What If?: The Vice Squad. Chapter Six.
Written by: lady_lilith and lady_death.
Title: What If?: The Vice Squad. Chapter Six.
Fandom: National Hockey League, AR.
Characters: Todd Bertuzzi, Markus Naslund, Ed Jovanovski.
Word Count: 2,408.
Rating: PG.
Summary: Todd's gets himself in a whole new kind of trouble.
Author's Notes: This is set the morning after Chapter Five.
6:45 am.
Throws clothes from his closet at him, "Get up."
"Huh? What time is it?"
Inspects the shoes in his closet, looking for a good pair of boots, "It is early, but we are late."
"How early?"
"Early. This will work." Tosses a pair that he liked by the bed. "Where...hmm...I find it." Pokes around more.
Risks a glance at his alarm clock, then groans, "I don't wake up this early. This is why I work the late shift."
"Move. Get the clothes on."
Grumbles something, rolling over to burry his face in his pillow.
Goes over to the bed, swinging himself up onto it, kneeling over him a leg on either side, "You get up now." Strokes along his spine.
A low sound, somewhere between a purr and growl, "You come back to bed."
"No, you have no work. I make a plan, and you will get up." Bends, his tongue following the same path his fingers took.
"Mmm, that's a good reason to stay in bed."
"Nej, it will get busy, we will miss things."
Tries to turn over, keeping him on top.
Shifts, allowing him to change, "You, out of bed."
"You, down here."
"Shakes his head, "I want to show things."
"Kiss me first."
"Off the bed first."
"Kiss me. How do you say that in Swedish?"
"Puss jag." Takes the pillow beside them, whacking him with it, "Lazy."
"Puss? That don't sound right." Snickers.
Whacks him harder this time.
Just laughs more.
"Your English is fucked Swedish." Blows from the pillow rain down.
Holds his hands up to defend himself, "What was that about fucking Swedish?"
"Your English is."
"My English is perfect." Goes to knock him over.
Tries to keep up the attack even as he's falling over.
Moves over him, taking his blows to pin him down.
Laughs, "Get up, lazy."
Kisses him instead.
Puts the pillow between them, to fend him off.
Yanks the pillow, tossing it aside.
Gives him his most innocent look, "Hur kanna jag försvara mig själv nu? Du skulle inte anfalla en avväpnad besätta."
"Don't give me that fuckin' look." Kisses him passionately.
Arches up into his body, "Jag lik den."
Touches him where he can, keeping him in the kiss.
Returns it with as much enthusiasm, "God morgon."
"Yeah, what you said." He can't keep away from his mouth for long.
"Nej. Nej. Plans. You get up now, get the clothes on."
"These are good plans."
"But we did this. Today we do a thing you never do."
"There isn't a lot I've never done."
"You never do this. I know. Now, get up."
Smirks, "Puss jag."
"You laugh at the Swedish. No kisses."
"I'm very serious." Still smirking.
"Stige av jag med din ser lik så pass."
"Try it in English now."
"Go put the fucking clothes on."
Laughs, "Not until you kiss me."
Growls, giving him a bruising kiss.
Moans, tangling his hands in his hair, taking even more from his kiss.
"You have....your kiss."
"And your plans are better than this?"
Giving him that smile again, "My plan is very better."
Takes another kiss but then sits up, "Fine."
"Okay, we need to go to store, and where is your blankets?"
"Blankets?"
Nods, "We need one."
"Look in the closet."
"I did! Where are more?"
"That's it."
Sighs, "It will work."
"Why do you need blankets?"
"You will see later."
Shrugs, "Fine." Gets up to dress, "Did you throw clothes at me?"
"Ja, use those." Goes back to the closet, choosing one of the thinner blankets, rolling it up tightly.
Grumbles, yanking his clothes on.
Most of his own clothes are in a pile on the floor, from emptying his bag, sticks the blanket in there.
Runs a hand through his hair to comb it, "What are we doing?"
"You will see." Stuffs his camera back in the bag, "Store first."
"Yeah, okay." Shakes his head.
Grabs up his things, giving him a quick kiss before heading for the bedroom door.
