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[So romantic... almost-expired bar snacks. Ling doesn't complain while he's there only because there is nothing else to eat.]

Nachos would be worth it.

[He's very serious, but alright, alright-]

It almost sounds like you want me to come around and see you more often.

[There's just the briefest flicker in his gaze, and then:]

You're cute. Why wouldn't I want you around more often?

[Cute... he'll take it! Love that.]

I don't know, I'm not a very good customer.

I think you're my best customer.

[That's not even flattery.]

You buy things you don't use, you never start fights, you don't hit on the staff-- besides me, anyway-- and you're always in a good mood. And--

[He grins.]

Despite the fact you're snooping around hoping for some big lead, you haven't broken in once.

[Imagine if he did all of those things at once. And in a bad mood. Greed has understandable but low standards, he thinks.]

Soooo... I should come see you more often? And snoop around a little less?

[He's silent for just a moment, and then:]

Yeah.

[Abruptly, then:]

Oye. I've got a treat for you next time you come to the bar.

[But does he get kisses on the roof more often, that's his next question before he's absolutely distracted by A Treat.]

A surprise? Is it edible? Tell me.

Stop thinking with your stomach. No, it's not edible, it's better then that. Hey--

[Saved the waiter. Truth be told, Greed knows . . . shitty takeout Chinese food, he has no idea what to order here, but hey, Ling orders enough for about four people, so it works out.]

[Ling will order enough for five people tonight, for Greed's sake. He glances at him and can tell he has no idea what to do with this menu, so he'll handle the food, and definitely has a brief chat in Chinese here with the waiter about his hot date, but never mind that—

Then, they both look at Greed expectantly. A beat. Oh--]

Pick your wine.

[They can get back to his cool surprise in a minute.]

[English, motherfucker, that's all he speaks. Thank god he knows spirits like the back of his hand; it means he barely misses a beat before rattling off an order. It's red. It's probably a really expensive brand. You'd think I'd be able to do this after watching Frasier over and over but you'd be wrong!]

What'd you get us?

[I don't know jack about wine and neither does Ling, and price is just a number, so it'll be fine!! He hopes Greed enjoys his adult grape juice.]

Dinner. [........okay,] A little chicken, a little beef, a little rice. You don't look like the octopus type, which is kind of a shame.

[so lame.... this white boy...]

[His white boy, though.]

Yeah, no, good call on that one.

[Although now he's kind of curious . . . but ah, well, next time, such is the luxury of having a rich . . . dude . . . he hangs out with . . . sugar dude? Whatever!

. . . god, there's so much food coming out. Even knowing Ling's appetites, Greed is a little taken aback-- and then he starts laughing, because oh my god, Ling, you beautiful disaster.]

So. How far you willing to go for this whole family thing?

[Sugar dude! That will do for now. Ling is ready to chomp down on all this food, so Greed laughing is a surprise. What is wrong with his meal, and what are they talking about now? He shrugs first, really just putting off answering so he can liberally scoop food from every dish onto his plate.]

Well, I'm not going to stop... Why?

That's not what I'm asking. I'm asking, how far are you willing to go? You've gotta have a hard line somewhere . . . or maybe not.

[He's quick about grabbing some food: not just because he's hungry, but because he's pretty sure Ling will just eat it all if he lets him.]

[Yeah, he will, good call. He's already making short work of this plate; not a mannerly rich boy.]

Oh— I already told you I'm not going to kill the rest of the family branches. So far, that's the one.

What about blackmail them? Impoverish them? Swindle them out of their money?

Sure, but I'd like them to stick around instead of running away from me.

So . . . what, you want them to support you as you overtake them? Beat them, but no hard feelings?

No, just listen to me.

[It's not very nuanced at all. Eat your dinner, babe.]

[don't boss him??? like i mean he's gonna eat tho, he's gonna eat ...]

Mm.

[That doesn't seem like a very firm foundation, but . . . well, the kid will figure it out as he goes. And he's going to have to, see, because Greed's got a stupid surprise waiting for him at the bar, but he's also got something far darker for him in store.

He's gotta wait and see. He's not going to introduce Ling to his darker connections just because they're having a fling. But . . . he's stuck around for six months. Maybe it's time to reward that kind of loyalty.

But that's a problem for later. For now: dinner, and he nudges Ling a few times beneath the table, more because he likes to annoy him than because he's trying anything particularly sexual.

A bastion of maturity!

It's nearly ten when they return to the bar (mercifully quiet tonight, and he even let Ling drive them back, he's responsible and/or lazy like that). The lights are on, only a few patrons are in, and Greed hums softly before glancing over in the driver's seat.]

You coming in?

[Well, at least dinner is nice, they have that going for them. Ling has a good time not only because he eats half his weight in chicken and rice; sure, it wasn't a huge doubt, but he did wonder if hanging out with Greed removed from the context of the bar would be awkward or something. It's not! Even when he asks probing questions!

Great.

Anyway thanks for letting him drive, wino... Ling considers for a second or two before turning off the engine.]

So "the next time" I come by is right now, huh? This must be one hell of a surprise.

[Don't call him out . . . babe. Babe. Greed gives him a slightly flat look, sprawled back in the seat. His legs are spread, and idly he thinks about how good it would be to fuck Ling here.

He thinks more and more about fucking Ling, honestly. It's getting to be a problem.]

Don't get excited. I just don't want to spend the next week with you blowing up my phone trying to figure out what it is.

[That's a problem with a solution, babe. Now it's Ling's turn to lean over and steal a kiss, before he zips back to open the door and get out of the car. Let's go, it's surprise time.

He ducks back down to gesture for Greed to get out already. Let's gooo.]

I'll think of something else!

[WHY ARE YOU SO YOUNG AND FULL OF ENERGY . . . . uuuuuugh no honestly he's just being a shit as he takes his time with climbing out of the car. But he throws an arm around his shoulders, yanking him in close, so that's kind of nice.

He leads him in, depositing him on a bar stool and heading in back to grab it. Whatever it is, it's small, because he doesn't seem to have anything as he emerges. Behind the bar he goes, more for show than because he's actually working.

Ling is drinking tonight, apparently, as there's a shot being shoved across the bar. And beneath it, not a coaster, but a card.

An ID card, in fact, and one that's far, far more authentic than the shitty one Ling has. It has holographs and everything, telling the world that Ling Yao is nearly six feet, has black eyes and brown hair, and is absolutely twenty-two years old.]

[That is kind of nice, and he'd be clingier and resist getting detached onto a stool if not for The Surprise, which is truly keeping him going right now. Maybe Greed was kidding, and it is edible... wouldn't that be something!!

But apparently its's just more shots, and - hm! - a much more impressive fake ID than the one in his pocket right now. He lifts the shot and immediately puts it back down so he can scoop up his new ID and marvel at it. Ooh!!]

You got me an ID? You really do want me to drink more!

[Thank you, he's very touched.]

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