Disclaimer: Not mine

Notes: Spoilers for up to 'Trip Takes a Stand'. Sequel to 'Pizza and a Lack of Sympathy' and 'Muppets and Something Approaching Understanding'. Because when you're feeling down/stressed, the answer is to write really dorky happy fic, right:0 I dunno, this seemed better when I was brainstorming. / And WHY WHY WHY do I think I can write for Eric? D:

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Whoever was knocking on Eric's door, he already hated him. Or her. This was supposed to be his day off, he didn't want to deal with the landlady, or sales people, or Silver Guardians who couldn't do their job without him to bail them out for one freaking morning, or--

"Trip?"

Eric probably would've thought of something harsh sounding enough to scare him off if Trip hadn't been glaring at him like that. It wasn't anything like the look Trip had given him when he'd kept him from killing the non violent mutant (that was a look Eric would never forget) of course... but it was obvious that the kid was steamed about something.

He was going to regret this, but... "What're you doing here?"

Trip scowled. "Why didn't you tell me he had a movie?"

"Who?"

"Kermit!" He flailed his arms around for emphasis.

"What're you--" Eric's voice trailed off as he suddenly remembered the fight where Trip had gotten hurt saving him (not that he was going to admit to that out loud), and how he'd tried to... show that he understood why Trip had done that. He'd been hoping that things would end at that. So much for hope.

Eric pinched the bridge of his nose. "What does this have to do with anything, Trip?"

"I was flipping channels yesterday when I saw the frog you gave me on television." It was a little scary how easily Trip's scowl turned into a grin. "I'd already missed the beginning, but I was already hooked."

He had to know. "Why's that?"

"There was a frog riding a bicycle. How could I not watch?"

Eric fought to keep his expression neutral as he leaned against the doorframe. If he had any common sense, he would use this pause in their conversation to chase Trip off... but it was beginning to become clear to him that common sense didn't apply when dealing with Trip.

He allowed himself a sigh. "All right, that makes enough sense. You still haven't answered my question, though."

Trip's grin became hopeful. "Well, like I said I missed the beginning, and since you had Kermit first I thought maybe you also had it on video? Maybe? Please?"

Eric was still dreaming. That was the only way that Trip asking the person who'd nearly killed him if he could watch a movie with him could ever, ever make sense.

The grin slowly turned from hopeful to nervous.

"Fine already," Eric did his best to growl as he waved a hand at Trip. "I got the first one and The Muppets Take Manhattan somewhere in here. If we can find them, we'll watch them. Just... stop smiling at me like that."

"Okay, thanks Eric!" Before he knew it, Trip was already in his living room and holding up a video triumphantly.

Eric was well aware of how bad an idea this was. He didn't like the idea of anyone getting too close to him, and Katie was not going to be happy when she found out who Trip had spent his Saturday morning with... but Trip wasn't that bad, he supposed. And it had been awhile since he'd had his Muppet fix.

He went to the kitchen to see if there was any microwave popcorn left.