[Ned laughs; that poor, poor Mr. Green. He doesn't really listen to him, either, but it's not like Henry Green has much to say to him on an ordinary day. So that works out just fine.
He looks over his shoulder at the model train with a little hum.] That old thing? That would be a to-scale model of the Best Friend of Charleston, the very first locomotive built entirely in the United States. In New York, in fact, though she was assembled a decade before my time.
[A beat.] And her boiler exploded before my time, too. Wish I could've seen it.
[Admittedly, Jacob was far more excited about the thing exploding than the details of the train. He wanted to ask how and how much fire, did anyone die, or anything else of the sort. But this is Ned, and he does want to keep his attention, so...]
If exploded before your time, how is it you got your hands on her model? [He is serious, but he can't help the little amused smile tugging at his lips. Ned is cute...] Or rather, how much money have you spent on that thing?
[Nobody, Jacob, and they could salvage enough parts to use it to build a different train. But whatever; he raises an eyebrow with a smirk of his own.]
Enough. More than the desk. [He's being completely honest here, he is actually this much of a fucking nerd about trains.] I like to think of her as an investment.
[He says this like he'll ever sell this toy train. Never. Ned♥train 4evr.]
An investment. [Jacob repeats, with a look that just screams he knows the truth. Ned just really wanted this toy train and he won't point it out if he keeps smirking like that.] I'm sure.
I won't say anything... because you own me a whiskey, Wynert. [He hasn't forgotten that he's absolutely going to owe him a favor. He's been looking forward to it.] How am I supposed to make myself comfortable without it?
[Ned loves his toy train!! The additional raised eyebrow says that he knows that Jacob knows he is just a dweeb for trains, and they can both just let it go there.
Whiskey time.] Always straight to business with you. [He sighs, like this is real and factual, and pushes himself off the desk to walk around behind it and stoop a little to open one of the drawers. Of course he keeps whiskey in his desk - that's just natural.
The bottle he sets on the counter is authentic American Whiskey From America, and he motions for Jacob to check it out while he moves again to fetch a pair of glasses from, for some reason, on top of one of the safes. He has a system.] Here—I'll let you pour us a taste, before you lose our bet.
You know me. All work. [Jacob takes his spot at the desk to lean over it, observing as Ned went around to fetch his things. He's already thinking of excuses to come back here. Find secret compartments, try combinations, go through his books...
All things he absolutely shouldn't waste time on doing. But he shouldn't really be so eagerly opening this Real American Whiskey bottle either, so whatever.] You haven't humiliated me enough already? I don't want to leave this place red-faced with embarrassment, so try to go easy on me.
I'll see what I can do. [He's put the glasses down now, one hand loosely around his own while he watches Jacob open the bottle. They might be in his office and surrounded by business, but this is one of the few times they've spent time together that is purely for personal reasons, and that's... nice. Jacob leaning over his desk like that inspires him to quite casually reach over with his other hand and lift Jacob's stupid top hat off his head.
He gives it a look as he sets it aside on the desk.] You look more comfortable already. [Without the ugly hat. He slides his glass forward.] Pour.
[Jacob blinks, looking up as Ned removes his hat. He nearly misses the glass tilting the bottle forward, catching himself staring at Ned with slightly furrowed brows.
He doesn't, though, thank God. He doesn't want to think about the moment-- whatever moment this is-- ruined by getting whiskey all over his things. He laughs it off, because what else can he do?] If it offends you so much, you can always ask. Unless you like taking things off me.
[That sure isn't gay. His glass in nearly filled to the brim by the time Jacob moves on to his own.]
[Jacob is too distracted to pour smoothly, Ned is too distracted to watch what he's doing—this is going great. This is much more fun than drinks at a pub somewhere, isn't it? He reaches back to pat the hat amicably, like he and the hat are in this together now.]
You're still dressed like you're leaving, Frye. Makes a host feel like his effort's been in vain. And— [And whatever else he's going to bullshit away about taking Jacob's clothes off for him has to wait, since he's finally glanced down to see the state of his glass. Uh.
When he laughs this time, it's surprised. Jacob??] Haven't you ever had whiskey straight before? You poured me about five glasses worth.
