(Fic) KKBB - Sorry to Burst Your Bubble 7/24
Rawrggg struggling a bit to stay caught up this weekend. Only just barely finished this, still need to finish a promptfill for the frightnight2011 kinkmeme, got a story to finish editing for my CW class Tuesday, and I have 4 chapters of The Castle of Otranto to read before tonight. But I've got it, don't mind me! :)
Title: Sorry to Burst Your Bubble
Summary: In which Perry has no sense of personal space, Harry is flexible, and Harmony doesn’t really mind.
Word Count: 2042
Rating: PG-13 for language and adult themes. Perry/Harry/Harmony
Disclaimer: Kiss Kiss Bang Bang and all characters therein © Shane Black and Co.
First Kiss: http://tayberhecate.livejournal.com/9639.h tml
Last Kiss: http://tayberhecate.livejournal.com/11714.html
Next Kiss: http://tayberhecate.livejournal.com/12830.html
Kiss #07: Eyelid
Perry fumbled with his keys at the front door, shuffling an armload of manila folders to get his hand in the proper position. He could hear voices inside, and laughter from Harmony. He smiled, wondering if they’d be interested in possibly going to the movies later. He almost had his key in the lock when he lost his grip and the keys dropped to the porch. Cursing under his breath, he crouched down and awkwardly stretched his hand out, trying not to lose his grip on the files.
He was just standing back up when the door opened. He looked up to see Harry blinking owlishly at him. “Hey,” Perry said, raising a brow, “Care to help me out here?”
Harry wordlessly took half of the stack off the top and backed into the house again. Perry frowned. Usually Harry would complain about not being his errand boy (“At least when we’re at home! At least give me that!”) but he was quiet. Harry set the papers on the hall table and went to close the door behind Perry. The detective scrutinized his partner carefully while the younger man’s back was turned. He seemed relaxed enough, but something felt off.
Harry turned around, smiling at Perry. “Hey,” he said. “You’re back early; I thought you had some more things to do back at the office.”
“Decided I could just as easily file paperwork here at home,” Perry said smoothly, straightening his papers out against the table, adding the ones Harry had taken to the pile once more. “Did I hear Harmony?”
Harry started to speak but Harmony answered for him, calling out from the kitchen. “In here!”
Perry eyed Harry quizzically and walked past him into the other room. Harmony was sitting at the kitchen table with a bottle of Genero’s, a half-gone six-pack sitting in front of her next to a bowl of chips and some dip. A couple of empty bottles were sitting on the counter by the sink, waiting to be rinsed and put with the rest of the recycling. “Hiya, Perry!” she said cheerfully.
“Hi,” he said, setting his papers down on the table. Perry sat down in a chair with a small groan, snagging a bottle for himself. He turned to look at Harry who was hovering in the doorway, watching him. Harry’s hands were twitching, his fingers fluttering. Perry followed his gaze to the cardboard case and felt his heart sink slightly. ‘Oh dammit, not again…’ He set the bottle down without opening it.
“How’d your audition go?” he asked Harmony casually, toying with the beer.
“It went really well!” the actress responded enthusiastically. Perry turned his attention on her. She looked a bit tipsy, but with presumably two to three beers in her, that was not unexpected. Her smile was enormous, and she leaned back in the chair comfortably, totally relaxed and very pleased with herself. “I think I really nailed it! Harry and I have been celebrating!” She raised her Genero’s in a toast.
Harry smirked dryly. “I’d tip you back,” he said, holding out his empty hands, “But I’m out of drink.”
Harmony giggled. “Then have another one!” She took another beer out and tossed it to Harry.
The brunette startled and nearly dove to catch it. “Son of a bitch! Harmony, don’t do that!”
“If you break something throwing that shit around, you’re cleaning up the mess and paying for another,” Perry said seriously, gesturing at her with his own bottle.
She sniggered again, gulping down some more booze. “Not like it’s that pricey - cheap-ass shit. Especially since Harry’s got the five-finger discount.” She grinned at her childhood friend and then froze with the bottle near her lips. “Oh, dammit, sorry. I wasn’t supposed to say that, huh?”
Harry stood stiffly, his grip on the bottle tightening. He sent Harmony a mutinous glare. “Thanks honey,” he said, glancing sidelong at Perry.
The detective pinched the bridge of his nose and groaned. “Goddammit, Harry,” he bit out, grinding his teeth.
Harry nonchalantly opened up his bottle and took a brief swig - for defiance or courage, Perry wasn’t sure. “What?” the brunette asked, raising his brows at his roommate.
