Never Lost

You know I’m the worst at making stuff up. Speaking of witnesses what is this I hear about a cat that was wandering through HQ?

Well, long story short, Gran was threatening again to do something to Dinah, so I took her to HQ for safekeeping while I went to class and when I got back, she'd uh... well, it's all clean now so I fail to see how it's relevant.

Despite his protest, he chucked her under the chin.  Before she could protest (and hit him), he struck a match and lit the candles, promptly blowing them out and then looking back at her expectantly.

"Actually he learned that from me… I’m totally kidding, of course I did, the guy is like an expert on that" John said shaking his head, "too bad he’s never used that technique on himself, I swear I feel like he’s losing … I don’t know what… exactly but he is losing something… it’s frustrating not knowing how to help … or what even is going on…" he hadn’t said those things out loud before, but they had been in his mind for months. 

"That's... yeah. He tends to see the worst in himself, doesn't he? I tried to use the whole reverse-psychology thing on him recently... I don't know if it actually worked or not."

"You're just wasting it!"

Oh come on, you are nice… when you really want to be nice… I’m not getting people in trouble. 

Hah, a lack of proper witnesses means that you're just making it up.

-John scoffed at her words- Said the pot to the kettle… besides that’s what makes me adorable, people are into know-it-alls.  

People? Really? Everyone I know despises know-it-alls.

You know I will, you know I’ll get you out. 

Well if I’ve learned something in this life, is to never, never underestimate the adorable little ones… don’t worry I’ll help you clean up, not because I don’t think you’ll do a good job… I’m lying it’s totally because I think you are not going to do a good job. 

Hm, I should have you tell that to a friend of mine. He always teases me relentlessly and needs to learn not to underestimate us cute little things. Well, 'us', being people like me. I didn't mean to include you in there. You're too bossy and know-it-all to be adorable.

He handed her the knife, waiting patiently for her to cut the cake.

"Now, I'll cut this cake only after you light and then subsequently blow out the candles."

"See and you say it’s hard to tell them apart, just know that what you are doing is important, and it might be difficult sometimes or boring or uncomfortable, but you are doing great."

"Oh God, not you too with this "making-people-realise-that-they're-actually-good-at-what-they-do" act. Is everyone in HQ learning to do that from Rob?"

Okay, fine. So your face isn’t terrible. I’ll give you that.

Aw, see; that wasn't so hard.

"You need a good man, Alice.  Not someone who’s just trying to get by."

"She doesn't let me make decisions about my life either. It's called mine for a reason."

"Maybe I should get you a nice, lady-like butter knife." which cuts nothing.

"Lady-like? As if I could ever be anywhere close to a lady. Don't make me hurt you. I've done worse for lesser accusations."

So?

Well, everyone knows I'm not a stupid-face, so you just make yourself look more ridiculous.