Settling In: Chapter 8

I was even more sure of my guess as he got closer. Like me, Clockblocker hadn't come in full costume. Instead, he wore a nice set of dark slacks that looked expensive and had his clock theme stitched into the sides of his legs in white, running from his dress shoes to his hips. His dress shirt was similarly themed, though in no way could it be called armor like his regular costume. The overall look was completed by his mask, covering most of his face. Like an opera mask but with blue opaque lenses concealing his eyes, and decaled exactly like his normal mask continuing the look his clothes gave.

"I… I'm sorry!" the boy breathed through winded lungs, hands on knees. It seemed like he'd been running for quite some time in order to get here. Something supported by how his hair looked like he started off with it matching his uptown look, but was now disheveled and wind blown. "I was trying to…! Uh.. I…!"

"You kept me waiting, Clockblocker. I am cross."

He cocked his head at me.

"I did say I would be," I said, unable to help a small grin letting him know I was teasing.

Seeming to finally get his breath back, he chuckled, "I guess I deserve that."

"When you didn't show, I thought you might have blocked your own clock."

"First, time puns, really?" he asked looking more amused than offended.

I smiled smugly seeing through him. "I could have gone with, 'Hi Justin!' You know, because you were, just-in-time."

"That was bad," Clockblocker said flatly. "And you should feel bad for saying it."

"You would know," I countered easily. "According to the PHO, you're the master of bad one liners."

"Ouch," he mumbled as if physically wounded. "Which leads into my second point. Is there any way I can convince you to abandon your exciting life of villainy for a boring one with the Wards? Seriously, think about it. Between the two of us, think of all the great ways we can annoy everyone! But mostly Director Piggot. And Armsmaster. And...no, no, I really can see us managing to successfully annoy everyone."

"Suspected villain," I corrected him, trying not to laugh. "Until someone manages to fabricate evidence to prove otherwise."

"So, is that a no?"

Giving into a chuckle, I shook my head. "You're cute, but you're not that cute, chérie."

"Oh well," Clockblocker sighed falsely. "At least I got the mandatory Wards pitch out of the way. Sorry for that by the way. Vista would throw a fit if she found out I didn't at least try to get you to join, not to mention the director."

"They really make you pitch the Wards to non-aligned capes?"

"It's in my contract," he shrugged uncaringly before he smirked. "Or so they tell me. I haven't actually read it yet."

"And you've been a Ward for, how long?" I asked dryly.

"Almost two years now," he answered with a knowing smirk. "But I figure as long as I don't actually read it, I can plausibly deny knowing I'm not allowed or supposed to do stuff."

"Like hitting on random girls you just met and conning them into going out with you?"

"Exactly."

And then the conversation died leaving us standing next to the cab, not saying anything. Which reminded me that I'd never actually been on a real date before. Marcus and I usually just hung out at whatever crash pad people were gathering at. Well, when we - or rather I - had time for it. Most of my time was usually spent planning a heist, setting up everything that needed to be in place before doing one, or dealing with all the little details that needed to be dealt with after. Even when I wasn't doing something like that, there was always something to take care of.

Yeah...this was awkward. So of course, Jess took this moment to remind us they were present.

"Meter's runnin'," they said in a clear masculine tone that also clearly said they had heard everything we said.

"Right," Clockblocker said lamely. "So, I guess we should go?"

"Probably," I replied just as badly. When Jess snorted at how we were still standing around, I moved to the cab door, and was almost instantly halted.

Clockblocker stepped in front of me and opened the cab door actually doing a better job of getting in the way than being gentlemanly.

I shuffled backward awkwardly to get out of the way and around the door, chuckling a little bit as his nervousness finally revealed itself.

"Ah… sorry. I should… Gallant always sorta does… Ehmm," he blundered oddly as he held the door and his arm out for me to get inside.

I grinned at him and put a hand on his shoulder. "It's sweet, mon cher, but don't get so caught up what other people do. I didn't agree to see Gallant tonight, after all."

He beamed. "A-alright then!"

