Fandom Fire Station, Monday

[justalittlerepressed]

There was confetti where the fire hoses were supposed to be stored. Want to know how Eddie knew this? It was because he was now covered in confetti.

Well. At least it gave him something to do here, even if it was just sweeping up a mess.

[open, of course]

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[designateddadfriend]

Considering how long Travis had just been living in the station, it was a minor miracle that he hadn't had his current problem until this morning.

"Crap," he muttered, peering around the staircase at the lower level. "Okay, he's here, but he's sweeping. If we're quiet, maybe you can slip by."

They were all grown men. Sneaking past Eddie was probably entirely unnecessary. But Travis and Stark could at least make an effort not to obviously have been sleeping together upstairs, right?

[stykera]

Stark got shy sometimes! Often.

"I'm usually quiet," he pointed out. Unnecessarily since Travis had certainly figured that out by now.

"Why is there so much confetti?" At least it wasn't glitter?

[designateddadfriend]

Travis could only shrug eloquently.

Why wouldn't there be so much confetti?

[stykera]

That earned a little laugh from Stark. "You really have gotten used to this place, haven't you?"

[justalittlerepressed]

If the confetti was linked to people having sex in the station, Eddie would never let anyone live it down. Just, you know, as a warning.

"Are you kidding me?"

Had he noticed them? No. No, he hadn't. He had, however, noticed the confetti was underneath what passed for a fire truck here.

[stykera]

Maybe they'd just been wrestling, Eddie.

Stark froze. "Is he talking to us?" he whispered to Travis.

[designateddadfriend]

Another shrug. Travis peered around again.

"He's looking under the truck. So . . . probably not?"

[stykera]

"Oh. Good. That's good. I think?"

There had been intense moments of awkwardness onboard Moya in the weeks before he left. This was similar, he thought, in that he wasn't entirely certain if being found here was going to be a problem.

"Should I just...try and go quickly?"

[designateddadfriend]

"Um. Yeah. I think." It'd been a bit since Travis had done his last walk of shame, though Vic did still manage to embarrass him over where he may or may not have stayed the night from time to time. "Just . . . try to look natural. Like if he does see you, there's no reason to think there's anything special going on."

[stykera]

Stark had just gotten yelled at, and about, when leaving certain sleeping quarters.

"I don't want to cause you any problems. I don't want to be a problem."

[designateddadfriend]

"Stark," Travis said, giving him a small smile. "You are not a problem."

And he leaned in to steal a quick kiss before shooing him off down the stairs.

[stykera]

"Oh, good," Stark said softly, very happily accepting that kiss. A little reassurance (or a lot) was necessary for his wellbeing. Then he headed down the stairs perhaps less quietly than he should have done.

Sorry, Eddie. You totally needed to know that your boss was hooking up with an alien upstairs, right?

[justalittlerepressed]

Which was why Eddie spun on his heels, weilding the broom in case it was an intruder. Because clearly that happened a lot here, right?

"Stark?" Wait a minute. "Travis?"

[designateddadfriend]

. . . Whelp, that was probably destined to happen.

Travis grimaced, then came down a few stairs to offer a (very casual, shut up) wave.

"Eddie. Morning."

[stykera]

Stark had his hands up in a 'please don't hit me' sort of way and had taken a couple of steps backward toward the stairs he'd just come off of.

"...hello, Eddie."

Time for a somewhat helpless glance at Travis.

[justalittlerepressed]

"Morning," Eddie replied, frowning like he was trying to figure out why they were both there so early before, you know, it sort of sank in why. "Oh. Ohhh."

Oh yeah, Buck was getting this gossip the moment they were gone.

[designateddadfriend]

Did you really have to have that realization out loud, Eddie? (Yes. Obviously.)

Travis nodded slowly, wondering which was worse: squirrels, or his thick-as-thieves coworkers. ". . . Stark's just heading out," he said, very smoothly. "I might get donuts. You want some donuts?"

[stykera]

"There are donuts?" Yes, let's focus on important things that aren't how very awkward things felt right now.

"I mean...yes. Right. I was leaving. To go...to leave." Because he already had a feeling he'd caused a problem.

[justalittlerepressed]

"Donuts would be appreciated," Eddie said with a grin that said he knew it was a bribe and he was taking that bribe gladly.

[designateddadfriend]

Travis would be very disappointed with you if you didn't recognize the bribe, Eddie.

"Great!" he said, and jogged down the stairs. "I'll see you out, Stark."

This was all extremely normal, Eddie! Go about your business!

[stykera]

But then Stark wouldn't get any donuts!

"Oh, you don't need to. I...I know the way out." Which was not a helpful statement in this context. Oops. "I can just go..."

[justalittlerepressed]

Which was why Eddie's grin got bigger and he nodded along with that. "You visit often?"

EDMUNDO, BE NICE.

[stykera]

For someone who had never seen a deer in headlights Stark could do a remarkably good impression of one.

"I...Sometimes? Recently. I don't know about often but I..."

He was just going to take a couple of steps closer to Travis, for support. Unless he shouldn't do that, in which case he might just flee.

[designateddadfriend]

Travis would give his hand a squeeze, but he was too busy using it to definitely not facepalm, what are you talking about? rub his eyes.

"We had a great weekend, Eddie, thanks, how was yours?"

. . . Wait, he maybe shouldn't have implied Stark had been here all weekend.

[justalittlerepressed]

Oh, but he did!

"I had a great one, thanks for asking," Eddie replied. "Checked out the zoo with Christopher and Buck."

[stykera]

Stark had squirrel witnesses who could confirm he hadn't actually been at the station all weekend!

"On the mainland?" Maybe a subject change was good. "I haven't been. I don't leave often. Leave the island I mean."

He left the fire station often! Wait. Not like that. Kind of like that.

[designateddadfriend]

That was good! Travis was possibly going to need to pull out receipts to survive this situation.

"A -- normal amount," Travis said. "Anyway. Donuts. Stark, you wanna come with?"

[stykera]

At least Stark would have something to report to Summer next time he saw her?

"Yes!"

That was definitely too eager but he didn't want to be interrogated. Or cause problems. Leaving was better. Probably.

"I...have to get coffee anyway. For the nurses." Who were going to be so interested.

[justalittlerepressed]

"Well, you two have a nice morning then," Eddie said. He was going to keep an eye out for those free donuts, though.

[designateddadfriend]

"You too," Travis said, flicking him a quick, close-lipped smile. "Oh, uh . . . make sure you sweep under the aid car, too. That confetti got everywhere."

[stykera]

"Goodbye, Eddie," Stark said with a very awkward wave. "Time for donuts. And do you want coffee?"

He could make sure coffee got brought back with donuts.