[ He grins a little at Dick, pleased at how much he seems to be getting in to the idea of their dinner-date. His own clothes get dumped with less of a kindness, his thoughts firmly on getting in and out of the shower.
Nix takes the spot next to Dick without thinking about it, soaping up with a hum of song under his breath. ] You better. Cake too. I'll put the ice-cream into my will.
(Is it a date? Dick's not really sure how it works with them. They've hd a fumble here and there, but he's not sure what it all has meant, other than desperation in times of war, even if they weren't at war yet. It was an itch to scratch that couldn't be scratched by others.
He's used to taking quick showers, at least, lathering up from head to toe with the same bar, his hair, too.)
What kind of cake do you want? Is there some upper class one that's your favourite I've never even heard of?
[ Can't a dude just ask another dude out for pizza and ice-cream???? ]
I like chocolate. [ It's delivered so dryly, his elbow obscuring the crookedness of his smile as he rinses out his hair. ] I don't want any of that other crap clogging up your throat during your speech, you hear me?
[ Nix's tone is sly, playful. He doesn't really see himself as truly mortal, at least not yet. Even though they're going off to war and many of them won't come back, it just hasn't sunk in. ]
Though remind me to tell you about my tenth birthday party some day. My mother served canapés.
(Of course a dude can, but it just takes it to a whole new level when one dude is in love with the other dude. Which dude is which, that is the real question.)
Chocolate, then. With chocolate frosting? I'll make sure they slather it on real thick. (A soft snort is followed with a sigh as he stands under the water. It's hot, surprisingly, and no matter how good it feels, it makes him all too aware of muscles that are tired and aching. It helps, a bit, at least, and he shifts to crack his shoulder before turning it off. Might as well save some of the hot water for the others in the company. It's the polite thing to do.) I have to write a speech? You're so high maintenance.
(He grabs his towel then and wraps it around his hips after quickly giving himself a once over with it, stepping out and heading back to the changing area.)
[ Is it worse when both of the dudes are in love with each other and neither of them know? ]
Definitely chocolate frosting. [ He finishes up first. Usually Nix would be a fan of long and incredibly warm showers, but they have plans and it's not like he's going to stay under the spray when he gets time with Dick. ] You have to write a speech. Tell everyone how great a guy I was. Otherwise it'll just be dull, boring, old men in suits talking about how it's a shame for the family.
[ By the time Dick steps out, Nix already has a towel wrapped around his waist and is using another one to dry his hair. ] Tiny, gross little pastry things. Posh people food that's probably not actually food.
(Yes. Yes that definitely makes it worse. Probably, it's where they are, at least.)
I'll write that down in my diary tonight. (Not that he wants to think too hard on all of this, at least not in a serious fashion. Right now, the war, and the death that came with it, was at least still something distant. He doesn't want to have to think in honest about delivering Nix's eulogy. That'd break his heart.) Chocolate frosting, and the beginning of your eulogy. I'll invite all of Easy. Maybe Sobel will come and make everyone run Currahee as punishment. I think dying is an infraction that'll make us all lose our weekend pass for the rest of the war.
(Dick arches a brow slightly towards the other as he begins to change, pulling on boxers and then his service uniform, pleated perfectly as always, lest they give Sobel something to pick on, and it doesn't take long for him to be ready to go.) Sounds like a terrible thing to serve at a kids birthday party. (He frowns for a moment.) I think we had sandwiches at mine. Mom used cookie cutters to cut them into shapes.
[ Nix's snort of laughter is almost a choke of it, his face obscured still by the towel. ] He'll probably make you guys carry the coffin at the same time. It's a good thing the food on base is still shit, I probably lost a few pounds.
[ He moves to get dressed too, his own uniform probably less perfect than Dick's. But that's how they usually are. ] You mean like stars and hearts? [ It's clear from his tone he's never even been to a party like that. ] Triangles, Dick. That's how you take sandwiches. In tiny triangles.
[ Lacing his boots he glances over. ] Sounds nice though. What else did you do at these parties of yours?
Oh, come on now Nix. The food is only bad on the days that end with Y. (And even then, Dick doesn't think it's too terrible. He's had better, but he's had worse, too, and it's at least better than at the last camp they were at. And they have decent ice cream even in the mess, which mean's he's more than happy to eat when he gets his favourite dessert.
Dick affixes his hat atop his head, and then peers at him.) Stars and moons, actually. (He can't help but grin at the look he's on the receiving end of right then. Is it really so strange?) Triangles are boring. That's for every day lunches, shapes make it seem special.
