"The look on his face…!"
Steve let out a wheeze and started laughing again, Toby and Krel joining in. It actually hadn't been quite that funny, but, after a long night of protecting Arcadia, the three of them were running very high on adrenaline and caffeine and very low on sleep.
The bell on the door jingled as they ducked into the brightly lit corner store. The bored looking teen at the counter barely spared them more than a glance before going back to his phone. He had probably seen stranger working late nights in Arcadia, even if one of them did have a giant glowing hammer.
They stood in the entrance for a moment before Steve asked: "What were we here for?"
Toby shrugged.
"Beats me, I forgot."
"You forgot?" Krel exclaimed. "But this was your idea! ... Also how does it beat you?"
"Figure of speech, it means I don't know… not sure why it means that though… Any idea?"
Steve shrugged in response.
"Why would I know? Do I look like a dictionary?"
Toby rolled his eyes before brightening up.
"That's right! We were going to get snacks for movie night… wait!" He turned toward Krel. "You haven't seen Gun Robot right?"
Krel shook his head warily.
"Yes!" Toby pumped his fist. "Then you'll get to see it for the first time. Oh boy! This is gunna be so fun! I can't wait to see your reaction to when… *"
Toby was cut off when Steve pulled his hood down over his face. After flailing for a moment the stout boy got it back off and shot him a glare. Steve smirked and folded his arms.
"No spoilers, Buttsnack."
"Yeah, yeah," Toby said still glaring at him.
He dropped his hammer on Steve's toe. Steve let out a yelp.
"Whoops." Toby feigned innocence.
"That was totally on purpose," Steve growled, hopping on one foot.
"I have no idea what you're talking about."
"Guys, stop it," Krel said, moving between them. "I swear the two of you fight more than Zadra and Varvatos. We're supposed to be having a 'break' to have fun remember"
Toby and Steve looked away guiltily. "Sorry."
"I'm going to go grab some stuff from to automotive section. You guys get the snacks. No. More. Fighting."
Krel backed away from them doing the "I'm watching you" gesture with his fingers.
The two stood there for a long moment before turning back to the snack rack. They started shoving various chips and goodies into their basket.
After a long silence, Steve cleared his throat.
"I'm sorry."
Toby looked up from the two different bottles of pop he was contemplating with a shrug.
"It's fine. I kinda went a little overboard retaliating."
"You went more than just a little overboard; that hammer of yours weighs a ton," Steve said shooting him a glare, then his shoulders slumped. "That's not what I was talking about."
Toby blinked owlishly at him.
"I…" Steve paused and shifted awkwardly. "I wanted to apologize for…"
Toby waited.
"Uggg, why am I so bad at this," Steve groaned, looking up at the ceiling.
His fists clenched and unclenched before he turned to Toby so abruptly that the other boy flinched. Steve immediately grimaced guiltily.
"I wanted to apologize for that," He drew his shoulders in tight and looked down. "Listen, I know… I know I used to be a major jerk to you… and well everyone really. But I… I know it's not worth much… but I talked to Eli before he left… and I figured since… we're… you know… protecting the town together and junk… I should apologize to you too."
He paused and took a deep breath, then looked up and met Toby's eyes.
"So I guess what I'm saying is I'm sorry for how I used to treat you."
There was a moment of dead silence as Toby stared at him.
"Huh, I did not see that coming," Toby said toying with the handle of his Warhammer.
He trailed off and stared at Steve for a moment. The blond teen shifted uncomfortably under his gaze.
"You were pretty bad," He said finally and Steve flinched. "But I can tell that you're trying to change. So I…."
He hesitated a moment and then offered his fist.
"I accept the apology."
Steve's eyes widened and then he grinned and returned the fist bump.
"That said," Toby added. "I do reserve the right to knock some sense into you if you start acting like a jerk again."
Steve snorted.
"That's fair." He lightly punched Toby's shoulder. "Come-on, TP, let's go grab Krel before he brings home a whole new spaceship."
Toby groan. "Oh come on, not you too. Why did that nickname have to catch on?"
"It's because you keep protesting it."
Toby shot him a glare and chucked one of his pop bottle at him. Steve caught it smoothly and then chucked it back. Unfortunately Toby reacted a second to late and missed it.
The bottle hit the floor.
"Are you ready…"
Krel rounded the corner just in time to get a faceful of pop as the bottle exploded. It was a little too much. Steve made an odd choking noise and started laughing; Toby following a moment after.
"Are… Are you okay?" Steve managed to ask between cackles.
Krel stood there dripping with a shocked expression before pulling out a questionable looking device from his pocket.
"You are both flaxel," He growled.
"Now, now," Toby said, having apparently recovered enouph to talk. "You have to admit it was funny…"
It wasn't working, Krel still looked very murderous.
They were saved from his wrath by someone clearing their throat behind them.
"Are you going to clean that up?" The casher asked pointedly, shoving a bucket and pail toward them.
"So this is the first of how many movies?" Krel asked incredulously, as the opening credits rolled across the screen.
"Six," Toby said from the other side of Steve.
"You're getting my blanket wet," Steve complained.
Krel snorted and deliberately leaned his head on the other boy.
"I wouldn't have had to shower if you two hadn't sprayed me with your pop." He broke off to yawn. "Would you prefer I return the favor?"
"No…"
"Shhh," Toby hissed. "It's starting."
"Finally," Krel mumbled, shifting to get a little more comfortable against Steve.
The tall boy grumbled but didn't otherwise retaliate as Toby stole the edge of his blanket. He was too tired to complain; besides it was nice and warm…
They only made it five minutes into the movie before they were all asleep.
