In a different life.

[theexterminator]

Fet got a new job from his boss when he was still dusty from the first. He brushed off the mess before getting back into his car. He opened the report and glanced over the complaint. Scratches in the walls, gnaw marks on the doors and molding. He flipped the page over, getting the address. He knew New York like the back of his hand. He could get there in ten minutes. He pushed his coat back and checked his watch. If he could get in and get out in under half an hour he could go home in time for the game. How complicated could it be?

"Dutch," he said aloud after seeing the name of the renter. Who named their kid Dutch? Was she dutch or did the parents just like how it sounded? Maybe she was foreign and in her country this was normal. Tons of kids named America and England running around too. He huffed at the idea, amusing himself.

He drove to the apartments, found parking and got out. He stood in front of the building, looking it over. It was one of the older estates. He swatted down in front of the grassy patch out front and watched the grass. There were obvious rat runs parting the grass like knife cuts in a jello mold. This might not be a twenty minute job, but it was only supposed to be a consultation.

Walking up to the door, he buzzed the manager. He stated his business and then went up. He talked to the landlord for a moment and the man was pretty certain the woman was home. That wasn't Fet's favorite way to do business, but he could work around her. He was given the green light and went to the right apartment.

He knocked, leaning on the doorway and looking oddly unprofessional. He didn't do this for the people, he did this for the hunt. He wasn't here to make small talk and he hoped miss complainer would stay out of his way.

Comments

[curiousnotmalicious]

Born in New York, Dutch knew all about the critters that called the city home. The pigeons, the roaches, and the rats, mostly. Sure, she’d moved away at a young age, but one doesn’t just forget one’s roots. She’d been pretty tolerant. Sure, it was creepy to hear scratching in the walls, but if she could tolerate her neighbor leeching off of her wi-fi she could tolerate a couple rats. That was until they started leaving their mark on the interior of her apartment. The bottoms of the apartment’s doors were gnawed. The molding along the walls was, too. That had been the last straw. It was why she’d contacted pest control.

In anticipation of the visit, Dutch had cleaned up her usually cluttered living space. Her ex had been the neurotically neat one and the place felt the woman’s absence. It wasn’t as if Dutch lived in a pig sty, but rather that she had a tendency to forget to put things back where they belonged. Her coffee table was covered in magazines and periodicals. Her coat, instead of being hung up, had been slung over the back of a sofa. Now, though, after a thorough picking up, everything was in its right place.

Dutch had been enjoying a mug of tea when she heard the knocking at her door. She set the oversized, steaming mug on a coaster on her table and walked to the door. First she looked through the peep hole to make sure it wasn’t an unwelcome guest, but she could clearly see the man’s badge hanging around his neck. Stepping back a little, Dutch opened the door.

“Hey,” She cracked a small, polite smile and stepped aside so that the man could enter. “Pest control, yeah? I’m Dutch Velders.”

[theexterminator]

Not a lot of people cleaned before the exterminator came over. Maybe it was the people that let rats run wild under foot weren't the sort to clean in general. Either way he was going to notice how clean it was. He could seem indifferent, but he was focused most the time. He took in details and always knew where people were. Some called it paranoid. He couldn't help it. It was how he was wired.

When Dutch opened the door, he couldn't help looking her over. The whole 'look' streamed rebel to him. Not the goth kid rebel, but the wild child sort. It wasn't what he'd been expecting. He figured some sixty something would be living here and complaining about scratching sounds. His attention didn't linger on here, straying to the house instead. It was clean, which made him grin a little. That made things a lot easier.

"Yeah," he said without much emphasis and then offered his hand, "Vasiliy Fet. I'm with the city. Would you mind showing me where the most extensive evidence is?"

Well, he really didn't need to be shown in all honesty. He could figure out where rats came and went. It was all part of the job. Normally he sent the homeowners away. He wanted to keep talking, to see if he could pick up where that accent was from.

[curiousnotmalicious]

His grin didn’t go unnoticed. It seemed to be contagious, too, as Dutch’s polite smile broadened slightly and became more sincere. She nodded and led him to her kitchen. The archway that divided the kitchen from the living room had some molding that had been gnawed on by something, presumably a rat.

