Stabbed

Alex sat opposite his dragon, who was already downing his second beer. He'd explained Reza's habits as he did the first time around. Now they were simply relaxing relaxing.

"What do you think Maverick's doing right now?" Alex queried, hardly able to resist theorizing what his ally does in his spare time.

"He probably brought the Fun Basket back home, and is now talking with his brother." Bryce stated nonchalantly. That bit of information stunned his partner, who's jaw just hit the table. Never had he heard of a brother. Just why had he never been told this? Was it a touchy subject or something?

"Wait, he has a brother?" Alex had to do a double take. This was news to him, and he needed every single detail. He couldn't help but feel a little betrayed. He may have had a reason, but it still hurt...

"Yeah. Or rather, had. It's been a good few years since he passed away." Bryce said matter-of-factly. Maybe that was the reason he had trust issues. Something bad must've happened to this brother to have caused it.

"Jesus... what happened? And is he the reason why Maverick's so... quiet?" Alex could hardly contain himself. This could be a huge step toward him learning just what is wrong with Maverick, maybe an even bigger step in forming more than a reluctant partnership.

"Yeah. If you want the full story, you might have to get it from somewhere else. Unless you get me to warm up to you." Bryce gave a playful wink. One he didn't realize would make the other blush so badly. Poor Alex just couldn't handle such a handsome man doing even the smallest things to him. Despite his continued, if lesser state of mourning, his flirting still affected him greatly. He groaned hungrily, shaking himself out of it before trying his hand at a cohesive answer.

"G- guess I'll have to work on that, then. I uh..." He stammered. Of course a simple wink would set him off like that. Not that he didn't want it, he missed it so much. It was just that... maybe that wasn't the best time.

"You what?" Bryce asked simply. He knew pretty well what was going on, what with Alex's furious blushing. There was no way he was about to let this slip by, the handsome devil. He signaled Zhong over.

"What's up, Bryce? Need another round?" Zhong queried the moment he reached their table. He had a feeling that was is, due to his friend not yelling for a fresh refill.

"That too, but I was wondering if you could put some music on for us." Bryce motioned him over so he could whisper. Alex could barely hear just what that was, but had a pretty good clue due to Zhong's reaction.

"Oh, that's just awful. You are terrible!" He scolded. His friend gave a disappointed glare in response, to which he returned in full.

"Just do it, would you?" Bryce's annoyance bled out into his voice as he spoke. His friend took note and made for a record player in the corner. Soon enough, a soft jazz song began playing. Alex instantly shot his dragon a venomous glare. Did he think that was at all necessary?

"Bryce?"

"Yeah?"

"You are terrible."

"I know." The two's eyes met in that moment. His were teasing, whilst Alex's narrowed in false irritation. False irritation that was easily seen. His lips spread with a wide, smug smile after a few moments. He plucked his glass from the table as his partner's constitution weakened.

"Dammit... quit making it hard to stay mad!" Alex finally broke into a smile of his own after several failed attempts to keep his composure. Bryce just laughed and took a swig of his drink, savoring his prize.

"Didn't know that me smiling can do that to you." Bryce replied flirtatiously. Alex wasn't too happy with that, but was too smiley to do anything but lay his head down in defeat.

"I hate you..." He half-heartedly grumbled, still trying to sound like he was mad. That all went in vain as his dragon's smile widened. They both knew he lost. The only question left was if he'd keep up the act.

"Nah, you don't. I can tell by that adorable smile." Adorable?! Alex expected something smarmy, not more flirting!

"Why?!" Alex cried to the heavens. His dragon only exploded in a hearty laugh, assaulting the table with his paw for the second time since he first arrived. Why must he have been so relentless?

"Oh, you're even cuter when you squeak like that!" Bryce wheezed, laying his own head down. Between the two hiding their heads, neither noticed the figure looming over them until another set of drinks clunked down.

"Gee, Bryce, I didn't know you were gay." Zhong remarked. Now it was Bryce's turn for embarrassment. His head sluggishly ascended, his face smeared with a mischievous smirk. He'd be damned if he was going to give up just like that.

"I didn't know you were interested." Bryce shot back smartly. He was going to get the last laugh if it killed him. Zhong looked him up and down before turning away.

"Nah, you're not my type." The barkeep shut him down tauntingly. Bryce got up in his face.

"Oh yeah?"

"Yeah."

"Well, you are."

"Everyone's your type, Bryce."

"Nuh-uh. Old people aren't."

"So?"

"That's not my type." Bryce laughed.

"Then tell me, what is?" Zhong challenged.

"People my age." Bryce shot back.

"Does this mean I have a chance?" Alex butted in.

"How old are you?" Bryce asked.

"Twenty-three." He said. Bryce looked him up and down, much like Zhong.

"Maybe." He teased.

"Careful, Alex. He's a heart-breaker." Zhong remarked one last time before going off to serve other patrons. He looked to Bryce suspiciously.

"Are you?" Alex asked.

"Uh..." Bryce trailed off.

"Bryce-"

"It's not what it seems, I swear!"

"You'd better not start seeing someone else..."