Title: Complexity
Fandom: Street Sharks (Dinovengers)
Characters: Streex, Jab, Bends, suggested Ripster/Lena
Prompt: #21 Friends
Word Count: 500
Rating: G
Summary: They gossip worse than schoolgirls when there's nothing better to do.
Author's Notes: Suggested Het, nothing dramatic. ;

"No way."

"Yes way," Streex argued, tapping his foot. "They totally have a thing for each other."

Jab glanced towards the couple in question, then back at his brother, shaking his head. "You're nuts."

"Oh come on!" Streex scowled in frustration, gesturing expressively as though it could help prove his point. "Just look at them."

"I am, and I still say you're just seeing things," Jab retorted, shaking his head. "They're just friends."

"I'm calling for a second opinion." Streex looked over his shoulder, catching a glimpse of a likely target. "Hey Bends!"

Bends hesitated on the threshold between kitchen and living room, precariously balancing a bowl of popcorn in one hand and a soda in the other. With two fearsome mutants staring back at him intently, he made his life-preserving decision, raising his hands to ineffectively ward them off. "Woah. Whatever it is, I'm not taking sides."

Jab smirked with his best 'No one agrees with you therefore I win' sentiment, but Streex was undeterred.

"Who said anything about taking a side? Just give us an honest answer about something," Streex wheedled.

Bends looked cautious – understandably so – but didn't immediately make a move to return to his movie. "About what?"

"Them," Streex pointed to where Ripster and Lena were hunched over a small computer screen, talking animatedly and completely oblivious to the speculation across the room. "They're flirting, aren't they?"

"They're talking about the gene-slamming cure," Jab said, mostly for the benefit of Bends who didn't have their enhanced hearing. He made a face. "It's like listening to a recitation of the dictionary."

Bends eyed them for a moment, considering his answer. "You realise anything I say is totally off the record, right? I mean, neither of them would appreciate my own keen insight into what is obviously a very complex relationship."

"Yes, yes, we get it, total confidentiality," Streex assured him breezily. "What do you think?"

"I think you're right. They totally dig each other." Bends grinned sheepishly, throwing an apologetic look at Jab. "Sorry dude."

Jab groaned. "And I think you're both nuts. What part of the advanced gene therapy talk makes you think they're flirting?"

There was subtle movement across the room as Lena turned to show Ripster something of importance on the screen. As the Great White leaned closer he propped a hand on the back of her chair for balance, coincidentally resting his arm across her shoulders. There was a moment of stunned silence from the trio before Bends whooped quietly under his breath and Streex beamed victoriously at Jab.

"I'm sorry, but that looks like proof to me." Streex preened. "Am I good or what?"

The hammerhead scowled. "That so doesn't count."

"What do you want? A marriage proposal? Give them a bit of time."

"Twenty bucks says Lena asks him first," Bends offered.

"I'll take that," Streex said. "Rip's a gentlemen."

Jab gave him a wry look. "You don't have any money, little brother."

Streex grinned jauntily. "I better not lose then."