![[personal profile]](https://www.dreamwidth.org/img/silk/identity/user.png){kind=small}
Open RP Post
[ Give me a starter, a prompt, or just a blank top level. Anything goes. ]
[ Give me a starter, a prompt, or just a blank top level. Anything goes. ]
Time passed. Life went on. Tess grieved, and threw herself into science. Into repairing S.T.A.R Labs. Into taking care of the motley collection of people who she’d sort of adopted. More than ever in the wake of Eobard’s betrayal. Sleep wasn’t important, and she did her best to keep her emotions, her grief and betrayal to herself. Barry and the others had enough to deal with.
But time passed. And her determination to salvage something of S.T.A.R Labs’ reputation led her to the world of PR. She’d done what she could in the wake of the explosion, but she was a scientist first and foremost. The basics she could handle. She didn’t have the expertise for more. She needed help.
That was how Connor entered her life. She hadn’t expected it. Hadn’t expected HIM. But there he was. And he didn’t seem to be leaving any time soon. She was pretty sure she should mind. But she didn't.
But time passed. And her determination to salvage something of S.T.A.R Labs’ reputation led her to the world of PR. She’d done what she could in the wake of the explosion, but she was a scientist first and foremost. The basics she could handle. She didn’t have the expertise for more. She needed help.
That was how Connor entered her life. She hadn’t expected it. Hadn’t expected HIM. But there he was. And he didn’t seem to be leaving any time soon. She was pretty sure she should mind. But she didn't.
It isn't the first time he's gotten a call out of the blue from an advertising firm, not even the first time it's a firm in a different city. It's good timing, he's just finished off place cards for a wedding and nothing else needs to be started for two weeks, so he hops on a train—he always takes the train when he can, flying is…still a little weird, even after this long—and it's a long trip but a quiet one, the best kind. He gets some work done, a few example pieces for this new client. Even as bumpy as the train gets, each pen stroke is flawless, but why not? He might as well use what he can do, as well as he can do it. It isn't like they'll know he lettered all of this on the train, right?
Pen heads up the stairs with the crowd and out the front doors at Union Station and takes a few moments to get his bearings back. It's been a while since he's been to Chicago, somehow he just hadn't gotten back here since…is it the 60s, really? But New York is hard to leave sometimes, it's one of the things he likes about it, that weird sense of permanent impermanence. It changes all the time, but something fundamental stays the same, and now he's romanticizing the city he lives in instead of walking to the Metro or getting a cab. Good, Pen, great start. Feel the dedication.
He's still early to RGM, portfolio in hand, and he's pointed upstairs, and then he's pointed along the floor until he finally pokes his head in the door marked 'Connor.'
"Hey. Are you, you're Connor? I'm, ah, I'm Pen Gregory, I think we have a meeting. Soon. Not yet. I'm early, sorry, I can wait out here…" He glances over his shoulder at the bullpen, assorted couches, nothing much like a waiting room. "…somewhere."
Pen heads up the stairs with the crowd and out the front doors at Union Station and takes a few moments to get his bearings back. It's been a while since he's been to Chicago, somehow he just hadn't gotten back here since…is it the 60s, really? But New York is hard to leave sometimes, it's one of the things he likes about it, that weird sense of permanent impermanence. It changes all the time, but something fundamental stays the same, and now he's romanticizing the city he lives in instead of walking to the Metro or getting a cab. Good, Pen, great start. Feel the dedication.
He's still early to RGM, portfolio in hand, and he's pointed upstairs, and then he's pointed along the floor until he finally pokes his head in the door marked 'Connor.'
"Hey. Are you, you're Connor? I'm, ah, I'm Pen Gregory, I think we have a meeting. Soon. Not yet. I'm early, sorry, I can wait out here…" He glances over his shoulder at the bullpen, assorted couches, nothing much like a waiting room. "…somewhere."
This was supposed to be an important client dinner. RGM showing a prospective new client that they were committed to rebuilding their image. But due to overworked staff, miscommunication, last minute schedule changes, and maybe one or two betrayals, it was Connor alone in Central City. He wouldn't describe the task as daunting, but not only was his own job on the line but the position of the entire Mink Group was at risk. They needed this contract or they were all out of jobs. Something about pulling their weight.
The first step that hadn't gone well was that he was supposed to be meeting with a man named Harrison Wells. He'd even worn actual slacks and a button down shirt for the occasion. Trying so hard to be actually professional. But then he felt he'd been dumped on....a doctor? A very attractive doctor, but how could Caitlin have anything to do with the brand and image of the company? Wasn't she doing the actually important work?