Without another word, Clockblocker got in with me following. If the silence that followed our starting banter was bad, it was worse now that we were in close proximity, in the back of a cab, both of us sitting next to each other, but not close enough to accidentally touch, and very aware of the others' proximity.

"You, ah," Clockblocker mumbled making me think he was just as uncomfortable as I was. "You look really nice."

"Thank you," I replied, smiling despite myself. Turning slightly to him, I gave his outfit another look. "You do as well, though I am dead curious about where you got that get up."

"My cousin," Clock smirked.

"So let me get this straight," I couldn't help but ask. "Instead of going as yourself, you're going as a normal guy, cosplay dressed up as your heroic alter ego?"

"Don't knock cosplay," Jess muttered so low I barely heard it. Pretty sure Clockblocker didn't, instead he answered my question.

"Hiding in plain sight. Clever eh?"

"Considering some of the cape nuts out there, it actually is," I admitted. "Helps that your outfit is the right blend so that it works, without actually giving away anything."

"Thanks. I probably should take credit for it, but it was actually Vista's idea," Clockblocker admitted. "She reminded me about it after Gallant and I had it out this morning."

"Oh?" I asked curiously. "Troubles?"

"Something like that," Clockblocker snorted, shaking his head. "Do you have any idea how fast gossip travels around the PRT building?"

"No clue," I admitted freely. "But, I'll have to find a way to thank Vista later. It was nice of her to help you out."

"Yeah… ah. It was."

The silence afterwards begged to be filled but it seemed neither of us could think of anything to say. Jess snickered after a few minutes before putting a cd into the car's stereo.

I rolled my eyes as an Elton John song filled in the silence with cheesy romance.

"Really guy? Really?" Clockblocker asked. I couldn't tell if he was offended by the music itself, or the blatant trolling.

"My cab, my tunes," Jess shot back easily. "Don't like it, you can walk."

Catching their eyes in the rear view mirror, I silently mouthed, "I'm going to kill you."

Jess's shit eating grin only got wider.

It wasn't long before we arrived and both Clockblocker and I were thankful to be away from Jess. For the moment anyways. I had no delusions they were going away. I just hoped they didn't somehow masquerade as our waiter here.

Then again, with Jess, that was actually a terrifying possibility.

"So, is it just me or was that guy laughing at us pretty much the whole trip?" Clockblocker asked.

"Yeah," I sighed, trying to play it off with a shrug. "But cab drivers, what are you going to do, right?"

Cafe Mediterraneo was every bit as posh as Chubster said. Which was still a bit more than I was comfortable with now that I was here and looking around. Unlike similar places in New Orleans, this was posh without any real...soul, I guess. At least, not one I was familiar with.

Next to me, Clockblocker sighed, which made me think he was sharing my thoughts about the place. But we were here now.

Inside, everything was nice. Pleasant artwork, good looking tables and settings. Really everything was giving off that nice Italian vibe. I have expected to see the Godfather sitting in the back somewhere, surrounded by minions and eating a sandwich or something. What people that were here looked at us, smirked or blinked and then ignored us for the most part.

Clockblocker must have forewarned the staff we were coming, as the hostess took one look at us, and immediately sent us a waitress to show us to a table. She then took our drink orders - water for me, soda for Clock - and then left. Neither of us said a word for several long minutes. Even after the waitress came back with our drinks and left again, the only words exchanged at our table were from us to our waitress, letting her know that we needed more time to look over our options.

This whole thing was starting to feel like a job interview, but without the job or any other pay out that I could think of. Our earlier conversation - weak as it was - had fallen flat. Now there was nothing to do but stare at our empty plates or menus and hope the awkwardness passed.

"So," Clockblocker said, thankfully breaking the silence. "What brings you to Brockton Bay? If you don't mind me asking? I mean, New Orleans, and based on the… coat, you don't seem to be a big fan of the cold."

"I'm not," I answered. "Never did like the cold, but I would have thought there were plenty of guesses for why I was in the Bay in my PRT file."

