"Holy shit," Joel says when Spencer tells him it's only bar number four, then blinks in surprise at himself. He's not especially prone to cursing outside their bedroom and on the rare occasions he does it where people can hear, there's usually a better reason than being surprised by the fact that he's only had four shots so far. He feels far more drunk than that, given that he's swearing in public without much thought as to what anyone thinks. Belatedly he looks around, takes in Spencer's expression -- he doesn't seem particularly bothered, more amused than anything -- and then Landon's -- he hasn't reacted at all -- then decides it's not such a big deal. People have said far worse in this bar, he's sure of it. He's just not usually the one doing the cursing in public. When he looks at Spencer, he's fairly certain his husband is a little drunk, too, but he seems to be doing a better job of holding his liquor.
But then he's talking about barely feeling the burn anymore and Joel has to press the back of his free hand against his lips to keep himself from laughing. There's nothing and no one in this world he loves as much as he loves Spencer and seeing his husband like this, smiling and happy, especially so soon after the awful things he's been through, it makes Joel happier than he thinks he'd be able to say even if he were sober. He knows this trip isn't going to fix everything. He knows only time can help Spencer heal, but he's going to be there for every step, he'll be there every single day, and he knows this trip was a good idea. They both need it, but Spencer needs it even more, and Joel knows he's not responsible, he didn't give him this trip, but he's still glad they've done this.
"Spencer always leaves his inhibitions behind," Joel mutters as they file out of the bar and back into the sunlight. It's getting later in the afternoon, edging toward the evening, but it's still bright and warm, and he squints against the sun. He's spoken only loud enough for Spencer to see and even though he's squinting, he's also grinning, quite pleased with himself and his comments. At the same time, though, he's doing as Casey suggested and is checking his pockets for his wallet and his phone and the keys to the apartment where they're staying. Everything is still in place, though, and he slips his hand into Spencer's, smiling over at him happily.
"If I get three more drinks in me, I'm bound to leave my inhibitions somewhere, too," he adds, his voice more cheerful than it usually is, especially when it comes to discussing something that he would normally consider very private. Given that he feels like he's mere moments away from dragging Spencer into an alley and pinning him against a wall so they can make out just a little bit. No matter how drunk he is, he's not quite that drunk, though, and while he has no problem with a certain level of affection in public, he much prefers to keep their private life very private.
The walk to the bar does him good and by the time they're there, he feels a little more clear headed. Which he knows he's going to destroy right away by taking another shot. He likes this bar, too. It's dark and quiet and everyone seems content to talk in soft murmurs to maintain the atmosphere. Even Shelly, who hadn't seemed capable of speaking quietly when Joel had first met her. She's with her husband now, though, and Joel knows that can change a person. He's always been different with Spencer, he's always been a little more open, more prone to sharing his feelings and being honest instead of just shutting down and maintaining a severe exterior. Spencer's done that to him right from the start and apparently he isn't as clear headed or sober as he thought, not when he leans against Spencer at the bar and slips his hand into the back pocket of Spencer's jeans.
"I like you," he says after he's ordered their shots. He's smiling again, his face a little sore from it. "I like you a lot. And I love you, but I think liking you is important, too. And I like you."
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But then he's talking about barely feeling the burn anymore and Joel has to press the back of his free hand against his lips to keep himself from laughing. There's nothing and no one in this world he loves as much as he loves Spencer and seeing his husband like this, smiling and happy, especially so soon after the awful things he's been through, it makes Joel happier than he thinks he'd be able to say even if he were sober. He knows this trip isn't going to fix everything. He knows only time can help Spencer heal, but he's going to be there for every step, he'll be there every single day, and he knows this trip was a good idea. They both need it, but Spencer needs it even more, and Joel knows he's not responsible, he didn't give him this trip, but he's still glad they've done this.
"Spencer always leaves his inhibitions behind," Joel mutters as they file out of the bar and back into the sunlight. It's getting later in the afternoon, edging toward the evening, but it's still bright and warm, and he squints against the sun. He's spoken only loud enough for Spencer to see and even though he's squinting, he's also grinning, quite pleased with himself and his comments. At the same time, though, he's doing as Casey suggested and is checking his pockets for his wallet and his phone and the keys to the apartment where they're staying. Everything is still in place, though, and he slips his hand into Spencer's, smiling over at him happily.
"If I get three more drinks in me, I'm bound to leave my inhibitions somewhere, too," he adds, his voice more cheerful than it usually is, especially when it comes to discussing something that he would normally consider very private. Given that he feels like he's mere moments away from dragging Spencer into an alley and pinning him against a wall so they can make out just a little bit. No matter how drunk he is, he's not quite that drunk, though, and while he has no problem with a certain level of affection in public, he much prefers to keep their private life very private.
The walk to the bar does him good and by the time they're there, he feels a little more clear headed. Which he knows he's going to destroy right away by taking another shot. He likes this bar, too. It's dark and quiet and everyone seems content to talk in soft murmurs to maintain the atmosphere. Even Shelly, who hadn't seemed capable of speaking quietly when Joel had first met her. She's with her husband now, though, and Joel knows that can change a person. He's always been different with Spencer, he's always been a little more open, more prone to sharing his feelings and being honest instead of just shutting down and maintaining a severe exterior. Spencer's done that to him right from the start and apparently he isn't as clear headed or sober as he thought, not when he leans against Spencer at the bar and slips his hand into the back pocket of Spencer's jeans.
"I like you," he says after he's ordered their shots. He's smiling again, his face a little sore from it. "I like you a lot. And I love you, but I think liking you is important, too. And I like you."