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Soul mate? Drew snorted at Short Stuff's assumption. He braced the tube in the direction of the swing, grunting as the blow slid and hit a hand instead. He lashed out at the wannabe swordsman with a kick at the same level as the sword slash had been at.

"Soul mate? Please, you maybe cute but you're hardly that special. Besides, you already have a boyfriend. I so don't date cheaters."

He heaved a theatrical sigh.

"A shame really. You are cute. No, I think you'll be wanting to check your own neck. Go ahead, I'll wait while you find a convenient window or car mirror or something."

Drew felt himself smirking again. It was hard not to smirk when someone fell into that trap. He'd spent so long under that particular boot himself that having company just made him happy as a clam. Well, so long as it wasn't a clam destined for clam chowder or something. Those clams probably weren't too happy at all.

When had he gotten this silly? Most fights he was all business. Of course those fights were generally against stronger opponents. This one he felt like he was fighting on equal terms. Maybe that was making him so snarky.

Short stuff started to unscrew the tube as Drew attempted to tug it away from him. He'd even started making a smart comment about sharing before Drew swung at him and he had to desperately duck to avoid the fist. Shame that he'd missed. At least the pretty face wasn't mangled.

"Why not? We're already close enough to trade blows. What's a poster tube between friends?"

Unfortunately by the time Drew finished his response to the unfinished banter Short Stuff had screwed the tube and retrieved a sword. A freaking sword! Seriously?! He'd faced guns, knives, and various mutant abilities but this was a new one. The casual dismissal of being gay by his newly armed opponent forced Drew out of astonishment and put a wry grin on his face.

"Well sounds like someone's in denial."

Whether that was Short Stuff or his 'boyfriend' Drew didn't know or care but they were too deep in the flirtatious banter for him to just give up now!

Success! She smiled little by little until finally Andrea broke out in a full smile and even indulged in a little bit of a laugh! Time seemed to disappear as they talked and drank. The topics got increasingly ridiculous as the glasses emptied. Eventually they ended up on their adventures. Andrea had much more funny adventures than he did. Most of his ended up about fighting. Why was that? Why didn't he have any silly bookshelf climbing stories to tell?! It wasn't fair at all. Drew pouted and took another drink.

"Why don't I have funny bookshelf climbing stories?"

Andrea's snakey buddy tried to curl around him yet again but Andrea pulled him back like usual. Maybe snakey didn't like him? That seemed pretty likely to Drew but he wasn't going to say anything to him. Andrea was still here after all. Telling the snakey buddy not to mess with him would have to wait until he could get the snakey buddy alone. One day....

Meanwhile Drew called down another round.

"I mean I'm always punching people and getting punched. Maybe next time it could be a pie fight? Yummy and funny!"

Mmmm...a pie fight sounded awesome. And yummy. Can't forget that.

A raise of a hand, a few words exchanged along with some bills, and Drew had a beer sitting in front of him. It took Andrea a while to get around to answering him but when she did he frowned. Ditched? That sucked.

"Well good riddance then. If she shows up, we'll ditch her."

Drew took a drink of his beer as Andrea admitted to not knowing why she'd stayed since she'd figured out that the girl wasn't coming an hour ago. How long had she been there alone? Sure Drew was willing to drink alone but Andrea? In her case it just felt sad. But she pointed out that his presence made it a bit better and Drew grinned lopsidedly at her.

"Glad to be of service, m'lady."

He even turned and sketched a bow in her direction. Sure he was acting silly but if it cheered up Andrea then he could tolerate looking the fool. As a fellow mutant she deserved to smile a little. Taking another drink of his beer, Drew eyed the rest of the bar again. No taking chances that drunk and clingy wouldn't be back. Once he was sure he was safe for the moment Drew gave his attention back to Andrea.

At least the story of Matt was good for getting a laugh out of someone. That was a good thing. It hadn't been too fun when it happened but now it was just a funny story to tell. However the humor of the story quickly bled out of the air as Alex related a no doubt shortened tale of discovering his mutation. It was with a solemn expression that he dropped a hand on the other man's shoulder as they walked in silent solidarity. It wouldn't be alright. It never would. But, as Alex said, you got used to it. After a minute Drew withdrew his hand.

"I was out with my friends and the only one who had their license at the time. When my mutation activated I got a blinding headache and nearly got us all killed when the car drifted into the oncoming lane. For the next four years I shut everyone out and lived like a recluse. I was afraid they'd hurt me you see. I was different and unlike other mutants my power didn't give me any cool tricks in return. I got over it, mostly, but it took a while."

After that little speech Drew let the silence settle between them as he lead the way to his old black car. Being a mutant was never easy but it got easier with other people around who understood. The bonds of fellowship and all that. Drew walked leisurely toward the exit that he'd left his car nearest. It wouldn't take too long but the walk would be nice in the meanwhile.

Hmm, no balance on this guy. The one kick the ankle took him down quick and hard. Sure he got back up but still. However the footsie comment reinforced Drew's grin even as he took a hit to the side from that suspiciously clacking poster tube. To be on the safe side he grabbed at the end of the poster tube. Whatever was clacking around in that tube, Drew didn't want Short Stuff to have access to.

"Well you know how it is. You see a cute guy and you can't help yourself."

He followed up with a cheeky wink. If he was going to fight and flirt then he might as well do it right.

"Gotta make sure you know I'm interested if I'm going to have any hope for a second date!"

Drew then swung in with a right jab aimed right at Short Stuff's face.

Score! He'd finagled a laugh out of Alex. Ok so maybe it was more of a chuckle but it still counted! Drew wasn't quite sure when getting the guy to smile had become part of the mission but he'd succeeded regardless. Alex certainly looked a lot better when he smiled but there were few people that didn't.

"Then I think you'll manage to land a job there easily! Even if they weren't mutants it's still a school full of teenagers!"

Drew grinned and then laughed. Acting as a recruiter huh?

"Yeah, you aren't the first guy I tried to bring back to the mansion but the first guy didn't really work out. And oh boy was just getting him there a mess." Drew gave Alex a conspiratorial look, "When I met him he was almost falling down drunk and had used his power to clog up a street with a bunch of golems that he was singing and dancing with! Not only that but he managed to start a riot too! We barely escaped unscathed. There were casualties though. My car got scraped up as we pulled out of the parking lot and the living room rug was a mess the next morning."

The comment about hope wore off Drew's humor and he nodded.

"Yeah, I wasn't in a very good place either when I got to New York. Stayed here two years living in fear of being discovered as a mutant. Sam and Kealey were probably a couple of the best things to happen to me. Even if I did meet Sam while trying to rob a cafe."

Drew stood up from the bench.

"Well then follow me. I drove out here so I'll drive us there."