Perry shook his head in disgust and waved his hands, mentally preparing himself for the upcoming battle. He huffed and turned a hard stare on his partner. “Harry?” he said pointedly. The thief met his eyes steadily, and Perry’s temper flickered a little hotter. “Don’t Harry, just don’t. You know that I know, so just don’t.”
Harry sighed through his nose irritably and raised his chin. “Alright then. I won’t,” he said neutrally.
Perry shook his head again, staring at the beer, trying to think what to say. Before he realized he was moving, his hand slapped down against the table, making the wood jump under his palm. “Dammit, Harry! How’d you even steal a whole six-pack anyway?”
Harmony laughed aloud like he’d told an exceptionally clever joke. Harry seemed caught between feeling smug and uncomfortable. He shifted his weight and opened his mouth to answer, but Perry waved him off. “Jesus, shut up, I don’t want to hear it.”
Perry stood and stalked over to the brunette, who wavered in the doorway like he was debating making a break for it. “You’ve been doing so good lately. Why now?” he said angrily. “Why are you stealing again? Do I not pay you enough?”
“Come on, Perry, it’s not such a big deal,” Harmony scoffed. Perry didn’t turn around or even answer, except to put up one finger, telling her to shut up and wait. His hard gaze was still locked on Harry’s face, searching for answers.
“We’ve talked about this before, Harry,” Perry said in a low voice. “I’m not going to repeat the lecture. Just tell me why you find it so hard to stick to the rules.”
Harry shifted uncomfortably. He pressed back against the doorway, putting as much space between them as possible. “I dunno. I just… can’t help it.”
“That’s not good enough, Harry.” Perry said, leaning in close.
Harry’s eyes narrowed as his own anger rose up to meet Perry’s. “I don’t know, okay?” he snarled. “Sometimes I see something I want, sometimes not even something I want that badly, and no ones looking, and I just… take it. I don’t really think about why.”
“Well then maybe you should start thinking about it,” Perry said, jabbing a finger into Harry’s forehead. The thief swiped at his hand, glaring fiercely.
“Look, I’m sorry, okay?” he said, his voice raised in anger.
Perry snorted bitterly. “No, you’re not! Don’t say that if you don’t mean it!” he growled.
Harry’s face twisted and he looked away. “It’s not like before,” he said, quieting a little, and Perry relaxed somewhat, pulling away. “Back in New York, I’d pick pockets or nab little things like I did today, but I’d also be making plans, for stealing bigger things. Electronics, jewellery, that kind of thing. I’d sit and go over building blueprints. Scope out the cameras, disable the alarms, all the tricky shit. That part… it was fun.” His eyes wandered over to Harmony, who was staring back with a sort of rapt curiosity. Harry faltered slightly, unable to meet her gaze for long. “Like playing secret agents as a kid, only in real life. Real stakes, real adrenaline. And I was good at it. I’ve never been good at very much, but point out something that’s locked up and tell me to fetch and I’m on it. I’m all over it, I’m in control.”
He raised his eyes to meet Perry’s. “And now I’m here, and I don’t have to steal because I’ve got you. And I can apply those skills to detective work, which is way better than stealing because I’m doing something right.” He cracked a grin. “Using my powers for the greater good. You know?”
He chuckled a bit and Perry gave him a small smirk. Harry sobered again. “But I still can’t help stealing little things on occasion too. It’s just… habit, maybe? I dunno. It doesn‘t really hurt anyone, nicking a stick of gum or a case of beer.”
“It does, Harry,” Perry said meaningfully, studying the younger man’s face as they both fell silent. Harry’s lips were pulled back in a grimace, caught between anger and guilt. Not remorse, because Harry really only regretted having disappointed Perry again. Brown eyes, devoid of their typical good humour, looked away from the taller man.
Perry’s face cracked into a small smile, huffing out a sigh. “Hey,” he said and put a hand on the thief’s shoulder, “Calm down, chief, you’re not in trouble, alright?”
Harry looked up at him and blinked. “Really? ‘Cause I feel like I should be. You’re really not mad?”
“Hey, I never said I wasn’t. But you’re not in trouble. You’re trying, Harry.” He pulled Harry in closer, his hands squeezing the younger man’s shoulders. He leaned in close, and Harry shut his eyes, ducking his head a bit. Perry’s smile hitched a little higher, and he pressed his lips against one shuttered brown eye, infinitely gentle as he only ever was with this overgrown Oliver Twist of a man. “You’re trying, and that’s more than a lot of people ever do,” he murmured against Harry’s eyebrow, wrapping his arms around the brunette.