Shoves a couple things in his pockets, pausing in the doorway, "Hey, I need a couple more details on where we're going."
"Mm mm. Surprise."
"Gonna be people around?"
"Some, but we go off in parts without them."
Thinks a moment, then shakes his head, following him out.
"What is it?"
"Nothin'." Grabs his cell from the table, and glances at the empty pack, "I need to hit a store, too."
"I need the food one." Smiles, "What one for you?"
"Grocery? I can do that." Shows him the empty pack.
"You can't do that."
"What?"
Mimes smoking, "Not where we go today."
Rolls his eyes, "I'll find someplace to smoke."
Laughs, "You are a...narkoman."
"Narco?"
Laughs more, clearly at him, "Narkoman."
Raises an eyebrow.
"It is one word."
"What's it mean?"
"Um...I forget English, like you don't stop."
"Don't stop? Addict? 'Cause I am that."
"Ja, you need your smoking."
"Yep. So?"
Shrugs, "I only say you are."
Shrugs, "Grocery is fine with me."
Already starts for the door, "Are you one of that kind?"
Follows him, "What kind?"
"Have a problem with..." Puts his hands on him, turning to kiss him, "Vill du bekymmer om jag puss du överallt och utställning envar?"
"Uh, there was somethin' about kissing in there."
"You care, out here?" Indicates the whole street.
Shakes his head, no.
Grins, "In the car, move, you."
Laughs, "Yes, sir." Walks over to his car.
Takes up what is fast becoming his spot next to him.
Pulls out, heading for the grocery store, his hand automatically going to his leg.
Sprawls comfortably in the seat, smiling over at him, "How you like water?"
"I'm not against it. Not about to sign up for the Coast Guard."
"What is this Coast Guard?"
"Boat patrols. Search and rescue."
"You are not a Superman?"
Scoffs, "No."
"You don't help people?"
"Sometimes."
"How is the city job?"
"Pretty good."
Looks him over and bursts out laughing.
"What?"
Failing at surpressing the laughter, "Jag trött till avbilda du i en hytt med en band."
"At least mock me in English."
"I...oh...in my head, I see...you...one of the sit and write jobs."
Scoffs, "Couldn't."
"Ja, you look bad in my head like that."
"I look bad in my head like that too."
"You don't do that, ja?"
"No, I don't do that."
"Hmmm, teach? Nej. Coach?"
"Nej."
"You look good for sport."
Laughs, "Thanks."
"You are not a.....uh....politiker?"
"No."
Nods, "Mmm, I get you sometime."
"Sure." Laughs.
"I will pick the right one."
"Sure you will."
"I will. What will I win?"
"Surprise."
"Ja? I like things that are surprise."
"Good."
Sits quietly, studying him.
Smirks, focusing out the windshield.
"Ingenjör?"
"Huh?"
"Forget that one, I don't know word for it."
Shrugs, pulling into the parking lot.
Nods, "Ja, come. I promise you fun."
"In the grocery store?"
Laughs, "Ja. Sure, we have fun here."
"It's your party." Gets out with him.
Sticks close to him, his hands constantly straying to his body.
Smirks, "Why're we here?"
"Things we need. You in charge of the thingy."
"Thingy?"
Points to a shopping cart.
"Cart. Right."
"You drive. I will help." Feels up his ass, his lips straying to his neck.
"Yeah, that's helpin'."
"I am." Leads both him and the cart past a few aisles, stopping where he can grab film. Tossing several rolls into the carriage.
Doesn't pass up an opportunity to feel him up.
Leans back into him, "We need water, sandwich, mmm...snack."
Kisses his neck, "Go find it."
Turns his head, so he can have his lips on his mouth instead of his neck.
"Mmm, let's go home."
"Nej. Go get what you need, I get the other thing. We meet up."
"Fine, fine. You take the cart."
"Ja, just a minute." Smiles, disappearing into the store.
Groans watching him walk away. Then walks over to the customer service desk to buy his cigarettes.
There's an alert from his cell, Text: Woke people up. Nothing international. He's clean.
Text: Thanks. Owe you.
Text: Up already? Luck to ya.
