someday you will snikt bub

Never again with the ducks. Feed somethin’ else that ain’t got beaks. Horses? *looks up into the distance, considering* Maybe horses… 

Okay.  Okay.  *she clears her throat.*  Horses.  *nods.*  Horses sound good for next time.  

S'fine.

*he pauses, then reaches over and ruffles her hair* 

Never again with the ducks. Feed somethin' else that ain't got beaks. Horses? *looks up into the distance, considering* Maybe horses... 

*the quacking is suddenly louder and when Kitty turns, she realizes that they are surrounded by angry ducks.

Three words, Kitty, three words and I ain’t gonna read ‘em ever again or even remember what they were ‘cause it brings things t’mind that ain’t gonna go on in my head knowin’ they go on is bad enough freakin’ duCKS WHAT THE HECK YOU WANT?!?

Which three words exactly because three words could be very misleading I mean I know you don’t want to remember it so you won’t and god I don’t really want you to remember it either I’m sorry you saw that you weren’t supposed to and you have no idea how embarrassed I am but really nothing is going on I mean kissing and talking about stuff but no… *she struggles to find the word after all of that* actual stuff, I mean maybe someday at some point neither of us is really holding off but nothing has happened but you know it’s been two years so but nothing has happened and oh god I don’t want to talk anymore why can’t I stop talking *she sounds like she’s tearlessly sobbing.*  I’m sorry, I’m just sorry that you found that, you don’t need to know about that and we’re gonna be more careful and-

*just makes a frustrated growly shout.

Aww hell now yer gettin’ upset an’ I didn’t see anythin’ that bad was just sayin’ - fre- two years wait what the heck’s wrong with hi- nope forget I asked we ain’t goin’ I ain’t goin’ no-

*with a tired grunt, he kicks a bit at the ground in front of the ducks - they surge forward, quacking angrily and tugging the bottom of his jeans with their beaks*

*waving her hands wildly, fingers splayed, just trying to get the words out.*  It is distressing to see something like that from someone you have seen grow up from the time they were thirteen and to be shown that hey not only are they not thirteen anymore they are so not thirteen that-  *she looks desperate and sad.*  I get it and that’s why I’m sorry and that’s why I’m upset.

And there’s nothing wrong with him, I think it’s me, I think it’s like signals I’ve been giving off or well you know how I am I mean it’s like…*waves her hands, distressed all over again after that brief moment of calm clarity.* I don’t know we should probably talk about it or something but how do you talk about something like that I mean do you just- 

*throws her hands up.*  No.  No, never mind, this is something that we need to discuss - we me and him we not you and me we, we need to stop talking about this and we need to get away from these ducks because they are getting- *let’s out a gasp as one lunges for her.  She goes intangible before it can bite her but this leads to a part of her phasing through the duck’s head.  It falls over unconscious.

The other ducks see this and start to panic, all running towards Logan and Kitty.*

Yeah, this is nice and all but I’m thinkin’ it’s really time to go- 

Oh my god!

*she watches Logan try to shake the duck off and can’t help doubling over with laughter, distress suddenly melting away to shocked hilarity.*

*the quacking is suddenly louder and when Kitty turns, she realizes that they are surrounded by angry ducks.

Three words, Kitty, three words and I ain’t gonna read ‘em ever again or even remember what they were ‘cause it brings things t’mind that ain’t gonna go on in my head knowin’ they go on is bad enough freakin’ duCKS WHAT THE HECK YOU WANT?!?

Which three words exactly because three words could be very misleading I mean I know you don’t want to remember it so you won’t and god I don’t really want you to remember it either I’m sorry you saw that you weren’t supposed to and you have no idea how embarrassed I am but really nothing is going on I mean kissing and talking about stuff but no… *she struggles to find the word after all of that* actual stuff, I mean maybe someday at some point neither of us is really holding off but nothing has happened but you know it’s been two years so but nothing has happened and oh god I don’t want to talk anymore why can’t I stop talking *she sounds like she’s tearlessly sobbing.*  I’m sorry, I’m just sorry that you found that, you don’t need to know about that and we’re gonna be more careful and-

*just makes a frustrated growly shout.