The younger man sighed and tucked his head under Perry’s chin, pressing his face against the warm throat and trying to breath in just the tiniest bit of the other man’s strength.
“Jesus, Perry,” Harmony scorned, taking a sip of her drink. “It was just a couple of beers, you guys. There’s no need for you to get all dramatic about it.”
Anger flared in Perry’s chest, and he pushed Harry back, stalking over to tower over the actress. “Dammit, Harmony, it’s not ‘just a couple of beers’ alright? Fuck, are you trying to encourage his bad habits?”
“Oh come on, Perry, it’s not like I made him do it or anything.”
Perry slammed his hand down on the table, making the other two jump. He was very, very close to actually slapping Harmony right now. “I think you should leave,” he seethed.
“Hey, no, come on, Perry, it’s okay,” Harry said, alarmed. He put a hand on Perry’s arm. “Really, it’s fine. She’s right anyways. It was my choice to steal. I chose to do it.”
The audible regret in his voice made Perry look up. Harry’s brown eyes were wide with distress, pleading for Perry to let it go. He looked over at Harmony. She, too, was staring at him wide-eyed. He looked down at the table, at his fist pressed white-knuckled against the wood. He closed his eyes with a muttered curse and took some deep breaths, reining in his temper. Harry didn’t take his hand away, his palm warm through the thin material of Perry’s shirt.
When he was calm enough to think clearly again, he raised his head to meet Harmony‘s gaze. “Harmony, I don’t want you acting like this is nothing, or isn’t important,” he said firmly. “Harry already has a record, and the last thing he needs right now is to add to it. He’s building something here, with us, and you should be encouraging that.”
Time seemed to stop yet again as Perry and Harmony stared at each other, Harry glancing nervously between them. Then Harmony slumped back against her chair, and Perry straightened up, and Harry hesitated for just a moment before lowering his hand.
“You’re right, Perry,” Harmony said, quiet and contrite. “I’m sorry.”
Perry grunted and waved a hand. Harry and Harmony both hung back, subdued, looking small and colourless. Neither of them seemed able to look at him or at one other. Perry almost said something else, but instead, he scooped up the files and turned on his heel, stalking out of the kitchen without looking at either of them.
He made his way upstairs to his home office, his mind stumbling over everything that had just come out.
‘He’s building something here, with us,’ he had just said.
Perry wondered if either of the other two had caught that unspoken ‘with me,’ that Perry had really meant.
Title: Sorry to Burst Your Bubble
Summary: In which Perry has no sense of personal space, Harry is flexible, and Harmony doesn’t really mind.
Word Count: 2042
Rating: PG-13 for language and adult themes. Perry/Harry/Harmony
Disclaimer: Kiss Kiss Bang Bang and all characters therein © Shane Black and Co.
First Kiss: http://tayberhecate.livejournal.com/9639.h tml
Last Kiss: http://tayberhecate.livejournal.com/11714.html
Next Kiss: http://tayberhecate.livejournal.com/12830.html
Kiss #07: Eyelid
Perry fumbled with his keys at the front door, shuffling an armload of manila folders to get his hand in the proper position. He could hear voices inside, and laughter from Harmony. He smiled, wondering if they’d be interested in possibly going to the movies later. He almost had his key in the lock when he lost his grip and the keys dropped to the porch. Cursing under his breath, he crouched down and awkwardly stretched his hand out, trying not to lose his grip on the files.
He was just standing back up when the door opened. He looked up to see Harry blinking owlishly at him. “Hey,” Perry said, raising a brow, “Care to help me out here?”
Harry wordlessly took half of the stack off the top and backed into the house again. Perry frowned. Usually Harry would complain about not being his errand boy (“At least when we’re at home! At least give me that!”) but he was quiet. Harry set the papers on the hall table and went to close the door behind Perry. The detective scrutinized his partner carefully while the younger man’s back was turned. He seemed relaxed enough, but something felt off.
Harry turned around, smiling at Perry. “Hey,” he said. “You’re back early; I thought you had some more things to do back at the office.”
“Decided I could just as easily file paperwork here at home,” Perry said smoothly, straightening his papers out against the table, adding the ones Harry had taken to the pile once more. “Did I hear Harmony?”
Harry started to speak but Harmony answered for him, calling out from the kitchen. “In here!”
Perry eyed Harry quizzically and walked past him into the other room. Harmony was sitting at the kitchen table with a bottle of Genero’s, a half-gone six-pack sitting in front of her next to a bowl of chips and some dip. A couple of empty bottles were sitting on the counter by the sink, waiting to be rinsed and put with the rest of the recycling. “Hiya, Perry!” she said cheerfully.