(Dick sits so he too can pull on his boots.) We had games? You know. Pin the tail on the donkey, clothes pin drop, musical chairs. Mom always made my favourite drink, fresh squeezed lemonade with crushed strawberries in it and we got one glass each, and then she made a cake that had both chocolate and white cake, and even had real, buttercream frosting.
[ Dick's ice cream habit is one of those early things that charmed Nix. Because it was so sweet, so innocent, but felt so deeply that it was an actual honest to God addiction in some cases. So he knows all about his friend's fondness of this camp's mess. Which means Nix rolls his eyes at the first thing and then turns deeply curious at the rest.
He listens to Dick explain the birthday habit as he tightens up his tie and stands, watching him for a moment as he talks about the sandwiches, the games, the special drink, the cake. It sounds cute and it makes him ache because he didn't know the boy who liked all of that.
Perhaps, if he had, Nix himself would be different. ] Do you think I can hire your mom next year? Mine always makes me get a party planner but I don't know, moon sandwiches sound great.
(Dick can't stop the actual snort of laughter that comes at Nix's next words. Asking if he could hire his mother, well, that certainly is funny. But at the same time, he understands, to a point. He's not heard too much of Nix's upbringing, not in serious at least. It usually came through with little comments as above, with how sandwiches were supposed to be cut, and frilly foods at a kids party. It makes him wonder if Nix have ever gotten the chance to really be a kid, with all that followed. One night he's referred to himself as Mrs.Nixon's Baby Boy, and Dick couldn't help but wonder if she'd ever let him climb trees, play until it was dark outside, skin his knee. All things regular kids did.
He stands again when his boots are done, and shrugs his shoulders a bit.) I'll write to her and ask for you. She was pleased you liked her cookies, even if she thought you were praising them too much. I bet she blushed when she read the letter.
Will I be invited to your party? I haven't played Drop the Handkerchief in years.
Her cookies were a gift from heaven, Dick. Maybe you don't appreciate them like you ought to. [ He grins a little smugly, flashing his gaze towards his friend as they both head towards the door. ]
Drop the Handkerchief? [ One eyebrow lifts in question. ] What's that? Courtship for kiddies? [ Games for children can now be added to the list of things Nix has no idea about. It was probably all parties for the grown-ups showing off how smart and classy their families are. ]
I am well aware of how good they are. It's my favourite thing to receive on my birthday, but she doesn't think they're all that you talk them up to be. Ma's humble. (Though as he says that, his eyes flash with amusement and he gives Nix a gentle little shove.) You're lucky I like you enough to share.
Really? (As they leave the building, Dick glances at him, the surprise plain to see on his face.) You never played that either? Jeez, what did you do at your parties for fun? (He frowns just a little.) Sort of? (Already Dick's cheeks start to take on a slight tint of pink.) It's a game. Everyone stands in a circle facing the centre, and then there's one person outside with a handkerchief circling around it. The players in the circle have to keep their gaze in to the middle, and the person on the outside is supposed to drop the handkerchief behind someone. When that person realises it's been dropped, they have to chase after the person who dropped it back to the open space, and whoever gets there first wins? But if you catch them you're supposed to tag them, and they're stuck on the outside again. (And now his cheeks are a bright pink.) It's how I got my first kiss. The girl was taller than me and caught me, and kissed me. And everyone laughed.
You're all humble. [ It's infuriating because the Winters' family are all so sweet and kind. They should know just how good they are.
At the question of his childhood parties he shrugs and then grins like a shark when he sees the flush of colour on his friend's cheeks. It's an appealing look for him, and one Nix is already fond of when he gets down to the nitty gritty of liking him. ]
You had to be caught for your first kiss? God, you're so adorable it's making me sick.
I wouldn't say that. You haven't met my sister yet. (Not that she's bold and forward, but she's the baby of the family, and Dick had adored her entirely too much. She'd been coddled and Dick had gotten into a fight or two defending her honour (only later to realise that it probably didn't really need defending, but it had already been done), but she was still a Winters.
Nix's grin makes the colour on his cheeks spread hotly down his neck and up to his ears.)
I was eleven, I didn't want to be kissed. I tried to run but she was sneaky and quicker than I was and kissed me. How was your first kiss then, Casanova?
Is she as much of a terror as all gingers should be? Because you're letting down the team being as sweet as apple pie, Dick.
