maybe i'm the afterglow

MARK: I'm your only little brother

MARK: you /have/ to say that

MARK: But I want you to be happy, Li

LIL: I COULD say you're a holy terror.

LIL: I COULD say I can't stand you.

LIL: None of that's true, but I COULD say it. :P

MARK: you're not unmatachable li.

MARK: I'll find you someone.

MARK: I swear on it.

MARK: oh okay

MARK: wow I was not expecting this to happen this quickly

MARK: I'll get to thinking

LIL: It doesn't have to be this quick.

LIL: Take your time and we'll figure it out.

MARK: uh

MARK: how soon do you want it to be?

LIL: However soon you come up with someone, I guess? I'll probably catch Sky again tomorrow, ask him if he's game.

MARK: okay well don't talk like that

MARK: you'll find happiness, li

MARK: ...happiness, Li.

MARK: you deserve happiness

LIL: The Powers That Be don't seem to think so.

MARK: /very/

MARK: like wow

MARK: holy cow

MARK: no no

MARK: you deserve someone really cute too

LIL: Good. I'm setting this up then.

LIL: Making this happen and all that.

ETHAN: I... can kind of make scrambled eggs

ETHAN: I tried french toast once

ETHAN: caught the pan on fire

LIL: Then I'll teach you french toast.

LIL: That's a favorite meal of mine.

MARK: oh heaven almighty....

MARK: I'm gonna have to find you a serious babe

MARK: I swear

LIL: Cute, right?

LIL: And we've talked enough that I feel like I can make this thing happen for you.

ETHAN: I know how to make hot pockets, mac n cheese, ramen...

ETHAN: and how to order take out

LIL: I can do a lot with eggs.

LIL: I can make french toast.

LIL: What else?

MARK: And you're /positive/ he's real?

MARK: that you didn't hit your head or something?

[Ten minutes later]

LIL: I went a'Insta-stalking. FOR YOU.

LIL: Sky with a dog: https://78.media.tumblr.com/263e20bbd70edc1bf3d618267f02413d/tumblr_pd2f30owbh1vymfc4o2_540.png

LIL: Sky with some ice cream: https://78.media.tumblr.com/9b56b7fd40df98b75e295a2a2c6666ef/tumblr_pd2f30owbh1vymfc4o3_540.png

LIL: Sky with... I don't know. Some kind of weird elephant statue? https://78.media.tumblr.com/d426b54a3f6618c19cadce5820f9dd00/tumblr_pd2f30owbh1vymfc4o1_540.jpg

ETHAN: yes

ETHAN: i'm down

ETHAN: can I learn as well

ETHAN: I think mine would appreciate it if I made more than just hot pockets

LIL: We can learn together.

MARK: hm, a coffee man. and my age. AND he can sign?

MARK: sounds fake

LIL: I've seen him signing at the pool. Proper signing, not that bullshit where people hope they can get by on two or three letters and making things up.

LIL: HE'S REAL AND HE'S CUTE. I SWEAR!

LIL: His name's... something slightly hippy-dippy.

ETHAN: I really didn't know there was a machine for that

ETHAN: that sounds a lot less frustrating than having to get the very specific size bread to fit in my toaster

ETHAN: and I think my roommate may thank me if I don't ruin /another/ toaster

LIL: If you want to hit up Target with me later, we can shop for one together. I need to get a few kitchen things myself. Roommate and I have been talking about learning to cook.

MARK: ...should I be afraid?

MARK: how well do you know this guy?

MARK: I still gotta think about who I'm going to set you up with

LIL: Afraid? No way.

LIL: Not super well, but... He's a lifeguard at the public pool. Works another job too I think, but that's where I always see him. And we both seem to hit The Lima Bean at similar times.

ETHAN: listen. it's a great idea

ETHAN: I.. didn't know those existed

ETHAN: I thought that was all done by hand

LIL: They're super cheap. $30 or something like that.

LIL: You can probably make other things on them too, but their main purpose is hot and melty sandwiches.

MARKUS: He was... pretty cute

MARKUS: I think you would've liked him

MARKUS: ah... I'd /prefer/ if they could sign but I'm not too picky?

MARKUS: I dunno. I haven't really been in the "dating game" in a hot second

LIL: I have someone in mind already. He's cute. Abs for days (yes... I've seen him shirtless). I know he can sign because I've seen him do it. Sweet guy, might be someone you'd like.