Aww hell now yer gettin’ upset an’ I didn’t see anythin’ that bad was just sayin’ - fre- two years wait what the heck’s wrong with hi- nope forget I asked we ain’t goin’ I ain’t goin’ no-

*with a tired grunt, he kicks a bit at the ground in front of the ducks - they surge forward, quacking angrily and tugging the bottom of his jeans with their beaks*

*waving her hands wildly, fingers splayed, just trying to get the words out.*  It is distressing to see something like that from someone you have seen grow up from the time they were thirteen and to be shown that hey not only are they not thirteen anymore they are so not thirteen that-  *she looks desperate and sad.*  I get it and that’s why I’m sorry and that’s why I’m upset.

And there’s nothing wrong with him, I think it’s me, I think it’s like signals I’ve been giving off or well you know how I am I mean it’s like…*waves her hands, distressed all over again after that brief moment of calm clarity.* I don’t know we should probably talk about it or something but how do you talk about something like that I mean do you just- 

*throws her hands up.*  No.  No, never mind, this is something that we need to discuss - we me and him we not you and me we, we need to stop talking about this and we need to get away from these ducks because they are getting- *let’s out a gasp as one lunges for her.  She goes intangible before it can bite her but this leads to a part of her phasing through the duck’s head.  It falls over unconscious.

The other ducks see this and start to panic, all running towards Logan and Kitty.*

Yeah, this is nice and all but I'm thinkin' it's really time to go- 

*the quacking is suddenly louder and when Kitty turns, she realizes that they are surrounded by angry ducks.

Three words, Kitty, three words and I ain’t gonna read ‘em ever again or even remember what they were ‘cause it brings things t’mind that ain’t gonna go on in my head knowin’ they go on is bad enough freakin’ duCKS WHAT THE HECK YOU WANT?!?

Which three words exactly because three words could be very misleading I mean I know you don’t want to remember it so you won’t and god I don’t really want you to remember it either I’m sorry you saw that you weren’t supposed to and you have no idea how embarrassed I am but really nothing is going on I mean kissing and talking about stuff but no… *she struggles to find the word after all of that* actual stuff, I mean maybe someday at some point neither of us is really holding off but nothing has happened but you know it’s been two years so but nothing has happened and oh god I don’t want to talk anymore why can’t I stop talking *she sounds like she’s tearlessly sobbing.*  I’m sorry, I’m just sorry that you found that, you don’t need to know about that and we’re gonna be more careful and-

*just makes a frustrated growly shout.

Aww hell now yer gettin' upset an' I didn't see anythin' that bad was just sayin' - fre- two years wait what the heck's wrong with hi- nope forget I asked we ain't goin' I ain't goin' no-

*with a tired grunt, he kicks a bit at the ground in front of the ducks - they surge forward, quacking angrily and tugging the bottom of his jeans with their beaks*

*the quacking is suddenly louder and when Kitty turns, she realizes that they are surrounded by angry ducks.

Three words, Kitty, three words and I ain't gonna read 'em ever again or even remember what they were 'cause it brings things t'mind that ain't gonna go on in my head knowin' they go on is bad enough freakin' duCKS WHAT THE HECK YOU WANT?!?

Heh. A pants alarm could be useful, but I don’t see the harm in just usin’ a pen an paper. Sticky notes. Great invention, them. Good for labellin’ and reminding.

*he pauses, sectioning some smaller crumbs for a loitering pigeon*

Sticky notes are pretty much the best invention, though.  I don’t know if you’ve been seeing the conversation we’ve all been having in the break room through them, but they’ve proved very efficient.

*smiles proudly.*

It’s a…different time.  *shakes her head.*  Different atmosphere.  You don’t notice it, but you’re doing a really good job too.  Couldn’t do this without you.

Back atcha, sweetheart. Been a long road and I’m figuring we got a ways to go if these kids are any indication - but eh, we’ll get there.

That, um.

Those may be private.

The heck you think I’d do that for? I got enough on my mind as is, don’t need that givin’ me nightmares. 

