singillatim | ( open ) i'm guessing that i've grown horns

Entry tags:

( open ) i'm guessing that i've grown horns

Who: Bigby and you!
What: If there are animal tracks anywhere in the area, you know the big dog's got to chase them down.
When: During April.
Where: First prompt outside the populated areas towards the rockier areas in the wild, second prompt back in Milton.

Content Warnings: Nothing in the log itself, if anything comes up in a thread there will be a warning in the header!

( 1. outside town )

[ Maybe you decided to go along with Bigby out on a little trip - or maybe he invited you along, if he knows you. Maybe you even came out here by yourself, and Bigby ran into you.

Either way, you're standing here now together, out in the rockier area between the mining camp and the ravine - staring down at some tracks in the snow. Even if the fog constantly hanging around is making visibility more of a problem, at least it's still very much possible to just look down and stare at the rather feline tracks in the snow. ]

See? [ Bigby points out to you. ] This is what I was talking about. I haven't seen this here before, but.. judging by the looks of it, that's got to be one big cat.

[ More than just a cat, really. That's why the man's eyebrows are drawn together into a concerned frown as he stares at the tracks, but then looks back up and over at you. ]

It's usually not been a good thing when new tracks appear around here.

( 2. in milton )

[ Running around in the wilds seems to have done very little for actually managing to find whatever animal is out there.. and instead seems to have done a whole lot more to Bigby himself.

After all, with the weather being the way it is, it feels incredibly exhausting to be out there. Let alone going out day after day, since he's so determined to find that thing. And between that and everything that's been happening the past few months, and the stress of the situation and the worries about the Darkwalker..

.. well, Bigby isn't doing so great.

It might become obvious when you see him coming back into Milton after another day of futile tracking. It's like he has to drag his feet to keep on moving as he's walking across town to head back to his place, lines of exhaustion visible in his face. But apparently he's not exhausted enough to no notice someone staring at him, since he'll lift his head to look over at you after a few moments, noticing you there. ]

.. Is something up?

[ For once he doesn't even sound gruff as he's saying it.

Bigby just sounds tired. ]

( ooc: replying with either brackets or prose is fine! i will match! c: )

Flat | Top-Level Comments Only

[ There's a groan when Lalo first speaks that indicates Bigby definitely doesn't care for the particular details of Lalo's relationship, or whatever it is-- though it's also a sign that Bigby also fully believes the other man's story, even if he doesn't want to hear it. He doesn't even know Chloe, after all, so he has zero reason to not believe that's what went down back there.

Some sentiment that seems similar to that groan is still in his voice as he speaks up with: ]

Should I say 'thanks'? [ For that last part, he means. Kind of a weird thing to say there, Lalo! Then again, with every single impression Bigby has had of the other man, it doesn't feel so strange for Lalo of all people to say. He's just kind of weirdly showman-like in that way. ]

And no, I don't-- [ He pauses, frowns, trying to think of how to say this without making himself sound pathetic or giving away his big crush on Snow. It's hard. ] I don't generally have your kind of adventures.

[ Sure. Let's call whatever happened between Lalo and Chloe that. ]

I think you might apparently find me more attractive than most women do.

[ Well, at least that's one person who believes him. That'll help control the narrative. He has to be careful; he doesn't want this getting back to Chloe, at least not yet. Not until enough people believe it for it to be futile for her to protest.

He hopes his involvement with the community, while she runs around in the first breaking into other people's houses, will make him more believable.

He hopes.

Lalo laughs out loud at Bigby's assessment of his "adventures". Lightly, he slugs Bigby on the shoulder. But despite his jovialness, he's watching the fresh prints in the snow as they walk, keeping his eyes and ears open. He's not a hunter, but he definitely has experience following things... and people... but right now, it's eerily quiet except for the sounds of the men breathing, talking, and walking. Lalo doesn't see anything even moving, but the tracks looks fresh, not distorted by being melted or frozen over yet. ]

Heyyyy, now! [ The one good thing about shacking up with Chloe the way that he did -- well, one of the many good things, not that Lalo would admit to it right now -- is that Lalo is free to engage in his much gay bravado as he wants, not as afraid that he'll be uncovered now that he has, in fact, touched a woman. So he's grinning cheerfully as he says... ] Stop! You're gonna make me blush.

