of fitness as a ref, but it wasn't like being a player.
***
"The waiting was always the worst." Cooper agreed with a nod, there had been a time or two that he had been snuck out of the hospital by Gen. He always had to come back, he always had to wait for that all clear. She had been so good at rescuing him though. That bed could get depressing and he couldn't stand just laying there waiting. Waiting to hear if his career was over, if this was going to be the last time. He hadn't been able to handle just laying there, unable to do anything about it.
He shook his head to clear those thoughts, lifting his drink to his lips to take a long swig from the pint. His eyes met the other man's, chuckling and shaking his head. "I think that's my favorite part about coaching. I don't have to deal with the Healers nearly as much. Did I tell you how I was poisoned a few months back? Gen had a new ward system put into place, ended myself up in St. Mungo's." He shook his head, "I think the only thing that kept me from freaking out was that she was talking marriage with me the whole time. It was what made her decide that she didn't want to wait."
***
Marcus raised his eyebrows. "Fucking hell. That's nasty." He knew the other man had been ill, but not the circumstances behind it. "But I'm glad it worked out in the end. Funny how shit like that gets people on the same page." Ginny's health issue had been very different, of course, but it had got them talking and, strange as it was considering the circumstances, somehow brought them closer once they'd realised that they shared something like that in common. It wasn't like they were actually planning a future together, but it was nice to know that they weren't on totally different paths in life.
***
A surprised laugh left Cooper, but he nodded his head. It had been nasty, it had definitely not been an enjoyable time. He nodded his head though, “You know, here I had been avoiding getting hurt around her because I knew that was the one thing that pissed her off most.” Which wasn’t exactly true, he had been avoiding getting into fights. He had been avoiding getting into situations where his head could potentially take another beating that would end his life. He understood just why she got mad, he knew she was just worried about him living. He had been far too reckless.
“It’s good to know things are going so well though, for all of us. I look forward to seeing you at more our games.” He threw his mate a joking wink, “And if you happen to favor us a little, I won’t tell.” He knew he wouldn’t, he would never actually ask that of anyone. Cooper was one of those boyscouts that believed cheating did nothing but cheapen the game.
***
"Yeah, I guess they are." For a long time, things had just been going for Marcus, but not exactly going well. Indeed, there had been a stretch there where he hadn't really felt much of anything. But right now life felt kinda of positive, even with some unexpected twists and turns.
Marcus laughed at the idea that he might actually take it easy on the Magpies. "I think it'll take more than your boyish smile to win me over," he joked. "Besides, I really don't think you need my help."