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[nifties]

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[nifties]

No? I suppose it does ring a bit empty. Clearly you want me alive for one thing.

[ he sets the top hats out and considers getting drunk with her, even remotely it's a dangerous game. ]

They don't do anything in half-measures. Kind of like us.

[zee_zatara]

Always optimistic, one of your better qualities, John.

Mhm, yeah. You remember that week in Cardiff? Because I mostly don't. Other than the fire in the hotel. And that demon with the ram horns.

Wait. Was that just a sheep?

[nifties]

We went to Cardiff?

Better question: are you drunk enough yet to list more of my better qualities?

[zee_zatara]

First question: Yes. It was just after that thing with the redcaps in the Highlands. We spent enough time in that little country pub that I got used to the warm beer.

Hmm. Maybe half a glass more. But tipsy enough I'm remembering a lot of them with more fondness than I probably should be.

[nifties]

It was a sheep. A rude one.

I can wait.

[zee_zatara]

Right. It interrupted-

right.

I can't blame him for being curious, I guess. We were making a lot of noise.

[nifties]

[ this is getting dangerous and he's stone cold sober. what the fuck is he doing? ]

That's sure some wine.

[zee_zatara]

You really think I have to be completely shitfaced to admit we had some good times?

[She is, however, tipsy enough to open up more than she would- though maybe not the way he'd been hoping.]

I stopped blaming you for Dad years ago. Despite anything you want to convince yourself, I don't have a reason to hate you. I don't always particularly like you, but I can't hate you.

[nifties]

No but usually I have to be to hear you out.

[ brutal honesty for no reason. he really hates being sober, why is he again? ]

That makes two of us, luv. I can't hate me either.

[zee_zatara]

Sure you can't. [She's slept next to you John. She knows how you sleep.]

Let me know how the charms work. I use a different method for stored magic these days. Only a few years of shelf life, but more oomph.

[nifties]

If all goes according to plan I won't need to use them, but the thought is appreciated anyway.

I should let you get back to your night in.

[zee_zatara]

Stay safe, John. Or as close to safe as either of us can be.

Maybe come see the show sometime.

[nifties]

Maybe I will. Come to the show, that is. Safe was never really my play.

[zee_zatara]

I'd offer to comp your tickets, but if you can't cheat your way in, I'd be disappointed in you.

[nifties]

I'd be disappointed in me too, luv. Hell, if I do my job right you'll never even know I'm there.

[zee_zatara]

I'd ask you not to assault any of my fans, but I've seen the comments on my youtube videos.

I might be considering giving one of these guys a really embarrassing skin rash rn. I won't. But I'm thinking about it.

[nifties]

You should know better than reading Youtube comments, Zee.

[ he's read them too not like he'd admit it. ]

It's sweet that you'd think I'd defend your honour though. You really are snockered.

[zee_zatara]

I never was any good at resisting things I know are bad for me.

[nifties]

That explains why you're still talking to me.

[zee_zatara]

You're also almost prettymuch the only ex who'll still talk to me. Definitely the only one who'll entertain my drunk texting.

[nifties]

It's always sweet to be your last resort, Zee. Maybe you should do us both a favor and lose my number, as touching as these moments are.

[zee_zatara]

Facetime me and tell me that. If I think you really mean it, I will.

[nifties]

Maybe you should facetime me and tell me what you're really bloody after tonight. We both know it isn't to reminisce.

[zee_zatara]

[So she does. She's still in the cutesy-printed pajamas, and there's a tan and white rabbit snoozing on the back of the couch behind her, which admittedly takes away from the more somber expression on her face and tone of her voice]

Give me a little more credit, John. Is it so hard to believe I just like hearing from you, 'cause it means you're not dead? If I were booty calling you, I'd be upfront about it.

I'm never gonna not care about you, no matter how hard you try to make me stop.

[nifties]

[ yikes okay. he smoothes his hair then ruffles it up before taking the call. nervous? who's that? he swallows, keeping a tiny, bland smile as she starts in on him predictably. ] I didn't- [ but she doesn't give him time to interject. he knows she doesn't want to sleep with him or they would be right now. he is only a man. a very weak man. ]

That is your fatal flaw, isn't it? You're the patron saint of lost causes, luv.

[ there's no true heat in the words, but lord does he feel it tonight. unconsciously, his palm lays flat over the top hats as if he's keeping watch, gaze growing more somber and serious to match hers. he even refrains from waking up the bunny with some babytalk, maybe he isn't as weak tonight as he thought. ]

I've never tried to make you do anything, Zee. That would be like changin' the way the wind blows. Un-possible. I was just sick of bein' a leaf.

[ words meant to be hurtful and nothing else, she knows his game by now. he doesn't expect her to fall for it, and yet he can't shut it off. shutting off means letting her in and if he does that he damns her along with him. ]