Clockblocker sighed, smiling wryly. "Not much getting around that, is there?"

Wincing at his tone, and kind of feeling like a bitch, I smiled apologetically. "Sorry, but I've not had what you could call good experiences with Wards. Besides, we both know you read it. I could tell based on some of the things you said last night."

"And yet, I'm here," he accurately pointed out not denying that he had.

"Touché," I acknowledged. "The question then becomes, why? Why ask me out?"

"Something tells me you won't believe I just wanted a chance to hang out with a pretty girl."

Biting my lip, I shook my head affirming his thoughts.

"Alright, so why do you think I asked?"

"Could be several reasons," I replied cautiously.

"Such as?"

"Information gathering for one," I answered with the first thought on my mind. It wouldn't be the first time someone in the PRT sent someone to find out things about me. Though, this would be the first time they sent a hero to do it. Normally they sent less...inconspicuous types and nothing about Clockblocker could be called subtle.

"Isn't that what a first date is though? Two people gathering information so they get to know each other?"

"Depends on if you're wired or not."

"It would be totally inappropriate to suggest that I'd let you check me, if I got to check you, wouldn't it?"

"Very," I drawled, but his comment did get a smirk from me as well as breaking a bit of the tension between us.

"Damn," Clockblocker cursed. "Well, I'm not, just so you know. What else do you have?"

Nodding to his tone of 'might as well get it over with' I pretending to think for a moment. Just long enough for Clockblocker to pick up his glass and take a drink. "Well, this could be a honey pot trap."

Instead of explosive spit take I was expecting, he managed to keep it contained to his glass. "Excuse me?"

"You know, get to girl to fall for you, reveal all her dirty secrets and then use that against her," I answered honestly. It wasn't high on my list of possibilities considering who I was sharing a table with, but then again, I didn't suspect Marcus of doing it either.

"If that was the case, they would have sent Gallant," he replied dryly. "He can cheat."

"You said yourself that he was taken, and even when he wasn't taken, he was taken," I reminded him.

"Aegis then," he replied, not missing a beat. "Keep in mind, I'm about as straight as it gets, but the guy's single and ripped like you wouldn't believe. He's way better with girls than I am."

"Then why?" I asked expressionlessly.

"I didn't expect you to accept," Clockblocker finally answered, looking rather rough for having admitted it. "Honestly, I was mostly playing around since most people don't take me seriously, but just so you know, I meant it when I said you look really nice tonight."

The longer this conversation went, the more certain I was that it had nothing to do with my worst case scenarios. You could fake a lot of things - I know I could - but the awkwardness, earnest expressions, and his cosplay outfit were not something most could fake without giving something away.

Then there was my gut telling me that Clockblocker was absolutely nothing like Marcus. Granted, I didn't know enough about him yet, but by now Marcus would've been bragging about something he'd done. A heist or con he pulled. Someone he had helped. But then, with Marcus, there wouldn't even be a right now. Our best date had consisted of a midnight boat ride, on a stolen boat, moving jewelry we took from the Baker Estate to our fence.

But even Marcus, asshole that he turned out to be, was still better than most of the Wards I'd met. My mind strayed to Guppy, and I forcibly put down thoughts of New Orleans. Both the good and bad, returning my focus to the guy sitting across from me.

I must have been silent awhile. Clockblocker was looking about as miserable as I felt at how things were going making me think about my tarot reading. Specifically the sixth card that through everything out of balance.

The World, reversed. Traditionally it should have signified me leaving Brockton Bay, as the other cards had hinted. Instead of pushing as the others had, it spoke to me of reaching out to others, even if who those 'others' were, was vague.

Maybe there really was something to it, after all.

"Hey," I said softly. Once I had his attention, I tilted my head to the cafe around us. "This really isn't my kind of place. You?"

"Not even a little," he chuckled weakly. "I've never actually been here before, but Gallant's always talking about bringing his girlfriend here and, well, seemed like a good idea at the time."

"How about we get out of here," I suggested. "We could go to the Boardwalk? Maybe start over?"

