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[It's strange that wearing something other than his spandex ensemble would make him feel more naked in public, but there it was. Wade always was a master of contradictions. Even with the image enhancer in place, which gives him the appearance of what he'd looked like years before the cancer, the absence of cloth covering his face is enough to make him feel a little uncomfortable. But this place has recently opened, and he supposes they're not exactly used to costumed superheroes traipsing right on through. Not yet, anyway. Give it a few weeks.

As he sits there, alone in an unfamiliar Indian restaurant after waving away the waitress for the second time, he once again entertains the notion that he's been stood up. It wouldn't be the first time it's happened to him, and it's not as if he was prepared to make a big deal out of today anyway. After all, he's had tons of birthdays come and go without incident in his lifetime. What's one more?

Still, something causes him to keep glancing over at the entrance, waiting for a familiar face to come walking through. There must be some reason he keeps waiting, some reason he keeps holding back from eating a solo dinner and leaving to resume the festivities in the solitude of his apartment. It may seem pathetic and more than a little schmaltzy, but this is the first time Wade's ever had a chance to share this day with someone else in quite a long time.

He supposes that's worth waiting for, even for just another five minutes.]

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What do you mean, 'would've'? The fact that we got kicked out means we won!

[God, that laughter's infectious. Even if he wasn't totally drunk right now.]

Calgary. [He'd be shrugging a shoulder if Wade wasn't currently occupying it. All this stuff from his mid-20's seems like a lifetime ago, and looking back like this always feels a little weird.] I got this idea to become a pro wrestler one day, no lie. So I hitchhiked and took buses all the way up to fuckin' Canada-- heh-- took like a week 'cause I kept getting lost...

Paid off though, right? Hey, watch the curb there. [Travis shifts a little to help Wade lean on him properly again.] Nothing better'n beating the shit out of some random guys for the hell of it. I should be thanking you.

No shit-- Calgary? Really?

[It's strange, but Travis had always struck Wade as the type to have never been out of his own town, let alone his entire country. And it might be just the intoxication talking, but knowing that he took a trip to Wade's homeland makes him feel... he doesn't know. Almost as if they're blood brothers now somehow. Or something. It makes more sense in his alcohol-addled brain.]

How long were you there? What'd you think of it?

[It's suddenly very important that Travis had a positive experience. Damn if Wade could say why, but there it is. He imagines it's kind of like giving a good friend a tour of your house and having him be just as delighted with it as you are. Wade has his national pride, after all.]

Really really.

[Heck, he only half believes it himself. After this fateful pilgrimage to Alberta it was mostly a downward spiral in terms of sightseeing. (Except maybe that one time in Mexico.)

Travis hums thoughtfully before answering.] I, uh... I actually don't know how long I was there. I spent a lot of time getting the shit beat out of me and trying to talk people into beating the shit out of me, so it kinda blurs. More than a month? I think? [Hell if he knows.] I didn't see a whole lot of the area after I got there, anyway. What I did see was nice. Prettier than home.

[He pauses. All this reminiscing is getting him wistful. Wistful and drunk are never a good combination.] My teacher thought I was an idiot for doing it, when I told him about it. I probably was, but I guess that's just how I learn stuff.

Heh. [This time laughing feels a lot less painful.]

That sounds familiar. The "talking people into beating the shit out of me" part, not the other stuff. In any case, not gonna any judgements here. I'm more of a "learn-by-doing" kinda guy, too.

College or high school, by the way?

[Apparently Wade has remembered that an inebriated Travis is also a talkative Travis.]

Neither. Never got far enough in college to get that buddy-buddy with a teacher, and none of my high school teachers were that... y'know, invested. I mean my real teacher-- the guy who taught me how to fight.

[Remember that wistfulness? Still very, very much present. He's really got to learn to shut up one of these days.]

Taught me nearly everything I know.

[Travis has a very distinctive voice when he's divulging a part of his past, Wade realizes. He can't really describe it-- it's almost as if Travis's voice gets lower; becomes more gentle, maybe. More... throaty? Is that the word he's looking for? He isn't sure.

