I Like the Way you Look at Me [Ian]

Ian had been more or less doing mindless busy work in his office until the time the pair planned to leave. His mind wasn't at all on his work, eager for the day out. He'd been awake since too early, dressed, changed his shirt a few times, brushed his hair and hoped it would stay in place (even though he knew it wouldn't), before finally heading down to his office to wait. He...wasn't even sure why he was fussing about it so much...maybe he was just long over-due for a day away, a break from everything.

He made himself wait a few moments at the knock on the door, before opening it up. "Morning." He smiled. "I was just finishing up a few things...but I'm ready now."

He stepped out, shutting his door behind him. "Shall we? Should be late enough we miss the worst of the morning rush, and it's shaping up to be a nice day out there."

Urgh, he needed to just not...talk about pointless things. Why was this making him so anxious? It was just a day out in the city...

Harley's face brightened up considerably when Ian answered his door, it was always like that, his entire demeanor just seemed to float and glow when he was around this man, it was a powerful effect that he found himself enjoying more and more the longer he was around him. He could sense the weird nerves from the man though, so he tried to keep his tone light as he spoke, "Morning, Ian!" He waved a hand to indicate that it was okay, giving an eager now, "we shall, I was looking at traffic reports on that topic, looks like...ah...smooth sailing? All the way." He grinned wide, "yes, not to hot, not too cold...And not a cloud in the sky as far as I know!" He never minded talking about pointless things with Ian.

He chuckled as he led him out of the base and out to where the various vehicles were parked, it was a fairly unassuming parking lot, especially for an old power plant, "do you prefer to drive or shall I?" He smiled at him, quirking his head to to side.

He shrugged up a light jacket and followed the other up to the surface and into the parking lot.

"Hmm. You can drive if you'd like. Leaves me free to navigate for you." He offered. "I haven't been to the city in a while, but I believe I remember enough to get us to some interesting places. Any thoughts on what you'd be interested in seeing first? Parks, architecture, museums?" He asked, giving the other a curious look as he followed him to whichever car was his.

Harly nodded, it sounded like a solid idea, as he'd never actually been to Chicago, "sounds like a plan, my friend." He chuckled as he led them to a rather vintage looking Thunderbird, holding the passenger door open for him before slipping around and into the driver's seat, "I am most glad you know the way, as I certainly do not!" He laughed as he kicked up the engine and pulled out, pondering on his previous question.

"Mm what does Chicago have in the way of museums?" He smiled, glancing over at him occasionally as he drove, "It has been too long since I have been to a museum!" He chuckled, he was sure the last time he went was in college, which felt like ages ago, "a stroll through the park would also be enjoyable, perhaps we can finish our day off with a nice dinner?" As friends, of course, this wasn't a date after all.

Ian settled into the car with an approving nod. "This is nice." He wasn't much of a car guy himself, but he could certainly appreciate a nice one when he saw it.

"There are a lot of museums there!" He smiled at the suggestion. "Do you like art? That's one that's well worth checking out, and it's in the middle of a park along the waterfront...quite a bit you can see all at once in one spot." He said, deciding that that is where they would go for the day, it would be a good start to seeing things in the city.

The short drive, less then an hour, passed quickly and it wasn't long until they arrived in the city. Letting the other drive Ian navigated the streets finding them a reasonably reputable looking parking garage to leave the car in for the day.

"We're only about a block up from the park and everything from here." He said, pointing in the direction they would need to walk. "Shall we?"

The trip out to the city had been pleasant the whole way there, between Ian's navigation, they'd had rather enjoyable conversation about recent things going on in their lives, about how eager they both were to finally be getting some time to just relax and do something fun, really Harley could have spent the whole day just driving long roads with this man, but eventually Ian has directed him to a parking garage, and soon he was hopping out of the driver's seat and locking the doors.

He grinned at him when he spoke and nodded, "sounds perfect!" He couldn't hide the eagerness in his voice as he followed Ian out of the parking garage, having to force himself not to hop from foot to foot as he took in all the massive buildings and unique sights, sounds, and smells, "this city is wonderful!" He laughed and clapped his hands, "I cannot wait to get to the park!" He was already having a blast.

He laughed along with him as they walked. "You haven't even really seen it yet. And wait until you get into the history of this place...much of it build on mobsters and prohibition and they're really proud of this...ever want to buy any tchotchke ever with Al Capone on it? This is the place to do it."

The fall air was crisp, with just enough of a bite to it to be pleasant without being too cold. He tucked his hands into his jacket pockets as they walked, smiling a bit to himself as he looked up and around at the buildings. "It's not that far." He nodded ahead of them as he walked.

It was only a few minutes to reach the park, wide open spaces of green spread across with trees, water fountains and statues dedicated to various people, most of whom long gone.

"Welcome to Millennium Park." His smile widened as they started their stroll across. He wasn't even that eager to reach the museum, this right here...this was nice. It felt like...he wasn't sure what it felt like. He wasn't even sure of his own feelings anymore...he felt like there were things he should say or do...or maybe not say or do...and maybe he shouldn't have even come out here...and yet here he was and he didn't want to be any place else.

