(no subject)

[the_hermit]

Who: Dylan and Merritt
What: After talking to Max, Dylan stops by the suite. He and Merritt talk some things out and raid the minibar.


onebehind: *lets himself into the suite when he arrives and moves for one of the couches, shrugging out of his hoodie as he goes. drapes it over the back of the couch, breathing out a sigh, and looks around for signs of life. what day is today? maybe Daniel has them in rehersals. fuck*

the_hermit: *and there's a hiss from the top of the stairs before he starts down them - and when Dylan looks at him, he'll point to the couch, where Jack is curled up, apparently completely out*

onebehind: *tenses a little at the hiss, glancing up at him sharply, something dark on his face. he relaxes immediately when he realizes it's Merritt, however, shifts his attentions briefly to Jack, and then pulls his hoodie back off the back of the couch to drape it over Jack carefully. he watches him for a moment barring that, fond and sad both, for whatever reason -- even he's not sure where the latter is coming from, there are a lot of things that it could be -- and then moves to meet Merritt by the bottom of the stairs*

the_hermit: *can't help but smile a little, shaking his head slightly, fondly, as Dylan covers Jack - though it slips a little when he catches the sadness. he raises an eyebrow at Dylan briefly before he nods for him to follow him into the kitchen - and he turns to lean up against one of the counters* He got restless earlier and decided pushing all the buttons on the elevator sounded like a good idea. *so to speak and to keep to the metaphor*

onebehind: *follows him into the kitchen, choosing to lean in the doorway, himself, and winces on Jack's behalf* He's gonna be out for awhile.

the_hermit: Considering Daniel was about to hit him with a heavy object earlier, it's probably for the best.

onebehind: *snorts. ... and after a moment* He okay? Besides the whole ... *potentially being murdered thing or the probably got knocked on his ass after all the button-pushing thing? because restless can be good or bad*

the_hermit: *looks back toward the living room* Yeah, he's alright. He's got more energy than I ever did, even at that age. I'm pretty sure we could run the theater lights on him, some days. *and this would be one of those days, where it just all builds up and he gets antsy*

onebehind: *glances back towards the living room, too* Yeah, no, not gonna argue that.

the_hermit: *and for all his rants against sentimentality, his expression drifts toward fond again as he looks toward the couch for another moment before he looks away and it snaps back into something more neutral* So you clearly didn't come straight from work tonight. *considering the lack of the routine*

onebehind: *looks dimly amused* You gonna ground me for not calling first, Mom? *a beat and then* One of our guys showed up in my office today. I wanted to find out what was so important it couldn't wait. *figures he can give that away without ruining whatever Max comes up with to try and scare him*

the_hermit: *crosses one arm across his chest, hand under his opposite elbow as he raises the other hand like he's messing with a necklace* You could have at least left a note, we were worried sick. *and drops the act and his arms, leaning back against the counter again* Nice of him.

onebehind: *deadpan* Oh, my God. You're the meanest mom in the world. *a beat* Good news is, he didn't blow my cover. *and he seems a decent guy. good. fond of Jack. probably the closest thing to a good male role model he had, growing up*

the_hermit: That's actually nice of him. And...yay for more people we actually like? *didn't get all that - he's tired, too - but did get the gist*

onebehind: *hums* Yay for more people we actually like.

the_hermit: *smiles* Well good, then.

onebehind: *flashes him a smile in return, brief and only half-real, and then pushes away from the doorframe to go raid the minibar*

the_hermit: Grab me someting while you're in there. *considering he'd been thinking about doing the same thing*

onebehind: Any preferences? *if not, Merritt's getting a teeny bottle of bourbon, too*

the_hermit: Surprise me. *bourbon's fine*

onebehind: *seems vaguely amused by that, though he doesn't comment -- he just grabs two bottle of bourbon, passes one to Merritt and turns to get a glass and some ice for his own*

onebehind: *he'd offer to get Merritt a glass, too, but considering the fact that he's usually all "pfft, glasses" ... *

the_hermit: *"pfft, glasses" is occasionally his motto. takes the bottle with a "thanks" and once he's opened it and taken a drink...* So aside from the meet and greet, what's up?

