dumbshow | Friends of Trains

Come to think of it, I have heard of it... Sounds like a load of rubbish for boring people. There will be no business in this car unless it's the business of telling Jacob Frye how magnificent he is. [It's fine, Jacob has a crush on Ned while Ned crushes on this train. That's just how his life is now, he's used to it.

He will get to pouring him a glass after he delicately sets his hat down, nearly filling both of them to the brim. Probably a bad idea, given how the noise outside indicates they're going to be moving in the next few minutes.] At least, that's my kind of pleasure.

[Boring people, oh, he sees how it is. Ned takes off his own hat as an afterthought, but he just drops it on a chair rather than get all delicate about it. Jacob is free to enjoy him running a hand through his hair while he waits for his drink.]

We'll see. You've got my attention, so far. [Spending Ned's money isn't that impressive all by itself. Ned picks up one of the glasses, taking a generous sip so it doesn't spill everywhere just on his short walk to the couch. Come here, impress him??]

[Jacob enjoys it enough that yet again, he's giving him a good long look instead of actually moving. And when he does move with his own glass, the train lurches forward and spills some of his own drink on his sleeve. He's a keeper, this one.]

Well I-- [There he grumbles, just shaking it off onto this nice carpet as he goes,] --am much more interesting than whatever pile of papers you've got back home.[Aaand he'll sit down beside Ned, casually leaning an arm over the side of the couch behind him like that didn't just happen.] And much nicer to look at.

[oh, honey]

Good thing I finished all that before I came here. [See, he was late because he didn't want to be distracted... Or he's a workaholic, whichever's easier. Now, as for his sloppy boy here,] Try to keep the rest of that in the glass.

[Or chug! Chugging champagne is always an option.] I like the train.

[Chugging champagne is definitely an option... here he went, getting it because it seemed all refined, and now he's going bottoms up. He shakes his head and wipes his mouth on his sleeve, but... it's the sleeve he'd spilled it on, then he has to wipe again with the other.

He's fancy train dating material, truly.] Yeah? I didn't want to disappoint the expert. [He pauses, then lowers his hand to lean forward with a lowered voice. They're alone, Jacob.] When Evie moves in with Greenie, I think Agnes will let us use the real deal the next... year you have time off.

[He's filthy, but Ned is still sitting here, charmed. That's probably because of how nice this train is and not because he's secretly into boys who wipe everything on their sleeves, though.]

Your sister gets married, and you get the wedding gift. [it's so nice, that train,] In that case, I'll be sure to find someone to fill in for a whole week. My schedule'll be all yours.

I get a wedding gift, then you marry the train. Then I'm all alone. [Jacob juts his lip out in a pout, leaning to set his glass aside before he got right back into Ned's space. He bumps knees with his cheeky little grin making its reappearance.]

And what will I do with the infamous Ned Wynert's free time? Would it be a crime to spend all of it only stealing kisses?

We can work something out. Share me. [With a train... What's stupid is how he might be a little serious about this. He sips his champagne, considering the pros and cons of knee bumps and kisses. He could spend the rest of the day staring out the window at the scenery, but that's a pretty tempting offer.]

Stealing's always a crime, Jacob. Think you're better at it than me?

[Share him with a train... Jacob shakes his head, taking a cursory glance out at the city sights passing by before he just settles back on Ned. The delusion he actually bought tickets for sight seeing was probably left at the station after the look on Ned's face.]

I know I'm better at it than you. [He drums his fingers on the couch, then drags them over Ned's shoulder to tug on the lapel of his suit, like it needs adjusting.] Usually get off scot free if I'm caught, too. Something about not being that bad after all.

[Share him with a train! It's very simple. Let him move in to the train, maybe.]

Your sister makes sure you don't get in too much trouble. [Doofus. Those big baby eyes can't charm the whole city, just a couple cops and rich people. And Ned, who brushes his hand away to move and set his glass aside. He leans back against Jacob's chest, getting comfortable before he looks up at him. Hey.] Come here.

[Kiss him... upside down!!!!]

Do not talk about my bloody sister on this train dinner date, Ned. [Jacob scrunches his nose in offense, but it his disgust doesn't last through Ned makes himself comfortable. He's back to his big dumb smile in seconds. Hey.]

You're ridiculously demanding. [He claims, actively leaning to kiss him upside down. He doesn't have to put his arm around Ned, but he's just so charming that Jacob winds up doing it anyway.]

[Ooh, attitude with his kisses, that's... that is something Ned is into, honestly. As evidenced by the smirk on his face before Jacob leans in to kiss him, lifting his hands to hold his face upside down too, while he's here. This was a great idea.

Still, can't have too many of his great ideas before somebody's neck starts to hurt, so he'll let go and settle in again, hand resting on top of Jacob's arm around him.] Anything else I'm not allowed to talk about? You better let me know up front, or I might not stop once I get going.