It's a lot different from his normal voice, though; not to mention a good indication that he's revealing something he wouldn't be revealing if he were sober. Wade is suddenly reminded of his story about Bishop. Considering what little he knows of Travis's past, something tells him he's not exactly using the past tense to imply the guy moved out of the country or something.]

Sounds like he was quite a guy.

Yeah. He really was.

[It's true. He loses his edge whenever he talks about himself, or rather, things that are important to him. But the notes of pain and regret from when Bishop was up for discussion aren't quite there. It's been much longer since Thunder Ryu's death. Plus, the man went down fighting. Travis has gotten his closure.

In the conversation's pause he finally remembers how much his everything hurts. Travis leans on Wade for a little more support even as the man leans on him. It's more comfortable than he wants to admit to, but he's feeling way too touchy-feely right now to not do it.]

Your healing thing kick in yet?

[Wade nods.]

Mm. Seems like it. Still feel achy, but I've got feeling in my lower torso again.

[Seriously, who the hell gives somebody that many kidney shots unless they were trying to kill him? He'll have to complain to the Barfight Emporium for that total party foul.

A short, comfortable silence passes. Wade takes the time to enjoy the cool air against his flushed face; walking home side-by-side (well, staggering, anyway) with a buddy as the sun sinks below the horizon. He still can't stop thinking about the last time Travis and alcohol was involved. Weird how people could reach a connection in the most unlikely of scenarios.

An old Pink Floyd song suddenly comes to mind, and without thinking, he opens his mouth and sings:]

How I wish, how I wish you were here
We're just two lost souls swimming in a fishbowl year after year
Running over the same old ground, what have we found?
The same old fears...

[He'd be completely oblivious if he didn't feel the way Travis is sagging against him right now. Wade definitely took the brunt of the abuse, but he's pretty sure Travis isn't feeling too good right about now. Wade ends the impromptu musical number in order to glance at his drinking buddy with a little more scrutiny.]

Hey. You're gonna crash at my place tonight, right?

Good. [Because he's starting to feel like he needs help hobbling back home too.]

[Hey, he knows that one! And Wade's actually not bad. Not at all, actually. He's quiet for the sake of listening politely. It even takes him a second to realize he's being spoken to, and he looks up, looking momentarily confused.]

Huh? Oh, uh... [Does this mean what he thinks it's supposed to mean?] Yeah. Yeah, if you're cool with it.

Didn't know you could sing.

[Wade shoots him an incredulous look.]

C'mon, what kinda guy would I be if I let you drive home tonight? Safety first and all that. Plus I need to make sure you're not... y'know. Bleeding internally or something.

[That concept bothers him more than he cares to admit. He momentarily distracts himself by addressing Travis's other remark.]

I'm surprised you haven't heard me sing before. I like to crank out a ditty every once in a while. I'm not, y'know... Andrea Bocelli or anything, but I think I've got a pretty passable set of pipes.

[He falls silent when he sees that they've reached the apartment. One look at all those stories and Wade knows they're definitely not gonna make it if they take the stairs. So, after crossing the lobby and avoiding the front desk clerk's look of skepticism, Wade makes a beeline for the elevator and pushes the button to go up.]

Almost there. You feeling okay?

[Travis snorts.] C'mon, man, I'm not that delicate. If it makes you feel better, though, I'll stick around.

[Excuses, excuses. Not like he'd have said no if Wade hadn't been worried about him. (Not like he's very reluctantly thrilled to have Wade worried about him in the first place.)

He keeps mostly quiet, though, until Wade turns it around and asks how he's doing. The reversal's almost cute. He chuckles.]

Yeah, m'good. [Standing, speaking, and conscious is a well enough start to "good" that he figures he can answer that honestly.] Mostly. I, uh, didn't actually check everywhere I got hurt, so I might need to actually take care of that once we get there...

[The elevator doors slide open, sure enough.]

[Wade motions Travis in before getting in himself, pressing the button for the fourth floor.]

