#background bops

Hops 🐰: I’m here already Hops 🐰: got on the list

Louis 🇸🇪: omw

Dex 🧰: must the chat be called that? Dex 🧰: I’m coming from all the way across campus so i’ll be at least 15

Louis 🇸🇪: if the toolbox fits…

Nursey 📚: YES 

Bully 🏍️: i’m on my way also! Bully 🏍️: YES

Dex 🧰: i should fine you all.

Nursey 📚: but would you? Nursey 📚: oh captain my captain 😘

“Hey there.”

Hops keeps typing as he looks up and sees Creepy Guy a little closer to him than before.

Louis 🇸🇪: ^^THAT should probably be a fine

Nursey 📚: 🤷yo chill

Hops 🐰: @Nursey if you could be my intimidating older brother like 5 mins ago that would be SUPER

“Hi.”

“Nice day out, isn’t it?”

“Yup.”

“The sunlight really brings out your eyes.”

What the actual fuck.

Nursey 📚: 👀 Nursey 📚: 🏃💨 Nursey 📚: bet

“Um...thanks.”

“Where are you from?”

“Excuse me?”

Louis 🇸🇪: who do i have to kill 🔪🔪🔪

Bully 🏍️: @Louis no murder Bully 🏍️: we don’t have bail money Bully 🏍️: a light maiming tho….

Dex 🧰: @Louis @Bully not even the fine jar has enough despite Jack and Bitty visiting last week Dex 🧰: @Hops hang tight Nursey’s class real close

“Woah, hey, just trying to get to know you a bit, is that a crime now?” the other guy says, hands up defensively.

Hops 🐰: 🧍‍♂️

“I don’t even know your name - and I don’t want to, so don’t take that as an invitation.”

Creepy Guy is a little closer now, still grinning at him.

“C’mon darlin’ I -”

“Jon! How’s my baby brother?!”

Nursey’s here, and doing that thing he’s so good at: being a human wall, protecting his teammates. Hops feels the tension leave him as Nursey grabs him in a hug, still rambling a little about Oh hey, Mom said she sent you something, should arrive tomorrow, how was your class, have you been waiting long?

When Nursey draws back, Hops looks around worriedly, but Creepy Guy is nowhere to be seen. The last bit of tension Hops had has disappeared completely.

“Oh thank god.”

“Yeah he fucked off as soon as I got here,” says Nursey.

“Thanks bro, I probably could have gotten rid of him myself, but it would have taken a lot longer.”

“Sure thing,” Nursey says easily.

“I still appreciate it.”

“Hops, it would be an honor to be your older brother, I’m happy to get that guy to back off.”

“Thanks, Derek.”

“Got your back, Jonathan,” Nursey teases.

“Hops!”

“Holy shit, you okay?”

Bully and Louis were apparently just behind Nursey, and jog across the street to join them, looking worried.

“Yeah I’m okay - just some creep hitting on me, but like, weirdly.”

“Gross. You okay now, conejo?” Bully asks, pulling him into his side. Hops snuggles close.

“I’m okay. Nursey helped.”

“Yeah! The only person allowed to hit on you weirdly is Bully!” says Louis.

“That’s ri - Hey! I hit on him in a completely normal way!”

“Uh-huh, sure.”

“Fuck you Sweden, it worked, we are dating.”

“By the grace of god, because you certainly weren’t smooth about it.”

“That’s it -” Bully moves to try to get Louis into a headlock, but Louis dodges and runs around the group. Bully chases him and Hops and Nursey make eye contact and dissolve into laughter.

“You know, this sort of behavior is why the hockey team gets banned from places,” says Dex. His voice is stern, but he looks mostly amused at their antics.

“You tell ‘em, Dexy,” says Nursey, face lighting up as he looks at Dex.

“Simmer down, lads,” Dex calls over the chaos, “I’ve been looking forward to this all week, I don’t want to get thrown out before we even get inside.”

“Sir yes sir,” Louis and Bully chorus, Louis with a sloppy salute. Bully slings an arm back over Hops’ shoulders. Nice.

“You know about how much longer, Hops?” Nursey asks as he threads his fingers through Dex’s. The tips of Dex’s ears turn pink.

“Table for five for Jonathan?” calls the hostess from the doorway.

“Sick,” says Louis, “Let’s go.”