driftfleet | (no subject)

[Maybe you didn't want to address any of the rumors you've seen of Mon-El's when his broadcast happened, but those notes are still popping up on the ship and you still live with him and there's still a crate of condoms he hasn't moved out of the cargo bay yet. It can make for some awkward brushing of the teeth together in the mornings or hanging out at the pinball machine or anywhere around the ship.]

[If things are awkward between him and Mon-El, it has very little to do with the condoms. Or, rather, it has less to do with what the condoms mean to Mon-El, and more that they remind him of the context of their last (and first) conversation.

The fact that Felix changes and does most of his daily routine closed off in the shower also has nothing to do with the condoms, but when he emerges from the stall, wet-haired but dressed, to find his crewmate brushing his teeth, he pauses.

He could absolutely be sympathetic, but Mon-El hasn't quite earned that from him. Instead, he opts for gentle teasing.]

Getting ready for a date? [He smiles into the mirror Mon-El is staring into]

[Mon-El glances up at him. He'd seen him a little around the ship and remembered him from the bookstore, but they hadn't really bumped into each other again. Once he started dating Kara and working at the Space Bar he wasn't around as much or he was often occupied when he was until now at least.

Mon-El rinses his mouth before responding.]

My date doesn't want to see me right now, so probably not.

[He'd expected a little mild embarrassment, so the somewhat more serious response he gets is far less fun. He raises a brow.]

Was she really upset about those ridiculous rumors?

[As far as he knows, none of them are even true, so what is the problem?]

[He looks solemn.] It was true. [Maybe he shouldn't still be admitting that, but at this point Kara knows he's not sure it matters.] So, she's taking some time away.

[Ah. Well, that provides some context to Mon-El's mood]

Was it before or after you and she agreed to be exclusive?

Before, but she feels I should have told her since she knows Natasha.

So it only matters because she's familiar with the person involved?

[He's honestly a bit perplexed, though admittedly he has the ultimate bias when it comes to being selective with what he tells his partners about his past liaisons, and he's never asked them about theirs in return.]

I...yes? That is what it sounded like. Is that confusing to you too? I haven't had a lot of relationships. A lot of relations, but not relationships.

[ winn has been working hard on becoming his own hero - and really, on the whole, it's working - sure, his face looks like an abstract painting after the bar fight he got into, and he's got some matching bruises on the rest of his body, but he held his own. yeah, robb was there (he possibly wouldn't have had the issue to begin with if he weren't, but he could've also had it worse, who knows) but robb didn't have to save him - he fought for himself, and that means a lot to him.

that being said, he's still not thrilled about the idea of repeating the experience. even heroes need backup sometimes, right! he decides this request is better made in person so after texting mon-el and making sure that he's free - he hops on a shuttle and heads over to the goldstone. ]

Hi - [ he waves when he gets off the shuttle, and smiles even though it kinda hurts. can people stop punching him in the face now? ]

[He was already smiling as Winn stepped out of the shuttle. He wasn't exactly sure what Winn wanted other than to see him, but that was reason enough for a smile. They can always use more hanging out time. But that smile drops and gets joined by wider eyes when he catches sight of Winn's face.]

Wow, what happened to you? [Moving forward.] Are you okay?

I'm fine -- I kinda...got into a bar fight.

[ that does not get any less weird to say every time he does it. ]

How many bar fights?

Eh, one fight, a whole bar. I don't half-ass anything...wish I did, though.

What happened? You don't seem like a fight starter.

It was nothing, it was a bad part of a not so great asteroid, and everyone was drunk. Thing is, though, I actually do need to go back there.

That is not an answer. Why do you need to go back?

...because I need to buy ammo cuz Peggy is teaching me how to shoot, cuz it's ridiculous I'm an agent who goes in the field and I have no way to defend myself.

[ that covers it, right? ]

[He nods slowly because he makes a good point. He can't really use the "but I or Kara or Kitty will be there" argument when his face is looking like that.] Then I guess we should get you some of those lead bullets. [That he's not incredibly fond of for reasons.]

I'm working on an alternative, you know - non-lethal, non-lead - but until I get that going, I have to practice with something.

[He pats him on the shoulder.] Of course you are. I can't think of a more Winn thing for you to do. Let's go.

Thanks.

[ it's so nice, that he doesn't even have to ask, that mon-el doesn't hesitate. ]

When we're done with this, drink's on me.

[He's just glad Winn isn't fighting him on it. Then again, he probably wouldn't be here if he wanted to go in alone.] You bet it is. [He smiles.] So, is this going to be a less than legitimate purchase? With the bullets, not the drinks.

[ absolutely not fighting him on it. he's done fighting. fighting hurts. ]

It's - [ he clears his throat ] it's a little questionable.

Is it with the same people you were beating up? [Let's just assume Winn won. Sure.]