[ More seriously: ] Besides, I get the feeling you have your mind on somebody in particular. Am I right? C'mon! You can tell me.

Edited 2024-05-01 23:44 (UTC)

Can I tell you?

[ There's something dry in it, almost sarcastic. Really, despite all of Lalo's.. Lalo-ness, Bigby's refusal to talk here isn't even a personal one. He doesn't want to talk about this with anyone at all. He hardly even wants to admit it to himself some days, considering how pathetic it makes him feel when he truly stops to think about just how long he's had these feelings, and how there's no chance they'll ever be reciprocated.

The last thing he needs is the entire town getting in on this. ]

If you really insist on knowing, there's nothing at all going on. I'm not a romance guy.

[ Despite Bigby's refusal to confess though as they move-- Lalo might remember something. He's a perceptive guy, right? And he was definitely at the town meeting, where Bigby could have been seen hanging around a woman who was new in town. Kind of strange, huh? Gruff guy like Bigby being close so quickly to someone who'd hardly even been around?

Can you connect these dots while the two of you are still moving through the snow, Lalo? ]

[ Lalo practically vibrates with happiness at the sarcasm. For one thing, if Bigby is feeling comfortable to make jokes with him, even sarcastic ones, to Lalo that feels like they're bonding. He's become fond of Bigby, despite Bigby's... cop-ness... or maybe because of it. Maybe something about Bigby reminds Lalo of Michael, or maybe Lalo just likes it people who play hard to get. ]

Your mouth works, eh? You could tell me, if you wanted to. I'm good at keeping secrets.

[ But Bigby seems like he's going to be stubborn. That's okay! Lalo is patient. He likes hard to get, remember?

And he is perceptive enough, and Bigby and Snow spend enough time together, that the pieces click into place for Lalo.

He's quiet as they walk, at first, watching the tracks, but also listening for any threats. So far, nothing. ]

No? Not a romance guy? Thennnn you wouldn't mind introducing me to your friend. The cute one, with the dark hair? [ Eyebrow waggle. ] I was thinking, maybe I wanna see if Miss Chloe gets jealous...

[ :D

A bluff, of course. Lalo doesn't have any interest in Snow other curiosity to know someone else who is obviously important in Bigby's life. ]

Edited 2024-05-10 00:25 (UTC)

[ Bigby's jaw outright drops. He turns to look at Lalo, letting out an instinctive: ]

Absolutely not!

[ ...

It takes a few more seconds for his brain to connect some dots here, only realising after his outburst just how that came across. That's definitely not the way someone not romantically involved with someone, or wanting to, would answer, huh. And it's not like he doesn't want Snow to pick whatever man she'd want as long as it'd make her happy, but-- Lalo? Nothing against the guy's looks, or even his personality, even if he's definitely too talkative in Bigby's opinion.. But after learning about the weird sex thing he has going on with Chloe?

Absolutely not. Absolutely not!!

He drags his hands down his face when he realises how easily he blew that cover, followed by a groan. Bigby is so annoyed by himself that he doesn't even realise Lalo might have said that on purpose exactly to provoke this reaction. It's going completely over his head. ]

Alright, alright, fine, I-- I like her, alright? Also, her name's Snow. [ Before Lalo keeps calling her 'the cute one.' That might just kill him before any weird mutated cat ever could. ] But there's no way in hell she would ever like me, so it's a moot point.

"Snow!" That's a pretty name. I like it!

[ Lalo lights up. Bonding!!! They are bonding!!! He knew it!!! The grin on Lalo's face says it all. He all but flings an arm around Bigby's shoulders, still grinning.

Sorry, Bigby. RIP, man. ]

Relax, relax! I won't say a word. Not unless you want me to! I'm a great wingman, you know. [ Lalo sounds like he believes this to be true, at any rate. Whether Snow would agree is another matter entirely. ] I'm serious! If you want help, just say the word.

[ Lalo also apparently isn't having this "she wouldn't want me" talk, either!!! He pats Bigby between the shoulder blades, and finally releases his grip. Still buzzing with excitement. The hyperactivity settles down into more normal-for-Lalo curiosity. ]

Doesn't like you? Why do you say that?