“Hi,” he said, setting his papers down on the table. Perry sat down in a chair with a small groan, snagging a bottle for himself. He turned to look at Harry who was hovering in the doorway, watching him. Harry’s hands were twitching, his fingers fluttering. Perry followed his gaze to the cardboard case and felt his heart sink slightly. ‘Oh dammit, not again…’ He set the bottle down without opening it.
“How’d your audition go?” he asked Harmony casually, toying with the beer.
“It went really well!” the actress responded enthusiastically. Perry turned his attention on her. She looked a bit tipsy, but with presumably two to three beers in her, that was not unexpected. Her smile was enormous, and she leaned back in the chair comfortably, totally relaxed and very pleased with herself. “I think I really nailed it! Harry and I have been celebrating!” She raised her Genero’s in a toast.
Harry smirked dryly. “I’d tip you back,” he said, holding out his empty hands, “But I’m out of drink.”
Harmony giggled. “Then have another one!” She took another beer out and tossed it to Harry.
The brunette startled and nearly dove to catch it. “Son of a bitch! Harmony, don’t do that!”
“If you break something throwing that shit around, you’re cleaning up the mess and paying for another,” Perry said seriously, gesturing at her with his own bottle.
She sniggered again, gulping down some more booze. “Not like it’s that pricey - cheap-ass shit. Especially since Harry’s got the five-finger discount.” She grinned at her childhood friend and then froze with the bottle near her lips. “Oh, dammit, sorry. I wasn’t supposed to say that, huh?”
Harry stood stiffly, his grip on the bottle tightening. He sent Harmony a mutinous glare. “Thanks honey,” he said, glancing sidelong at Perry.
The detective pinched the bridge of his nose and groaned. “Goddammit, Harry,” he bit out, grinding his teeth.
Harry nonchalantly opened up his bottle and took a brief swig - for defiance or courage, Perry wasn’t sure. “What?” the brunette asked, raising his brows at his roommate.
Perry shook his head in disgust and waved his hands, mentally preparing himself for the upcoming battle. He huffed and turned a hard stare on his partner. “Harry?” he said pointedly. The thief met his eyes steadily, and Perry’s temper flickered a little hotter. “Don’t Harry, just don’t. You know that I know, so just don’t.”
Harry sighed through his nose irritably and raised his chin. “Alright then. I won’t,” he said neutrally.
Perry shook his head again, staring at the beer, trying to think what to say. Before he realized he was moving, his hand slapped down against the table, making the wood jump under his palm. “Dammit, Harry! How’d you even steal a whole six-pack anyway?”
Harmony laughed aloud like he’d told an exceptionally clever joke. Harry seemed caught between feeling smug and uncomfortable. He shifted his weight and opened his mouth to answer, but Perry waved him off. “Jesus, shut up, I don’t want to hear it.”
Perry stood and stalked over to the brunette, who wavered in the doorway like he was debating making a break for it. “You’ve been doing so good lately. Why now?” he said angrily. “Why are you stealing again? Do I not pay you enough?”
“Come on, Perry, it’s not such a big deal,” Harmony scoffed. Perry didn’t turn around or even answer, except to put up one finger, telling her to shut up and wait. His hard gaze was still locked on Harry’s face, searching for answers.
“We’ve talked about this before, Harry,” Perry said in a low voice. “I’m not going to repeat the lecture. Just tell me why you find it so hard to stick to the rules.”
Harry shifted uncomfortably. He pressed back against the doorway, putting as much space between them as possible. “I dunno. I just… can’t help it.”
“That’s not good enough, Harry.” Perry said, leaning in close.
Harry’s eyes narrowed as his own anger rose up to meet Perry’s. “I don’t know, okay?” he snarled. “Sometimes I see something I want, sometimes not even something I want that badly, and no ones looking, and I just… take it. I don’t really think about why.”
“Well then maybe you should start thinking about it,” Perry said, jabbing a finger into Harry’s forehead. The thief swiped at his hand, glaring fiercely.
“Look, I’m sorry, okay?” he said, his voice raised in anger.
Perry snorted bitterly. “No, you’re not! Don’t say that if you don’t mean it!” he growled.
