tuckersxwest

[tuckersxwest]

"Of course we can," Tucker nodded and grinned when she seemed excited by the idea. "Although knowing me I'm going to want to try and take on the challenge of making as many tokens as possible to get one of those bigger prizes."

That caused a smile to drift over Everleigh's face. As much as they teased one another, it was nice when Tucker was genuine and sweet with her. It meant more. "That sounds good. Hopefully they won't be too busy. We can collect tokens and maybe buy something at the end."

[tuckersxwest]

"Tuck, I suppose?" he shrugged with a chuckle. "I mean some people call me that and I don't mind it, but it's not really a proper name like Fred."

"Maybe it's a shame that I view it so negatively. I mean, it's lucky you don't mind yours cause I'm not sure what you'd shorten that down to." He playfully joked with Tucker.

[tuckersxwest]

"A troublemaker?" he couldn't help but chuckle in reply. "If there's anyone you'd like to be introduced to, let me know. Chances are that I could know them from work," Tucker offered up with a shrug and a smile. "Plenty of people out here aren't looking for anything serious either."

"Not generally speaking but it does make you a troublemaker so I should definitely be wary of you." Cooper narrowed his gaze playfully at the man, though he didn't seem to be in any rush to distance himself despite his words. If anything, Cooper knew he could be similar in the right situations. "Nothing serious." Right now he was here for a good time, not a long time and it didn't need to be anything more than that."

[tuckersxwest]

"Happy New Year, mate," he grinned back at the other. "Did you have a good time celebrating? I still don't fully feel like it's a whole new year to be so honest with you. Everything always feels like a weird limbo in January."

🎉 - our muses run into each other at an nye party ( @tuckersxwest )

James finished pouring himself a glass of the free water at the end of the bar, taking full advantage of the non-alcoholic option. When he turned, her spotted a familiar face, "Hey, mate. Good to see you," he said with a grin, tapping the man's bicep in a friendly greeting, "Happy New Year!"

[tuckersxwest]

"There's always someone to talk to, sure. But I don't necessarily want to be spending all of my free time with them," Tucker shrugged in reply when she pointed out that he was social and most likely in high demand. "We could go for a walk I suppose. Maybe we could even hit up an arcade or a bowling alley if that sounds good to you? A little friendly competition seems up our alley after all."

"And I do, you don't need to worry about that." Everleigh assured Tucker, reaching out to give his arm a light squeeze. "You don't have other things to do? That surprises me given how much of a social butterfly you are. I would have thought your calendar would have been all booked up already." She teased him, grateful for the thought though. "But of course I'll spend time with you. Did you have anything in mind?"

[tuckersxwest]

"At the risk of coming off as conceited, I don't typically need help with that," Tucker commented with a low chuckle when she'd asked if he was trying to get people to go for him. "Is that something you go for?" he then tested playfully given the lighthearted tone of their conversation. "I suppose you can take the man out of the bar and all that..." Tucker waved off with a chuckle when she'd said he was always well prepared. "You think so? I've got to work on my pronunciation if we start getting more advanced."

"Is that what you're trying to do? Get people to go for you?" Clementine fired back lightly, a smile playing over her lips. "Me? Ah no. I do enjoy spending nights in but even I do put down the books and come out once a year to celebrate New Years." She joked lightly, laughing softly as out popped two plastic cups. "And you are very well prepared. Always the attentive barman." She complimented. "Ah, not bad. We'll make a wonderful Frenchman out of you yet."

[tuckersxwest]

"Good. Because it was meant as one," Tucker grinned back brightly. "I get that. You should get to be referred to by whatever makes you most comfortable. Especially if you associate that name with a persona that you don't identify with."

"That sounded suspiciously like a compliment." Fred pointed out to his friend when he told him he didn't seem like a snobby person. "So thank you for that. No, it's not my favourite name. Maybe I associate it too much with being a child. It may be given to me but it is not chosen." Maybe over time he'd come to view it differently but not at the moment.

[tuckersxwest]

"It'll always be boss," Tucker stated with a humored chuckle. "You know I enjoy it," he insisted warmly when Ezra pointed out that he had been working his ass off lately. "But thanks again, really. Things like this mean more than you know."

"Still boss, huh?" Ezra spoke with a gruff laugh at the others words. "Don't worry about it though. Any of it. I only give you what you deserve. You're a good kid." He stated warmly, giving the others shoulder a pat. He was pretty sure that should his parents have had another child, they they would have been something like Tucker. "And you deserve to have a good time tonight, you've been working your ass off."

