Captain, my captain... Modern AU

[dagnir_lhug]

Elrond always knew how to speak fiercely when he wished to. The normally easy going and kind Commissioner knew things needed to get done. But Bard felt like the pressure fell heaviest on his precinct if only because they had the best standing record of cases closed and arrests made. At least… until the new family moved into his part of the city… and now he realized why other precincts were having so many problems.

Rubbing at his temples, most of his day detectives were gone. All but Haldir left to catch their breath after the long lecture they’d received. Even he was feeling a little beat down after that. Which led him to pack it up for the night and approach his head detective. “Really Haldir… there is nothing we can get done tonight. Go home…”

“I have work to do, all due respect, sir.” The blonde didn’t even look up at him.

Bard let out a long sigh before arching a brow. “Well, I have kids to collect… so I should…”

“You realize it is after midnight, correct?” Haldir lifted a brow at him as he finally looked up. Bard shifted and rubbed the back of his neck with a sigh. “I’m sure you will feel better checking on them if nothing else.”

“I would.” Bard smiled at the understanding then nodded. “Good night.”

Haldir gave a slight wave and added. “If you see my partner, tell her I expect her hear early in the morning.”

Bard couldn’t help but laugh. “Of course. I’m sure she already knows.” Moving out of the precinct, he headed to his car for the ride home. He lived simply and spent most of his money on his kids. So that meant the best working car was given to Sigrid to get her and her siblings to and from school… so when his car died with a clattering thunk at the stop light, he dropped his head to the steering wheel.

Counting to five, he took a deep breath, then went out into the cold to open the hood of the car. Hopefully it would be something he could easily fix and head on his way.

Comments

[thorencalenaran]

"Your morals are showing, captain." Thranduil gives him a sidelong look, amusement in blue eyes even if his words held something like sarcasm. Perhaps there was some admiration in there as well, Thranduil was not one to use violence for no reason; he kept his people safe, that was the first and foremost thing on his mind. It was only when they were threatened that the more vengeful side of Thranduil would come out, a side that was terrible and violent, but rarely seen. "Indeed it is, it is why I try to steer away from that emotion as much as possible. Or, at the very least, deal with it in a healthy manner."

He slides on his jacket, keeping his hair in the pony tail for now, eyes watching Bard closely as the other called for a tow truck. Surely it would not be difficult for him to get all of this taken care of, but there was something about the other that made Thranduil think that he should probably tread carefully with this one. It was not a game, as much as he might like to think so.

"Infallible people are rather boring, people with flaws and mysteries are always better I believe." There is another look given to Bard then, a quirk of the lips as he regards him. Surely, this was not a game and there was much at steak if Thranduil was misreading him, but at the same time, perhaps it was adrenaline, perhaps it was recklessness, either way Thranduil found that he did not care very much for the possible outcomes. He merely smiles and gestured towards his car.

"Well then, perhaps we shall wait for the tow truck before I drive you home, it is no issue for myself. I was in need of a bit of a drive to cool my head from speaking with my son anyway." And it turned out to be giving him more than he thought. "It is not a bother to me at all. In fact, you would be aiding me as well, in a way." Which was no lie, the blond did not wish to dwell upon his argument with his son, and Bard was by all means a more than welcome distraction. Even if Thranduil was sure some of this was left over adrenaline, he could not feel bad about it.

There is another low laugh at Bard's words, and the embarrassment that seeped out of the other. Thranduil leans back against his car and keeps his bright eyes on Bard, smirk twitching. "How loud I am depends entirely on how good you are, does it not?" His words are laden with suggestion, but it is gone in a moment as he takes Bard's hand, long, pale fingers grasping Bard's own firmly. "Thranduil, it is a pleasure to meet you Bard."

[dagnir_lhug]

"Perish the thought." He laughed at that, knowing full well that there was a level of sarcasm to the blonde's voice. He did not mind though. And he actually liked the way it sounded, even in teasing, how he called him captain. "I am sure, however, that my morals are not the worst part to reveal of my person."

Green eyes could not stop themselves from watching the slide of the jacket onto toned shoulders and he had to chastise himself mentally. Why suddenly did he notice such... superficial things? Shaking his thoughts away, he arched a brow at the other with the comment about the infallible. "And when the mystery is gone, does that make the person less drawing?" Angling his head just a little, he felt his smile soften. "As for my flaws... I suppose those will always be revealed in time."

Hopefully the other would stick around long enough to do both. But he would not hold entirely to hope. "You are kind in offering. Hopefully I can continue to help you work through this.. I know that working through a fight with my eldest does similar things to me and sometimes a distraction is best." Many a fight came from his being a cop and rarely home... not that he blamed her.

