10 Things A Hero Never Does With His Nemesis - #3: Dating [Truth or Dare: Go on a Date]

[hammertime_tm]

Truth: Have you ever wished you could be with someone else while in a monogamous relationship? or Dare: Go on a date.It's early evening when Captain Hammer arrives at Main Street, in the centre of Midtown. A hero is always punctual, after all. Especially when taking their nemesis for dinner

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[billy_horrible]

Billy, on the other hand, has been waiting since about quarter past six. He meant to be here at half past, because that's a reasonably early time... but he ended up here earlier than his early time and he's sitting, fidgeting, on a bench. He has his iphone out, and is fiddling with it

[hammertime_tm]

Ah. He's here already. Of course he is.

Captain Hammer flashes him a smile as he strolls up, looking very at ease. He's struck by the urge to grab the man and kiss him, but he realises he promised to behave in public, and moreover he's not entirely certain it would be a good idea to go making big, obvious gestures like that in front of so many people. Even without revealing that the man he wants to be kissing is his arch-nemesis.

After all, aside from them, no one else knows but his therapist. Who was totally not surprised enough when told. As in, at all. Captain Hammer wonders what else the man can see coming that he's neglected to mention.

Possibly best not to think about that now.

He throws a friendly arm around Billy's shoulders - not too crushingly - and then lets him go, not wanting to be too conspicuous.

"Billy!" he says, brightly. "A pleasure, as always."

[billy_horrible]

Billy tries to work out what he's supposed to say in response. Partly he can't formulate words because... because... who is he talking to?

Captain Hammer wears the Corporate Uniform. But Captain Hammer is also who the public sees. Or... should he... what?

He smiles, awkwardly, still trying to fix the mental issue of names. "Thanks," he says, trying not to squiem at the air down the back of his neck.

"Uhm. Mexican."

[hammertime_tm]

"Already looking forward to it," he replies. And feels even more awesome, seeing the expression on Billy's face. Some of which... he knows is just for him.

"Shall we?" He's tempted to offer his arm, but wisely decides against it, and gestures instead.

[billy_horrible]

Billy nods. Realises he still hasn't smiled. Smiles awkwardly at him. It looks almost like a grimace of pain, if you didn't know better. But he's trying. Really he's trying.

On his feet and sort of hovering, not wanting to take the lead.

This is going to be really weird, he realises. Really weird. What with the going out for a meal with his nemesis. Being in his vicinity in public and not being thrown into walls... or kissing. It's going to be completely different.

And he realises he has no idea what to do or say at these kind of things.

"Uh. Did... did you have a good day... thwarting evil?" he asks, to try and break the silence.

[hammertime_tm]

"I did," he answers. Things are getting better again. Much better. Especially now he's got his head around certain... other factors. "Although... it was fairly quiet. No sign of my nemesis."

He grins. "No matter. I'm sure he's around."

[billy_horrible]

"Maybe he's working on something big? You should probably be on your guard," Billy advises, quickly and smoothly.

If you were listening in, you might not suspect a thing.

He has his hands in his pockets, and is stooped a little while they walk. He toes over debris in the street. Tries another smile.

Being in public is so hard.

[hammertime_tm]

"My thoughts exactly. I'm sure he is." I'm counting on it. "It's about time, too. The man is long overdue for a thwarting."

The comment sounds perfectly natural. No trace of the hidden meanings underneath. Perhaps this will be easier than he thought.

[billy_horrible]

"Dramatic... pauses... are a wonderful tool. So I'm told."

Talking about yourself as another person comes easier to Billy than it would to many.

And then they're there. "Oh look: food."

[hammertime_tm]

Captain Hammer grins. "So they say."

He leads the way into the restaurant, one of Midtown's more upmarket Mexican places. The sort where the maître d' is not required to wear a comedy sombrero.

Those places are fun, too. But more for the tequila than the food.

Said sombrero-less maître d' heads over at once, having obviously recognised the good Captain - which would of course be understandable even if he hadn't been here before. He's about to direct them to a nice, central table, when Captain Hammer cuts in, smoothly.

"Somewhere quiet this time? We have... important business to discuss."

Nodding knowingly - as if somehow in on the big secret, which would likely blow his mind if he actually did know about it - the maître d' leads them over to a more secluded table towards the back.

Perfect.

[billy_horrible]

Billy is a little surprised, trying to work out if this means that Captain Hammer is ashamed of them being seen together or... really wants... privacy.

He hopes it is the latter.

He pulls his seat out and slides in, wishing briefly that he could pull out the other man's chair for him. Chivalry runs deep in Billy Buddy. He is - under the supervillain - quite the old fashioned gentleman. It's probably why he's so evil. It's very hard to be a gentleman these days.

However, he lacks the mental etiquette for taking men out (uh, being taken out by men) on dates. So he'd likely fumble that part too. So.

Sit down. Smile. Wait for the menu.

[hammertime_tm]

"Thought you'd prefer something a little quieter," he remarks, once they're alone. "And if nothing else, it will make people wonder what we're talking about."

He likes making people wonder. It's fun. But he is, actually, trying to put Billy at ease. This whole 'consideracy' thing is important, after all. And it's worth it. For him.

[billy_horrible]

"Thanks," he says, and his voice is a bit sharper than he intends it to be. He is... in a restaurant. With a man. With anyone. And he's still socially awkward that even this is a bit stressful.

"They won't ever guess," he says, trying for casual as he looks at the menu.

[hammertime_tm]

"Probably not. Though there's more than a few who would have fun trying."

Three in particular. But he hasn't seen them in some time.

He glances over the menu, but it's mostly unnecessary, because he's had a craving for tacos all day. Amazing the things your mind fixates on when you're going on your first actual date with your nemesis.

...Tacos, apparently.

[billy_horrible]

Billy pauses.

"Uh. Did... did you get... those letters too? With the..." he blushes. "Stories and the pictures?"

He wonders if said stories and pictures helped with... the this. He certainly had tried to destroy or ignore all of them. Really.

...

He stares at the menu forcefully but he isn't reading a word. And he has no idea what to eat, except that he should probably go for something with minimal... ah. Garlic and such. Wrong place for a first date then.

He screws everything up somehow or another, he thinks, in vague amusement.

[hammertime_tm]

He looks up. That explains a lot.

"Yeah. Frequently. Especially the one where... y'know, I don't think I can even say it out loud."

Which, coming from him, also explains a lot.

Though, to be fair... some of them had interesting ideas in. Interesting if... alarming.

...

This is possibly not the time to be having these thoughts.