-Heavy on the Apple Brandy-
Jesse’d been confused watching Em as he came in. Spent the last few minutes trying to figure him out. Had his own suspicions.
…. Jesse’s stomach dropped at the look he gave the Jean and her date, and he had to pound his not-quite-mixed drink hard and fast to keep himself from practically screaming that “HAROLD THEY’RE LESBIANS”-
why the fuck was this straight man in his bar, and why for all that is good and holy were they talking about cattle
“The same. More Black Angus, but they were thinking about expending when I left.” Jesse shrugged, trying not to look like he was avoiding eye contact, but also definitely trying to look like he wasn’t staring. He… he didn’t seem malicious at least. Probably just lost. Never heard, because he’s only been here a week? Sure. “… But what brings you here then? Not exactly in Kansas anymore, Toto.”
Jesse raised an eyebrow, definitely curious to hear his answer, but sighed as someone down the bar tried to get his attention. He held up a finger and mumbled something about being back in a minute. Ryan, another regular and the only Harvard grad Jesse’d ever been able to stand, cleared his throat as Jess made his way over, his interest clearly piqued as well.
“Another Vodka-Cran, if you’ve got a minute but also…. the tea? Whomst the fuck?” He paused, glancing over as Jesse worked on pouring vodka. “…How bad is it that the Twink Squad looks ready to eat him alive, Jess.”
Jess looked up from his mixers in time to see one of the other boys sidle up next to Emmett, and just winced. “He doesn’t know. The kid’s Straight, bitch, and I suppose I’ll have to be responsible and go save him.”
Ryan laughed, but had the decency to at least look sympathetic.
Emmett nodded, feeling too out-of-touch with market prices and weather to offer any more conversation (and that was strange; proof enough that he was far from home and familiar surroundings even without this excuse for a bar). INstead, he hitched a shoulder at the bartender’s question, brushing over the reason that’d made him leave in the first place. “Just work,” he said easily, “construction. How ‘bout you?”
He nodded amiably as Jesse left, sipping his Coors and eyeing the decor. Bars in Montana favored old license plates, taxidermy that had seen better days, and dusty neon, but this…this place almost looked intentional. Like it hadn’t been cobbled together over the years and left alone “for old times’ sake.”
Another man’s arrival at the bar ended his inspection, and he lifted the bottle in acknowledgement. “How ya doin’?”
Jesse had just shrugged, gesturing to the bar as a whole and obviously avoiding the question. It should have been enough, with context. Bold of him to assume, he supposed that everyone knew what kinda place this was on their way in. Pride month had just ended, so everyone was a little tired of the incessant rainbows and glitter, and he’d taken the opportunity to redecorate as a time to wash everything as well, so things were arguably low key.
However, that didn’t include the 20-something twink who sauntered up to Em smelling of makeup wipes, chanel perfume and cheap beer, a black lace fan fluttering gently against his collar bones. But Jesse could clock a drag queen half a mile away and this Em guy...? Who knows.
“Well... better now that you’re here, Papi~”
Jesse could practically feel his soul leaving his body, so he let Em squirm long enough to get the kid another Sex on the Beach so he’d shut the fuck up.
“Girl, you’re gonna try any sort of move when your brows look like that? She’s straight, Mary, at least look good if you’re make a fool of yourself...” Jesse slid the drink across the bar just in time to stop whatever he was goin on about now, and pointedly looked this kid up and down with as much disgust as he could muster. “We’re really out here wearing anything and anyone, huh, Barbara? Get yourself together and get out of here.”
