The Perk- Saturday afternoon

[throughaphase]

Kitty hadn't known anything was up until she went to the Perk with her computer. There she'd found children behind the counter insisting they could make her coffee. Personally, she hadn't been that keen on kids making something hot that might burn them, so she'd just asked for a muffin and took her laptop outside to a table because good god was

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[so_hawkward]

Clint had been slowly making his way through town in search of something good to eat, and he stopped outside the Perk when he saw the nice-looking girl sitting there with a cup. "Excuse me," he said politely, "do they have hot chocolate here?"

[SP is imminent but I haaaad to!]

[throughaphase]

Aww, how cute was he?

"They do! But um, I think you might need an adult to make it," Kitty said, remembering the tiny baristas. "Want me to make you some?"

Something told her she could pretty much have the run of the shop. And could give the girls a doll.

[so_hawkward]

"You'd do that? That'd be real nice of you," Clint said. "Wait! How much will it cost? I've got--" He dug his hands into his pockets and counted up the change he pulled out. "53 cents. Is that enough?"

[throughaphase]

"You know what, it's on me," she smiled, closing down her laptop (she was not leaving it outside with kids around, she was smarter than that) and picking up the doll before getting up and opening the door rather than phasing through it. "After you."

[so_hawkward]

It took Clint a second to understand what she meant, because really, it was way too nice for her to pay for him, but he figured she'd ask him for the money later, so he tucked his change back into his pockets and went inside. "Thank you," he said, not wanting to get into trouble for being rude.

[throughaphase]

"You're welcome," she said, and set her computer down inside before bribing the tiny baristas with the doll to let her behind the counter. "One hot chocolate, coming right up. What's your name?"

[so_hawkward]

"I'm Clint. Are you gonna write that on the cup? I know how to spell it," he said helpfully.

[throughaphase]

Awww, the cute kid was a cute tiny boyfriend! ...It was slightly strange being the older one here.

"I can if you want me to," she told him. "You've got a good name. I know a guy named Clint and he's pretty awesome."

[so_hawkward]

Oh yes, this was going to be mortifying come Monday.

"You do? I've never met another me before. My brother'd probably say it's good there's only one of me around," he said. "But maybe that means I'll be awesome someday too."

[throughaphase]

"I think so," she said, getting the hot chocolate ready. "Older brother, I'm guessing?"

Okay, not the optimal time to first broach the topic of families, but it was right there.

[so_hawkward]

"Uh huh. I'm the baby. Not a baby," he said quickly, because seven was way too old for baby stuff, "but I'm the youngest. Do you have any brothers or sisters?"

[throughaphase]

"No, it's just me. But a lot of people kind of think of me as their little sister," she said. "Is it fun, having a brother?"

[so_hawkward]

Clint thought about that for a second as he leaned against the counter and watched her work. "Sometimes. Barney doesn't like it when people pick on me, and he tries to make them stop, but he's kinda bossy too. I can't wait until I'm big and I can do what I want."

[throughaphase]

His brother was named Barney Barton? That poor kid.

"It'll happen," she said. "It's good to have someone around who's got your back, though. Especially since no one should be picking on you."

[so_hawkward]

Clint just shrugged at that. "Sometimes I don't do what I'm supposed to do. But Barney knows I try to be good. And I'm not as big or strong as he is yet, but he says I'll get bigger soon." Not that much bigger, but still.

[throughaphase]

"You will. And you know, it happens pretty fast," she said, and put the lid on the hot chocolate before putting it out on the counter for him. "There you go."