PSL

[fucking_gentleman]

Harry is actually enjoying the sunshine by the Thames.

Well, truthfully, there's no real sunshine and no one enjoys the Thames, but he's determined to not be in the office, so here he is, sitting in the window of his favourite bakery and sipping at his coffee.

He's people watching, which was always a hobby of his, but now has become a survival mechanism to fend of do gooders and 'helpful' people who see the twisted scar along his temple, the streak of silver it put into his hair, the patch tucked underneath his glasses and they make assumptions.

And his impulse control isn't quite what it was, which means occasionally he's been known to react to a slow and loud "Can I help you?" with a leg trip and toe of his shoe into their ribs.

By accident, of course.

But now, he's mostly curious about the fellow who seems to be somewhat determinedly heading to the river's edge.

Comments

[residu]

"Because of the meds?" Not that Jihwan fancies a drink himself mind you. He's perfectly content to finish his water and try and bit of that tea.

[fucking_gentleman]

"Mm." He gives a slight inclination of his head. "Ill advised at best."

[residu]

"Makes sense... Can't see any situation that turns out well for you." What with how many different medications he's on. "If it helps, I'll never be able to either."

[fucking_gentleman]

"... I wonder if hypnotherapy would have any effect on your condition." A safe place to experience the event without being able to respond, to play it out without dying.

"Anyway, no, it's likely I'll never be cleared for a pint of Guinness again, but I daresay I'll eventually ignore my doctor and have one and we'll simply risk the outcome."

[residu]

"Hypno..." He tries not to shudder. "No thanks, my brain's already messed up enough as it is... And so's yours, if you're going to risk all that for a Guinness."

It's odd. Jihwan almost feels a grin coming on, and he can't remember the last time that happened.

[fucking_gentleman]

"Well, I grant you, there's some merit in your observation, but after a long, difficult day, a pint of Guinness is very difficult to beat and certainly worth a bit of risk."

[residu]

"Really? You look more like the scotch or brandy type if I had to guess."

[fucking_gentleman]

"Well, a good scotch is certainly not to be sniffed at, but I find a Guinness more relaxing at the end of a hard day."

[residu]

"I'll take your word for it." Since he won't be able to try it and see and all. "Tea's enough for me."

[fucking_gentleman]

"Probably a far more sensible stance to take, but I need a little risk in my life. Tailoring is hardly a lively life."

[residu]

"Compared to the army? Wouldn't have guessed."

[fucking_gentleman]

"Maybe I'm just a bit of a risk taker," he concedes.

[residu]

"Mixing alcohol and meds, pulling idiots off bridges... You're a daredevil." Is that wry sarcasm of the light-hearted variety?? The world shall never know.

[fucking_gentleman]

"You weren't on a bridge. I was in a cafe having tea, I'd like to point out."

[residu]

"Close enough," Jihwan shrugs. He goes to finish his tea after though which puts silence between them until he remembers why he came to the shop in the first place. "Today's on me, by the way."

[fucking_gentleman]

"If you insist, though really, simply covering the tea would be more than repayment enough."

[residu]

"For pulling me back from the edge and making sure I didn't off myself? I think you get a little more than tea."

[fucking_gentleman]

"Someone would've pulled you out if you'd gone in. Not me. This suit isn't for swimming in." As if he would've stood on the sideline and watched and directed someone else to save him.

[residu]

And there's the whole limp and shaking hands, but he isn't about to bring those up as he snorts, almost cracking a tiny half-smirk. Almost.

"Because what a shame it's be to get that wet."

[fucking_gentleman]

"Exactly. And Thames water, the dry cleaning would cost me a fortune. Brr. No thank you."

[residu]

"And when you were young you had to walk uphill to school both ways."