He's never much liked bars.

It's the ambience that puts him off, he thinks, reminders of corner booths and conditioning. But the Cherubi is more up-scale than the middle-class dives of his uneasy youth, and Gavin sees it as a chance to unwind.

Like he's meeting up with a date, Gavin appears behind Chu-e Choi's shoulder.

"Look at you, all dressed up."

Gavin's as well dressed as he always is, pressed suit and silver cufflinks. Recognizable in a way that's dangerous, but with his sharp edges tucked behind a relaxed posture and genuine smile. He leads the way inside.

Cillian Quinn's voice pulls his attention away from people watching. When he glances back he grins. It's not the fake thing he normally wears, his real one reserved for only those he trusts. Like Gavin.

"Don't think they would have let me in, otherwise." Even if he shook his entire small fortune at them, the staff here had this whole aesthetic they liked to keep. Speaking of, with his partner now here, Chu-e stretched and made for the door.

The bouncer gave them both a once-over before allowing them inside. It's a little gaudy in a flashy, appealing way. The gold chrome and draped beading puts him in the mind of something old fashioned. A real band is playing something jazzy on a small stage. There are a few other people inside, luxury drinks being sipped by those well off enough to afford them.

He can relax more once they're inside, once the image of a quiet corner booth has been overridden by gold and beads and the soothing tones of a live band. His gaze wanders.

"We could've made him let you in."

It's teasing, denoted by the lightness to his tone. They were vicious, if they had to be — but tonight they're not Merlino and Choi, but Gavin and Chu-e.

Friends, not partners in literal crime.

"What's the liquor like in this place?"

He leans against the bar, perusing the dramatic drinks of others.

There is a puff of laughter that. They really could have, couldn't they? But this place also isn't under their thumb, not yet anyway, so who knows that would have ended up. Ot would of at least been interesting.

"Expensive." For the atmosphere of the place, Chu-e didn't really take any of the actual liquor into account. He's an easy man to please when it comes to drinking, anyway. A hand is raised when he joins Cillian Quinn. "Rooster." The barman nods, the drink whipped up quick- bourbon and cinnamon liquor, iced, is slid into Chu-e's hand.

He takes an experimental sip.

"Tastes like that younger me would have cried at how much this is going to cost." As if that was any indication.

Gavin huffs, amused, shakes his head.

"Gathered that from the doorman."

Many of the drinks bear fancy, obnoxious names that Gavin doesn't have the patience to parse. He recognizes the familiar amber shade of a nice bourbon from whatever Chu-e had ordered, and signals the bartender for another.

"Tastes good," is his less dramatic conclusion, after he's had a sip.

It's not scotch, which is his favourite, but it serves.

Gavin's gaze drifts around, scouting. Curious. There's plenty of strangers, but a face or two he recognizes.

"You know, I'm not really supposed to be drinking that much." Much like the fool he is, Chu-e does anyway. He also wasn't supposed to have caffeine; that one he actually observed most of the time.

Another sup of his drink, letting it smooth over his tongue.

"Anything new with you?" He liked talking to Cillian Quinn. Wanted to keep up with him as a person, not just a coworker.

"If you're dying, I say do what you damn well please, man."

An attempt to make light of the grim situation is tainted by the sadness of his smile. He means it, though. It shows in his eyes.

They soften further at the question, as he thinks of Emma Wolfe.

"Em and I are getting married." Unbidden, a thought occurs to him: they'd better plan it quick, or else Choi might not be around for the wedding. It's a shard of glass in his heart. "Don't know if we're making a fuss about it or whatever, but you're my pick for best man. Don't have any brothers."

He drains most of his drink in a few deep gulps.

The grim joke is ignored; best not to think of his own mortality tonight. Chu-e wants to have fun.

The news of marriage does make him light up, though.

"Aw Gav... that's so sweet. Any idea what the theme will be?" The promise of being best man makes him proud, has warmth spread in his chest better than any drink could.

He wonders if Cillian Quinn would be opposed to a bachelor party.

"Theme?" He looks baffled. "Ah, no, hadn't given it thought."

Honestly, he'd never thought much of marriage to begin with. Had it not been for Rocket's emphasis on the danger to those close to you, he'd have dismissed the notion as something for people who filed their taxes and followed the law.

Not criminals, not the underboss of Rocket.

But Emma Wolfe had asked, and it had seemed right.

"Maybe Em's got something in mind; I'll make sure to ask her."

"Ah, I see how it is." And his face was so serious. Much more serious for the conversation they were having.

"I'll have to be bridezilla on the bith of your behalfs. Wolfe never struck me as the type to throw a hissy over flower color." And neither did Cillian Quinn.

The serious look broke after a moment, his grin coming back.

"Since you're getting hitched, does that mean some little Gav's could be running around soon?"

Gavin pictures Chu-e in a wedding dress, screaming at the catering, and can't stop smiling.

He laughs, startled at sharp, at the thought of kids.

"God — fuck no." His expression is quick to sober, even as he continues to nurse his drink. "I've seen the shit that our kids go through, don't wanna tempt fate."

He's never thought of being a father. His own had made sure of that.

"Maybe some day, when the region's ours." He says it simply, like it's guaranteed. "But probably not."

"Shame. I bet they would be cute." A small laugh of his own leaves him. Cillian Quinn looming over some grunt with one of those baby backpacks strapped to his chest. The baby is also glaring. It's priceless.

"I think you'd be a good dad. I know how much you helicoptered over Eris Halla." Couldn't hide too much from Chu-e.

Gavin grimaces at mention of Eris, remembering.

"She was there because of me."

Technically, it had been because of Lugia, because she'd found her way into an operation she had no business taking part in and strayed too close to the furious legend's tail — but Gavin felt responsible. She shouldn't have been there at all.

"I'll settle for keeping Rocket's kids safe, I think."