Arcade has always hated that question, even when asked by someone he generally likes. It grates on him even more because he knows that Liam is asking just to annoy him. Because he has told Liam in explicit detail how very much it annoys him to answer that particular question.
"Faulkner." His answer is terse, but it doesn't seem to bother Liam. It never does.
"Why? What's the point?"
That's another question which Liam knows will annoy him. He explained that at length just yesterday. That books are not a 'waste of time' or 'stupid,' and that they are, in fact, both interesting and useful.
Instead of trying to explain again, Arcade begins reading aloud, hoping that some iota of knowledge will seep its way through Liam's thick skull. The man is built, and absolutely gorgeous but he's thick as a rock sometimes, and lacks any of the polish that Arcade likes in his men. Sure, there are others who can keep up with him in a conversation, and what happens in his fantasies is not often about talking but a well-rounded package shouldn't be too much to ask.
His voice trails off as his thoughts of Liam's package distract him. Using that distraction, and is superior reflexes, Liam seizes the book. That drags Arcade's attention right back to the present. He is furious when he realizes that not only has the oaf taken his book, but he's lost his page which is a criminal offense of the highest order.
"Give. That. Back." The words are punctuated with furious jabs at Liam's chest. The tall brunette simply quirks an eyebrow. He smirks, and holds the book up, flipping to a page at random and beginning to read.
"He went on, passing still between the homes of white people, from street lamp to street lamp, the heavy shadows of oak and maple leaves sliding like scraps of black velvet across his white shirt...." He doesn't get far before Arcade grabs for the book and knocks it out of his hands. Once again, the Courier's speed is too much for Arcade. The heathen has the book again and is reading to himself, his frown deepening.
"Well this is a pile of useless drivel, isn't it?" Liam makes a face of distaste. "There's not even any pictures."
He steps up to the window, casually opens it, and throws the book out.
Fury overwhelms Arcade, and he launches himself at the barbarian. He wants to strangle him, but he can't seem to wrap his hands around Liam's throat. He lands a punch, but he's not as good at killing and destroying as Liam, and he's ineffective. Before he knows what's going on, his arm's been bent behind his back, and he's being crushed against Liam's chest in an incredibly uncomfortable position.
"Shouldn't have done that," Liam growls into Arcade's ear. He lets the words hang there for a moment, for the precariousness of his situation to really hit Arcade. He's just pissed off the best killer in the Mojave, and he's completely at his mercy.
He's expecting the worst, so he's completely floored when Liam kisses his neck. He's unshaven, and the stubble scrapes roughly against the tender skin, but Arcade's always found it kind of hot. He's not sure whether he should be excited or terrified, and the uncertainty makes the entire situation more thrilling. Aside from the fear of imminent death, it's a lot like some of his fantasies.
Arcade's arm is slowly lowered until his shoulder doesn't feel ready to dislocate. Liam continues nuzzling Arcade's exposed neck with surprising tenderness. He's not a soft man, not thoughtful, or conscientious. He's a battle-hardened, rough-around-the-edges warrior. He's a muscle-bound idiot, a man with too many scars to count. But he's gentle with Arcade, now that he's got him this close.
The Doctor and the Barbarian -- M!Courier/Arcade -- 1a/1
Arcade has always hated that question, even when asked by someone he generally likes. It grates on him even more because he knows that Liam is asking just to annoy him. Because he has told Liam in explicit detail how very much it annoys him to answer that particular question.
"Faulkner." His answer is terse, but it doesn't seem to bother Liam. It never does.
"Why? What's the point?"
That's another question which Liam knows will annoy him. He explained that at length just yesterday. That books are not a 'waste of time' or 'stupid,' and that they are, in fact, both interesting and useful.
Instead of trying to explain again, Arcade begins reading aloud, hoping that some iota of knowledge will seep its way through Liam's thick skull. The man is built, and absolutely gorgeous but he's thick as a rock sometimes, and lacks any of the polish that Arcade likes in his men. Sure, there are others who can keep up with him in a conversation, and what happens in his fantasies is not often about talking but a well-rounded package shouldn't be too much to ask.
His voice trails off as his thoughts of Liam's package distract him. Using that distraction, and is superior reflexes, Liam seizes the book. That drags Arcade's attention right back to the present. He is furious when he realizes that not only has the oaf taken his book, but he's lost his page which is a criminal offense of the highest order.
"Give. That. Back." The words are punctuated with furious jabs at Liam's chest. The tall brunette simply quirks an eyebrow. He smirks, and holds the book up, flipping to a page at random and beginning to read.
"He went on, passing still between the homes of white people, from street lamp to street lamp, the heavy shadows of oak and maple leaves sliding like scraps of black velvet across his white shirt...." He doesn't get far before Arcade grabs for the book and knocks it out of his hands. Once again, the Courier's speed is too much for Arcade. The heathen has the book again and is reading to himself, his frown deepening.
"Well this is a pile of useless drivel, isn't it?" Liam makes a face of distaste. "There's not even any pictures."
He steps up to the window, casually opens it, and throws the book out.
Fury overwhelms Arcade, and he launches himself at the barbarian. He wants to strangle him, but he can't seem to wrap his hands around Liam's throat. He lands a punch, but he's not as good at killing and destroying as Liam, and he's ineffective. Before he knows what's going on, his arm's been bent behind his back, and he's being crushed against Liam's chest in an incredibly uncomfortable position.
"Shouldn't have done that," Liam growls into Arcade's ear. He lets the words hang there for a moment, for the precariousness of his situation to really hit Arcade. He's just pissed off the best killer in the Mojave, and he's completely at his mercy.
He's expecting the worst, so he's completely floored when Liam kisses his neck. He's unshaven, and the stubble scrapes roughly against the tender skin, but Arcade's always found it kind of hot. He's not sure whether he should be excited or terrified, and the uncertainty makes the entire situation more thrilling. Aside from the fear of imminent death, it's a lot like some of his fantasies.
Arcade's arm is slowly lowered until his shoulder doesn't feel ready to dislocate. Liam continues nuzzling Arcade's exposed neck with surprising tenderness. He's not a soft man, not thoughtful, or conscientious. He's a battle-hardened, rough-around-the-edges warrior. He's a muscle-bound idiot, a man with too many scars to count. But he's gentle with Arcade, now that he's got him this close.