"Yeah?" Clockblocker asked, perking up slightly.

"Yeah," I smiled warmly.

We got up immediately, both of us eager to put the strangeness behind us. He didn't even comment on the twenty I tossed on the table to pay for our drinks and for leaving without ordering anything else.

Once outside, I felt like a weight had lifted from my shoulders. It got lighter when Clockblocker spoke next, his tone far more lighthearted than it had been all evening.

"Okay, it is time to freeze out this awkwardness! I have an idea."

"I'm listening," I replied gamely and ignoring his pun. He'd earned a few bad puns tonight.

"So, we're both capes," he said. "And that's already almost ruined everything. So, how about, no talking about any of that stuff for the rest of the night?"

Smiling, I nodded. "I'd like that."

"We'll just keep it light, and have some fun."

"Sounds good so far. What did you have in mind?"

"Get to know each other questions, no holds barred. Except for nothing cape related. AND," he made a big show flattening his dress shirt in a way that clearly indicated he wasn't wearing a wire, "-entirely off the record."

Looking upward, chuckling embarrassedly and knowing I had earned that hit, I nodded as we set off walking toward the Boardwalk. "Alright, you earned the first question."

He rubbed his hands together, cackling in a really overblown evil way. "Excellent. My first question will be the most important and will tell me all I need to know about you. What...is your favorite type of ice cream?"

Laughing at such an innocent question when I was expecting something far different, I answered honestly. The rest of our walk to the Boardwalk passed in a blur of similar questions. Neither of us broaching anything cape related, though I had a harder time with it than Clockblocker did. Almost everything I knew involved something in that vein. Keeping in the spirit of the game though, I fought with my instincts to out right lie or make up something. Instead, I phrased my answers in a way that answered honestly, but didn't implicate me in anything.

Which - I was actually happy to see - didn't fool him in the least. Better, Clockblocker seemed to understand what I was doing and didn't make a deal about it. Instead he'd make a joke, sometimes decent but mostly they were horrible puns that were actually fairly funny for being so bad. We drew more than a few strange looks, which turned into curiosity and a few compliments on Clockblocker's 'costume' for being so well made. Which inspired more laughter as we were the only ones who knew the joke he was playing on everyone and that got us more odd and bemused looks.

It wasn't until after we settled on a cheap burger and fries for dinner that I lost my composure with the elephant I was trying to ignore, and sighed.

"Hey, I didn't think my joke was that bad," he said.

"It's not that," I assured him, smirking. "Though it was kind of bad."

"Like you could have made that pun work any better," Clock chuckled. "So, why the sigh?"

"We're being followed," I admitted reluctantly. "Over my shoulder, back by the pretzel vendor. Two teens, a guy and a smallish girl."

Looking, Clockblocker groaned.

"I know they're not following us because of me," I said knowingly. "I only know two people in the city that could possibly be the girl, but what little I noted of her hair and skin is wrong."

"No," he whispered. "The Girl Scout story? It's true?"

"There's a story?"

"Ah, yeah! Look, I know I said no cape stuff but I have to know. Please, please, tell me you really made a gang banger buy girl scout cookies!"

I flushed. I could actually feel my cheeks heat up at how much attention he was giving that. Feeling a little embarrassed for the first time in a long while. "He was rude to her."

"You, are forever going to be my hero," he said before his laughter got the better of him.

Sighing, but chuckling myself, I brought the topic back to less embarrassing ground. "The people following us have been doing so since we left the restaurant."

Happy to see that little tidbit bring him back around, Clockblocker shook his head. "Figures."

"So you do recognize them?"

"Yeah…"

"I was pretty sure they were your teammates, and I've been trying to not look since they're not in costume, but having a blind spot is starting to get to me."

"Thanks," he sighed. "You have some serious skills to have seen them that far back."

"They're not very good at the whole stealthy thing," I chuckled. "But thank you. It's an invaluable skill that has been something of a survival requirement for a little fish in a big bayou full of hungry gators."

"I bet," he smirked back. "I should have known she was going to do this. Even though they're doing it to themselves, thanks for respecting things."