[ Nix laughs as they walk, watching the spread of the flush go all over his friend's skin. For a moment he's caught by the insane urge to chase it, to see if it is the same under his clothes. He has to shake off the thought, a hum following as he thinks. ]
I think I was nine. My dad had a party. Some daughter of some bigwig and me were the only ones there. [ Shrugging. ] We kissed once in the reading room. The adults all made a big fuss of it. I got the you're a man now, son speech. [ He mimics his father before trailing off into a laugh. ] Can you imagine? A nine year old man. Now that's terrifying.
(Dick can't help but snort gently at the comment, shaking his head a bit.) She's the baby of the family. You know all about that. (Which translates roughly to yes, she's a bit of a terror, but she was his terror, and he'd always stick up for her.) Don't tell any of the guys I have a sister. You know how they get.
(Not that she's as much of a baby as he's making her seem right now, she's just four years younger than he is, an adult in her own right, but still. If he followed the flush, he'd see that id did spread, somewhat at least, though it tapered off to paler pink again that made his freckles stand out.)
And here I'd always heard there was more to becoming a man than just a kiss. (His cheeks stay the hot flushed colour they are, but he looks amused, comfortable too -- he's talking to Nix, after all, and he's always comfortable around the other man.) Guess by those standards I'm a man after all. (He grins.) You need to grab anything at the barracks, or are you good to go? I've got my wallet and my pass in my pocket.
Well, if she's anything like me then I'm sorry for your parents. [ He waggles his eyebrows a little, all self-depreciating humour and playfulness. But Dick is also trusting him with this kind of information and it makes the edges of his eyes go fond at the same time as his smile. ] Sure, your secret is safe with me, Dick.
[ God, if this is what Dick's like when he's flustered then Nix is going to have to do a lot to keep him looking like that. It's adorable and it makes something inside of him fizzle with a stupid kind of want. ]
Nope. [ Patting himself down as if to prove a point. ] I am good to go.
![[personal profile]](https://www.dreamwidth.org/img/silk/identity/user.png){kind=small}
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Nix takes the spot next to Dick without thinking about it, soaping up with a hum of song under his breath. ] You better. Cake too. I'll put the ice-cream into my will.
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He's used to taking quick showers, at least, lathering up from head to toe with the same bar, his hair, too.)
What kind of cake do you want? Is there some upper class one that's your favourite I've never even heard of?
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I like chocolate. [ It's delivered so dryly, his elbow obscuring the crookedness of his smile as he rinses out his hair. ] I don't want any of that other crap clogging up your throat during your speech, you hear me?
[ Nix's tone is sly, playful. He doesn't really see himself as truly mortal, at least not yet. Even though they're going off to war and many of them won't come back, it just hasn't sunk in. ]
Though remind me to tell you about my tenth birthday party some day. My mother served canapés.
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Chocolate, then. With chocolate frosting? I'll make sure they slather it on real thick. (A soft snort is followed with a sigh as he stands under the water. It's hot, surprisingly, and no matter how good it feels, it makes him all too aware of muscles that are tired and aching. It helps, a bit, at least, and he shifts to crack his shoulder before turning it off. Might as well save some of the hot water for the others in the company. It's the polite thing to do.) I have to write a speech? You're so high maintenance.
(He grabs his towel then and wraps it around his hips after quickly giving himself a once over with it, stepping out and heading back to the changing area.)
What's canapés?
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Definitely chocolate frosting. [ He finishes up first. Usually Nix would be a fan of long and incredibly warm showers, but they have plans and it's not like he's going to stay under the spray when he gets time with Dick. ] You have to write a speech. Tell everyone how great a guy I was. Otherwise it'll just be dull, boring, old men in suits talking about how it's a shame for the family.
[ By the time Dick steps out, Nix already has a towel wrapped around his waist and is using another one to dry his hair. ] Tiny, gross little pastry things. Posh people food that's probably not actually food.
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I'll write that down in my diary tonight. (Not that he wants to think too hard on all of this, at least not in a serious fashion. Right now, the war, and the death that came with it, was at least still something distant. He doesn't want to have to think in honest about delivering Nix's eulogy. That'd break his heart.) Chocolate frosting, and the beginning of your eulogy. I'll invite all of Easy. Maybe Sobel will come and make everyone run Currahee as punishment. I think dying is an infraction that'll make us all lose our weekend pass for the rest of the war.
(Dick arches a brow slightly towards the other as he begins to change, pulling on boxers and then his service uniform, pleated perfectly as always, lest they give Sobel something to pick on, and it doesn't take long for him to be ready to go.) Sounds like a terrible thing to serve at a kids birthday party. (He frowns for a moment.) I think we had sandwiches at mine. Mom used cookie cutters to cut them into shapes.
