Author: EnterStealth

Plot: In early Runaways days, Gert thinks about her romantic possibilities. With guest appearances by Nico's quick thinking and Karolina's love of girltalk.

Disclaimer: Story idea is mine. Characters and situations mentioned are not.

Actually, Kind of My OTP

"You know what I don't understand?" Gert asked. By the way Karolina heaved a long-suffering sigh and Nico rolled her eyes, Gert knew she had their attention. She continued without waiting for a reply, "I'm not attracted to Alex. Like, at all."

"He's a creep," Karolina pointed out.

Karolina, Gert thought, was so cute sometimes. "You know I don't pay attention to personalities," she said, trying not to laugh.

Karolina nodded, conceding the point. "Well, he's kind of cute, isn't he?" she asked. She looked to Nico for confirmation.

"Cutest afro ever," Nico agreed, trying not to sound jealous. My afro, she thought dangerously.

"Exactly," Gert said. "So why aren't I interested?"

"Maybe you are but you just won't admit it," Nico suggested. She saw the look on Gert's face and hurriedly added, "Or— Or, I mean, let's face it—you're pretty racist." Nico suspected that the look on Karolina's face meant more "That was a stupid thing to say" and less "I'd noticed that, too, and I'm glad someone finally said something," which was a shame.

But Gert just shook her head, deep in thought. "No, I've seen some of his friends before, and wow. They're really hot, in, you know, a please-don't-rape-me kind of way."

Nico and Karolina were silent for a moment in awe, but then realized that they didn't want Gert to take it upon herself to explain. Nico stuttered, "Oh, yeah, sure. Totally. Exactly. Like a bad boy thing." At the same time, Karolina said, "I hear chicks are into that."

"Thanks, guys!"

"Any time," Nico replied automatically. "…Wait, what?"

"You're both totally right," Gert said happily. "Alex is such a nice guy. And he dresses in, like, beige. That's so not my style."

"I'm so glad you figured it out," Karolina said, relieved that this conversation was finally over.

"Now, Chase…," Gert began.

***

P.S. I don't know how I think of this either.

P.P.S. Gert doesn't talk like that blah blah blah.