Okay, maybe that was wrong. The actual first step that had gone awry was that the company never reserved a car for him. Which meant Taxis. THEN he got dumped on Caitlin. He stuck to the plan. Tried to take her to dinner to show her a proper, professional image. But he didn't know the city, and the cab driver dumped them in the wrong place. He suggested they walk the rest of the way, it wasn't terribly far, when the sky just tore open and started pouring on them.
"Oh, come on!" He bellowed at the sky. "OH! This place looks like it has something vaguely like food!" He proclaimed before grabbing her by the arm and hauling her inside what he assumed to be a Japanese restaurant. At least he hoped it was. And not just an office that really liked bamboo.
The first step that hadn't gone well was that he was supposed to be meeting with a man named Harrison Wells. He'd even worn actual slacks and a button down shirt for the occasion. Trying so hard to be actually professional. But then he felt he'd been dumped on....a doctor? A very attractive doctor, but how could Caitlin have anything to do with the brand and image of the company? Wasn't she doing the actually important work?
Okay, maybe that was wrong. The actual first step that had gone awry was that the company never reserved a car for him. Which meant Taxis. THEN he got dumped on Caitlin. He stuck to the plan. Tried to take her to dinner to show her a proper, professional image. But he didn't know the city, and the cab driver dumped them in the wrong place. He suggested they walk the rest of the way, it wasn't terribly far, when the sky just tore open and started pouring on them.
"Oh, come on!" He bellowed at the sky. "OH! This place looks like it has something vaguely like food!" He proclaimed before grabbing her by the arm and hauling her inside what he assumed to be a Japanese restaurant. At least he hoped it was. And not just an office that really liked bamboo.
Connor sat on his couch, feet propped up on the table, hands folded behind his head. Eyes closed. Against the opposite wall was a huge display board tacked all over with bits of what appeared to be printer paper attacked with ball point pen and yellow highlighter. They couldn't exactly be called drawings, but there were a lot of boxes with squiggles and stick figures. Half sheets, crudely cut or torn, proclaimed various brand names. Pretty big ones, too.
At least Connor HAD been working. At one point. By the slight tilt of his head and relaxed droop of his jaw, he might have possibly fallen asleep. Which was surprising given the three extra large (and empty) cups on his desk. He snapped up the moment he heard Pen's voice, though, looking around like a child who'd just been caught red-handed. He squinted at the man in his door, startled and perplexed.
After a few moments of awkward silence, his face suddenly brightened. "Pen!" Then his face scrunched down, and he said softly to himself, "....I had a meeting with someone named Pen?" He shook his head, and brightened again. "Right! The letters guy." He got to his feet and started gesturing for him to come inside. "How could I forget that? The letter guy named Pen. Makes total sense."
At least Connor HAD been working. At one point. By the slight tilt of his head and relaxed droop of his jaw, he might have possibly fallen asleep. Which was surprising given the three extra large (and empty) cups on his desk. He snapped up the moment he heard Pen's voice, though, looking around like a child who'd just been caught red-handed. He squinted at the man in his door, startled and perplexed.
After a few moments of awkward silence, his face suddenly brightened. "Pen!" Then his face scrunched down, and he said softly to himself, "....I had a meeting with someone named Pen?" He shook his head, and brightened again. "Right! The letters guy." He got to his feet and started gesturing for him to come inside. "How could I forget that? The letter guy named Pen. Makes total sense."
The STAR Labs assignment was one that Connor had dreaded at first. Everyone at RGM treated it like a joke. No one wanted it. Spin a positive image for the most notorious scientific company in the country? Was that even possible? Plus there was all that ribbing Connor got over the dam CEO. Every time that bastard held a press conference big enough to make national news, he just shut himself in his office until he could no longer hear Tom and Hector snickering.
But then he got to Central City. Then he met Tess. He met her team. And once everyone got passed the strangeness of it all, they started working quite well together. He found himself actually looking forward to his trips to the lab. Something he hadn't thought possible. But it was totally professional. Completely.
It was his first time returning. They'd found a direction for the campaign. Something that might actually work. He'd taken it all back to his team in Chicago. They'd mocked it all up. With all of the proofs in a book tucked under his arm, he strode confidently into the massive building. He tracked her down to where ever she was working, not having called ahead. Why not surprise the woman who was quite possibly his most favorite client?
Without a word he just leaned into her office. A precarious angle, supported by only one hand gripping the door jamb. The smile plastered on his face either meant he had great news or he was up to no good. Really with Connor, it could be either. Or both.
