Hugh Jackman's Place

September 7, 2006, Hugh's Apartment: Kevin Richardson, Karl Urban, Hugh Jackman-PG

2006-09-09T05:01:15Z

Karl had taken delivery of the plasterboard he needed to seal up the walls and was carrying the sheets through to the various rooms they were needed in. He wasn't sure where Hugh was, the man not being there when Karl arrived. He looked again at the entertainment centre in the wall unit and again wondered how much it would cost to replace all the broken equipment, but then figured Hugh probably wouldn't bother till he moved. He reminded himself he really needed to get one of those iPod things he'd heard about, for jobs like this. The quiet was alright, but sometimes it was good to have some music, and he could get some of his brother's stuff on it.

He hummed tunelessly as he leaned the large sheet across the two workhorses he had set up to hold the sheets while he cut them to size. Picking up the saw he pulled the face mask down and started the blade spinning with a flick of the switch, the air rent with the screech of the saw and its teeth cutting through the white plasterboard forming clouds of fine white dust.

Finally remembering he had yet to return the books and CDs he'd borrowed from Hugh months ago, Kevin decided he could drop by his friend's place before heading into work. After a quick detour to the gym, Kevin arrived at Hugh's apartment, trying to remember if the man was even at home at this hour, not that it really mattered as he did have a key, but since he hadn't been over to Hugh's place since Hugh had - from what he had told Kevin - apparently trashed the place he wasn't sure he wanted to go in if Hugh wasn't there. Figuring things probably wouldn't be that bad anyway, Kevin rang the doorbell.

The small off-cut of board dropped to the floor as Karl dragged the large piece over to rest across the two horses again, taking out his tape measure and running it across the area he was replacing again, then checking the marks he'd made on the board. He started the saw again, the scream of the power tool drowning out any other sounds.

He knew Hugh usually played his music pretty loud, but whatever the sounds were coming from upstairs, it definitely wasn't music. Or at least Kevin hoped it wasn't, he was all for experimental music but that was a bit much. With one hand he searched his pockets for the key to Hugh's apartment, finding it and, awkwardly holding up the box with one hand, opened the door and let himself in.

Karl released the trigger of the saw and the noise slowly subsided, the guard slipping into place over the spinning blade as he put it down. He gave a small grunt as he picked the large piece up and carried it over to check it was the right size, nodding to himself as he saw it was alright, and lowered it to the ground again.

One eye on his cell phone, checking to see if he'd missed any messages, Kevin made his way through the hallway, into the living room, only to stop there when he spotted a man standing there who most certainly wasn't Hugh. "Hi," he said, frowning a little. "You're not Hugh - "

Karl spun around, glad in the back of his mind he'd already put the plasterboard down on the floor, or he might have dropped it. "Uh, no, I'm not," he replied, the mask he'd been wearing still on his chin. He quickly removed it. "I'm Karl, just here doing some... " He looked around the mess in the living room. "Uh... repairs?"

"I can see that - " Kevin glanced across the room. "It's - " He scratched the back of his head. "It's in need of some repairs apparently. Jesus. What happened in here?" he asked, looking at Karl as if the man was somehow responsible for the current state of his friend's apartment.

"Uh, sorry, it's a little difficult to cut plasterboard without making a mess," Karl said, seeing the dust everywhere, thinking the man meant that. A thought suddenly struck him. This guy had a key, obviously, as he knew he hadn't left the door open, and he wondered if he was the reason for Hugh's destructive rage that had caused the damage. "If y' looking for Hugh he's not here right now," he added quickly.

"Obviously - " Kevin said dryly. "Doesn't matter anyway, just dropping off some of his things," he continued absently, still taking in the considerable damage. "Didn't think it be this bad," he muttered to himself.

Eyeing the box Karl wondered for a moment if the box was full of things as trashed as Hugh's apartment. He looked around the room, smiling grimly. "Ah, well it seems something really managed to get his goat," he offered. "And it was a general all-round blow out."

"Really? Damn." Kevin made a mental note to kick Hugh's ass later, he'd had no idea the man had managed to trash the place this badly. "I'm a little, you know, surprised. To say the least. Fuck. "

Karl looked around the room knowing the damage in other areas was even worse, but not about to invite the guy on an inspection tour. Though the shock on his face didn't display any sort of satisfaction so he started to feel it wasn't anything to do with him.

"You... know what happened?" he asked tentatively.

"I thought I did," Kevin replied quietly. "But this isn't what I had in mind when Hugh said - " His voice trailed off there, it really wasn't this guy's business what Hugh had said after all.

Karl felt a little more comfortable about the guy now and he put the mask down on top of the tool box. "Took me a little by surprise, but then I don't know the bloke," he said, rubbing the back of his neck, other hand on his hip. "Just been too busy doing storm damage repairs I guess, so this was a little different."

Kevin nodded. "Yeah, I guess - it's just a shame, you know, it was a nice place and all," he murmured before finally remembering he hadn't introduced himself yet and so he extended his hand. "Sorry. Hi, I'm Kevin."

Karl stepped forward, avoiding the lead to the saw, and shook Kevin's hand. "How d'y' do," he replied. "Want me to take that?" he asked, eyeing the box Kevin was juggling with one arm as they shook hands.

"Yeah, thanks, man, " Kevin said as Karl took the box from him. "So, did Hugh let you in or is he doing the whole handing out keys to just everyone again? No offense of course."

Karl grinned as he glanced in the box, relieved to see its contents were in fact intact. "Yeah, he gave me a set of keys," he told Kevin with a rueful grin. "Does he do that often? Just.. y' know... give people keys to his place?"

"He gave them to me, I think that says it all." Kevin smirked.

Karl laughed. "Yeah, well..." He grinned a little. "I know it's kinda easier for him, but.. well I'm used to this sort of thing back home, but not over here."

"Back home people didn't need keys - the door was always open anyway, you know?" He smiled, shrugging. "But no, out here that kinda thing doesn't happen. Not that I need to give people the keys to my house - they let themselves in anyway."

Karl gave Kevin a wry look, unsure if the man was saying his place was broken in to a lot, or it was like Rob's and the security was almost non-existent. "Are these people burglars, or just mates passing through?"

Kevin grinned. "Actually - probably both. A credit card is all it would take, I guess. I don't know, I just moved there."

Karl nodded, pick up a few of the off-cuts and stacking them to one side. "Another 'new-comer', hey? Seems there's a lot of us, and very few who are 'native' New Orleaners," he commented before asking, "where's home for you? Before here that is."

Kevin nodded. "'I'm originally from Kentucky but I've been living here for years - just moving around a lot lately, trying to find a place I can afford, you know?"

"Oh, OK, sorry. Thought you meant you'd just moved here, my mistake," Karl apologised. "So, you a muso, or singer too?"

"Hell, no." He grinned at the suggestion. "I mean, I used to dance and all, you know, professionally but that's it. I'm working as an ER nurse actually - "

Karl couldn't stop the look of surprise on his face, looking Kevin up and down quickly. "Interesting combo! Though I guess it meant if you injured yourself you'd at least know what to do."

"Yeah, well, that's kinda how I got into nursing - by injuring myself. Not that I didn't want to before that, just happened a little sooner than I'd originally planned, you know?"

He shrugged, running a hand through his hair as his gaze wandered the room again. "But, anyways, yeah, I try to leave all the music stuff to Hugh - where it's safe and all."

Following Kevin's look around the room Karl arched an eyebrow and huffed a short laugh. "Yeah, good idea."

"It's not like he does this kind of thing all the time, you know, " Kevin said, unable to stop his voice from sounding a little defensive.

"Damn, and here I thought I might've found m'self a good regular customer!" Karl replied, joking and grinning broadly before his face became more sombre. "Must've been a pretty decent blow-out," he added a little wryly.

Kevin grimaced, his jaw tightening as he gave the room one more glance before looking back at Karl again. "Yeah - you can say that again. I almost feel sorry about having to kick his ass about it later - doesn't mean I won't of course."

"Uh, can y' make sure you do it where I've not got new stuff?" Karl offered as a joke.

"We'll take it outside, don't worry," Kevin said in a grave tone of voice. "You shouldn't have to witness that anyway - it won't be pretty."

Karl's mouth twisted in a wry grin, recognising the level of friendship that seemed to exist between Kevin and Hugh. "Poor Hugh," he offered with a smirk.

"I don't know about that," Kevin mused. "Have you seen this place, man? I'm thinking there's a possibility I'm going to be in a lot of pain right there - "

"You?" Karl looked a little confused for a moment.

Kevin grinned at the look on Karl's face. "Yeah - if you see what he did to this place, I'm not sure I wanna know what he'll do to, you know, my face. And I'm pretty sure you won't be able to fix the damage if he does - "

"Er... no, that would be sorta more your department," Karl replied with a concerned frown. "Y' mean he kinda gets violent like this a bit?" he asked, another glance around the room.

"No," Kevin replied immediately, not wanting to give Karl the wrong idea about his friend. "It's just, you know, I didn't know he had it in him. I'm all intimidated now."

Karl laughed again, a little relieved, as Hugh hadn't seemed the violent sort, but you never can tell. "Well, from the looks of things he does. Just probably a good idea to make sure you don't do whatever it was that set him off."

He grimaced. "Trust me, that's definitely not gonna happen."

There was something in Kevin's tone that indicated he knew what had set of 'Cyclone Hugh', and Karl just nodded. "Then by all means, proceed with said arse-kicking!"

"Yeah, well, that's kinda hard to do when he's never around." Kevin grinned. "It doesn't work all that well when done over the phone after all - "

"Just doesn't have the same ... impact, does it?" Karl laughed.

"No, no matter what anyone says the whole phone thing is not nearly as satisfying - " He shook his head, checking his watch to see how much time he had before he'd have to head out to work. "So, is this - " He gestured vaguely. "Is this all or is there more?"

"Well, guess if y' Russell Crowe you could get a bit of a different impact with the phone," Karl tossed out with a laugh, then stopped and looked around the room again at Kevin's question. "Well, no, seems he wasn't particular in which room copped the most." He jerked his head toward the kitchen. "Guess if you're gonna kick his arse over this you should go take a look at the full picture. Just mind your step around the plaster board, and don't open the oven door."

"The kitchen?" Kevin asked, a genuinely surprised look crossing his face as he, hesitantly, made his way to the kitchen. "Now that's just wrong - " He glanced around, not quite believing Hugh had managed to do all this. In one night. "Damn."

