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[nostalgiabomb]

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[nostalgiabomb]

[ He makes something that can only be described as a squawking noise, as if in outrage. ]

Dude, wow, you're throwin' around some heavy threats, here. All you had to do was say please, you know.

[nohalfway]

[ Ellie takes your squawking and raises you a loud, obnoxious snort. ]

Does it even sound like I'm the type to say please or deliver anything but threats?

Come on, man, I thought we were having a connection here. Don't let me fly over your head now!

[nostalgiabomb]

[ Pfffft, is the next noise he makes. ]

Fine. I promise I'll have my blasters, if you promise to have those comics ready for me.

[nohalfway]

[ The sound of her backpack zipping can be heard. ]

Already have them organized and packed for you. I got you totally covered in that department.

[nostalgiabomb]

Then I've got you covered on the way awesome space tech department.

Meet you here, Scout. Gimme a call if something comes up, alright?

[ By which he means, "if you change your mind." ]

[nohalfway]

[ She hums, nodding her head. ]

I'll keep you posted. But I'm sticking with this. Can't hole myself up in my room forever, right?

Plus, I think this'll be a lot of fun. I'm pretty stoked, actually.

[nostalgiabomb]

[ He huffs out a breath, near silent -- he's glad that she seems excited, honestly. ]

Well, you better get ready, kid. I told Glitch -- that's the guy whose house we're going to -- to get Alien,, and that shit is scary as hell. And I am so not holding your hand if you get freaked out.

[ which is a lie. He's totally going to let her cling to his arm the whole time, if she needs to. ]

[nohalfway]

Pffff.

I just told you about the fucking infected I had to deal with back home. You honestly think I'm gonna be scared of a movie about aliens?

[nostalgiabomb]

Yes.

[ He says it flatly, as one might recite the alphabet, or inform you that Columbus sailed the ocean fourteen-hundred-ninety-two. ]

But it's cool. I won't think any less of ya.

[nohalfway]

[ Now sounding smug as shit. ]

Wanna make a bet on that?

[nostalgiabomb]

[ He hums thoughtfully. ]

Depends on the wager, kid. I've already got $10 riding on another bet.

[nohalfway]

Alright then.

A shot at one of your plasma blasters and a whole pizza on you that I don't even flinch.

[nostalgiabomb]

And if you do flinch--

[ He pauses, considering the consequences. ]

--I'm gonna make you suffer through the worst movie I can think of.

[ peter there is no downside to that. That is a treat. ]

[nohalfway]

[ Snort. ]

Highly doubt any kind of movie on a working television could make me suffer, buddy. But we'll see.

Besides, you're gonna lose this bet anyway.

By the way? I like the works on my pizza. Meat Lovers all the way.

[nostalgiabomb]

Yeah, yeah, yeah. You talk a big game, Scout, but Alien is gonna send you scramblin' behind the couch, just you wait.

[nohalfway]

Oh man, you have no idea the kinda shit I've seen in real life, Pete.

I bet I'll probably even make a little chuckle a few times.

[ Lies. She'll probably flinch. ]

[nostalgiabomb]

[ He sounds so unconvinced: ] Uh-huh. You say that, but you're totally gonna jump outta your skin, and I'll have the last laugh.

[nohalfway]

You're too fucking cocky for your own good, Star Lord.

[nostalgiabomb]

I might've heard that rumor once or twice.

[nohalfway]

[ She laughs. ]

It's alright, I'm not totally judging you.

[ Ellie pauses, still smiling a little bit. ]

I uh... Guess I should get going. Joel'll be home any minute and I should probably let him know where I'm gonna be. The dude's totally dependent on my being around, he cries and shit.

[ That's a lie. ]

What time should I meet you?

[nostalgiabomb]

[ He laughs, even if he knows she's not entirely telling the truth. ]

You can give him my contact info, too, if you want. I'm sure that'll help smooth things over if you don't text him back within a second.

[ And Peter indicates a time, because the mun doesn't know, but apparently he does. ]

See you then?

[nohalfway]

Hey, thanks. I'm sure it won't come to that. I'll be pretty good at keeping in touch.

[ Honestly, she's more scared about losing contact with Joel than he may be of losing it with her. More than likely. This is for more her benefit than his. ]

Yeah, I'll be there.

And uh... Peter?

[nostalgiabomb]

[ He's about to hang up, but he stops. ]

--Yeah, kid?

[nohalfway]

[ Things totally got personal during the beginning of the conversation, shit that she would expect any normal person to feel really uncomfortable with. At least Peter was patient with her, offering a shoulder and all that. There was that awkward apology, but there was still an effort to make the conversation easy. This guy convinced her to leave the house... ]

Thanks.

I mean, for not being totally weirded out and shit.

[ And, you know, for trying to be a friend even though she's a total mess. ]

[nostalgiabomb]

[ He manages a small little smile, though obviously it's for his own benefit; rubbing the back of his neck a little awkwardly. ]

Believe me, dude. I'm pretty good with weird shit. [ His entire life, after all, is weird shit. ]

Pretty sure we had a deal, too. Whenever you feel like cashing it in, I owe you one personal history.