onebehind: *upends his own bottle into the glass and takes a drink of it. a shrug follows* Same shit, different day. Dylan Rhodes isn't exactly the most interesting guy in the world.

the_hermit: Lucky you. How's the case? *that he read the Cliff Notes on*

onebehind: Fuller and I got him to change his story yesterday. It feels less like bullshit, this time around, but we still gotta check it out to make sure. *a beat* And yeah, I know I already said it, but ... thanks.

the_hermit: *nods - and then does a complicated sort of facial shrug that boils down to a combination of "it was nothing" and "no problem"* You're welcome. *a beat* If you need me to look over any others, I promise I have a very affordable consulting fee. *joking - though he would be the uninvolved party again if Dylan needed it*

onebehind: *snorts* Comparable to your headshrinking fee?

the_hermit: Close. That was my "personal consultation" fee. It's different when it's for a government organization.

onebehind: Right. My mistake. *and despite the eyeroll that follows, he makes it clear that he's grateful for the offer, even if he doesn't have anything specific he needs him to look at right this second*

the_hermit: *yeah, he got that, even as he just grins back at him and takes another drink*

onebehind: *flashes him another one of those brief grins and mirrors Merritt before moving to climb up on one of the counters, to sit. and after a moment, backing up to the whole "what's up" thing ... * You?

the_hermit: *pops one shoulder in a shrug* Did some stuff for the show this morning. *rehearsal stuff, wardrobe stuff, etc* I was just doing some reading and was coming down to check on him *Jack* when you came in.

onebehind: *nods a little* Yeah, when I first came in, it occurred to me that maybe you guys were out working on the show. *assuming Daniel had them working all day ... and also explaining why he jumped when Merritt hissed. he was half sure he was alone*

the_hermit: That's really never outside the realm of possibility.

onebehind: I'm half-tempted to tell him you said that. *for all the good that'd do him considering Merritt's probably told him he's a hard taskmaster at least a dozen times before*

the_hermit: *snorts* Go ahead. I'll come with you.

onebehind: So he can flip both of us off?

the_hermit: Yep.

onebehind: *hums, amused, and takes another mouthful of his drink. he's going to need another one shortly at the rate he's going*

the_hermit: *especially if Merritt gets around to a subject he's been considering bringing up. but Merritt might need another one then, too. but okay, now he's thinking about it anyway, so. okay.* You alright, by the way? *since he did catch the sadness and there's been other things in the pile*

onebehind: *arches his eyebrows* Kinda beat, but yeah. *a pause* Why?

the_hermit: *sighs and drops his gaze for a moment, to fiddle with the cap of his bottle* I don't know. *and okay. have some actual Sharing Time with Merritt, even if he's still looking away from Dylan* I get used to being able to see everything on people's faces. It makes it boring, sometimes *considering the number of people that can surprise him amounts to pretty much Dylan*, but it also makes things easier, since I usually see stuff coming. *takes a deep breath and finally looks up and his expression is... he's trying to keep things together, but there's a lot of rawness lurking under it* Why do I feel like you're gearing up for a good-bye?

onebehind: *he stares at Merritt for a moment following that, like he just got punched in the gut, and then looks down at his drink. it's not that he's trying to make himself hard to read, even if it's not helping, it's just ... he can't really bear to look at him, right now. a moment of silence follows and then* It's not -- I don't ... *goddamn it. clenches and unclenches his jaw, frustrated with his inability to find his words, then breathes out a sigh* Because sooner or later, you're gonna outgrow me. Because with how fast you're all picking the shit up, it's not gonna take long. Because the guy I met with today? He was an old friend of Jack's and probably the closest thing to a father figure or whatever as he had, growing up. *because everyone he's ever gotten close to, everyone he's ever loved, has eventually outgrown him -- they've eventually left -- and while he didn't mean to make it look like he was gearing up for goodbye, maybe he should be. maybe he should bow out before there comes a point where they tell him, literally or otherwise, that he's not welcome anymore* I figured I'd kind of ... start easing the training wheels off.

