Hawke tipped his bottle in Bucky's direction, a small salute. "Bless you, messere. I do hope I've entertained or intrigued you, at least a small bit, no?" He assumed so; the man was sitting in his apartment, on his couch, after all.
Shifting his bottle to his other hand, Hawke leaned his head on his left, elbow propped on the back of the couch. "I don't want to presume, and feel free to tell me if I'm overstepping, but back in that pub you just seemed like a man in dire need of a friend." He'd seen the look before. And sighed softly, himself. "You're not really alone in that, you know?"
"More than a small bit, yeah," Buck nods, tilting his head down a little as he does so, eyes on Hawke. "Haven't talked to anyone for this long since-- since too far back to even remember."
Bucky rests back against the couch a little more as well, getting comfortable. Hawke is right, of course, even if it's hard for Bucky to admit. Maybe it's hard for Hawke to admit it as well, though Hawke seems plenty open about that sort of thing. It makes it easier for Bucky to talk as well.
"It's good we cam across each other, then." He's quiet for a moment after that, looking down at his beer, picking at the label for a moment before he takes another long sip. "Being alone had felt easier. Made it feel like it was my decision."
He'd always been the strong shoulder, the friendly ear, for anyone who needed either. Especially his companions, Maker bless them. But that didn't mean Hawke wasn't without his own burdens to bear. Not by half.
"It is good," he agreed. Then pointed out, "As for decisions, I daresay you've made a good many of them." A sweep of the bottle indicated their current surroundings. "And I'd like to say most, if not all, of them pleasant?"
Growing up, Bucky had been that way too. And then he was nothing. No one. A ghost, until he got his mind back again. Now, far too often, he's the one who feels like a burden.
He doesn't need to glance around. He only needs to look at Hawke. "Yeah- a lot of good decisions tonight, and none of them had anything to do with being alone. Although you did have to do quite a lot of convincing at the start. Sorry about that."
Hawke accepted the apology with a gracious nod and a wave of a hand. "Don't apologize. You're entitled to be left alone if you truly wish to be, and random strangers are more often than not, out to get something. It can sometimes be difficult to tell the difference."
He levered off of the couch to fetch them each a new bottle, just as icily cold as the former. Resuming his seat, he sighed and took a long swallow, just now beginning to feel the briefest buzz from the alcohol. Truly, the breweries in this realm held no candles to Thedas ales.
"That is absolutely true. More often than not." But Hawke stuck around and made it past Bucky's defenses. It's rare to meet someone like Hawke, he knows that much is true. "Hope I was fairly decent company tonight too."
He takes the beer with a nod of thanks. He could drink all night and not feel a single thing. He wonders if Hawke has picked up on that by now. Maybe not, because it's not an expected thing.
Bucky smiles, giving a small nod. "Second date, yeah. I'd really like that."
Well, if Hawke did keel over on his nose in a drunken stupor, hopefully Bucky would put him to bed? Or at least back on the couch. He was hardly a lightweight, but even Champions had their limits. But right now, it was just a pleasant buzz, tingling right beneath his skin. Comfortable.
He grinned like a pumpkin at Bucky's response. "Excellent. What shall we do? Eat and drink again? Oh, and you still have to come by to pick up your new feline friend, too."
Bucky would definitely put Hawke to bed. He'd even tuck him in and fetch some cold water with aspirin. Taking care of people is something he's good at, even though it seems like his bedside manner might be abysmal.
"We can go for dinner, or-- I'm not exactly sure what people do for dates anymore." He almost says back in my day, but they haven't exactly touched upon that yet. "Right, yeah. I'll be back for the cat, too. Just have to pick up a few things-- and figure out what a cat might need. I'm gonna have to use Google."
"A good friend was a cat aficionado," Hawke told him, reclining a bit further and folding one long leg beneath him. "He always said that all kitties needed was food, water, a soft pillow, a box to shit in, and all the love in the world." The mage snorted a small laugh. "Of course, Anders was a little biased, but we loved him nevertheless."
...until he went off the deep end, blew up a place of faith, killed a hundred innocent people, and let Hawke take the blame for the entire fucking debacle.
"I've heard of this 'google', but am alas hardly familiar with it. Or him, or her. Whatever. I'm not entirely sure it'd know much about cats, but if it helps..." He finished off his current bottle, sighing contentedly as he placed the empty on the coffee table.
"Dinner is good, of course, or perhaps a visit to that park we spoke of. I'm extremely easy, serah...in case there was any doubt."