Karl could hear Kevin from where he was still in the living room. He wasn't surprised at the reaction and was almost waiting for Kevin to reach the bedroom.

More than a little curious, and shocked, Kevin decided to check out the rest of the place and especially the room that he now thought would be most damaged of all. A frown on his face as he walked along the hallway and noticed there were actual holes in the walls, Kevin entered the bedroom, unable to stop himself from cursing again as his eyes traveled the room.

He'd finished cutting away the last of the damaged board, and lifted the newly cut one into place, managing to afix it with a few fasteners enough to give him both hands to work with again. By the time he could hear Hugh's friend making the discoveries he's hammered a few more in place.

It wasn't that Kevin didn't understand why Hugh had done what he did, it was just that he'd never, not even in his wildest dreams, expected Hugh to lose control like this. With a small, sad, shake of his head, he headed back to the living room. "Guess you got your work cut out for you - " he murmured, trying to keep his voice light and failing miserably.

Karl looked over at Kevin and nodded. "Yeah," he replied quietly. "Seems something really pissed him off big time,"

"Yeah," Kevin said quietly. "I always just go with one piece of furniture or whatever, that I didn't really like anyway and just take it out on that - then again I can't afford to actually bring the house down." And of course he'd never had a relationship as serious as Hugh's either.

Karl gives a half-hearted grin, and nods a little as he picks up a few more fasteners for the plasterboard. "You and Hugh been mates long?"

"Yeah - it's like I've known him forever actually." He smirked. "And it's not a bad thing, you know, he's a good friend to have."

Keys jangling, Hugh entered his apartment and stifled his instinctive call of "Honey, I'm home" and sighed instead. He tossed his jacket on the coat rack and headed for the kitchen for a drink. He stopped dead at the sight of his living room. "I never thought somebody could make a bigger mess of it then I did," he said by way of greeting.

"And I never thought you could make this big of a mess," Kevin muttered dryly.

"So, all in all it's a pretty messy situation!" Karl offered, looking around the room.

"You've never seen me in a true fit of temper," Hugh said dryly, strolling in to look around at the mess. "I take it you two have met. I'm surprised I didn't find you horizontal." He flashed a wicked grin at them both.

"Right." Kevin rolled his eyes at his friend. "If only you'd come in five minutes later we would have been of course - "

"Damn! Story of my life it seems!" Karl was caught between laughing and trying not to blush.

"Should I go out and give you some time alone? The spare bedroom is pretty neat." He leaned against the wall and crossed his arms, looking smug.

"Are you seriously saying you don't wanna join in?" Kevin asked, giving Hugh a look of mock surprise. "That hurts, man."

"Sorry, I promised Karl I wouldn't make any passes at him and there's no romance or mystery left between us, my man. I've seen everything about you... including many of your worst moments." He unfolded himself and headed for the kitchen. "Either of you want something to drink?"

Karl just looked from one man to the other and turned to finish fixing the plasterboard, silently glad of a reason to hide his face and his expression. "Uh, water'd be good if you had some," he answered as he concentrated on hammering in the last nail.

"I have work later so just fix me something to eat with that drink," Kevin said with an amused glace at Karl. "I'm sure you won't mind."

"Just fix you something to eat?" Hugh called, amused. "And what shall I fix for you, dear?" He pulled out some bottled water for Karl and went back to toss it to him. "Here ya go, Karl. Shall I fix anything for you?"

Catching the bottle against his chest Karl grunted a thanks. He hesitated a moment, then nodded. "Sure, I guess, if you've got enough."

Kevin gave Hugh an innocent smile and shrugged. "Whatever is easiest, I guess. Don't put yourself out on my account."

"Of course not." Hugh rolled his eyes and headed back for the kitchen. In a moment, the sounds of somebody cooking filled the apartment. "How long til you have to get to work, Kev?"

"About an hour, I guess," Kevin said, glancing down at his watch again. "So at what point were you going to tell me you actually brought the whole house down?" he asked quietly as he joined Hugh in the kitchen for a moment.

"I don't know. Did I really need to tell you? I lost it... completely, but took it out on the house instead of the people. Isn't that better than what I could have done?" Hugh carefully scrambled the eggs and gestured to the fridge. "Cheese?"

Kevin shook his head. "No, thanks. And no, you don't need to tell me - " He leaned against the kitchen counter and shrugged. "And I guess it's debatable whether or not taking it out on the people would have been worse but maybe that's just me. I'm just a little, you know, worried. That's all."

Hugh set his hand on Kevin's shoulder and squeezed once in thanks. "People don't get over things in a day, it's true." He raised his voice a bit, "Karl, want any cheese in your scrambled eggs?"

Karl poked his head around the corner of the doorframe having heard his name but not sure what had been said after. "Uh, sorry, what was that?"

"Would you like some cheese melted in your scrambled eggs?" Hugh held up the concoction and grinned at his handyman.

"Sure, sounds good," Karl replied, seeing this bowl of ... mixture and smiling. "Didn't mean for y' to go to any trouble," he added. "Just whatever..."

"Well, Kevin gets all grumpy if I don't make him something special. He's such a demanding bastard." Hugh elbowed his friend gently. "Get me some cheese and the bread. Make yourself useful."

With a dramatic sigh, Kevin pushed himself off the counter and opened the refrigerator door, looking for the cheese. "And I'm the demanding bastard?" he asked once he found the bread as well. "Anything I can do for you to make myself even more useful?"

"I can think of several things," Hugh said with a wink at Karl. "However, I will settle for you slicing as much bread as you and Karl may want." He hauled the eggs off the stove and began to add cheese to Karl's portion. "Your eggs are ready, gentleman... and Kevin."

"That's your problem right there - you settling for things," Kevin said as he obediently took out the bread knife. "That's the real reason why you never got with me right there - "

"Yes, one night stands are totally not settling." Hugh carefully put the servings on two plates and set them on the table. "Please sit, Karl. Want anything else?" He took out a beer for Kevin and one for himself.

Karl dusted himself off in the living room, returning his hammer to his tool box and went and washed up at the sink. "Thanks. And uh, no, this looks great," he replied, pulling out a chair and sitting down, putting the bottle of water on the table in front of him.

Hugh flopped on a chair and spread out his long legs with a sigh. "Lighting tests are a bitch. They want to try some sort of green light tonight... look like I'm sick to my stomach the whole time."

With a pointed look at Hugh, Kevin picked up one of the beers and returned it to the fridge, grabbing a bottle of water instead before heading back to the table and taking a seat.

"Oops, sorry, forgot about the work thing," Hugh said to Kevin. He toyed with his bottle, not drinking the beer. "How's the work going, Karl? Going to be able to save the ruins?"

Karl nodded as he finished his mouthful of food. "Reckon so, yeah. All the plasterboard arrived today, I'll get it all cut to size, do it in the living room so there's only one room that looks like a construction zone, and get them all fitted today, I hope. Get them set and let it dry before sanding and painting."

"I love a man who talks dirty," Hugh said. "Oops, sorry... must be hanging around Kevin too much. Food all right?"

Karl found his food of particular interest, concentrating on filling his fork again. "Yeah, it's good, ta."

"I think I'm embarrassing the man. See what you've done to me, Kev? I can't even hold a conversation with a nice man anymore." He sighed melodramatically.

"I'm pretty sure there's an insult in there somewhere, but I'm gonna take it as a compliment anyway, because I'm delusional like that," Kevin said as he glanced at Hugh's untouched beer. "So, thanks."

The easy banter between the two was enough to show the men were very close, and Karl sat back in his chair as he chewed, enjoying the camaraderie, and realising it was something he missed, especially with his brother. "Thanks, I think, too," he offered with a grin. "Been a while since I've been called that!" he added in explanation, raising his water to Hugh.

"Being called a nice man is a compliment?" Kevin asked with a quizzical frown. "You know, not that you're not nice and all of course, but that's not - " He shook his head, spearing some egg with his fork as he quickly added, "Right. Shutting up now."

Karl grinned. "Well, it's better than being called a stupid bastard, or idiotic moron, both terms I think I've heard sent my way at various times of my life!"

Hugh gave Karl a look and raised an eyebrow, before turning back to Kevin. "I'm sorry, but I want to hear the end of that intellectually-challenged ramble you were on, best buddy."

"Did you just call me stupid?" Kevin said, not looking as though it would have bothered him all that much if Hugh had done just that. "But no, I was pretty much done there - just saying nice usually isn't what people go for, you know? That's all, really."

"I would never call you stupid, old buddy, old pal. It's not really necessary." He flashed him a teasing grin again. "I like to be considered a nice man... but maybe that's what you mean."

"Yeah, guess that proves my point right there - " Kevin said with a snort after he'd swallowed his mouthful of food. "Then again some people have more going for them than just being a nice guy and of course for some that's just about it."

Hugh turned to Karl and smiled brightly. "He's really not as shallow as he seems. Truly, he has depths... somewhere."

"I'm sure," Karl offered with a grin and wink at Kevin as he continued to eat.

"Rumors of my depths have been greatly exaggerated of course," Kevin drawled. "I embrace my shallowness."

"Well, embrace what you got, I guess." Hugh sipped more of his beer and grinned at Karl. "Do you dance?"

Karl shook his head, laughing a little. "Uh, no. Or at least not what most call dance."

"Maybe Kevin and I can teach you. My shallow friend over there used to dance for a living, and no matter what he may say, I still do."

Kevin nodded. "He does try, yeah."

"Oh?" Karl looked at Kevin with a sheepish grin. "Well, don't know that trying to teach me would do anything actually, as I think the last time I was attempting to dance they had to call an ambulance for two of the other people on the floor, as that's where they ended up, literally!" he laughed.

Hugh glanced at Kevin and raised an eyebrow. "Sounds like a good way to keep in practice for ya, Kev. You usually end up on the floor anyway... or the bed... or the sofa... or the bathtub... and at least one time on the roof, if memory serves."

Kevin grinned. "Are we still talking dance practice here or what?"

"Of course, what else?" Hugh looked completely innocent, though his mouth gave him up by quirking at the edges.

"What sort of dance?" Karl interjects, seeing where that conversation might lead.

"Anything but disco, though we can both do that, too." Hugh wiggled his eyebrows. "You ought to see Kevin line dance... he brings down the house!"

"Sounds like my kind of results!" Karl laughed.