“This is where I noticed it, first. There on the molding and a bit on the lower kitchen cabinets.” Dutch was watching him, too. True, it was mostly because she was wary of people she invited into her home, but a little bit of it was that his eyes caught her attention. They were the bluest eyes she’d ever seen. Dutch was careful not to stare, though. This was business, not a time for socializing.

“They’re crazy at night.” She shook her head. “I’m certain it’s them that I hear in the walls. Scratching, you know?” Dutch bit her thumbnail for a moment. Rats didn’t scare her, but they did make her a little uneasy. Hearing phantom noises was unsettling in the middle of the night.

[theexterminator]

Business, right. He definitely wasn't watching the way her lips moved when she started biting her nails. They were soft and plumb, kissable. Definitely work only here. He coughed to take himself out of the haze and turned towards the ruined wall.

"What else would it be?" he asked with a raised brow. It was a tease. He'd been all over the city and he'd never seen anything more dangerous than released domestic snakes.

Fet squatted down and reached his hand under the cabinet. He could feel gnaw marks as well as some droppings. He'd normally pull them out and inspect them, but he had company.

"It's a shame," he said as his fingers caressed the wood, "This is original work. Carpenters made this city with their hands. No short cuts back then. Just wood, steel saws and skills. Every piece is unique."

He glanced up at her, that grin still on his lips. It shouldn't, but being almost on his knees in front of her feel suggest. It shouldn't. He's working. Hell he had rat shit on his hands. Still, it's one hell of a view look up.

[curiousnotmalicious]

Dutch couldn’t help but smirk when he asked what else would have been making the scratching noises. “You don’t know my neighbors.” She joked, letting out a quiet chuckle. No, she was certain that the creatures bugging her were of the four-legged tailed sort.

“Yeah?” She took a small step forward, eyeing the cabinets as if it was her first time seeing them. Dutch hadn’t stopped to appreciate the carpentry before then. “Are you into woodworking, too?” It seemed that, for a second, Dutch had ignored the fact that she was doing business with the man. That she had a problem he was there to fix. Instead, she found herself wanting to know more about him.

She tilted her head downward to look at him. God, that smile of his... Just like that she found herself smiling again. It was easy to forget that they were here to talk about vermin. She was grateful that they’d sent him instead of someone else, but she couldn’t put her finger on exactly why that was.

[theexterminator]

He was on a job. He should be setting down traps, but he didn't want to. He could delay here. Linger for a moment and pretend that she wanted to talk to him. That he wasn't getting paid to be here. A stupid fantasy, but she was indulging

"No. Never had the touch. Got oven mitts for hands," he said holding up his hands, palm front. They were big and strong, but not clumsy. That was just part of the joke. He worked on traps just fine, but woodwork was just too slow.

"The history of it though, that I like. These buildings," he said motioning with his hand to the apartment, "They all have history. This city was build with sweat and blood. We forget, but the building, they don't. They remember and if you listen close they can tell you things. Like that wall, it's been replaced."

He got up from his crouch and went to the wall. He put his hand on it, running over the seam where one wall met another.

"They didn't use the right technique, so it's different. New wall means the old one was knocked down or damaged. Termites maybe? Bullet holes? Who knows, but we've got a clue that something did once upon a time. We got a story or least the start of one."

[curiousnotmalicious]

Dutch couldn’t hold back a laugh at the oven mitt comment. She shrugged her shoulders and nodded a little. “Well, take comfort in knowing that some people find big hands attractive.” A smile formed on her lips. Was she flirting? Maybe a little. She mentally scolded herself for breaking the ‘just business’ rule she’d set for herself just a minute ago.

“History buff, then?” She eyed him curiously, trying to figure out what his story was. There was more to him than what was on the surface. He wasn’t just an ordinary exterminator.

She watched him and as he walked to that other wall she found herself following him, watching carefully as he inspected everything. “It was here when I moved in, but that was just a year ago. They must have replaced it before I came along.” Dutch folded her arms across her chest, wrinkling her eyebrows as she eyed the wall.

“Where would they be coming from?” She asked, regarding her furry houseguests.