About fifteen minutes later he's waiting for him up front, the cart filled with subs from the deli, suntan lotion, bug spray, some water, and an exuberant amount of chocolate.
Looks over the cart, and then gives him a skeptical look.
Just gives him his best smile back.
"Don't look like that."
"It will be fun." Waits expectantly for him to pay.
"Yeah, sure. Meet you outside?"
"What? Ja, okay."
Heads out to his car. Text: Mistake?
Text: Or he picked it up here?
Text: Do I walk away?
Text: Not my call.
Text: Fuck.
Text: Backpacking's not illegal. Maybe a mistake.
Text: Need it to be.
Text: I know.
Text: Fuck. Shoves his phone back in his pocket and lights up.
Returns to the car with the water, the subs and the film, the rest of it seems to have disappeared somewhere along the way.
"That's it?"
"Ja, ja. I tell you before only a quick stop."
Shrugs, stepping on his cigarette and getting in his car.
"Now, you drive back the way of the clubs."
"At this hour?"
"Ja, past them."
"Past them? To the woods?"
Smiles, "It is a park."
"We're going to the woods?"
"It is a park! Not enough trees for woods." Grins more.
Rolls his eyes.
"See, you never do this."
"I've been there."
"Not the same, you there without me."
"Yeah, I get that." Smirks at him.
"You go there, but you don't see it."
"You gonna show me?"
"Ja, everything."
Strokes his thigh, smirking.
"I have plan for that too, later."
"Good."
"When did you go there?"
"'Bout a year ago."
"What for?"
"Business."
Laughs, "What kind of business? You are no park ranger."
Scoffs, "Hardly. Had to meet someone."
"In the park?"
"Sometimes you gotta."
"You are a business man?"
"Of sorts."
"What is your business?"
"Mine."
"Oh." Doesn't ask any more questions.
Continues to touch his leg, but keeps his eyes on the road.
Ignores the touch, focusing on the window.
"Markus?"
Shrugs, "Ja?"
"What?"
Shrugs.
Takes his hand back.
"Du er en främling , du er icke min vän. Jag frågat alltför många spörsmålen." Pauses, "Do you want to see Stanley Park?"
Parks, turning to face him. Pause. "I'm a cop."
Confused, "A cop?"
Pulls his badge out of his pocket, handing it to him.
His eyes widen, "You send me home?"
"I'm not CIC."
Swallows, "Okay, you are a cop."
"Yeah."
"Okay, you have good job." Hands back his badge.
Puts it away, "Yeah, I like it."
"You lied."
"No I didn't."
"You do lie. You say you aren't a Superman."
"I'm not."
"Liar."
"How do you figure?"
"You save people."
"Sometimes."
Nods, "No park?"
"Why not?"
"You don't like it."
"Says who?"
"You, with your face."
"I have no problem with this. Look, I'm Vice."
"Vice?" Makes a face, thinking, "Vice, vice---you do what?"
"We deal with the borderline crimes, y'know, drugs, gambling, pornography, prostitution . . ."
"Oh! SR! Sedlighetsroteln!"
"Probably."
"That is your job?"
"Yeah."
"When you come for my dance....?"
"No. But the night before." Nods.
"Oh." Shrugs, "What is this?"
"What?"
"You and me."
Shrugs.
"We lose the good light."
"Let's get goin'."
"Todd?"
"Yeah?"
Touches his cheek, leaning across the car to kiss him.
Relaxes into his kiss, eagerly returning it.
"Let me have today."
"It's yours."
"You have to pay for the parking."
Half a smile, "I can do that."
"I show you the best part of your city now."
"Yeah, okay." Kisses him again, lightly.
"Move it." Gets out of the car, grabbing his back pack.
Gets out, laughing a little to himself. Takes out his cellphone. Text: Told him. At the park, jic.
Text: Trouble?
Text: No.
Grabs his hand pulling him towards the entrance.
Puts his phone away, letting himself get pulled.
Avoids all the obvious attractions and the paths, making for the tree line, "I find the best place here."
"I'm followin' you."
"Keep eyes open."
"Always."
Smiles, taking his arm, guiding him to look at a certain branch of the trees.
"A tree?"
