Work Text:
They had sat on the ruined beach watching the sky blush, distant traffic purring in time with the yawning waves. It was tough keeping Howie away from his fixation (that being business) — and on topic (that being Pagliari’s Trivial Pursuit: Food Addition) but Lou managed it by pulling the Boss Card.
“So, a fish and chips man, eh?” Lou returned to an earlier category. “What sauces? You a malt and vinegar guy? A wedge of lemon? Tartar?”
“Cocktail. With horseradish. I like it hot.”
Lou watched him with a side-eye. “Yeah. Hot. I know. With or without lemon?”
“Oh. Well.” Howie grinned, rolling the folded muffin paper into a tube between his thumb and index. “May sound all wet but hear me out – a wedge of grapefruit. I know it’s a bit off the mark but try it sometime. And for a last meal.” He brought the rolled muffin cup to his lips like a cigarette and mimicked a long exhale of smoke.
And that’s when it happened.
Or, at least, that’s when in really started. That one long puffed exhale. After that, any time he was near Howie he was assured of – at the very least – a partial stiffy.