#( blackcatmagic copper 5.01 )

[eldritchxembers]

Aris chuckled softly at Copper's words, shaking his head with a grin. It always surprised him how much his brother could see through him, he always thought he was a harder read but Obi and Optimus could do it too. So could Percy, when she wasn't hiding in her room. Copper had been the first though to get him. Aris might have been older, but Copper had a way of knowing exactly how he was feeling without him needing to say anything. "You're right. Guess I’m just used to trying to make everything perfect, you know?" Aris shrugged, a little laugh escaping him. "I’ll try to focus more too - on like - not work, promise."

At Copper’s remark about oysters, Aris agreed, "Yeah, I’ve never really gotten it either. But I think it’s just one of those things people say when they don't know what to say." He nudged Copper playfully. "But hey, at least we can both agree it’s a little weird."

Aris raised an eyebrow, a confident grin spreading across his face. "Oh, I’m not worried. I’ve got the skills, and you’ve got... um, charm?" He gave Copper another nudge as they walked. "But no worries, no tricks. I’m just here for the fun. And the pizza. Oh, I also want to get mozz sticks. And french fries. I also heard they have little hamburger sliders," he listed off each food he wanted, as he turned to walk backwards so he could face Copper and walk.

The mention of pizza, and the rest of the food, made Aris’s stomach growl. "I did eat!" he promised, "I had breakfast this morning. And water throughout the day." He bumped Copper’s shoulder lightly, just happy to be out with him again. If Copper heard his stomach growling, he wouldn't hear the end of it.

When Copper asked about the shop, Aris’s smile softened a little. "It was good, actually. A couple of small ones today - a butterfly again. A tiger. But I did a big black/grey piece on a guy’s forearm. Negative space work, you know? It came out really clean - sharp. It was a wolf in front of the moon. I always love those pieces. Nearly had it so the wolf looked like it was really going to throw his head back and howl ...." He caught himself rambling, but he couldn’t help it. Tattooing was his passion. When he wasn't tattooing, he was sketching. "Anyway, nothing too cool, but a good day overall. What about you? How’s your writing? Anything I can read?"

Copper wasn't really angry, but he knew his brother well, and he knew that Aris had likely taken it to heart. So predictable, Copper thought, but he liked that about his brother because it showed just how well he knew the man. Even though they weren't brothers by blood, the truth was that Copper couldn't imagine a pair of brothers having a stronger bond than the two of them did. He was smiling at his older brother, but then Copper paused, his smile fading just a little. "Aris, you didn't do anything wrong," he said when he heard the man's promise. "For real, this is on both of us. I think when we discussed plans we got sidetracked. Remember, that was the night that Viktor was acting like a damn fool." It had been hilarious and also highly distracting, and Copper couldn't remember if they had ever continued their discussion. Most likely, both had assumed that definitive plans had been made. "I guess we both need to start focusing a bit more," Copper said with a laugh.

"Yeah, I never understood that saying," Copper admitted. "Maybe it's because there's a pearl inside an oyster? Well sometimes there is at least. But otherwise...it's always kind of baffled me." The two brothers began walking together, Copper smirking when he heard Aris's suggestion. "Aristotle, we both know that I'm going to be the one kicking your ass," Copper said, but he couldn't keep a straight face because they both knew that Copper was terrible at bowling. A child could probably beat him. But he refused to use the bumpers without a child present, so Copper had gotten used to at least a few gutter balls every game. "That does sound like fun though," he agreed, smirking again as he added, "But save your charm for someone else. I know your tricks." Aris turning on the charm was akin to someone giving you puppy dog eyes, and Copper was on to him. "I actually could go for a burger or a nice, greasy slice of pizza," he said, "so that sounds good to me."

Rolling his eyes, Copper said, "I don't need any damn bumpers," laughing again because they actually would help him immensely. "And thanks. I've got next time." The two men continued walking side by side, Copper just enjoying his brother being close. It hadn't felt right when they'd had an entire country between them. "So how was it at the shop today?" Copper asked as they walked. "Did you do any interesting tattoos?"

[eldritchxembers]

Aris grinned, his expression rueful, as Copper teased him. There would have been a time when he would have gotten bothered. He hadn't meant to let the time escape him, but he had been so focused, and he forgot to set an alarm.

He wasn’t surprised by the playful reprimand, but he did feel bad. There was something about the way his brother’s face lit up that made Aris’s chest feel a little fuller - like Copper really did forgive him for being late. Even though the town had a strange way of making him feel disconnected, having Copper here made it seem a little more like home - even though Aris was hiding how homesick for Maine he was. Aris chuckled and pulled Copper into the hug, clapping him on the back. "Alright, alright, I’ll take the blame this time for not picking the place. But next time, you pick, yeah?"

When Copper mentioned forgetting their plans, Aris’s face shifted slightly, brows furrowing. He’d meant to make it a priority, to stick to the plan. The moment passed quickly, though, as Copper shrugged it off with his usual nonchalance. "I'll do better." He promised. "I won't forget again." And when Aris made a promise, he kept it.

"An oyster, huh?" he echoed, glancing down the street. "They're nasty but sure - we'll go with that metaphor or whatever. And we could go grab a bite, but I’ve got a better idea. How about we go bowling?" His grin widened at the suggestion, the excitement clearly bubbling under the surface. "You're overdue for a round of me kicking your ass. And we could get greasy bowling food, beer..." Aris flashed a bold smile - the kind that normally had him get his way ... from anyone that wasn't his family and used to his charm.

It wasn’t just the sport that made Aris love it; it was the chance to spend time with his brother, and share some good times. And if he was being honest, there was no one else he’d rather be with tonight. "I'll pay. No bumpers."

Standing outside the tattoo parlor, Copper wasn't surprised that his brother was keeping him waiting. It wasn't like the man was frequently late or anything, but Copper knew his brother took his work seriously, and he would want to make sure everything was set in its place before leaving the shop. Though Aris hadn't been here long, it seemed to Copper like he already had a respected place at the shop, which made sense - Aris was an incredible artist. Whereas Copper had a mind for things like literature and writing, Aris made magic when it came to the world of art, and Copper couldn't have been more impressed - or proud. As he thought about his brother's talent, Copper smiled; he was so glad Aris was here. While admittedly it made him a little nervous too - Copper had left for a reason after all - he found so much comfort in his brother being in Cardinal Hill with him.

Leaning against the lamp post, Copper crossed his arms when he saw Aris, pretending to be angry. "Aristotle McIntyre-Locke, do you have any idea how long I've been waiting here for you?" he asked, his tone stern, a frown on his face. But then a second later Copper broke into laughter, unable to keep up the charade. "I'm just kidding," he told his brother. "I actually was a tiny bit late, so I've not been here very long." When Aris got closer, Copper moved toward his brother to hug him, patting his back. "You're lucky you're such a good brother," he teased. "I'll let this infraction go, but don't let it happen again." Obviously Copper was just kidding.

At Aris's words, Copper paused, frowning for real this time. "I...I thought I just forgot what we had planned," he admitted in a quiet voice. "I was hoping you'd remember." Had they never figured it out? Or had they both just forgotten? Shrugging, Copper said, "Oh well, I guess the world is our oyster. What did you want to do?"