Hm? [ TJ perks up, brows lifting slightly as if he didn’t notice Sam out of his peripheral. Last out, chatting with everyone, it isn’t hard to figure out he’s the guy running this show. TJ nods towards the retreating backs of the people filing out. ]
Good looking group you got here. Military, right? You can tell by how they walk.
[ The pleasant look falters a little as he watches them. They’re all so young. His age, some younger. It’s sad thinking these people who all look so normal are already so damaged. ]
[The compliment to his group startles a laugh out of him.] Yeah, pretty much. We're kind of easy to spot, aren't we, especially when it's a bunch of us all at once.
[The break in expression on TJ's face doesn't go unnoticed, but it is unremarked on. Sam knows better than to just point out these things when talking to people. He busies himself with straightening up the pamphlets that someone had rifled through earlier, looking up at the question.]
Yeah, we're pretty much based here at this point. Always hold the meetings on specific dates and times, though it's not always handled by the same person.
[Or even the same participants for that matter. Everyone comes and goes as they feel like - it's what they've found works best for the veterans.]
[ TJ chuckles in kind. He spent enough of his young life seeing military men and women he can pick them out of a crowd often. There’s a fluidity in the way the walk, less of the bouncy step civilians have. Sometimes it’s the haircut or just certain mannerism that give them away.
He nods easily, glancing back toward the room he came from. ]
Ah, yeah. Now if only my AA meetings were here, too, I’d be all set.
[Sam smiles, just a faint upward quirk of the corner of his lips.]
Keep it all in one place, huh? Is your current one set here for future meetings, too, or does it keep moving around venues? Only I've had to deal with that kind of thing a couple of times before, and it's always been a pain.
[It helps, Sam knows, to have a specific venue for these kinds of things, to add some consistency in the group members' lives and give them a place they can consider safe and, to some extent, theirs. It's why a few of the rooms in the VA building had been cleared out specifically for this kind of thing. It was really the least they could do, at least in Sam's humble opinion.]
They couldn’t make it easy by putting all the something-anonymous meetings in one place. [ TJ shrugs, then stuffs his hands in his pockets. ] I think this is just temporary. The church we usually meet in is undergoing renovations. AA we usually do at some local YMCA or something like that.
[ He nods down the hall toward the quickly retreating backs of a Sam’s group. ] How often you guys meet?
Man, that sucks. [He makes a face, showing just how he feels about it.] It's more convenient when you don't have to keep bouncing between places.
We hold meetings at least once a day, so that people can come in whenever they want to. Some groups have a set time and date, but generally we let people come and go as they like. No pressure, you know? Just support in case they need something to fall back on.
[It helps that all the veterans have the VA's number and their personal counselor's number in case they need someone to talk to ASAP. It's not the best system in place, and there are a lot of bumps that still need to get smoothed over, but it's worked more or less all right for them so far.]
[ TJ looks back toward the room he came from, then to Sam. ] The guy who runs this group holds two others a week, to make it convenient for people who can’t make it other times. But he lets anyone come as often as they need. We’ll be here a while, I’m sure.
[ Sam nods thoughtfully, turning a little to glance over as well. The place is emptying out quickly around them, participants from both groups hurrying on home or wherever else they need to be at this time. ]
Makes sense.
[ It's then that he remembers his manners and offers his hand out for TJ to shake. ] I'm Sam Wilson, by the way. I work here with the VA.
[ Most of the people in TJ’s group have people to go home to. They have family or friends, standing engagements to help shake off the effects of these meetings. Some people didn’t take it seriously. TJ used to be one of those people. It took an accidental overdose for him to see a problem.
He looks down at the proffered hand, taking it with a loose shake. He’s used to shaking hands from all those fancy shindigs he attended when his parents were campaigning. ]
TJ Hammond. Nice to meet you, Sam.
[ He looks back to see the hall emptying quickly behind him, then back to Sam. ]
You, uh, you got any plans? I was going to grab a coffee… Wouldn’t mind some company.
[ Sam likes to think he can read people's body language decently well, but between that handshake and the invitation, so far he's getting a couple of mixed signals from TJ.
Still, he smiles. ]
Well, if you really don't mind, coffee's sounding pretty good right about now. [ Especially if he manages to have a cup or two in the presence of someone with as roguish and charming a smile as TJ Hammond. ]
I know a place nearby that's got decent pastries to go with your choice of caffeine. Unless you've already got somewhere in mind?
[ TJ lights up at the mention of sweet, breaded treats and Sam’s smile becomes a little more infectious. His shoulders relax as the initial tension of meeting and invitations have passed. There’s always a gnawing worry about how people will react to him. Famous for nothing and an addict to boot. But this is going well and Sam doesn’t seem to be casting any judgements. ]
[ Okay, so TJ might be a bit more adorable than Sam had been expecting, expression brightening at the thought of pastries. Sam holds back a chuckle, nodding at him. ]
Let me just put a couple of things away and grab my coat then. Shouldn't take long.
