Suit up (Literally!) It's a Birthday Bash! (For Verity and Clint)

[smartass_captain]

Guess who's back in the Nexus. Well, mostly back in the Nexus. Jim is standing outside his world's door and calling Verity's phone.

What? Genius level repeat offender remember? He bought a phone in the Nexus and got her Number from Clint's phone a while ago.

It's the morning of October first. The Nexus' resident lie detector is getting a call from an unknown Nexus number. Does he have to leave a voice mail message?

Comments

[brave_heart_verity]

"Thank you." Other people also being embarrassed doesn't do much to make her feel better. And how poorly must Jim's flirting have gone if she thought he was on a date. Poor Jim.

When the waitress has gone she turns to Clint again. "It's weird, isn't it? Or am I actually the only person who doesn't assume romantic intent between people?"

Jim gets a smirk when he returns. "Why, looking for you next conquest or assuring yourself of your victory in finding people pretty enough to be seen with you?"

[aw_hawkguy]

"I dunno. There is kinda this 'dating' vibe," he muses. "Then again, Jim puts out vibes like a rock concert, maybe people're picking up on that?"

When Jim gets back, the archer grins. "You're rating the tables now?" Clint teases. "I guess I'm glad you found a handsome one."

[smartass_captain]

"What? A guy can't scope out his competition?" Why is that a lie? Jim settles back in with a grin, one that only gets wider when he finds out the waitress got a coffee for him too.

She was so surprised that Jim wasn't dating one or both of them because he barely gave her the time of day when he stopped her. And she could have sworn he'd been giving her the eyes earlier. Just for a moment though.

"And we totally win, so score one for Starfleet and it's honorary New York blast from the past team!" That is too ridiculous to be a lie. It's just Jim being Jim.

[brave_heart_verity]

"As if you have competition." It's a surprisingly true statement, even if it's meant as teasing. "Although, what do I know, I didn't know it was a competition."

Coffee and ice cream make her a happy girl, although before she tucks in she asks, "Anyone want to try a bite?"

[aw_hawkguy]

"Can't lose if you don't play," Clint quips in Verity's direction. Jim gets a smirk.

As for the offer of sharing, "ooh, please. Either of you want some of this?" Reachin' across the table with your fork, Clint--super classy.

[smartass_captain]

"I'm always playing." Jim adds, shrugging as if to say 'what can you do'?

The cake layer of the baked Alaska is surprisingly light, despite holding up to the sorbet and the meringue. But then, the sorbet is super light and fizzy and fruity all at once. Fruit soda that was actual fruit instead of high fructose corn syrup. SO all in all a light and interesting take on a classic.

Clint's parfait and mousse is much more traditional, but no less well prepared. Jim will help himself to a spoonful of Clint's parfait while he's leaning over to taste Verity's food. It's convenient that way.

"S'good. Though if I'm honest? I'd be happy with a shot of something in my coffee for dessert." Jim snorts slightly before turning back to his mug. It's probably for the best. Jim isn't drunk, but he's not exactly sober after all the wine. He shouldn't have more. Bad Decision town lies beyond.

[brave_heart_verity]

"You don't actually have to make up for my lack of interest, you know." It's important he understand that, and also that she's joking. Both are important.

Verity's not going to complain about Clint's manners because tonight has been too much fun and it's easier to just push her plate toward him. And then toward Jim. One of the rules of being a good big sister is making sure your little brothers get some dessert before digging in, but they don't get to keep her waiting too long.

"Do people still drink flavored coffee in the future?" Yes, she knows what he means, but she'd like to get him back to the ship at least halfway sober. "I like mocha. But I usually fall prey to the pumpkin spice around this time of year. That and candy corn."

[aw_hawkguy]

Does Verity want a taste of the mousse? It's good.

Clint isn't going to make any of the stupid pumpkin spice latte jokes. "Candy corn coffee? Is that seriously a thing? How did I miss that?"

[smartass_captain]

"Candy corn coffee? Seriously, what? That sounds awful, man." Jim snorts into his coffee and then takes a second to make sure he hasn't spilled on himself. Nope, all clear. Just on his face, and a napkin takes care of that.

Classy.

He'll take a bite of Verity's dessert, but then she's all free for it. Jim's content to connect with the contents of his mug.

"Flavored coffees? Sure. I'm not much of a fan though."

[brave_heart_verity]

Yes, she would like to try a bite of the mousse, thank you, Clint.

"No, not candy corn coffee. I mean I'm sure Starbucks was going to come up with it eventually..." she trails off, then shakes her head and tries again. "I just meant the candy. Which is bad enough. Or the candy corn drinks some bars offer. Generally also terrible, but not so bad if you're already drunk enough to not care."

Those girlie drinks can pack a punch if you do it right.

"Usually I like a good mocha or a little caramel if I'm out someplace that offers them."

[aw_hawkguy]

"Aw, I like candy corn," Clint mumbles, offering Jim another bite of his dessert before attacking it, himself.

"Do I need to get some coffee syrup for my place?" Kate will never let him hear the end of it.

