Corbin

[petty_dabbler]

John had to open the doors between the closed ward and the lift bank that was closeby. Someon ehad spilled an entire bottle of juice so John mopped it up. He'd been mopping for 45 minutes, periodically stopping to check his phone.

About the time he finished, he decided he needed a cigarette. He also knew the nearest exit he could get back into was down the defunct hallway.

He strolled right in, disregarding what he'd been told about entering the set. He simply ducked out the secret door to have a puff.

Comments

[prince_of_nymphs]

Corbin was already outside, a cigarette between his lips, phone in hand, and water bottle at his feet.

He glanced up when the man joined him, but he was sure he'd never seen him before.

[petty_dabbler]

"Ah, the actor," John said, his voice low and rasping as he took a quick peek around. There was never anyone outside this door, but he always checked anyway.

"They allow you a moment of privacy?"

JOHN was written boldly on his maintenance badge that hung around his neck as well as on the breast of his uniform.

"I'm John," he smiled.

[prince_of_nymphs]

"Well, I don't get as many breaks as the German Shepherd gets, but now and then they let me step away," Corbin laughed. "Nice to meet you, John, I'm Corbin."

[petty_dabbler]

"I know. You're Alwyn's brother," he nodded. "I've heard a little about you."

Just a little. Just enough to be able to say it honestly. Everything else he knew from the internet.

[prince_of_nymphs]

"You know my brother? Are you in neurology too?" Corbin asked.

[petty_dabbler]

"No. We're...friends."

He wasn't sure if that was right, but it was true. His uncertainty was painfully obvious. He'd like to think there might be something more...but he didn't want to assume.

[prince_of_nymphs]

Corbin looked surprised, then maybe a bit doubtful.

"Friends?" he asked. "Sorry, just- I've never known my brother to be terribly social. ...At all."

[petty_dabbler]

John shrugged.

"What can I say?" he replied. "He likes my place. It's quiet."

[prince_of_nymphs]

Corbin frowned slightly, humming a bit to himself. He'd have to ask Alwyn about this later.

"And what do you like then, John?" he asked.

[petty_dabbler]

"I like him," he replied evenly. "And music. Beers. Darts. I'm partial to sleeping..."

[prince_of_nymphs]

"Like him how?" Corbin pressed, suddenly becoming the protective older brother he hadn't realized he was. "As a friend, or as something more?"

[petty_dabbler]

"I don't know. That bit is up to him, hmm?" John replied. "I do like him, though. A lot."

[prince_of_nymphs]

"You're kind of old for him," Corbin said- Which was rich given how much older Walter had been when Corbin had married him.

[petty_dabbler]

"Don't seem to bother him," he replied. "And he's definitely adult enough to decide himself, mate."

[prince_of_nymphs]

"So what- You're dating him?" Corbin pressed.

Alwyn hadn't mentioned seeing anyone, and while his brother could be a bit odd, one of his quirks was that he tended to be very to the point about things in his life. Surely a romantic interest would have come up- Right?

[petty_dabbler]

"I don't think so. Maybe. I'll ask him," John replied, not terribly concerned the relationship lacked definition. He was alright with that.

[prince_of_nymphs]

Corbin said nothing for a long moment, taking another long drag off his cigarette.

"...He's delicate, you know? He doesn't seem it, he's got that shell he lives in, but I know he is. ...Be gentle with him."

[petty_dabbler]

John nodded. He'd picked up on Alwyn's shell, as Corbin phrased it. He didn't care, and he was, maybe, a bit, more intentionally kind. But he was never cruel to anyone he enjoyed enough to sleep with...and certainly he would never with anyone he invited home.

"Sure. I'll keep that in mind," he said. "Should I tell the same to your A&E boytoy?"

[prince_of_nymphs]

"I'm made of steel, darling, and I'm sure Hex knows it. ...And he's not a toy, he's- I dunno yet. Special, I know that much," Corbin shrugged.

[petty_dabbler]

John nodded. That was kind of sweet. Naive, given Hex's body count, but sweet.

"Special, huh?" John asked skeptically

[prince_of_nymphs]

"He's not like other guys I've spent time with, that's all," Corbin shrugged, unwilling to share more than that.

[petty_dabbler]

"That's how Alwyn is. Special. To me," he replied.

[prince_of_nymphs]

Corbin still looked unsure, but let it be. Alwyn was an adult after all, he could make up his own mind about people. ...Corbin just worried was all.

[petty_dabbler]

"You don't think I'm good enough, do you?" John asked bluntly. "Your brother's smart and young and beautiful. I'm not daft, Davies. If I was in your shoes, I'd look like that, too."

[prince_of_nymphs]

"Mate, I don't even know you," Corbin replied, looking baffled by the outburst. "You sound like you're projecting. I just know my brother isn't- He's never been one to date is all. I'm just looking out for him."