He laughs a little, nodding. "Good, cause that's pretty much what I figured too. Maybe something to scratch." And maybe something to play with. Bucky doesn't have much in his apartment to amuse a small animal.
Hawke sure has a lot of interesting friends.
"It's on the internet. It helps you find things. It's really amazing, actually. But you have to be careful because it can lead to some real strange places. I found that out the hard way." Even kitties might be a dangerous thing to search.
"That would be real nice, yeah. I'm easy too. I'm good with anything."
Hawke just shook his head. "Sounds a bit over my head, that. But I wish you all the joy of it, my friend. By all means, feel free to come by and collect her whenever you wish. In fact..."
He trailed off, glancing past Bucky's shoulder towards the bay windows overlooking the park. A small white ball of fluff was just visible on the small balcony, patting at the sliding glass with a tiny, tiny paw.
"I do believe that's your girl now." The mage grinned, then levered himself up from the couch and sauntered over to open the window, letting in both a swift cold breeze and the maowing fluff, which immediately headed for the kitchen. Hawke closed the window and laughed. "She's looking for her fish," he explained, heading again for the kitchen.
"All right, all right, don't be so hasty," he told the still-yowling animal. "Here it is - greedy girl."
"It was over my head for a long time too, but once you go on it, it'll show you everything. It's worth it even just to find the good places to eat." Someone who knows even less about technology than he does. That's really something.
Bucky quickly glances over at the window when he hears the tapping, and he's pretty sure he's already in love. Yeah, maybe a cat is exactly what he needs. Bucky gets up as well, watching her run to the kitchen, letting out a soft laugh as he follows.
"She knows what she wants and she knows how to get it," he grins, leaning against the entrance to the kitchen as he watches the two of them interact. "So fish is the thing, huh."
"Oh, yes," Hawke agreed, placing a saucer decorated with flaked tuna on the floor for the demanding little puffball. "She's quite spoiled, so, sorry for that." But he was known for being a sap to small, needy things. "She does enjoy her fish," he added with a nod.
The kitten, who now had what she wanted, opted to just ignore her two tall observers and make the most of her meal, coiling her long fluffy tail around herself as she began to eat quickly.
"I can't allow her to stay inside very long," Hawke explained, a plaintive expression crossing his face. "I did promise Missus Livingston, after all. Still, it always breaks my heart a little to put her back outside."
Bucky knows better than to disturb a kitty while she eats, but he does come over and crouches down a little to look at her. She really is small, but looks well fed, thanks to Hawke.
"She's real sweet." Spoiled is fine too. Deep down, Bucky's a sap too. "I'd take her now if I could, but I wanna make sure I'm ready for her. Then again... maybe all she needs is to not go back outside, and I can grab some things on my way home."
"I'm sure she'd fit under your jacket," Hawke observed, "or even in a pocket." He watched with a quiet smile as Bucky knelt beside the small kitten, and couldn't help but grin as she finished her fish, lifted her head to regard her potential owner, and sniffed in his direction. Then meowed questioningly.
"He'll look out for you," Hawke promised her. "He's a good lad, and I think you'll do well together." The kitten turned to him and meowed again, and Hawke nodded. "Trust me, yes?" He gave Bucky a sly look and winked. "I'll make sure he knows you love fish, little bit. Promise."
"She probably would. Hopefully she doesn't jump out. Maybe I should keep a fish in my pocket," he says with a soft laugh, watching the exchange between the two of them. It really is the sweetest thing, and it warms his heart.
Bucky hesitates for a moment, then pulls the glove off his right hand again and slowly reaches out to her so she can sniff at him a little better. At least because of the gloves his hands are always warm, and he knows cats like that. The metal one might scare her, though. He worries about that, always.
The catlet turned back to Bucky, lifted her long tail, waaoed at him again, then delicately sniffed the offered hand. She must have approved of what she smelled, because she gently butted her head against his fingers, then arched her back as she sidled under his hand, entreating this new human for pettings.
Hawke chuckled; "Such a minx. I do believe you'll have your work cut out for you, serah, taming this one."
The kitten continued rubbing against Bucky's fingers, beginning to purr like an approaching thunderstorm. "Shameless," Hawke clucked his tongue at her. The kitten ignored him, making the mage laugh again. "Typical woman. Once she finds what she wants, she's oblivious to everything else."
Bucky scritches around her ears lightly, then a little more when she keeps butting at his hand for more pettings. He smiles, ready to give her everything she wants.
