Stark Industries [all day]

[momslilassassin]

Ben was experiencing a crisis only just shy of Chilly Boulders closing: he had no coffee.

And while yesterday's hangover (what had possessed him and Tony to drink a rainbow worth of shots?) was finally gone, he needed coffee to not be a zombie!Ben.

Well, not literally. But he was still pretty cranky about it.

Stark's was open and uncaffinated. Tread warily.

Comments

[endsthegame]

"I have a thermos of water," Ender volunteered, as he walked into the store.

Of course, while he missed coffee, he was doing perfectly well on water and milk.

Freak.

[momslilassassin]

"Does the water have caffeine in it?" Ben asked.

[endsthegame]

"Stop whining," Ender informed him, and set the thermos down in front of him. "There was a time when you didn't have caf."

[momslilassassin]

"And we were living underground," Ben replied, "surrounded by people who were pretending to be dead."

[endsthegame]

"So think about how much your position is improved," Ender said. "I might even consider giving you your burger."

[momslilassassin]

"You're all heart," Ben said, grinning. "I might not even rename you."

[endsthegame]

Ender tossed the bag on the counter next to the water. "Consider me appropriately bribed."

[momslilassassin]

"I didn't know you were so easy," Ben teased.

[endsthegame]

"I'm not," he replied. "I'm just terrified of what you'd come up with."

[momslilassassin]

"So it's my creativity you're afraid of?" Ben asked.

[endsthegame]

"Absolutely," Ender replied, "And also the look on your face right now. I'm shivering. I might faint."

[momslilassassin]

"Well, fortunately for you, if you do, I have something other than coffee to toss you to today," Ben said, drinking from the thermos.

[endsthegame]

"Don't encourage me to put you on a no-caffeine diet from now on," Ender said, pulling up a chair.

[momslilassassin]

"That would just be cruel," Ben decided. "I'd keep you up at night as I sobbed into my pillow."

[endsthegame]

"Sob away," Ender said, "See if I care."

[momslilassassin]

"In your pillow," Ben amended. "Big snotty tears."

[endsthegame]

"I'll steal yours," Ender said, amiably, and stole a burger.

[momslilassassin]

"I'll sell mine to Karla," Ben said, nodding.

[endsthegame]

"I'll strike a deal with her," Ender decided. "No harboring fugitives."

[momslilassassin]

"She'd take my side," Ben declared, "and decide caffeine deprivation is a terrible crime."

[endsthegame]

"The caffeine deprivation is hardly my fault," Ender pointed out.

[momslilassassin]

"But you aren't being nearly sympathetic enough," Ben said, grinning.

[endsthegame]

"It's good for you not to be sympathised with from time to time," Ender said. "Puts some hair on your chest."

[momslilassassin]

"I have more hair on my chest than you do!" Ben said. "I think I have enough character by now."

As measured in chest hair, apparently.

[endsthegame]

"Don't make me get the ruler," Ender said, amicably, and took a bite of his burger.