[theexterminator]

The laugh didn't bother him. It was meant as a joke. He was glad she'd liked it. The comment though, that made him pause. She'd said 'some people' but he found himself hoping she meant herself. Had he somehow gone back to being sixteen without him knowing it? She was cute, but he'd worked with cuter house owners. He should be able to keep his mind on the work.

The question reminded him of work. He still hadn't found the origin spot and he'd need to know that.

"The kitchen is over there so the hole will be over there too. Rats know where their food is and limit the distance between safety and a meal," he said went back to the kitchen, "Rats like low hiding places. People rarely look down and it gives them the advantage when seen."

He got down on his hands and knees, pulling out his flashlight. He searched between the floor and the cabinets. There was a small space, just the right size for a rat to get through. He flipped onto his back and got as close as he could. A shift in the shadow showed him where the hole was. He pushed his fingers into it and felt a small, chewed round hole.

"There," he said keeping the flashlight on it as he went to stand, "If you want to see it you'll have to get on the floor, on your back. You might get a dirty."

[curiousnotmalicious]

Dutch found herself shuddering slightly. The thought of rats getting into her food? It grossed her out. She prided herself on not being a sissy, but that was disgusting. This was definitely a night for takeout. Dutch couldn’t bear to think of the food already in the pantry.

“Makes sense.” She murmured after he explained that the rats would find a place close to the food. This wasn’t just a consultation, but also a learning experience. Of course, she would have rather lived her entire life without having the need to know about rats and their habits.

“Yeah?” She wanted to see. At first Dutch just crouched, but when she couldn’t see from that point she got a little lower. She didn’t mind getting a little bit dirty. It’d be laundry day soon enough anyway and she didn’t have anywhere to go that night. A little dust wouldn’t hurt or inconvenience her. Once she was on her back she saw exactly what he’d been talking about. Dutch couldn’t help but grimace slightly.

“Sneaky little assholes, aren’t they?” She lifted her head to smirk up at him. Dutch held out an arm. “Help me up?”

[theexterminator]

Fet could tell her what food was touched and what was safe, but itd be pointless. She'd imagine that everything had a bite out of it. Little did she know that she'd likely shared food with bugs, rats and possibly spiders more than once in her life. The amount of pests that were in our home, touching our food, was enough to put anyone off their feed. Besides Fet who didn't care if something touched his food, as long as it tasted good. No point in being worried over something you couldn't help.

"Sneaky and smart. Rats are smarter than most dogs, but don't get the credit. You can teach them to sit, stand and come to their name with treats. The wild ones, man their just born survivors," he said leaning down and taking her arm. He thought about the oven mitt comment and wondered if she was one of those women that liked big hands. His wrapped almost computer around her bicep. He gave her a little tug, hoping to help her up.

[curiousnotmalicious]

Had Dutch known that, she’d probably be even more disturbed than she was only knowing about the rats. This was one thing that she preferred to deny happened at all. There had been rats in London, too. They seemed to be a constant no matter where Dutch was. She probably should have been used to them by then, but the little creatures still bothered her.

She raised her eyebrow upon hearing that rats were smarter than most dogs. “Really? I wouldn’t have guessed.” It made sense to her when she thought about it. Rats needed to be smarter than dogs. Their survival depended on them being clever.

When he grabbed her arm, Dutch couldn’t help but notice that his oven mitt hands were just as big as they’d seemed. She cracked a small smile as she stood. Yes, she was one of those people who favored big hands on men.

“So, what do we do from here?” She stuck her hands into her pockets.

[theexterminator]

That was only the tip of the iceberg. He knew more and some of it even grosser. She was lucky that he didn't lead with the fact they ate their own to keep the sink from attracting predators. He could use some decorum at times.

"We," he said surprised. The home owner normally didn't want to get involved. He wasn't about to shoo her off. Not if she was really interested. Although he couldn't imagine why. Still, he liked talking to her and she seemed to listen.

"I set out some traps, get some poison down and maybe check the crawl spaces for more signs of vermin. Want to come to the truck and get my supplies with me?" he asked before he though of how that sounded.