He glanced over to his companion, for just a moment his expression giving away some of his thoughts, for just a moment he looked like he wanted to say something. But the next moment he cleared his throat instead, looking ahead as he walked forward a little more.

Harley's attention was drawn to Ian as he spoke, completely engrossed in what he was saying as the two men walked the short distance to the park, "Really? Most interesting!" He grinned wide, "when I was a lad in highschool, I was very interested in this history, mobsters and the like!" He looked around with an appreciative whistle, "it is very cool to be in such a hot stop for it!" Especially when he could be here with Ian.

When they reached the part, his eyes lit up considerably, and he had to force himself not to run ahead in his excitement. He supposed it was childish, but he really was excited to be here with Ian, "It is beautiful!" His smile was ear to ear as he stepped ahead a bit to take in all the sights. He had to admit, though he was eager for the museum, he was content where they were, and he had half a thought to suggest they skip the museum and spend their time out here in the sunshine together.

He glanced back at Ian and notice the look cross his face, chuckling softly when he caught up, "ah, you look like you have something on your mind?" He laughed and shook his head, "I am sorry...I forget not to ask such things outside of work..." He wasn't on duty, he needed to not ask such questions.

They had talked extensively about their pasts, both had been through and seen a great many things. Maybe that's why it always stood out so strongly to Ian...how the other so easily seemed to know how to be happy. He smiled and laughed and delighted over little every day things to the point where some it couldn't help but rub off on Ian.

It was a strange feeling, for a man who'd spend the better part of the last couple decades running from his demons, his worries, his doubts...himself...to just stop and be happy in little things like the sun and a walk in the park...it was nice. He saw a glimpse of a future where he could...maybe...be happy?

He flushed suddenly as the other asked about his thoughts, ducking his head slightly with a glance at the other.

"No...I just...I'm just thinking, I suppose. Just...this...this is nice. Thank you." He came to a stop, looking up to meet the other's gaze and hold it for a long moment, smiling a little even past the color in his expression.

Harley's face was lit up in a bright smile as he took in the park, he'd always been the kind of person to find the beauty in the smallest things, he supposed it came from growing up fairly low income, where he had to make good things where he could. There was something lovely about just strolling through the park, and he chuckled softly as he voiced his thoughts, "you know...I would be content skipping the museum to enjoy the sunlight..." Museums were fun, but sometimes this was even more so.

He tilted his head at the flush of the other man's cheeks, the way he ducked his head, how curious. He didn't press any questions on him, that wasn't the purpose of this outing after all, but his face brightened in a grin and he laughed softly, "Thank you, Ian. For bringing me out to this lovely park on this lovely day." He found Ian quite a lovely person as well, though he decided to keep that thought to himself, but he held Ian's eyes with a fondness in his own.

"You know, that thought had crossed my mind as well." Ian laughed a little. "Let's just...how about we just wander, and see where things end up?" He suggested.

When the other thanked him in return he flushed a little more, but smiled warmly back. He drew a little closer, putting a hand on the other's arm and letting it rest there for a moment.

The next moment he seemed to catch himself and drew back a little, reaching into his pocket and fumbling with his cigarettes, partly to give his hands something to do, partly because he needed the smoke to calm the sudden nerves. This was crazy. His feelings were crazy and thinking he could just ignore them was also crazy. He fumbled slightly with his lighter, eyes flickering away for the moment.

Harley laughed softly and nodded, glad to know that he and Ian seemed to be on the same wavelength. That seemed to happen a lot between them, they would speak each other's thoughts and even finish one another's sentences on some occasions. It was one of the reasons he'd become so fond of Ian, one of the reasons he found himself developing this ridiculous crush on the man. God he felt like he was in highschool all over again, blushing and chuckling softly when Ian rested a hand on his arm.

When he pulled away and seemed to fumble, Harley smiled and attempted to ease the situation with a soft laugh, "I'm glad we're on the same wavelength, as usual, just wandering sounds nice." He turned from him before casting a glance back at him, "I enjoy letting the day flow as it will on days like today, mm Jaanu?" He spoke with a fondness to his voice as he looked over Ian's face fondly.

He put away the lighter, he took a long drag and let it out with a little bit of a nervous laugh and a smile back. He liked that smile, the smile that left him all warm inside, warm and comfortable and...safe...in ways he hadn't felt in so long he'd almost forgotten what they were like. He wanted to just...he wanted to do a lot of things. Say a lot of things. He drew closer...then stopped.

He wished he could.

He took another pull from the cigarette, letting out the breath of smoke with a half murmured, drawn out "Fuck..." He squeezed his eyes shut for a moment, reaching up with one hand to run through his hair, making the ends stand up.

He wasn't going to be able to go about this day and act like nothing was going on, he wasn't that good of an actor. Besides...it wasn't fair.

"I just...wow." he took a breath. "I don't even know how to start saying any of this..." He admitted.