It's the last question that makes Mark feel old. Usually, he doesn't look too far into the past. He hates doing it. It makes clear all of the mistakes he's made, and the victories, well, they don't feel half as good upon reflection as they do in the moment either. Unless he's trying to assess a certain pattern of behavior from years ago, there's just nothing to be gained, no progress to be made. And, if he's willing to admit it to himself, which he isn't on most days, the worst part of it is all the hurt that resurfaces. Without a doubt. So having to look back now, it smarts, it picks at a scab that has been healing over on and off, disturbed enough times that there's definitely going to be a scar there in the end.
"Your facial hair would probably grow in a weird pattern," Mark agrees, trying to squint and picture Wardo with facial hair, a difficult task, but one that at least keeps his mind off what they're actually supposed to be talking about. "And would make you look like you're trying too hard. I think it looks good now. Well, I mean. Looked better when you actually— this wardrobe isn't by choice, is it?"
Only after he feels like he's derailed the conversation significantly does Mark look to the side and take a sip of his beer, quickly adding (right before Eduardo can start speaking, hoping that this will keep the topic off of their own sordid affairs), "I turned twenty-four recently. So, you know. That's a thing."
In retrospect, now it feels like he's been building up to that answer, a thought which also makes him blink in turn.
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Date: 2011-05-20 08:48 pm (UTC)"Your facial hair would probably grow in a weird pattern," Mark agrees, trying to squint and picture Wardo with facial hair, a difficult task, but one that at least keeps his mind off what they're actually supposed to be talking about. "And would make you look like you're trying too hard. I think it looks good now. Well, I mean. Looked better when you actually— this wardrobe isn't by choice, is it?"
Only after he feels like he's derailed the conversation significantly does Mark look to the side and take a sip of his beer, quickly adding (right before Eduardo can start speaking, hoping that this will keep the topic off of their own sordid affairs), "I turned twenty-four recently. So, you know. That's a thing."
In retrospect, now it feels like he's been building up to that answer, a thought which also makes him blink in turn.