a finger o' fudge is just enough to give your kids a treat

[nottheanswers]

WHO: Katurian Katurian and Vic Sage
WHERE: A sidewalk market in SoHo
WHEN: Backdated to Saturday, August 13th
WARNINGS: None that I know of!
SUMMARY: Katurian and Vic have had a busy few weeks, it's time they did something much less emotionally demanding. Katurian gets to eat some fudge.
FORMAT: Para to start, whatever afterward.

This whole Vulcanus ordeal had put Katurian through a lot, and Vic felt he was responsible for some of that. He deserved some kind of light affair after it. It wouldn't fix anything, but it might at least make things a bit easier.

As Vic perused through the confections at one vendor's booth, he glanced at the other man with a smirk. "You make it out to these very often? I find they're usually a nicer atmosphere than the supermarkets when you get the chance, and you never know what you'll find if you know where to look."

He pointed for the vendor to see, "That one, please," and exchanged a few bills for a small bag.

Comments

[goryteller]

[Katurian has, in fact, spent a fair amount of time at sidewalk markets. They never had anything like it back home, and he finds himself drawn in by the them, by the number of pasts and life patterns dangling right in front of him.]

I've been doing more grocery lately. [He gives a tired, but honest smile.] How often are you here?

[nottheanswers]

[He unties the ribbon on his little bag and gives it a smell, happily taking in aroma.]

I like to stop by every week or two. I try to get most of my produce from places like this.

[Which, speaking of, is the booth right in front of him. He twists the top of the bag he had and tosses it to Katurian. It would, in fact, end up containing a fair amount of gourmet fudge.] Here, catch.

Richard always bugged me about sweets. Pretty much trained me that whenever I wanted a snack... [He picks up a carrot, given the vendor a smile and a bill in exchange.] ...I could always find something healthier. He was just like that.

[He nibbles on his carrot gingerly.]

[goryteller]

[He catches it against his chest. He holds the package in both of his hands, peering down at it, and then he catches Vic's intent.]

This is for me?

[nottheanswers]

[Vic raises both eyebrows with a coy smile and wonders to himself. At best, it's a small token, is that really something Katurian was so unused to?]

Of course it is. Give it a try, they always make the best at that booth.

[He bites into his carrot with a loud crunch.]

[goryteller]

[He looks down at it, skeptical. His thanks is almost a mumble before he raises his voice, correcting himself:]

Thank you. [Pause.] I'm not eating all of this myself.

[nottheanswers]

Take it home, share it with Andy! [He gives his carrot another glance.] Hell, maybe I'll help with it in a bit.

[His voice changes tone only slightly, barely loses its lightness, but still you can tell he's talking a little more seriously now.]

You've spoken with Eddie?

[goryteller]

[Andy would appreciate it, he thinks. He smoothes the plastic in the bag. Neither of them has had a very good summer.]

Yes. [There's a sort of distance in his voice. Hesitance, but not quite.] When I meet with the hospital on Monday, I'm going to tell them it was Fugue. That we took the anklet off because of her, and that the injuries were her fault.

[nottheanswers]

So there's a plan in place, at least. [He waits a few beats before coninuing the thought.] What does he want in return?

[goryteller]

[He tenses, but doesn't falter or look away.]

I don't know. I don't think he wants anything, I mean-- I mean lying about Fugue, that helps both of us. Yeah? And if we didn't have a good reason for him taking off the anklet, he might have been questioned. Kept longer.

[nottheanswers]

That's how it is, but will he see it that way?

[He's not smiling anymore, idly examining his half-eaten carrot.] Eddie has a history of manipulating you, we just need to keep that in mind. He could see this as an ace up his sleeve to try doing so again in the future.

[goryteller]

[Eddie has a history of manipulating you. Katurian trusts Vic more than he did four months ago - or even one month ago - but those words still send a coldness through his limbs. Before he knows it, he's glaring at him (he knows what he is doing, he has everything under control), but he corrects himself soon after. He looks down at the fudge instead.]

I'll be fine.

[nottheanswers]

[Vic catches that, and the look he gives in return is worried.]

I'd really prefer if you were, which is why I'm telling you to tread carefully when it comes to him. I don't want to see you hurt.

[goryteller]

I know. [Stronger:] I know, and I appreciate that. Edward's a bit of an arse, I admit that, but he's on my side here. He isn't going to hurt me. I promise you.

[nottheanswers]

You wouldn't be the first to think that.

[And he crunches into the carrot again.]