Wait, let me guess! It's because she knows you're in love with me, right? [ At least that last part is a joke, something for which Bigby can thank his lucky stars. To drive the point home, of course he winks. But he is curious as to why Bigby would think Snow wasn't interested. Just from his brief observations of the two of them together, Lalo thinks there might be more interest than Bigby seems to. ]

[ Oh god.

Bigby is so distracted by the terrifying thought of how bad of a wingman Lalo would be that he doesn't even have time to react to the physical contact that's happening on top of it all. Just imagining Lalo talking to Snow in general is bad enough, let alone imagining him talking to Snow about him or about why she should like him.. Just bury him now, honestly, it'd be more merciful.

And though he definitely gives Lalo a 'really?' kind of dry look at that last joke, Bigby doesn't comment on it.

Wisely, perhaps.

Instead he addresses the other's actual question with a sigh. ]

Isn't it obvious? I mean, you're human like her. [ Unless Lalo is secretly more than that, but.. Bigby feels like he's got pretty good instincts at this point when it comes to telling if someone is a mundy or not. Lalo practically screams mundy. Like a mundy version of Jack, or something like that. ] What human out there thinks about falling in love with a wolf, let alone having sex with one?

[ And that's only the start of the problem!!

But it's the part Bigby feels the most comfortable talking about, since diving into his personal issues and emotions is.. a lot scarier than just talking about this, really. So he can't help but bring this one up first. ]

[ Lalo calms down a little bit; his energy becomes slightly muted as he listens to Bigby vent, and raises both eyebrows. He looks Bigby up and down, pointedly. ]

Yeah, the thing is, you don't look like a wolf to me. I've never met a wolf that could talk, either. [ Said pointedly. ] So unless you have some kinda issue I'm not aware of where you have to fuck in wolf-mode, I'm not seeing what the problem is.

[ He starts to walk along ahead of Bigby, looking at the cat tracks more than his traveling companion. He figures Bigby might be more comfortable talking about it if he doesn't have to look Lalo in the eye. ]

But hey! Always an excuse not to do something, right? [ He doesn't actually wink. No point when his back is to Bigby. But the tone he says that in somehow implies a wink anyway. ]

The way I see it, what we really need is to get your self-esteem up. Then you'll be a hit with the ladies. Especially the cute one! [ He means Snow, of course. As if that needs to be said. ]

I really don't think this has anything to do with my self-esteem. [ He grumbles.

Because to Bigby this all feels natural! If anything, the way Lalo talking about it feels way stranger than his own thoughts do. Of course a woman like Snow isn't going to be into him. He can think of ten thousand reasons for it, each one feeling even more objectively factual than the last one.

.. but if there's anything he is slowly learning about Lalo, it's that it seems like it's very hard to change the guy's mind on something once he's made said mind up.

Which might mean Bigby's personal hell, if Lalo makes up his mind about this particular thing. So he audibly sighs before trying to get ahead of the other by saying: ]

What do you think it'd take then?

[ He's hoping so badly that Lalo isn't going to say something dumb. Please don't say something dumb. Killing him on the spot and burying his body out here in the snow might be more merciful. ]

[ Bigby is right. It is hard to change Lalo's mind once it's made up! How astute of him.

He turns slightly, with a bright grin. Cheeks ruddy, wisps of arm hair coming out of his mouth in visible white puffs. The crunching of Lalo's boots in the icy snow finally stops for a moment when he pauses. ]

First, you need to talk to her. Flatter her. Set the mood. That's important.Ambiance! [ "Ambiance" almost sounds like a fake, made up word when Lalo says it like that. ]

[ He briefly - briefly - imagines having a candlelit dinner with Snow.

Something about it feels incredibly attractive and incredibly embarrassing all at the same time. Bigby quickly turns his head towards the side, as if that might prevent Lalo from seeing any kind of blush on his face. (Which - of course - it does not prevent at all, the brightening hue of Bigby's cheeks even out here in this cold very apparent. ]

You say that like talking is the easy part.

[ And it's not, Lalo! That's the part that sucks! That's exactly the part Bigby just can't do..!! ]

I don't even know what I'd say to her.