the_hermit: *he knows the feeling, really. he won't cry. he won't. he'll just think about it a lot - and then the urge to cry is gone and is replaced by the urge to punch him in the face* With all due respect, Jacob: *and he would have called him "Jake" there if Miranda hadn't warned them off it* are you a fucking moron? *turns to set his drink down, so it doesn't get spilled, because he's going to end up talking with his hands, and as he turns back around...* Maybe we do pass you up on the actual magic. We probably will, because we have the time and opportunity like I wish we could get for you. But that means jack shit when it comes to how we feel about you. You're not our training wheels or a goddamn stuffed animal we'll stick in a box somewhere when our friends don't think it's cool anymore: you're our... sponsor, or whatever. You're our friend. *and almost talks over himself to correct that...* You're a lot more than a friend to the kids. *and then has to swallow hard, suddenly, as he's getting choked up again - and it caught him by surprise, this time...* And to me. The five of us are family. Don't sell that short when you know what having an actual family means to... *almost says "the kids" again but he might as well go all in at this point* To all of us.

onebehind: *isn't going to cry, either, though his eyes do sting, both because of what he said and how much he, himself, wishes he could believe it. reaches up to rub at his eyes, letting out a breath, and then softly, almost defeated* Not a moron, just ... a guy who thought he had friends -- family -- once and found out the hard way how little that can mean. *he pauses -- hesitates, really -- and then still without looking up* Miranda, she ... I told you we had a fight about my whole ... *he makes a vague gesture. the whole Bradley thing* ... right?

the_hermit: *reaches up to pinch at the bridge of his nose for a moment, too, and when he drops his hand, he nods. yeah, he knows how that one goes, too. - and then nods again* Right.

onebehind: *forces himself to look up at him, hoping Merritt can and will read between the lines, because he really doesn't want to actually say what happened between him and Miranda* It was more than just a fight. *a fight implies yelling, a few days of not talking, and then finally apology, not ... having your best friend, your sister cut you out of her life because she decides in that moment that she can't stand you anymore. and yeah, okay, so they both got over it, they both apologized, they're friends again, but it took twenty years ... and it still cuts, as much as he thinks he's over it. it colors him, his reactions and assumptions just as much as his father's death did, and he knows it does. or is just realizing that. or realizing it again. even he's not sure, really* I'm just ... *afraid of losing them. afraid of being hurt again*

the_hermit: *nods. he gets it, he does. he won't play "let's compare our pain" right now, but his brother was the most important person in his life, and he literally ruined Merritt's life. he gets it. he gets how it changes how you look at things. but he's starting to realize something, and he will say this, insistently...* We're not going anywhere. If we did, Daniel would kill us all for screwing up the show, and Jack would cry. *and yeah, he's teasing with that, trying to lighten this back up a little, because that's what he does when things get too sentimental. he shakes his head a little a beat later - but seriously* This is a family. *nods toward the living room* I don't know if you realize how much that kid in there worships the ground you walk on. How much he loves you. I don't know if he does. But I've seen him fanboy, and it's more than that. And Daniel... not that he's not always been about the perfection, but. He all but considers himself your lieutenant and worries about keeping everything going when you're not here. This is your family. No one's leaving this time.

onebehind: *yeah, he gets that Merritt gets it -- again with him picking the Horsemen because their stories reminded him of the shit he had to endure, as well as the fact that they deserved better -- but he appreciates the fact that Merritt's not going to play that game. but at any rate, without responding to the humor and in reference to Jack* He's ... *Dylan loves him, too, even if he can't quite bring himself to say it for all the reasons he's already outlined and for the fact that he doesn't trust his voice, really, right now* I ... *he loves them all that deeply, if he's being perfectly honest* I'm going to hold you to that. *and he's going to try to stop thinking they'll outgrow him, but he can't promise he'll manage or that he'll be the best at it all the time*

the_hermit: *watches him through that, to try and pick that up despite the fact that he's tired, too - and he might not get all the details, but he gets the gist* It's a promise. *and then, responding to what he picks up through that...* Well, again. We're not going anywhere, so you've got time. *a beat* Just don't distance yourself.

onebehind: I'll give it a shot. *again, he's not sure how well that'll go all of the time*

the_hermit: *and actually responding to what Dylan didn't say...* I'm still not the best at not running and hiding behind some stupid comment when things get mushy. We'll make progress.