I shrugged. "Not everyone's as laissez-faire about stuff as I am."

"Cara Mia!" Clockblocker whispered. "That's French!"

"Nope," I laughed, unable to help myself. Making sure he missed when he playfully lunged for my arm, I wagged my finger at him. "Nu-huh, down boy."

"You know what French does to me," he continued, looking pitiful, though that could have been because he was trying to keep it together and not laugh. No telling what his friends thought of his antics, but we were starting to attract attention.

"Go, take care of your friends, Gomez."

"Yeah," Clock sighed, still looking pleased I caught the reference. "I'll be back soon, alright?"

"I'm not going to vanish on you. Go on, I'll be here."

Looking oddly relieved by what I had said, and making me wonder if someone had actually done that to him in the past, Clockblocker got up and headed off toward the pretzel stand his friends were hiding behind.

He'd only just moved past, barely gone long enough for me to pick up a french fry when his seat was taken by a blonde girl. Hair done up in a bun that looked intricate while also pulling off that 'I did this with a pencil' feel. Raising an eyebrow at the bottle green eyed girl that had been following us for the last ten minutes, I remained silent letting her make the first move.

The thought she might be one of Clockblocker's ex girlfriends with some serious stalking skills was very much on my mind until she started talking.

"Seriously?" she asked. "A villain going on a date with a hero? Rather bad trashy romance novel esque, don't you think?"

"Says the girl confronting me in a public place while in her civilian guise," I replied after hearing her voice and that particular knowing tone. "Rather...ou metdam."

"You didn't give me much of a choice, considering what you pulled last night."

"You trod on the rules first," I reminded her pointedly. "Did you really expect I wouldn't accept the invitation you sent me?"

She was silent, only the narrowing of her eyes giving me any clue to her inner thoughts.

"Next time you decide to push someone, you should double check your intel," I suggested, picking up another fry before continuing. "More importantly, you should make sure they can't push back, or at least, be willing to take it if they do. I could have done a lot worse."

"You talk a good game but you broke the rules worse than I did," the girl immediately fired back. "I alluded, you outright spied on us while we were uncostumed."

"What?" I asked honestly confused. "No I didn't. I waited until you were all asleep and never went past the living room."

"You," she started to say, wincing in a way that made it look like she suddenly got a migraine. It was a look I was familiar with from working with Bennie. "Fuck, you actually didn't, did you?"

I shook my head. "Just because some rules don't apply to me, doesn't mean they don't exist for a reason. If it makes you feel any better, you're not the first thinker to have problems with me. I know one who went berserk for an hour when he tried to directly read me."

"That actually makes sense," the girl sighed, squinting at me. "Fucking trumps."

I shrugged. "It has its downsides, but powers, right?"

"I can already tell, you are going to be a huge pain in my ass," she muttered good naturedly before holding out her hand. "Lisa."

Taking it, I smiled, "Renée. So are we good, or are you going to ruin my evening?"

"Hadn't planned on it."

"Good, because I'll have you know, I'm perfectly capable of screwing this up, all by myself," I said dryly.

Snorting, Lisa looked over my shoulder toward where Clockblocker disappeared to, then back to me. "One thing before your dashing paramour comes back. Is there any way I can get you to give back Regent's TV?"

"Regent's? It wasn't communal?"

"No, and you have no idea how fucking annoying he's been ever since he woke up and saw it missing. He spent an hour just sitting on the couch, pathetically holding his controller, and making video game noises when he wasn't staring at me! When I ignored him, he got creative."

"Well, at least that part worked out," I said bemused. "But, no, it's already been moved, and you did invite me to retaliate. I could have decided to take everyone's left shoes."

"Really?" Lisa asked looking both annoyed and amused.

"It was a thought. So was going around and moving everything three degrees to the left."

"I would have shot you. Twice," Lisa said flatly. "Do you any idea what that would have done to me this morning?"