[smartass_captain]

Jim is fine, thanks Clint.

"I don't do sweets or candy, personally." Not that unhealthy foods are out of the question or anything. Jim loves junk food and fast food stuff now and again. One of them's his favorite thing to eat, hands down, even.

Just not much for sweets. Okay baked goods are a weakness, too. Not candy. There.

"Sweet drinks are alright now and again, but I'd rather just have a shot of whiskey or a black cup of coffee." One he is enjoying very much right now. "Speaking of though, what kinda stuff do you two like to eat? It's way late in asking for tonight, though I'm glad you guys found stuff ya liked. I just mean in general."

[brave_heart_verity]

Fortunately for Verity's feelings, baked goods can also be savory, so she doesn't take it too personally. She'll just have to revise her plans for him. It's something to worry about later when she's not enjoying the hell out of this fizzy ice cream. She wonders how it'd be in a milkshake. Loki would love that...

"If I'm going to have a sweet drink I usually get hot chocolate or akh. No need for syrups at your place, Clint, don't worry." She nudges his leg under the table with her foot. "Oh, I'll try just about anything. It's fun to try new things. But if we're taking all-time favorite comfort foods... yebeg wot and mac and cheese."

[aw_hawkguy]

No more for Jim? Mousse time!

"Yebeg what?"

[smartass_captain]

"Lamb stew." Jim replies absently, having set his coffee down to drink in the scenery above them instead.

He's pretty sure anyway.

Aww, Verity he and Clint both ate so much of those pastries Katsuya made the one time. They had headaches and tummy aches from all the sugar after. it was so worth it. Jim will do baked goods! Just not candy.

"What about you, Clint?"

[brave_heart_verity]

"Lamb stew," she confirms, giving Jim a curious look. "I wouldn't have expected Ethiopian to be popular in Iowa."

She doesn't want to encourage them making themselves sick, either. Maybe she'll have to look into some healthier options for them. Don't worry, it'll still be delicious.

Yes, Clint, Verity needs to know! What foods do you like best so she can properly spoil you both?

[aw_hawkguy]

"Huh. Gotta try that sometime," he muses. "I'm pretty easy to please, though. Barbecued anything'll do it for me. A rack o' short ribs, goin' slow over woodchips, molasses in the sauce, turns your hands and face into a big, sticky mess. Aw, yeah."

[smartass_captain]

"Learned about it from Uhura. She likes to try all kinds of things when we go out, keeps nagging me to be all cultural and the like. I haven't had it, myself, yet."

Somehow, it's really not at all surprising to know that Clint likes a good barbecue. It makes Jim grin slightly. "Verity likes fancy and comforting, and you like smoky and messy. Who woulda thought."

Jim takes another sip from his mug. Coffee is almost all gone. Sad. But the night is starting to wind down too, so it's for the best.

[brave_heart_verity]

Ah, it would have to be barbeque. Not something she's equipped to make. Sads.

"Well, I'm not real good at making it yet, but maybe Clint can bring us some when I'm feeling homesick. But what's fancy about lamb stew? It's stew." No, she doesn't get it.

Her appetite is definitely winding down. There's a good quarter of her dessert left, but she's sooo full. "Either of you want to finish this for me?"

[aw_hawkguy]

"I will totally bring you lamb stew or barbecue--or lamb stew and barbecue--whenever you want," Clint promises, his mousse now a happy memory. "And hey, the smoky and messy's probably better for me than carny food, which is great."

He lives a high-calorie lifestyle, and Verity's offer prompts him to put out a hand. "I can give it a good home. Unless you want some, Jim?"

[smartass_captain]

Jim is so jealous of Clint right now. He eats like a freight train and he's super buff and Jim has met his future self and knows he will never ever be built like that no matter how hard he tries. Also, pudgy.

"I'm good." Jim lets Clint dig in and finishes off his coffee. "Make sure you invite me over for Stew & 'Que nights."

[brave_heart_verity]

The plate is pushed over to Clint with her blessings.

Don't worry, Jim, some women like a man who's soft and cuddly.

"Yebeg wot and barbeque sounds kind of awesome actually. We need to do this." She'll sip her coffee before adding, "If there are circus waffles for dessert I might never leave."

[aw_hawkguy]

If you worked out as much as Clint, Jim, then you could eat just as much and still be trim, but your crew would probably ask you to stop shooting arrows at the main viewscreen through your entire shift. (The Klingons might like it, though.)

That remaining baked Alaska is about to get annexed by Iowa. "There will totally be circus waffles. Anytime, every time."

[smartass_captain]

He spends a lot of time in the gym. Usually when he can't sleep. Which is usually. Unfortunately, his crew has a problem with him not sleeping and passing out on the bridge.

One time. (Twice, so far). And they never let him live it down.

"What's a circus waffle?"

[brave_heart_verity]

Is it ironic that she's the one in the family who isn't worrying about her figure?

"He's never made you circus waffles? That's a crime. I'll let him explain because they're his thing, but I will say this: they are amazing. It's like magic, I swear."