Work Text:
The cards rustled against each other as they fell in a waterfall-like motion, “You ever played blackjack, b?”
Beatty raised his head out of his book and gulped down his sandwich, “yeah, I’ve played a couple times,” he sees the deck of cards Hank is shuffling meticulously and smirks, “What? You wanna play me?”
The cards fall silent after another shuffle, “I’ll wipe the floor with you.”
Beatty closed his book and set aside his food. This ought to be good, he thought, “Alright then, what’s the ante?” he asks as Hank begins distributing their cards.
He pauses once the cards are set up and deliberates over the question. He looks out into the distance, and suddenly a smile appears on his face. He meets Beatty’s eyes, “Loser has to pay for tomorrow’s lunch.”
“Fair enough,” Beatty takes a peak at his cards as he leans back in his chair, “playing out of three rounds?”
“Sure, whatever makes you feel better,” Hank chuckled as Beatty rolled his eyes playfully. He clicked his tongue and glanced at Hank’s open card. An eight of hearts. Surely he’ll bust if he goes any higher. Beatty calculates his cards, 7 away from 21. He’ll take the gamble, he’s been feeling lucky lately.
“Hit.”
Hank deals him a card. 6 of clubs, perfect. Beatty does a bad job at concealing his smugness. Hank notices and widens his eyes. He deals himself a card as well and sighs an exasperated sigh, “Bust.” He throws his cards on the table and rubs his eyes. Beatty laughs and collects the cards beginning to shuffle them, “We still have two more games. You still have time to, what is it you said? ‘Wipe the floor’ with me?” Hank smirked at Beatty’s consolations. He grabbed his new hand and once again did the math in his head. It was Beatty’s turn to be the dealer, and he looked intently at Hank waiting for an indication of his next move. Hank kept staring at him, and back at his cards with a lazy smile on his face that Beatty had no way of deciphering. “Hit,” Hank finally settled. Beatty placed down a four of clubs. Hank’s smile didn’t falter, “Bust.”
Beatty raised a brow, and flipped his cards. “Two kings? I’m never bringing you with me to Vegas.” That coaxed a chuckle out them both. Hank spoke up, “Well, two out of three that’s essentially a win. What do you want for lunch?”
Beatty’s laughing dwindled and he grew suspicious of how quickly Hank had surrendered the match. He bit down on his lower lip and fiddled with his cards.
“How about I take you out to dinner? What's that old place you said you used to go to that has the best steaks?” He had to be careful, he went all in without thinking.
Hank was surprised, “Dinner huh? I’d like that, as long as I don't have to come in with a tux and roses.”
“No, no,” Beatty chuckled, “none of that, I've been curious about it myself.”
“Then it's a deal.”
“It's a deal” Beatty smiled to himself, pleased at the turn of events. He's sure been feeling lucky lately.