[ Lalo laughs. For him, talking is always the easy part! He waits for Bigby to catch up and then they're walking together again. He notices the blush, and he isn't deterred. ]

Well, that depends! What does she like? You have to make it personal. Romance her!

[ Torture. This is actual torture. You know what, maybe Bigby will just let one of the wildcats out here eat him. It'd be more painless than this. ]

Why would I do that when I clearly don't stand a chance with her?

[ Apparently overconfidence isn't really Bigby's thing, huh. No matter how much he might try to look all big and tough.

He looks over at the other guy. ]

What, Lalo, are you saying you're usually in the habit of going after people who clearly aren't interested in you? [ Judging by his aggressive attempts to become your bestie, maybe he is in that exact habit, Bigby.

Of course Bigby isn't self-aware enough to realise as much though. ]

What are you talking about? Everyone is interested in me! [ Lalo seems to genuinely no recognize the possibility that someone might not be interested in him! If overconfidence isn't Bigby's thing, it is apparently Lalo's. ] But hey, now that you mention it... the thrill of the hunt sure is fun!

[ Wink.

Lalo has fallen back and is now walking with his arm around Bigby's shoulders. ]

So, first thing -- stop talking to yourself like that. If you think like that, she'll pick up on it, and she'll think like that.

What you need to think is: I'm super handsome and sexy, and Snow wants a piece of this! [ Lalo nudges Bigby, grinning. Is he just trying to embarrass the guy at this point? Okay, maybe a little. It is pretty funny. But he does intend to help, genuinely, despite his teasing. ]

.. Is that how you get everyone interested in you?

[ Look, everyone is.. a little doubtful. Bigby is pretty sure there's no one just about everyone is attracted to. But there are probably plenty of women who are attracted to Lalo's sheer overconfidence and extrovert nature - that much Bigby is willing to believe.

He isn't sure this is the method for that, though. It certainly doesn't feel like the method to convince Snow of all people. ]

It feels more like it's meant for people who are into.. y'know. Macho guys. [ That's what you are now, Lalo.

A macho guy. ]

Snow isn't like that. She was married with an overconfident guy before, and she hates his guts now.

[ There are, in fact, plenty of women who are into Lalo's overconfidence -- he prefers measured self-assurance, thanks -- and cheery extroversion, it's true! There are also a lot of women aren't, but who are into his money and good looks, and that helps too!

But he reels in a little bit, for Bigby's sake. Drops the energy a little. As much as he can. He's Lalo so he can only reel himself in so much. ]

Look. That's not what I mean. She doesn't like guys like me? Then don't go around acting like me.

Confidence isn't about telling people you're the best. It's about knowing that you are the best, whether or not you say it. Some of the most confident people I know are the quietest. Deep thinkers. [ He taps a finger against his own head. Lalo is a surprisingly deep thinker sometimes, even if he's not at all quiet. ]

When I say be confident, I mean be confident in who you are. Not overconfident, just... confident.

If you're not a talker, you don't need to be talking a lot. That's not the point. What you need to do is have faith that who you are is someone she might like. Because, for me, my guess is, if she's hanging around you this much, it already is.

Just stop telling yourself she can't like you. It's not about what you tell her. It's about what you tell you. Mm? [ Lalo gives him a Look. ]

Think about it!

Edited 2024-07-16 18:53 (UTC)

[ Something actually shifts about Bigby.

Not literally. He's not turning into his werewolf form, or even partial werewolf form, considering he actually kept the latter upon ending up here. No, it's a metaphorical shift. The doubt in his expression leaves, and it almost seems more like he might actually think that what Lalo is saying has some merit to it. Or it seems like it has some merit, anyway.

Even though that realisation actually makes Bigby look less sure of himself, rather than more. Despite being such a relatively intimidating-looking guy, in this moment Bigby has something about him that's more akin to a kicked puppy. ]

I don't know. Maybe.

[ It's more than he's been willing to give pretty much anyone else when it comes to this topic, so-- hey, Lalo! Score! ]

You seriously think about this stuff a lot, man.

[ Deep down, Lalo is downright giddy that Bigby seems to actually be considering his advice. Even though he would agree! What he's saying does have merit to her.

