Fins and Fangs

[notthatcrazy]

The team's had a few rough cases lately, and it's finally time to lie low and let the heat die down a bit. Face had managed to scam them a small apartment (he doesn't know how, and he's decided he's okay with that) and it's the first time in months they've stayed somewhere with a cable connection.

Just when you thought it was safe to turn on the Discovery Channel...

Comments

[notjustaface]

Not everyone but he grew up in California where there are actual sharks and they're not nearly as cool as television seems to think they are.

"Mmmhmm," he replies, wrapping his arm around Murdock's shoulders. "So I'm guessing this is pretty much your plan for the week?"

[notthatcrazy]

And some people grew up in a landlocked town in Texas and still think they're pretty darn cool.

"Basically."

[notjustaface]

Letting out another soft sigh, Face is content to relax against him for the time being. He's definitely not about to tell him that they're on watch duty and might be called out any time to go set up a diversion or watch for cops.

Besides, it's more fun without the pout.

"Are they gonna make a shark blow up?"

[notthatcrazy]

He knows they might have to move quickly - whether it's for a job or just plain up and running - but he'll take his couch potato time while he can.

"Not a real one," he grins. "They blew up a foam shark once, though."

[notjustaface]

They both will, it's actually kind of nice to get a little snatch of downtime here and there in the middle of some less than stellar jobs.

"Ah, not nearly as fun as the real thing." And with significantly fewer fish guts. "One time when I was little, I was staying at a place down by Santa Monica and I was the pier with some older kids and got to see them blow up a fish with an M80. It was great."

Which explains a lot about his childhood.

[notthatcrazy]

It kinda does. Murdock just shakes his head at him and takes another handful of popcorn from the bowl.

"Really? You never talk about when you were a kid, but fish murder rates a mention?"

He's teasing. Mostly.

[notjustaface]

"Dude... it was an M80 inside a fish. When you're nine that's pretty much the coolest thing ever."

One of his few completely positive memories, really.

"You can't tell me that's not awesome." And that's coming from a guy who has blown things up much larger than a fish for the US Army.

[notthatcrazy]

"Sure, if you're not the fish."

He's still shaking his head when the show comes back from commercial break, providing a suitable distraction.

[notjustaface]

"I'm pretty sure the fish didn't feel anything." He comments through a mouthful of popcorn, letting himself get a little lost in the combination of mindless entertainment and Murdock's weight pressed comfortably against him.

"Can't tell me you never blew anything up as a kid. I've seen the way your eyes light up when we get to use the good stuff."

[notthatcrazy]

Probably better than letting the poor thing suffocate. He shrugs as he leans back against his side.

"Never anything living. Gram and Grandpa wouldn't have stood for it."

Sometimes it's hard to reconcile his generally kind personality with life in the Army. He can get the job done when he has to, but it's not really in his nature to be violent.

(Except when it is. Mental illness is kind of a bastard that way.)

[notjustaface]

"Sensible enough," he murmurs, leaning in to press a kiss on top of his head.

There's a comfortable lull, the casual existing in the same place and time without really anything to do is kind of nice, and certainly a welcome change of pace. Even if he'd just get antsy if it lasted long enough.

[notthatcrazy]

It's definitely more laid-back than the last time they'd managed to catch the Shark Week festivities. He'd refused to talk to anyone for a week unless they called him Bruce.

"You look bored." He nudges his foot affectionately with his own.

[notjustaface]

Face half-shrugs, returning the nudge with a gentle affectionate rub.

"Not exactly my thing," he answers; "but I like being here with you."

[notthatcrazy]

On screen, the Mythbusters have signed off and the show has changed to one of the innumerable 'World's Bitiest Shark Attack' type shows they like to trot out.

"You know scientists are studying sharks' immune systems 'cause they can eat all kinds of sick fish without getting sick themselves?"

He leans further back against the sofa cushions, frowning slightly.

"But stuff like this is all you ever hear about."

[notjustaface]

Snuggling against him, Face lets out a soft murmur of agreement and kisses his head again.

"Ratings, man... sick fish don't get ratings quite like Shark Attack 5."

[notthatcrazy]

"True."

It does make for more exciting TV than migration patterns and mating habits.

"But there's a lot more to them than bein' vicious killers."

[notjustaface]

"And I suppose you know all that stuff?" He offers a somewhat bemused grin, letting a hand wrap around him to gently rub at his belly.

[notthatcrazy]

"Some of it."

When he gets interested in a subject, he doesn't mess around.

"Maybe I just like things that have hidden depths."

Smiling, he lets his free hand slip beneath the hem of Face's shirt.

[notjustaface]

Now that is a little more Face's speed - and he's more than happy to listen to obscure fish facts if there's skin against skin involved.

"Yeah? Sounds interesting."

[notthatcrazy]

Ironically, his usual tendency to chatter on until someone makes him shut up is somewhat muted by the warm cuddly feeling.

But not entirely.

"D'you know the biggest shark in the world mostly eats plankton?"

[notjustaface]

"You're shitting me." His voice takes on an almost interested tone and he lets out a half laugh, teasing up the frayed hem of Murdock's shirt.

"It can't be that big..."

[notthatcrazy]

He grins, pressing a quick kiss to his shoulder.

"No shit, man. Forty feet long, with a mouth big enough to swallow you whole, and it eats little bitty things."

[notjustaface]

"Why though? I mean if you're big enough to eat anything that stands in your way, why stick to tiny stuff?"

It's a genuine question, though he's not really as curious as it might imply.

"It's got to be eating all the time."

[notthatcrazy]

"Well they're filter feeders, like whales. They'll eat fish and other little critters, but they don't go after the big stuff."

he shrugs again, happy to settle back into his arms after that little educational outburst.

"I dunno. They're pretty docile around people, so they're probably just not that aggressive."

[notjustaface]

"Mmm..." he licks his lips, rocking slightly against him.

"Man, if I was a shark..." he gestures at the TV where a guy is bleeding out after being bitten; "...I'd be one of those guys."