[ See, he looks so much better when he's smiling and not being a dick to him. Matt sits up a bit, leaning his elbows forward on his knees as he looks towards Nate. He doesn't say anything for a minute, but then, surprisingly, he does. The sort of thing he never really says at all. Maybe it's because he doesn't know him, like some sort of neutral party. Or maybe it's something else. Who knows. ]
Look I'm sorry if I'm a prick about it, and if I ever am just tell me, yeah? And I don't mean about stupid shit like jam, I mean like important stuff like this. I was always told it was wrong. That it was disgusting, two blokes, you know? And you're supposed to believe the shit your parents tell you, right?
[It makes Nathan's skin crawl to think about parents raising their kids to be hateful and uncomfortable with things that have nothing to do with them. But at least it makes Matt's attitude about it make so much more sense.]
Yeah, I'll tell you if you're being too you about it. [Thats a joke]
But if that's what your parents were teaching you? I'd suggest doing the opposite of whatever they ever said.
Why do you think I'm here? [ It’s an incredibly telling statement, even if he doesn’t mean it to be. But he’s not supported in this, his family didn’t ship him off all smiling and proud that he’d got a place in a prestigious university. He was sent off told ‘if you leave then you aren’t ever coming back’, that he was no longer part of that family, a disgrace and a disappointment. Oh it’s not how his Ma feels, he knows, but she doesn’t dare speak up against his Da. She knows better by now.
But being here? It’s what he wants, what he always wanted, going against everything he’d been asked and told. ]
[ The idea actually makes him laugh, and he shakes his head a little, looking over at him with a half smile. ] Nah mate. Not sure it’d be polite to repeat what I was told when I finally plucked up the courage to say I was coming here. Think my Ma was proud but… [ he shakes his head again and lets out another laugh. ]
[ matt finds himself laughing again and holds up his hands ] Yeah well you got me there. Not that it's really a job right now. Though maybe some day, right? Right now it's more an over invested hobby.
[ theres another laugh and he shakes his head ] Oh no I'm good. I'd knock your fucking socks off believe me.
[ there might be some things he's modest about but not this. This he knows to believe in himself about. He's had to, nobody else would. Shifting again he rubs his hand against his jeans and then offers it out towards him to shake. ]
Matt. Guessing you know that, but we never did have a proper introduction
[Talking to Matt about the shit stuff his dad has done, the way they don't really support his choices for schooling- Well, it makes him sort of guess that the job at the bar isn't just for the hell of it.]
My treat. You can get the next one.
[And without waiting for him to argue, he'll just start calling to place the order.]
[ Matt would still argue, but really he can't afford it so he'll just suck it up. ]
Thanks man. So you said you're an only child? Must have been quiet. I've got three sisters back home. [ why he seems so eager to get to know him he doesn't really question. They're going to be sharing a space after all ]
Yeah, just me. My parents waited to have kids. Did some traveling, chased their dreams a bit. Probably why they're as alright with me doing this as they are. Mum's always pushed me to go after the art stuff. Never wanted me to regret not going for it, yknow?
It's one of those things where it could almost be nice if that's the sort of thing you were into. But I'm guessing even as a kid, you weren't trying to run to work with him.
Nah I was more the climbing trees and scraping knees type. That and practising whenever I could. Copying theme tunes off tv, that sort of thing. I do a fucking great version of Coronation Street let me tell you.
Hell would fucking freeze over first, Nate. All me. Not like some of the guys here little fucking Mozarts. And you know I thought you had a stick up your arse these guys have a rod of solid gold.
Oh I'm assuming nothing, Nate [ Sorry what was that about the name? ]
They made it abundantly clear. But you lot, you arty types, you're a better bunch. And the theatre students, I mean flair for the dramatics but some good guys. How's Luce doing?
She's fine. Busy with projects. Haven't seen her all week, actually. Should let her know about this. She'd have a laugh at the idea of us living together.
