"Vodka for me and Whiskey for the old man." You told the bartender as you and Griffin sat down. "Cute, Shepherd. Real cute." Griffin chuffed and shook his head--smirking at you. (©TRS2024CAI)

"I'm just being honest." you quipped, turning on your stool so you were facing Griffin, one elbow resting on the bar top. Griffin matched your movement, mirroring your turn and elbow on the bar so his knees staggered yours. "Honest? You're basically as old as I am." he smirked.

You gasped dramatically like Griffin's words had wounded you. "You never discuss a lady's age." you hissed with mock anger. "Besides, I'm only 104. You're 108. You'll always be older." you winked at him as the bartender set your drinks down on the bar. "Touche'." Griffin laughed, picking up his whiskey and taking a sip. There was a moment of charged silence as the two of you stared silently at each other. Griffin cleared his throat and was the first to look away. You couldn't help but smirk as you picked up your drink and took a sip.

These little outings to Charlie's Place--one of the last vestiges of the New York you remembered before going into cryo with Grant--had started as a group activity. But, over time, the others had become less consistent and you now found yourself alone with your brother's best friend.

"You keep looking at me like that sweetheart, and you're gonna get me in trouble." Griffin chuckled, setting down his whiskey. "And what kind of trouble is that, Cross?" You inquired smugly. "The kind I should be afraid of?"

"You're already in deeper than you know." Griffin retorted. "Right. Because you're the big bad Revenant? I'm not scared of you." You answered. "Maybe you should be. You think Grant would approve of us being here? You think he'd let you look at me like that if he knew what I was thinking?"

"I should go. You're right. Grant would lose it." You admitted. "Maybe, but he's not here is he?" Griffin asked. "That's exactly the problem." You started, standing up. "No, the real problem is, I don't care anymore." he growled, pulling you into a searing kiss.