[Jacob didn't really think Ned the type to care about guests wearing hats indoors... but he's distracted from thinking about that by the fact he's nearly poured another five glasses into one. He really needs to stop looking at Ned. He'd nearly missed what he said.]
You're telling me you can't drink five glasses? [It's not the glass he's sliding back to him is any better, being worth maybe three. It's fine. He meant for this to happen.] I guess it'll have to be mine. Wouldn't want you so smashed you just start taking the rest off.
[Or does he. Hm. He's just going to take up the glass and not think about that either.] Are we toasting?
Tooo... [Jacob finds he doesn't want to risk spilling it over his fancy American wood, so he drags out the word for as long as it takes to walk around. He's here, he's thinking, he's looked at the train--]
To The Best Friend of Charleston. [He can't help but grin at his own stupid little toast, even behind the glass. It's a miracle he doesn't spill it touching it against Ned's and taking his first sip, because he's laughing to himself the whole time.]
[Ned's waiting here, glass raised, tiny smirk ready to get that much more smirky when Jacob picks something to toast to. He's waiting for "to the Rooks!" or maybe even "to London," and somehow nothing prepared him for Jacob toasting his stupid toy train. He blinks, keeping it together long enough to clink their glasses together and watch Jacob laugh at his own joke and oh, goddamn it. God damn it.
He can't help himself and it isn't a smirk so much as a full, honest to God smile, hidden behind his first sip of whiskey and then less so as he looks off to the side, not at the toy train. His shoulders shake a little with the laugh he is just barely holding in and he takes another sip hurriedly, waving his free hand at Jacob like please, do not speak.]
[Of all the things to finally make him choke, it's Ned's smile and waving at him. He can't help but laugh harder at the ridiculousness of it, seeing him so unconfined over a toy train. Whiskey drips down his chin and onto his coat as he lowers the glass, swallowing back what he didn't just lose.]
You like it. [He rasps, wiping his mouth on his sleeve. He cleared his throat and shakes his head, doing little to hide the fact he has one of those honest smiles as well.] I owe you a favor, Wynert. It's a toast over good whiskey.
[Jacob choking on his fancy liquor gives Ned a minute to control his face, good lord, what kind of crime lord is he?]
Jesus, that's gotta be at least two pounds' worth of whiskey you're dribbling everywhere. [This is it... This is where Ned has laid his affections. Apparently. Still kind of goddamn-it-ing over that one, give him time.] But I'll take that favor and remember it, no problem.
If you can. If you remember anything after that glass, I'll owe you another. [He's just giving these favors away... but to be fair, he doesn't expect Ned to be able to drink it all. He sets his glass down to pull his coat off his shoulders, draping it over his desk chair.
There, now he's all vest and belts.] Am I comfortable enough for you?
[Ned hums through his next sip of whiskey, like, that challenge is stupid and ridiculous now but when he's finished with this glass it's going to sound a lot more reasonable. That's where this is going, he thinks, as probably foolish as the idea is. Whatever. Jacob is taking his coat off, finally, and that's interesting.
He raises an eyebrow, which he has done enough times this evening to get one stuck up there.] If you've gotta keep asking, I'm guessing the answer's no.
You're the one that said I was looking ready to leave. [He could just leave it there, but... wearing belts all day was exhausting. Yeah. Definitely. That's why he's undoing the two around his vest and dropping them over his coat, of course.] There.
[He still has one around his leg, but that one is staying as he takes a proper drink.] I wonder... does anyone else get to come up here, or am I special?
[Okay, both of Ned's eyebrows go up this time. He didn't think Jacob would just start taking off his belts, even if they are useless decorative stupid things. He swishes what's left around in his glass a little, thoughtfully, watching this... display.]
I do business here sometimes. But this isn't business, so I guess you are special.
[Jacob could probably go so far as removing his vest, but that's a little too questionable for him follow through on. He leans back against the desk, crossing his ankles and settling in. Finally. The way he's still smiling at Ned isn't gay.]
I almost thought you agree so you'd start talking about a job for me. I'm lucky you just like my company.
[Please, Jacob, that might actually be suggesting something. Ned hums and leans back against the desk himself, still swishing his glass a bit longer before he drinks the rest at once. Liquor status: better than attic beer.]
You're saying it like it's supposed to be a surprise, Frye. Of course I don't let you follow me around for my health.