[curiousnotmalicious]

Dutch gave a nod of her head when he repeated the word ‘we’. She had nothing else to do, so why not be productive? She thought for a moment that maybe he’d turn down the extra hands to help, but then he suggested going down to his truck and getting his supplies. Her mouth pulled into a small smile and she nodded.

“Sure.” She nodded and headed to the foyer, careful to pick up her keys so that they wouldn’t get locked out. Dutch stepped aside to allow him out the door first. It wasn’t as if he needed to lead her somewhere that she didn’t know the way to, but it seemed polite in the moment.

“So,” She looked to him as she slowly descended the building’s staircase. “What kinds of supplies are we getting?” Maybe it was partially small talk, but this process made Dutch curious. She wanted to learn more about it.

[theexterminator]

This was completely against protocol, but he didn't care. She was cute and she was into learning about his work. He was a sane, straight man and there was no way he was going to refuse her. Who ever heard of an exterminator groupie.

He went out the door, brushing close beside her in the small space. At least it felt small with his broad shoulders and height. He went into the hallway and started downstairs, trusting her to follow him.

"Traps, poison, sensors," he said as he took them out of the apartment and to his truck. As a city service vehicle he could park right up front. He opened the back and started pulling out supplies.

[curiousnotmalicious]

This was certainly not how Dutch imagined her day going, but so far she had no complaints. Anytime she met someone new and interesting it was a victory for her. This guy, Mr. Fet, was nice. It’s true that he served a purpose, but she thought she would have liked him even if he was less useful. He was the kind of person she wanted to get to know. Was that ridiculous, she wondered? After all, she’d only just met him.

“Sounds like you’ve got this business down to an art.” She looked at him as they walked to his truck. Dutch smiled at the display. It seemed that there was a tool for every imaginable purpose. She wondered if he was as into his line of work as she was into her own hacking.

[theexterminator]

An art? He supposed you could say that. Fet shrugged at the implication.

"Sure, the art of war," he said wondering if he should make her carry a few things. She was putting him behind schedule after all. He got up two traps the size of lunch boxes and held them out to her. He didn't ask her to take them, instead letting her decide if she wanted to or not. If she didn't take them he'd just carry them inside himself and make two trips.

"You can't hunt unless you know your prey. I've got journals on their habits, their needs and their safety zones."

[curiousnotmalicious]

She cracked a smile. War against New York’s pests. As serious as it was, it sounded amusing in that moment. He was right, though. This was comparable to war. There was an enemy and the goal was to defeat them. It made it a little more interesting. Dutch happily took the two traps off of him.

“You’re quite serious about this business, aren’t you?” She asked, waiting for him to catch up to her before she made a move to carry the traps back up to her apartment. “It’s comforting, really, having someone around who knows what they’re doing.” It was a not so subtle compliment on her part. As soon as she’d said it, though, she broke eye contact with him to examine one of the traps she was holding. Dutch had never expected to actually be interested in pest extermination.

[theexterminator]

"Keeps me busy," he said as if everyone spend their waking hours focusing on their job. It wasn't a job to him, but a passion. Which, if he thought too hard, was fucked up. He liked conquering their little world and knowing his enemy. Maybe he would have been happier in the Roman times when he could have been an Army general, but that wasn't his choice. He was born when and where he was.

"It's nice having someone around who notices," he told her, trying not to smile and failing.

So, to recap this beautiful woman wanted to learn about rat trapping. He should be looking for hidden cameras. Was she a hooker? One of his 'buddies' was always joking about getting him one.

He opened the door and held it for her, knowing she might struggle with her hands full.

[curiousnotmalicious]

Dutch nodded when he said that his job kept him busy. It was clear that he was dedicated to his job, a feeling Dutch knew all too well. When she got into coding or hacking something it was very difficult to pry her away. Not all that many people could ever hope to find their passion the way that she did. In that respect, she could see herself in him, or at least she could see that one trait.

All it took from him was that one smile for Dutch to smile right back at him. This was business, though, she told herself. Even if he was a nice guy with big hands and beautiful blue eyes.