[tuckersxwest]

"That's certainly relatable," Tucker empathized with a nod. "I think I need to start setting some more... concrete goals for my future. Career and all that. I love what I do but maybe I should take something else on to make a little more money that I can save up."

⭐ - our muses come up with new years resolutions together ( @tuckersxwest )

"It's all about self-improvement and self-reflection for me. I've already started that this year but it's just continuing and making sure I stick to it," Gale explained, "What about you?"

[tuckersxwest]

"Woah, boss, this is really nice," Tucker replied, regarding both the thought and the actual brand of bottle in hand. "Thank you. Really. But not just for this, as nice as it is," he felt the need to say to Ezra. "Thanks for trusting me. Even in ways you may not realize mean a lot to me. I really appreciate you, boss."

🍾- our muses share a glass/bottle of champagne

"I have something for you." Ezra told the younger male as he held out a bottle for the man. "It's not just one you are going to get here before you make that comment and smart talk your boss." Ezra laughed. "I thought what better way to celebrate today and you needed something to celebrate with. Consider it a little bit of a bonus for your help over the festive period."

@tuckersxwest

[tuckersxwest]

"I'm glad it was still a pleasant night for you as you put it. You deserve to enjoy yourself," Tucker insisted warmly. "Well the night isn't over yet. If you weren't in a rush to get home, maybe we can hang out now? Do something to make the night even greater for you than it has been?"

"I think the obvious answer to that is I wouldn't have asked if I didn't want to know." Everleigh responded dryly in returning, rolling her eyes in amusement at the others answer. "But a fantastic night... Well that is high praise of the evening. It's been quite pleasant. I don't think mine has been quite as successful as yours though."

[tuckersxwest]

"Isn't that what people go for? The cool guy," he chuckled, highlighting the ridiculousness of that within his tone. Tucker moved closer to now share it with her. "It is nice. I wasn't sure if you'd be busy either. Or if you'd even be in attendance. I figured maybe you and your cousin would have other plans," Tucker explained with a shrug, procuring two plastic cups and pouring out the beverage into each one before serving her. "Santé– that's how you say it, right?"

"I didn't realise you felt the need to put on a cool front with me." Clementine responded with a little smile as she leaned forward a little. "But I'm flattered even if it isn't necessary. Bring it over here." She encouraged after a moment as they settled down together to share the drink. "It's nice to be able to spend some of New Years Eve with you. I did wonder if you would be busy this evening."

[tuckersxwest]

"Wouldn't you like to know?" he smirked in reply, leaning on the bar. "Do I look like the kind of guy to kiss and tell?" Tucker said before pausing, "And don't answer that, because I'm sure you'd find a way to take a dig at me with that somehow," he added with a chuckle. "However I've had a fantastic night. How about yourself, Evster?"

🕛 - our muses run into each other after midnight

"So, you know what I'm going to ask don't you?" Everleigh stated as she found herself sat at the bar with Tucker. "Why are you here with me and not out there for starters?" Because it kind of made sense for her, but less so for him. "And did you get a New Years kiss because I'm curious."

@tuckersxwest

[tuckersxwest]

"That was me trying to find a cool way of saying that I'm a bartender and I have some ins," Tucker explained, deflating the allure he'd been trying to maintain. "Oh absolutely. Only the most English of traditions. Every other country adopted champagne from the Brits, even if champagne is originally French," he illustrated playfully, clearly making a joke off of what she'd said.

"You know a guy who knows a guy, hm? Sounds a little suspect, Tucker." Clementine spoke with a tone of accusation to her words but there was a warm smile playing over her lips that negated them completely. "And you are choosing me to be the one to share it with? Well it'd be rude not to, no. It is how you say, an English tradition?" Though she knew full well it was not.

[tuckersxwest]

🍾 - Clementine

can be found here

[tuckersxwest]

🍾 - our muses share a glass/bottle of champagne

"You know how it is–," he shrugged as he held up the bottle of bubbly for Clem to see, "–I know a guy, who knows a guy," he added nonchalantly before his signature grin cracked through. "And what's the fun if I can't share it, hmm? Will you do me the honors and drink it with me?"

@clcmcntincdclacour

[tuckersxwest]

NOAH CENTINEO as Owen Hendricks

THE RECRUIT 1.01