You don't? And here I thought all my daring adventures was good for your heart rate. [Jacob snickered, but it died off when he realized Ned's glass was empty now. Oh.
He can't just one-up him like that. Give him a moment to drink this all in one sitting, because that's exactly what he's doing. This is a great idea.]
[Ned, who does not drink cheap beer in his attic, can handle downing a shot of whiskey. He might be tiny, but he's done this before—and he'd think Jacob would have done it before too, except for the fact that he's doing it now. His glass had more in it to begin with, Ned recalls...
So this is going to go great. He reaches for the bottle, because-] I believe you're about to owe me another favor. More?
[That was a lot harder to keep doing when there's no horrible beer and Rooks being terrible influences. He isn't about to say no to another, but he will cave and say,] Perhaps a reasonable amount, this time.
[He has made some mistakes here, so he sets his glass down to let Ned pour instead.] I hope you don't plan on cashing them in tomorrow. I don't plan on getting up bright and early.
I'll forgive you for drinking down all that money without even enjoying it. [And he will pour Jacob a reasonable amount, the kind Jacob should have poured in the first place. Jacob's glass first, then his own. He's a gracious host.]
They're my favors, Frye. [If he wants something at the crack of dawn, he should get it???]
![[personal profile]](https://www.dreamwidth.org/img/silk/identity/user.png)
trainspotter) wrote in ![[community profile]](https://www.dreamwidth.org/img/silk/identity/community.png)
dumbshow2017-02-06 11:06 pm
no subject
He looks over his shoulder at the model train with a little hum.] That old thing? That would be a to-scale model of the Best Friend of Charleston, the very first locomotive built entirely in the United States. In New York, in fact, though she was assembled a decade before my time.
[A beat.] And her boiler exploded before my time, too. Wish I could've seen it.
[The train? The explosion? Both??]
no subject
If exploded before your time, how is it you got your hands on her model? [He is serious, but he can't help the little amused smile tugging at his lips. Ned is cute...] Or rather, how much money have you spent on that thing?
no subject
Enough. More than the desk. [He's being completely honest here, he is actually this much of a fucking nerd about trains.] I like to think of her as an investment.
[He says this like he'll ever sell this toy train. Never. Ned♥train 4evr.]
no subject
I won't say anything... because you own me a whiskey, Wynert. [He hasn't forgotten that he's absolutely going to owe him a favor. He's been looking forward to it.] How am I supposed to make myself comfortable without it?
no subject
Whiskey time.] Always straight to business with you. [He sighs, like this is real and factual, and pushes himself off the desk to walk around behind it and stoop a little to open one of the drawers. Of course he keeps whiskey in his desk - that's just natural.
The bottle he sets on the counter is authentic American Whiskey From America, and he motions for Jacob to check it out while he moves again to fetch a pair of glasses from, for some reason, on top of one of the safes. He has a system.] Here—I'll let you pour us a taste, before you lose our bet.
no subject
All things he absolutely shouldn't waste time on doing. But he shouldn't really be so eagerly opening this Real American Whiskey bottle either, so whatever.] You haven't humiliated me enough already? I don't want to leave this place red-faced with embarrassment, so try to go easy on me.
no subject
He gives it a look as he sets it aside on the desk.] You look more comfortable already. [Without the ugly hat. He slides his glass forward.] Pour.
no subject
He doesn't, though, thank God. He doesn't want to think about the moment-- whatever moment this is-- ruined by getting whiskey all over his things. He laughs it off, because what else can he do?] If it offends you so much, you can always ask. Unless you like taking things off me.
[That sure isn't gay. His glass in nearly filled to the brim by the time Jacob moves on to his own.]
no subject
You're still dressed like you're leaving, Frye. Makes a host feel like his effort's been in vain. And— [And whatever else he's going to bullshit away about taking Jacob's clothes off for him has to wait, since he's finally glanced down to see the state of his glass. Uh.
When he laughs this time, it's surprised. Jacob??] Haven't you ever had whiskey straight before? You poured me about five glasses worth.
[Pay attention, gay baby.]
no subject
You're telling me you can't drink five glasses? [It's not the glass he's sliding back to him is any better, being worth maybe three. It's fine. He meant for this to happen.] I guess it'll have to be mine. Wouldn't want you so smashed you just start taking the rest off.