She smiled a little brighter when he held the door open for her. “A gentleman. Thank you.” Dutch stepped inside and started walking back up the stairs. She looked back over her shoulder at him. “So, Mr. Fet, what do you do when you’re not working?”

[theexterminator]

What did we do when he wasn't working? The question caught him off guard. He thought of what he was going to go home and do. He was going to make dinner, mix a new poison and test it tomorrow. He was going to water his plants and then read. He was going to read.

"I do a lot of reading," he said before realizing how lame that sounded. He grunted as he lifted the largest trap onto the elevator. He got in and the motioned for her to follow him. It was going to be a tight fit.

"And I make poison," he said wondering if she would get into an enclosed space with him.

[curiousnotmalicious]

Dutch managed to fit in the elevator, traps and all, even if she did have to hold them in a way that was awkward. Her building’s elevator was a cramped place. She didn’t even ride it with some of her neighbors.

She nodded when he mentioned reading. Dutch’s instincts told her that he was an introvert. She wondered briefly if talking about life outside of work would have been awkward for him because of that, but decided that small talk was basically harmless. “Yeah?” A tiny smile formed on her face. “What genres are you into?”

When he brought up making poison, Dutch’s eyebrows raised for the briefest of seconds before she realized he was probably talking about making rat poison. “For work?” She asked, just to be 100% certain.

[theexterminator]

He didn't go out to parties nor did he have a lot of friend. So, yeah, it was a little awkward. He didn't go fishing or watched sports. His interest were all about rats and war theory. He read more non-fiction than fiction. So he even skipped explaining.

"What do you think?" he asked in regards to the poison. He kept an eye on her, wondering what she'd think of him. Did she need to be reassured he wasn't a serial killer? Well, it wouldn't be the for the first time. People said he gave off an creepy vibe. He'd never been able to pin that one down. He doubted she had the same opinion since she stayed to talk with him.

[curiousnotmalicious]

Dutch smiled a little bit. “Well, I didn’t think you used it on people who’ve pissed you off. It was a bit of a dumb question. Everyone takes their work home with them at some point, I suppose.” She’d been accused of doing so on more than one occasion. Nikki had said that the thing that drove the two of them apart had been Dutch’s laptop, something that Dutch fervently denied.

She jabbed at the button for her floor on the panel of buttons inside the elevator. “I’m not keeping you too long, am I?” Dutch paused for a millisecond. “Do you have somewhere to be after you finish up with me?” Watching him carefully, she cracked a small smile. She was not so subtly putting out feelers to see if he was busy later on.

[theexterminator]

He tensed at her question. He didn't know why she was asking. Well, he had a feeling. Was she interested in stepping out after he was done with his work? In grabbing a beer? All of that suggested some sort of interest, rather sexual or romantic. Which was absurd so he pushed the thought aside. He was an oddity and that's what she enjoyed. He didn't mind being the center of that focus.

"No. I've got no where else to go and I'm in no hurry to finish with you," he said carefully. He walked out of the doors as they opened and didn't look back. He didn't want to appear anxious.

[curiousnotmalicious]

“Perfect.” She smiled. “Well, if you’re up for it after all of the work is done, would you like to grab a drink?” Dutch shifted slightly. The traps were a little heavier than they looked. It must have been quite a job lugging these things up and down from apartments.

“First round is on me?” Dutch said, to make the offer a little more tempting. Usually she didn’t have to do a lot of work to convince people to go out for drinks with her, but something about him felt hesitant. She wasn’t quite sure why.

“I know a bar that’s not too far from my place. Nice atmosphere.” She followed close behind him.

[theexterminator]

He got to her apartment and managed not to answer or look back. He put the trap down then turned to her, greasy hands on his hips. He couldn't quite look at her yet. So, he picked a new favorite part on the floor and focused there instead.

"Let me get this straight..." he said carefully, hoping she realized what she was doing as well, "Are you asking your exterminator out for...drinks?"

He didn't want to say date. Date sounded too serious. This was a pacing fancy, nothing more. She was trying to be naughty and sleep with the help maybe.

[curiousnotmalicious]

Dutch couldn’t help but crack a smile. When he said it like that it really did sound sort of ridiculous. She stood by her decision, though. If she had her way, after they wrapped things up at her place they’d be heading out for drinks. Who knew? Maybe they’d wind up back at her place again.