"Yeah, I'm gifted like that. But that's the one thing I won't teach - so if you're looking for someone to teach you the noble art of line dancing - " He smiled at Karl. "You're on your own there."

"I meant in a whole house stops to gawk at him as he manages even the most difficult, and completely ridiculous moves. The noble art, indeed. I could always play the piano while you dance through the remains of my living room."

"So did you two ever work together?"

Kevin shook his head. "No, I had pretty much retired when I met Hugh," he said quietly.

"A shame. He would have given me even more class." Hugh smiled at his friend warmly and with no trace of insincerity.

"What happened?"

"I crashed my car into a tree, pretty much ruined my knee," Kevin replied, giving a small shrug as he poked at his food.

Hugh gave Karl a sympathetic smile, knowing this was always a hard subject. 'Damn shame, too."

"Damn! Sorry t' hear that."

Kevin grimaced, his gaze locked to his plate. "Yeah, well, nothing I can do to change all that - other than, you know, make myself useful otherwise."

"Well, at least you could, and did," Karl acknowledged. "And reckon being a nurse in one of them ERs would have to be a pretty useful kinda thing to do."

"Especially since he's just a guy who can't say no-" Hugh sang the last seven words before talking again "- and ends up taking over all the shifts people need switched or get sick for. He's an angel."

"Sure I am. That or just, you know, a big push-over. Guess we'll go with angel there," Kevin said with a snort.

"Big push over," Hugh whispered to Karl. "So, Karl, how long will my living room represent a disaster area?"

Karl was almost finished his food and scraped together the last of the egg as he spoke. "Well, I'll get all the sheets cut to size this afternoon, and if everything goes to plan, will be able to sand them back tomorrow, so that will be the messiest part done, or at least the dustiest." He explained that the special timber he'd ordered for the wall unit doors was a few days away. "But it isn't as messy as plasterboard to cut, so hopefully by tomorrow afternoon the walls'll be ready to paint."

"Ah, paint... maybe I will be using your apartment again, dear Kevin. I don't care much for the smell of new paint. And all this sawdust is making my nose itch."

Kevin rolled his eyes. "Sure - I'll be sure to check and see if there's room in my bed for ya."

"We fit perfectly well, once you gave up some covers and I gave up some mattress. And it wasn't even awkward in the morning, despite the fact that I-uh- snuggled." Hugh blushed ever so slightly.

Karl just laughed at the two men, again enjoying their obvious close friendship and ignoring the pang of loneliness he felt. The last of the food cleaned off his plate he pushed the chair back and stood up. "Well, if I'm to get these sheets up today, and sealed, I'd best get back to it," he told them both. "Thanks for the food," he added with a smile at Hugh before carrying his plate to the sink.

"Shouldn't you be getting to work, Kev? Wouldn't want to be late, my man." Hugh grinned and stood up to follow Karl. "You're welcome to any food I have around while you're working here."

"Fuck, yeah," Kevin muttered, checking his watch again. "Guess I'd better run," he said as he rose from his chair as well.

"Call me later, you wanker. I've got two shows tonight and dress rehearsal for a new thing tomorrow, so tomorrow night, then."

"Will do," Kevin said, as usual not bothering to return his plate to the sink. "Nice to meet you, Karl. I'm sure I'll be seeing you around," he added with a wink just before making a beeline for the door.

"You too," Karl replied as Kevin made a rapid exit. "Hope work's not too horrific," he added sincerely.

Hugh sighed and went to collect the plate and water bottle. "My best friend. Lucky me."

Hugh shook his head at Karl. "Once he gets into work mode, he doesn't hear anyone. Hey, I should go shower and get ready to go back for my sets. Any idea how long you'll be here tonight?"

Karl walked back toward the living room and paused before entering. "Not really, is there any time you'd like me to finish up?"

"Nah. Just lock up if you go before I return, of course. I need to get pretty before I appear before the public. You'd think I'd be too old to worry about that." He strolled into the kitchen and washed the dishes.

Karl just laughed and headed back into the living room, picking up one of the offcuts and taking it out into the hall and started measuring it up for the work to be done there.

August 31, 2006; Hugh's Original Apartment; Karl Urban & Hugh Jackman; G

2006-09-01T01:26:43Z

[cross posted to kiwikarl and hugh_jackman_q]

Hugh picked up the last remnants of his fight with Maria and deposited them resolutely in the trash can. He hoped the handyman would come soon and give him the appraisal for fixing the assorted gouges in the wall and other injuries to the place. Not that he cared about the price... Hugh felt willing to pay anything just to get the flat ready to sell. The longer he stayed, the more he wanted to get the Hell out now.

Karl had been puzzling over the name all day, wondering why the name seemed sort of familiar. It wasn't till he was walking through the foyer of the theatre on his way out that he stopped, hearing a radio and the song that was playing immediately striking him. Shit, that's who he is! He snorted a laugh to himself as he left the theatre and made his way down the street, the song playing over in his head as he walked. A trolley car ride later and he was looking up at the number on the wall as he knocked on the door, stepping back a pace and waiting for it to be answered.

Wiping his wet hands on a towel having just washed off the residue from cleaning up, Hugh called, "Be right there!" He trotted to the door and opened it a fraction. "Mr. Urban?"

Karl eyed the small gap in the door and nodded. "That'd be me, though it makes me think you're expecting m' old man," he replied with a grin. "Karl, Karl Urban."

Hugh flashed him a large grin and opened the door fully, holding out his hand. "I'm Hugh Jackman. Thanks for making an appointment with me so quickly. I really appreciate it, mate."

It is him. Karl put his hand out, shifting his tool box to his other hand. "Nice to meet you, Mr Jackman," he told him, "and no worries. All part of the service," he added.

"Call me Hugh, please. And don't be telling me no worries until you see the mess I'm asking you to deal with." He jerked his head toward the flat. "Come in and get a load of what's in store for you. We'll start with the living room."

Karl followed the man into the hall, eyeing what appeared to be some fragments of debris on the floor, but not saying anything, even when he followed Hugh into the living room. Or at least he figured that's where Hugh had led him. "Bit of redecorating happening, hey?" he asked, eyeing the holes in the wall and what appeared to be the remains of what had been the doors to the entertainment unit along one wall. The unit looked decidedly empty.

"Very spontaneous decision. I suddenly felt the urge to change everything in the room... unfortunately, not for the better. And if you think this looks bad" -he ran a finger over one of the deeper gashes- "wait until you see the bedroom."

"Well, that's alright then," Karl replied with a grin and quirk of the eyebrow, the damage fairly obviously done in a rather intense rage, from his experience. "Uh, is it just this and the bedroom?" he asked, not sure if he was supposed to go and find the room himself, and not wanting to interrupt Hugh's contemplation of the damage.

"That would be far too easy, mate. Far too easy. Follow me." Hugh led Karl along the hallway to the bedroom, slowly so he could take in the holes made from ripped down pictures, the askew doors of the bathroom and bedroom, and a few scratches in the hardwood floors. "But this room is the piece-de-resistance."

Karl took in the damage and eyed Hugh's back a little warily. He knew of 'artistic temper', and had seen the damage caused by anger back home. This was up there with the top ones he could remember. When he followed Hugh into the 'piece-de-resistance' he paused, his head slowly turning as his eyes traveled across the obvious devastation. "Ah, the eye of the cyclone took it's time in here," he murmured softly.

"Actually, I managed it in a few moments," Hugh said with a little snort. "Though I came back once or twice to grab a few things and fling them out the window. Well, maybe a lot of things..." He blew out a deep sigh and turned to look at Karl. "Is the hole in the wall behind the bed even fixable? I think I can see outside through it a little."

Karl walked over and looked through the jagged rend in the inside paneling, confirming that the light visible was just from a vent higher up and not from any damage to the outer layer. Thanks for small mercies!

He nodded as he stepped back after taking another look around inside the wall, seeing the actual frame was still intact, the main damage having been done to the actual wall paneling rather than the studs and beams.

"Yep, it's all fixable, just a case of when you want it finished," he told Hugh, taking a look at the rest of the damage.

"Well, I'd like to sell this place as soon as I can, but I can always move out before you're done. So, really, there's no rush. I want the best fix possible, short of knocking out the wall and rebuilding. Now, let's show you what I managed to do to the kitchen tiles and the ceiling. Though damned if I remember bringing any of the ceiling down on me." He snorted, figuring it must have been somewhere into his second bottle of run, following the vodka.

Ceiling? "Maybe the eye was here but sounds like there may be more to the wall, as such," he murmured as again he fell into step behind the man. He figured it must have been something to do with a relationship to have brought on this level of destruction, as career dramas didn't usually cause the need to move out. Well not most of the time.

"The damage managed to spread out everywhere," Hugh agreed with another grumble at himself. "As long as we are headed for the kitchen, want something to drink while you total up the estimate for repairing my little fit of temper?" The last words sounded sardonic and amused.

"Hate t' see you get into a full-on rage!" Karl told him jokingly as they made their way along the hall again. "And uh... guess so," he replied to the question of a drink. He wasn't going to be starting work on this job right away, that's for sure.

"I guess we all have our limits," Hugh said a bit grimly. "What's your poison, mate? Not sure I have anything strong left... kinda drank myself dry of those."

"Anything, really. Water, juice, beer." He wondered for a moment what had made the man in front of him angry enough to do this much damage.

"Water. Juice. Beer." Hugh produced all three on the counter, which sported its own signs of the colossal failure of Hugh's temper. "I also have soda and some sort of energy drink that turns your body into a jingling mass of tangled neurons all trying fire at once."

"Might hang on to that for when I'm actually getting to work in here," he replied, eyes traveling across the ceiling, the broken tiles only a part of the story. The range hood hanging on by it's wiring and ducted outlet, the dents in the door of the stainless steel refrigerator, and cracks in the glass of the oven doors all telling more of a story than he figured Hugh realised. He smiled a little weakly at Hugh. "You sure you don't have any of that scotch? Y' might need it for when you see how much this all might cost," he told the man, not pulling any punches. "Must've been a pretty big barny," he added in a mutter.

Hugh just threw back his head and laughed, a deliciously low and ironic sound in his damaged home. "I'm rich... I'll survive the costs. And it was a pretty big barny... named Hugh Jackman. You know, it occurs to me that I should ask you not to bandy this about, mate."