onebehind: *nods a little, lowering his head into his drink again, and reaches up to rub at his eyes. he can't put into words how much he wants this, to actually have a family again, and how much it scares the shit out of him, at the same time, and between that and the actual conversation they just had, he feels vulnerable and raw, and ... yeah. he needs another drink. downs the rest of the one he has, then slides off the counter to go fish another bottle of bourbon out of the minibar*

the_hermit: *he didn't get that, but they all know the feeling. they've all got reason to be scared. but they'll get through it. reaches to pick up his drink as Dylan returns his attention to his - and then holds out a hand when Dylan goes for another one*

onebehind: *he ... is not entirely sure what he's supposed to do with that hand, so he just pauses and arches his eyebrows*

the_hermit: *he's going to need another one, too - which he would say if he wasn't in the middle of taking a drink of the one he already has, so he makes a "gimme" motion instead*

onebehind: *he thought that might have been it, but again, he's a little off his game at the moment. makes a small, accepting noise, no more than a grunt than anything else, and grabs two bottles out of the bar, passing one to Merritt before dumping his own back in his glass*

the_hermit: *finishes the first, sets it aside, and while he's opening the second one* Some day we're going to get told to stop abusing the minibar. I really don't care if today is that day.

onebehind: *snorts* Yeah, you and me, both.

the_hermit: *grins a little, tiredly*

onebehind: *flashes a grin in return, just as tired and brief for that exact reason, and then breathes out a sigh. takes another sip of his drink and then* ... thanks. *even if what Merritt just said eventually turns out to be bullshit -- and half of him is still convinced it will, if only because you can't fix a lifetime of issues with one good talk -- it's still good to hear and he'll take it for as long as it lasts*

the_hermit: *he knows the feeling. for all that he's the one doing the preaching and as hard as he's trying to ignore it, there's still part of him that is waiting for this all to bite him in the ass. which is why he doesn't address that, even though he sees it* You're welcome, Jacob. *and offers him another smile, this one just as tired but still real*

onebehind: *hooray for all of them being the most fucked up people on the face of the planet. but at any rate* ... I know Henley suggested I save my excuse -- *the one explaining why he's not at home, if and when anyone questions it* -- for a night when you're all around and ready to go, but I think I'm gonna stay, tonight. *in part because he plans on getting really hammered and it's hard to do magic when you're that fucked up and in part because he just ... wants his family, right now, even if one of them is asleep on the couch*

the_hermit: *nods around a drink, and once he's lowered the bottle again..* No one's gonna throw you out.

onebehind: *he nods. yeah, he's getting that* Yeah.

the_hermit: I'd say we could find some shaving cream and a feather and mess with Sleeping Beauty over there, but I'm pretty sure he's too out of it for that. *back to the pranks they mentioned the other night - and back to going to stupid comments when things stay too serious for too long*

onebehind: *honestly, at this point, he appreciates it. otherwise, he'd just sit here and drink in silence, not sure what to say otherwise. and that in mind, he glances back into the living room and makes a small, amused noise* Little bit. *a beat* It kinda ... knocks you on your ass, even if you're not out to push all the buttons on the elevator.

the_hermit: *nods* He's getting better, though. The first times he used it to get to the theater, he needed a minute just getting there.

onebehind: *flashes him a small smile that somehow runs the gamut of emotions -- proud, wry, and so on* Like I said, you guys are naturals. *all of them. not just Jack*

the_hermit: *chuckles a little, but means it when he says...* Thanks.

onebehind: *he shrugs -- it's true* You're welcome.

the_hermit: *but still - and offers him another smile before he finishes round two of his drink*

onebehind: *returns it, this one just fond and proud, without all the rest of his emotional baggage, and downs the rest of his drink, too* Okay, your turn. *since he grabbed the last two drinks*

the_hermit: *chuckles a little as he moves to take out two more bottles, handing one to Dylan and then resuming his place against the counter*

onebehind: *climbs back up onto the counter again in the meantime, leaning to take the bottle from him when he comes back with it. as per the last two, he upends this one into his glass, too, and after he's taken a drink ... * Speaking of. How much've you played around? *he figures Merritt must have, too, since all the other Horsemen have taken the time to experiment beyond what he showed them initially, but ... he's curious what he's come up with*

the_hermit: *admitting...* Not as much as the kids. *he's still somewhat lacking in volunteers* Things are easier, though. *picking things up, planting suggestions, and so on*

onebehind: *he nods. and after a moment ... * If you need a target dummy ...

