keepcruising | Cable Open post/Voice-testing

I'm glad you finally caught up to reality.

[ He takes another drink of the wine before letting Neal have the glass back, but he's not touching the date thing, especially not when he can feel himself smiling just a little bit and it's so rare on his end that he knows Neal must have noticed it.

Most of their mutual associates only see Cable as a cold and angry man, stony and even aggressive in his need to keep people at bay. Someone had even wished Neal luck when they'd been told they'd be camped out in an apartment together for this job. Of course, Neal's got a way of getting under Cable's skin that none of them has seen.

At first, Cable had hated it. He'd thought Neal's warmth had come from a dishonest place and he'd wondered when the other shoe would drop. After a few jobs, though, he'd started to realize that it's a genuine thing. For all the slimy dirtbags this side of the law, Neal's got a real code. He's not a bad person, even if he's also not a lawful one.

Once he'd passed that hurdle, Cable had let that warmth worm its way in. He's not sure he could call them friends, but he thinks if he needed someone he could trust that Neal would be his first call. ]

[ Neal is a certified expert in reading people and Cable's been no exception. They're both pretty observant and it isn't as if it's any surprise to find Cable bantering back. Out on the streets the guy's unimpeachable, but when he's got his guard down there's a playfulness that's ridiculously charming. It's enough that Neal thinks maybe he might be rivaled at times were Cable to put some serious effort into his game.

Stealing back the wine, Neal sips as he rolls around the other man, their bodies brushing far more than necessary as Neal comes to a rest on the opposite side. He fishes for the salt and dumps a heavy amount into the pasta water. ]

Un lupo di mare. Can't forget the salt.

[ A little Italian often drives the ladies wild, but he can't imagine it does much for Cable. Still, it was more for Neal, who delights in combining wittiness with his polyglottal ways. "The wolf of the sea" sounds poetic, but it's just as easily translated to "salty sea dog" which feels very Cable as well. ]

One day I'd like to get some work overseas. You, me, Sicily~

You're bringing me on these jobs?

[ He tolerates Neal adding salt to the water while he moves away to chop vegetables for the sauce. Turning away also helps to hide the smile.

Cable doesn't need much to get by, but lately he finds himself taking a little more work than he strictly needs just because Neal's part of the job, so he has no doubt that he'd follow Neal to another job if the man asked. ]

Or am I just there to be your body guard?

[ He wouldn't mind that, either. Neal's capable of talking and thinking his way out of a lot, but when it comes to muscle, he's too hesitant to hurt others. Cable's quite the opposite, better at shooting than using his words. ]

We're a team.

[ Neal says it as if he's defending himself, the wine glass held close to his chest. He's learned a lot from Cable — things Adler and Mozzie had never taught him — and where they had both had different approaches to Neal, he's always felt weirdly under their thumbs. Mozzie was more genuine, of course, but he had a bottom line.

For Cable, the same is probably true, but in him there's a softness that suggests loyalty goes a long way. And for all the times he's escorted Neal through this dangerous partnership, Neal's got a lot of loyalty. And a little bit of cheek to spare, too. ]

Partners, for lack of a better word. Although if I'm going to have anyone looking after my body, I'd want it to be you.

[ He bumps hips with Cable when he's sure the guy doesn't have the knife in a place it could slip. ]

[ Cable isn't sure that he would have put it that way. Are they a team? He wouldn't describe himself as someone who always plays well with others. Neal is one of a few exceptions in his life where that's concerned.

They certainly do compliment each other well. Together, they cover a lot of bases.

Neal's choice of words get his attention, though, and after Neal bumps him, he turns to take a good long look up and down that body, face straight and serious. ]

I'll think about it.

[ And then he gets back to chopping. ]

[ Neal wasn't exactly planning to be assessed, but in his true nature, he laps it up, even posing a little more strategically to highlight his assets (mostly his ass). He's all smiles, too, strangely pleased to have gotten any attention from Cable in that regard. ]

I'm glad if there's something on your mind that it's me.

[ He's far too narcissistic, let's be real. But also one of the most fragile guys around, desperate to be loyal and wanted, needy in ways that only a person abandoned over and over again would understand. He appreciates that Cable seems to get that and never leaves him wondering too much about his own future being suddenly curtailed. ]

What's dessert?

A surprise.