"No, look, see there, you see red?"
Squints, "Uh, probably."
Stops, shaking his head, and digging through the bag. Hands him a pair of binoculars.
Looks through them, "Sure."
"Come on, that's the start." In his element now, tugs him along faster towards the trees.
Watches him more than anything else.
Scrambles over rocks, ignoring branches, or prickly bushes, wandering deeper into the forest, showing him various signs of animal life, and birds as they come across them. Getting more at ease. He seems to know where he is going, stops, taking out a funny little whistle.
For the most part, he doesn't have a clue what he's talking about, but the point is more to watch him enjoy himself. He's not quite at ease yet.
"Shush." Sounds out a bird call.
"I wa--" Raises an eyebrow.
"Shush." Plays it again on his whistle, when there's an answering call he's probably never seen him this excited.
Bites his lip as not to laugh, can't take his eyes off him.
Whispering, "Hear?! Maybe a nest." Calls again, creeping along now, following the sound.
Not a clue what he's talking about, gets the obvious clue to be quiet.
To an outsider, it must look like he's stopping randomly, but points into the branches for Todd, yanking out his camera to snap photos.
Shrugs.
Happy, "We're almost there." Turns away from the birds, putting Todd in his focus.
Puts his hand over the lens, "No."
"Let me." Tries to shove his hand away, and snap the picture, "I want picture of us. You look good."
"Can't."
"Why?"
Shakes his head, "Go back to taking pictures of the birds."
"Let me have one picture."
"No."
"You do good with the camera." Tries, to distract him with a caress, "No need to worry."
Grabs his wrist, very serious, "For my own safety."
"But it's for me. My day."
"I can't."
Huffs, backing away from him, crestfallen heads for where the trees are thinning.
"Markus?"
Doesn't answer, flopping down in the grass by the shore of a lake.
Sits beside him, "You understand, right?"
Shrugs.
Turns him to face him, "I'm undercover."
"Go away."
Sighs, "I could arrest you, couldn't I?"
"Nej. Today is no good. Go. I get home, myself."
Stands, "Okay."
Doesn't seem to notice, staring out at the lake.
Title: What If?: The Vice Squad. Chapter Six.
Fandom: National Hockey League, AR.
Characters: Todd Bertuzzi, Markus Naslund, Ed Jovanovski.
Word Count: 2,408.
Rating: PG.
Summary: Todd's gets himself in a whole new kind of trouble.
Author's Notes: This is set the morning after Chapter Five.
6:45 am.
Throws clothes from his closet at him, "Get up."
"Huh? What time is it?"
Inspects the shoes in his closet, looking for a good pair of boots, "It is early, but we are late."
"How early?"
"Early. This will work." Tosses a pair that he liked by the bed. "Where...hmm...I find it." Pokes around more.
Risks a glance at his alarm clock, then groans, "I don't wake up this early. This is why I work the late shift."
"Move. Get the clothes on."
Grumbles something, rolling over to burry his face in his pillow.
Goes over to the bed, swinging himself up onto it, kneeling over him a leg on either side, "You get up now." Strokes along his spine.
A low sound, somewhere between a purr and growl, "You come back to bed."
"No, you have no work. I make a plan, and you will get up." Bends, his tongue following the same path his fingers took.
"Mmm, that's a good reason to stay in bed."
"Nej, it will get busy, we will miss things."
Tries to turn over, keeping him on top.
Shifts, allowing him to change, "You, out of bed."
"You, down here."
"Shakes his head, "I want to show things."
"Kiss me first."
"Off the bed first."
"Kiss me. How do you say that in Swedish?"
"Puss jag." Takes the pillow beside them, whacking him with it, "Lazy."
"Puss? That don't sound right." Snickers.
Whacks him harder this time.
Just laughs more.
"Your English is fucked Swedish." Blows from the pillow rain down.
Holds his hands up to defend himself, "What was that about fucking Swedish?"
"Your English is."
"My English is perfect." Goes to knock him over.
Tries to keep up the attack even as he's falling over.
Moves over him, taking his blows to pin him down.
Laughs, "Get up, lazy."
Kisses him instead.
