Work Text:
This really isn't Ryland's scene, he'll be honest. He doesn't even know why he's here. He guesses he was feeling a little left out.
This bar opened the other week, apparently. Ryland's heard mixed reviews.
He doesn't recognize anyone here. He's sure anyone he would know is buried among the crowd of what Ryland assumes are students from the other schools in the area. Most of the people he's bumped into look around his age, so it makes sense. Ryland feels kind of dumb for assuming he would see people he knows, honestly.
He's sitting on the far end of the bar. He doesn't really have the money to get a drink, which now that he's thinking about it he probably should've considered before he came. Hindsight, he guesses. The bartender is, fortunately, very busy tonight. Well, unfortunately for her, but fortunately for Ryland. He doesn't think he'd be able to handle the embarrassment of being asked if he wants to order something. (And his wallet certainly wouldn't be able to handle him panicking and saying yes.)
Before Ryland could comtemplate just leaving (again) a man sits on the stool right beside him. He places a glass down in front of Ryland, probably whiskey, if he had to guess. He's grinning, which is never a good sign. Ryland really wasn't expecting to actually socialize today.
The first thing the man says is, "biology major, right?"
…Is he serious right now? What the hell? "There's no possible way you could've guessed that just by looking at me."
"Okay, so I am right. Great."
"I never confirmed that," Ryland replies, taking a sip of the drink.
"Didn't have to. I'm always right." The man raises his glass in cheers before downing it. Impressive. "You got a name?"
"Ryland." The man raises an eyebrow, clearly waiting for the rest of his name, so Ryland adds, "Grace."
"Well, it's an honor to meet you, Ryland Grace. I'm Tony."
"Tony…?"
"Not tellin'."
"Why not?"
"Because then you'll know who I am." Tony grins, all sly.
Ryland laughs. "Okay, bigshot. And why is that a problem?"
"Well, you just said it. I'm a bigshot."
"I'm serious."
"Hi, serious. I'm Tony. Still not giving you a surname."
"What? Do you want me to guess or something?"
"I mean, you're welcome to try. But all I want is to try and get you to come back to my dorm with me."
Ah, there it is. Ryland laughs again, awkwardly this time. "Yeah, uh.. sorry to burst your bubble, Tony. But that is.. not happening."
"What? Am I not charming enough?" Tony pout exaggeratedly. "And don't try to use the I don't like dudes excuse, it never lasts long."
"I don't like dudes," Ryland replies, ignoring the judgy eyebrow raise from Tony. "I don't.. really like any of that stuff."
"Oh." Tony mutters. He falls silent for a moment, and Ryland already knows he's either about to double down or get up and walk away. People usually do once they realize he isn't just playing hard to get.
Instead, Tony says, "you'd like my friend, then."
Ryland blinks. That's.. not what he was expecting. "Excuse me?"
"Rhodey," Tony explains, sipping his cocktail. "My roomate. Friend. Soul brother. Whatever. He's not into any of that either."
Really?
"Really?"
"Nope! Not only that, but he is such a dick about it. We tried it out a couple months ago, so he could like prove he isn't gay or whatever, and he said, quote, you're alright." Tony deepens his voice at the quote, probably mocking the friend. "That was it! Not even good! I mean, I don't care what he 'likes', I'm great in bed. Just so you know. I'm great."
Ryland laughs at that. That's actually ridiculous. "I'm sure you are."
"I am."
Ryland chuckles again as Tony turns away from him, flagging down the bartender. He orders himself another beer before grinning at Ryland again.
"You know, for the record, we don't have to have sex."
"We won't."
"No, I mean, like, I never said I wanted to sleep with you. You're just assuming."
Does Tony really think Ryland's going to buy that? "So that wasn't a pickup line?" Ryland raises an eyebrow.
"It was." Obviously. "But it doesn't have to be. We can just, like, make out. Do you like making out?"
Oh. Huh. Ryland doesn't know if he should be annoyed by Tony's persistence or flattered. "I never really tried it." Ryland shrugs, casual as he can. He's sure he misses the mark.
The smirk returns to Tony's face. He leans closer, not close enough to pierce Rylands personal bubble, thankfully. "You wanna?" He wiggles his eyebrows, probably an attempt to look seductive.. or something. Instead, it just makes Ryland laugh.
Well, he'd be lying if he said he wasn't intrigued. Just to see how accurate his self-proclaimed skills are. That's what he tells himself, at least. "Sure," he replies, "why not?"
Ryland's probably going to regret that decision in a couple hours. Definitely going to regret it, actually, if the grin now brightening Tony's face is anything to go by. Great.
"Yay! Okay, lets go."