*he looks at her and makes a face, as if trying to mentally shake Bobby’s smarmy smile from his mind* 

I just wanted to make sure! I don’t know, you could’ve read them accidentally, and-

*at the thought of one of the students finding the notes, she pales and shifts to sit facing straight ahead of her.*

Knowin’ our kids? Gold. Secret ninja weaponry. Beer. Heck, most times they would find that. 

*but she looks uncomfortable after saying that.*

Ehh you know, that, I mean - *he waves a hand around a bit, and then grumbling, returns to pulling off bits of bread*

*There’s an angry quacking at the bench’s seat.*

I wasn’t lookin’, I just saw ‘em! Dropped some papers, noticed ‘em. Was havin’ a coffee with Bobby and one fell onto the floor. I saw three words an at that point didn’t need t’see any more ever.

Ever.

Why were you two having coffee in my office?!

Do you guys do this often?! Do I need to lock the door?! I thought I had been locking the door! 

Wha? No! I mean I was in your office, dropped the papers 'cause I was runnin' errands or somethin, then on a different day was in Bobby's office and the note and the coffee an- the heck? We ain't havin' illicit meetin's in yer office. Kitty, why'd we do that? Place's way too neat, we'd break somethin'.

*a duck starts gnawing on his boot - he frowns, wiggling the foot side to side*

Heh. A pants alarm could be useful, but I don’t see the harm in just usin’ a pen an paper. Sticky notes. Great invention, them. Good for labellin’ and reminding.

*he pauses, sectioning some smaller crumbs for a loitering pigeon*

Sticky notes are pretty much the best invention, though.  I don’t know if you’ve been seeing the conversation we’ve all been having in the break room through them, but they’ve proved very efficient.

*smiles proudly.*

It’s a…different time.  *shakes her head.*  Different atmosphere.  You don’t notice it, but you’re doing a really good job too.  Couldn’t do this without you.

Back atcha, sweetheart. Been a long road and I’m figuring we got a ways to go if these kids are any indication - but eh, we’ll get there.

That, um.

Those may be private.

The heck you think I’d do that for? I got enough on my mind as is, don’t need that givin’ me nightmares. 

*he looks at her and makes a face, as if trying to mentally shake Bobby’s smarmy smile from his mind* 

I just wanted to make sure! I don’t know, you could’ve read them accidentally, and-

*at the thought of one of the students finding the notes, she pales and shifts to sit facing straight ahead of her.*

Knowin’ our kids? Gold. Secret ninja weaponry. Beer. Heck, most times they would find that. 

*but she looks uncomfortable after saying that.*

Ehh you know, that, I mean - *he waves a hand around a bit, and then grumbling, returns to pulling off bits of bread*

*There’s an angry quacking at the bench’s seat.*

I wasn't lookin', I just saw 'em! Dropped some papers, noticed 'em. Was havin' a coffee with Bobby and one fell onto the floor. I saw three words an at that point didn't need t'see any more ever.

Ever.

Heh. A pants alarm could be useful, but I don’t see the harm in just usin’ a pen an paper. Sticky notes. Great invention, them. Good for labellin’ and reminding.

*he pauses, sectioning some smaller crumbs for a loitering pigeon*

Sticky notes are pretty much the best invention, though.  I don’t know if you’ve been seeing the conversation we’ve all been having in the break room through them, but they’ve proved very efficient.

*smiles proudly.*

It’s a…different time.  *shakes her head.*  Different atmosphere.  You don’t notice it, but you’re doing a really good job too.  Couldn’t do this without you.

Back atcha, sweetheart. Been a long road and I’m figuring we got a ways to go if these kids are any indication - but eh, we’ll get there.

That, um.

Those may be private.

The heck you think I’d do that for? I got enough on my mind as is, don’t need that givin’ me nightmares. 

*he looks at her and makes a face, as if trying to mentally shake Bobby’s smarmy smile from his mind* 

I just wanted to make sure! I don’t know, you could’ve read them accidentally, and-

*at the thought of one of the students finding the notes, she pales and shifts to sit facing straight ahead of her.*

Knowin’ our kids? Gold. Secret ninja weaponry. Beer. Heck, most times they would find that. 