There's a shift in Lalo, too. He stops walking briefly, and shoots Bigby a small smile. ]

Yeah, well... in my line of work, you have to know how to manage people.

[ Or something like that. ]

[ .. line of work.

Huh.

First time he's heard Lalo mention that. Then again, it's not like Bigby has asked him that many questions about where he comes from or what his life was before. It never really feels all that important while they're stuck here.

But if the other is offering-- ]

Yeah? What's that work?

[ He doesn't mean it make it sound like an interrogation, but Bigby's voice does give it naturally a little bit of that edge to it.. Sorry, Lalo.. ]

[ Lalo hesitates. Right. Bigby is a cop. Not that he could forget. He wonders if Bigby would buy the line of shit he sold Givens. For just a fraction of a second, Lalo hesitates. ]

I'm in business.

Okay, sure.

[ Bigby doesn't seem to fully buy it, but rather than looking suspicious, he just lets out a very slight bark of a laugh. ]

"Business" sounds too vague, man. It makes it sound like you're covering up something you're embarrassed of. [ .. so close, yet so far with that guess, huh.

Maybe it's since Bigby likes Lalo too much - relatively speaking, don't misunderstand, Lalo!! B-Baka!! - to imagine he's into the kind of stuff he's into back home. Lalo is a far cry from Georgie, after all. Fuck that guy. ]

You think I'm going to judge you if you run a preschool or something?

A preschool?

[ Lalo is so amused by the assumption that he briefly forgets his fears about letting Bigby know what he does back home. What he's like. ]

You got me, man. I run a daycare. How'd you know?

[ He's clearly joking, though. It still seems like he's covering something up. After a moment of teasing, he pauses, and shoots Bigby a deceptively lackadaisical grin. ]

Can you keep a secret?

[ He shrugs a little bit. For now, Bigby isn't thinking too hard about what Lalo might be hiding. There's a big chance that he's just acting this weird about it because it's something the other finds embarrassing. It's usually how these things go. ]

Sure.

[ Maybe that's why his answer is so casual. He's not expecting any big secret here in the first place. ]

I'm serious! You need to keep a secret. Shhhh! [ Lalo playfully, teasingly holds one finger to his lips. But he can't keep up with this forever.

He wonders if his life here, as he knows it, is going to come to an end. He doesn't know if Bigby will keep his secret, or even want to. He looks around, hoping that one of the wildcats will suddenly appear so he won't have to continue this conversation.

But the sooner he says something the better. Lalo believes in ripping the band-aid off. ]

I'm not who you think I am. Whatever reaction you have -- it's okay with me. I'll be fine either way.

All I ask is that you don't tell anyone. [ But that's a big ask. Lalo doesn't know if Bigby will keep his secret. ] If it gets out, they will all turn on me. You can pretend you didn't know either.

As a cop, do you deal with a lot of... ah... [ What's the cop word for drugs? "Narcotics?" ] narcotics?

[ For a moment, Lalo sounds very proud of himself for remembering such a big English word before he remembers he's actually going to, voluntarily, tell Bigby something that might end their relationship forever. ]

You mean drugs?

[ Sorry, Lalo. Apparently Bigby isn't the sort of fancy cop who might use a word like narcotics. That's slightly too big of a word for the wolfman over here as well.

Especially when-- ]

It's not really a thing among Fables. Not supposed to be, anyway. [ --it clearly isn't something he's really dealing with on a daily basis. Not the way the police in Lalo's own world might be. ] It's slowly becoming more of a problem lately though. Some mundies are sneaking drugs to the Fables who are having trouble getting by.

[ It's been a very recent discovery, in fact. It's what happens when you've lived in the same place since about the seventeenth century, and have only just gotten to the eighties.. You get to deal with some very new unique problems..

Bigby raises an eyebrow at the other man, though it's still kind of hard to gauge Bigby's reaction, even if Lalo might be actively trying to look out for it in this moment. ]

What, you're saying you're a dealer?

(no subject)

salamanca - 2024-09-30 13:42 (UTC) - Expand

(no subject)

bigbaddy - 2024-10-05 21:48 (UTC) - Expand

Flat | Top-Level Comments Only