[petty_dabbler]

Corbin wasn't wrong, John was completely projecting. He knew his place and it wasn't being a doctor's wife.

But, fuck, he liked him. He liked him a lot.

"I like that I can't bullshit him," he admitted, following his thoughts instead of the conversation. "I like that he likes me. I wouldn't hurt him."

[prince_of_nymphs]

"Just know if you fuck him over, I'll make it my personal mission to make your life hell," Corbin replied bluntly.

[petty_dabbler]

John snorted softly. He didn't have much to lose, anyway.

"I'm sure he'll be touched you're threatening me on his behalf," John scoffed. "Maybe worry about your own oncoming heartbreak."

[prince_of_nymphs]

"What the hell is that supposed to mean?" Corbin asked.

[petty_dabbler]

"I mean he's never had a relationship last longer than a month," John said. "At least, not since he's been here. But, hey, maybe a fling is just what you need."

[prince_of_nymphs]

"And how have your past relationships stacked up?" Corbin replied. "Should I ask around? Use what I gather to judge you?"

[petty_dabbler]

"Mate, you get what it says on the tin," John replied, gesturing to himself, up and down. With his graying hair, deep lines of age and hard living on his face, the tattoos, the janitor's uniform and the casual way his cigarette hung from his lips...no one would mistake him for relationship material, much less anything else

[prince_of_nymphs]

The more John talked, the less Corbin liked him. The man couldn't even decide how he wanted to be seen. One minute he was insisting he was great for Alwyn, the next he seemed to be self loathing.

[petty_dabbler]

"From what I got from him, you two aren't very..."

He paused, thinking of the right word.

"Similar," he settled on. Alwyn was a breath of reach air. Corbin...he'd met dozens of men like him. And had nothing in common with any of them.

[prince_of_nymphs]

"Well yeah, we're brothers, not clones, mate. ...And Alwyn's smart, you know? Proper clever," Corbin added, puffing up a bit with pride. "He could be running this place in a few years, you know?"

[petty_dabbler]

John's smile grew softer and there was a tenderness in his eyes.

"Yeah, he will. No doubt," he agreed.

It was a nice dream, but he wasn't sure Alwyn would want that. Maybe. If he could get some sleep.

[prince_of_nymphs]

"We're still getting re-acquainted," Corbin admitted. "I got married young, moved away... It was a whole thing."

[petty_dabbler]

"I heard," he nodded. "And med school doesn't leave a lot of time to connect..."

[prince_of_nymphs]

"No, not so much- Not that my schedule is often much better," Corbin admitted.

[petty_dabbler]

"So it's just a bit of luck you work just on the other side of a door from him now," he said.

[prince_of_nymphs]

"No. Well, sort of. I turned down a film franchise to work on this series instead so I could be nearer to him," Corbin shrugged. "It seemed like the only way I might see him."

[petty_dabbler]

John wasn't easily surprised, but his brows rose at that.

"Really?"

[prince_of_nymphs]

"Well it's not like he can just take time to come visit me in America," Corbin shrugged. "Plus, Alwyn... I don't think it would occur to him to do that even if he could, you know? That's just not how he thinks."

[petty_dabbler]

"Why's it so important to be near him now?" John asked, suddenly suspicious.

[prince_of_nymphs]

"Because, if not now, when?" Corbin replied. "Not that it's any of your fucking business, but... I got married young, and my ex wasn't big on me seeing my family. I lost a lot of time with Alwyn. I'm just trying to make up for some of it."

[petty_dabbler]

"Not that it's any of my business," he agreed with a slow nod.

Married young and ugly divorce he knew from the news. Everything else suddenly fell into place. Hot nurse boyfriend and reconnecting with family after a divorce? Check. Drug habit, too, he'd heard. Check.

"It's good you're living your best life," he decided out loud. "Good you're making them family ties hmm? Good on you."

And he meant it. Sounded like a bit of a prick, but he meant it.

[prince_of_nymphs]

Corbin just shrugged, certain the man was being sarcastic. It was about then that Jared came out to fetch him.

"Corbin, they're saying now Julie has food poisoning, doesn't look like they'll be able to finish the shoot today. Should I call you a car?" the young assistant asked.

"Oh, um, yeah, that would be good. Thanks, Jared. ...Oh, um, can we send Julie flowers or something? I should send her flowers. ...Daisies, she likes daisies," Corbin added.

Jared smiled brightly, offering a nod. "Sure thing, I can sort that out."

Corbin glanced at John, offering a nod goodbye.

[petty_dabbler]

The exchange was brief and John didn't try to pretend he wasn't listening. He hadn't expected kindness, thoughtfullness, but maybe, he realized, he had a certain idea of what a big time actor would be like.

He could see then he might have been wrong.

Not that he'd admit it.

"I'll see you around," he nodded.