<div class="floatleft">(http://i241.photobucket.com/albums/ff7/HaruTokushima/Realistic%20Chars/Stephen%20Rains/4bd48e26-2a62-4730-9e06-d4132a33750c_zpsc15ee5ba.jpg)</div><strong>Name:</strong>Zach Evans<br/><strong>Location:</strong>Outside Eden<br/><strong>Tagging:</strong>Antonio, open<br/><strong>Content:</strong>Change in mood, talking<br/><strong>Wearing:</strong>Pirate (http://www.halloweencostumes.com/mens-cutthroat-pirate-costume.html)<br/><hr/><br/>Zach heard him before he saw him.<em>Fuck.</em>His head fell back against the building in mostly faux exasperation, because really, the glimpse alone was enough to interrupt what lingered of his grouchy mood. But he had half the desire to go unseen, with half the mind to keep this night unsalvageable. A sort of punishment. Misery never had to try hard with him. But of course he wouldn't be left alone, proven by the call. Antonio was too good for that, the poor idiot.<strong>"Hey."</strong><br/><br/>The probing started. Squinting his eyes, Zach answered him by taking another drag of his cigarette, pinched between his thumb and forefinger. But Antonio didn't leave that kind of shit alone, despite the usual protests. Zach didn't like to talk about his problems, and venting to someone younger than him would make him feel pathetic. The smoke streamed out of his nose as he looked at him.<strong>"Stick that tongue somewhere else."</strong>It had no malice to it, but it wasn't meant to. Between the chilly night, the nicotine, and his friend's attempts, he felt his anger being extinguished, and even when he was in a peachier mood, it was typical for him to make that kind of jest.<br/><br/><strong>"Hey, I've been called worse."</strong>He started to turn his head away, only to arch a brow at what Antonio just called him. When the chocolates came out, he glanced at them, then back at him, and the last of his hardened expressions lifted, a sliver of a smile replacing it.<strong>"No way. I know what you asshole villains do. Who knows what you put on that."</strong>Zach took in the details of the costume, the green skin, the form-fitting leather, until his eyes fell on, well. He laughed, shaking his head at the codpiece, and diverted his attention from the stirring in his pants to the club across the street, at the people lined at the door.<strong>"Aren't you in the wrong part of the neighborhood? Not gonna find a lot of innocent snowflakes over here."</strong><br/><br/>After taking one last puff of his cigarette, Zach threw it to the ground. He clapped Antonio on the shoulder. Somewhere in there, there was a thanks, and something a little more celebratory.<strong>"Happy belated, man. Sorry I couldn't stop by. Guess I'll have to make it up to you."</strong>He knew he texted him, but it wasn't the same as wishing a happy birthday in person.