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[corkscrewed]

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[statementfuckingends]

That's because the Institute's a hole. [There's bite to it, but there's something almost good-natured to it.] You were too bloody good for it and we all knew it. You and Sasha both.

[--ah. He's ruined his own buzz. He just grimaces gently for a moment, before he takes his new drink in hand.]

[corkscrewed]

Nah. I'm talking about the Barge. Lots of good people here, honestly, I'm just-

[ damaged goods, he thinks sometimes, but he's not inebriated enough to blurt that much out. ]

--we've got some tapes, you know. If you want to listen to her voice.

[statementfuckingends]

[Tim just stares into his drink for a few seconds, before he gulps a mouthful, alcohol content be damned. The tapes offer goes ignored.]

Hate to say it, Martin, but the general concept of 'putting yourself out there' applies to making friends as well, not just dating. You can't spend every day alternating between the laundry and Jon's office.

[corkscrewed]

[ he won't push the offer, but he will try to match the drinks with a wince. ]

I'm working on it. Made it to the lounge, didn't I?

[statementfuckingends]

With me. [It's certainly disparaging, but it's not pointed at Martin.] And I have offered you the chance to have some fun, so I've got you coming and going there.

[corkscrewed]

This is your idea of fun? You injured and me all depressed and mopey? [ also not serious; he's just desperate for any kind of levity here. ]

[statementfuckingends]

I will get you to understand innuendo yet. [But hey, it gets a genuine grin on his face.] But come on, this, here and now? 's'just another day in the office, really.

[corkscrewed]

I understand innuendo, I just always think it's weird when you use it at me.

[ he grins at him, tired but similarly earnest. ]

[statementfuckingends]

[He looks playfully offended. Which mostly just means marginally less tired, but it's still an improvement.]

Are you questioning my taste, Blackwood? [He's definitely grinning behind that sip.] Because disregarding your taste in archival bosses for five seconds, you're a real catch.

[corkscrewed]

[ martin huffs slightly, shoulders setting back, just because he knows that tim isn't teasing him maliciously here. ]

It's weird to think about. I never had time for relationships. I don't know how you managed it.

[statementfuckingends]

[He lifts his injured hand and still manages to point a finger gun at Martin.]

Institute funds.

[But since they're being honest (and the alcohol, perhaps, making his judgement a little impaired), he just shrugs before he takes another sip.]

It's not like any of them were serious, anyway. All in all it was just a bit of fun. [He pauses, glancing aside.] ...a lot of fun. Sometimes lots of different kinds of fun at the same time. [He swirls his drink idly.] But most of it was legitimately work-related.

[corkscrewed]

Dunno. Still think funds would've been best spent on more cronuts.

[ martin is watching his own drink, and it's definitely the alcohol that makes him crack up a little bit. ]

I dunno. Kind of wild to believe an archival assistant job required you to do that at all.

[statementfuckingends]

I'll buy you a whole bloody box of the things if we make port. [He's happy to be held to such a stupid promise.]

I mean, I don't think we would have gotten half the police statements we did before Basira came along if I hadn't. People don't just share those at random, but it's delightful fun helping your boyfriend with his own work, when it's just some harmless old cold case no one'll miss.

[corkscrewed]

What's it like having charisma, Tim?

[ it's not meant to be self-deprecating; he's cracking up. ]

I can't bloody imagine.

[statementfuckingends]

[Tim just snickers, letting the grin brush over his sore face.]

It's massively outweighed by my sense of humour and overwhelming modesty. All part of the whole experience.

[corkscrewed]

Yeah, of course. Don't know why I bothered asking, honestly.

[ but martin is ducking his head to smile. ]

Thanks for checking in on me, by the way. That was- It's good to have a friend here.

[statementfuckingends]

[Tim's face softens, and taking a drink doesn't quite hide the fond smile that lingers on his face.]

Course - any time. Thanks for letting me, really, it's not like you're under any obligation to.

[It's not like everyone didn't make it abundantly clear what they thought of his behaviour those last few weeks.]

[corkscrewed]

Sure, no obligation, but- saving you and Sasha is the whole reason I'm here. Be a bit shit of me to give you the cold shoulder considering all that.

[ he shakes his glass slightly, just distracting himself. ]

Time's not something we're short on, for the first time in forever.

[statementfuckingends]

[Aaand his grin turns sly again.]

For the first time in forever? At least we've got a chance.

[And yes, he is absolutely making the reference you think he is.]

[corkscrewed]

[ he ducks his head to laugh incredulously, because goddamn what a nerd. ]

You know what? I'll drink to that, I guess.

[ and he'll probably just spend the rest of the time at the lounge chatting completely inconsequential bullshit, and brightening significantly as he does. ]