*but she looks uncomfortable after saying that.*

Ehh you know, that, I mean - *he waves a hand around a bit, and then grumbling, returns to pulling off bits of bread*

Heh. A pants alarm could be useful, but I don’t see the harm in just usin’ a pen an paper. Sticky notes. Great invention, them. Good for labellin’ and reminding.

*he pauses, sectioning some smaller crumbs for a loitering pigeon*

Sticky notes are pretty much the best invention, though.  I don’t know if you’ve been seeing the conversation we’ve all been having in the break room through them, but they’ve proved very efficient.

*smiles proudly.*

It’s a…different time.  *shakes her head.*  Different atmosphere.  You don’t notice it, but you’re doing a really good job too.  Couldn’t do this without you.

Back atcha, sweetheart. Been a long road and I’m figuring we got a ways to go if these kids are any indication - but eh, we’ll get there.

That, um.

Those may be private.

The heck you think I’d do that for? I got enough on my mind as is, don’t need that givin’ me nightmares. 

*he looks at her and makes a face, as if trying to mentally shake Bobby’s smarmy smile from his mind* 

I just wanted to make sure! I don’t know, you could’ve read them accidentally, and-

*at the thought of one of the students finding the notes, she pales and shifts to sit facing straight ahead of her.*

Knowin' our kids? Gold. Secret ninja weaponry. Beer. Heck, most times they would find that. 

Heh. A pants alarm could be useful, but I don’t see the harm in just usin’ a pen an paper. Sticky notes. Great invention, them. Good for labellin’ and reminding.

*he pauses, sectioning some smaller crumbs for a loitering pigeon*

Sticky notes are pretty much the best invention, though.  I don’t know if you’ve been seeing the conversation we’ve all been having in the break room through them, but they’ve proved very efficient.

*smiles proudly.*

It’s a…different time.  *shakes her head.*  Different atmosphere.  You don’t notice it, but you’re doing a really good job too.  Couldn’t do this without you.

Back atcha, sweetheart. Been a long road and I’m figuring we got a ways to go if these kids are any indication - but eh, we’ll get there.

That, um.

Those may be private.

The heck you think I'd do that for? I got enough on my mind as is, don't need that givin' me nightmares. 

*he looks at her and makes a face, as if trying to mentally shake Bobby's smarmy smile from his mind* 

Lists. Words on paper, each one on a new line? Usually an aid to memory. Groceries. Topics. Reminders t’put my goddamn pants on. 

*makes a face as if she’s just fully heard what Logan’s said.*

You have to remind yourself to put on pants?

I’m sorry this has all been-… It’s been a rough transition.  I mean, two years and there’s still stuff we’re getting used to - still getting the swing of.

I agree with you though.  I think this is the best place we could be.  And I think what we’re doing is the best thing we could possibly be doing.  It’s tough and…finding a way to function on the side of it is tough.  But it’s worth it.

Heh. A pants alarm could be useful, but I don’t see the harm in just usin’ a pen an paper. Sticky notes. Great invention, them. Good for labellin’ and reminding.

*he pauses, sectioning some smaller crumbs for a loitering pigeon*

Sticky notes are pretty much the best invention, though.  I don’t know if you’ve been seeing the conversation we’ve all been having in the break room through them, but they’ve proved very efficient.

*smiles proudly.*

It’s a…different time.  *shakes her head.*  Different atmosphere.  You don’t notice it, but you’re doing a really good job too.  Couldn’t do this without you.

Back atcha, sweetheart. Been a long road and I'm figuring we got a ways to go if these kids are any indication - but eh, we'll get there.

Lists. Words on paper, each one on a new line? Usually an aid to memory. Groceries. Topics. Reminders t’put my goddamn pants on. 

*makes a face as if she’s just fully heard what Logan’s said.*

You have to remind yourself to put on pants?

I’m sorry this has all been-… It’s been a rough transition.  I mean, two years and there’s still stuff we’re getting used to - still getting the swing of.

