A papa pops?

outfit

---

Things seemed to be settling down with the other lions. She had done her best to talk with Ingrid, although if the other lioness would reconsider leaving Hei didn't know. But she had done what she could for them and now it was time for her to focus on transitioning into living within Cheyenne Point. She had already picked out a cozy house and was just waiting on the buying process to finish up. Leaving her with time to explore.

It was while she had been wondering around the shopping area that she had come across the oddly fashioned Papa's Pops. The name was confusing and she had to stop and reread the sign a few times, in the end she still didn't fully understand what it was suppose to mean. The place looked like a restaurant of some sort but with candy displayed on the walls? But it didn't look like a candy shop.

As Hei peered through the windows her eyes alighted on a drink being served to someone seat nearby. A float! She knew what that was. And more then that, she knew they were cool and delicious, exactly what she needed on this hot day. Mind made up she entered the door giving a little jingle as it was opened.

Papa's Pops was like stepping back into a history lesson. There was something bittersweet in it, the old fashioned decor sort of reminded him of his second set of foster parents. They were traditional too. It brought feelings of familiarity that Tom enjoyed but then a reminder of how trapped he'd felt in that second home was unpleasant. How he'd been isolated from his brother. Hopefully, Nate would be arriving soon and he'd feel better then.

For now, he was just sitting quietly in the corner by the window, waiting. The heat and sun had forced him to dress a little less conservatively, he'd even gone as far as to wear shorts which was very rare for him. He liked to be covered in layers sort of like a shield against the world. Especially when he was waiting alone or among strangers. That was only building on his lingering discomfort.

The float he'd ordered was placed before him with a smile and he gave one back. It was nice to be smiled at and the reviews online said the floats here were some of the best around, so he was genuinely happy but his smile betrayed shyness. As did the barely audible thank you. He'd just put his mouth around the straw when the doorbell jingled. Tom turned hoping to see Nate walking in but alas it was not him.

Instead a woman in rather stylish attire stepped in. Tom watched her briefly, just for a moment considering what life must be like to be as affluent as that lady looked. Then he turned back to his float to wait for Nate. Hoping he arrived soon.

With school out, and summer officially in full swing, there had been more opportunities such as this for the brothers Moore to spend a simple afternoon with one another. No classes or assignments in the way (not that Nate begrudged him such!) just... time. Though he'd barely slept, a state he found himself with increased frequency of late what with all the extra shifts he'd picked up, he'd jumped at the idea of the two of them heading into town to grab an ice cream of all things!

They hadn't done that sort of thing since they were kids...

Though Nate had done his best to scrub up nicely for the occasion, even going so far as to taking a shower despite the fact that it was mid week, his lack of any real wardrobe still left his appearance a little wanting. Striped tank top over which a torn-at-the-sleeves shirt sat, and a pair of beaten up old jeans. There were small holes and random stains thrown throughout the ensemble, and no sign of an iron having been taken to any of it, but it was the best he could come up with all things considered.

If he noticed how much he stood out against the more prim and proper patrons already housed within the shop he didn't show it. He slipped inside, the tinkling of a bell overhead marking his entrance, and was launched back into the 1940s. It was a little jarring, truth be told, like a movie set. It all felt so... fake. None of that mattered though when his gaze fell upon Thomas, sat nursing an ice cream float, and with a quickly growing grin he all but danced across the room toward him.

"Brother!" he sang, slipping into the seat across from him and plucking a menu from the condiment stand at the center of the table. No ketchup and salt here, just various sugary syrups to accompany the sundaes. Randomly painted fingernails rapped against the laminated sheet for a moment as he contemplated what he'd be ordering, though his attention was continually drawn upward to spy a glance at Tom.

He looked well... Really well.

