Page 133 of Untouchable

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Parker rollsonto his stomach as Harp’s reply comes back almost immediately. He grins, wondering where Harp is, if there’s a fire crackling in the fireplace, wondering what Harp had for dinner, wondering if Bo is snoring right now. It’s almost comical, Parker realizes, his thoughts still soft and golden around the edges from the wine, how much he wants to not be here, at his parents’ house—and how desperately he wishes he were with Harp right now instead.

>>PARKER: maybe its just the 4 glasses of wine ive had but i feel like your lying

He doesn’t even want to admit to himself why he’s confessing how drunk he’s gotten to Harp: he knows he’s using it as an insurance policy, an excuse so he doesn’t have to filter his thoughts, so tomorrow morning he can blame the alcohol instead of his weak self-discipline for why he was flirting so aggressively.

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>>HARP: Jesus Parker promise me you'll drink some water?

The filter is still off as Harp replies quickly. He also realizes why he's suddenly getting pictures with more skin. Parker is definitely drunk and with that, Harp is learning, comes a world of trouble.

>>PARKER: whats my reward if i do?

>>PARKER: and dont say not a hangover bc thats a bad reward

>>PARKER: ill make you a deal

>>PARKER: if i drink water will you send me a pic of yourself?

Harp wonders for a few seconds if he’s supposed to send a sexy pic to Parker—and how he would even accomplish something so unlikely—but Parker continues to text more a moment later, quieting his fears.

>>PARKER: omg i didnt mean it like that tho

>>PARKER: i mean like if you WANTED to send that kind of pic you could

>>PARKER: but i meant like your face or something

Harp heaves himself up from the floor and pours himself a shot.

>>HARP: Yes.

He sends the message, takes the shot, and chases it with water. It's more than worth it to him—even if it means encouraging Parker—to get Parker to drink some water and hopefully go to sleep before he starts to drink more or send anything he might regret.

Harp opens his front-facing camera and makes a disappointed "buh" sound as it displays his face in the harsh lights of the kitchen. Harp looks more haggard than he feels. He tries to smile or contort his face into something more attractive but it simply isn't happening.

How does Parker make himself look so damned good?Harp wonders, desperately.

Because he fucking looks good, you moron,he chides himself.

Harp tries three different rooms before he finds lighting that doesn't accentuate every wrinkle on his face. Finally, he realizes the best lighting is in his bathroom upstairs. He tries taking several serious shots of himself, smiling shots, but no matter what face he makes, it looks... awful. Like him. Like some big, old, crusty brute that somebody like Parker couldn't possibly be attracted to.

A stupid face, Harp remembers. Parker had started out by making a stupid face.

Harp tries it, jutting out his jaw, going cross-eyed and snapping a picture. The result is absurd but... well, at least it shows that he doesn't take himself seriously.

Fine. Stupid face. That works. Harp straightens his hair, combs his fingers through his beard, and fixes his flannel shirt. Then he makes the stupidest kissy face he can muster, snaps a pic, and sends it to Parker without looking at it.

>>HARP: [attachment: one image]

>>HARP: Happy?

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Parker actually gigglesout loud when he gets the picture. Harp looks as handsome and rugged as ever, but there’s a playful glint in his eye, and his face is twisted into a very endearing mountain man version of a model pout. What Parker likes most about it, though, is that Harp isn’t trying to impress him or show off. It’s not a flirty picture as much as it is… a boyfriend-y picture. The kind of thing, he thinks, you send to someone you care about, someone you’re not worried about losing because you are theirs and they are yours.

Holy shit, I must be drunker than I thought.He’s halfway to declaring his love via text to Harp after a kiss and a handjob.

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