Danny looks down, away from his eyes, hovers and flicks back up, and Steve has to wonder if he didn't actually speak up loud enough to be heard because of the way Danny's expression floundered suddenly. As though he was sure Steve said something, but he's not at all sure what it was. Even if it hadn't been important, Steve had started to lean in further to repeat it. It wasn't as if he could name the governor in this place, by name or title.
Except then came the bartender, again. The one with disastrous timing, who could have been a little earlier last time and gotten him that glass of wine. One, he supposed, he could actually buy for himself. It wasn't like he didn't have the funds. But he wouldn't. He didn't need it right now, and he'd probably forget about before the night even concluded. The smallest sacrifice of a game.
Steve couldn't fault Danny dropping right back into his same show he'd been putting on for Campbell, with the bartender, who'd been there earlier. Who would have seen and remembered it all, even if he was paid to see everything and look like he never had. As equally pleased and respectful of all patrons no matter what he saw happen between them.
"The same," Steve said, smooth and easy. Like he had no place to be and there could be nothing on his mind, as he caught the bartender's eyes and smirked, a little nodding between his empty glass and Danny, who he looked up at before back to the bartender.
All warmth in the words that rolled out next. Like he was sharing a secret with the man.
"I'll just have to deal with the fact my upgrade didn't come in the cup this time."
Completely willing to infer the higher compliment from Campbell to Danny to a stranger while he rarely ever gave out such comments to the man, himself. But it was there, too. Steve didn't understand Danny's rotten luck with women, honestly. The same with their surprising idiocy where it came to Danny. People got caught in the noise and fuss of him -- the noise and fuss that meant nothing; and everything -- and seemed not to realized what Steve knew at least as well as breathing.
Anyone would be fucking lucky to not drink anything for a year, if they could have the upgrade to Danny Williams.
no subject
Danny looks down, away from his eyes, hovers and flicks back up, and Steve has to wonder if he didn't actually speak up loud enough to be heard because of the way Danny's expression floundered suddenly. As though he was sure Steve said something, but he's not at all sure what it was. Even if it hadn't been important, Steve had started to lean in further to repeat it. It wasn't as if he could name the governor in this place, by name or title.
Except then came the bartender, again. The one with disastrous timing, who could have been a little earlier last time and gotten him that glass of wine. One, he supposed, he could actually buy for himself. It wasn't like he didn't have the funds. But he wouldn't. He didn't need it right now, and he'd probably forget about before the night even concluded. The smallest sacrifice of a game.
Steve couldn't fault Danny dropping right back into his same show he'd been putting on for Campbell, with the bartender, who'd been there earlier. Who would have seen and remembered it all, even if he was paid to see everything and look like he never had. As equally pleased and respectful of all patrons no matter what he saw happen between them.
"The same," Steve said, smooth and easy. Like he had no place to be and there could be nothing on his mind, as he caught the bartender's eyes and smirked, a little nodding between his empty glass and Danny, who he looked up at before back to the bartender.
All warmth in the words that rolled out next. Like he was sharing a secret with the man.
"I'll just have to deal with the fact my upgrade didn't come in the cup this time."
Completely willing to infer the higher compliment from Campbell to Danny to a stranger while he rarely ever gave out such comments to the man, himself. But it was there, too. Steve didn't understand Danny's rotten luck with women, honestly. The same with their surprising idiocy where it came to Danny. People got caught in the noise and fuss of him -- the noise and fuss that meant nothing; and everything -- and seemed not to realized what Steve knew at least as well as breathing.
Anyone would be fucking lucky to not drink anything for a year, if they could have the upgrade to Danny Williams.