She had only stepped inside for a minute or more before someone was entering behind her. It was a store and that was expected, and Hei wouldn't have thought twice about it if the man hadn't walked around her towards a table. The lioness didn't like that and it took Hei off guard enough for the tiniest sliver of gold to enter her eyes. Inside the lion grumbled and proffered some idea of giving a warning nibble to the man. The mere thought of teeth in any part of a body had her growing pale with memories of a real night and her own teeth coated in blood. John's blood. A uncontrollable shudder ran up her spine and she quickly turned away from the men in the booth. Instead she headed for the counter where barstools sat.

Tommy's eyes were drawn down into his drink as he waited, filling his mouth with cola and cherry ice-cream. The reviews had not been wrong this was a very nice float. Almost nice enough to distract from the fact that his brother had still not made it over there yet. He chuckled internally at that thought. It was so cliche to hide away in something sweet when one had been stood up.

He was not left waiting long after the arrival of the stylish woman, for the entrance of his brother. Dressed as if he'd come from a fight or a punk gig ... or both, Knowing Nate it could easily be both. The clothes looked cleaner than normal though. That made Tommy smile, it meant it was a special occasion. Still it might be time he pulled Nate into a store to buy something new. Not expensive just clean and better than threadbare.

Once through the door Nate practically launched himself passed the lady who had just arrived, much to her chargrin it seemed as she shot him a dirty look. "I apologise for my brother ... " He chuckled slightly as he called out to the other customer, poking his head out of the booth slightly "He is excitable, causes trouble wherever he goes but he doesn't mean to" He hoped that would suffice to stop a scene ensuing and then looked across at his brother with a fond smile, gently pulling the menu in Nates hands down "You are late Big brother" He chided with a grin "Which is only made worse by the fact that I know your talents" He let the menu go then "And you went straight to the food without even so much as a hug for your brother" He slid back in his seat and folded his arms in a mock pout. There was a cheeky glint in his eye though and his tone was clearly an exaggerated form of upset.

"Oh, my bad... I am known for having tunnel vision," he quipped in the direction of the woman he'd unintentionally barged around, offering her a roguish grin as some sort of peace offering. In an ideal world he'd have offered to buy her an ice cream or something, but he barely had enough to cover their own expenses as it was. This was an unprecedented splurge for the brothers; maybe one day he'd be able to spend recklessly.

Though he'd barely looked over the first quarter of the menu, Tommy was quick to pull the distraction away from his face. Mimicking his brother's pout he tilted his head to the left like a curious puppy and sighed. "Barely late!" he all but whined, rolling his eyes as he slipped out of the booth seating and walked to the other side of the table. More like stepped, really, it wasn't that large of a table. "Surely you can forgive this excitable troublemaker no?"

Still stood over his brother he pulled the lad in for a hug and patted the back of his head absentmindedly.

"So, how's the float?" he asked, though both brothers knew that they'd never really been Nate's thing. Something about mixing of food and drink like that didn't sit right with him. He pulled back, flashed a smile down at Thomas, and then found his seat once more.

Apologize where given but all Hei could do was nod in acceptance with a tight lipped smiled before taking her seat. No longer in the mood for the sickly sweet float. Not when memories of the taste of blood continued to surface. It seemed the quiet afternoon would be ruined. All because of some boys and a lion.

It wasn't really the boys fault, and she couldn't really bring herself to blame them for the sour mood. It had been her own reaction that had lead to thoughts of John and everything that was bundled up with him. But it did leave her in a bit of an awkward position sitting at the counter but not wanting to buy anything. She supposed she could try a float although the thought of drinking anything at the moment made her stomach churn. At the same time it wasn't like she could just leave. In the end she settled for a small sundae figuring it was thick enough not to be associated with blood or flesh.

Prompted no doubt by Tom, Nate appologiesed to the woman aswell. Nothing was said in reply but Tom hoped that would be the end of the matter. An argument in public was his idea of hell and given that this was the first time he'd had a proper day with his brother in a while he'd rather not spend it exchanging loud words with people. Tom was not much good at arguing with people. He'd probably end up crying after a while. Then who knows what Nate would do.