[Especially if he has five more drinks, which he might.]

You can go on for as long as you like, but I'm guaranteeing I won't fall asleep on you. [Again. He had before. He probably asked some polite question about the history of American trains and dozed when it was less about explosions than he'd imagined.]

Don't talk about Evie, Greenie... [If he's not going to be able to kiss Ned like this, he'll occupy himself with tugging on his tie like it's something that's got to go.] I can't think of anything that would absolutely kill the mood, really.

I can work with that. [Both of these things, actually. He can also think of half a dozen more people he shouldn't bring up for Jacob's sake all by himself, so- you're welcome, babe. Once again, he helpfully pulls the knot on his tie, leaving it hanging there rather than sit up and get rid of it properly. In a minute he'll move, take his jacket off, the works...]

So you're saying I should stick to talking about the train some more? [in d e t a i l]

What's that? I think... I think I'm falling asleep again, it's already sooo boring... [Jacob leans his head back and shuts his eyes, but his fake sleeping act is already ruined by the fact he can't stop grinning at his own joke. He tries for a whole thirty seconds before he breaks into a laugh.]

So long as you're the one talking about it, I think I'll live. [He'll even be productive by loosening the tie off entirely with one hand. He's so talented.]

[Oh, there goes his tie. Goodbye, tie. Ned has no objections to this, but Jacob is a fool for giving him full permission to speak at length about trains.]

If you fall asleep, I'm eating without you. [Whenever dinner is, whatever dinner is. He'll abandon Jacob and go date this train for the rest of the night instead. Smirking, he reaches up to pat Jacob's cheek.] Not every conversation has to be about what a fine specimen you are.

It doesn't have to be, but I certainly don't tire of it. [Jacob huffs, leaning his head into Ned's hand while he had the opportunity. This boy is starved of affection.]

There's always talking about how fine a specimen you are... Your hair curls at the end, it's adorable.

My... huh. [He's good for doling out the tiny affectionate gestures, but complimenting his appearance kind of takes him by surprise. Idly, his other hand goes to the ends of his hair, like he didn't notice it curled before. He did, but listen, people don't call him adorable every day of the week. He has to decide if he's entirely okay with that.]

You should've seen it back when I cut it myself. Looked like I got in a fight with a pair of hedge clippers. Clumsy ones.

Oh, that must have been a sight. Neddy Wynert, undone and looking a right mess. No one suspects he'll rise to the top, or wind up the most handsome man Jacob Frye's ever met. [Jacob can't help his grin this time, truly. It's not that he's trying to embarrass Ned, really, and more than he's gotten the chance to say it without anyone else around to judge.]

But... I'd probably still like you, hedge clippers or not. I don't think you'd appreciate my beard before I got here, but... I'd hope the same.

You'd have been, what, about twelve back then? That's one hell of a beard. [Just a reminder that Ned is old; this wasn't just a few years ago, literal baby. Calling him the most handsome man ever is way more acceptable than adorable though, so, feel free.]

When'd you get the tattoos?

Iiii... got these tattoos... [Let him drag out these words because he's trying to pretend he has sooo long a lifespan to go off of. He'll even look at his very much still clothed shoulder in consideration, he's so smart.] Me and some... not really mates got particularly sloshed this one night, and... well, that's the one. Pissed off father. Made Evie laugh, when she still did that.

But I'm fond of ravens, [stuffed bird boy,] so that one was with a clear head. Mostly.

[Jacob and some people who weren't his friends got drunk and made bad decisions, is that what Ned is hearing right now... That seems to be the extent of this story. What a child.] Thought we weren't talking about your sister, but never mind that.

[You know what's another cool topic to not bring up? Fathers. Cool, skipping those.]

But really, that's it? You like birds?

Why did you think I named my gang the way I did, Ned? ... I hope you don't actually think I play chess. I'm not all that. [Jacob like, genuinely thinks that everyone thinks of rooks the bird first, it's alright.] We're like... a... flock... of rooks. There's never more than one rook on a board.

[There's two, every game, but it's fine. Pay attention to him leaning back to strip off his coat instead.] You like trains, I like birds.

I can tell you don't play chess. [Jacob?? Ned and his Fancy Upbringing have played enough chess to never want to play chess again, but jesus, at least he knows the rules.

He definitely did not think of the bird rook first, becaaause-] Here I thought you'd want to be a murder of crows.

[These are totes the same bird, right??]

[Jacob just kinda. Looks at him. He's still removing his coat, but it's much slower now, like the wheels are turning to process that Ned cannot distinguish these very similar type of birds from each other.]

Crows... aren't rooks, Ned. There's differences. [He's so serious about this? His voice is so sullen, his expression is so incredulous.] It's a building of rooks, an unkindness of ravens, a... peep of chickens, there's more... [He wrote these down, somewhere,]

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