"A pretty good one, yeah," I snickered, seeing her eye twitch. "The other idea was simply burning a joker into the TV so that it would appear as if it was behind the TV's glass. I figured right in the middle of the screen would have gotten the best reaction when you guys turned it on."

"I'm almost glad you just took the TV, now," Lisa replied, giving into her own chuckles at my retaliation ideas. "Those ideas are evil."

"Villain," I returned unfazed. "By unconfirmed reputation, anyways. But, in the end after considering everything, I decided to go with the traditional American burglar classic. Really, you can't go wrong with the classics and I was just trying to get my point across."

"Which you did, kudos," Lisa returned wryly. Looking over my shoulder again, she quickly pulled out a piece of paper, scribbling something on it. "He's going to be back in a moment. Listen, if you change your mind, or decide that you would be amenable to at least working with us, call me. If not, maybe we could at least agree to steer clear if we happen to stumble across the other? In this city, I'd take neutrality over a frenemy any day."

"That works for me," I agreed, putting her number inside one of my coat pockets.

"Thanks," she said, leaving just as abruptly as she sat down.

"Well," I muttered to myself, "that could have gone a lot worse."

Which, it could have. Also really good response time in finding me considering she didn't have much to work with. Then again, this whole thing could have just been a coincidence. She might have just been avoiding her teammate's ire and took a walk and found me sitting here.

Maybe. Doubtful.

Clockblocker sighing as he retook his seat brought me out of my thoughts. Giving him an understanding smile, I asked, "All good?"

"Yeah," he answered wearily. "I can already see the interrogation back at base."

"Blood is in the water and the gators are hungry," I chuckled knowingly.

"That's so close it isn't even funny," Clock said, chuckling despite his comment. "But, worth it as long they don't come back. Sorry it took so long, Vista was having trouble with her giggle fit."

"I can imagine…"

"Uh oh," Clockblocker chuckled. "I know that look. What now? Please tell me it's not a villain? I'll never live it down if we got into a cape fight tonight."

"Not quite," I mumbled. "It appears I have my own entourage."

"Seriously?" he asked surprised, shaking his head. "Man, what is up with everyone's interest? First Gallant reads me the riot act all the way back to headquarters, then he narcs on me and Redneck yells at me."

"Redneck?" I asked, slightly confused while keeping an eye on my watchers. That name didn't sound familiar.

"Deputy Director Renick," Clock groused. "Usually a cool guy, you know, for a boss, but he got all bent out of shape talking about PR and stuff when Gallant narced on me. Actually told me I couldn't come tonight, which was half the reason why I was late."

"You...defied the Deputy Director of the PRT to meet with me?" I asked softly. It was, without a doubt, one of the sweetest things anyone had ever done for me. That didn't even include that he was a hero bucking the system just to hang out with me.

"I mean, what the hell, right?" Clockblocker continued to complain, thankfully, not catching my momentary slip. "I mean, where does he get off telling us who we can or can't see? It's not like you're Purity or something. I can actually see where that would be a stupid move without, you know, her being old enough to be my mom."

"So, how did you get out if they said you couldn't?" I couldn't help but ask, more than a little curious.

"That, is a rebellious tale of great daring, courage, and skill," he said dramatically. "Or it would have been if Vista hadn't helped me."

"No wonder she followed us," I chuckled at him. "Payment for services rendered."

"Funny enough, that was actually her argument when I told her to get lost," he said playfully. "But she could only help me get out of the building without Renick or Gallant noticing. I was trying to flag down a cab when Assault spotted me and gave me a ride. I actually would have been right on time but he got a call and had to drop me off."

"Which explains why he isn't around spying on us," I said jokingly. "With, it seems, everyone else either of us knows."

Clockblocker nodded in agreement. "So, what are we going to do with your followers? They're not capes, right? I was serious about not wanting to get into a cape fight tonight. As awesome as it would be to smite evil and make myself look good, I'm rather enjoying what we're doing right now."

"As am I," I answered taking out my phone, dialing Danny's house.

"Do you need a moment?"

"Not unless you have enhanced hearing."