"Barely late is still late" He laughed as his brother protested, tilting his head like a puppy and trying no doubt to charm his brother out of his mock anger. It wouldn't work Nate was immune to him. Or so he liked to say. Anyone who knew the pair ofcourse would know that they pretty much had each other around their little fingers. Before Nate got up to step to his Side Tommy leant across and whispered "Especially when I know you can blink and be on the otherside of town while I'm stuck walking everywhere" There was really no excuse to be late when you could be anywhere in seconds.

Still he had now adequetly laid it on thick for his brother and got the hug he wanted. He greeted Nates apparently begrudge oddessy around the table with a smile and wrapped his arms around his hips as Nate pulled him close "I've not decided yet if I can ever forgive you" he replied with a smile against Nate's side as his head was patted "We shall have to see what the afternoon brings"

"So, how's the float?" he asked, though both brothers knew that they'd never really been Nate's thing. Something about mixing of food and drink like that didn't sit right with him. He pulled back, flashed a smile down at Thomas, and then found his seat once more.

In truth it would be impossible to actually be made at Nate since he hadn't even flinched on going for icecream even though it was very much more Tom's thing than his. "Really good" he answered to the query about his float, now released from his brother. Tom went back to drinking it while nate decided what he would have. It was gone completely by the time he did. "Mines a cherry cola float when you go up to order, Thank you" he said shooting Nate his brightest smile. Going up to order did seem like the big brothers job really.

Nate knew that Tommy believed he teleported everywhere, whenever there was a great distance to travel, but the simple fact of the matter was that he didn't. While he made sure to practice where he could, so as to avoid those overly intense reactions he got whenever he went too long between using his powers, he had never become one of those psychics who would use their abilities as a crux. He'd never gotten that comfortable with them. In a way, he was honestly proud that Tommy summoned things so frequently. Certainly his brother was braver than he.

He wasn't about to admit as much though. Especially not out in the open like this. So he took Tom's chiding with a pinch of salt and simply fluttered his eyelashes and smiled innocently.

"Ah yes, dear brother, I forget what a stickler you are for propriety. Will it be fifty lashes this time, or a public flogging?"

Smile turned to a grin the more he spoke. Then conversation turned to sweeter topics... Such as floats. What Tom saw in them Nate would never know, but he wouldn't begrudge him a treat every now and then even if he had questionable tastes. It didn't take Thomas long to nudge his brother in the direction of the counter, and with a roll of his eyes he slipped out of the booth - still not entirely sure what he'd be ordering for himself - and danced across the room, turning to bow toward Tom here and there with the same stupid grin on his face.

In an ideal world the act would embarrass his brother, but Nate knew that deep down Thomas loved the silly attention.

Sliding into one of the seats at the counter, a stool no doubt, he plucked up a menu and then turned his attention toward the woman he'd clearly irked. "All jokes aside," he quipped to her, while waiting for the waitress to notice him, "I am sorry." It had been a while since he'd seen Tommy in the flesh, after all, a little excitement was to be expected. "Please, let me buy you something. A milkshake, perhaps? Or a sundae?"

A sundae wasn't a bad idea... Maybe that's what Nate would order.

She had just finished her order a few moments ago when one of the boys came up to the chair beside her. The one from the door. There was a brief moment where she hoped that he would ignore her, but it smoldered out soon enough as he addressed her directly. At least the lioness wasn't so irked by this and kept any ideas to itself.

"It is alright."

She said in her best broken English. It was better then when she had first come to America although her accent seemed to be as thick as ever.

The offer for him to buy her something was a bit overboard though and she quickly shook her head.

"No apology is more then enough."

Far more then enough for the brief moment of irritation.

---

Hei has a thick Korean accent.