the_hermit: I'd appreciate it. Jack'll let me poke around, but he does things like this *wears himself out, he means* and makes it too easy. *grins a little*

onebehind: *snorts* Yeah, I'm not as easy a mark.

the_hermit: *makes an "exactly" sort of gesture*

onebehind: *glances towards the living room again, idly, then takes a sip of drink number three* But yeah, whenever. *not necessarily right this second, though, since they're drinking here and all*

the_hermit: *nods. yeah, no, not right now* I'll take you up on that.

onebehind: Sounds good.

the_hermit: *and again, offers him a smile around a drink*

onebehind: *flashes him a smile in return and leans back a little, settling with his drink. and as it occurs to him* If and when you wanna crash, don't let me stop you, by the way. *he's noticed that Merritt is tired, and it's not like he'd expect them to entertain him, even if more than one-fourth of the house wasn't asleep or winding down*

the_hermit: Same goes for you. *on what he said and didn't say, that time*

onebehind: In a little bit, probably. *but not right this second. he wasn't kidding about getting drunk and it's going to take more than three glasses of bourbon to do it*

the_hermit: Same. *and again*

onebehind: Fair enough. *he pauses long enough to down the rest of said drink, and then* Just figured I'd let you know beyond the whole ... *him having to read it off of him*

the_hermit: *nods* Thanks. *a beat* I'm good.

onebehind: Welcome. *should really set his glass down and wait a bit before he has another, just so he doesn't look like, well, an alcoholic, but ... this is him, getting up to get another drink. and, for the record, he's probably at least feeling it after three drinks, even if he's not obviously drunk*

the_hermit: *is really, really not about to judge. especially considering he'll be right behind him once he finishes this one*

onebehind: *and while he's raiding the bar again ... * You want another? *even if he's not finished the one he's working on just yet, it'll save one of them having to go get it when he does*

the_hermit: *and pretending like he has to give it some actual thought...* While you're in there.

onebehind: *snorts* Sorry I asked. *grabs him another bottle, all the same, setting it down on the counter next to him, and then returns to his own space to fix his own drink. takes a sip, sighing, and leans back into the counter* We're gonna regret this shit tomorrow, you realize. *not that he particularly cares at the moment, but*

the_hermit: *brightly* Probably.

onebehind: *amused* At least tell me you have Alka-Seltzer or Gatorade or something somewhere. *a beat* Chances are Jack's gonna need it, too.

the_hermit: *nods* The bathroom and normal size refrigerator are well stocked. *for reasons besides just hangovers, but*

onebehind: Good to know.

the_hermit: *finishes off his current one, going for the bottle Dylan left him* Our greater concern should probably be how much of an asshole Daniel feels like being. Though the fact that Jack'll be feeling it too might be our salvation.

onebehind: *he makes a small, amused noise at that, despite the fact that he doesn't doubt that Daniel can be an asshole as far as terrorizing people with hangovers go -- or in general, when he wants to be, but that's beside the point -- and probably shouldn't be amused* If he tries anything, Jack or no ... *he'll get him back. shaving cream and feathers and all*

the_hermit: *chuckles* I will gladly help you out with that.

onebehind: Yeah, I figured maybe.

the_hermit: And here I was thinking it was a secret I like poking at our dear Daniel.

onebehind: *snorts into his drink before taking a sip* And here I was thinking you knew how quick I was.

onebehind: *a beat* Am. Whatever.

the_hermit: *chuckles* Grammar is the first to go, you know. *he's implying Dylan's on his way to drunk, even if he's also joking*

onebehind: *joking or not, it's true* I'm not sure I can argue that one.

