He thought the bar was obscure enough a place to go. It was quieter, out of the way even. A recommendation from his partner at the precinct who had recommended he get out more. He frowned at the thought, but nevertheless, if this would ease his colleague’s mind and maybe help his mental state just a little, he would try it. He parked his motorcycle near the others, giving a small nod at the bikers already hanging about. There’s the smallest whiff of tension as he put up the kickstand and took his helmet off, but one sure look from the blonde and an unblinking stare, and he’s met with a slow nod. He nodded back. [break][break]

There’s all sorts of types here, he’d been told. True enough, he could see it. He spotted a couple of people form other emergency services, more bikes, and just complete randos. The place is slightly modern, and there had to be some sort of special event judging by the number of girls crowding the bar. Oh wait- [break][break]

As moved to get his drink he noted the man being fawned over and blinked feeling a sense of familiarity before remembering he’d ticketed the man. And then had to argue over said ticket with the man. He locked eyes with Julien, before silently turning his attention to an empty spot on the bar. He doubted there’d be a problem. “Can I get-” he began as he raised his hand gently for the bartender before a woman’s voice spoke up. “Share a drink with us, handsome?” He didn’t move trying to regain his composure and opened his mouth to other when he felt a feminine hand on his shoulder and the sudden tug over towards the other man. Ugh… [break][break]

“Jules here was just about to make some shots with us~” [break][break]

Paxton looked up at the man, arching his eyebrows at him, trying to signal he didn’t want any part of this and simultaneously that the women were all his if he wanted their attention. “Very generous of you, Jules.” One of the girls on the other man’s arm, a ginger with a curly bob cut and a bright blue top asked for his name. [break][break]

“Paxton is fINE!” he said, growing a bit louder at the end as he felt one of the other girls, a brunette with bright green eyes, wrap herself around his arm and lean herself heavily against him. His composure broke for a second revealing the very real truth that Paxton Concordas has almost zero social skills.


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The women giggle and leave for a moment, giving Paxton much needed respite. He’d much rather deal with a sullen alcoholic at the bar than a bunch of giddy women he had no idea what to say to. “Of course, would you prefer Mr. Lowell?” he said, just a hint of sarcasm in his voice despite the lack of change in his expression. Someone might even say he was picking on him. Just a little. He’s silent once more, eyes moving up towards the bartender before sipping his drinks. A little dish of beer nuts is set in front of him. [break][break]

“I’m not following you.” He clarified as he carefully glanced around the bar trying to spot their lady friends again. If only to determine if he had a clear out to any of the exist without running into them. He was definitely not prepared to try to interact with women, or anyone really, in that kind of way. He thought bars were supposed to be HARD to find romance at. That was the stereotype, right? He thought he would’ve bene fine on his lonesome too. Typically, it got rowdier when he went out with his coworkers. Way more people and way more drinks. “I’m finishing my drink and leaving. Enjoy your company, Mr. Lowell.” He added as he tilted his head and chugged half his drink in a few gulps.

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+ Julien Demassieux LETS GO!! [break][break]


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Paxton is ready to knock out his entire glass but stopped to look at Julien as he spoke up again. He’s guarded, knowing how heated their discussion earlier in the day had gotten. Normally Paxton couldn’t care less when he was off duty, but not everyone was as understanding about his attitudes on work. “I did, but dive bares ‘r a dime a’dozen in this city. I’d rather be somewhere I’m not recognized.” He stated, locking eyes with the bigger man. While he was on the retreat, he made it clear he wasn’t intimidated. Merely annoyed. [break][break]

He's still suspicious but he set his half empty glass on the counter and leaned forward pick up a couple of bar peanuts. “What did you want to talk about? Not work, I hope.” He said, wit ha wry smile before popping a few nuts in his mouth and chewing. He wasn’t about to argue over a ticket on his time off. Behind them, the girls had wandered off somewhere, and there began a bit of grumbling in the background. Something wasn't right. Like a storm was brewing in the bar.


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Paxton kept quiet as Julien began, now doubt trying to pull something again. He didn’t seem to like taking no for an answer which had paired well with Paxton’s unwillingness to compromise. Then again, what was there to compromise or parking in the very clearly labeled handicap section. Sure, it may have been for a few minutes, and sure the rest of the place seemed empty but then he’d make it a habit. And the last thing he needed were more drivers who felt the need to take up two parking spaces so no one would key their car. Which, in his experience, only made people purposefully key their car. [break][break]

“So, you’re worried about your driving record?” the blonde asked after a moment of quiet has passed. He picked up his glass again this time merely taking a sip to wash away the salt. “Fortunately for you, parking tickets do not affect a person’s driving record. Your insurance won’t go up, and there won’t be any marks on your license.” He explained as he set his glass back down before reaching for another handful of peanuts. “So, you see, there’s no penalty. Just a fine, Mr. Lowell.” He continued while peeling a peanut. “However, should you not pay a parking ticket on time, or accumulate more unpaid tickets, it changes form fine to penalty. I would recommend writing down your due dates.” At this point, he finally looked over at Julien, the wry smile long gone replace by tired annoyance. Blue eyes are steely revealing his opinion on the matter. Julien had fucked around, and he’d found out. Now he wanted to weasel out of it while the man was clocked out? He shouldn’t even be replying at this point. [break][break]

“Now, as you can see, I am currently out of uniform. Which means I’m clocked out, and tha’s the last I’ll be sayin’ about this.”

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+ Julien Demassieux LETS GO!! [break][break]


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Thinking the matter settled, and not really seeing any sudden movements in his peripheral, he relaxed. Maybe now Julien would fuck off. Wrong. Incorrect. False. Julien would not do that. Paxton had bene reaching for his glass when the girls came back pawing at him for stories. Who he was. Where he was from. What his favorite sort of music was. Silly things, flirty things. Things he did not have the mental capacity to deal with at this very moment. “L-Ladies please- I-” He looked desperately at Julien for a moment. [break][break]

“Don’t ignore my poor friend, Jules ‘ere.” Paxton said trying to act confident despite the rush of heat visible on his face. “He’s just a lil shy is all.” He added dividing the attention of the nice women between himself and Julien. There was no way he would go down alone for this. Soon enough it’s rowdy again, with ladies giggling and Paxton trying to gas up Julien in order to sway the attention towards him. All he’d wanted was a beer. Actually, scratch that. All he’d wanted was to stay at home. But his coworker had made him promise to go out.


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Paxton’s eyes met Julien’s and it’s no longer panicked. Blue eyes are dark with fury as the man left him to be eaten alive by these strange women. No beer was worth this, and he definitely wasn’t into these women as much as they hoped. And the worst part of all. He’d avoided Julien from the jump, and he had still managed to annoy him. By this point the blonde was semi-unresponsive as the girls at each arm giggled and asked the bartender for shots. [break][break]

A meaty hand clapped his shoulder, and he felt the weight behind him pushing him a bit into his plush seat. What now? He blinked turning his head lightly to look up at a skinhead, while one of the girls snapped at him. He vaguely processed something warbled, only saying a small, “Huh?” before a fish slammed into his face, pushing his backwards, His mouth clamped just, and teeth cut into the side of his cheek. The women are screaming now, at him, at the biker. [break][break]

Paxton blinked for a moment. Turning slowly, trying to find Julien in the bar once more ready to issue a warning before finally looking back up at his aggressor. “I’m gonna pretend that didn’ ‘appen.” He said, words controlled despite the adrenaline beginning to spike his heartbeat. He closed his fist, blood dripping form his nose and mouth red. “Walk away.” [break][break]

This is met by another fist to the face.

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