The Devil's Nest, Monday Night

[texted3times]

Eric arrived in the club at the same time as always and barely glanced at the New Kids on the Block belly tee that Tiny was wearing. "You know that I'm not going to ask," he said, settling into his usual spot. "I'm just not."

The Devil's Nest was open. Tiny, at least, was celebrating New Kids on the Block Day.

(His favorite was Donnie, if you cared.)

Comments

[sword_chocobro]

Gladio also noticed the shirt, and then looked to Eric with a lift of his brow that seemed to wonder if he should ask.

[texted3times]

"I think he forgot to do laundry," Eric said.

[sword_chocobro]

"Funny," Gladio snorted faintly, his arms opening slightly to highlight just how little laundry he did, in fact, have, "I never really seem to run into that problem."

Did this suggest that maybe he just had an endless supply of leather pants? Maybe. Either that, or a roommate who was very bored and very particular about cleanliness.

[texted3times]

"I can't imagine why," Eric teased. "You're always so covered."

[sword_chocobro]

"Come to think of it," Gladio realized, with a thoughtful tilt of his head, "have you ever even seen me with a shirt on?"

[texted3times]

"I haven't," Eric said, laughing. "This is not a complaint."

[sword_chocobro]

"Good," said Gladio, grinning back. "If it was, it'd be the first."

This was categorically untrue; Noct and Prompto used to complain about it all the time. Jealous, clearly.

But with that amusing repertoire lingering, Gladio lifted his chin at him a little and tilts his head, just a bit. "But how've you been, Eric? Anything interesting to report a that other bar of yours?"

[texted3times]

"I've been well," Eric said with a smile. "I can assure no one at Fantasia is wearing an 90s band t-shirt."

[sword_chocobro]

"Is that what that is?" asked Gladio, giving Tiny's shirt a new consideration with this introspection. "Remember, I'm not even from this world; I have absolutely no frame of reference on most things pop culture."

[texted3times]

"You are not missing out," Eric assured him. "Especially with this band."

He ignored Tiny's glare.

[sword_chocobro]

"Well, now," said Gladio, catching Tiny's glare with a grin, "I'm just curious...."

[texted3times]

Tiny's face lit up and he dove for the music. "Well, now you've done it," Eric sighed as "Hangin' Tough" blared through the bar.

[sword_chocobro]

"I'd say I was sorry," said Gladio, with a grin and a tone that suggested no remorse whatsoever, "but come on. Look at that face. I can't feel bad about that."

[texted3times]

"I don't normally go out of my way to make Tiny happy."

What an amazing boss Eric was.

[sword_chocobro]

"He does make my drinks on Mondays," said Gladio, his grin going just that slight bit less apologetic, "so I do have a vested interest in staying on his good side."

[texted3times]

"I don't think he has a bad side."

Eric also didn't talk much to Annie.

[sword_chocobro]

"See, now," said Gladio, "and here I was thinking it was just that he liked me."

Granted, to be fair, his disposition did seem to change oh-so-subtly based on who else was working on any given night.

[texted3times]

"He does now that you've encouraged him to play this music," Eric said.

[sword_chocobro]

And now Gladio was taking a moment to actually listen to that music, and he shrugged.

"Could be worse," he offered.

[texted3times]

"Oh, it can always be worse," Eric said. "I went through so many mediocre deejays before Lucifer arrived."

He ate them. But details.