Tommy didn't believe Nate teleported EVERYWHERE but he knew that he could and therefore never needed to be late to things ever. That said he did not fully begrudge Nate his avoidance of the powers. It was true that Tom made regular use of his summoning, especially when he was in the zone with a piece of art but needed something from his bag. His comfort with summoning and the ease with which he used it was matched two-fold by his discomfort and trouble with the fire powers the brothers had. He avoided his free with almost religious observance.

Nate was certainly braver than Thomas.

"At least 50" he teased back with a grin "You're a repeat offender though ... so maybe execution is the only way"

He had missed his brother and the fun they had terribly. Moving to a place close to college had been the right choice for his education he supposed but for all its' comforts, when compared to the warehouse, it was quite lonely there without his brother. Still, Nate couldn't know about that, it was a problem he couldn't fix but it would still gnaw at him and no doubt urge him to do something silly like send Tom more money.

Still, today was about fun and making the most of the day he had with his brother. That included dispatching him to order, even if Nate was going to be silly about it. Especially because Nate was going to be silly about it. Laughter and fond smiles met Nates frequent about turns and bows. Though Tom had to bury his cheeks in his hands to hide his blush. He did love when Nate was like this. Like they were children in a game again.

As Tom neared the counter and bowed again Tom put on his best snob face and waved dismissively, as a prince would when bored by his jester. Then with Nate now at the counter, he cast his eyes back to the menu to see what other treats he could have ordered instead. Just a small distraction to fill the time until Nate returned to him and they started up another bout of harmless japery

Nate pondered his fifty lashes and potential execution as he sauntered up to the counter and took his seat.

The woman wasn't quite so receptive to his offer, in fact if anything she seemed a little put off by it. He supposed he could see why, he and Thomas were being rather rambunctious and that didn't sit well with most people. It wasn't as though he was trying to be off putting... apparently it was just a talent of his.

"Alright," he said with another shrug, as he turned his attention toward the waitress. She was still a couple of steps away though. "Suit yourself, ma'am."

Now that he'd done all he could to reconcile he focused on the real task at hand, placing their order. When the waitress finally stopped before him he reiterated Thomas' request and then asked for a fudge sundae for himself. He paid then and there, mostly to stop Thomas from trying to do so, and then wandered back over to the booth with a slight frown on his expression. Some of his bounce was gone now, but he tried to keep it from showing too much.

"Shouldn't be too long, brother," he half-smiled, leaning back in his seat. Hopefully his tardiness had already been forgiven.

Tom looked up with a smile as Nate returned, Execution was probably too dramatic when his brother's company was so reassuring.

He had to pay for his tardiness somehow though. Even if just a little. What good was having a big brother if you couldn't torment them mercilessly and make them do things for you? Besides Nate seemed to enjoy playing these games and doing nice things for his brother. Nate seemed dejected as he got closer though. Tommy frowned "Sit down then big brother" he instructed before reaching over to pat Nates hand and lay his own on it "You look a little dejected," He said leaning over "Is it because I said you had to be executed? " He teased "Because I thought about it and executing you would punish me too so it looks like it'll just be lashes again and maybe I make you clean my dorm room for me" He pushed out a smile "after we've had a nice day together of course" He added finally.

"So really nothing to be upset about," He said softly and sincerely "We are getting a whole day together" His genuine smile turned a touch more mischievous then "Besides they had chores in juvie right so vacuuming for me will be nothing"

He hoped that might cheer Nate up or make him open up about what was on his mind, either way, Tom would keep hold of his hand until Nate pulled away. Sometimes even tough guys needed their handheld.

Nate slipped into the booth with the same ponderous expression, only snapping out of it when Thomas began to speak to him. He chuckled some, shaking his head as he spoke a quick retort, and fiddled with the menu which still lay atop the table. "Never you mind," he smiled again and this time it was more genuine.

"You want me to clean?" His eyes widened, before he leaned in over the table some and lowered his voice as though he had some great secret to tell. "Have you not seen the state of my most humble of abodes, brother?" Another grin, before he slid back into his seat and shook his head. He knew how to clean, of course, and he hoped Tommy could tell there had been jest in his voice as he continued with their banter.