But then he got to Central City. Then he met Tess. He met her team. And once everyone got passed the strangeness of it all, they started working quite well together. He found himself actually looking forward to his trips to the lab. Something he hadn't thought possible. But it was totally professional. Completely.
It was his first time returning. They'd found a direction for the campaign. Something that might actually work. He'd taken it all back to his team in Chicago. They'd mocked it all up. With all of the proofs in a book tucked under his arm, he strode confidently into the massive building. He tracked her down to where ever she was working, not having called ahead. Why not surprise the woman who was quite possibly his most favorite client?
Without a word he just leaned into her office. A precarious angle, supported by only one hand gripping the door jamb. The smile plastered on his face either meant he had great news or he was up to no good. Really with Connor, it could be either. Or both.
"What are you doing here?" Hartley frowned at Connor, then decided to just walk past him and keep walking. At this point, he could presume that he'd follow along. "Did you get lost or can't you understand simple instructions? Wait. Don't tell me, I already know you can't."
Something worth remembering with a smile, because there was a special charm to getting a one night stand to ultimately whine with need while sucking on your underwear and writhing on the floor. Especially given the context of how annoying Connor could be, it had been highly satisfying. Which didn't mean he appreciated being stalked.
"We agreed on one night. You're pushing past the one and that ought to be an easy stat to remember and it's not even night."
Something worth remembering with a smile, because there was a special charm to getting a one night stand to ultimately whine with need while sucking on your underwear and writhing on the floor. Especially given the context of how annoying Connor could be, it had been highly satisfying. Which didn't mean he appreciated being stalked.
"We agreed on one night. You're pushing past the one and that ought to be an easy stat to remember and it's not even night."
Connor knew that being there was quite possibly the worst decision he could make. Especially since he was blowing off some client meeting back at the office to do it. But how was he supposed to focus? He'd never had sex like that. In his entire life. Usually he was the one setting up one night flings and avoiding any and all contact after. But no one had quite been like Hartley.
"I know, I know," he said, sticking close to Hartley. The fact that he wasn't being threatened or kicked out was promising. "Look, usually that's what I do. One and done, and it's over. It's easier that way, right? But I figured...why not give it another go?" Words were failing. How could words be failing him? He was a writer. A pretty damn good writer, and he could chat people up like nobody's business. But how did he express that he wanted to be reduced to a quivering mess all over again?
"I know, I know," he said, sticking close to Hartley. The fact that he wasn't being threatened or kicked out was promising. "Look, usually that's what I do. One and done, and it's over. It's easier that way, right? But I figured...why not give it another go?" Words were failing. How could words be failing him? He was a writer. A pretty damn good writer, and he could chat people up like nobody's business. But how did he express that he wanted to be reduced to a quivering mess all over again?
"I don't know. You tell me why we would give it another go." Hartley checked his watch, still waking, apparently not of any mind to change of cancel his plans for Connor. But the man wasn't exactly a threat, so there wasn't much issue to be taken with him keeping him company. Might make for an entertaining walk, if nothing else.
Maybe he shouldn't be surprised. Giving someone so very vanilla in experiences a taste of what else there could be and how how desperate they could get, he knew that the rush that came with it could almost be addictive. He'd been there, in a way. Just a lot younger and even less experienced. "Because I'm all set actually. Fun as it was."
There was some unique satisfaction to be gained from shutting someone up who was asking for it like that.
Maybe he shouldn't be surprised. Giving someone so very vanilla in experiences a taste of what else there could be and how how desperate they could get, he knew that the rush that came with it could almost be addictive. He'd been there, in a way. Just a lot younger and even less experienced. "Because I'm all set actually. Fun as it was."
There was some unique satisfaction to be gained from shutting someone up who was asking for it like that.
Being shut down and dismissed completely was almost enough to stop Connor right there. He'd done it again. He'd let himself believe there was more than there actually was, projecting his own emotions into the other person. But if having that thrown in his face ever really stopped him, he'd never get anywhere. He just needed to side-step and keep going.
"It doesn't have to be..." he glanced around, as if only now realizing that other people might overhear. "...the same. At all. How about drinks. Tonight. My treat." He was already putting together a plan involving dinner and more, and how to get it on his expense account rather than out of his own pocket.
"It doesn't have to be..." he glanced around, as if only now realizing that other people might overhear. "...the same. At all. How about drinks. Tonight. My treat." He was already putting together a plan involving dinner and more, and how to get it on his expense account rather than out of his own pocket.
