universal_charm | [ LOCKED ] The Odd Couple

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[ LOCKED ] The Odd Couple

The door slammed maybe a bit to loudly as Kirk entered the dorm space he had been sharing with one Malcolm Reed for the better part of a year. Out of deeply ingrained habit he slipped out of his shoes by the door and kicked them to the side, coming around the partition into the main living space. The zipper of of his uniform went down next, casually tossing it onto his bed, though it hung off the side like a distressed damsel.

Naked from the waist up he threw open the doors to his closet, humming some song or another under his breath as he flicking through the various shirts he owned that were nice enough to require hangars. Was it going to be that kind of party? Stacy hadn't really said, but Stacy being Stacy, well, she'd like the button ups...

"Hey, don't throw the top lock tonight," he said over his shoulder to his roommate. "I don't know when I'll be back. Might want to put your ear plugs in too, just in case."

His warning given, he went back to perusing his shirts - not that he had that many to choose from, but hey, a guy had to be stylish.

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There were some days he really wished he was the kind of person who could put on some music and do anything to it. As it was, he couldn't concentrate on his studied with music blasting in his ears, and so the slammed door made him twitch. Bloody door didn't need to be handled with such distaste. What did the poor door ever do to his roomie, one James Kirk?

He put down the padd he was reading from, turning in his seat to look. "You know, maybe you could end up somewhere else tonight if you're not even sure you'll be back at all. Lord knows you'll have your pick, depending on who you decide to pick up." He had never asked to live with an apparently popular partyboy, but here they were.

The door needed to know its place, at all times. That, and it was hard to break the habits of living on a farm - slam doors that didn't want to lock properly, punch them open when they did the opposite. Uncle Frank hadn't been the best house keeper. Or farmer. Or anything really.

"Yeah, but I could end up back here," he retorted, finally selecting a simply black shirt with a v-neck. Button ups would take to much time to get off if it came to that, and he always looked his best in the simple kind of clothes. He didn't need designer labels to look good. "It's easier to get them to move out in the morning when I point out you're sleeping right over there." He hooked his thumb at Malcolm's bed before tugging on his shirt and heading for their bathroom.

"If you come back with someone, would you at least remember to text me ahead of time so it's not a surprise? Etiquette hasn't died out yet, far as I'm aware." It isn't like Malcolm plans on going anywhere or being out during the middle of the night. Besides, if Jim actually tells him company's coming over, that'll give him time to do up the top lock and keep them out.

"It's rude to text when you have company," Kirk snorted from the bathroom, coming back out after a quick spray of mouth wash and a run of his fingers through his hair. "Besides, I'm warning you now. We both know you won't actually be asleep when I come in. You'll have the PADD under the covers, like you're being naughty or something." He rolled his eyes, flopping on Malcolm's bed as it was the closest set next to Malcolm's desk. He stretched like a cat, pointing his toes, his shirt riding up to show his belly.

"You could let me study and get a decent night of sleep instead. Lord knows you apparently don't need either." He swatted Jim's leg wiht a PADD. "I've got a feeling you run on alcohol and adrenaline alone. Maybe I should test that hypothesis someday."

The farm boy laughed, swatting at Malcolm in turn, but didn't get up from his position. "You're welcome to. I mean, I sleep right there," he motioned with his foot, his grin mischievous now. "It's a two man kind of experiment, if you get my drift."

"You don't get much alcohol or adrenaline in bed, you get those getting there, it seems."

"Well, adrenaline you can get just fine in bed," he smirked, sitting up, reaching out to stroke his thigh before bouncing up and heading back to his own bed. "If you want to discover my secrets, you'll have to actually come out with me for once instead of sitting in here like a sad gremlin."

Wait. Wait, was that Jim hitting on him? Hold on a moment while he digests that.

He shook his head. "Go out with you where, to some smokey bar, or loud and crowded party? Does that seem like my scene to you?"

Perhaps it was Jim being Jim. It was well known around campus he was a playboy and flirt and wasn't strictly one way or the other.

"No, but I never see you outside of this room class. I haven't even seen you at a coffee house. Come on, what do you actually do for fun? See how long it takes your PADD to go to sleep on its own?"

"There's always training practice. Nothing like getting all those hand-to-hand moves down to muscle memory. Reading, I like to read for enjoyment. What does it matter to you what kind of fun I have? You must have enough for half this floor."

"You're the one proposing an experiment on me," he looked up at him from where he was bent over tugging on a different pair of shoes than his uniform required boots. He much preferred a pair of fashion sneakers (he had nicer pairs, but this was a house party, and you didn't wear those there unless you planned on buying a new pair the next day).