Jeffrey? Well that's a name and a half. I mean it's almost Nathaniel. [ He smirks, teasing him, but it's also not far off tugging the pigtails of the cute girl in the playground when you're a kid sort of attitude. ]
![[personal profile]](https://www.dreamwidth.org/img/silk/identity/user.png){kind=small}
no subject
Look I'm sorry if I'm a prick about it, and if I ever am just tell me, yeah? And I don't mean about stupid shit like jam, I mean like important stuff like this. I was always told it was wrong. That it was disgusting, two blokes, you know? And you're supposed to believe the shit your parents tell you, right?
no subject
Yeah, I'll tell you if you're being too you about it. [Thats a joke]
But if that's what your parents were teaching you? I'd suggest doing the opposite of whatever they ever said.
no subject
[
It’s an incredibly telling statement, even if he doesn’t mean it to be. But he’s not supported in this, his family didn’t ship him off all smiling and proud that he’d got a place in a prestigious university. He was sent off told ‘if you leave then you aren’t ever coming back’, that he was no longer part of that family, a disgrace and a disappointment. Oh it’s not how his Ma feels, he knows, but she doesn’t dare speak up against his Da. She knows better by now.
But being here? It’s what he wants, what he always wanted, going against everything he’d been asked and told. ]
no subject
[He rolls his eyes a little with that last bit. Can't really blame him though. Assholes who trying to teach their hateful biases just piss him off.]
no subject
Not really a ‘mans’ job is it. Playing the piano.
no subject
[Nathan isn't here for your gender norm bullshit.]
Now if you're shit at it, that's another story...
[That might be a more genuine smile now.]
no subject
[ theres another laugh and he shakes his head ] Oh no I'm good. I'd knock your fucking socks off believe me.
[ there might be some things he's modest about but not this. This he knows to believe in himself about. He's had to, nobody else would. Shifting again he rubs his hand against his jeans and then offers it out towards him to shake. ]
Matt. Guessing you know that, but we never did have a proper introduction
no subject
Nathan. [Well, at least this Nathaniel business is over with.]
D'you want to get a pizza or something? I feel like this get to know you bullshit will go over easier with some crap food at the ready.
no subject
Matt can't really afford pizza, so he hesitates just for a second before pushing that aside ]
Yeah why the fuck not. Alejandro's? Their jalapeño spice is epic.
no subject
My treat. You can get the next one.
[And without waiting for him to argue, he'll just start calling to place the order.]
no subject
Thanks man. So you said you're an only child? Must have been quiet. I've got three sisters back home. [ why he seems so eager to get to know him he doesn't really question. They're going to be sharing a space after all ]
no subject
no subject
anything he can imagine ]
I think my da would be happier if he never saw a piano ever again. He had the sign changed on his garage. Byrne and son. Did it when I was eight.
no subject
no subject
no subject
no subject
no subject
no subject
no subject
You should stop assuming that, though. Just because they treat stuff different than you do doesn't mean they're uptight.
no subject
They made it abundantly clear. But you lot, you arty types, you're a better bunch. And the theatre students, I mean flair for the dramatics but some good guys. How's Luce doing?
no subject
She's fine. Busy with projects. Haven't seen her all week, actually. Should let her know about this. She'd have a laugh at the idea of us living together.
no subject
no subject
Yeah, sort of. It's not serious, but could be? One of those in between things. Name's Jeffrey.
no subject
Well no, happy for you, man. Does he go here?
(no subject)
(no subject)
(no subject)
(no subject)
(no subject)
(no subject)
(no subject)
(no subject)
(no subject)
(no subject)
(no subject)
(no subject)
(no subject)
(no subject)
(no subject)
(no subject)
(no subject)
(no subject)
(no subject)
(no subject)
(no subject)
(no subject)
(no subject)
(no subject)
(no subject)
(no subject)
(no subject)
(no subject)
(no subject)
(no subject)
(no subject)
(no subject)
(no subject)
(no subject)
(no subject)
(no subject)
(no subject)
(no subject)
(no subject)
(no subject)
(no subject)
(no subject)
