#vernors

Rose's head was tilted in indulgence. "There you are. Thought I'd have to send out Shiftwalker to retrieve you from orbit."

Shane huffed a laugh. "Nah, nah, no X Force deployment necessary. Just lost in thought."

"I see... Anything interesting in those thoughts?"

"Not really. Just thinking about the next game."

"Oof yeah, the Titans. Better get Mogie's head in the game. Groeber is no joke, and he won't take any shit talk."

"Ugh, don't I know it."

Rose lent a sympathetic look. It would be an uphill battle to keep the rookie on task.

"Oh!" She brightened. "As I was saying before you drifted off, I-" she flourished a hand into her bag, evoking a magician with a hat. "-brought a surprise for you."

"Oh?"

"Oh indeed." She repeated, eyes alight. "It's a Michigander special."

"A 'Michigander' special, huh? Well okay, lay it on me."

"Excellent. So this-" Rose twirled her hand to reveal a green can with a kitschy barrel design. "-is the Michigan difference."

"The Michigan difference? Isn't that for the school?"

"Shush, yes, but what's important is the ginger ale."

"Ginger ale?" Shane was touched. "Ah, thanks. How did you even know I liked the stuff?"

"Hmm.. maybe because it's the only drink in your fridge that isn't filtered water or a macro-packed protein shake?"

"Hah, okay, fair enough."

Rose slid the aluminum across the table. Their hands touched as Shane grabbed it. He pulled it up, snorting at the bearded face. "He's certainly jolly."

"He most certainly is, and it's because he drinks the best ginger ale in the country! And in your country! Now come on, you've got to drink it quick. I snuck it in for you."

"Okay, okay, I will."

Shane cracked the top. Yep, sounded like ginger ale. He took a swig.

The zing of the root curled on his tongue, warm and familiar, then started to fade. "It's... sweet?"

"It's balanced. Moms give their kids Vernors to settle their stomachs when they're sick."

"Uh huh." His tongue had started to feel syrupy. "I..

"I feel... "

"...good."

Shane actually felt really good. He didn't know what it was about this zingy pop, but it was really speaking to him.

"Where uh, where in Michigan is this made?"

"Oh, right here in Detroit."

For some reason, it was easier to look at her now, easier to focus on the conversation. He felt less like he was skittering jokes with a friend, more easy in his seat, even as he felt a shadow slip from him on the edges of awareness. Oh well. He felt comfortable. Very comfortable.

"Detroit... I think I could learn to like it here."

"You think so?" Rose's eyes seemed so big and brown. Shane felt a little swallowed up in them. That was nice. It felt nice here.

"Yeah.. it feels nice here. It feels right."

"I thought it might. We tend to keep our ginger ale close. Outside of Michigan, it's hard to find. And it has a pull of its own, you know?"

"I do." He felt it. In him, feelings of strange pride started to grow. He saw images of cars, of cereal, of giant lakes that eat giant ships. It was cozy, possessive. It had a grandeur.

"I heard Detroit is trying to rebuild right now. Do you know anything about that?"

Rebuild... Oh, this could be his chance! "I did hear about that! I should talk to them! There's just something about this place..."

"I know, right?" Rose winked, and for a moment, he saw her overlayed with a bright blonde beard, a green hat. He laughed. What a silly image.

"Detroit... let's do it."

"I'm in if you are."

Shane knew, in that moment, that everything would fall into place. That he'd rebuilt the Detroit Blue Talons, and he'd win the cup for Detroit. That Rose would move back, and they'd get married and have four kids, and his big lake house in a big beautiful suburb would be full of charmingly squalling children and pets, and they'd live the dream, together.

That silly itchiness he had used to feel had melted away, washed in the golden brown of Vernors Ginger Soda.

Alt Ending:

"Uh huh." His tongue had started to feel syrupy. "I.. "

He trailed off. It wasn't... well, it wasn't his favorite.

"You...?" Rose nodded encouragingly.

"I... I think I like it." His mouth felt twisted. He hoped she couldn't see it.

"You sure?"

Shane smiled at her, a pang of tenderness at her care. She was such a kind girl.

"Yeah, I like it."

"Good," she winked, "because I have a whole 6 pack at the hotel."

"Oh, awesome, thanks." He felt his tongue cling to his mouth.

It's okay. A few drinks weren't a big deal. He liked Rose, and wanted her to be happy with her gift. "That sounds great. Thank you again for ah, welcoming me into your culture."