Chapter Text
Vander has just finished wiping down the bar when he hears footsteps coming down the stairs. His lips tilt up into a smile as he tosses his rag over his shoulder. “Books finished?” he asks.
Silco hums softly in acknowledgment as he approaches the empty bar. He's already dressed down- his vest discarded somewhere upstairs. The white shirt he'd chosen for tonight has a design near the open collar. It suits him, Vander thinks as Silco ignores the stools to instead rest his hip against the bar. “How's the boy?” Silco asks. Powder had made an appearance near the end of the party to let them know that Ekko wasn't feeling well and that she was going to stay with him. With the way they had danced tonight, Silco wasn't entirely surprised. He was aware of his daughter's crush on the boy. According to Vander that had always been the case, more or less, even since they were children.
He had thought that Ekko was fine with his presence around here after so long, but the way he'd looked at him tonight… what he had said… It made Silco wonder if perhaps it was just wishful thinking on his part that his daughter's best friend saw him as part of their mismatched family.
“Benzo said he's alright. A bit disoriented and shaken up, but nothing to worry about,” Vander replies with a slight shrug. He rests his hands against the bar as he leans forward somewhat, catching Silco's attention. “From what he gathered there was a small explosion at Powder’s lab. Something to do with their gadget.”
Silco frowns somewhat at that. Powder hadn't mentioned anything about an explosion earlier, but if she didn't think it was a big deal and Benzo said that his boy was fine then it was probably nothing to worry about. But still… “Perhaps I'll look into finding her some better equipment,” Silco mutters mostly to himself.
“She's alright, Sil. They both are. Accidents happen, but they're careful kids,” Vander insists with a slight shake of his head. He reaches beneath the bar and pulls out a single glass that he fills halfway with Silco's favorite whiskey that he keeps on the top shelf. He nudges it in his friend’s direction.
“Relax. Have a drink.” Vander states. The corner of his mouth twitches as he holds back a smile. “It's on me,” he adds. Teasing.
Silco rolls his good eye with a huff, but he reaches for the glass anyway. It is, after all, his favorite drink. “How kind of you to serve me a drink in my own bar,” he replies softly in amusement. It's hard to keep the smile from his face as Vander finally breaks out into warm laughter.
“I'll give the boss man your regards.” Vander quips as his laughter eases off.
Silco hides his smile behind his glass as he takes a sip. The whiskey is warm - hints of spice lingering on his tongue as after he has swallowed. Sevika refuses to tell him where she gets it from, but as long as she keeps gifting some to Vander every few months Silco doesn't mind. He takes another sip before he offers the glass to Vander.
Vander hums as he reaches out, fingers lingering against Silco's for a moment as he takes the glass. Whiskey isn't his preferred drink, but the taste settles smoothly on his tongue and reminds him of Silco in so many ways. “Thanks,” he whispers, setting the mostly empty glass back onto the bar top. The Last Drop is rarely this quiet even after closing. It's a treat to have it to themselves overnight. Mylo and Claggor have long since moved out, of course, but Powder still lives in the room she shared with her sister, and sometimes Sevika crashes on the couch in their office if she's having a bad night.
The Last Drop has always been a home for wayward souls. Vander wouldn't change that for the world, but he can admit that it's nice to have a moment that's just… theirs.
“What are you thinking about?” Silco asks softly. His head is tilted to the side somewhat as his ruined eye stares intently at Vander. It was unsettling, at first, but in the years since they reunited Vander has become accustomed to looking directly at his greatest mistake. He knows that Silco can't truly see out of that eye any longer - not really. His vision has degraded more and more with each passing year until the most he can make out is vague shapes. In lighting as dim as this, Vander's certain that he can't even make out that much. Looking at Silco now, knowing he's the cause of such damage, will always be a regret he carries. Vander’s fingers reach out of their own accord to brush against the scars just beneath his eye. Silco tenses for just an instant, wary of touch there even now, but then he relaxes into it with a quiet sigh.
It warms Vander to see the trust that Silco has in him after all they have been through. “You,” Vander replies in all honesty. The sudden emotion he feels overwhelms him for a moment and roughens his voice as he adds, “Us.”
Silco brings his hand up to rest against Vander’s as he moves to cup his cheek. His single blue eye softens as he smiles at Vander. “I like the sound of that,” he whispers in return. His hand is warm over Vander's. Reassuring.
“How about we go upstairs then?” Vander suggests after a few seconds, letting his hand slowly drop from Silco's face. A light blush has crept onto Silco's cheeks as he nods his agreement. He leaves his glass on the bar to be taken care of in the morning as Vander discards his towel and comes around to meet him. His large hands settle against Silco's slender hips when he reaches him as he leans in - kissing the other man slowly. Gently.
Silco leans into the kiss with a soft hum of pleasure. His hands come to rest against Vander’s shoulders as their lips brush together a second time and then a third. His fingers curl against the material beneath them, bunching Vander's blue shirt as he gathers him closer. Silco's right eye flutters shut as he savors the moment. They both taste of his expensive whiskey, but beneath that is the recognizable hint of smoke from Vander's pipe. It's a flavor that Silco is well acquainted with.
He chases it as they stand there for a little while longer - caught up in each other and the warm press of lips. Silco squeezes Vander's shoulders as he steps back somewhat, breaking their kiss but otherwise staying in the other man's orbit. His lips seem to tingle as his tongue darts out - wetting them involuntarily. “I believe you mentioned going upstairs,” Silco murmurs. His voice is rough in the space between them and Vander swallows. Warmth unfurls in his chest as he slides one arm around Silco's waist with a nod.
The night is young, and right now… right now, it belongs to no one else but them.