Mention of juvie usually had his mind fumble through a billion things but today he simply inhaled and let it flow over him. He wouldn't let anything else ruin this day for him, nosiree!

He squeezed his brother's hand, and glanced between him and the counter as they awaited their sugary treats.

"Speaking of dorms, how has college been treating you brother?" Sure term had been over for a short while now but it was still nice to check in and see how he was faring. Though they saw each other often enough there was always so much to discuss and he didn't want to be failing in his duties as would-be-parent by not catching up on such things!

It seemed that despite how perturbed Nate was it was still not quite severe enough that Tom couldn't make him chuckle. Tom smiled at him and his retort, Nate did seem a lot happier now that he was back "Fine then, keep your secrets" He replied with a smile. He just hoped the issue was not too serious.

"Well I want you to help me clean, later please" Tom replied, he didn't like mess and recently things had gotten a little on top of him so things weren't as pristine as he liked them to be and he hoped with his brothers help he can tame it again. Nate would understand. He grinned as Nate leant in and followed suit, Face up close to Nates "For an abandoned warehouse It's pretty Tidy Brother" he whispered back jovially. He knew Nate was joking with him.

In truth normally even thinking of Nate and Juvie together set Tom in a downward spiral but they were playing and that helped. It was all a bit of a joke, he could forget there was any reality to it.

Plus his brother was squeezing his hand, that always kept him out of dark thought. He gently squeezed back and smiled warmly. The treats could wait.

"It's been okay" He replied "Stressful with all the deadlines and stuff ... and the end of year parties" He added, knowing his brother would understand. He didn't want Nate to worry too much though, Tommy was doing well academically which was what was most important. "I think my final assignments have gone well though" He offered with a soft smile of reassurance. "How are you doing ?"

Nate was a brilliant parent.

"Alright, alright, I'll be your maid for the afternoon. But first..."

The waitress appeared almost as soon as he was done speaking, placing down their respective foods and giving them each a kindly smile. She said something about letting her know if they needed anything else but by that point Nate's mind was already on the ice cream. How long had it been since he'd allowed himself such a treat?

Would it be as good as he remembered?

He used his free hand to scoop up a tentative bite, and pondered over it for a moment as Tommy caught him up on all things college. He still hadn't made up his mind when it came time for him to retort so he set the spoon inside the glass and let the flavours sit on his tongue for a second or so longer.

"I'm sure they've gone great, Tommy. I have every bit of faith in you. When does it start up again? Is there anything you need us to pick up before then? Supplies or anything?" Then he shrugged. "I'm okay, work seems to drag a lot more lately but it'll pick back up again come the start of college season. So many folks have gone back from whence they came for the summer."

The waitress's arrival interrupted Nate's surrender to domestic service. When both orders were placed Down and the waitress was gone again Tom frowned a little nervous. "I didn't mean it like that big brother ... I'll help you , I'm not making you do it all on your own , I just wanted a hand to do a proper clean" Prehaps Nate was just playing around but Tom was very wary of making Nate feel exploited.

Then he turned his head to his drink. He did like indulging his sweet tooth.

Esspecially when he was indulging it alongside Nate. Going out for ice-cream was a fairly normal family activity and Tom and Nate had missed out on so many years of those. It was nice to feel normal for once. As if they had a proper home together and the support of still living parents so that the whole world was not on both their shoulders.

"Thank you Nate" he smiled when Nate expressed his faith. Tom was just a perfectionist, he was very wary of anything less because he did not want to let Nate down. Not after all his big brother had sacrificed. "I'm back in September, I think I have everything I need for now ... the inheritance money keeps me well stocked" Tom explained, he knew or at least strongly suspected that the money was coming from Nates own pocket. "I hope a quieter bar means easier, shorter shifts for you" Tom was very worried that Nate was working himself to death. "Maybe we shouldn't clean on your day off , what would you like to do?"