[ He gets it done in record time, hoping the whole time that TJ won't get bored an wander off, but somehow he's still there by the time Sam returns, jacket in hand, a minute later. ]
Sorry about that. Being responsible sucks sometimes.
Place is just down the street though. Let me treat you to a drink for making you wait. [ He can be pretty smooth himself, after all. ]
[ Sometimes TJ is just an overgrown child. Sweets are something he doesn’t indulge in often, but they’re probably the one vice no one bitches at him about. And, hey, pastries and coffee with a cute guy? It’s a good way to spend time in TJ’s book. ]
Hey, take your time.
[ TJ doesn’t mind waiting while Sam finishes up. He’s hosted NA meetings in his apartment a few times, so he knows what the group leaders have to do after: they help tidy up, they pick up their pamphlets, sometimes linger after to talk with anyone having a particularly rough go of it.
The smile returns when Sam comes back from being a responsible adult and group leader. ]
[ They fall into step together easily once they're outside, Sam leading the way. It's a good day for a walk. The air's pleasantly brisk this time of year, the leaves already turning those beautiful, warm colors that Sam loves. He may not drink as much coffee as TJ apparently does, but with the cooler weather, Sam's all for hot drinks.
He laughs, shaking his head, though his eyes gleam with amusement. ]
Hey now, I just said a drink, didn't I? I guess I could be convinced to make it a couple instead of just one, but only if you buy me one of the cookies there.
[ TJ’s sporting his leather coat so the autumn chill in the air isn’t much of a bother. Another couple of weeks and he’d need a scarf to go with it, but for now, it’s just pleasantly brisk. He slides his hands in his pockets as they walk, chuckling at Sam. ]
Don’t worry. I drink regular coffee, not those fancy coffee drinks. Hopefully this place of yours does free refills. But, I think I can swing a cookie or two if that’s what it takes to keep you around a bit.
[ TJ's smile looks even better up close and personal, and Sam's just plain charmed by now. Truthfully, he'd stay even without the bribe of a cookie, but he's not about to turn it down now that it's actually on the table. ]
Sounds like a good trade off to me.
[ He half expects for half a dozen secret agents to start tailing them any moment now, but he's starting to relax a bit more in TJ's company, sharing an easy smile with him. As promised, the cafe's just a couple of minutes away, and Sam holds the door open to let TJ in first. ]
[ No worries, Sam. That's a perk TJ's long since outgrown. Which isn't to say his mother doesn't employ private sector people to look after him, but... if she does TJ doesn't know about them. Which is probably for the best. He already suffers from knowing his parents think him incapable of taking care of himself.
The scent of coffee and baked goods pours out when Sam opens the door and TJ already feels more at ease. It's nice to be able to go from the underlying tension of a meeting to something as casual as coffee with a new pal. TJ dips his head in thanks as he walks in, pausing to wait for SAm before selecting a seat for them near a window. ]
[ It seems they're both feeling a little more at ease now that they're inside, or at least, Sam is. He rolls his shoulders a little, enjoying the warmth that seeps into his limbs, chasing away the slight chill from their walk.
He follows TJ to the table, seating himself after shrugging his jacket off to drape it over the back of his chair. ]
I like mine sweet and milky, but I can stand it black and lethal in a pinch.
[ Like those moments where he can't indulge himself and has to wake up ASAP. Luckily, those kinds of days have been far and few lately. ]
It's a skill I picked up while in the air force.
[ He nodded to the counter. ] Let me go grab us a couple of mugs and see if I can't wrangle us a free refill or two, okay?
[ Before Sam can wander off, TJ shifts in his seat to get his card from his wallet and offers it up with a grin and a wink. ]
Don’t forget your cookie.
[ He won’t argue if Sam protests, but they don’t usually make anyone sign for a purchase that’s only a couple of dollars. If there’s a problem, he’s got cash, too. Not much, but enough for a sweet treat or two. While Sam gets their coffee, TJ shucks off his jacket and takes a look around. A quick text goes out to his brother, a sort of ritual check-in to let him (and thus their mother) know he’s okay and having coffee with someone he met in group. It’s not the exact truth, but it’s far from a lie. And it’s less worrisome than admitting he’s out with a handsome stranger. ]
How long did you serve?
[ It’s probably a common question, but he’s a little curious and it makes for good conversation beyond the basic small talk. ]
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no subject
Good looking group you got here. Military, right? You can tell by how they walk.
[ The pleasant look falters a little as he watches them. They’re all so young. His age, some younger. It’s sad thinking these people who all look so normal are already so damaged. ]
You guys always meet here?
no subject
[The break in expression on TJ's face doesn't go unnoticed, but it is unremarked on. Sam knows better than to just point out these things when talking to people. He busies himself with straightening up the pamphlets that someone had rifled through earlier, looking up at the question.]
Yeah, we're pretty much based here at this point. Always hold the meetings on specific dates and times, though it's not always handled by the same person.
[Or even the same participants for that matter. Everyone comes and goes as they feel like - it's what they've found works best for the veterans.]
