summonthesuit | IC Inbox

[Beat? Does he know anyone called Beat? ...Is he even expecting any gifts? OH, maybe it's that experimental vegan no-spill taco.]

Thanks again! See you then!

[As promised Peter shows up precisely on the dot time wise. The teenager knew it was going to be a trip from Hill House to the apartment complex so he made a point to get moving sooner.

The teenager has a bag of carefully wrapped latkes he's made for Steve tucked under his arm. He's decidedly a lot shorter than he was last time he and Steve saw each other.

He knocks on the front door, calling out as he does so.]

Steven? Um, hey, its Peter!

[Meanwhile, Steven lost track of time just a little bit. When Peter comes knocking, he almost drops the dish he was washing into the sink.]

Oh! One sec! I'm coming!

[Once he's put the dish aside, switched off the running water and dried his hands on a towel, he hastens his way to the front door. When he pulls it open, he probably still looks a bit frazzled.]

Sorry, I didn't realize it was already... [He trails off distractedly, taking in Peter's height. It'd be rude to ask if he grew shorter, right? ...Right.] ... Um. Good to see you again, mate.

[Peter shrugs a little at the apology, smiling up at Steven.] Not a big deal, I usually get places a little late so, its nice to be on time for once.

And yeah, I did get shorter. [He isn't oblivious to the pause, Steven.] Its a pooka thing apparently. It's good to see you too though!

[Oh no, he's been called out on his pause! At least Peter doesn't seem too offended.]

Oh... I didn't know Pookas lose height. That's gotta be a let down. [He steps aside to clear the doorway.] Here, come in. I'll get you a drink or something.

I didn't either, but my friend showed me this like book of monster stuff she had. Then this happened. [Peter shrugs a little as he walks into the apartment. He smiles at Steven, taking things in stride.]

Thank you, I'd really like that. If- I'm not imposing or anything.

[Once Peter's properly inside, Steven closes the door and leads the way into the living area. Enjoy your first look at that semi-messy apartment! He's only been here for about a month, so he hasn't had a chance to amass too many things yet. There's already an impressive amount of books, though, along with some random trinkets he picked up to play with. Puzzles and things like that. The curtains are wide open to allow for lots of sunlight, because as a Neph, that's the sort of thing Steven instinctively wants now.]

Why would you be imposing? You're bringing me free nosh, this is the least I can do. And it's not like I had a wild evening planned. [He gestures to the squishy sofa.] Here, have a seat. I can pour you some lemonade.

Still, I try to be polite. Like, I'm just kinda showing up.

[Peter looks around with clear interest, whiskers wiggling somewhat in turn. He walks towards the sofa, sinking into it. He gives a startled little squeak, holding up the bag.

The couch was not made for a pooka. Peter winces as he tries to not sink any further into it.]

Oh, um, you might wanna take these. I think your couch is eating me.

[The second Peter sinks into that sofa, Steven springs into action! ...By jogging over to him and taking the bag of latkes from his hands.]

Got it, I've got it! Just sit back, alright?

[Spread out that weight, Peter. It'll be fine. Steven will head into the kitchen area for a second to put those latkes away, and also one crunchwrap vegan taco that Beat stuck in there. What a combo! Either way, it's an open kitchen, so he can keep talking while he gets that lemonade.]

I really don't mind the company. Feels like things have been a little too quiet without Marc around. [That sure slipped out before he could consider the consequences.]

Um, I'll try.

[Steven, Peter is small, he doesn't have much weight to go around.

The seventeen year old squirms a little. He kicks up his legs a little awkwardly and just...falls further into the couch on his back. He kicks his legs out a little more. Feet up and out unintentionally.

He stares at the ceiling, perturbed at his fate. He tries to keep up with the conversation at least.]

Marc-? Did you have a roommate before? [He rolls and manages to grab onto the arm of the couch, pulling himself up into an actual seated position.]

[Steven freezes for a moment, his hand still on the glass he just set down on the counter. He trusts Peter, but he doesn't know how to explain this without scaring the teen off. He already struggled speaking to Dr. Osborn about it, and that's someone who has personal experience with a similar situation.]

... Yes and no. I s'pose you could call it that, but... Marc's more like my best mate. My partner. We were always together, even if it didn't always feel like it. [And if that sounds like it's implying something else, Steven's not hearing it.]

[Peter manages to haul himself onto the arm of the couch, settling there. Steven's odd phrasing just leaves Peter a little baffled. His own conclusion settles on Steven being shy about admitting he's dating someone. Partner just making it sound that way.

He has no idea why older adults are beating around the bush about dating someone.]

Like... your boyfriend?

[The question hits Steven like a slap across the face. Possibly a punch to the stomach. He certainly cringes enough to get that sentiment across, and the next second, he's released the glass so he can wave both his hands frantically.]

No! No no no! That'd be bloody weird! [As soon as the words leave his mouth, he realizes how that sounds and tries to backtrack in even more of a panic.] Ah! Not the 'having a boyfriend' part- That's not- That's fine, really! I'm all for that. Blokes and their boyfriends. Good on them! But Marc's like a- A brother...!

