who: tj hammond and various what: belated event and date stuff when: backdated to the event where: convention, his room, etc. warnings: drug use, sex talk, flirting, being a mess in general
[For now, he was content with what they had. He hadn't considered dating since his wife had passed, too intent on his work and all the time that sucked out. Now that he only had a single company to manage, there seemed to always be time to meet with other people and TJ filled some of that time nicely. He was a curious young man and the similarities between him and the Soldier were rather uncanny.
He raised his eyebrows at that excuse, aware that it was one.]
No? I can arrange for that situation to change. I can even offer you someone who greatly wants to hear you play as well.
[Pierce knew that situation very well. In the political circus, life was stamping out scandal to be used against them in the media. He leaned back in his chair, smiling knowingly.]
That's quite the stress to live under. It must be so nice to be away from all that here, yes? I too value some of the anonymity with the freedom that it gives me to simply be myself.
[He reached across the table a moment later to touch TJ's hand, stroking his thumb over soft knuckles.] Don't do that, TJ. Don't shut me out. I want to provide for you what you need, and I can only do that if you tell me what that is. It won't ruin anything we have here. I'm happy you are willing to open yourself up like that.
[Yes let him in. Surely nothing bad could happen.]
[TJ hasn't admitted to many people that he can play the piano. It felt personal, somehow, when he hardly played anymore and when he did, it was because someone was making him. That wasn't the case with Alex and he knew he'd really consider doing it for a guy like him.]
Yeah, it's nice that people don't recognize me. I can be whoever I want here.
[Nothing attached to his name. No cameras in his face following his every move and catching every damn mistake he makes. His gaze snaps up at the contact, drops down to watch the way Alex's thumb moves across his knuckles. It was nice.]
I'm not doing it on purpose. [TJ looks away, biting his lower lip.] I'm not good for other people. You'll figure that out eventually and you'll leave.
[If Alex lets him, he'll pull his hand away.]
Then I'll be heartbroken and you won't even think twice about me.
[He had made certain that his own children had been musically inclined when they were young, and his one daughter had taken to the piano. They no longer played, of course, but he always had an appreciation to the classics. If he had to get his hands on a piano through the portal to hear TJ play, one could be certain that he would do that.]
I'm curious to know who you plan on being now that the pressures of the political front are no longer on your back with gross expectations. Of course, the media is also decidedly missing, so your options are wide and easy.
[His expression remained open and compassionate, and he also made no move to keep the hand in his grasp if TJ wanted it back. He left his own still out there on the table, waiting to see if the younger man would return if that carrot was left available for the taking.]
Before my wife passed, I was married for over fifty years. Does that make me sound like someone who leaves easily? [He looked fondly at his dinner partner.] Having not previously found the right person for you doesn't make you bad for other people. I've been through war, the American political system and I've raised two teenage girls, and if that hasn't turned me off of being part of family, I don't know what you can do to escalate that.
[Oh. He's an idiot. Thinking about it, he wouldn't mind playing the piano for Alex. The man would appreciate the music, TJs talent for it. He might even compliment him and TJ was a sucker for sweet, genuine praise.]
I don't know. Haven't really thought about it.
[Who was TJ Hammond? He couldn't answer that. It meant looking deep inside himself and that usually ended with him halfway through a bottle of tequila. After a few seconds, he puts his hand back out to lay it over Alex's. Then.. because he can't help it, he's tactile, he links their fingers together.]
Fifty years is a long time. Did you - ever cheat on her?
[It's personal. Sort of a test. TJ doesn't know if Alex will answer. If he'll get pissed or if he'll tell TJ a truth he won't want to hear. He's slept around but he's sentimental. He'd want his partner to be faithful to him.]
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no subject
He raised his eyebrows at that excuse, aware that it was one.]
No? I can arrange for that situation to change. I can even offer you someone who greatly wants to hear you play as well.
[Pierce knew that situation very well. In the political circus, life was stamping out scandal to be used against them in the media. He leaned back in his chair, smiling knowingly.]
That's quite the stress to live under. It must be so nice to be away from all that here, yes? I too value some of the anonymity with the freedom that it gives me to simply be myself.
[He reached across the table a moment later to touch TJ's hand, stroking his thumb over soft knuckles.] Don't do that, TJ. Don't shut me out. I want to provide for you what you need, and I can only do that if you tell me what that is. It won't ruin anything we have here. I'm happy you are willing to open yourself up like that.
[Yes let him in. Surely nothing bad could happen.]
no subject
[TJ hasn't admitted to many people that he can play the piano. It felt personal, somehow, when he hardly played anymore and when he did, it was because someone was making him. That wasn't the case with Alex and he knew he'd really consider doing it for a guy like him.]
Yeah, it's nice that people don't recognize me. I can be whoever I want here.
[Nothing attached to his name. No cameras in his face following his every move and catching every damn mistake he makes. His gaze snaps up at the contact, drops down to watch the way Alex's thumb moves across his knuckles. It was nice.]
I'm not doing it on purpose. [TJ looks away, biting his lower lip.] I'm not good for other people. You'll figure that out eventually and you'll leave.
[If Alex lets him, he'll pull his hand away.]
Then I'll be heartbroken and you won't even think twice about me.
no subject
[He had made certain that his own children had been musically inclined when they were young, and his one daughter had taken to the piano. They no longer played, of course, but he always had an appreciation to the classics. If he had to get his hands on a piano through the portal to hear TJ play, one could be certain that he would do that.]
I'm curious to know who you plan on being now that the pressures of the political front are no longer on your back with gross expectations. Of course, the media is also decidedly missing, so your options are wide and easy.
[His expression remained open and compassionate, and he also made no move to keep the hand in his grasp if TJ wanted it back. He left his own still out there on the table, waiting to see if the younger man would return if that carrot was left available for the taking.]
Before my wife passed, I was married for over fifty years. Does that make me sound like someone who leaves easily? [He looked fondly at his dinner partner.] Having not previously found the right person for you doesn't make you bad for other people. I've been through war, the American political system and I've raised two teenage girls, and if that hasn't turned me off of being part of family, I don't know what you can do to escalate that.
no subject
I don't know. Haven't really thought about it.
[Who was TJ Hammond? He couldn't answer that. It meant looking deep inside himself and that usually ended with him halfway through a bottle of tequila. After a few seconds, he puts his hand back out to lay it over Alex's. Then.. because he can't help it, he's tactile, he links their fingers together.]
Fifty years is a long time. Did you - ever cheat on her?
[It's personal. Sort of a test. TJ doesn't know if Alex will answer. If he'll get pissed or if he'll tell TJ a truth he won't want to hear. He's slept around but he's sentimental. He'd want his partner to be faithful to him.]