Karl shrugged lightly. "Beer's good. And no worries mate, not int' the gossip scene and know a little of what it's like to try and keep y' private life just that." His brother wasn't on the same level as Hugh, international recognition and well known face and name, but he had at times had to battle the 'familiarity breeds contempt' issues of being in the public eye through his 'job'. "Your place, your business, and that's as far as it goes." He eyed him for a moment, then went back to looking around the kitchen, making sure he'd seen all the damage.

Hugh took the water and sipped it for a few moments before he spoke again. "That's good of you, mate. I'm not used enough to this whole popularity thing to remember that people actually care what I do. Guess I totally forgot when I did all this." He laughed again, though humorlessly. "Tell me. What made you leave home to come here?"

Coming back around the bench to where Hugh was holding out the beer to him, Karl took it and thanked him, leaning back against the counter as he opened it. "Itchy feet and a lady named Katrina," he replied, before taking a swig from the beer. He exhaled happily as the cold liquid slid down and shrugged a little. "Figured this was as good a place as any to start m' 'journey of discovery', so to speak."

"It's a great place... even more so since the hurricane, in some ways. Worse in others, of course. A lot of broken faces and spirits." He leaned against the counter as his face grew distant. "I was away at the time, but most of my friends were here when it hit."

"Yeah? Lucky, from what I can gather. Don't know that I'd want to have been here when it happened. Was pretty rough going from all accounts," Karl replied, mouth twisting into a wry grimace. He'd heard too many of the horror stories to have any misconceptions about how bad it'd been.

"Not a lot of tourists coming back here, yet, either. Streets feel empty half the time... but I couldn't leave at this point. New Orleans has given me a lot of good breaks, so I owe her a few." Hugh sipped his water again. "You know, I'd like to say that I'm not really a bad guy, all physical evidence to the contrary. No plans to start any screaming matches with you or anything."

Karl laughed, raising his beer to the singer. "Glad t' hear it mate!" he told him, again for a moment wondering what'd brought on the initial destructive tirade. "I'm all for makin' love, not war!" he added with a laugh.

"Afraid I won't be of much use to you in that sense, either," Hugh observed quietly, his face a blank mask for a moment. "Gonna have to put up with friendly only when I am around. I have a key for you, since I assume you're going to need to be here when I am not a lot."

Karl looked a little embarrassed, managing to hide his head for a moment as he turned to look at the damage on the tiles a little more closely. "Uh, if you're alright with that," he told Hugh, swallowing quickly.

"Any reason I shouldn't be, mate? Planning to loot the place? Gotta say, the best stuff is all in the garbage at this point." His smile reappeared, teasing the younger man. He held out the keys and jangled them a little. "After all, I'm trusting you with my private life, why not some keys?"

He threw a look over his shoulder and saw the keys Hugh was dangling. "Yeah, guess so," he conceded, but didn't take the keys. "And.. uh, don't you want some sort of a quote first?" he asked, a little unsure about taking the keys when price hadn't even been discussed.

"You willing and able to fix this mess?" Hugh asked quietly, his voice almost a rumble in his chest. He kept the keys held out and gave Karl with what could almost be termed a snake-charmer's stare.

Karl knew he could fix most of it, the fridge and oven probably going to be outside jobs. He nodded, still not looking Hugh in the eye as he straightened up again. As he reached out to take the still proffered keys his eyes met Hugh's and his hand stopped, fingers closed lightly around the dangled metal, but not taking it yet. "Yeah, can fix the house, and most of the contents, just a few things might need some help on," he replied, voice matching Hugh's.

"Then unless you attempt to take everything including the clothes off my back, I'll trust you with the repairs. You've promised to keep my secret, you're almost a countryman and I like the way you look. I'm used to making snap decisions... but do leave me an estimate. Maybe I can even get you to reduce the price a little with a few well-times songs." He pressed the metal more firmly into Karl's hand and let go.

Karl nodded at the comment re 'almost a countryman', taking the keys and looking down at them in his palm before shoving them in his pocket. "Don't know they'd fit me," he replied, trying to make a joke out of the comment about the clothes. He'd already noticed Hugh's body, and how fit it was, but had stopped at that, especially after the comment he'd made. "Just leave the one about where you call home out and we might have a deal," he added with a wry grin.

"I am not the boy next door," Hugh sang softly with a little twist of his hips and a wry grin back. "No Australia... gotcha. And I agree, you might be a bit broad in the shoulders for my clothes. And an inch too short, but damn close. It's refreshing to look someone in the eye."

Karl's eyes met Hugh's again, holding them for a moment before looking away again. The laugh didn't make it to the man's eyes he noticed, before slowly nodding. "Yeah, all the labouring I guess," he offered, not sure why he did.

"Don't knock it if you've got it," Hugh said reasonably and then sighed and looked around again. "So, any idea when you can get to this mess?"

Karl looked around the kitchen again, thinking what he had going on at the theatre this week, and what was still coming up in other jobs. "Probably could start it on Saturday, if you don't mind me working weekends," he told Hugh, suddenly wondering if the guy was working at the moment. "You got any times you don't want me wanderin' in, like if y' trying to sleep and all?" he asked

Hugh made a bit of a face and shook his head. "I'm used to people coming in at all hours. Just try to give me a bit of warning, if you can. And look around a bit more if you want. I need to dress for my show tonight." He jerked his head toward the bedroom. "I'll just be a few."

Karl nodded, finishing his beer and dropping his empty in the trash. He made his way back down the hall, looking into what he guessed was the main, or guest bathroom, before moving back into the living room again. The wall unit wasn't going to be cheap, the quality of the timber alone going to make it expensive to match it as the large splinters of the door frames were only useful now as kindling for a fire. He wasn't sure what type of glass was used in it, picking up the remains of one frame to try and extract some.

Hugh dressed quickly in his evening clothes- all black to both reflect his mood and nicely show off his body. As the song goes, 'When Ya Got it, Flaunt It.' He dug out the pendant designed by Sean Bean and fumbled a bit with the clasp, finally swearing uselessly under his breath. "Don't suppose you'd mind doing me a more personal favor?" he asked, strolling over to where Karl appeared to be communing with the remains of a door frame.

Karl looked around suddenly, not having heard Hugh approach as he'd been trying to think which merchant would be the best to get the timber through. "Uh, sure, I'll try," he offered, not sure what Hugh wanted a hand with.

Holding up the silver pendant and chain, Hugh grumbled, "You’d think I could work a simple clasp, but I cannot get this undone and around my neck to save my life. Mind?"

Karl looked at the piece, appreciating the craftsmanship as he took it from Hugh. "Nice," he said, turning it over briefly before taking a hold of the clasp and managing to open it and fasten it around Hugh's neck.

Hugh straightened up from his slight crouch and fingered the pendant. "Think so? The guy designs them himself... runs a little stall by the river." He stood and dusted himself off. 'Well, time to go charm a few more folks. How do I look?"

Karl grinned, eyeing the man but bit back the comment that first came to mind. "Uh, charming?" he said instead, giving him a nod. "Go knock 'em dead," he added, with a wink, stepping back a pace.

"Thank you, I'll do my best. Leave me a copy of the estimate if you have one before you go. And help yourself to anything in the fridge." He flashed the trademark smile once more at Karl, before scooping up his own set of keys and strolling out, using his show walk.

Karl assured Hugh he'd leave him a quote, and watched the man leave, still a little amazed at how quickly the guy'd just handed over the keys to a complete stranger. When he heard the front door latch close he looked around again and sighed. OK, back to work, Urban. He headed out to the hall, where he'd left his took kit when he'd first walked in, pulling the quote book out from inside the lid and starting to make notes as he walked back through the house.

August 31, 2006; Sean Bean's Jewelry Stall; Sean Bean Hugh Jackman

2006-08-31T10:37:20Z

[cross posted to hugh_jackman_q]

Hugh wandered the streets of the French Quarter aimlessly, carrying the ring he meant to give to Maria in his jacket pocket. At first, he considered tossing it away and then handing it to some total stranger, but he could not bring himself to just be rid of something he took so long in choosing. So, he headed for the river and wandered amongst the people there, occasionally stopping to sign a few autographs, until he found himself in front of a small stall selling jewelry.

Pausing, he looked over the interesting jewelry there, thinking he might pick up a few pieces for his act. It never hurt to supplement your outfit with new chains, and Hugh did hate to be caught wearing the same things too often (at his act, anyway). "Are these all your wares?" he asked the intense looking man running the stall.

Sean looked up from the newspaper he was reading at the voice and shaded his eyes a bit to see the face of the man standing in front of him. When he caught sight that the man was gesturing to the jewelry Sean nodded his head. "Yep, any of the cases or the racks on the side," he said gesturing to the earring racks.

"These are nice pieces... do you make them yourself?" Hugh considered a pendant that appeared to be two curved wings in silver connected by a star. "That's lovely. May I see it closer?" He lifted his head to regard the shop owner more closely and grinned to himself. Kevin would pee his pants over this man- older, built and with rugged good looks and almost dangerous green eyes.

"Yeah, I make them myself, with a bit of help from tools of course." Sean sat up a bit from his seat so he could look at the pendant that the man was pointing to before reaching inside the case. After picking it up on the cardboard holding it Sean passed it over to the man, watching him more closely as the man took it from him. "If you end up liking it I have chains for the design, easier to store without the chains."

Hugh studied the pendant, considering which new outfit for his show he would wear it with, before nodding a few times. "Yeah, this one, plus the chain, please." He studied two pendants that resembled a wavy pair of wings, crossed by two almost scythe-like pieces and with quarter moons balanced on each. "The smaller one of these, as well, if you would."

Sean was surprised at how quick the man was to make a decision. Apparently the women that had been frequenting his stall lately were getting to him. He looked at the second pendant the man was motioning to and nodded. "Do you want a thin or thick change for that one," he asked and gestured to the one the man was holding as he pulled out the other one. "And you want the chain for the smaller as well?"

"Which do you prefer for the pendant? Thick or thin?" Hugh leaned forward to get a closer look at both the jewelry and the jeweler. "And I'll take the chain with the second one as well. They'll look good with my black outfits..." he reached in his pocket and pulled out the smalljewelry box. "I don't suppose you could use an engagement ring, could you?"

