orangetoughguy | phone post

I might look like shit but I ain't no McGruff.

[Freddy's got his eye on the time. He hasn't been here too long just yet, not enough for him to want to leave Angela alone already.]

Not hairy enough. Too blonde. Plus you'd need a trench coat.

[How long is too long? Just long enough to believe she's not going to follow that hard shot with something stronger as soon as the door closes behind him? Enough to feel that she'll be okay as much as she likes to try and convince herself?

It's almost automatic how Angela pulls a pen out of a pocket and begins drawing the cartoon dog in question on a napkin.]

Voice isn't deep enough either.

Fair enough. [He points to his nose.] I got this though.

[When you know you've got a roman profile may as well get some laughs out of it. When Freddy looks over to the napkin he's just got to ask.]

You ever do comics?

Well, one out of five isn't bad.

[Angela's seen and drawn worse noses. Besides, to her, Freddy doesn't have the face fit for a itty bitty nose.]

Sometimes. [And a layer of shading goes down around McGruff's own nose.] I did them a lot more when I was in college, usually doing the art for the writing majors' comics, though I drew a couple for my ex who was a Star Wars geek.

Star Wars is alright. [For films, but for this fanboy comics are where it's at.]

The Fantastic Four were in space long before that though.

[Look at least the beer's done. Now Angela can sit through some Marvel talk until the bourbon's gone.]

Don't let him hear you say that. He's very sensitive about his Star Wars.

[She laughs without looking up from the paper, but yet it seems like she manages to pull a pencil out of thin air. Hodgins would never hear that comment anyway. Wishful thinking.]

You like comic books?

[He has to put the bourbon down because what? What? Does he like comic books?]

I--[Wait. Freddy does a quick look over of the clientele just to make sure there's no superhero he recognizes remotely. He's sensitive to not breaking the fourth wall. Then, with a lowered volum:] I love comic books.

[Angela's eying that bourbon snitching, Freddy. Don't think she didn't notice.]

Marvel or DC? Or a smaller press?

[Fff. Fff. That's the sound he makes when she poses a question that requires he pick one.] All of it.

[But he's a Marvel boy at heart. She doesn't need to know that, don't ask don't tell. Yep.]

[Rolling her eyes, Angela signs her doodle the same way she did the last time he saw her, but this time, she slides the napkin towards him.]

Should have told me this earlier. Now I have to return your Christmas present for something useful.

[Yeah, Freddy, you were getting one. All her friends were. Deal with it.]

What? I mean you don't have to do that.

[Cause if it's Marvel related and made prior to '92 he might already have it or something. No really Freddy likes surprises, even non-comic ones. He reaches out for McGruff, giving the dog a look. Freddy can't draw or script for crap. It's one of those talents involved in a medium he loves he knows he'll never have.]

Thanks.

Yeah, shut up. You'll like it anyway.

[Well, she was going to get him the latest big Marvel encyclopedia instead of the jacket, but she'll just do both. It's no skin off her nose.]

Nothing doin'. Or whatever.

[A handshake from Silver Surfer himself would be ideal but that's cool too. Freddy raises the bourbon glass now, giving the last bit of it a swirl.]

Well I ain't the only one getting a gift, lucky you.

[He's not gonna tell her what it is though because surprises are cool and the suspense even better.]

I hope it's another bourbon or at least a soda since you stole my drinks, you bastard.

Nope.

[He's got his money out though to cover a drink for her. It's only fair, not chivalry or anything. Maybe.]

[Pffft. And she actually makes that sound as she grabs the menu, preparing to settle in and actually do what she said she would do to kill time.]

Fine. See if I call you to be a designated walker again.

[She's so grateful. Freddy will never know.]

I'll take my chances.

[How's that for masculine bravado? He's only joking of course. The last of the bourbon goes down.]

[Angela sees that with the bourbon being gone, so will he. She leans over and grabs his hand to get his full attention.]

Hey, be careful out there, okay? I'm tired of seeing you with bruises.

[Green eyes look down at the grasp. Oh hell even Freddy doesn't think he's as naturalistic as Marlon Brando when it comes to pulling off that supercool Mr. Orange facade. He's in a dangerous place.]

Thanks, I'll be careful. I got McGruff on my side. [In more ways than one. Too bad McGruff can't provide interdimensional police back up.] You too okay?

I'll be.

[It's a promise.]

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