[ Though he's a little tempted to say that it's Neal, to give into the banter and let it rise. He's not afraid of pushing anyone too far, but maybe he is a little afraid of giving too much of himself away. Feelings aren't something he'd say he's great at expressing, but he can't deny that Neal brings them out. ]

Go sit down and let me cook for you.

[ But first he's going to put his knife down and lean in to steal a little more wine. ]

[ In some little way, Neal was expecting Cable might call him dessert, too, although a surprise is as good in Neal's world (if not better), so he takes that with a smile before pulling himself up to sit on the counter nearby Cable's little kitchen workstation. ]

Don't think I won't remember this.

[ It's not quite the threat it probably sounds like. In fact, Neal is entirely serious and is, in fact, strangely touched by the other man's efforts. Cable has such a great capacity for all manner of feeling when he allows himself, and as far as Blake can tell, he doesn't allow himself often. Usually only when Neal's around and it's obvious that a portion of his guard can be dropped. ]

You know, we'd have more opportunities for work on our own. It's crossed my mind before.

[ Although crossing their boss isn't exactly considered smart, whether Neal's considered it in passing or not. ]

[ Cable's not afraid of their boss. He doesn't go around crossing people for no reason, but better work is a reason and Neal's a lot of what keeps him around in the first place. If Neal leaves, he knows he's follow if he's welcome. Neal's one of the few honorable thieves left in this shitty world. ]

We do cover a lot of bases between the two of us.

[ He gets the sauce going in a second pot. It's nothing too fancy, but it's something he knows how to make and he knows that Neal is the kind of person who appreciates the effort, even if he might criticize Cable's lack of salt in the water. ]

If you find a job you want me for, you know how to get in touch with me.

[ Which is about as close to a yes as he's likely to ever give. ]

[ Neal must admit that Cable even considering stepping out on their already solid arrangement is like a victory won. And why shouldn't Neal be proud of that fact? He thinks, just as Cable does, that they're both incredibly talented in what they do, and if they can make more money on their own, why shouldn't they? Of course, stepping out on their current jobs would mean they're effectively competition and well within the line of fire of their current providers. Still, the value might outweigh the risk. ]

I think think of a few things to have you do.

[ He sips the wine, tilting the glass when he's finished to look inside at the few drips left behind, ever mindful of how to be coy. ]

And how do you suggest I... get in touch?

[ Cable glances up at him with a sigh. Neal's trouble. Cable knows he's trouble and not the kind of trouble Cable is, but fuck is he god damn cute.

The problem is that Neal knows he's cute. ]

I have faith in you to figure that out on your own. You're a smart boy.

[ Two can play the coy game, even if Cable's coyness is more low-key. There's a dryness to a lot of his demeanor that some people find off-putting, but if anything it seems to draw Neal in more.

Cable's not complaining. ]

Thank you. I take that as a compliment.

[ Neal is arguably a fairly proactive individual, and he can definitely kick it into high gear when he sees something that he wants. Cable, for whatever reason, seems to easily fall into that category. And thus, Neal sits quietly, observing the other man cooking, but all the while making plans in his head of what he'll do when he wine glass needs refilled.

After a moment, he speaks up again, sitting up. ]

Do you know what would make this even better? Music.

[ Cable's not exactly a five star chef, but he can make a decent meal by his own standards. Neal's are a bit higher than his, but he thinks he's good enough to at least give Neal something enjoyable to eat, even if it's not earth-shattering. ]

Depends on the music.

[ He's not a huge music person, but he thinks most of what Neal enjoys is easy enough to ignore. Besides, he'll only admit this to himself but he'll happily endure a few annoyances for Neal's sake. There's something about the other man's smile that soothes his own irritation. ]

[ Easy enough to ignore, huh? We'll see about that. Neal, like a cat, demands attention on his own terms and will swerve around in Cable's path until he gets what he wants. It's fortunate for him that Cable is more of a caretaker than he lets on, and (somehow) seems to enjoy the way Neal passes between demanding and aloof depending on his mood.

Grinning, he watches the other man as he prepares the meal he demanded, clearing his throat in a way that suggests he's more trouble than he's worth.

And then he hums the beginning notes of Summer Wind, fulling intending to belt out the rest once he gets to the appropriate part unless he's stopped. ]

Cable Open post/Voice-testing

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