But all the thoughts dissipated in a quick moment as Thranduil's teasing hit him like a tidal wave. At first he almost choked on an intake of breath and he had to laugh as the heat flooded his face. He knew he had to be red as a tomato now at the implications behind those words. "I... well... I suppose that means I should never invite you to my bedroom."

He had to respond. Had to say something. He refused to go down from mere embarrassment no matter how good looking the man was. Gripping his hand, he knew that his temperature had risen from that flush... but he still grinned broadly. "The pleasure is mine, Thranduil. And I will thank my poor decrepit car later for letting us meet."

[thorencalenaran]

"I suppose there are far worse things to reveal of your person, indeed." There is a low hum at his words, amusement still sparked in his eyes at the other. It was, the drawling use of his title, meant as something of a jest, but Thranduil found... something else in calling the other that. A spark of adrenaline, knowing he was so close to one that, if he was aware of who Thranduil was, would have little trouble putting him away. "You could reveal that you were in fact a serial killer, that would be most unfortunate."

If Thranduil was aware of the gaze that was upon him, he made no indication of it, but if he arched his back a little more, let the long lines of his body be easier to see, well then-- that was nothing. Really. The blond chuckled at the words, giving Bard a considering look. "I would not say that is so. It is possible to be just as interesting with no mysteries as it is to be with them. But then you must have actual strength of character, which, I find, so few people have."

And that, sadly, is not a lie. Outside of his family, those of blood and those of less nobel ties, Thranduil found that there were not many worth getting to know. Through, perhaps this stranger might be a change in that. Thranduil had to admit, he was amused that the other was implying that there would be more time for such things to be unveiled. It was...endearing.

When the teasing hit home, Thranduil nearly had to cover up a laugh at the other's expense. It was-- Thranduil didn't know what it was, but it certainly made him want to tease the other more to see what other reactions he might be able to illicit. "Oh, so quick to count me out. I assure you, one does not need a bedroom for such things." The look on his face is wicked, eyes bright and amused.

"It was rather kind of your car to stall here, no matter how poor the lighting."

[dagnir_lhug]

"Well, that would certainly be quite the revelation and poor fortune for us both." Shaking his head, he rather not think about serial killers. They unnerved him and he wished not to deal with those unless it was to lock them away. Packing it neatly away, he angled his head with a wistful smile. "No, as of late, the worst thing I seem to reveal to people is that I am a single father of three. Nothing makes them run faster."

A sad truth. Most did not want to worry about a house full of kids and one not even in middle school yet. Part of him said it, if only to see if the blonde would do the same. Not that he really blamed any of the others from shying away from the idea. "Strength of character... It is truly a rare thing. I agree though, it is desirable in any person you might be interested in."

At least he could say the other had good priorities. Bard liked to believe he had such a thing, but he never assumed anything. It did not hurt to hope he did, nor to hope that his greatest loves would not chase the man off before they even got to know each other. And it did not help that he found his eyes following the line of Thranduil's back... It made the teasing words ring just a little too true.

Even still, he let out a soft laugh, finding a little of his footing as the other kept the innuendos going. "You are right. One does not... however I am not easily won over. But I assure you... it is worth the effort if it is given." Winking at the blonde, he lightly closed to hood on the car and smiled at him playfully. He felt remarkably young in that moment. Young enough that his eyes danced in the pale street light. "I assure you though, the lights in my kitchen are better."

"Let me get my briefcase out of the car." Moving to the door, he ducked inside to grab his things, his coat and paused a moment. "Forgive me, I have to bring my gun. I know a lot of people dislike their presence." He carefully pulled the shoulder holster back on before draping his coat over his arm. The tow truck should arrive soon... they tended to help him out when they could... he should have frequent flyer miles after this car was done with him.

[thorencalenaran]

"I feel like it would be more of a poor fortune for myself; stopping to help a poor soul, only to be killed. You would at least tout another victim." There is a strange ease to which he speaks of it, as it was not a thing he usually had to face. There was not as much reality to his words as there was for Bard. That was not to say that Thranduil did not have to kill, it was just not common. The blond hums at Bard's words, giving him another flash of a grin. "Fear not, as a single father of one of the most ostentatious and bullheaded young men, I do not feel that is a terrible trait."

In fact, Thranduil finds it interesting, that a man that clearly devoted so much time to his job, would also have three children. It was not easy, raising children without aid, it only added an extra layer to the whole thing. It also gave Thranduil something to think about; he was not a cruel man, not if he was given no reason to be and this revelation... well, it was something to be noted. The blond does not respond, just watches Bard with cool blue eyes and hums.

He is more than aware of Bard's eye on him as he stretches, makes to stand against his car in a way that he is sure shows off the lines of his legs. It was not often that Thranduil found people that engaged him in such a way; he would play while he could. For all he knew, this was the man assigned to dealing with his rapidly spreading empire in this area and, well, no good could come of that. When Bard's eye catch his own, briefly, Thranduil's lips quirk, parting quickly to allow his tongue to dark out for no reason other than he wished to taunt.

