you had jesus on your breath (and i caught him in mine)

[vaqueros]

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[vaqueros]

"Guapo" is "handsome." Or "hermoso."

You think you can remember those enough not to get them mixed up?

[peacemakers]

[ A pause, then, before he releases Vasquez's wrists climbs off him. ]

You must think I'm real stupid, huh?

[vaqueros]

[ Vasquez is a little surprised when Faraday actually climbs off of him. He props himself upright on his elbows, watching the other man with wariness and curiosity. ]

Not so much.

[ ... which is shockingly honest, as far as answers go. ]

You just make good faces, sometimes.

[ He means Faraday's reactions are entertaining, even if it doesn't quite translate. ]

[peacemakers]

"Good faces."

[ And he repeats it back a little flatly.

And in that same flat way, ]

My word, Vasquez. You say such sweet things.

[vaqueros]

[ Vasquez snorts, reaching up to push some of his messy hair back out of his face. ]

What, you want I should talk to you like a pretty girl? Tell you flattering things so you giggle and blush?

[peacemakers]

I mean, even if you did, you'd probably just say it in Spanish, anyway, and I wouldn't know the difference.

[vaqueros]

Unless you learn Spanish, cariño. If you're not so stupid, it should be easy for you, no?

[peacemakers]

[ He lifts both shoulders in a shrug. ]

I still maintain that you could save us both some time and just tell me what you mean to my face, in a way we can both understand.

[vaqueros]

See, but you would be much more useful if you spoke Spanish. Many people in California do, and we are close to the border.

Better for an agent. Lots of us speak it.

[ Vasquez thinks he's making excellent points. ]

[peacemakers]

We also do a lot of work not in California, and it's not like they send my lily-white ass anywhere that I'd need to be able to speak Spanish.

Plus, I've got the glasses goin', so someone who's fluent and can catch the nuances can listen in.

[vaqueros]

You are being very difficult for a man who complains so much about not understanding a language, conejito.

[peacemakers]

[ Another flat look. ]

It's really just in one ear, out the other for you, huh?

[vaqueros]

For you also, it seems.

[ But he meets that flat look with a crooked grin. ]

I guess you will just have to depend on whether or not I feel like translating for you, eh?

[peacemakers]

[ Faraday rolls his eyes, apparently still unimpressed. ]

So nothing new, there.

[ He pushes away, standing and stretching before he announces, ]

I oughta walk Jack.

[vaqueros]

[ Vasquez breathes out a light laugh, though it trails off when Faraday actually gets up from the bed.

The announcement takes him by surprise, but he's careful to keep any potential disappointment off of his face – mostly, because he's pretty sure this is meant to be a dismissal. There had been no guarantee that Faraday would let him stay long, as the man had said, and he'd still been considering, so... he must have decided. ]

Si, before he knocks your door down, himself.

[ Vasquez runs a hand back through his hair, scooting towards the foot of the bed to grab his pants. ]

And I'm sure your laundry has already waited long enough.

[peacemakers]

[ He hums noncommittally, heading to a drawer to pull out fresh clothing – a pair of sweats, an old, ratty t-shirt.

He glances over his shoulder, seeing Vasquez getting himself put together, and he feels an odd, split-second twist in his gut, something cold and bitter. ]

You could—

[ The words leave him without conscious thought, but he stops himself, jaw clenching.

Stupid, he thinks to himself, as he pulls on his pants. ]

Never mind.

[vaqueros]

[ Vasquez busies himself with getting his things together while Faraday goes to get dressed, only glancing up again when he hears Faraday's voice. He pauses, baffled by Faraday's offer cut short. ]

Could what?

[peacemakers]

[ He keeps himself facing the dresser, sliding his arms through the sleeves of his t-shirt. ]

Could come with me.

[ He tugs the shirt on over his head. ]

Or you could just hang out here. Was thinkin' I'd get a pizza after all.

[vaqueros]

[ —Oh. Well, then.

That's not the kind of thing someone would say when they're trying to kick a person out of their house. That's most definitely offering to let him stick around.

Vasquez tries to hide how pleased he looks, busying himself instead by stepping into his underwear and jeans again. ]

You think Jack would let me walk beside you without trying to bite my ankles?

[peacemakers]

[ Faraday still doesn't commit to turning around. It's not a no, exactly, but it's not a yes – and gambling man that he is, Faraday finds himself floating in that in-between space a lot more than strictly healthy for him.

He breathes out a laugh, as he's carefully pushing the drawer back into place. ]

You're underestimatin' him if you think bitin' at your ankles is all he'd do.

[vaqueros]

So then are you saying I would be better off waiting here instead?

[ He snorts out a laugh as he bends over for his shirt. ]

[peacemakers]

Was just givin' you options.

[ And he turns toward Vasquez, leaning back against the dresser. ]

I know you don't have much of a taste for Jack, after all.

[vaqueros]

I have nothing against him. He is the one who acts like he wants to rip my face off.

[ He gives Faraday a flat glance before tugging on his shirt. ]

[peacemakers]

He's just protective.

[ Which may be a far too diplomatic way of explaining things. ]

Gets jealous when I'm paying attention to anyone but him. That's all.

[vaqueros]

How are you supposed to bring people home when he gets jealous of them all?

[ He scoffs out a laugh, going for his socks and boots. ]

You keep him on your other side, and I'll go with you. Good?