“Don’t tell me you’re declining just because I met you on the job.” She looked over her shoulder as she made her way into her apartment. His reaction made her wonder if her curiosity about him was one-sided. Dutch thought that he was an interesting guy and suspected that he would only get more interesting after a couple drinks.

Honestly, Dutch wasn’t used to people being hesitant about going out with her. It wasn’t her being cocky, it was simply the way things were.

[theexterminator]

He was definitely curious about her, but he didn't want to seem too anxious. He was a bit nervously, honestly. This didn't happen. He closed his eyes for a second as he followed her.

Okay. He could do this. Hot woman was talking to him. Hot woman had asked him out. He felt like a caveman. It was a shame he didn't have a log to hit against the ground. He let out a breath then looked her over again. He was so scared and so excited.

"No, I'm not declining," he said with a little smile, "No. I'm saying yes. I haven't had drinks in a long time."

[curiousnotmalicious]

Her expression brightened up with a smile. She simply nodded at Fet. “Good. Everyone deserves a night out sometime.” It felt like a little victory, getting him to say yes to going out, even if it wound up just being drinks and conversation. It lifted her mood a little bit.

“Where should I put these?” Dutch nodded to each of the traps that she held in her hands. He was the pro, in this case. He knew best. The sooner they finished up here the sooner they could kick back and relax at the bar down the street. Dutch so wanted to learn more about him. She’d imagined that there was much more to him than reading and making poison for work. She wanted to see if her instincts were right, having pegged him a secretly more complicated than he let on.

[theexterminator]

He should be more diligent with the traps. He should get them into the ceiling and put them in the walls. Instead he was going to be lazy and settled them into the kitchen. They might catch something, but it was less likely. He wasn't even that careful about putting them together.

"Simple," he said once the job was done, not bothering to exaborate. He was excited. He was thrilled about going out with someone. He didn't do that. He didn't even like blondes normally, but she had an edge he was drawn to.

"Did you want to go now or later?" he asked not wanting to seem overeager, but he was,

[curiousnotmalicious]

This was the first time Dutch had ever contacted anyone about the rat problem in her apartment, so she wasn’t very familiar with the way things were done. Still, she got the sense that Mr. Fet was rushing through the work. Truthfully, she didn’t mind. It was kind of flattering that he just wanted to skip right to the fun part.

“I’ve never been very good at waiting.” She grinned. “I say we go now, unless you object.”

With that, Dutch led the way out of the apartment. She looked over her shoulder to make sure she wasn’t walking too quickly for him. That wasn’t really a likely possibility, when she thought of it. Dutch was a tall woman, but Fet was still taller than her. His legs could probably carry him faster than any speed she could travel at.

“So, Mr. Fet, should I call you Vasiliy now that you’re off the clock?”

[theexterminator]

He'd do better work the next time he came over. He'd set up poisons. The rats were invasive to her home yet and they wouldn't hurt her. He didn't have to feel guilty about doing the job half assed today. She'd distracted him after all. He'd remind her of that if she gave him a hard time.

"In my work clothes? I don't mind, if you don't," he said not sure what else he had. He might have a tux in the back his closet, but that would be overkill for a bar. Best he didn't go home to get changed.

"Only if you want. Friends tend to call me Fet. Just easier to say."

[curiousnotmalicious]

Dutch was far too laid back to give him a hard time. That and on some level she knew that she’d distracted him. She could have stood back, asking only a few, vital questions, but instead she’d enjoyed chatting him up. And look where it had led them! No, Dutch would never consider getting closer to her exterminator a mistake.

She turned to face him, taking slow backwards steps. “You look fine. I was on the floor, too, so we’ll both be a little dusty.” A smile spread across her face. “Don’t worry. This isn’t exactly the swankiest bar in Brooklyn. We’ll fit in just fine.”

“Fet.” She nodded. It was simple and she liked it. “Perfect. And you can call me Dutch.” Her lips curled into a smile and she turned back around, walking forward once again. “Unless you’ve got a clever nickname for me, of course.” She laughed a little at the suggestion. They’d just met. It wasn’t time for friendly nicknames just yet.