Reaching under the table Sean found the two different chains he had that would match the pendants, setting the thin silver chain aside for the smaller pendant. "For you," Sean paused to hold up the thicker chain that would still fit for the pendant the man had first pointed out. With the tan the man had going Sean could imagine that the chain would looking smashing, especially if the man was wearing black. "I think the thicker chain, especially with the thinner one on the other pendant." When the man mentioned the engagement ring he looked down and couldn't help but raise an eyebrow. "Bit early to be proposing to me mate," he said hoping to lighten the mood even as he took the box to look at the ring.

"Gotta work fast in this town," Hugh joked back, managing to keep his smile in place by not looking at the ring. "Seriously, if you can use it for any reason, keep it. This diamond ring doesn't shine for me anymore, and all that..." He lifted the thicker chain and nodded a few times. "I guess the bigger one is better suited to me than the thinner. I just like the elegant look of a thin chain... refined, like the pendants."

f it wasn't for the comment and the way that the man was looking Sean would have asked more about the ring and nodded. It wasn't what he usually sold at the stall but Sean was certain some little thing would buy it up in a matter of days, especially cause he wasn't about the put the price tag that was no doubt spent on it along with the ring. "How about I give you a thin chain for the pendant as well in trade?" he asked looking up at the man, closing the jewelry box so the man wouldn't have to chance looking at something he obviously didn't want to look at.

"Who said trade? You can have it, straight up. I'll pay for the jewelry...it's worth it." He looked over the little stall appreciatively. "Probably be back for more." He caught the green eyes with his own hazel ones and said firmly, "It's worth nothing to me anymore. Maybe you'll have better luck with it."

Sean met the man's gaze and finally nodded. "If you're sure, I'm just not use to having people give me things for nothing." Turning back to the stuff the man was purchasing Sean had to admit that hearing the man would be back made him happy. Hell this was the easiest customer he'd had in weeks. "I might get some money for it but definitely wouldn't find a use for it myself. Although maybe if I try your trick I might get lucky at some point," he joked looking down at the pendants. "Do you want them wrapped or are you planning on walking one out?"

"The best things in life are free," Hugh sang softly, before saying, "I wouldn't want you to miss out on a chance for some free advertising. I'll wear it out... and take one of your cards for my show, so people know whose work I'm wearing." He tilted his head, a truly amused smile on his face. "You have no idea who I am, do you?"

"No, although I'm starting to get the feeling you're someone that I should know." Sean leaned back in his seat and looked the man over even as he started hooking one of the cords through the pendant the man had first picked up.

"I'm somebody everyone should know," Hugh said, but with an obviously joking tone. "My name's Hugh Jackman. I'm a bit well known in these parts as a singer. Nothing tremendous, but I've been damn lucky." He arched one of his curved eyebrows at Bean. "Ring any bells? I could demo for you." His face broke out in a large grin.

Sean thought about the name, it sounded familiar but not enough that Sean could actually really say he'd heard of the guy standing in front of him. "Rings a bell but not one I can say I know you," he admitted finally, returning the man's smile. Seems even if the guy had come upon some hard times with the ring he hadn't lost all his sense of humor. "You play around here or actually have a CD running around?"

"Both. Prefer live to studio, but the CD has brought in more crowds. Next time, I'll bring one. No harm pimping myself." He reached out for the necklace. "That is gorgeous. Do the shapes have any special connotation or meaning?"

"No harm at all, especially if it brings you back buy for possible business," Sean said and winked at Huge before relaxing a bit as he let Hugh take the necklace from him. One thing Sean always enjoyed even when he didn't tell people was seeing their faces when they truly liked a piece he did. He was pleased to see the true pleasure in Hugh's face. "Most of the time they don't unless I get on a full Celtic kick, then I usually look up knot worth for wealth, prosperity, love, luck. The typical things people look for." Sean eyed the piece again, trying to remember when he'd actually done that one.

"I could use the luck in love bit right now," Hugh said with a touch of gloom. "The wealth and prosperity seem to be going all right for the moment. Still, no harm in keeping it that way." He glanced back at Sean. "Mostly deal with the tourists?"

"Love is over rated sometimes," Sean pointed out before moving on to writing up a ticket for Hugh. "I get a fair share of tourists, get some of the rich folk though that come down for anniversaries or daughters proms, such things."

"And a few stray blokes like me, just wandering around, not looking for much of anything. Just putting one foot in front of the other and seeing what happens." He meandered back to stand by the glass cases,looking over the wares again. "Do you make much with stones? Other than the earrings?"

"Earrings, some of the pendants," Sean followed Hugh with his eyes for a moment before pulling out his calculator to finish up the ticket. "I don't like doing bracelets with the jewels, I've broken too many myself let alone giving them to people to break and come back complaining to me about."

"Not much for bracelets anyway, though maybe something for my ankle... The plain silver is lovely, but a splash of color is always welcome, too. Maybe an emerald or a ruby or just a nice piece of obsidian or turquoise..." He shrugged and shook the unfocused thoughts away. "So, what's the damage, mate?"

Sean passed over the ticket when he'd finally written the total at the bottom. "I'll see if I can come up with something like that, if you'd be interested."

"Maybe you could design a signature piece of some sort for me," Hugh said thoughtfully, looking at the price with only half of his attention. He pulled out his wallet and paid in cash. "Good price for such lovely work."

Taking the money Sean grinned before changing out the bills. "I can give it a go if you want me to design you a one of the kind. Would need a few weeks to do it though."

"There's no rush. I'm not going anywhere that I know of..." He took his change and stuffed it in his wallet without glancing at the amount. "I'll probably bring my friend along with me next time. He'll like your work..." //And you.//

Sean put the purchases that Hugh wasn't going to wear out into a bag and handed it to him before leaning back in his chair. "Won't hear me complaining, bringing people along usually means more business."

"Oh, I'm sure Kevin will be glad to give you the business," Hugh said, putting a special twist on the last word. He picked up the package and lifted an eyebrow. "Thank you, Mister..." He let the end trail off into a question.

"Sean," he said unable to keep from raising an eyebrow at the way Hugh had said that statement. "Sean Bean."

"Mister Sean Bean," Hugh said with a little grin at the interested look he got from the other man. "Have fun with the ring. I'll be back."

"Have a good day, Hugh, be seeing you soon." Sean watched as Hugh walked away, looking down at the ring box sitting on the table.

Kevin Attempts to Console Hugh

2006-08-25T04:49:16Z

Hugh slumped in his chair, ignoring the loud Saturday night crowd of the bar and the interested glances directed his way, as a single man, from both women and a few men. He nursed his beer moodily, waiting for Kevin to arrive, and hoping his friend might be interested in a real binge with him tonight.

Normally after a shift like the one he just had, Kevin would have gone straight home but not tonight, tonight he had other plans. Heath had called him that afternoon and just hearing his friend's voice again and the promise of beer and good company had done the trick: he didn't feel nowhere near as tired as he looked. When his shift had ended, he took a quick shower and changed and headed for their regular bar, once there he immediately spotted Hugh and a bright smile crossed his face as he made his way through the crowd to greet his friend.

Feeling Kevin approach through the crowd of unfamiliar people, Hugh looked up at his close friend with a weary, halfhearted smile. "Hey." He stood up to thump his back a little in greeting. "It's great to see you. Busy day at the hospital?"

"Hey - " Kevin replied, smile fading a little as he noticed the expression on the man's face. "Pretty much, yeah." He waved his hand dismissively. "Enough about that. You look like shit - " No one had ever accused him of being subtle and while he knew he probably didn't look a whole lot better, Hugh usually did. "What's up?" he asked as he sat down, his eyes still on Hugh.

"Yeah... thanks for pointing it out," Hugh said grumpily, fussing with his jacket for a moment. "Maria and I broke up... well, I should say that she broke up with me by fucking with Carl in our bed!" His fists curled up automatically as his blood seemed to boil over in memory. "I came home a day early to surprise her and find her with that fucking gigolo in our bed, howling like a pair of bitches in heat!"

The mere visual had Kevin wrinkling his nose in disgust. Although Carl - He shook his head, absently signaling to a waitress for another round. "I'm sorry, man. That, well, sucks." He'd never been a big fan of Maria but seeing how happy Hugh was when he was with her, had been reason enough for him to hold his tongue. He scratched his head, at a loss for words for a moment. "So what happened after that?" he asked after the waitress had brought them their beers. Somehow he couldn't see Hugh running out of the house without at least putting up a good fight.

"I threw them out," Hugh said. "And I think I smashed almost all of the movie and CD collection... shit, you should have heard Maria screaming at me when I tossed her clothes out the windows... got fined for that shit..." Hugh rubbed his eyes tiredly and downed his beer. "Then drank several bottles of whatever the Hell was in the liquor cabinet and woke up half on and half off the record player."

"Several bottles?" Kevin drawled, blinking. "In that case, you're looking damn fine actually - considering." He shook his head and took a sip of beer. "But, you know, glad to hear there was no bodily harm." Not that Hugh couldn't have taken Carl of course, but Kevin was still glad the man hadn't. "You hear from her today?"

A snort answered the last question. "No. Oh, there might have been bodily harm, if I could have thought straight enough to have caused bodily harm. I was lucky not to have thrown myself out the window with some of Maria's clothes, I was so enraged." He finished his beer and signaled for another. "I feel like crap... in so many ways."

"Obviously," Kevin said dryly. " And just keep it in mind for next time to inflict some bodily harm; just not to yourself, okay?" He shrugged, more than a little worried about his friend. "But let me just say, you know, before we start drinking for real: alcohol is not gonna make you feel any better in the long run." Probably not the short run either, judging by Hugh's current state.

The look Hugh gave him boiled down to 'thanks for nothing,' but sighed in agreement. "I know, mate, but I don't know what to fucking do." he thunked his head to the table and bashed it there a few times, though not very hard. "Seven fucking years and for what?"

Kevin sighed. "I could be a sanctimonious asshole and tell you there were plenty of good times during those years and that you should focus on that." The hint of a smile formed on his lips as he shook his head again. "But yeah, you just wasted seven years of your life. I'd say only a disturbing amount of alcohol will make you forget about that. For about five seconds."

"I hate you," Hugh said with a complete lack of fire in his voice. "You should be helping me get wasted and pick up hookers for meaningless sex. If not just bashing my head in and sparing me the pain."

"Damn. Forgot about the hookers. Sorry, man. I suck." He grinned and took another sip from his drink. "But if I can make up for that by bashing your head in, then sure - just let me finish my drink, okay?"