[Well, he's sure made this awkward. He raises his hands up, shrinking into himself nervously.]

Oh, uh, sorry, sorry, I didn't mean to make you uncomfortable! [His lack of focus on holding onto the arm of the couch means he just ends up flopping to the side again with a surprised squeak.] A lot of people have been saying partner for boyfriend or girlfriend or dateriend-

[He has to push himself back up to a seated position.]

[He is uncomfortable. Great going, Peter. Now he's going to be self-conscious about referring to Marc as his partner ever again. It's 'best mate' from here on out. He shakes his head for a bit, his shoulders still somewhat hunched from the tension.]

Yeah, I... No, I hear it now. But that's not it. [He draws in a deep breath, then turns to the fridge to get that pitcher of lemonade he meant to get.] Bit complicated to explain, actually. ...Or maybe not complicated. It's just not the sort of thing to bring up over latkes and lemonade, I reckon.

[Peter almost wishes the couch would swallow him up. That would be preferable right now.

Goodbye, cruel world.

For now he just kind of half ways on the arm, feeling embarrassed.] Its- uh, probably more of an American thing phrasing wise. Sorry.

Um, if you don't wanna talk about it, we don't have to. I kinda absolutely tanked this. I just wanted to know you better, but like not make things super weird.

[Oh no... And now Steven feels bad for clamming up about it. It's sweet, really, that Peter wants to get to know him better. Trouble is, he knows there was an incident with Dr. Osborn's alter- if one could call him that- and Peter took the brunt of it, along with Quentin. Dropping something like this on the teen now feels like a very bad idea.]

Aw, no, it's not weird. Nothing's weird. [...It's weird.] I'll tell you about Marc some other time. But you can ask me anything else. Fair game.

[He'll pour that lemonade in the meantime.]

Okay, only if you wanna later. [Peter offers back, willing to let things lie. It takes the teenager a moment to think of a question that would move things along.]

Where did you live before you ended up here? I know I told you I was in New York when we met the first time. I've only really been to Europe once for a class trip, so, I don't know a lot.

[Oh good, an easy question.]

I lived in London! Not one of the most posh neighborhoods, but... I still had a nice flat. Right near a bus stop too, so I could get to work easy. [He takes a few seconds to put the lemonade pitcher back in the fridge once he's done with it.] Well, not anymore, I guess. I got the slip a few days before I got here. But I used to work in the National Museum! ...In the gift shop. I was a gift shoppist. Did a lot of inventory. Got to trundle through all the new exhibits before everyone else did, though! That was brilliant.

[Peter is glad for the shift in topic, and mood. He relaxes a little, hauling himself up a bit more. He is perched now.

He almost apologizes for not protecting London better but swallows that down.]

Ooh, that's cool! I saw London kinda briefly on the trip, but I didn't get to explore it. We kinda... well had the trip around the same time as that Mysterio stuff. Bad timing.

I bet seeing all the new exhibits first was really cool. You always got first dibs in a way.

[The "Mysterio stuff" remark gives him pause. Is that... something he should know about? Is it something he missed out on because Marc was fronting the body? He wishes he could ask.

After swallowing thickly, he takes hold of the lemonade glass and walks back around the counter to join Peter in the living area. Take the refreshment, young friend!]

I did always get dibs! They never really took my criticism when something was off, which is a crying shame, but I still got to see all the artifacts up close without a crowd to muscle through. Made it all feel more personal, you know. Are you into history too?

You got to spend a lot of time with the displays, which people don't really get to do, which I think is really cool. [Peter curls his tail close to himself as he moves to get comfortable.] Kinda dumb they didn't listen to you. I mean, you seem super passionate about history.

My girlfriend is more into history than I am. She likes the more macabre parts though. [The teenager's expression brightens several degrees due to talk of MJ. He is more than a little smitten given the way his whiskers wiggle and his tail tip flicks slightly.

The topic is dark, but Peter isn't deterred slightly.] She told me about a lot of places where executions and stuff took place. Kinda freaky how common that stuff was like a zillion years ago.

Okay, a zillion isn't super on point, but, it can feel that way sometimes.

[Steven sets the glass down on the table, right in front of Peter, then takes a seat in an armchair. It's a good thing the apartment came fully furnished already. If he'd had to drag all these things in himself, he wouldn't have bothered. One chair would've been enough for him.]

You think so? ...Depends what you count as execution, I reckon. If it's just the death penalty in a lawful sense, there's still a lot of that going 'round across the world. But if it's more like vigilante executions- y'know, like the witch hunts of Salem... Actually, we've still got that too, don't we? Just look at those... What'd they call themselves? Flag Mashers? How many people did they kill?

IC Inbox | Ryslig

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CW: Allusions to Hollywood DID incoming

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good thing i uploaded this icon

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WELCOME TO YOUR PRIVATE CHANNEL, HASNOFEAR. FOR SECURE COMMUNICATION, USE 13.15.15.14 * HASNOFEAR has joined 13.15.15.14 <HASNOFEAR>** Hello! This is Steven Grant! If you need something, just leave me a message and I'll get back to you asap!