[theexterminator]

Well, if they were together more than he could get the rats for good. He wouldn't need to get paid to do it. He'd do it for her. Hell, if she asked right now he'd do it. If that was her goal, than he was already on board.

"Dutch," he said letting the sound roll of his tongue. It wasn't a normal name, hell it might not be her real name, but it didn't matter.

"Not yet, but spunky is up there," Fet teased, hoping to get a feel for her personality. He knew so little about her, but he'd already fall her like a puppy if she asked him too.

[curiousnotmalicious]

The sound of her name on his lips was actually something that Dutch found she liked a great deal. It brought a smile to her lips, but she said nothing on the matter. When he suggested ‘spunky’ as a nickname she chuckled.

“Not the first time I’ve been called spunky.” Dutch shook her head. It wasn’t the first word that came to mind when she thought of how she might describe herself, but she’d heard it enough for her to accept it as a trait of hers. “Must be some truth to it then, yeah?”

She led him around a corner and there it was - Just a humble, family owned place that was slightly rough around the edges. Dutch opened the door for Fet with a smile on her face. “Here we are.”

[theexterminator]

He wasn't surprised someone else had called her spunky. She was a ball of energy and mischief. It was something he already liked about her, but he wasn't about to start dealing out compliments. He didn't want to make a fool out of himself.

"Looks like somewhere I would go," he said once they arrived at the bar. He liked it. It was anonymous and dark. He was glad they had similar taste. He wasn't dressed for a cocktail lounge.

He opened the door for her, ignoring how close they were going to be. He wasn't fifteen.

[curiousnotmalicious]

A smile formed on her face upon hearing his comment regarding the bar. She was glad he liked it. This was where she hung out when she wasn’t holed up in her apartment with her laptop. The atmosphere was friendly enough and not elitist like so many of the swanky bars in New York City were.

She slipped inside, just barely brushing against him as she did so. “It’s fun. They’ve even got a pool table, but I’m crap at the game so I usually just watch the more adventurous patrons playing.”

Thinking nothing of it, Dutch took Fet’s hand in hers, leading him to the bar where she released him from her grip.

“What’ll it be? First round’s on me like I’d promised.”

[theexterminator]

Fet didn't touch. He was a big guy, but he rarely bumped into anyone. He kept a personal bubble that no one tried to break through. So, when she took his hand Fet almost pulled away. He didn't know what to do with that touch. He felt like electricity was flowing through his arm. She'd been so casual about it that he felt silly for going stiff and awkward as she pulled him.

"Borbon," he suggested his breathing still a bit uneven, "Straight for me, but you can mix it with whatever you like. It's a bit harsh."

[curiousnotmalicious]

Dutch had absolutely no trouble at all waving the bartender down as she took a seat. He knew her, but even if she hadn’t she hardly ever had any trouble catching people’s attention. It was a curse and a blessing.

“Two straight bourbons.” She flashed a winning smile at the man behind the bar as he set to work, pouring their drinks. He slid two glasses over to Fet and Dutch and Dutch took a sip, raising her eyebrows in approval.

“I don’t usually get mixed drinks.” Dutch admitted with a shrug of her shoulders. “I mean, I’m not all that picky, but...” She sighed.

“So, Fet,” She smiled at him. “What part of New York are you from?”

[theexterminator]

He was impressed by her drink choice. He didn't know a lot of women that could drink straight booze. Then again he didn't know a lot of women and saw more of them on TV than in real life. Not that he planned on telling Dutch that just yet.

The question about where he lived sent off alarm bells. Was she trying to break into his place? Find a sugar daddy to live with. He felt stupid a second later. She wasn't coming onto him for any particular reason. She was just...bored maybe.

"Are you trying to place the accent?" he asked raising a brow at her, "Because it's not all New York."

[curiousnotmalicious]

“I was,” She confessed with a smile. “I’m usually pretty good at figuring accents out, but yours is a little different.” Dutch leaned a little closer, propping her elbow up on the bar and taking another small sip from her glass.