Harry’s face twisted and he looked away. “It’s not like before,” he said, quieting a little, and Perry relaxed somewhat, pulling away. “Back in New York, I’d pick pockets or nab little things like I did today, but I’d also be making plans, for stealing bigger things. Electronics, jewellery, that kind of thing. I’d sit and go over building blueprints. Scope out the cameras, disable the alarms, all the tricky shit. That part… it was fun.” His eyes wandered over to Harmony, who was staring back with a sort of rapt curiosity. Harry faltered slightly, unable to meet her gaze for long. “Like playing secret agents as a kid, only in real life. Real stakes, real adrenaline. And I was good at it. I’ve never been good at very much, but point out something that’s locked up and tell me to fetch and I’m on it. I’m all over it, I’m in control.”
He raised his eyes to meet Perry’s. “And now I’m here, and I don’t have to steal because I’ve got you. And I can apply those skills to detective work, which is way better than stealing because I’m doing something right.” He cracked a grin. “Using my powers for the greater good. You know?”
He chuckled a bit and Perry gave him a small smirk. Harry sobered again. “But I still can’t help stealing little things on occasion too. It’s just… habit, maybe? I dunno. It doesn‘t really hurt anyone, nicking a stick of gum or a case of beer.”
“It does, Harry,” Perry said meaningfully, studying the younger man’s face as they both fell silent. Harry’s lips were pulled back in a grimace, caught between anger and guilt. Not remorse, because Harry really only regretted having disappointed Perry again. Brown eyes, devoid of their typical good humour, looked away from the taller man.
Perry’s face cracked into a small smile, huffing out a sigh. “Hey,” he said and put a hand on the thief’s shoulder, “Calm down, chief, you’re not in trouble, alright?”
Harry looked up at him and blinked. “Really? ‘Cause I feel like I should be. You’re really not mad?”
“Hey, I never said I wasn’t. But you’re not in trouble. You’re trying, Harry.” He pulled Harry in closer, his hands squeezing the younger man’s shoulders. He leaned in close, and Harry shut his eyes, ducking his head a bit. Perry’s smile hitched a little higher, and he pressed his lips against one shuttered brown eye, infinitely gentle as he only ever was with this overgrown Oliver Twist of a man. “You’re trying, and that’s more than a lot of people ever do,” he murmured against Harry’s eyebrow, wrapping his arms around the brunette.
The younger man sighed and tucked his head under Perry’s chin, pressing his face against the warm throat and trying to breath in just the tiniest bit of the other man’s strength.
“Jesus, Perry,” Harmony scorned, taking a sip of her drink. “It was just a couple of beers, you guys. There’s no need for you to get all dramatic about it.”
Anger flared in Perry’s chest, and he pushed Harry back, stalking over to tower over the actress. “Dammit, Harmony, it’s not ‘just a couple of beers’ alright? Fuck, are you trying to encourage his bad habits?”
“Oh come on, Perry, it’s not like I made him do it or anything.”
Perry slammed his hand down on the table, making the other two jump. He was very, very close to actually slapping Harmony right now. “I think you should leave,” he seethed.
“Hey, no, come on, Perry, it’s okay,” Harry said, alarmed. He put a hand on Perry’s arm. “Really, it’s fine. She’s right anyways. It was my choice to steal. I chose to do it.”
The audible regret in his voice made Perry look up. Harry’s brown eyes were wide with distress, pleading for Perry to let it go. He looked over at Harmony. She, too, was staring at him wide-eyed. He looked down at the table, at his fist pressed white-knuckled against the wood. He closed his eyes with a muttered curse and took some deep breaths, reining in his temper. Harry didn’t take his hand away, his palm warm through the thin material of Perry’s shirt.
When he was calm enough to think clearly again, he raised his head to meet Harmony‘s gaze. “Harmony, I don’t want you acting like this is nothing, or isn’t important,” he said firmly. “Harry already has a record, and the last thing he needs right now is to add to it. He’s building something here, with us, and you should be encouraging that.”
Time seemed to stop yet again as Perry and Harmony stared at each other, Harry glancing nervously between them. Then Harmony slumped back against her chair, and Perry straightened up, and Harry hesitated for just a moment before lowering his hand.
“You’re right, Perry,” Harmony said, quiet and contrite. “I’m sorry.”
Perry grunted and waved a hand. Harry and Harmony both hung back, subdued, looking small and colourless. Neither of them seemed able to look at him or at one other. Perry almost said something else, but instead, he scooped up the files and turned on his heel, stalking out of the kitchen without looking at either of them.
He made his way upstairs to his home office, his mind stumbling over everything that had just come out.
‘He’s building something here, with us,’ he had just said.
Perry wondered if either of the other two had caught that unspoken ‘with me,’ that Perry had really meant.