milliways_bar | Late Happy Hour

The roster had them scheduled for a later evening shift this week, and the two likely lads were only too happy to switch around and serve a whole different crowd of punters.

Hurricane glasses clink together as Indy empties the washer and refills the shelves beneath the bar. Then he sets about topping up the ice box. Mike sits on a stool, over-seeing the preparations and lazily slicing a banana into the blender for a new smoothie concoction. Such is the division of labor since Indy had upset Mel last week, and, though the role-reversal may look strange, Indy doesn't begrudge it. In fact he seems more animated than ever, if that's even possible.

"Looks like Bar has suggestions for the theme tonight," he says, pointing out a napkin as it materializes on the counter near Mike. There are notes written in a feminine, curving script, and Mike reads them, shrugs and marks up the specials according to the message:

LATE HAPPY HOUR!

Cocktail Specials

~ Barrier Breaker
~ Cry Baby Blues
~ Fragile Baby

Indy gives the board a curious look-over once the ex-turtle has chalked enough amusing doodles around the words. "Mike...?" The artist steps back to admire his work, cocking his head. "What... too many swirlies?"

Indy repeats himself, his gaze still fixed on the board. "Mike..."

The younger man looks again, absorbing the information between his sketches. And eventually, after what seems like an eternity, the goofy grin drops away. He turns slowly and for a few moments the two guys just stare at each other. Then, in unison, the incredulous questions come blurting out from each of them:

"Mel's not...? Is she?"
"Indy, you knocked Delia up?"

They both shake their heads vehemently, but there's uncertainty behind their resolute denials:

"No!"
"Nuh uh!"

Shiftily eying each other, they move to opposite ends of the bar and await orders.

"What'll it be folks? Two tenders, no waiting."

[Summary: Full summary in Back Room]

Flat | Top-Level Comments Only

"Hey, princess!" he says as he slides himself down the bar to her. "What can I get you?"

Lilly eyes the specials.

"I think I'm feeling fragile, baby. That work?"

"You got it!" he says cheerfully, grabbing a glass and the kahlua and frangelico bottles. "What's new, pussycat?"

The ingredients are poured flamboyantly, with a few bottle spins in between. He really is mighty chipper tonight.

"Well, my kinda boyfriend from before I died arrived in the bar a couple days ago," Lilly says. "And my favorite bartender is in a suspiciously good mood. Those are the highlights, I think."

"Ohhh... kinda boyfriend," he says slightly mockingly and sticking his tongue playfully between his teeth. "You planning on turning that into a less vague thing now that he's found you?"

He adds coffee to the drink and squirts on some whipped cream. But he's not done yet. There's a cherry for the finishing touch, and then he hands it over.

Lilly takes a sip of her drink before answering.

"Delicious. Thanks, Indy. And I don't know what we're planning, but probably yeah. I mean, it's Logan. Somehow or other we usually do end up together."

"Aw... that's cute. Lilly and Logan, sittin' in a tree..."

He gives a little snort.

"...with Peter watching?"

Lilly rolls her eyes.

"Why is everyone bringing up Peter when I tell them about Logan? Are his protective tendencies really that obvious?"

Indy gives her an incredulous look. "Protective tendencie, dearest? Is that what they're calling it these days?"

Lilly gives him a look right back. Hers is more 'not this again' than incredulous, though.

"What they're calling what these days? Look, Pete's my friend and he gets a little crazy big brother on me sometimes, but that's it."

Indy shakes his head and smiles at her, ruffling her hair a little as he does so. "Whatever you say, hun."

"Damn straight," Lilly says, grinning. "If people don't know that by now, well, they should."

"Yeah... I guess I just haven't hung around you guys enough," he concedes, still extremely cheerful.

"You're agreeing awfully easily to that," Lilly says, suspicious. "Okay, Indy. What's up with all this good cheer? It's a little freaky."

He smiles. "Ah... just riding the crest of the wave for once. A lotta good stuff going on."

"Ooh, really? Spill, then. I could always use good news!"

"Well... there was some stuff me, Mike and Mel had to work through last week, but we sorted it all out... and everything's rocketship now. And me and Delia are having a great time of things as well."

"I met her girlfriend last night, and she approves of me."

What a weird thing to be happy about.

Lilly giggles.

"So you're poly now, huh? Well, it's good that your girlfriend's girlfriend likes you, then."

"Uh... no! I'm exclusive to Delia, thank you very much. Or I am now at any rate."

"You're exclusive to Delia but she has a girlfriend?" Lilly shrugs. "Works for me, if it works for you guys."

It doesn't work for Indy at all. But he lives with it. With slightly more bitterness every day. "It works," he says with a thin smile. "And thanks for the concern."

Lilly smiles at him.

"It's what best friends do, right? That and plan parties and fix each other drinks and hang out naked."

He grins. "Well, I'm not sure all best friends hang out naked. We're just special like that."

"But... speaking of parties... we've got a gig!" he adds enthusiastically.

"Hey, awesome!" Lilly bounces. "What's the deal, who's it for?"

"Ophelia. She wants a flat warming party. We decided on a Shakespeare theme... and I might have been coerced into joining the Bernard is Mean club."

"Do you know her?"