For Old Time's Sake (Gavin & Jake)

Gavin had been immensely worried about Jake since he found out about the split between him and Azalea, but he knew from past experience the best way to handle Jake at times like this was to let him know that he was there for him, but give him his space. So that's what Gavin did, he'd touched base with Jake and let him know how to reach him but left him alone to deal with things on his own knowing that he'd reach out when he was ready. So when he'd gotten the letter from his best friend, he readily agreed. Both because he was always going to be there for the older man, but also because he needed a drink himself. Between his classes at university, his parents still not talking to him, and his very real feelings of loneliness he tried to ignore; a drink--or five--would go along way to easing his mind.

When the designated time arrived, Gavin showered and dressed up a bit. he wanted to look nice, but not over dressed for the kind of bar that Jake would probably want to go to. Checking himself out in the mirror and tying his hair back into a small ponytail he apparated to the bar in question. Jake wasn't hard to find and he approached the older man slapping a hand on his back. "Jake mate, nice to see ya dude." Picking up the drink that Jake had likely ordered for him he took a sip. He didn't want to ask how Jake was holding up, because he knew that that was a stupid question. If the man wanted to talk and have a heart to heart, he wouldn't have suggested they go to a bar. No he was sure that Jake wanted to just have fun and forget, which is something that Gavin was more than happy to facilitate.

"So what kind of trouble are we getting into tonight bro?"

Gavin simply smiled and shook his head and Jake's lewd comment, that at the very least hadn't changed at all since the last time Gavin hung out with single Jake. Though he had to wonder how much of his best friend's bluster was an act he was putting on. For now Gavin would take everything that Jake said and did at face value, unless the older man gave him a reason to suspect otherwise. Tonight the two of them were on a mission to have some fun, and Gavin was more than happy to do his best to provide. "I know what you mean bro. Most of the people in my classes are girls, and I've been spending a lot of time with Mary getting our apartment settled, so yeah there's been a distinct lack of testosterone in my life."

He grinned a bit and took the shot that Jake gave him, of course he wasn't happy about toasting to being single but he was going to let Jake have his moment. "To being single bro." He muttered back before raising the glass and clinking it with Jake's before throwing the shot back. Vodka had never been his liquor of choice, but he wasn't paying so he wasn't complaining. Grabbing his beer and turning to lean against the bar so he could scope out the crowd. He immediately could tell that he and Jake were drawing attention, after all they were among the most attractive guys there. Shaking his head he turned to Jake. "Yeah getting laid in this place will be about as hard as shooting fish in a barrel."

"Just wish it would happen sooner rather than later ya know?" Gavin muttered quickly wanting to get off of this topic as quickly as possible. He knew Jake meant well by his comment, but Gavin knew if he dwelled on such thoughts he'd start getting depressed. Which is one of the reasons he so readily agreed to go out tonight, it beat sitting around in his room moping and studying. He quickly finished off his beer and ordered another one knowing that he should probably slow down, but going against his better judgement. It would only take him a few drinks to get drunk anyhow being a light weight and all, though he'd gotten better at not making a complete idiot of himself while drunk.

When asked about his and Mary's apartment search Gavin grinned a bit, "We actually have decided on one. It's right along the bay and has a gorgeous view. I'm moving in next month and Mary will come join me when school is out. We're in the works of planning a house party to celebrate our new found independence. Me thinks it'll be all kinds of epic." If he was honest with himself Gavin was excited about the party for more reasons than just having his own place. He knew that it would likely be one of the last times he got to party like a wild teenager. With school getting busy and him looking for an entry level job next year he simply wouldn't have time anymore.

Though he'd always make time for little outings like this with Jake, the man was pretty much his only family at the moment. Jake provided Gavin more comfort and stability than he was probably aware of, but their friendship had been one of the few things keeping Gavin grounded and from slipping into a depression. Shaking his thoughts from his mind he looked up and gave Jake a bright smile, "Speaking of being famous, you and I should get together for a game or something sometime. I know nothing clears my mind like a good round of Quidditch."

"That's always been the difference between you and me mate," Gavin said as he took a healthy sip of his next drink, "and why I've always been more than happy to play the wingman." He grinned a little running his hands through his hair giving it a tousled playful look. "Besides do you know how many girls you can get using me for the gay best friend angle, girls absolutely eat that up. I think it's because they don't realize that other than liking guys...I'm pretty bad at the being "gay" thing." For the most Gavin prided himself on the fact that he never filled any of those gay sterotypes, more than content to just blend in being one of the bros. Any girl that attempted to mold him into some kind of shopping buddy, girl talking gay best friend was going to have a really bad time.

As the topic shifted to the house warming party he and Mary had been talking, the bright grin returned to the red head's face. He was looking forward to getting all his friends under one roof and celebrating all of their new lives, the thought had even crossed his mind to invite his sister as Gabby was the only member of his family talking to him after his coming out. Jake asking if he was going to get an invite made Gavin raise an incredulous eyebrow, "Jake bro it wouldn't be a party without you."

He gave a hearty laughed as he moved the two of them away from the bar and to a nearby booth that had opened up, "Ah you're quitting then? I guess it's a good thing I didn't take you up on your offer to get me a try out then. I'd hate being stuck on a team without you. I don't work as well with anyone else...you make me a better player." Though his words were serious, his tone was light and playful and his mood jovial, a definite effect from the shot of vodka earlier.

"Apparently so man," Gavin said with a shrug, "when I came out to my family Gabby's first response was 'You can't be gay, you play sports.' I had a good hard laugh at that one."" He smirked a little as he sipped on his drink glad that he could at least start to joke about this kind of stuff around Jake when previously the thought of Jake even knowing about his sexuality made him nauseous. He knew it would take sometime for Jake to fully adjust, but their friendship was getting to that point that their friendship could be open enough.

As they sat in the booth Gavin draped his arms over the back of it his eyes looking for eye candy for himself. Though he planned on doing nothing but admiring from afar. While his confidence was increasing by the day he wasn't yet at the point that he could approach a guy first. When Jake started stroking his ego a bit Gavin blushed just the tiniest bit and rubbed the back of his neck, "I know I'm not bad Jake, I mean I was good enough to captain the team when you left. But I do play better with you around...even when you're just watching because I wanna make you proud I guess so I play harder."

"Yeah bro I know," Gavin said in response to Jake's comment, "what you have to understand though dude is that you are the closest thing I have to a big brother. So of course when you're around I'm gonna try harder and push myself just a little bit more. And not just with Quidditch either Jake--I mean you're so young and you've already accomplished so much so I push myself just a little more so that you don't leave me in the dust ya know?" He laughed a little bit and flashed Jake a bright and cheerful grin as he finished his drink, "Even if my current goal is just to be making enough money that you aren't footing the bill every time we go out drinking."

When asked about his healing Gavin got this look in his eyes equivalent to when he used to talk about Quidditch with people who were interested in the sport. "Well classes are going well, it's a lot different then classes at Salem that's for sure. As far as my future plans go...well I want to do a bit of contract work when I'm done with school maybe go back to Salem and work in the infirmary there...or go and be a field healer for the auror department; I'm not sure. All I know is that my end goal is to own a private practice and work mainly with children and magical creatures."