I think you know what (II)

[tookhimtoschool]

Drink heavily and flirt with the ladies, as a strategy, only really works when there are ladies around that you're willing to flirt with. Those are thin on the ground at this one. Besides, Maria's been raising a fuss. Howard knows he's not the best husband, but he can at least try to keep it discreet if that's what makes her happy. Right? Right.

In conclusion, Howard is grumpy tonight. Grumpy and drunk.

Comments

[showmenomercy.livejournal.com]

As a Chandler, Grahame has certain social obligations, which must be seen to before any indulgence on his part can be permitted.

Eventually, though, that business is more or less concluded, and he is free to make his way, casually, over toward Howard.

(There is a belief circulating that the Chandlers and the Starks are quietly putting some kind of alliance together. It helps to explain why Grahame and Howard always seem to end up in lengthy conversations at parties these days, which is why Grahame made sure it got out there.)

He levers himself down into a chair and puts his crutches aside, within easy reach.

"Evening, Howard."

[tookhimtoschool]

"Grahame."

He brightens up a little.

"How've you been?"

[showmenomercy.livejournal.com]

"Oh, not bad," Grahame says easily. And semi-accurately. Either Violet's son finally started sleeping through the night a little while ago or they finally hired a nanny who could shut him up quickly. Grahame doesn't much care which; he's never slept well himself, and the extra noise was no help. "Same as it ever was.

"I understand congratulations are in order."

[tookhimtoschool]

Howard looks blank for a second.

Then: "Oh! Yeah. Thanks."

[showmenomercy.livejournal.com]

Grahame laughs, full and genuine.

This is not something that happens often.

"Do you at least remember its name?" he asks, lowering his voice just a notch to avoid being overheard.

[tookhimtoschool]

It's possible that he's playing it up just a little when his eyes dart to the side and he doesn't answer.

[showmenomercy.livejournal.com]

It's possible Grahame is pretending he doesn't know exactly what Howard is doing.

"Honestly, you're worse than Reed."

[tookhimtoschool]

"Well, I have to be worse than him at something," besides looking pretty.

(Howard is not yet drunk enough to say the last three words.)

[showmenomercy.livejournal.com]

"Are you sure this is the contest you want to win?"

Or, possibly, lose?

[tookhimtoschool]

"Well, if I was worse than him at math, I think I'd shoot myself."

[showmenomercy.livejournal.com]

It is Grahame's considered opinion that one could not be worse at math and still qualify as a human being, but this isn't the setting for a remark like that.

"And leave Maria to raise Tony alone?" (Of course he remembers the name.) "Well, we certainly can't have that."

Since Howard is obviously a fully contributing parent.

[tookhimtoschool]

"Tony! There we go."

There is probably a joke in there about how he's a bad parent either way, but Howard really isn't feeling it. He half-smiles and shrugs.

[showmenomercy.livejournal.com]

"I recommend practicing so you can do it all by yourself next time," Grahame says, because it may be funny, but the PR guy in him is already visualizing the page six gossip item.

[tookhimtoschool]

"Good advice. I think I'll take it."

Okay, it's funny again.

[showmenomercy.livejournal.com]

"Free of charge," Grahame says. "Just don't tell anyone."

[tookhimtoschool]

Innocently: "Tell them what?"

[showmenomercy.livejournal.com]

"No idea," Grahame says promptly. "What were we talking about?"

[tookhimtoschool]

Grahame is so much better at this than he is, and that is hilarious. Howard laughs.

[showmenomercy.livejournal.com]

Grahame is better than a lot of people at verbal games.

This doesn't stop him from looking pleased.

[tookhimtoschool]

He's cute when he's all smirky.

That is another thing Howard is not drunk enough to say out loud.

[showmenomercy.livejournal.com]

He doesn't need to. Grahame, at least, can see it written clearly in his expression.

(Though "cute" is not exactly the word he would expect.)

Grahame orders a drink from the bartender (whiskey and soda, light on the whiskey; it's best to keep a clear head, especially with Howard around).

"So how have you been?"

[tookhimtoschool]

"Just fine, just fine. It's going good at the company."

Since Grahame ordered a drink, Howard does too, reflexively. It's his... fifth? Maybe? He can count perfectly well; it's noticing the transition between one glass and the next that trips him up.

[showmenomercy.livejournal.com]

"Glad to hear it."

Grahame accepts his drink, sips, nods in approval.

[tookhimtoschool]

"Now, I know that Stark Industries is integral to the future of America. What's your excuse?"

[showmenomercy.livejournal.com]

Grahame looks innocent.

"What, I can't care about a friend's livelihood?"

[tookhimtoschool]

"Well, don't let me stop you."

[showmenomercy.livejournal.com]

Grahame smiles. For a second, there's just a little bit of an edge to it. (The kind of edge that's for Howard's eyes only.)

"Oh, I won't."

[tookhimtoschool]

Howard grins.

[showmenomercy.livejournal.com]

Grahame has no idea why, he's sure.

He hides his smirk behind a sip from his glass.

[tookhimtoschool]

That smirk is just edible.

On impulse, he winks.

[showmenomercy.livejournal.com]

Grahame's eyebrows go up.



Really, Howard? Really?

[tookhimtoschool]

He snickers into his whiskey.

[showmenomercy.livejournal.com]

Grahame rolls his eyes.

[tookhimtoschool]

Howard has clearly entered the 'everything is funny' stage of the evening's drinking, and will be no more use to anyone until tomorrow.

(Except perhaps anyone who knows his hotel room number.

He might be useful to those.)

[showmenomercy.livejournal.com]

(Shame there's no one around with that information, then.

Well. Almost no one.)