the_hermit: Forget reciting the alphabet backwards. They should ask you to conjugate a verb in the field sobriety test. *a beat* You should suggest that. *wrong kind of law enforcement, Merritt*

onebehind: Reciting the alphabet backwards's a pain in the ass sober. *seriously, you ever try it? takes another sip of his drink* But I'm pretty sure that's not my department, either way.

the_hermit: *nods* It really is. *yes, he has. and then...* Oh, right.

onebehind: Nice try, though. *flashes him a brief smile, downs the rest of his drink and then rolls his head on his shoulders experimentally. ... yeah, that much liquor in that short a period of time and despite his tolerance? he's more than a little drunk now. this is nice*

the_hermit: *chuckles a little, taking another drink of his own - and yeah, he's definitely feeling it, too. which likely shows in that what he says next is responding to what Dylan didn't actually say* Yeah, it is.

onebehind: How hard is that, even with the ... *being drunk. squints at Merritt, trying to read him, to see for himself. he usually only gets legitimately drunk while at his apartment, alone. the rest of the time, he usually makes it look like he's had more than he actually has and fakes it, if need be. like he did with Alma*

the_hermit: Uh... depends on how drunk I am. And how drunk everyone else is, since the walls come down.

onebehind: ... point.

the_hermit: *tips his head back a little, judging his own levels, blinking at Dylan for a moment when he stands up again. yep. definitely feeling it* It gets harder to know what I shouldn't respond to. *hence him responding to what he read off Dylan* And then it gets hard to do the actual read.

onebehind: *seems dimly amused by Merritt trying to see how drunk he is -- apparently, he can actually still read that -- and then glances idly at the minibar, considering one more, himself, just to seal the deal. he doesn't move right away, though. instead ... * When's the last time you actually got drunk? *not just having a few, not just tipsy, but actually drunk*

the_hermit: *frowns, thinking* It's been a while. Probably some bad night before a year and a half ago. *not since he's known the Horsemen, definitely*

onebehind: *he nods ... and wonders if he should tell Merritt about the night he kept spiking his coffee subtly in front of Jack, since he was probably more than a little tipsy by the time that was over, even if he hid it well. and then wonders if he can pick that up off of him*

the_hermit: *that's a... little complicated for him to get all of considering his current state - but he does catch something and tilts his head a little* You?

onebehind: *with less hesitation than he'd probably show if he were sober* I kinda had a bad night the night I left you the Cliff Notes on that case you helped out with. It started with just ... needing to push all of the buttons on the elevator and kinda dissolved into the shit we just went over. *his Peter Pan complex and such. rather than say that, though, he just makes a vague gesture* I probably wasn't as bad off as I am now, but ... *he shrugs. again, he definitely wasn't sober by the end of that* Before that, though? *pauses, then shakes his head a little. probably sometime before he got the Horsemen together. maybe after, but before the shows started. he honestly doesn't know*

the_hermit: *frowns* Was someone around for that? *he doesn't actually remember exactly when Dylan left him the notes. and he's not asking to know if someone else saw him drunk; he's more worried if someone was there for support purposes if he needed it*

onebehind: Jack, yeah. But I don't think he realized I was spiking my coffee. *Merritt might not be worried about whether or not anyone saw him drunk, but he is. he knows most of the people here don't approve of his habits*

the_hermit: *they don't approve of his drinking habits, either, but eh, whatever* At least he was around.

onebehind: *he nods -- he can't argue that. having Jack around helped a lot* Yeah.

the_hermit: *and is kind of at a loss after that, and just nods around another drink*

onebehind: *after a moment and wryly* Sorry for being a buzzkill. *yeah, he's definitely going to have that one last drink now. gets up to get it out of the bar*

the_hermit: *lets out an amused breath* My buzz is doing fine, thanks.

onebehind: My mistake. *cracks open his newest bottle but doesn't bother with the glass this time. just takes a sip straight out of the bottle*

the_hermit: *just pops one shoulder in a shrug as he finishes off his bottle and sets the empty aside with the others. and before he looks back...* Just do us all a favor and don't be an idiot about this stuff. *worrying about them fucking off on him and letting them support him and so on and so forth*

onebehind: I'll try. *did he mention it's probably going to be a work in progress? he feels like maybe he did, but* It's been awhile since I've actually had people who ... *saw him for who he really was. who might actually stick around and not abandon him, intentionally or otherwise. and so on and so forth. again, one nice heart to heart isn't going to fix all of his issues overnight*

the_hermit: *and he doesn't expect it to - God knows the four of them are still working on their issues and they've been together a year, now, even if none of them were sure who would stay and who would go once it was all over* Yeah. Same for us.