“What’s in that voice of yours besides a touch of New York, then, hmm?” Dutch raised her eyebrows slightly. She’d invited him out for drinks to learn more about him and she was going to do just that. It was clear to her that Fet was a man with layers to be discovered. That made her feel like a bit of an explorer.

[theexterminator]

It took him a moment. He was deciding rather he should tell the truth or not. It wouldn't matter anyways. She didn't know the politics and his parents were here to breath down his neck. She wasn't going to look up his family and find his grandfather's sins.

"Ukraine," he admitted, "Plus a few other languages. Learned them young. All the kids did where I was from. Tradition. Americans really miss out. Learning at fifteen is much harder than at five. Czy to prawda, piękne?*"

His Polish was a bit rough, but she wouldn't hear the mispronunciation.

"What about you? That's...London I would guess."

*Isn't that right, beautiful.

[curiousnotmalicious]

Dutch nodded. She’d heard that what he’d just said about learning languages was true. Her eyebrows wrinkled at the statement in Polish, though. It wasn’t a language she even came close to speaking. On a good day she could order a cup of coffee in French. Dutch had never had much of a need for anything other than English and various forms of computer code. “What did you just say?” She eyed him curiously, a tiny smile playing on her lips.

“London is correct. Moved there when I was fifteen. Picked up an accent and a love for Cadbury chocolate.” She smiled, waves of nostalgia washing over her. Living in England had been a good period for Dutch. She’d just escaped that asshole her mother had married and was finding her way on her own. Independence was a good thing for her. She’d thrived on her own. It was only a few years ago that she’d found herself missing New York City and moved back. If only there was a way to spend a week in London and the next in NYC without breaking the bank.

[theexterminator]

"Nothing," he said not willing to admit the pet name he used on her. It wasn't the first time he'd flirted with a girl unknowingly in other languages. Maybe that was why they never knew he was interested. Americans just didn't know enough languages.

"My parents drank a lot of tea. Not sure where that came from, but they gave me a taste. I get a good black imported from England every month. Keeps me warm in the winter especially," he said wondering if they could really connect over something so basic. People did it all the time. He watched it, but on the outside. It didn't happen to him.

"Could give you some if you liked."

[curiousnotmalicious]

She eyed him skeptically, smiling all the while. She’d have to try and figure out how to spell what he’d just said so she could Google translate it later that evening. If she remembered, that was. Sometimes her memory failed her when she got started drinking. There was no guarantee that she’d be spending her evening alone at home by her computer, either.

“Tea!” Dutch grinned. “Oh, that’s one custom I really did enjoy. Just sitting down with a hot cup of tea with maybe a biscuit or two.” She sighed, remembering her afternoons in London. There was less time spent drinking tea in New York. It was available, of course, but there was less time for it. “People in this country don’t know what they’re missing.” She half-joked, smirking as she took another sip of bourbon.

"You'd really share with me?" She smiled a little bit. Of course she would like that.

[theexterminator]

He hoped she didn't remember. He'd be humiliated if she did. Although in his mind she was definitely going home to her computer. Girls didn't exactly jump all over him. Girls like her never did. She was just bored, like a housewife with nothing better to do.

"Yeah, I'd share. I got biscuits too. I'll bring them over on my next round. I'll make sure to hand them over before I touch any rats alive or otherwise," Fet told her with a half grin. He was sure she was going to wince and look disgusted. Most women did when he talked about work. Maybe he was pushing her just a little bit, but he was getting curious as to what sort of woman wanted to be around him so much.

He ordered another borbon and started sipping it down.

[curiousnotmalicious]

There was a laugh at what he said. “Yes, please share the tea and biscuits before handling the rat shit and poison. Some things are best not eaten.” She smirked at her own comment, taking one last sip of her bourbon. Dutch quietly flagged down the bartender, ordering another drink.

“What’s it like, anyway? Your job, I mean. What does it entail?” Dutch had a vague idea of what exterminators do. She’d even gotten a tiny glimpse of what Fet was doing with her specific case. There had to be more to it, though. He had to have a story or two to tell, right? “I feel like my job must be boring in comparison. You get out, see the city, and I stay cooped up inside.”