"If you want to perform the experiment, you need to gather all data points, don't you? So that means to gather them you actually need to leave here and come out and do something. Why not live it instead of reading it?"

"You know I was being facetious," he sighed, looking at his reading material, both fun and schoolwork, on his desk and back at Jim.

"Being...social and trying things is all part of the experience and producing a well rounded and healthy mind. If it'll get you to shut up about how little fun I am, fine, I'll go to the stupid party. For an hour."

Jim actually paused at that, looking at Mal with a quick rush of emotions across his face - suspicion, surprise, delight, smug. He didn't dislike Mal, though they butted heads now and then. But they had never really seen eye to eye on many things, so this was an interesting turn of events.

"But not like that," he shook his head, going for Mal's closet and opening it up to start rooting through for an acceptable outfit. "Where are those jeans I saw you in once? They actually looked food on your butt..." he muttered.

Good to know he can actually surprise Jim now and again. Maybe...staying in his room or in places of study nine times out of ten wasn't doing him any favours. But when Jim touches the closet, he's up on his feet. "I can dress myself, thank you very much, get out of there."

Mal would be treated to a look that suggested he did not believe that in the slightest, but he backed away. He could at least see what the other thought was proper going out attire - and then redo it because he was sure the other had it wrong. Which was a shame. He'd seen him getting in and out of the shower before. He didn't look bad.

"Well hurry up then. We want to be late, not miss the entire party."

"You haven't even told me what kind of party it is. Are we talking fancy?" He pulled out a neatly pressed button-down. "Are we talking club? Hm, club might be harder to pull off... Pub? Someone's house? I'm thinking casual top with a classier jacket," like so and like so, "to cover the bases. And jeans...well, I wouldn't know how my backside looks in them, but at least they're cozy and informal without being too informal..."

"It's a house party," he rolled his eyes. "Anything fancy has the potential to be ruined, so stick with a nice t-shirt and a jacket." He motioned to himself by way of example. "If you show up with anything that remotely looks like it belongs as part of a suit you'll be chased into the pool within twenty minutes."

He came up beside him, looking through the jeans and finding the pair he had liked on Malcolm, pressing them to the other's chest, patting them before retreating again.

"...Less nicer jacket, then. Jolly good." There's a denim one in here somewhere. No pools for him, thanks. Fine, he'll change into all of that and look...like a normal person his age. Instead of the eternal cadet. Even gives a turn when he's done. "Yes? Good? Am I going to know anyone at this party? Were you invited, or is it everyone crashing?" Details are important, okay.

It was as good as he was sure the other could get, but it wasn't necessarily bad either. He came close, smoothing a few things, tugging something into a better position. A step back, quick assessing glance up and down, and then he nodded.

"You'll do. And it's an open invitation, don't worry," he went to grab his key card and wallet, tucking them into a pocket before motioning for Mal to follow him. "Now, don't be scared when we go into the hall. It normally looks this way at night," he tease as he slid the door open.

He tolerated the smoothing and touching with a stiff spine just to keep himself from fidgeting. But the eyerolling Jim's just going to have to deal with. "Har har. Just don't be surprised when I turn into some pathetic wallflower. I don't socialize well. Big surprise, I know."

"Isn't it supposed to be a pumpkin? Is that something I have to worry about? I'm not sure I can get a pumpkin through the door," he tossed over his shoulder as he led them to the elevator to exit the dorm hall and out to the streets. It wasn't that far from the dorm to some blocks of houses that upper level cadets and even some minor officers could rent or buy - which was a plus, because a taxi cost an arm and a leg.

Not something either of them could get on their own, that was for certain. Malcolm swallowed down the paranoia and anxiety at even being here to begin with. Make friends, get laid, relax, something. With so many people, that should be easy, right? "You're not going to start introducing me to everyone you know, are you?"

"It's a party, not a board meeting. Just relax and be yourself, okay? Stick with me, and if people ask, talk. They won't bite - well, most won't, not unless you want them too."

At this point in the night most people were inside, red solo cups in hand, shifting to the thump of the bass music or chatting in small groups. It was crowded, sure, but Kirk had seen and been in worse. He was quick to say hi, exchange a few pecks on the lips or cheek if they were offered, some bro-hugs and slaps. He was at home here, among his element, his smile a beacon.

"Malcolm, what do you want to drink?" Kirk called to the other.

It was always the 'be yourself' part that tripped him up, because wasn't the point doing something new and not himself? The jacket was probably not going to be necessary at this point. Maybe he should see if he can find some classmates and say hello? Not in the way that Jim was saying hello, of course. Social butterfly.

"Just water is fine." There was probably alcohol, but naturally there was a concern there. "Unless that's too boring for your tastes."

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