onebehind: *he nods* We're all in this together or whatever, right?

the_hermit: *grins* You got it.

onebehind: *flashes him a smile, tired, and as such faint, but so very, startlingly real, then takes another sip of his drink*

the_hermit: *returns the smile, warmly, honestly - and then reaches up to run a hand over his face, the tired settling in for him, too*

onebehind: *manages to pick up on that, despite the booze and sets his unfinished drink down* You ready to call it a night?

the_hermit: *drops his hand* Definitely thinking about it. You?

onebehind: *resists the urge to rub at his eyes for the same reasons Merritt ran a hand over his face and nods* Yeah.

the_hermit: We're getting too old for this crap. *but he grins - again with mostly joking*

onebehind: *breathes out a sigh of a laugh* Second time I've heard that today. Still not gonna argue.

the_hermit: At least the kids are around to balance things out.

onebehind: Or make us feel worse. *either or and, really, he's kidding, so ... *

the_hermit: *nods* It can go either way.

onebehind: More or less. *he shrugs and pushes away from the counter a little unsteadily, glancing back at the mess of bottles he left on the counter. he should probably clean that up, but he's not sure he trusts his legs to get him from here to upstairs, much less from here to the recycling bin, so ... maybe tomorrow*

the_hermit: *stands up from his lean, too, stretching a little* There is another couch. *teasing*

onebehind: *he makes a small noise, almost amused and wryly so* I'm actually thinking about it. Stairs are kind of ... the natural enemy of the drunk guy.

the_hermit: *nods and, sagely...* I've lost many a battle to them in my time.

onebehind: That'd make two of us. *damn you, stairs! and, really, that in mind, he's pretty sure he is going to set up camp on the couch, and that in mind, he moves to drift out of the kitchen in that direction*

the_hermit: *chuckles, following him out of the kitchen, making a show of eyeing the stairs warily on the way before he looks back to him* Well, enjoy your slumber party. *nods to where Jack's asleep - and where, at some point, he's managed to roll over and wrap himself up in Dylan's hoodie. Merritt can't help but smile, fondly. if it gets mentioned, he'll just blame it on the booze* Good thing you decided to hang out.

onebehind: *makes a little huh? sound and then glances over at Jack and ... oh. oh. he finds he has to take a deep breath before he answers, for the best possible reasons, and even then, his voice is a little rough* Yeah. Guess so.

the_hermit: *makes a little "told you so" sort of face at him* Good night, Jacob. *and as he heads for the stairs* I'll bring the aspirin down in the morning.

onebehind: *doesn't catch the face, as his attentions are still fixed on Jack* I'll bring the Alka-Seltzer. *if he remembers. he's drunk and more than that he sounds a little distracted, still* Night, Merritt.

the_hermit: It's a deal. *and starts up the stairs, one hand on the rail, and he flips the other hand at him in a wave*

onebehind: *waves back, briefly, still distracted, and then refocused himself on Jack. a moment of hesitation follows, and he just stands there, smiling dumbly down at him, and then he reaches out to brush a hand over Jack's hair, ever so slightly, not stopping to think at the moment that he might wake him up or how creepy that might come off as*

the_death_card: *does shift a little at the touch, but doesn't seem to be waking up*

the_hermit: *pauses at the top of the stairs, watching for a moment, smiling, before he turns to head to his room*

onebehind: *he was hoping you wouldn't see that, McKinney. he also doesn't notice that he does, however. he just pulls his hand back, freezing in place, and then, when Jack doesn't move again, retreats to the other couch to sit down and try and get comfortable. it won't take long*

the_hermit: *he doesn't plan on mentioning it. was also pretty much out as soon as he hit his own bed*

onebehind: *he takes a moment to set his cell phone to wake him up a couple of hours before he actually has to be at work, so he can try and cope with the hangover, and then he is, too*