"Yeah, fucking hate you," Hugh said, opening up his second beer and playing with it. "What do I do, Kevin? I mean... other than suffer through the next months and years and swear off women."

"Swearing off women is always a good start, yeah." Kevin nodded. "But the suffering for years is not an option. I'm not gonna let you - gonna give you a week. Maybe two. After all, didn't we just establish you wasted years already?" He finished his beer and added, his voice growing more serious, "You're not gonna do anything, Hugh. You're just gonna sit here, get wasted and then I'll take you home. And tomorrow we'll do it all over again. As long as it takes, okay?"

"I thought you said it was useless," Hugh said, his mouth turning up at the corners in a smile again. "Two weeks of getting wasted... might bloody well ruin my voice, though."

"They pay me to say that," Kevin grinned. "And you wouldn't be drinking all the time, there's passing out as well of course. That and there's a slight chance it'll actually improve your voice - "

"I've never heard of liquor improving a voice," Hugh said, but he grinned in response to his friend. "But at least you have finally suggested a reasonable course of action." He lifted his beer in a toast. "To getting plastered."

He returned the toast, smiling. "Maybe not liquor. Smoking probably will though. Think about it." His smile widened. "And I'm glad you approve. Even though I hope that doesn't mean the bashing your head in is off the table now. I was kinda looking forward to that, just to prove I'm a good friend of course."

"I'm veering back toward hating you," Hugh warned, but his smile grew in size. He glanced at his beer. "If we're going to get sloshed, this is not going to do. As a trained professional, what do you suggest?"

As a trained professional I'd be suggesting not to get sloshed at all. But since I really wanna see you show me some love tonight I'm gonna go with scotch. And lots of it," Kevin replied, straight-faced. "Still hate me?"

"That depends on the kind of love I'm supposed to be showing you. It's been a long time since I had a man," Hugh teased. "But Scotch sounds perfect. Lots of it sounds better than perfect."

Kevin chuckled. "Don't even go there, although I did just tell you to swear off women, right? Play the field a little, get a little less, you know, rusty and we'll talk. Until then I'm afraid you're gonna have to settle for Scotch instead. And needless to say, you're buying - "

"No field playing for me for awhile, mate. Not even mindless sex. I was never any good at that..." Hugh sighed softly and went up to the bar, choosing their best scotch before carrying it back to the table. "This good enough for you?"

"I usually drink the cheap stuff, remember, so, yeah, this is good, all right." He sat back in his chair and looked at his friend. "It's a shame, you know, that you don't do mindless sex. It's actually one of the things that works best for me whenever I'm - " His voice trailed off and he gave an almost helpless shrug; after all none of his relationships had ever lasted long enough to be considered even remotely serious so he couldn't claim to be familiar with the situation Hugh found himself in right now.

Hugh sighed and poured them both a shot. "I got bored with it. Wanted something more... thought I found it." He downed the scotch and poured himself another. "More fool I."

"Yeah, well - " Kevin toyed with his glass, he had no intention of trying to keep up with Hugh tonight. "You know I don't really believe there's a whole lot more than that anyway. But it's kinda cute that you do, I guess - " He smirked. "Cute, not foolish.

“Yes, thank you, mate, for pointing out my cuteness." He took another swig of scotch. "I'll still fool you though. Find the handsomest or ugliest or middle-of-the-road or whatever person and fall in love and just... you know... be happy. Cause... it happens." Nodding sagely, he downed the rest. "Happen to you, too."

"No, it won't," Kevin protested meekly, they both knew he had a habit of falling in and out of love just about every other week. "And even if it does - it's not gonna last anyway. I'm the short-term option or the rebound guy, remember?"

"Quit making so little of yourself, mate," Hugh chided, urging him to drink his Scotch. "You're not getting away with getting me drunk alone, so finish that up."

"Hey - someone's gotta carry your ass home in a couple of hours. And I'm actually kinda proud of the rebound thing; there's never a shortage there after all," he said with a shrug before obediently downing his drink in one go. "Happy?"

"Is that some sort of trick question?" Hugh grumbled, filling his glass again. "We can stumble home together, singing stupid songs off key and walking into walls. And you're far too good to be wasting yourself on rebounds." He nodded again, feeling sage and knowing the drink was starting to have an effect.

"The walking home thing would be fun if I wouldn't be the only one singing off key there - " Kevin drawled, smirking. "But yes, let's spend the night talking about how good I am. Because again, I'd say you don't wanna go there. Although I am pretty damn good," he continued before swallowing about half of his Scotch in one gulp. "Did I ever tell you that?"

"You may have mentioned your prowess to me on a few occasions," Hugh said with a snort. "And you've brought an impressive string of dates along through my faithful seven years to one person." He downed the next shot and blinked a few times like an owl. "Whoa... more like it."

Kevin grinned. "Now there's an attractive look - makes it hard to believe I never tried to get you into bed." He sighed theatrically. "Nice to know you were impressed by the quantity of dates, maybe one day you're gonna tell me you were impressed by the quality as well." He finished his shot and held out his glass. "Give me another one and I'll promise I'll start cheering you up instead of, you know, depressing myself."

Hugh poured him a generous amount, sloshing some out. "Well, they were all- er- they were all-" He squinted hard, trying to think of what they all were. "-all were... endowed, yes." He nodded in agreement to himself and poured a bit more in his glass. "And alive!"

"Yeah, but that's because of my high standards," Kevin agreed. "They gotta at least be willing and, you know, able. I won't settle for anything less," he added, rolling his eyes at the other man.

"Breathing is a must," Hugh added helpfully. He smiled brightly at Kevin. "Why was I not on the list? I do all those things... oh- not... er- endowed enuff?"

Kevin nearly choked on his drink. "Believe me, you definitely are endowed enough. I just never been lucky enough to catch you on the rebound, I guess. That's all."

"Only want a rebound rela- rela- affair with me, huh?" Hugh sounded sympathetic and sad at the same time.

"It's what I do, man," Kevin said with a small shrug as he finished his drink. "You're like serious relationship material, you know? That thought alone is enough to send me running for the hills."

"Thanksh," Hugh slurred a little at the end and frowned. "Really thinksh I should be more like you. Fuck 'em and stuff em?"

"No, you shouldn't, Hugh. If only because I don't wanna be competing with you - " He smirked. "Not that I'd worry or anything, it's just, you know, it wouldn't be you - " He raised his glass, waving it in front of Hugh. "Wanna tell me what a guy has to do around here to get a refill?"

A little rough on the coordination, Hugh waved the bottle back and forth in a vain attempt to refill it. He finally grabbed the offending glass and dumped a bunch in. "There. Refill."

"So all a guy has to do is wave his glass around?" Kevin asked with a mock look of disappointment. "Damn, I was thinking it would at least involve some sexual favors or something - "

"Ewww...weird..." Hugh wrinkled his nose at the suggestion. "No favorsh to bar tender... not my typesh."

Kevin grinned. "Since you gave me the refill I was kinda referring to you there - but maybe I'll offer my services to the bartender instead." He turned his head and scanned the crowd, looking to find said bartender. "Right. Or, you know, not."

"Need much more scotch before offersh," Hugh agreed. "Need more anyway." He made his way back to the bar and snagged yet another bottle, over tipping the bar tender by a bit. Thunking back down, he said, "What shall we drinks to?"

"To us - getting drunk," Kevin drawled with another worried glance at the bartender. He definitely wasn't going there. "You're pretty much there already, I think. Not me though. So to me. Getting drunk. Drinking."

"I am?" Hugh considered this very seriously,his tongue stuck out of his mouth a little. "Naw." He tilted his head back and slung the whole glass back in one gulp. "Very shober."

"Clearly," Kevin agreed. "But that's just because it doesn't take a whole lot for you to get drunk. I can drink all night without it affecting me in any way." He turned his head toward the bartender again, he could almost feel the man's eyes on him, yet every time he looked the man had his head turned. Weird. "So, did you clean up your place?" he asked suddenly.

"I am not a light weight!" Hugh protested, a bit too loudly. "Jush... heartbroken ish all." He scrunched his face up at the second question. "Naw. 'Morrow."

"I'll give you a hand," Kevin promised. "It's my passion after all. And your light weight ass won't be up to it anyway , heartbroken or not." He downed his shot and glanced at his glass before looking back up at Hugh. "You know that guy totally wants me," he murmured, waving his glass toward the bar. "I'm a little worried actually."
"Mmm, go for its! Lots of free booze." Hugh turned and waved at the bartender.

"I'm not exactly in need of more free booze, man," Kevin said, hoping the bartender had missed Hugh's wave. "And if I'm gonna go for quality, I'm thinking he ain't it. He's gotta be incredibly gifted to make up for, you know, looking like that anyway."

"But he'sh breathing and probably en- en- big... so that'sh your criter- crit- what you need." Hugh looked at his friend seriously. "Sexsh and bigness."

"Yes," Kevin said in a grave voice. "I do like me some bigness. I just want it to be a little less hairy than that. The bigness." He blinked, shaking his head: that didn't sound right. "Never mind. Just fill me up already."

"But...I thought... not with me," Hugh stammered, his eyes huge and his cheeks flushing with a tinge of embarrassment.

"What?" Kevin blinked, confusion clear on his face. "What did I say?" He thought he'd asked Hugh for another shot but seeing the man's reaction he wasn't entirely sure.

“To be filled up." Hugh regarded him with utmost seriousness. "I lovesh you, Kevin, but not shure I can fill you."

"I'm sure you could fill me up just fine," Kevin drawled, grinning broadly once he'd finally caught on. "But I was actually asking you to fill my glass and not, you know, my ass."

"Oh." Hugh grinned and filled his glass carefully, not letting it spill too badly. "That I can do... done... did..." He frowned suddenly and said, apparently apropos of nothing, "I'm kinda hairy."

"You're not that hairy," Kevin said after giving the matter some serious thought. "Just hairy enough. And sure as hell not too hairy to fill my glass." He took a sip from his glass. "Or my ass. But you don't wanna do that."

"Scotch ish washted up there," Hugh agreed cheerfully, without really knowing what Kevin was talking about. He contemplated his own glass before sipping it most carefully.

He rolled his eyes. "Man, you're so fuckin' drunk," he drawled. "Although I don't think it would be a total waste - "

"Fucking washted," Hugh agreed, "jush like you told me to be." He waved his hand in the air as if about to make some point and then dropped it on the table with a thunk. "Fucking Maria."