"No, baseline there, though the rest of me is rather extraordinary," he said flirtatiously.

Allowing a small smile to form, I looked directly into his opaque lenses after giving him an obvious once over. "It's not bad, actually."

"Hebert residence," Danny's greeted over the phone.

"Call them off."

"Renée, I have no idea…"

I rolled my eyes at his horribly transparent lie. "Oh, so they are not here because you asked them to be? Good to know. That means they're pedo creepers and we can hurt them."

"Ah, please don't," Danny quickly responded. "John has an early shift tomorrow."

Ignoring Clockblocker stifling his laughter at my comments, I smirked. "Then next time someone feeds you my location, you might want to ask yourself just who the joke is on."

Danny sighed, "I was set up, wasn't I?"

"Yes, I'm pretty sure you were, and I'll talk with them about that later," I confirmed. There was only one way Danny could have known we changed plans, and that was if someone told him. Which meant Jess. But, I would plan revenge later.

Maybe Tattletale would get that TV back, after all.

"However, I do appreciate the dramatics. It's...nice."

Hearing him chuckle I knew he understood what I was trying to say. "Alright, I'll call off my mooks."

"Please," I said, trying to not smile at his tone. "I'll see you later."

"Alright, Renée. I'll see you soon."

Hanging up, I shook my head smiling apologetically at Clockblocker. "Who do you think will show up next? I'm half expecting a troop of girl scout ninjas to jump us now."

"Whoa," he said, leaning back and looking around wearily. "Hey now, don't do that! This is Brockton Bay and there are three things you absolutely don't do in this city. You don't piss off Director Piggot, you don't piss on Murphy, and last but certainly not least, you do not tempt fate! It's begging for something to happen!"

Giving in to my amusement, I laughed holding up my hands. "Sorry! I'm new."

"If anything happens now, I'm so blaming you," he continued, shoulders sagging at the perceived inevitability.

Over the next hour, nothing did happen, which I think we were both rather happy about. Even better, I didn't spot anyone else following us the whole time.

Our walk eventually led us near a vendor who made t-shirts, and somehow Clockblocker actually talked me into posing in one with him. The quality was about what you would expect - not fantastic or professional, but decent - and it was still hilarious to see both of us standing back to back, smirking, on an actual t-shirt.

"See," Clockblocker smirked. "I told you we'd look good on a t-shirt together."

From there our travels eventually brought us to the piers I briefly visited weeks ago and we managed to get one all to ourselves. Most of the time was spent just looking out over the water, or up at the stars. Conversation was light and even our silences weren't awkward.

However, like all decent things I guess, the evening got late. Sitting next to me, Clockblocker obviously thought so too, as he turned to me at the same time I turned toward him. It was only then I realized just how close we were sitting next to each other, and how close our faces were.

"I really do think you're eyes are pretty," he blurted. Thankfully, not loudly, but it still seemed to come out of nowhere.

Licking my lips, I whispered, "You better know what you're doing, Clock."

"What?"

"This," I clarified, moving my hand to indicate both of us.

"Maybe you could make it a bit clearer for the clueless guy in the conversation?" Even though his joke fell flat, it was typical Clockblocker, as I'd learned this evening. "I feel like I'm missing something."

"If...if you're just looking for a friend, I can do that," I said softly. "And that would be fine, considering everything. But, if you're looking for...something else, you need to understand something."

"I'm listening."

"I play a lot of games, gamble on the most absurd of things without a care if I win or lose, but never with something like this. Not with...someone. So I'll tell you what I told M...someone else, once. I don't share and I don't take second place to anyone or anything. I expect that from people I'm...close to."

Taking out a card, I slipped it into his breast pocket. I had my number on it having decided earlier that things were going well enough that, if nothing else, Clock was good people to hang out with. Actually meant to give it to him earlier, but one thing led to another and I'd forgotten about it till now.

Seeing the question on his lips, I shook my head. "Don't answer tonight, I wouldn't believe it anyways. Think about it, then call me. Either way, I had a lot of fun tonight with you, Clockblocker."