[rl] [forward dated] study group time

[primary_concern]

[Teddy's mom's out for the day working a double shift, and Hope is finally free after finding the Lights, so the house belongs to the kids. Billy and Teddy met up earlier in the day and went for breakfast, then went off to pick up Hope and bring her back to Teddy's apartment.

The group is set up in the kitchen, with Billy's Big Books of Nerdiness all piled up on the table and Teddy is standing by the kitchen counter grating cheese over a pile of nachos on a big tray. A very big tray. He is, after all, cooking for three teenage boys. After a moment, he takes a break, turning around holding a can of olives and a can opener.]

Okay, I know Billy likes olives, but what about you, Hope? Any preferences?

Comments

[messiahed]

[Teddy and Billy had literally saved Hope from being experimented on by Nemesis when they arrived to pick her up. The Lights had been... an experience. One that led to new friends and new realizations about herself and her new friends. But Nemesis had decided that Hope's future held 'MORE TESTS' as he'd shouted dramatically at her. Hope was only too happy to sneak away from Utopia for an afternoon of studying with her other new friends.

Hope was sitting at the table with Billy as they poured over the binders Billy had brought (he hadn't been lying about that apparently) and drinking what was probably her millionth soda since arriving to 2011. She really liked this drink.

She looked up at the sound of Teddy's voice, though, to see the can and grinned.] I ate armored rat for most of my life. Olives are like a little slice of heaven to me. Go for it.

[spazgardian.livejournal.com]

Hey, I wouldn't be surprised if armored rat was an optional topping at Taco Bell.

[ He grinned at them both. It had been a pretty fun night so far and Billy was enjoying their new acquaintance. It wasn't often he met someone willing to listen to any one of his hour-long lectures on the history of The Avengers. Hope was a pretty good pupil and he was all too happy to lend her a few of his favourite books and resources on heroes. ]

Are you going to do that bacon-bit thing? You should do that bacon-bit thing.

[primary-concern.livejournal.com]

Actually, I think armored rat is the main ingredient at Taco Bell.

[The banter is easy and fun with Hope, just like it is with him and Billy, and he's really been enjoying the night, watching Hope drink her soda and making food for the group of them.]

And sure, olives it is, and fine, Billy, since you asked so nicely, I'll do that bacon-bit thing. [He rolls his eyes a bit, but he's smiling, and he starts opening the can with the can opener.]

So are we still seeing a movie after you nerds are done with your studying?

[messiahed]

Remind me never to eat at Taco Bell. [Hope made a face at the idea that armored rat could possibly be an ingredient to anything in this modern world, even if it was a joke. Either way, she had forsworn the rats. Forever.

Though she looks up at teddy in shock at that.] I think that's the first time I've ever been called a nerd.


Cool! [She grins as she settles down again.] I'm still up for a movie if you boys are, though. [Yeah. She was really digging this hanging out thing.]

[spazgardian.livejournal.com]

Friends don't let friends eat at Taco Bell. [ Billy laughed, wrinkling his nose. ] Especially Super-Friends.

Keep hanging out with us and you'll get the good stuff. Teddy's a great cook, especially when he does the bacon-bit thing. Prodigiously. Hint hint.

[ Since he wasn't much of a guest Billy got up to fetch the utensils and any extra condiments. And an extra can of pepsi for Hope, since he was pretty sure she was in love with it.]

What kind of movies do you like, Hope? Or uh, what kind of movie do you think you'll like? Teddy and I are easy.

[primary-concern.livejournal.com]

You know, I think that might've been one of your more lame jokes, Billy Kaplan. [His voice is teasing, and he shakes his head slightly as the other boy comes over to get the utensils and extra soda.]

Hm, I think I have a sudden urge to add a lot of bacon bits to the melted cheese on these nachos. How strange is that? I wonder what could've made me think about that?

[He reaches up to retrieve a canister of bacon bits from the cupboard, and then goes back to grating cheese, glancing over his shoulder to look at Hope and nod agreement to what Billy said.]

[messiahed]

Are you kidding? Billy's my new best friend for saving me from the horrors of Taco Bell now. And bringing me more pepsi!

[Hope grinned as Billy returned with the Pepsi, even giving him a small hug for it to show he was her new friend. Like he really was saving her life with these small gestures.]

Though Teddy's food is making me rethink this order of friendship. You both might have to share best friend spot.

As for movie, anything that's not trying to make me cry. Something loud or funny or I don't know.

[spazgardian.livejournal.com]

Best. Boyfriend. Ever.

[ It felt nice when Hope hugged him. He hugged her back, slinging an arm over her narrow shoulders. It'd been a while since he'd just hung out with a girl. Contrary to popular belief, Billy was actually a pretty big fan of them. Especially cool ones that kicked ass and didn't try to steal his boyfriend.

I'm cool with sharing. Teddy can feed you nachos, and I'll feed you trivia. It works.

I like loud. Maybe the new Diehard? Bruce Willis is both funny and attractive.

[primary-concern.livejournal.com]

Hey now, hey now, break it up, you two. [His voice is teasing and fond.] Save some of that affection for me. Then again, I guess I have to win it with my amazing nachos, huh?

[He sets up a batch of chips on a baking pan, and starts sprinkling the veggies on top - red and green peppers, olives, red onion, some canned beans - and then the cheese mixed in with a liberal dosage of bacon bits. After repeating that to layer the nachos, he leans down to slide the tray into the oven, wiping his hands off on his jeans.]

I'm fine with sharing too, I mean, it isn't like Billy and I don't already share a lot. Also, I am in full agreement with this Die Hard thing. But...oh, wait, Billy, she hasn't seen the other ones. Does she need to?

[messiahed]

Diehard? Sounds kind of cool. Even though I don't know who Bruce Willis is.

[At Teddy's words, though, she leaned over backwards in the chair to look at him.]

Look, I promise if you feed me good nachos I'll give you a big hug.

[Honestly, Hope didn't hug a lot. Cable wasn't very touchy feely and neither was she, but Billy and teddy were so far removed from mutants and Bastion and all of that that it was like she was able to be the natural teenager she was and not the soldier she was raised to be. This was good. This was what she needed. Just to forget about people dying and needing her and just be normal.]