"Now you're talking," Kevin said, nodding appreciatively. "I think." Because maybe Hugh was just making a suggestion. "Either way,I think you're gonna have to finish that bottle all by yourself, man." He downed his own drink and pushed the glass to the side.

"Why?" Hugh looked very distraught at him and reached out to push his glass back toward him. "Thought we wash in thish together."

Kevin sighed and held up his hands. "Yeah, we are. I'm just trying to be the responsible one here." He grinned and shook his head at the look on Hugh's face. "And that's probably way too many syllables for ya right there. All right. Give me one more."

The last part Hugh understood, so he poured more scotch into the glass. "Shall we dansh after thish?"

"Yeah - let's." Kevin grinned as he eyed his glass wearily. "I'd pay to see that actually. So, yeah, definitely, you're on."

Hugh grinned challengingly at his friend. "Dancsh you under the table, friend. Your ash is toast."

"Keep dreaming, Hugh," Kevin drawled. "Because even when you're sober I'd kick your ass any time. And since you're, you know, really not sober I'd totally beat your sorry ass."

"My ash is not sorry! It'sh quite... perfect. Nicsh and round and firm and perfect. And Maria gave it up..." He sighed and drowned more sorrow in liquor. "Wanna dansh now."

“We're not gonna dance now." He took a sip from his drink, still thinking it would be best not to drink any more. "Just keep that perfect ass of yours in the damned chair and drink, okay?"

"Well, if you won't dansch with me... dansch by myshelf." He stood up, slightly unsteady and marched to the dance floor determinedly. Although not exactly sober, his body picked up the rhythm of the music and began to rock out, rather wildly.

"Jesus," Kevin groaned as he pushed his chair back and stood up as well. Not that he planned on doing any dancing whatsoever, he just wanted to avoid Hugh from inflicting any bodily harm to himself. Just watching the guy was a little painful. "Hugh, stop. Please," he urged once he neared the man. "Seriously, man. You're hurting me here - "

Grabbing Kevin by the waist, Hugh dragged him into the wild dance, nearly knocking them both flat on their asses. "Hurting you?"

"Your dancing, man. Dude, it's - " He slid one arm around Hugh in an attempt to keep his balance. "You're killing me - "

Hugh kept a tight hold on Kevin as he never stopped moving with the beat. "Itsh fun! Whatsh wrong with my danshing?" He nearly fell over Kevin's feet, someone else's feet and then finally toppled backward over his own.

"What isn't?" Kevin said, tightening his hold on Hugh to keep the man from actually falling over. "And we're not gonna debate your moves - you're just gonna stop moving." With that he wrapped his other arm around Hugh's waist as well and pulled the man close. "We're not dancing, Hugh. Not tonight."

"Then whatsh are we gonna do?" Hugh asked piteously, leaning comfortably against his best mate.

"I'm not sure," Kevin drawled, still holding onto Hugh. "We could go back to the drinking - or I could take you home. Your call, man."

"Take me home? Home ish lone..." He looked back at the dance floor hopefully. "Dansh now."

Kevin sighed, absently running his hand up Hugh's back as he shook his head. "I don't know, Hugh, maybe if you could try not to hurt me, and yourself, in the process?"

Hugh nodded enthusiastically. "Nothing wild. Promish."

"Yeah, okay," Kevin replied, wishing he was far more drunk than he actually was right now, and released his hold on the other man "Knock yourself out - "

Hugh caught the beat (well, he thought he did) and began to do a cross between a waltz and a strip tease. He paid no attention to the other people on the dance floor, which was amazing as it was packed, focusing solely on Kevin and trying to entice him to join him.

Kevin wasn't sure just what Hugh was trying to do, because whatever it was looked like it belonged in a private room somewhere. "Hugh," he said, stepping closer and trying his best not to wince. "I thought you said you weren't gonna hurt me - "

Hugh managed to look sweetly confused without stopping his gyrations. He seized Kevin by the hand and dragged him closer, his uncoordinated movements leading them into the middle of the floor. "Hurt you?"

"Yeah," he nodded, letting himself be dragged toward the man. "Think I'm gonna have to take you home - just to keep you from damaging your reputation. Rumor has it you can actually dance after all. "

"Rumor!" Hugh yelled, managing to be heard over the music. "I'm good dansher! Pro- Profesh- get paid."

"Not after tonight, you're not," Kevin grinned, no longer trying, after a few halfhearted attempts, to keep his friend from dancing off-beat. "Let's get you home, all right? You can dance, drink - do whatever you want there. Just, you know, behind closed doors."

"No home. Your plash?" Hugh's face dropped at the thought of going home to nobody.

Kevin hesitated, knowing his place wasn't really suited to entertain people right now. But then he nodded, figuring Hugh probably didn't need a whole lot of entertaining anyway. "Yeah, sure - my place. Come on," he said, gently guiding Hugh off the dance floor.

Hugh followed him without complaint, letting his friend take charge. "I can drive," he said, holding up his keys to Kevin.

"Of course you can - " Kevin nodded, a serious expression on his face as he took the keys from Hugh's hand. "But I thought it'd be fun to walk instead, you can pick up your car in the morning. Or, you know, some time tomorrow anyway."

"Walk?" Hugh gave this undo consideration, before nodding once. "Ok. Where we going?"

"My place, remember," Kevin replied happily only to realize that Hugh probably didn't know where it was since he'd moved - again - while the other man was out of town. "It's that way," he said, gesturing vaguely. "I think."

"You do?" Hugh asked ingeniously, looking at him with deep interest. "Sincsh when?"

"Since when do I think my place is that way?" Kevin asked, giving Hugh a confused look. "Since, you know, that's where I live. I think." He frowned, not entirely sure they were heading in the right direction; maybe the Scotch had affected him a little more than he thought.

"Oh." Hugh considered this as they weaved along and finally nodded. "Ok. Thish way." He took Kevin's hand. "You're a- a friend."

Kevin smiled, squeezing Hugh's hand. "Yeah, of course I am," he said, relieved when he noticed the more or less familiar apartment building where he'd moved in only a week ago. "Just ignore the mess all right?" he said just before they entered said building, unsure whether he was referring to his own apartment or the actual building itself.

Hugh barely noticed their surroundings, stumbling up the steps to the front door. "Better than mine. Broken shtuff. Ruined."

"I'm sure you didn't trash the whole place, man," Kevin said as he kept an eye on Hugh, not wanting the man to break his neck here. Or anywhere for that matter. "Would be a shame if you did," he muttered, searching his pockets for his keys. "It's a nice place after all." He opened the door, stepping to the side to allow Hugh to enter first.

"Was... not anymore..." He wavered into the apartment and headed for the first place he could sit down. So, that turned out to be a rug, and he thunked uncomfortably to the floor. "Nicsh place."

"Jesus, you gotta be really drunk to say that." Kevin grinned, not really caring about the rather abysmal state of his apartment. "But thanks anyway." He threw his keys on the kitchen counter. "Can I get you a drink or have you had enough already?

"Whatcha got?" Hugh leaned against the wall and smiled unfocusedly at Kevin. I can sthill remember her... and him... fucking..."

He blinked, Hugh's comment catching him by surprise. "Of course you can," he replied quietly. "You gotta give yourself some time, Hugh. It's not gonna go away overnight, you know." Kevin sighed, not sure what else to say and deciding to focus on what he could do instead: getting Hugh to drink more. "You want a beer, something stronger - or you want coffee instead?

"All of 'em! They were loud... like... banshees... fucking fuckers..." He sighed and rested his forehead on his knees.

"You're pretty damn loud when you're fucking too," Kevin said without thinking as he crossed the room and handed Hugh a beer. "Sorry," he added when he realized what he'd said. "Back to the not helping again, I guess."

Hugh made a noise of upset and kicked uselessly at Kevin. "They looked good... ruined my bed..." He opened the beer, spilling a lot and downed half of the rest noisily. "Yech."

"How did they ruin your bed?" Kevin crouched down next to Hugh. "Or is the answer to that gonna involve all kinds of details I don't wanna hear about?"

"They fucked in it!" Hugh said angrily and polished off the rest of the beer, ending with a loud burp. "And were over-zoo ove-zooish... too ex- oh fuck, too much fucking."

“Didn't know there was such a thing," Kevin said, giving his friend a sideways glance just in case his comment wouldn't go over well. "Although I'd probably change the sheets, maybe even burn 'em?" he suggested and handed Hugh his own beer.

"Burn the whole plash," Hugh agreed. "Bonfire. Everything. Help me?"

"Sure." He nodded, leaning back against the wall as he reached up with one hand, running his fingers through Hugh's hair. "First thing tomorrow, all right?"

Hugh rubbed against the friendly touched, feeling a bit needy after the lousy day. "Tomorrow. Big fire. Nothing left."

"Absolutely nothing," Kevin assured him. "Whatever it takes - " he murmured softly as he continued to card his fingers through the man's hair. The buzz from the alcohol was fading, leaving him with nothing but tiredness and frustration at not being able to do more for his friend.

"Don't feel good," Hugh groaned suddenly, turning a shade of unbecoming green around the gills.

"Jesus," Kevin groaned, knowing this he should've definitely seen coming. He pushed himself up, hauling Hugh to his feet in the process. "Bathroom," he murmured, gently but quickly leading the man to the bathroom. "'cause I have plans for that rug and they don't include the contents of your stomach."

Hugh managed to wait until they got into the bathroom before emptying the content of his stomach (and what felt like his entire intestinal system) into the toilet. "Ah... fuck..." He sagged to the floor and just half-lay there, unable to move.

"Yeah," Kevin sighed as he leaned over Hugh to flush the toilet. He then reached to grab a washcloth off the towel rack, running cold water on it. "Feeling any better?" he asked cheerily, crouching down in front of the man and wiping his face with the damp washcloth. "Because I gotta tell you, you're looking a whole lot better - "

"I hate you," Hugh said without any real force. He sighed gratefully for the wet cloth over his face though. "Oh, that feels good. Keep going... all the way..."

"All the way what ?" Kevin chuckled softly, slowly but efficiently cleaning his friend's face. "Because I didn't think you'd be in the mood to go all the way tonight - but, you know, if you've changed your mind, I'm thinking we should head back to the rug like right now."

"Need a shower... or a bath... or a mouthwash... all of them..." He sighed and slumped even further down. "Thanks for being here for me, Kev... I know this sucks for you."