"Is it worth it? You certainly have me believing that one, captain. Though, I feel as if you might look spectacular in any lighting, if this street light is anything to go by." He smirks again, pushing himself off the car as Bard leans in to grab the suitcase, leaning perhaps a bit more than he has to, laughter caught on his tongue. "And this is where I make notes about your ability to manipulate firearms, isn't it? I mean, you must have quite steady hands..."

The laugh that tumbles from his lips is rich and dark, and not a common sound for him. But he doesn't mind it, the amusement genuine for once. "As for the gun, it does not bother me too much, my father was a hunter, they were common in my house growing up. " He was also rather proficient with one himself, though he did prefer baldes.

[dagnir_lhug]

"If you look at it that way, you fail to realize that the world would be at quite a loss if you were removed from it." He honestly knew nothing of this man, but he could not resist. And part of him knew he meant what he said. Even if someday he might regret speaking in such a way. He really did not believe he would. Instead, he chuckled softly. "It is good to know that does not bother you." The thought made him feel of kilter and lighter all at the same time.

Running a hand through his hair, he loosened more strands from the small band holding most of his hair back. He knew it was not really long enough for that, but he did it anyway when it bothered him. He still felt the warmth warming his cheeks from their banter and the smile lingered on his lips. Bard made a valiant attempt not to look too closely at those legs regardless of how he felt the urge to do so.

Instead he focused on getting his things only to burst with a soft laugh at the sudden compliment tacked on by such an innuendo the heat returned to his face full force. "I suppose you would have to find out, would you not?" Humming a soft sound, he looked at the blonde from the corner of his eyes. Moving closer, he lightly set his briefcase down beside him before commenting in a low rich tone. "I promise you... I never miss."

His eyes met Thranduil's evenly, the slightest quirk of a smile on his lips. "That is good to hear." Leaning in, he rested his hip against the car close to the blonde. He felt oddly daring all of a sudden. He would have to be, to let a stranger drive him home. "So, does that mean that you also have such talent?"

[thorencalenaran]

At those words, Thranduil cannot quite help the incredulous look that passes across his face. It is not a common thing, for people to be quite so open with him. Even when they did not know him, or what he was, there was always a level of intimidation that he held over others. It seemed as if such a thing did not affect Bard. Or, if it did, the man was far braver than most. It was a good thing, to Thranduil. Intriguing at the very least, adding one more layer to all of-- whatever this was. He lets his lips quirk into a small smile. "Is that so? You might be on a side with very few with that idea. And it only proves you are... durable."

Blue eyes track the slow fall of tousled brown hair as more escapes from the band holding them back from Bard's face. The blond in a bit entranced, finding the simple action oddly enrapturing. Perhaps that was just this man before him then, and not the action at all. Either way, it made him feel all the more confident in his somewhat reckless flirting. It had been far too long since he had indulged himself in such a thing.

"Is that so? Well you keep making this better and better, captain. Soon you shall tell me of your boyhood skill with knots, and then how shall I resist?" The smirk blooms across Thranduil's face, all silent promises and laviciousness. He cared little if this man were technically an enemy; Thranduil was finding it incredibly difficult to keep that bit in mind. Especially with such a voice rippling down his spine.

At the other's question, Thranduil throws him a coy look. "Why would I spoil the surprise? My talents should be discovered, not spoken of."

[dagnir_lhug]

Bard furrowed his brow a little at that look, unsure why he seemed so... against the idea. Angling his head a bit, he allowed the tiniest of smirks to pull at his lips. It felt oddly nice to catch the blonde off. How often did anyone catch this one off guard? "I have always been one to stand even if it is alone." He pointed that out matter-of-factly and shrugged easily. "I suppose durable may explain it, but I prefer to see it as steadfast."

He could feel it, those eyes on him, and it sent tingles of shock through him. Bard knew that he was attractive if only for the looks and advances he received on occasion. Now he felt something like electricity crawling through his nerves with the sweep of brilliant blue over him. Something he tried to pay no mind as he moved.

"Hm.." He smiled quietly at that, his eyes lit with amusement as the blonde emphasized the title in such a way that had sensations slipping up his spine. "I am notorious for always improving beyond the expectations." Teasing in almost a smooth accented tone, he imperceptibly leaned in closer to add softer. "Depends. I pay close attention to my work. And well... knots can be a lovely artform."

It was so unlike him. Flirting to this scale did not even happen when he first asked his wife out years ago. He would never have dared even imply such things, yet here he was... Angling his head, he returned that look with a sweet smile. "I like learning new things."