"I like the untamed," he says with his own wink directed at Hawke, and then his attention is back on the kitty, petting all down her back, then back to her ears again. She's small enough to fit in one hand, so he scoops her up gently as he stands, holding her against his chest. "She's also good at stealing the show, isn't she."
An evening well spent. Good food, good beer, and good conversation with a new friend (hopefully). And just perhaps a little bit of happiness for the latter, especially with how the small kitten settled comfortably in the soldier's large hand, odd for a feline born feral with no reason at all to trust humans.
"I believe you've made a friend, Bucky," Hawke told him, picking up the empty plate and placing it on the counter. "Two, if I might dare to count myself, eh?"
Bucky is surprised as well. She's such a gentle little thing and he so often feels the opposite of that, but she doesn't see it. She curls up with him, and he even uses his gloved hand to pet her.
"I think so, yeah," He says about the kitty, and then looks at Hawke. "Two friends- but the kitty isn't gonna go out with me on another date." And it'll be more than just coming over to get the kitty. They'll do dinner, and a stroll through the park. Bucky actually finds that he's already looking forward to it. How about that.
"Thanks for tonight. This was-- it was nicer than anything I've done in a real long time."
Hawke accepted the thanks with elegant grace, inclining his head before sweeping Bucky a lightly gallant half-bow. "You are most welcome, messere. I'm so very delighted that you enjoyed my company. I definitely enjoyed yours, and you even acquired a new roommate out of the evening's events." Blue eyes twinkled mischievously. "I daresay I'm a touch jealous."
But as it was getting quite late, and Bucky still had to procure kitten supplies for his new housemate, Hawke escorted both soldier and catling downstairs, shaking the man's hand with a firm grip and rubbing soft white ears with gentle fingers.
"Please, reach out if you need me. Anytime, day or night."
There's a part of him that wants to tell Hawke he can come to his place to visit the kitty, but his place is empty and pathetic. Maybe now he'll have a reason to get some furniture.
"I enjoyed your company very much. Thanks for having me over."
He heads down with Hawke and his new little kitty, just momentarily freaking out when Hawke reaches out to shake his hand. He shifts the kitty into his other hand though, praying that she doesn't jump out from being scared of it, but she stays put, and Bucky shakes his hand.
"Sure. Yeah. In fact, uh... can you help me zip my coat up right now? Kinda got my hands full with a ball of fur. I wanna tuck her inside."
Hawke briefly considered taking the cat so Bucky could zip the coat himself, but at the last minute opted otherwise. It had taken him a few tries to get the hang of “zippers”; Thedas had no such marvels in its shops. And it was such a huge step that this formerly frosty stranger was actually asking for such tangible contact that Hawke wasn’t about to turn it down.
So he stepped closer, craned his head to find the ends of Bucky’s coat, and he very gently fastened the zipper to its teeth, and with careful, deliberate precision, he slowly drew the tab upwards, dark blue eyes following the small piece of metal the entire way.
(Leave it to Rowen Hawke to make even such a mundane thing as zipping a coat sensual, but there we are.)
“There,” he replied, voice more than a little rough. But his smile never shirked. “All done.”
Bucky lets out a soft breath when Rowen moves in close to zip his jacket up. He keeps his eyes on the other- not because he's tense or suspicious, but because he wants to watch him. It seems like he's going slow on purpose... and Bucky likes it. He even leans into it a little, just to make it easier (sure, that's all it is).
"Thanks," he says, his voice a little rough as well as he lifts his free hand, resting it slightly against Rowen's chest.
“You’re welcome.” The words were accompanied by a single nod, more than enough to evaporate even more space between them. It might have been a touch surreal; Bucky with a cat in one hand and his other resting lightly against Hawke’s broad chest, but the latter wasn’t going to complain a bit.
And since Hawke was who he was, bold, brash, but incredibly tender, he took the subtle invitation to tilt his head just the slightest and, greatly daring, press the lightest kiss against Bucky’s parted lips.
That brief touch, a soft flash of heat, and then it was over, as again Hawke was smiling at his friend with warm blue eyes, and giving another nod.
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Date: 2024-05-07 12:22 am (UTC)Shifting his bottle to his other hand, Hawke leaned his head on his left, elbow propped on the back of the couch. "I don't want to presume, and feel free to tell me if I'm overstepping, but back in that pub you just seemed like a man in dire need of a friend." He'd seen the look before. And sighed softly, himself. "You're not really alone in that, you know?"