"How about you pay for my coffee now?" Because that seemed like a more immediate need and it wasn't as if he could really afford to deny any generosity. No expense account for him and medical and student debts didn't pay themselves. Getting coffee wouldn't exactly change that, but at least he didn't have to fee guilty for not saving. "If you're sure you've nothing better to do than quasi-stalk me."
"My day's totally open!" He blurted out, if only to cover his initial reaction of utter disbelief at not being outright dismissed. And completely ignoring the actual work he had waiting for him. Something about getting copy and tag lines for important accounts.
"Tell you what," he said, trotting slightly ahead of Hartley hands spread in an invitation and surrender. "Let's make it lunch to make it up to for not calling first." Never mind he didn't have the other's phone number and had only found him based on a fuzzy memory or two.
"Tell you what," he said, trotting slightly ahead of Hartley hands spread in an invitation and surrender. "Let's make it lunch to make it up to for not calling first." Never mind he didn't have the other's phone number and had only found him based on a fuzzy memory or two.
"Needy. I kind of like it." It was flattering, in an only mildly unsettling way. He might change his mind on that later, but honestly? Didn't happen that often that someone who at least wasn't a complete psycho was this interested in him. Not the worst option. Which was telling of his life, he supposed, but he didn't really want to look into that.
"I'm vegetarian, principled and opinionated, so we can't be eating anywhere cheap." Fair warning.
"I'm vegetarian, principled and opinionated, so we can't be eating anywhere cheap." Fair warning.
A vegetarian. It took obvious effort to choke down all the jokes that tried to tumble out of his mount. It physically pained him to not make a crack about sausage. The rest didn't bother him at all. He'd fallen far deeper over people with far crazier demands. He barely even noticed them, honestly. But...with all that had happened last time, why would Hartley be so cruel to tempt him that way?
"Oh, sure! Of course. You name it, and we're there. What's the good being a right and proper ad man if I can't treat someone to a proper lunch?" He actually sank his teeth into his lower lip to keep from adding a suggestion of dessert. He needed to actually behave. Actually watch his mouth. But at this rate, he was going to ruin everything in the next ten minutes.
"Oh, sure! Of course. You name it, and we're there. What's the good being a right and proper ad man if I can't treat someone to a proper lunch?" He actually sank his teeth into his lower lip to keep from adding a suggestion of dessert. He needed to actually behave. Actually watch his mouth. But at this rate, he was going to ruin everything in the next ten minutes.
What? No joke? Hartley glanced to the side to watch Connor curiously and, yes, he could see the effort that took him. Now, that? That was endearing and he actually found himself smiling instead of the smirks he was so much more prone to. "I must be really good at sex." What? Just stating the obvious, because this was the opposite of the behaviour Connor had showed him. "Funny too. I thought you liked earning punishment."
No, he had no problem with saying suggestive things while walking along the street. It wasn't as if many people ever expected anything past 'cute nerd' with him anyway.
No, he had no problem with saying suggestive things while walking along the street. It wasn't as if many people ever expected anything past 'cute nerd' with him anyway.
Apparently it was possible to make even someone like Connor blush with words alone. He opened his mouth to speak, but he had too much to say and it all tried to come out at once, resulting in a few syllables of utter nonsense and incoherent sounds. "I..."
He had to clear his throat before he could actually continue. "We've got to save something for dessert, don't we?" He pressed his lips hard together in a tight smile, to prevent himself to say anything more. He could keep himself in check through at least coffee, couldn't he?
He had to clear his throat before he could actually continue. "We've got to save something for dessert, don't we?" He pressed his lips hard together in a tight smile, to prevent himself to say anything more. He could keep himself in check through at least coffee, couldn't he?
Hartley took a step to the side so he was facing Connor, stopping right in front of him. He hooked a finger through his belt-loop to pull him that stop closer than he probably would have been otherwise, catching his eyes. "See, from that night I just remembered you being annoying. Now you're edging on adorable. That opens up possibilities."
Still an idiot, for sure, but now he was flustered and trying so hard to behave. Definite potential.
Still an idiot, for sure, but now he was flustered and trying so hard to behave. Definite potential.
He would argue that he wasn't an idiot, just smart in completely different ways than Hartley. His intelligence was reserved for the witty arrangement of words, and understanding human behavior. Both of which were completely failing him at the moment, mostly because that little tug on his jeans was drawing all of the blood flow to that general region. At least he managed to not look too eager, looking down at Hartley.
"Well, I guess as long as there's possibilities...wait, is that the same thing as a chance, or are you just being a tease to make lunch interesting only to tell me there's no chance at the end? Not that I'm complaining, it's still my treat either way."