Puts the pillow between them, to fend him off.
Yanks the pillow, tossing it aside.
Gives him his most innocent look, "Hur kanna jag försvara mig själv nu? Du skulle inte anfalla en avväpnad besätta."
"Don't give me that fuckin' look." Kisses him passionately.
Arches up into his body, "Jag lik den."
Touches him where he can, keeping him in the kiss.
Returns it with as much enthusiasm, "God morgon."
"Yeah, what you said." He can't keep away from his mouth for long.
"Nej. Nej. Plans. You get up now, get the clothes on."
"These are good plans."
"But we did this. Today we do a thing you never do."
"There isn't a lot I've never done."
"You never do this. I know. Now, get up."
Smirks, "Puss jag."
"You laugh at the Swedish. No kisses."
"I'm very serious." Still smirking.
"Stige av jag med din ser lik så pass."
"Try it in English now."
"Go put the fucking clothes on."
Laughs, "Not until you kiss me."
Growls, giving him a bruising kiss.
Moans, tangling his hands in his hair, taking even more from his kiss.
"You have....your kiss."
"And your plans are better than this?"
Giving him that smile again, "My plan is very better."
Takes another kiss but then sits up, "Fine."
"Okay, we need to go to store, and where is your blankets?"
"Blankets?"
Nods, "We need one."
"Look in the closet."
"I did! Where are more?"
"That's it."
Sighs, "It will work."
"Why do you need blankets?"
"You will see later."
Shrugs, "Fine." Gets up to dress, "Did you throw clothes at me?"
"Ja, use those." Goes back to the closet, choosing one of the thinner blankets, rolling it up tightly.
Grumbles, yanking his clothes on.
Most of his own clothes are in a pile on the floor, from emptying his bag, sticks the blanket in there.
Runs a hand through his hair to comb it, "What are we doing?"
"You will see." Stuffs his camera back in the bag, "Store first."
"Yeah, okay." Shakes his head.
Grabs up his things, giving him a quick kiss before heading for the bedroom door.
Shoves a couple things in his pockets, pausing in the doorway, "Hey, I need a couple more details on where we're going."
"Mm mm. Surprise."
"Gonna be people around?"
"Some, but we go off in parts without them."
Thinks a moment, then shakes his head, following him out.
"What is it?"
"Nothin'." Grabs his cell from the table, and glances at the empty pack, "I need to hit a store, too."
"I need the food one." Smiles, "What one for you?"
"Grocery? I can do that." Shows him the empty pack.
"You can't do that."
"What?"
Mimes smoking, "Not where we go today."
Rolls his eyes, "I'll find someplace to smoke."
Laughs, "You are a...narkoman."
"Narco?"
Laughs more, clearly at him, "Narkoman."
Raises an eyebrow.
"It is one word."
"What's it mean?"
"Um...I forget English, like you don't stop."
"Don't stop? Addict? 'Cause I am that."
"Ja, you need your smoking."
"Yep. So?"
Shrugs, "I only say you are."
Shrugs, "Grocery is fine with me."
Already starts for the door, "Are you one of that kind?"
Follows him, "What kind?"
"Have a problem with..." Puts his hands on him, turning to kiss him, "Vill du bekymmer om jag puss du överallt och utställning envar?"
"Uh, there was somethin' about kissing in there."
"You care, out here?" Indicates the whole street.
Shakes his head, no.
Grins, "In the car, move, you."
Laughs, "Yes, sir." Walks over to his car.
Takes up what is fast becoming his spot next to him.
Pulls out, heading for the grocery store, his hand automatically going to his leg.
Sprawls comfortably in the seat, smiling over at him, "How you like water?"
"I'm not against it. Not about to sign up for the Coast Guard."
"What is this Coast Guard?"
"Boat patrols. Search and rescue."
"You are not a Superman?"
Scoffs, "No."
"You don't help people?"
"Sometimes."
"How is the city job?"
"Pretty good."
Looks him over and bursts out laughing.
"What?"
Failing at surpressing the laughter, "Jag trött till avbilda du i en hytt med en band."
"At least mock me in English."
"I...oh...in my head, I see...you...one of the sit and write jobs."