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Date: 2024-05-07 02:17 am (UTC)Bucky rests back against the couch a little more as well, getting comfortable. Hawke is right, of course, even if it's hard for Bucky to admit. Maybe it's hard for Hawke to admit it as well, though Hawke seems plenty open about that sort of thing. It makes it easier for Bucky to talk as well.
"It's good we cam across each other, then." He's quiet for a moment after that, looking down at his beer, picking at the label for a moment before he takes another long sip. "Being alone had felt easier. Made it feel like it was my decision."
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Date: 2024-05-07 02:27 am (UTC)"It is good," he agreed. Then pointed out, "As for decisions, I daresay you've made a good many of them." A sweep of the bottle indicated their current surroundings. "And I'd like to say most, if not all, of them pleasant?"
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Date: 2024-05-07 02:32 am (UTC)He doesn't need to glance around. He only needs to look at Hawke. "Yeah- a lot of good decisions tonight, and none of them had anything to do with being alone. Although you did have to do quite a lot of convincing at the start. Sorry about that."
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Date: 2024-05-07 02:39 am (UTC)He levered off of the couch to fetch them each a new bottle, just as icily cold as the former. Resuming his seat, he sighed and took a long swallow, just now beginning to feel the briefest buzz from the alcohol. Truly, the breweries in this realm held no candles to Thedas ales.
"So. Second date?"
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Date: 2024-05-07 03:10 am (UTC)He takes the beer with a nod of thanks. He could drink all night and not feel a single thing. He wonders if Hawke has picked up on that by now. Maybe not, because it's not an expected thing.
Bucky smiles, giving a small nod. "Second date, yeah. I'd really like that."
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Date: 2024-05-07 11:56 pm (UTC)He grinned like a pumpkin at Bucky's response. "Excellent. What shall we do? Eat and drink again? Oh, and you still have to come by to pick up your new feline friend, too."
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Date: 2024-05-08 12:16 am (UTC)"We can go for dinner, or-- I'm not exactly sure what people do for dates anymore." He almost says back in my day, but they haven't exactly touched upon that yet. "Right, yeah. I'll be back for the cat, too. Just have to pick up a few things-- and figure out what a cat might need. I'm gonna have to use Google."
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Date: 2024-05-08 12:27 am (UTC)...until he went off the deep end, blew up a place of faith, killed a hundred innocent people, and let Hawke take the blame for the entire fucking debacle.
"I've heard of this 'google', but am alas hardly familiar with it. Or him, or her. Whatever. I'm not entirely sure it'd know much about cats, but if it helps..." He finished off his current bottle, sighing contentedly as he placed the empty on the coffee table.
"Dinner is good, of course, or perhaps a visit to that park we spoke of. I'm extremely easy, serah...in case there was any doubt."
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Date: 2024-05-08 12:42 am (UTC)Hawke sure has a lot of interesting friends.
"It's on the internet. It helps you find things. It's really amazing, actually. But you have to be careful because it can lead to some real strange places. I found that out the hard way." Even kitties might be a dangerous thing to search.
"That would be real nice, yeah. I'm easy too. I'm good with anything."
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Date: 2024-05-08 11:19 pm (UTC)He trailed off, glancing past Bucky's shoulder towards the bay windows overlooking the park. A small white ball of fluff was just visible on the small balcony, patting at the sliding glass with a tiny, tiny paw.
"I do believe that's your girl now." The mage grinned, then levered himself up from the couch and sauntered over to open the window, letting in both a swift cold breeze and the maowing fluff, which immediately headed for the kitchen. Hawke closed the window and laughed. "She's looking for her fish," he explained, heading again for the kitchen.
"All right, all right, don't be so hasty," he told the still-yowling animal. "Here it is - greedy girl."
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Date: 2024-05-08 11:37 pm (UTC)Bucky quickly glances over at the window when he hears the tapping, and he's pretty sure he's already in love. Yeah, maybe a cat is exactly what he needs. Bucky gets up as well, watching her run to the kitchen, letting out a soft laugh as he follows.
"She knows what she wants and she knows how to get it," he grins, leaning against the entrance to the kitchen as he watches the two of them interact. "So fish is the thing, huh."
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Date: 2024-05-09 12:03 am (UTC)The kitten, who now had what she wanted, opted to just ignore her two tall observers and make the most of her meal, coiling her long fluffy tail around herself as she began to eat quickly.