I agree with you though.  I think this is the best place we could be.  And I think what we’re doing is the best thing we could possibly be doing.  It’s tough and…finding a way to function on the side of it is tough.  But it’s worth it.

Heh. A pants alarm could be useful, but I don't see the harm in just usin' a pen an paper. Sticky notes. Great invention, them. Good for labellin' and reminding.

*he pauses, sectioning some smaller crumbs for a loitering pigeon*

They just want payment for entertaining us by swimming around and making noise.  Which is really silly because *louder, to the ducks* you guys do this all the time, whether we’re here or not. *back to normal volume.*  But you can’t blame them for trying to get free food, I guess.

Yeah. Heck, wasn’t so long ago I’d say this’d the last place I’d be - now I got a nasty feelin’ this is probably pretty damn good for me. Fer all of us, really. 

*he gently prods Kitty in the shoulder* 

I’m-…*shakes her head.*  I’m fine, I’m not- 

I, I went out with Bobby the other night, we got coffee.

And Betsy and Rogue are planning a girls’ night out, there’s that too - okay I was a little reluctant to do that, but I am doing it.

And Bobby and I were talking and he’s gonna try- we’re gonna have like two nights, days, things out a month.

*even though she’s spoken defensively though, it’s easy to see that she’s still nervous about all of this.  And eventually she takes a breath and speaks in a quieter, more somber tone.*

Responsibility’s a kicker but it’ll prolly get better. If not, well… guess I’m gonna give you a forced holiday or somethin’. 

Looks to Logan and tilts her head.*

Lists. Words on paper, each one on a new line? Usually an aid to memory. Groceries. Topics. Reminders t’put my goddamn pants on. 

*makes a face as if she’s just fully heard what Logan’s said.*

You have to remind yourself to put on pants?

They just want payment for entertaining us by swimming around and making noise.  Which is really silly because *louder, to the ducks* you guys do this all the time, whether we’re here or not. *back to normal volume.*  But you can’t blame them for trying to get free food, I guess.

Yeah. Heck, wasn’t so long ago I’d say this’d the last place I’d be - now I got a nasty feelin’ this is probably pretty damn good for me. Fer all of us, really. 

*he gently prods Kitty in the shoulder* 

I’m-…*shakes her head.*  I’m fine, I’m not- 

I, I went out with Bobby the other night, we got coffee.

And Betsy and Rogue are planning a girls’ night out, there’s that too - okay I was a little reluctant to do that, but I am doing it.

And Bobby and I were talking and he’s gonna try- we’re gonna have like two nights, days, things out a month.

*even though she’s spoken defensively though, it’s easy to see that she’s still nervous about all of this.  And eventually she takes a breath and speaks in a quieter, more somber tone.*

Responsibility’s a kicker but it’ll prolly get better. If not, well… guess I’m gonna give you a forced holiday or somethin’. 

Looks to Logan and tilts her head.*

Lists. Words on paper, each one on a new line? Usually an aid to memory. Groceries. Topics. Reminders t'put my goddamn pants on. 

They just want payment for entertaining us by swimming around and making noise.  Which is really silly because *louder, to the ducks* you guys do this all the time, whether we’re here or not. *back to normal volume.*  But you can’t blame them for trying to get free food, I guess.

Yeah. Heck, wasn’t so long ago I’d say this’d the last place I’d be - now I got a nasty feelin’ this is probably pretty damn good for me. Fer all of us, really. 

*he gently prods Kitty in the shoulder* 

I’m-…*shakes her head.*  I’m fine, I’m not- 

I, I went out with Bobby the other night, we got coffee.

And Betsy and Rogue are planning a girls’ night out, there’s that too - okay I was a little reluctant to do that, but I am doing it.

And Bobby and I were talking and he’s gonna try- we’re gonna have like two nights, days, things out a month.

*even though she’s spoken defensively though, it’s easy to see that she’s still nervous about all of this.  And eventually she takes a breath and speaks in a quieter, more somber tone.*

Responsibility's a kicker but it'll prolly get better. If not, well... guess I'm gonna give you a forced holiday or somethin'.