Prompt (#): Taste (5)
Fandom: Static Shock
Author: hitagashi
Warnings/Spoilers:weird eating habits, headcanon implemented
Character(s); Pairing: Richie, Francis
Rating:G
Genre:Well it's like friends only more pre-friends
Summary:Taste was... different once Francis became Hotstreak.
Disclaimer:I do not own Static Shock and make no money off of these writings.
Note:So this was going to be something else and then NINE HUNDRED AND ONE WORDS.

Taste was... different once Francis became Hotstreak. He remembered how things used to taste. They didn't taste like something charred. Coal was definitely not something he thought was good before either. Or charcoal. Both. But he ate them after, they tasted good. He couldn't explain it. Which is what brought him to the store... again. Someone had used his charcoal (coal was hard to come by, surprisingly) and he had about fifty bucks he could spend on it. He also didn't drink much water after that incident.

"Watch it!" It was mumbled as he accidentally bumped into someone. They seemed to freeze and he cast a glance at the person. Of course he'd run into one of the resident super heroes. He'd known for a fair bit, street smarts were good for that. Had to remember faces and mannerisms. Made him more menacing when he knew what fears and triggers to play up on. Richie Foley was staring at him with wide eyes, looking from him and to something above him. He heard a mumbled 'sorry' and raised an eyebrow.

"Foley." That said, he went back to staring at the charcoal. The blond was hesitant as he tried to reach something on the top shelf. He obviously couldn't reach, it was just out of his range. With an annoyed huff, he pulled the bag down to him and dumped it in his cart. The blond just blinked. "Need another?" A mute nod, a very definitely unmanly squeak and another set of mumbling was the answer. So put a hand to his ear and mimed for him to speak up.

"Need three more." It was quiet and the pyro wondered what the hell he was doing this for. Even as he set the bags into the blond's cart. With a frown, he turned his attention back. They were cheap. He could probably get four for just under forty. Meaning he could buy a new toothbrush and some toothpaste. He didn't notice Richie hadn't moved until he moved to grab them. Then he heard a mumbled question.

"Sorry but super hearing's not what I got, Foley." He had the decency to look embarrassed. He flushed, moving to push all his stuff back and then turned his attention back.

"We can share the cart. And... I guess I can give you a ride home if you want." He was practically grinding his teeth and his words. Green eyes were rolled and his bags were put into the metal basket. He still had to go to the tooth care aisle so he started on his way, smirking at the blond following him. "How are you gonna afford this, anyway? No offense but... yeah I'm shutting up now."

"Landlady and landlord gave me a job as maintenance. And as a bouncer I guess. Keep all the rough kids out. They don't mind my type. Just no weapons, no booze, and no drugs." And now he wondered why he was even saying this. Turning into his aisle, he was quick to grab and toss the things he needed into the cart. Then came following Richie around and grabbing what he needed for him. They got into a talk about something, he wasn't sure what, but he barely noticed they'd checked out or that he was actually helping the busy line with bagging until it was pointed out to him.

"No, it's fine, Mister um... Hotstreak." The cashiers were actually happy he was able to run between the two more packed lines. He was quick and efficient with his work, even when the grumpiest person came up. Of course, they almost ruined it. Said something about packing other things first. He had to grit his teeth as he explained you don't put raw meat with anything but raw meat. Raw chicken stays with raw chicken only and yes, he knew what he was doing.

"Man, that was weird." Blinking, he kept packing things away into the car Richie was driving. He'd actually written down what he did and passed it to the cashier, apparently, without Francis noticing. Saying that the Bang Baby was right. "Didn't take you for a community service kind of guy. So uh... what's all the charcoal for? Having a party or something?"

"I'm not." He considered the question while pointing out directions. "Someone in another apartment grabbed the rest of mine. I eat it." Richie swerved suddenly, chuckling oddly even as Francis had braced for impact. It was just a really, really odd day. "I pretty much burn anything I try and eat."

"I'm not judging." He wasn't. He was just laughing because they were being civil. It wasn't even half as awkward as he thought it could be. Not that he did. Think about it that is. He got oddly quiet, a bit of a blush on his face at that. Because he had, at one point. Before the bullying and definitely after the whole accident. Especially when they fought. Fingers gripping tighter, he pulled to a stop when directed to, giving a feeble wave and a small smile to the criminal.

"Hey Foley, think fast." He turned his head, eyes wide and then going wider when a hand ruffled his hair. "Thanks, man. I owe you one."

A week later, Hotstreak had beaten back Shiv when he went for Gear, smirk in place as he carried the injured genius to his friend.