"I can't allow her to stay inside very long," Hawke explained, a plaintive expression crossing his face. "I did promise Missus Livingston, after all. Still, it always breaks my heart a little to put her back outside."
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Date: 2024-05-09 12:11 am (UTC)"She's real sweet." Spoiled is fine too. Deep down, Bucky's a sap too. "I'd take her now if I could, but I wanna make sure I'm ready for her. Then again... maybe all she needs is to not go back outside, and I can grab some things on my way home."
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Date: 2024-05-09 12:37 am (UTC)"He'll look out for you," Hawke promised her. "He's a good lad, and I think you'll do well together." The kitten turned to him and meowed again, and Hawke nodded. "Trust me, yes?" He gave Bucky a sly look and winked. "I'll make sure he knows you love fish, little bit. Promise."
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Date: 2024-05-09 12:57 am (UTC)Bucky hesitates for a moment, then pulls the glove off his right hand again and slowly reaches out to her so she can sniff at him a little better. At least because of the gloves his hands are always warm, and he knows cats like that. The metal one might scare her, though. He worries about that, always.
"Hey little one."
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Date: 2024-05-09 01:04 am (UTC)Hawke chuckled; "Such a minx. I do believe you'll have your work cut out for you, serah, taming this one."
The kitten continued rubbing against Bucky's fingers, beginning to purr like an approaching thunderstorm. "Shameless," Hawke clucked his tongue at her. The kitten ignored him, making the mage laugh again. "Typical woman. Once she finds what she wants, she's oblivious to everything else."
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Date: 2024-05-09 01:14 am (UTC)"I like the untamed," he says with his own wink directed at Hawke, and then his attention is back on the kitty, petting all down her back, then back to her ears again. She's small enough to fit in one hand, so he scoops her up gently as he stands, holding her against his chest. "She's also good at stealing the show, isn't she."
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Date: 2024-05-09 01:19 am (UTC)"I believe you've made a friend, Bucky," Hawke told him, picking up the empty plate and placing it on the counter. "Two, if I might dare to count myself, eh?"
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Date: 2024-05-09 02:00 am (UTC)"I think so, yeah," He says about the kitty, and then looks at Hawke. "Two friends- but the kitty isn't gonna go out with me on another date." And it'll be more than just coming over to get the kitty. They'll do dinner, and a stroll through the park. Bucky actually finds that he's already looking forward to it. How about that.
"Thanks for tonight. This was-- it was nicer than anything I've done in a real long time."
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Date: 2024-05-09 02:06 am (UTC)But as it was getting quite late, and Bucky still had to procure kitten supplies for his new housemate, Hawke escorted both soldier and catling downstairs, shaking the man's hand with a firm grip and rubbing soft white ears with gentle fingers.
"Please, reach out if you need me. Anytime, day or night."
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Date: 2024-05-09 02:44 am (UTC)There's a part of him that wants to tell Hawke he can come to his place to visit the kitty, but his place is empty and pathetic. Maybe now he'll have a reason to get some furniture.
"I enjoyed your company very much. Thanks for having me over."
He heads down with Hawke and his new little kitty, just momentarily freaking out when Hawke reaches out to shake his hand. He shifts the kitty into his other hand though, praying that she doesn't jump out from being scared of it, but she stays put, and Bucky shakes his hand.
"Sure. Yeah. In fact, uh... can you help me zip my coat up right now? Kinda got my hands full with a ball of fur. I wanna tuck her inside."
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Date: 2024-05-09 03:14 am (UTC)So he stepped closer, craned his head to find the ends of Bucky’s coat, and he very gently fastened the zipper to its teeth, and with careful, deliberate precision, he slowly drew the tab upwards, dark blue eyes following the small piece of metal the entire way.
(Leave it to Rowen Hawke to make even such a mundane thing as zipping a coat sensual, but there we are.)
“There,” he replied, voice more than a little rough. But his smile never shirked. “All done.”
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Date: 2024-05-09 03:36 am (UTC)"Thanks," he says, his voice a little rough as well as he lifts his free hand, resting it slightly against Rowen's chest.
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Date: 2024-05-09 04:07 pm (UTC)And since Hawke was who he was, bold, brash, but incredibly tender, he took the subtle invitation to tilt his head just the slightest and, greatly daring, press the lightest kiss against Bucky’s parted lips.
That brief touch, a soft flash of heat, and then it was over, as again Hawke was smiling at his friend with warm blue eyes, and giving another nod.
“Anytime.”
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