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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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."

"No, it means at least one of us will remember the way home," he called with a bright laugh, disappearing for a moment as he went to the kitchen to grab the drinks. He came back with a bottle of beer for himself and a bottle of water for Mal, pressing it into his hand.

He looked up at him and pursed his lips the tiniest bit, reaching up and raking his fingers through the more studious man's hair. He nodded after a second, pleased.

"Just relax," he said softly to him. "You look good, and you're not terrible at conversation. I'm not going to throw you in the deep end and bail."

"...Here's hoping you won't be drinking that much. I might indulge myself yet, but certainly not to that point." Hard to tell sometimes when Jim was joking or not.

And then fingers in his hair??? Malcolm ducked a little and immediately patted down his hair and tried to feel if it was ruffled out of place. What the hell? "Excuse you, my hair doesn't need playing with."

"Making it look a little less like you slept on your books wouldn't hurt you," he rolled his eyes, wandering towards the bigger parts of the house - the living room where people danced by the speakers, doors leading out towards a pool and patio.

"Is this your first party?" he asked Mal before taking a swig of his beer, waving to another small group.

"My hair is fine." It doesn't look like that at all. What would that even look like, sleeping on books?

As to the party, "Since being here, yes. Never thought of myself as much of a party person."

"Come on, surely you went to someone's birthday party back in high school," he insisted, moving them out of the heat of the house to the cooler night, the pool light from the bottom, casting shifting light reflections across the other party goers, them included.

"Yes, back home, sure, a few parties, now and again, but not here in San Francisco," he elaborated, following. "Look, if you want me to drink, I'll drink; if you want me to talk to people, I'll try. Parties should be about...relaxing, hm? You can tell I'm out of practice about that."

"I don't want you to do anything," he looked at him, coming in close and wrapping his arm around the other's waist to move him along around the edge of the pool. "Like you said, I just want you to have fun or something at least." He looked up at him. "If you decide you're having the most terrible time ever, we'll go. But you promised me an hour to try it."

The intimate gesture startled him, but maybe he was just being...too uptight. As usual. Right, that needed fixing. He needed to socialize and whatever else was going on. (Hovering around the pool wasn't doing him any favours, but he wouldn't have to stick around there for long.)

"Right, you're right, I apologize. I'm being...fatalistic. I'll go inside and schmooze."

Kirk turned his head to look at him, as if weighing the truth of that. But he did slid his arm away from him, giving his bicep a gentle squeeze. "Good. There are bound to be others here you'll like talking too. Just give it a try. You can call me if you need to get bailed out." He flashed him a bright smile. "I want to go say hi to a few more people, so you'll be okay on your own for a little?"

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