Your group finished earlier, huh?
no subject
He nods easily, glancing back toward the room he came from. ]
Ah, yeah. Now if only my AA meetings were here, too, I’d be all set.
no subject
Keep it all in one place, huh? Is your current one set here for future meetings, too, or does it keep moving around venues? Only I've had to deal with that kind of thing a couple of times before, and it's always been a pain.
[It helps, Sam knows, to have a specific venue for these kinds of things, to add some consistency in the group members' lives and give them a place they can consider safe and, to some extent, theirs. It's why a few of the rooms in the VA building had been cleared out specifically for this kind of thing. It was really the least they could do, at least in Sam's humble opinion.]
no subject
[ He nods down the hall toward the quickly retreating backs of a Sam’s group. ] How often you guys meet?
no subject
We hold meetings at least once a day, so that people can come in whenever they want to. Some groups have a set time and date, but generally we let people come and go as they like. No pressure, you know? Just support in case they need something to fall back on.
[It helps that all the veterans have the VA's number and their personal counselor's number in case they need someone to talk to ASAP. It's not the best system in place, and there are a lot of bumps that still need to get smoothed over, but it's worked more or less all right for them so far.]
What about you guys? A weekly thing?
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no subject
Makes sense.
[ It's then that he remembers his manners and offers his hand out for TJ to shake. ] I'm Sam Wilson, by the way. I work here with the VA.
no subject
He looks down at the proffered hand, taking it with a loose shake. He’s used to shaking hands from all those fancy shindigs he attended when his parents were campaigning. ]
TJ Hammond. Nice to meet you, Sam.
[ He looks back to see the hall emptying quickly behind him, then back to Sam. ]
You, uh, you got any plans? I was going to grab a coffee… Wouldn’t mind some company.
no subject
Still, he smiles. ]
Well, if you really don't mind, coffee's sounding pretty good right about now. [ Especially if he manages to have a cup or two in the presence of someone with as roguish and charming a smile as TJ Hammond. ]
I know a place nearby that's got decent pastries to go with your choice of caffeine. Unless you've already got somewhere in mind?
no subject
You had me at pastries. Let’s go.
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Let me just put a couple of things away and grab my coat then. Shouldn't take long.
[ He gets it done in record time, hoping the whole time that TJ won't get bored an wander off, but somehow he's still there by the time Sam returns, jacket in hand, a minute later. ]
Sorry about that. Being responsible sucks sometimes.
Place is just down the street though. Let me treat you to a drink for making you wait. [ He can be pretty smooth himself, after all. ]
no subject
Hey, take your time.
[ TJ doesn’t mind waiting while Sam finishes up. He’s hosted NA meetings in his apartment a few times, so he knows what the group leaders have to do after: they help tidy up, they pick up their pamphlets, sometimes linger after to talk with anyone having a particularly rough go of it.
The smile returns when Sam comes back from being a responsible adult and group leader. ]
I should warn you, I drink a lot of coffee.
no subject
He laughs, shaking his head, though his eyes gleam with amusement. ]
Hey now, I just said a drink, didn't I? I guess I could be convinced to make it a couple instead of just one, but only if you buy me one of the cookies there.
no subject
Don’t worry. I drink regular coffee, not those fancy coffee drinks. Hopefully this place of yours does free refills. But, I think I can swing a cookie or two if that’s what it takes to keep you around a bit.
no subject
Sounds like a good trade off to me.
[ He half expects for half a dozen secret agents to start tailing them any moment now, but he's starting to relax a bit more in TJ's company, sharing an easy smile with him. As promised, the cafe's just a couple of minutes away, and Sam holds the door open to let TJ in first. ]
So how do you take your coffee?
no subject
The scent of coffee and baked goods pours out when Sam opens the door and TJ already feels more at ease. It's nice to be able to go from the underlying tension of a meeting to something as casual as coffee with a new pal. TJ dips his head in thanks as he walks in, pausing to wait for SAm before selecting a seat for them near a window. ]
Strong with unreasonable amounts of sugar. You?
no subject
He follows TJ to the table, seating himself after shrugging his jacket off to drape it over the back of his chair. ]
I like mine sweet and milky, but I can stand it black and lethal in a pinch.
[ Like those moments where he can't indulge himself and has to wake up ASAP. Luckily, those kinds of days have been far and few lately. ]
It's a skill I picked up while in the air force.
[ He nodded to the counter. ] Let me go grab us a couple of mugs and see if I can't wrangle us a free refill or two, okay?
no subject
Don’t forget your cookie.
[ He won’t argue if Sam protests, but they don’t usually make anyone sign for a purchase that’s only a couple of dollars. If there’s a problem, he’s got cash, too. Not much, but enough for a sweet treat or two. While Sam gets their coffee, TJ shucks off his jacket and takes a look around. A quick text goes out to his brother, a sort of ritual check-in to let him (and thus their mother) know he’s okay and having coffee with someone he met in group. It’s not the exact truth, but it’s far from a lie. And it’s less worrisome than admitting he’s out with a handsome stranger. ]
How long did you serve?
[ It’s probably a common question, but he’s a little curious and it makes for good conversation beyond the basic small talk. ]