"Well, I guess as long as there's possibilities...wait, is that the same thing as a chance, or are you just being a tease to make lunch interesting only to tell me there's no chance at the end? Not that I'm complaining, it's still my treat either way."
Whatever Connor would like to argue, Hartley was certain that he'd win. His smile might have been open for a few moments, but as he kept looking up at him, there was something a bit more wicked, making for a darker look in his eyes. He didn't need more proof to be sure of the eagerness, but he wasn't going to feel any shame over relaxing his hand, still hooked in that belt-loop. Knuckles brushing lower this way and if he had needed it, that was plenty of hard evidence.
"What you're saying is that you'll do what I want regardless of what's in store for you, correct?" Hartley lifted his shoulders in a slight shrug. "What I want now is lunch and for you to keep wondering."
"What you're saying is that you'll do what I want regardless of what's in store for you, correct?" Hartley lifted his shoulders in a slight shrug. "What I want now is lunch and for you to keep wondering."
That look alone quickened Connor's pulse far more than should have been possible. He'd hoped for something, anything. But he'd assumed that a lot of what Hartley had done was more the product of drunken imagination making things more intense. Now he wondered if it had softened the edges of what the younger man was actually capable of. The possibility alone should not have made him so weak in the knees.
"Well, when you put it like that..." he started, his voice far too unsteady. "Yeah. That's certainly a way of putting it." Some of that unease passed and he managed to smile again. It certainly summed up what he wanted after lunch. One thing was certain, this was going to be the longest, strangest, most frustrating meal he'd ever had.
"Well, when you put it like that..." he started, his voice far too unsteady. "Yeah. That's certainly a way of putting it." Some of that unease passed and he managed to smile again. It certainly summed up what he wanted after lunch. One thing was certain, this was going to be the longest, strangest, most frustrating meal he'd ever had.
"Too easy." It was said as a tease, but accompanied with just enough softness to show that he wasn't really complaining. Instead he gave Connor's jeans one more tug before turning and walking again, checking his watch. Sure, he had meant to pick up some material for his latest project, but apparently there was now something, someone else to focus on and it could wait. No need to be all about work when there was a cute guy literally trailing behind him and presumably checking him out. "There's a bistro nearby. You're actually behaving like an adult, means I can take you to nice places."
Tess was usually in her office, when she wasn’t in the cortex. And she’d been there most of the night. And the morning. She’d had... she wasn’t quite sure how many cups of coffee at this point, but she was on at least her second or third pot. It had been a long night, and there was a couch in her office but she hadn’t gotten around to actually using it yet. Of course, she wasn’t that tired, either. She was used to late nights.
There was a clearboard there, too, tucked away in the corner behind her desk, and she was scribbling away on it, working on one of her more important side projects. She wasn’t sure there was a way to reverse what the particle accelerator explosion had done to the metahumans it had created, but she had to try. Had to try and fix what Thawne had wrought. Stretching tiredly, she turned at the sound of footsteps, expecting Barry, or Cisco, or Caitlin, come to check on her.
Oh.
Conner was an unexpected and very pleasant surprise, and it earned him a delighted smile that lit up her face. Glad to see him? Oh yes. She was quite fond of that smile on his face. No matter which of the three possibilities it ended up meaning. “Conner! Hi.” Setting down the marker in her hand she came around her desk to greet him.
There was a clearboard there, too, tucked away in the corner behind her desk, and she was scribbling away on it, working on one of her more important side projects. She wasn’t sure there was a way to reverse what the particle accelerator explosion had done to the metahumans it had created, but she had to try. Had to try and fix what Thawne had wrought. Stretching tiredly, she turned at the sound of footsteps, expecting Barry, or Cisco, or Caitlin, come to check on her.
Oh.
Conner was an unexpected and very pleasant surprise, and it earned him a delighted smile that lit up her face. Glad to see him? Oh yes. She was quite fond of that smile on his face. No matter which of the three possibilities it ended up meaning. “Conner! Hi.” Setting down the marker in her hand she came around her desk to greet him.
01. I wish they could condense everything I needed, nutritionally speaking, into mike and ikes
02. nothing like Chinese food and masturbating on a Saturday night
03. and the mascot is a pinecone. its really no surprise that people here dont get laid
04. [ Text him ]
02. nothing like Chinese food and masturbating on a Saturday night
03. and the mascot is a pinecone. its really no surprise that people here dont get laid
04. [ Text him ]
Page 1 of 4