(no subject)
(no subject)
(no subject)
(no subject)
(no subject)
(no subject)
(no subject)
(no subject)
(no subject)
(no subject)
(no subject)
(no subject)
(no subject)
(no subject)
(no subject)
(no subject)
(no subject)
(no subject)
(no subject)
(no subject)
(no subject)
(no subject)
(no subject)
(no subject)
(no subject)
(no subject)
(no subject)
(no subject)
(no subject)
(no subject)
(no subject)
(no subject)
(no subject)
(no subject)
(no subject)
(no subject)
(no subject)
(no subject)
(no subject)
(no subject)
(no subject)
(no subject)
(no subject)
(no subject)
(no subject)
(no subject)
(no subject)
(no subject)
(no subject)
(no subject)
(no subject)
(no subject)
(no subject)
(no subject)
(no subject)
(no subject)
(no subject)
(no subject)
(no subject)
(no subject)
(no subject)
(no subject)
(no subject)
(no subject)
(no subject)
(no subject)
(no subject)
(no subject)
(no subject)
(no subject)
(no subject)
(no subject)
(no subject)
(no subject)
(no subject)
(no subject)
(no subject)
(no subject)
(no subject)
(no subject)
(no subject)
(no subject)
(no subject)
(no subject)
(no subject)
(no subject)
(no subject)
(no subject)
(no subject)
(no subject)
(no subject)
(no subject)
(no subject)
(no subject)
(no subject)
(no subject)
(no subject)
(no subject)
(no subject)
(no subject)
(no subject)
(no subject)
(no subject)
(no subject)
(no subject)
(no subject)
(no subject)
(no subject)
(no subject)
(no subject)
(no subject)
(no subject)
(no subject)
(no subject)
(no subject)
(no subject)
(no subject)
(no subject)
(no subject)
(no subject)
(no subject)
(no subject)
(no subject)
(no subject)
(no subject)
(no subject)
(no subject)
(no subject)
(no subject)
(no subject)
(no subject)
(no subject)
(no subject)
(no subject)
(no subject)
(no subject)
(no subject)
(no subject)
(no subject)
(no subject)
(no subject)
(no subject)
(no subject)
(no subject)
(no subject)
(no subject)
(no subject)
(no subject)
(no subject)
(no subject)
(no subject)
(no subject)
(no subject)
(no subject)
(no subject)
(no subject)
(no subject)
(no subject)
...
...
...
...
...
...
...
...
...
...
...
...
...
...
...
...
...
...
...
...
...
...
...
...
...
...
...
...
...
...
...
...
...
...
...
...
...
...
...
...
...
...
...
...
...
...
...
...
...
...
...
...
...
...
...
...
...
...
...
...
...
...
...
...
...
...
...
...
...
...
...
...
...
...
...
...
...
...
...
...
...
...
...
...
...
...
...
...
...
...
...
...
...
...
...
...
...
...
...
...
...
...
...
...
...
...
...
...
...
...
...
...
...
...
...
...
...
...
...
...
...
...
...
...
...
...
...
...
...
...
...
...
...
...
...
...
...
...
...
...
...
...
...
...
...
...
...
...
...
...
...
...
...
...
...
...
...
...
...
...
...
...
...
...
...
...
...
...
...
...
...
...
...
...
...
...
...
...
...
...
...
...
...
...
...
...
...
...
...
...
...
...
...
...
...
...
...
...
...
...
...
...
...
...
...
...
...
...
...
...
...
...
...
...
...
...
...
...
...
...
...
...
...
...
...
...
...
...
...
...
...
...
...
...
...
...
...
...
...
...
...
...
...
...
...
...
...
...
...
...
...
...
...
...
...
...
...
...
...
...
...
...
...
...
...
...
...
...
...
...
...
...
...
...
...
...
...
...
...
...
...
...
...
...
...
...
...
...
...
...
...
...
...
...
...
...
...
...
...
...
...
...
...
...
...
...
...
...
...
...
...
...
...
...
...
...
...
...
...
...
...
...
...
...
...
...
...
...
...
...
...
...
...
...
...
...
...
...
...
...
...
...
...
...
...
...
...
...
...
...
...
...
...
...
...
...
...
...
...
...
...
...
...
...
...
...
...
...
...
...
...
...
...
...
...
...
...
...
...
...
...
...
...
...
...
...
...
...
...
...
...
...
...
...
...
...
...
...
...
...
...
...
...
...
...
...
...
...
...
...
...
...
...
...
...
...
...
...
...
...
...
...
...
...
...
...
...
...
...
...
...
...
...
...
...
...
...
...
...
...
...
...
...
...
...
...
...
...
...
...
...
...
...
...
...
...
...
...
...
...
...
...
...
...
...
...
...
...
...
...
...
...
...
...
...
...
...
...
...
...
...
...
...
...
...
...
...
...
...
...
...
...
...
...
...
...
...
...
...
...
...
...
...
...
...
...
...
...
...
...
...
...
...
...
...
...
...
...
...
...
...
...
...
...
...
...
...
...
...
...
...
...
...
...
...
...
...
...
...
...
...
...
...
...
...
...
...
...
...
...
...
...
...
...
...
...
...
...
...
...
...
...
...
...
...
...
...
...
...
...
...
...
...
...
...
...
...
...
...
...
...
...
...
...
...
...
...
...
...
...