• January 18, 2017 •

Calling...

Karamel

00:00

"Did my absolute nuisance of a stepbrother bore you terribly today?"

"..."

"I know he took you out on a date, no need to pretend like it was nothing."

"So... You're fine with that?"

"Depends. Are you guys actually dating?"

"Ava, we just hung out at a coffee shop and spent some time together. It's not necessarily a date."

"Definitely seems like a date to me..."

"Why are you asking though?"

"I just want to know whether he bored you out or not because otherwise I'll keep him out of the house as a punishment."

"Please don't be so cruel, Ava. He was already freezing from cold, at this rate he'll get terribly sick."

"Answer the question then."

"No, I had a great time with him. He didn't bore me at all."

"..."

"Have you let him in or not?"

"I am confused... You actually had a great time with this dumbass?" *Aviana, let me in, I'll die!!!* "No, you will not! Don't you dare step even a toe right here."

"Is that Zach? He's still outside?"

"Yup. Never mind him." *Ava, I swear to God I'll tell Mom you intentionally kept me out in the cold.*

"Why are you doing this to him? Please let him in first and then I'll tell you everything in detail."

"Tempting."

"Ava come on. Please?"

"Okay, just because you're asking so sweetly. Come in, Zachary, oh shit you look like you stepped out of a red tank." *No shit, I would have died!* "Ah no I'm not that lucky. Anyways, Kara, what were you saying?"

"Is he okay?"

"Aren't you very worried? Of course, he's okay. Hey, give me back my phone, you little..."

Call Ended.

Ava

00:04:58

***

• January 20, 2017 •

[ Tim <•> Zach ]

T: so how did the hang out go?

Z: much better than what you are expecting.

T: okay.

T: that's nice. The only hangouts I get are boring af.

Z: because that's your fault. It's a wonder you still get to hang out with people if you behave like that.

T: I don't hang out with people anymore, it's boring.

T: anyways, all of that is irrelevant and not the reason I texted you.

T: where's my payment?

Z: can we make it a day later? 

T: ...

T: why?

Z: because I'm sick. Ava kept me out in the blizzard for half an hour and I'm struck down with flu.

T: ...

T: are you dying?

Z: I hope not.

T: then that isn't a valid excuse. I need my payment.

Z: ...

Z: there's no way I can leave the house. Mom has been guarding the door herself.

T: and what about that demonic sister you have? Can't she distract your Mom so that you can sneak out?

Z: Tim, I have fever.

Z: I can't just sneak out.

T: aw man, that sucks.

T: and here I was expecting free coffee.

***

Z: how about you come to our place and help yourself to all the coffee we have at home?

Z: I'll restock it afterwards.

T: tempting really but then I'll have to make it myself.

Z: so?

Z: what's the big deal in that?

T: I make coffee that tastes like oatmeal.

T: it's practically inedible.

Z: what do you do when there's no one else to make coffee for you then?

T: usually I go over to Alfred and keep begging him until he relents. Or sometimes when he's not around, I go pester Bruce.

Z: wait what?

T: the coffee Bruce makes is chef's kiss.

Z: it's amazing how you get everyone to agree to whatever you want from them.

T: well naturally I have a shit ton of blackmail on everyone, so they wouldn't dare refuse 👼

Z: but what if there's no one for you to blackmail into giving you coffee, what do you do then?

T: then I drink oatmeal and wish to die.

T: and I'm seriously not in the mood for it rn.

***

T: how are you feeling now?

Z: much better, thanks for asking.

T: no problem.

Z: any reason for you to show concern?

T: yes.

T: when will you be better enough to pay me?

Z: ...

Z: tomorrow, I promise.

T: you better keep it then.

***

T: how am I supposed to survive twenty-four hours without coffee?

Z: why don't you go over to Connor's? Aren't you on good terms with his family? I am sure you will get free coffee there.

T: ooooh, nice idea.

T: I was actually getting so bored, I was thinking about going back to Gotham.

Z: why haven't you gone back to Gotham though?

Z: don't you miss your family?

T: pfffft, why would I miss them?

T: I bet they're having an awesome time without me...

Z: still, it's going to be a month since you came here.

T: do you have any issue if I stay in Metropolis for a month or two or three or forever?

Z: of course not, I was just asking...

T: well, how do I put it?

T: there's a massive family crisis going on back at home and Dickie asked me to stay away until the matter gets sorted.

Z: oh...

Z: I'm sorry, I didn't know.

T: well, because you're not supposed to know.

T: and it's not something to be sorry about, I'm so annoyed Dickie kept me out of all the fun and drama.

T: the amount of quality content I could have gotten if I was at home rn...

Z: ...

T: I bet that's the real reason he asked me to stay away.

T: they definitely don't want me to scoop up more blackmail on them.

Z: you're incorrigible.

T: appreciate the compliment.

***

T: but I do miss all of them. Especially Alfred.

T: and Stephanie.

T: and Bruce.

T: Barbara and Dickie.

T: and J-

T: never mind.

T: ...

T: ...

Z: are you okay?

T: no...

T: why did you bring them up?

T: you made me miss them, how could you!

T: I wanna go back right this instant 😑

***

Z: hey, if your brother has asked you to stay away, he must be doing so for your safety.

T: I know.

T: that's exactly what tempts me to go back.

T: even if there's a 0.00001% chance of dying, I'll take it.

T: and right now there's a fricking 90% chance if I go back home all thanks to this family crisis...

Z: that's alarming.

T: not at all.

T: you know what, fuck Dickie's warnings. I've never listened to Bruce even, why would I listen to him then?

T: Gotham, I'm coming🦸‍♂️

***

Z: where are you right now?

T: halfway to the airport.

Z: you're not going to book any ticket.

T: why? You want me to return on foot?

T: preposterous!

Z: stay there, I'm coming.

T: what?

Z: there's a cafe nearby, just go over there and wait for me. I'll give you your payment and then you can decide whether you want to leave or not.

T: ...

T: that's a very generous offer.

T: but are you well enough to actually come all the way here?

Z: I'll manage.

Z: I don't want you to go back to Gotham and get stuck in some deadly family crisis.

T: ...

T: Zach, why the hell are you so sweet?

Z: 🤷‍♂️

T: don't come that far. I'll meet you at the coffee shop near your house.

Z: deal.

***