[Or does he. Hm. He's just going to take up the glass and not think about that either.] Are we toasting?
no subject
Hah. Alright. You wanna toast? [He lifts the glass higher, like okay, come here and toast with him.] To what, Frye? Our beautiful friendship?
no subject
To The Best Friend of Charleston. [He can't help but grin at his own stupid little toast, even behind the glass. It's a miracle he doesn't spill it touching it against Ned's and taking his first sip, because he's laughing to himself the whole time.]
no subject
He can't help himself and it isn't a smirk so much as a full, honest to God smile, hidden behind his first sip of whiskey and then less so as he looks off to the side, not at the toy train. His shoulders shake a little with the laugh he is just barely holding in and he takes another sip hurriedly, waving his free hand at Jacob like please, do not speak.]
Wiseass. [don't look at him, go away]
no subject
You like it. [He rasps, wiping his mouth on his sleeve. He cleared his throat and shakes his head, doing little to hide the fact he has one of those honest smiles as well.] I owe you a favor, Wynert. It's a toast over good whiskey.
no subject
Jesus, that's gotta be at least two pounds' worth of whiskey you're dribbling everywhere. [This is it... This is where Ned has laid his affections. Apparently. Still kind of goddamn-it-ing over that one, give him time.] But I'll take that favor and remember it, no problem.
no subject
There, now he's all vest and belts.] Am I comfortable enough for you?
no subject
He raises an eyebrow, which he has done enough times this evening to get one stuck up there.] If you've gotta keep asking, I'm guessing the answer's no.
no subject
[He still has one around his leg, but that one is staying as he takes a proper drink.] I wonder... does anyone else get to come up here, or am I special?
no subject
I do business here sometimes. But this isn't business, so I guess you are special.
no subject
I almost thought you agree so you'd start talking about a job for me. I'm lucky you just like my company.
no subject
You're saying it like it's supposed to be a surprise, Frye. Of course I don't let you follow me around for my health.
no subject
He can't just one-up him like that. Give him a moment to drink this all in one sitting, because that's exactly what he's doing. This is a great idea.]
no subject
So this is going to go great. He reaches for the bottle, because-] I believe you're about to owe me another favor. More?
no subject
[He has made some mistakes here, so he sets his glass down to let Ned pour instead.] I hope you don't plan on cashing them in tomorrow. I don't plan on getting up bright and early.
no subject
They're my favors, Frye. [If he wants something at the crack of dawn, he should get it???]
(no subject)
(no subject)
(no subject)
(no subject)
(no subject)
(no subject)
(no subject)
(no subject)
(no subject)
(no subject)
(no subject)
(no subject)
(no subject)
(no subject)
(no subject)
(no subject)
(no subject)
(no subject)
(no subject)
(no subject)
(no subject)
(no subject)
(no subject)
(no subject)
(no subject)
(no subject)
(no subject)
(no subject)
(no subject)
(no subject)
(no subject)
(no subject)
(no subject)
(no subject)
(no subject)
(no subject)
(no subject)
(no subject)
(no subject)
(no subject)
(no subject)
(no subject)
(no subject)
(no subject)
(no subject)
(no subject)
(no subject)
(no subject)
(no subject)
(no subject)
(no subject)
(no subject)
(no subject)
(no subject)
(no subject)
(no subject)
(no subject)
(no subject)
(no subject)
(no subject)
(no subject)
(no subject)
(no subject)
(no subject)
(no subject)
(no subject)
(no subject)
(no subject)
(no subject)
(no subject)
(no subject)
(no subject)
(no subject)
(no subject)
(no subject)
(no subject)
(no subject)
(no subject)
(no subject)
(no subject)
(no subject)
(no subject)
(no subject)
(no subject)
(no subject)
(no subject)
(no subject)
(no subject)
(no subject)
(no subject)
(no subject)
(no subject)
(no subject)
(no subject)
(no subject)
(no subject)
(no subject)
(no subject)
(no subject)
(no subject)
(no subject)
(no subject)
(no subject)
(no subject)
(no subject)
(no subject)
(no subject)
(no subject)
(no subject)
(no subject)
(no subject)
(no subject)
(no subject)
(no subject)
(no subject)
(no subject)
(no subject)
(no subject)
(no subject)
(no subject)