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[ He moves to get dressed too, his own uniform probably less perfect than Dick's. But that's how they usually are. ] You mean like stars and hearts? [ It's clear from his tone he's never even been to a party like that. ] Triangles, Dick. That's how you take sandwiches. In tiny triangles.
[ Lacing his boots he glances over. ] Sounds nice though. What else did you do at these parties of yours?
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Dick affixes his hat atop his head, and then peers at him.) Stars and moons, actually. (He can't help but grin at the look he's on the receiving end of right then. Is it really so strange?) Triangles are boring. That's for every day lunches, shapes make it seem special.
(Dick sits so he too can pull on his boots.) We had games? You know. Pin the tail on the donkey, clothes pin drop, musical chairs. Mom always made my favourite drink, fresh squeezed lemonade with crushed strawberries in it and we got one glass each, and then she made a cake that had both chocolate and white cake, and even had real, buttercream frosting.
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He listens to Dick explain the birthday habit as he tightens up his tie and stands, watching him for a moment as he talks about the sandwiches, the games, the special drink, the cake. It sounds cute and it makes him ache because he didn't know the boy who liked all of that.
Perhaps, if he had, Nix himself would be different. ] Do you think I can hire your mom next year? Mine always makes me get a party planner but I don't know, moon sandwiches sound great.
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He stands again when his boots are done, and shrugs his shoulders a bit.) I'll write to her and ask for you. She was pleased you liked her cookies, even if she thought you were praising them too much. I bet she blushed when she read the letter.
Will I be invited to your party? I haven't played Drop the Handkerchief in years.
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Drop the Handkerchief? [ One eyebrow lifts in question. ] What's that? Courtship for kiddies? [ Games for children can now be added to the list of things Nix has no idea about. It was probably all parties for the grown-ups showing off how smart and classy their families are. ]
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Really? (As they leave the building, Dick glances at him, the surprise plain to see on his face.) You never played that either? Jeez, what did you do at your parties for fun? (He frowns just a little.) Sort of? (Already Dick's cheeks start to take on a slight tint of pink.) It's a game. Everyone stands in a circle facing the centre, and then there's one person outside with a handkerchief circling around it. The players in the circle have to keep their gaze in to the middle, and the person on the outside is supposed to drop the handkerchief behind someone. When that person realises it's been dropped, they have to chase after the person who dropped it back to the open space, and whoever gets there first wins? But if you catch them you're supposed to tag them, and they're stuck on the outside again. (And now his cheeks are a bright pink.) It's how I got my first kiss. The girl was taller than me and caught me, and kissed me. And everyone laughed.
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At the question of his childhood parties he shrugs and then grins like a shark when he sees the flush of colour on his friend's cheeks. It's an appealing look for him, and one Nix is already fond of when he gets down to the nitty gritty of liking him. ]
You had to be caught for your first kiss? God, you're so adorable it's making me sick.
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Nix's grin makes the colour on his cheeks spread hotly down his neck and up to his ears.)
I was eleven, I didn't want to be kissed. I tried to run but she was sneaky and quicker than I was and kissed me. How was your first kiss then, Casanova?
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[ Nix laughs as they walk, watching the spread of the flush go all over his friend's skin. For a moment he's caught by the insane urge to chase it, to see if it is the same under his clothes. He has to shake off the thought, a hum following as he thinks. ]
I think I was nine. My dad had a party. Some daughter of some bigwig and me were the only ones there. [ Shrugging. ] We kissed once in the reading room. The adults all made a big fuss of it. I got the you're a man now, son speech. [ He mimics his father before trailing off into a laugh. ] Can you imagine? A nine year old man. Now that's terrifying.
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(Not that she's as much of a baby as he's making her seem right now, she's just four years younger than he is, an adult in her own right, but still. If he followed the flush, he'd see that id did spread, somewhat at least, though it tapered off to paler pink again that made his freckles stand out.)
And here I'd always heard there was more to becoming a man than just a kiss. (His cheeks stay the hot flushed colour they are, but he looks amused, comfortable too -- he's talking to Nix, after all, and he's always comfortable around the other man.) Guess by those standards I'm a man after all. (He grins.) You need to grab anything at the barracks, or are you good to go? I've got my wallet and my pass in my pocket.
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[ God, if this is what Dick's like when he's flustered then Nix is going to have to do a lot to keep him looking like that. It's adorable and it makes something inside of him fizzle with a stupid kind of want. ]
Nope. [ Patting himself down as if to prove a point. ] I am good to go.