They had the time of their lives

[solar_absorber]

WHO: Apollo and Max Gibson
WHERE: Starts at Max's apartment and moves to the movie theater.
WHEN: Back-dated to this afternoon.
WARNINGS: I don't think so.
SUMMARY: In which Apollo drags Max out of her apartment for a funny, cute, and probably terrible comedy movie all in the effort to cheer her up.
FORMAT: uh action spam cuz I'm a lazy bum

[Apollo shows up at Max's door sometime in the early afternoon. The last time they'd seen each other they'd made plans to hang out once the whole Skrull invasion thing blew over. He figured there was no better time then the present. He knocks.]

Hey, Max. Are you there? I probably should have called ahead...

Comments

[futurebatwoman]

[ She's started patrolling again. She's gone to the grocery store, and she's back at work.

In Max's eyes, this counts as leaving her apartment enough. If she spends the rest of the time locked in fixing broken machines she's hauled home from the dump store, that's her business, and it's not a problem. It's a good use of time that might otherwise go wasted.

She looks up when Apollo knocks and pauses, then slides her tools to the side and goes to the door, opening it. ]

Apollo?

[solar_absorber]

[His fist is mid knock when the door finally opens. He lets it fall to his side as he takes in Max's appearance and gives her a grin.]

We made a date remember? The whole Skrull thing is all over now so let's go catch a movie. I saw this really funny looking one on a commercial. I think you'll like it.

[futurebatwoman]

[ She's in sweats and a t-shirt, grease smeared on her face on accident and angling her body to block a view of her apartment. A long pause and slow blink. ]

It's been a long day. I was going to just - stay in.

... How are you?

[solar_absorber]

[His expression falls for a moment, showing his disappointment, before he quickly puts the grin back in place. He affects a slow shrug and leans against the door jab. He's the master of subtly.]

I'm good. Things have gotten quiet around here so I've mostly been hanging around the apartment or picking off drug dealers in back alley ways. The usual.

[Searching in his pockets, he pulls out two slightly bent movie tickets.]

It's shame you don't want to go though. I mean, I already bought the tickets. And I don't know anyone else who would want to go. But...[He stuffs the tickets back into his pockets.] I guess I could just go alone...

[futurebatwoman]

The usual. [ A faint smile. ] Of course.

[ A long pause again. She sighs and runs a hand through her hair. ]

What movie?

what's the last comedy movie I watched you ask...

[solar_absorber]

Your Highness. It's one of those medieval times movies, that's probably completely historically inaccurate. But it's a comedy, so what do you expect? I hear it got good reviews.

[He's obviously doing his best to sell the idea.]

[futurebatwoman]

[ long pause. ]

It's that one that's just kind of totally ridiculous, right?

Give me a bit. I'll get changed.

[solar_absorber]

That would be the one. [He grins widely and nods.]

No problem. I'll just wait here.

[futurebatwoman]

[ Five minutes later, she's pulled on jeans and wiped the grease off her face, though she proceeds to smear the rest on her hands off onto her shirt. ]

I'll pay you back for the ticket.

[solar_absorber]

No need. This whole thing was my idea anyways.

[He holds his arm out for her to take. Ever the gentleman.]

So, how have you been?

[futurebatwoman]

[ Beat. She raises her eyebrows but takes his arm anyways. Uh. Okay. ]

I'm fine. [ It's a convenient lie. Everyone always believes it. ] How are you? Now that everything's over?

[solar_absorber]

[He can tell she's evading.]

You already asked me that. I'm more interested in how you're doing.

[futurebatwoman]

Did I? [ Oh. She must have been more distracted than she realized. ] Oh.

Sorry. Like I said. Long day.

[solar_absorber]

[He shrugs and pats her arm.]

Well, tell me about it. I've heard it's good stress relief.

[futurebatwoman]

[ Well, first I patrolled until terrible hours and then I had bad dreams is probably not an acceptable answer here. ]

I just didn't sleep that well, and then work was rough. There's a - big project going on, and I don't think I'm contributing enough.

[solar_absorber]

What are you working on? If you can talk about it, that is.

[He doesn't know her job etiquette.]

[futurebatwoman]

[ Vague hand wave. Translating her night job into terms of her day job is always hard. ]

One of those big department-wide things, where everyone's pitching in to try to get it finished.

[solar_absorber]

Sounds like a big deal.

[When they reach the lobby door, he holds it open for her to go out first.]

[futurebatwoman]

It kind of is.

But I'll figure it out tomorrow, I'm sure.

[ amused ] Heh, thanks.

[solar_absorber]

[He follows her out with a smile.]

No problem.

I'm sure you'll figure it out. I have faith. But for now you should just relax and enjoy.

[futurebatwoman]

... Relaxation.

Meh. I guess I can give it a go.

[solar_absorber]

I get the feeling it's not something you do often enough.

[futurebatwoman]

I'll have you know I relax every weekend like clockwork.

I don't even think about work.

[solar_absorber]

Well, I'm sorry and I revoke my previous statement.

Pretend it's an early weekend.

[futurebatwoman]

[ slightly wry grin ]

I can do that for a couple of hours, I guess.

[solar_absorber]

It definitely couldn't hurt.

[The theater was coming up just ahead, and Apollo swiftly lead them in its direction.]

[futurebatwoman]

Unless someone decides to attack the city while I'm in the movie theater.

[solar_absorber]

Trust me, if someone attacks the city there will be plenty of people around to handle it.

Perks of living in a city with a high hero population.

[futurebatwoman]

Yeah, yeah. I know.

[ heading towards the ticket window ]

Okay, fine, relaxation on cue coming right up.

[solar_absorber]

[He hands his tickets to the guy behind the window and then pulls Max towards the concession stand.]

You want anything? Aside from popcorn and a soda, which is practically required.

[futurebatwoman]

Heh. I'm good, but thanks.

[solar_absorber]

[He nods and jumps into line. A couple minutes later he's back, carrying a tray with two sodas and a large popcorn balanced carefully on it.]

You mind holding the tickets? [He holds the tray one-handed long enough to get the tickets out of his pocket.]

[futurebatwoman]

[ she takes them with a grin ]

Sure.

And - thanks for this. I know I haven't been easy to get along with recently. It's nice of you to do this.

[solar_absorber]

[He shrugs the best he can while holding the tray stable.]

You seemed like you could use the break.

[futurebatwoman]

I think the whole city could probably use a break. [ nope not talking about herself ]

[solar_absorber]

I thought that's what we were doing. Downtime after an alien invasion.

[futurebatwoman]

Yeah, sort of.

They probably shouldn't be. It's careless. The danger's not anywhere near over.

[solar_absorber]

Would you prefer it if everyone was sitting on their hands and watching the sky 24/7?

[futurebatwoman]

[ pause, and she hands their tickets to the guy at the door. ]

I don't know what I want.

[solar_absorber]

Well, that makes just about all of us. We should be doing something. But knowing that and knowing what to do are two different things.

[He leads them down the hall and into their theater/.]

[futurebatwoman]

Yeah.

Ugh. Let's just watch the movie. Deal?

[solar_absorber]

Deal.

How about you pick our seats? I'm not picky.