Don't worry, I'll do a routine check on you if you want. I know enough about injuries and whatnot to know if something's gonna be potentially dangerous, even if it's not gonna be dangerous for me.

[He pauses, his mouth quirking.]

You might have to take your clothes off, though. Not that it probably matters-- I mean, they seem to have a way of coming off whenever I'm around anyway, right?

[The elevator doors close, but not before Wade hears the sudden choked noise of surprise coming from the desk clerk.]

[Travis pauses. On one hand, he's pretty sure he's fine, and he can hold his own just fine, thanks, but on the other--

Ouch, okay, weird pain in his side; he winces a little. Travis breathes a sigh and nods, a little reluctantly.]

Uh, sure. Thanks.

[He's a little flustered by the idea of being taken care of. Until somebody else's awkwardness makes him feel way, way better about himself.]

Jesus, Wade, you're sure as hell not shy about all of this, are you? [He's enjoying it, though.]

[Wade laughs, a bit too loudly considering the enclosed space they're in, and points a wobbily finger toward Travis. After, of course, he regains his footing as the elevator lurches upwards. Goddamn thing was always contrary. Because that's what's caused him to stumble in the first place. Totally. Really.]

Your goddamn fault, dude. 'f you weren't such a dile-- deli-- delec-- [oh, fuck it] such a tasty dish I'd probably be able to control myself better.

Anyway. Not like I ever heard a complaint outta you all those times before or anything. In fact, I seem to remember you doing the exact opposite. Pretty vocal about it too, if memory serves.

[...Wow, Wade's drunk. Travis laughs. He's never the more sober one, ever.]

Just a comment! [He shrugs.] Like I'd complain about--

[Ding.] Well, anyway, we're here.

[Travis eyes Wade hesitantly.] And I thought I was the one who'd need help getting around. [He moves Wade's arm so the other man's leaning on him again and starts to move into the hallway.]

[Wade glowers at him, but without the mask on and as drunk as he is, the scowl looks less like Clint Eastwood and more like... well, whatever the opposite of Clint Eastwood is.]

Better not hear a complaint outta you, bucko. That was some high quality sex-giving right there. I should get a fuckin' award or something.

[Still, he has the presence of mind to accept Travis's shoulder when it's offered, wrapping an arm around the other man's waist to steady himself. If that hand starts to slowly move down Travis's hip it's only because he's trying to get a better grip.

Well okay, that and he's feeling cheeky. Luckily the apartment isn't too far from the elevator.]

[Snnnrk. Appropriately, he can't take Wade seriously at all right now.]

Uh huh. A fucking award... for fucking. [Good job, Travis. You're hilarious.]

[Cool it, Romeo. Or, well, don't. Travis doesn't mind the wandering hand and doesn't show a sign of being bothered by it.]

Want me to get it? [He holds his hand out to Wade for the keys. And vaguely wonders which pouch he keeps 'em in.]

[Fortunately for Travis, Wade's hit that drunken stage where everything's hilarious, and so he awards Travis a few seconds of raucous laughter at his terrible attempt at a pun.

Still, he's somehow retained enough of his senses to know that he definitely won't be unlocking his apartment door without help, and so when Travis holds out his hand, he reaches into his pocket and hands it over as easy as you please. (And it would've been the pouch at his hip, Travis. That's where he keeps all his keys.)]

Okay, okay. But don't think you're gettin' out of an examination so easily, mister. I saw the way you flinched a little when I grabbed you.

Edited 2013-06-18 05:04 (UTC)

[As the last of Wade's laughter dies off, Travis snickers to himself and fumbles with the keys. He gets the wrong one once or twice, but eventually they make it in.

This place is starting to get very familiar to him. It's a nice realization.]

By the way... [He's finally stopped seeing freaking Van Wilder when looking at Wade's face, but it's still been nagging at the back of his mind the whole night--] When are you gonna turn that thing off? [He gestures to Wade's watch.]

[Wade isn't sure why he's so surprised by the question-- after all, it had to have come up sooner or later. It's not even that he's surprised by it. Not really. He feels strangely nervous; hesitant, though he's got no idea why he should be nervous. It's just an image enhancer, right? Not like Travis has never seen his real face before. He forces out a chuckle.]