"Pretty much, yeah," Kevin said dryly. "But this is actually one of my more enjoyable nights in quite some time." He threw the cloth into the bathroom sink and took hold of Hugh. "The bath's not gonna happen since I, you know, don't actually have one. But I can offer you a shower - can you stand up?" he asked, glancing down at Hugh with some concern.

"It is? God... your life sucks..." He stumbled to his feet and steadied himself against his friend. "Unless you want to shower with me..."

He rested his hand at the small of Hugh's back and shook his head with a look of mock hurt. "Yeah, thanks for pointing that out to me - not sure how showering with you would make it suck any less though."

"Well, thanks," Hugh muttered, scowling himself at his friend. "I know a few people who might want to shower with me... maybe not cause I can't shtand up."

"I can think of a few people who'd want to shower with you, yeah," Kevin agreed. "Just, you know, not quite like this. But hey, I'm not in the position to turn down the only offer I'm gonna get tonight - so come on, get naked already."

The last sentence struck Hugh as intensely funny, and he nearly deafened them both laughing. Finally calming down a bit, he sagged against Kevin even more. "That... wasn't even really funny."

Kevin snorted. "Yeah, probably because it wasn't supposed to be. You know at work people tend to actually follow my orders." He pulled away from Hugh just enough to see his face. "You sure about that shower or do you wanna crash instead?"

"I feel disgusting... just let me soak my head, at least. Please." He tottered for the shower and then looked at his clothes. Rubbing his forehead for a moment, he finally set about the very complicated task of getting them off. Unfortunately, somebody had made buttons and zippers and cuffs and ties a lot more complicated then they had been in the morning. "Won't come off."

"No, not like that they won't," Kevin agreed, watching Hugh's efforts for a moment before taking pity on the man and helping him out of his clothes. "You're gonna be okay in there?" he asked quietly, nodding towards the shower.

"Stand by?" Hugh asked hopefully. "Just in case I decide to fall down, go shplat."

"Definitely don't want that to happen," Kevin murmured, grinning. "All right, I'll stand by - just be careful all right?"

Hugh nodded once and groaned at the movement. He clambered in the shower painfully and turned on the water. "YEOW! Fucking fukearoo!" He turned off the hot water and went for the cold.

"You okay in there?" Kevin asked, more than a little amused and not attempting to hide it either. "And you sure about that cold shower there, man?" he asked, still grinning as he looked down at Hugh's crotch. "'cause it ain't doing you any favors - "

"Fucking hate you," Hugh muttered again, leaning his head against the wall and turning the shower more to warm. "And I've never had any complaints."

"Some people are easily impressed apparently," Kevin replied. "And with all the hating you've been doing tonight... " He grinned, his eyes never leaving Hugh, watching carefully to make sure the man didn't slip. "Let's just say I'm not that impressed."

"You should be so lucky someday," Hugh said, baring his teeth for a split second at him. He reached for the soap and unenthusiastically began to wash himself off. "Oh crap... head feels like sand."

"Yeah," Kevin muttered. "And, you know, don't bother holding onto anything because that's a good way to keep yourself from breaking your neck." He sighed, rolling his eyes at his friend. "Don't make me get in there, Hugh."

"Well, you won't do anything to me..." Hugh grumbled tiredly and signaled him to join if he wanted. Honestly, he felt like just sliding down to sit on the floor and let the water pelt him.

"Actually, if I would I'd be much more excited about showering with you," Kevin drawled, figuring that - just to keep himself from worrying of course - joining Hugh was probably best. Safest. He undressed slowly, staggering a little as he stepped out of his pants. "Too bad I have this think about not jumping my friends. Especially not when they're a little drunk," he continued as he finally joined Hugh in the shower.

"And when you are, too," Hugh grumbled, shifting to let him in the shower. "'Sides... not yer type. Jus' friends." He leaned against the tiles and smiled blearily at Kevin. "Hey."

"Hi." Kevin smiled, leaning over Hugh a little awkwardly: the tiny shower really not made for two, one was already pushing it. "And hey, you're totally my type: you're alive, aren't you? Although right now that's probably debatable."

"For both of us," Hugh grumbled and winced as he stepped on Kevin's foot. "Sorry. Can you... do my hair?"

"What am I - your fucking stylist?" Kevin muttered, already reaching for the shampoo before he finished his sentence. "And just for the record? I'm so not drunk - I'm just having this, not that pleasant, buzz right now," he continued as he started to lather up Hugh's hair with shampoo. "Maybe I should've had a few more."

"Or less... no more drinking... ever." Hugh leaned back into the touch. "Nice hands... little deeper?"

"Sure." Kevin braced himself against the wall, slowly massaging the shampoo into the other man's scalp. "And I'm pretty sure you won't remember your - very wise - decision not to drink come morning. I'll be more than happy to remind you though."

"Like you'll remember," Hugh sighed, the hands in his hair making him relax. He always enjoyed fingers running over his scalp.

"Of course I will," Kevin said, circling his palms all over Hugh's scalp. "Because I'm not drunk. Just buzzing, remember?"

"Uh huh... bussing..." He lowered his head under the spray to let the shampoo rinse away. He swayed slightly into the wall and held himself up with one arm.

"Yeah." Leaning against the wall as Hugh took over, Kevin closed his eyes for a moment, regretting it immediately when he too suddenly felt a little dizzy. "You’re just about finished?" he asked quietly, sliding his arm around Hugh, yet this time it wasn't to keep the other man from falling over.

"Sleep now," Hugh muttered. He reached for the faucets and then hesitated. "You shtink... wash."

"Gee, thanks, man," Kevin drawled, obediently reaching for the soap without letting go of Hugh. "You really know how to make a guy feel good about himself, don't you? Especially when you're probably responsible for my stinking anyway - "

"Unimpresshive," Hugh muttered, reminding him of his own insult. He managed to turn around and began washing Kevin's hair with tongue stuck out in intense concentration.

"I was talking about your dick there," Kevin said, not sure he was really helping himself by pointing that out. "I'm nothing but impressed by the rest of you. Honestly," he murmured, his eyes falling shut again as Hugh washed his hair.

"Well, thanks, pal... my dick is not good enough for ya." He pushed Kevin's head under the shower to wash off the soap.

"Not when it's all, you know, shriveled up like that. Although if you're offering - " Kevin said, shaking his head as he slowly managed to blink his eyes open again. "I'm really not that picky after all."

Hugh lightly smacked him on the top of the head. "Rat fink..." He stumbled out of the shower and messily snagged a towel to dry himself with.

Kevin turned the water off and stepped out of the shower, still blinking as he did; everything seemed to be in slow motion right now and Kevin wasn't too sure what that meant. Other than that he should probably get his ass into bed pretty damn soon. Picking up the remaining towel, he dried himself off - slowly of course - and stared at Hugh. "You're staying, right?"

"Want me to go?" Hugh asked pathetically, fighting to keep his lower lip from jutting out in a pout. He tossed the towel away and stared at Kevin, swaying slightly.

"No, I was just thinking you really shouldn't be driving right now," Kevin said, quite pleased with himself for finding a reason for Hugh to stay. "And I'll even give up my bed for you - I don't mind sleeping on the couch."

"Share?" Hugh asked, yawning widely and smiling unfocusedly at Kevin.

"I don't know." Kevin frowned, shaking his head as he dropped the towel onto the floor. "It's really not that big and - " He paused, his frown deepening for a moment and then he smiled at Hugh. "Ah. You meant the bed, yeah? Because, you know, that's definitely big enough."

Hugh just nodded, not really knowing what Kevin babbled about and headed ever so carefully for the bed. "Sleep now,"he uttered in a zombie like tone, before heading into the bed and sprawling there.

"Obviously," Kevin smiled as he followed Hugh to the bedroom and slowly sat down on the edge of the mattress. "Move over, would ya," he muttered as he, with a glance at his friend who was sprawled out across the bed, flopped down onto the bed, taking most of the covers with him.

"Give covers," Hugh grumbled back and tugged at them,while rolling to give Kevin more room.

"Sorry." Kevin scooted closer, clumsily wrapping Hugh up in some of the covers in an attempt to tuck the man in. "Sleep," he ordered when he'd made sure Hugh was sufficiently covered.

"Mmmf.... thanks... real pal..." Hugh trailed off sleepily and curled up on his left side. In a few moments, he breathed peaceably in the rhythm of deep sleep.

A small smile formed on Kevin's lips as his head dropped against the pillow and his eyes fluttered closed. "You're welcome," he whispered before slowly drifting off to sleep as well.

Hugh's Bio

2006-08-25T04:46:18Z

Name: Hugh Jackman
Journal: hugh_jackman_q

Mun name/nick/handle: Saklani
Mun journal: Saklani2

AIM/YIM: Saklani2 or SlaveofAragorn
E-mail: saklani2@hotmail.com

Pup's physical info: 6'3", brown hair, hazel eyes (extremely near-sighted), slim, but muscular, hairy chest

Pup's location: Expesive part of the French Quarter, though he may move soon
Pup profession: Singer (very popular)

Pup's orientation: bisexual
Pup's kinks: light BDSM, some exhibition, but pretty vanilla
Pup's hard limits: bestiality, scat, pedophilia, bloodplay,anything that causes his partner or himself pain is OUT

Pup's hobbies: music, yo-yo, wind-surfing, outdoor sports, juggling, singing, transcendental meditation, a variety of musical intrusments, dancing, singing

Game connections: best friends with Kevin Richardson

Type of Characters Pup Likes: honest, open, friendly, not really into types, just likes whom he likes

Pup's bio:

Birthday:
Born on October 12, 1968 in Sydney, Australia.

Parents:
Hugh's parents were English-born. They were separated when Hugh was young. He lived with his father, an accountant.

Siblings:
Hugh is the youngest of 5 children. He also has a half sister who he didn't know well since she was much younger than he was.

Graduated from University of Technology at Sydney Bachelor of Arts (Communications) with a journalism major.
Graduated from Western Australian Academy of Performing Arts (WAAPA) in 1994.

Moved to New Orleans in 1997 after being a fairly successful singer in Australia for a few years. Built himself up slowly into one of the more popular cabaret and club entertainers in Orleans. Lives in a fashionable flat in the Quarter and is well known throughout the area.

Recently broke up with his girlfriend of seven years after catching her cheating with a mutual friend. Was planning to propose to her, so is currently heartbroken and wary about relationships.