Scoffs, "Couldn't."
"Ja, you look bad in my head like that."
"I look bad in my head like that too."
"You don't do that, ja?"
"No, I don't do that."
"Hmmm, teach? Nej. Coach?"
"Nej."
"You look good for sport."
Laughs, "Thanks."
"You are not a.....uh....politiker?"
"No."
Nods, "Mmm, I get you sometime."
"Sure." Laughs.
"I will pick the right one."
"Sure you will."
"I will. What will I win?"
"Surprise."
"Ja? I like things that are surprise."
"Good."
Sits quietly, studying him.
Smirks, focusing out the windshield.
"Ingenjör?"
"Huh?"
"Forget that one, I don't know word for it."
Shrugs, pulling into the parking lot.
Nods, "Ja, come. I promise you fun."
"In the grocery store?"
Laughs, "Ja. Sure, we have fun here."
"It's your party." Gets out with him.
Sticks close to him, his hands constantly straying to his body.
Smirks, "Why're we here?"
"Things we need. You in charge of the thingy."
"Thingy?"
Points to a shopping cart.
"Cart. Right."
"You drive. I will help." Feels up his ass, his lips straying to his neck.
"Yeah, that's helpin'."
"I am." Leads both him and the cart past a few aisles, stopping where he can grab film. Tossing several rolls into the carriage.
Doesn't pass up an opportunity to feel him up.
Leans back into him, "We need water, sandwich, mmm...snack."
Kisses his neck, "Go find it."
Turns his head, so he can have his lips on his mouth instead of his neck.
"Mmm, let's go home."
"Nej. Go get what you need, I get the other thing. We meet up."
"Fine, fine. You take the cart."
"Ja, just a minute." Smiles, disappearing into the store.
Groans watching him walk away. Then walks over to the customer service desk to buy his cigarettes.
There's an alert from his cell, Text: Woke people up. Nothing international. He's clean.
Text: Thanks. Owe you.
Text: Up already? Luck to ya.
About fifteen minutes later he's waiting for him up front, the cart filled with subs from the deli, suntan lotion, bug spray, some water, and an exuberant amount of chocolate.
Looks over the cart, and then gives him a skeptical look.
Just gives him his best smile back.
"Don't look like that."
"It will be fun." Waits expectantly for him to pay.
"Yeah, sure. Meet you outside?"
"What? Ja, okay."
Heads out to his car. Text: Mistake?
Text: Or he picked it up here?
Text: Do I walk away?
Text: Not my call.
Text: Fuck.
Text: Backpacking's not illegal. Maybe a mistake.
Text: Need it to be.
Text: I know.
Text: Fuck. Shoves his phone back in his pocket and lights up.
Returns to the car with the water, the subs and the film, the rest of it seems to have disappeared somewhere along the way.
"That's it?"
"Ja, ja. I tell you before only a quick stop."
Shrugs, stepping on his cigarette and getting in his car.
"Now, you drive back the way of the clubs."
"At this hour?"
"Ja, past them."
"Past them? To the woods?"
Smiles, "It is a park."
"We're going to the woods?"
"It is a park! Not enough trees for woods." Grins more.
Rolls his eyes.
"See, you never do this."
"I've been there."
"Not the same, you there without me."
"Yeah, I get that." Smirks at him.
"You go there, but you don't see it."
"You gonna show me?"
"Ja, everything."
Strokes his thigh, smirking.
"I have plan for that too, later."
"Good."
"When did you go there?"
"'Bout a year ago."
"What for?"
"Business."
Laughs, "What kind of business? You are no park ranger."
Scoffs, "Hardly. Had to meet someone."
"In the park?"
"Sometimes you gotta."
"You are a business man?"
"Of sorts."
"What is your business?"
"Mine."
"Oh." Doesn't ask any more questions.
Continues to touch his leg, but keeps his eyes on the road.
Ignores the touch, focusing on the window.
"Markus?"
Shrugs, "Ja?"
"What?"
Shrugs.
Takes his hand back.
"Du er en främling , du er icke min vän. Jag frågat alltför många spörsmålen." Pauses, "Do you want to see Stanley Park?"