What, sick of me bein' the one to draw all the ladies' attention? Didn't know you were the type to get jealous, Trav.

[Don't do it, Travis. It's stupid and sappy and you're slightly drunk and you ~~really really like this guy~~ are going to embarrass your friend with it and--]

It's just.

[Shit. It's too late. The words are there.]

We're not outside anymore, you don't really need to... hide your face from me or anything.

[He JUST manages to keep "because I thought it was all right from the start" in. Nope. Too gay.]

[And that stops him cold. The smile on his face wavers.]

You--

[He cuts himself off before he can say any more. He doesn't even know how he would finish that sentence. The awkward silence seems to stretch out for minutes instead of seconds, and he finds himself missing his mask. Hiding his scars is not the only reason he wears it, after all.

Wade's tongue darts out nervously to wet his lips, and he presses them together in a tight grin, hoping beyond all hope that Travis is too drunk to notice his little slip-up.]

Heh. Well, if you're gonna get all sentimental about it...

[He presses a few invisible buttons on the watch, and the image shimmers and fades. Wade chuckles again.]

There. Transformation complete. Regrettin' it yet?

[...shit. That sounded too disparaging. He awkwardly clears his throat and changes the subject. This is about making sure Travis is okay, after all. Not his little insecurities. He can deal with those later. Much later.]

Here, why don't you... have a seat over there? [He waves his hand in the direction of the kitchen table.]

I'm just gonna get some things real quick. Won't be long.

[And before Travis can utter a reply, he's heading off-- a little unsteadily-- to the bedroom.]

There we go.

[That's the Wade he knows. The way that he falters doesn't quite register with him, though Travis does sense, sort of remotely, that something's a little bit... off.]

I think you're overestimating how much I like Ryan Reynolds, man.

[And cracking a joke doesn't seem to solve Wade's problem. He's never been good at these awkward silences, either, so he mutters a small sound of agreement and sits where he's told.

As soon as he hits the seat, he breathes a tired sigh.]

Damn.

[It's almost been too eventful of a night for him. Hopefully Wade hasn't tripped over himself or anything-- it's going to take a lot to get Travis out of this chair.]

[To Wade's credit, he only has to stop once to realign himself as he makes his way through the bedroom. It's okay, sometimes the floor likes to tilt every once in a while. Especially when he's been drinking this much. Not a big deal.

He manages to reach the adjoining bathroom without too much trouble (although the mat trips him up and nearly makes him fall into the sink-- he briefly entertains the idea of setting it on fire as punishment) and opens the medicine cabinet, gathering the emergency first aid kit on the first shelf.

The first aid kit was a leftover from the last occupant of this apartment, and since Wade never needed to use it for anything, it just stayed in that one spot. Several times he'd thought about throwing it out, but never actually got around to doing it for some reason or another. Now, he's secretly grateful that he never actually followed through on his numerous plans to be rid of it. At least it was getting some use after all this time.

He shuts the medicine cabinet, doing his very best not to look in the mirror as he does so (he finds that he's less self-conscious when he doesn't know what he looks like) and once again makes the wobbly trip back to the kitchen and Travis.

He grins as he approaches, lightly shaking the first aid kit as if it's a box of candy.]

Lookee what I found~! Don' worry about a thing, okay Trav? Doctor Wilson's gonna take good care of you.

[A pause.]

Wanna take your shirt off? We still kinda need to... assess the damage here.

[He chuckles.]

Well, Doc, you got your work cut out for you.

[Travis pulls his shirt up over his head without any hesitation: after a few years of getting into scraps for pay and even more years of doing it for free, he's not shy about baring himself like this. Not when there's obvious wounds that need to be taken care of.

And obvious wounds there are. Travis' torso is very quickly turning several fetching shades of bruised. There's a long cut along his side that's still dripping blood: shallow, but very present.

He blinks and looks down at himself.]

...Huh. You really do. Didn't think it was this much of a mess.

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never has this icon been more appropriate