Parks, turning to face him. Pause. "I'm a cop."
Confused, "A cop?"
Pulls his badge out of his pocket, handing it to him.
His eyes widen, "You send me home?"
"I'm not CIC."
Swallows, "Okay, you are a cop."
"Yeah."
"Okay, you have good job." Hands back his badge.
Puts it away, "Yeah, I like it."
"You lied."
"No I didn't."
"You do lie. You say you aren't a Superman."
"I'm not."
"Liar."
"How do you figure?"
"You save people."
"Sometimes."
Nods, "No park?"
"Why not?"
"You don't like it."
"Says who?"
"You, with your face."
"I have no problem with this. Look, I'm Vice."
"Vice?" Makes a face, thinking, "Vice, vice---you do what?"
"We deal with the borderline crimes, y'know, drugs, gambling, pornography, prostitution . . ."
"Oh! SR! Sedlighetsroteln!"
"Probably."
"That is your job?"
"Yeah."
"When you come for my dance....?"
"No. But the night before." Nods.
"Oh." Shrugs, "What is this?"
"What?"
"You and me."
Shrugs.
"We lose the good light."
"Let's get goin'."
"Todd?"
"Yeah?"
Touches his cheek, leaning across the car to kiss him.
Relaxes into his kiss, eagerly returning it.
"Let me have today."
"It's yours."
"You have to pay for the parking."
Half a smile, "I can do that."
"I show you the best part of your city now."
"Yeah, okay." Kisses him again, lightly.
"Move it." Gets out of the car, grabbing his back pack.
Gets out, laughing a little to himself. Takes out his cellphone. Text: Told him. At the park, jic.
Text: Trouble?
Text: No.
Grabs his hand pulling him towards the entrance.
Puts his phone away, letting himself get pulled.
Avoids all the obvious attractions and the paths, making for the tree line, "I find the best place here."
"I'm followin' you."
"Keep eyes open."
"Always."
Smiles, taking his arm, guiding him to look at a certain branch of the trees.
"A tree?"
"No, look, see there, you see red?"
Squints, "Uh, probably."
Stops, shaking his head, and digging through the bag. Hands him a pair of binoculars.
Looks through them, "Sure."
"Come on, that's the start." In his element now, tugs him along faster towards the trees.
Watches him more than anything else.
Scrambles over rocks, ignoring branches, or prickly bushes, wandering deeper into the forest, showing him various signs of animal life, and birds as they come across them. Getting more at ease. He seems to know where he is going, stops, taking out a funny little whistle.
For the most part, he doesn't have a clue what he's talking about, but the point is more to watch him enjoy himself. He's not quite at ease yet.
"Shush." Sounds out a bird call.
"I wa--" Raises an eyebrow.
"Shush." Plays it again on his whistle, when there's an answering call he's probably never seen him this excited.
Bites his lip as not to laugh, can't take his eyes off him.
Whispering, "Hear?! Maybe a nest." Calls again, creeping along now, following the sound.
Not a clue what he's talking about, gets the obvious clue to be quiet.
To an outsider, it must look like he's stopping randomly, but points into the branches for Todd, yanking out his camera to snap photos.
Shrugs.
Happy, "We're almost there." Turns away from the birds, putting Todd in his focus.
Puts his hand over the lens, "No."
"Let me." Tries to shove his hand away, and snap the picture, "I want picture of us. You look good."
"Can't."
"Why?"
Shakes his head, "Go back to taking pictures of the birds."
"Let me have one picture."
"No."
"You do good with the camera." Tries, to distract him with a caress, "No need to worry."
Grabs his wrist, very serious, "For my own safety."
"But it's for me. My day."
"I can't."
Huffs, backing away from him, crestfallen heads for where the trees are thinning.
"Markus?"
Doesn't answer, flopping down in the grass by the shore of a lake.
Sits beside him, "You understand, right?"
Shrugs.
Turns him to face him, "I'm undercover."
"Go away."
Sighs, "I could arrest you, couldn't I?"
"Nej. Today is no good. Go. I get home, myself."
Stands, "Okay."
Doesn't seem to notice, staring out at the lake.