[handset | video] one love, one life (backdated to 3/5 or so)

[edgeoftheknife]

[The video flips on to show Erskine, gorgeous as always, and actually not looking dog-tired for once! In fact, he's smiling. This is possibly the happiest Erskine has looked on the network while sober.

...which probably has to do with the attractive redhead hovering in the background. Those who've seen Erskine's echo stone will recognize Hopeless. Those who haven't might recognize the man Erskine's been attached at the hip to for the last couple of weeks.]

Right, hello everyone. So, Hopeless had a question--

[The redhead in the background scoffs gently.]

Alright, we had a question. How old are all you Foreigners out there? We're interested in age demographics. You can be vague if you like, and you don't have to answer of course.

And in the spirit of sharing, I... missed my last birthday. It was in February. Which I suppose makes me 409 now.

Comments

[scryinghope]

[Hopeless leans over Erskine to see the screen, one hand resting absolutely innocently on Erskine's shoulder. He's got the kind of smile which shows in the crinkle of his eyes more than on his mouth, which altogether makes him seem more scholarly than roguish vagabond unlike some people.]

Hello, Pepper. I'd love a hug. I'm even open to them happening in retrospect, if that's something that can happen here.

[Hey, who even knows.]

[edgeoftheknife]

Thank you, Pepper. You... really don't have to, but cake would be fine if you're bound and determined. Which I assume you are.

[He smiles up at Hopeless as the other man leans forward, then drops his head into his hand with a chuckle.]

I'm really going to regret introducing you two, aren't I?

[lasergrenades]

[To Erskine:] I am always bound and determined; who do you think you're talking to? You're stuck with me.

[To Hopeless, with a grin that's a little soft at the edges:] Sadly, Tony hasn't figured out time travel yet, but I can just make up for it with more hugs. Obviously. Clearly this means I need to bring cake over as soon as possible to get started.

[Deadpan:] You're both gonna need fuel to keep you going through this very rigorous demographic survey.

[scryinghope]

[Hopeless nods solemnly.]

Mhm. It's going to be detailed and specific. Possibly involve questions about childhoods. We may not have time for all of them while eating cake. Eating cake is very important.

I've got a stocked kitchen here, though; why don't you come over and we bake one? Erskine can pretend he's helping while we stuff him full of baked goods.

[Because eating part of the process is entirely part of the process.]

[edgeoftheknife]

[Erskine lifts his head, and now he's grinning.]

Alright, I take it back. I should have introduced you two way sooner.

And I am a huge help thank you very much. Taste-tester is the most important job, clearly. And who's going to lick the spoons clean? They're not going to lick themselves.

[lasergrenades]

Oh my god, you two. [She sounds very pleased. They're adorable.]

Baking sounds awesome. I've been getting some practice in lately, but mostly on like cookies and scones, not cake. I call a spatula, though, Erskine. Batter or frosting, I don't care which one, but you don't get all the spoons.

You can also play the role of decoration; you're pretty enough for it.

I can be over in like... twenty minutes? If that works.

[scryinghope]

He is pretty, at that.

[He is absolutely not eyeing Erskine out of the corner of his eye, nope. Y'know. As if he hasn't already noticed.]

That works. I'll start getting the kitchen ready, then.

[With a warm smile and a squeeze of Erskine's shoulder, Hopeless straightens up to go make that happen, and also give the two a moment alone. Just in case there's something Pepper wants to say without him being there.]

[edgeoftheknife]

[He rolls his eyes at everyone calling him pretty, but Erskine's hand comes up to rest above Hopeless's on his shoulder until the redhead moves away. Erskine follows him with his gaze until he's through the doorway and out of sight, then turns back to his handset.

He's a giant goober about Hopeless and it's really obvious, I'm so sorry about him]

We'll see you soon, then?

video -> action!

[lasergrenades]

[Pepper has taken this time to rest her chin on her hands, and she looks like she's taking in something utterly precious, because she is.]

Yeah. [She reaches off-screen, like she's about to cut the connection, and pauses.] You two look good together. I'm glad he's back.

[Even for a little while.

Sure enough, about twenty minutes after she cuts the feed, she's bounding into the shelter, smiling from ear to ear. She doesn't wait to say anything before locating Hopeless and hugging him.]

There. One down. Hi! [Pepper turns to Erskine, beaming, and mouths he's super cute behind a hand before pulling something out of her bag.] I brought candles. Not enough, obviously, but actually using the right number would be a serious fire hazard. This is why I don't use candles on Bakura's, either; I don't think there are actually enough in the city. What are we making?

[Enthusiastic? No, really.]

[scryinghope]

[Hopeless has already gotten out everything they could possibly need for baking a cake. He's started some preparatory measuring by the time Pepper arrives for a drive-by hug. Luckily, Rover is not so long ago from Hopeless's perspective that he isn't prepared enough to put down his utensils and turn to hug her back, just as if he was expecting it.

[I saw that, Hopeless mouths to Erskine over Pepper's head, gesturing emphatically down at her attempt at a secret that absolutely was not a secret.]

That depends. We can make basic vanilla. We can make a mud cake. We can make a proper Irish spice cake.

[edgeoftheknife]

[Erskine is standing nearby, leaning casually against a counter with his arms crossed while he watches these two, and grins at the two of them passing their 'secret' messages.

I know right? is the 'hidden' answer to Pepper, behind a hand.

In response to Hopeless he just rolls his eyes and chuckles warmly.]

Look, that's not even a real choice. Spice cake, obviously.

[lasergrenades]

Definitely the proper Irish spice cake, [Pepper agrees immediately, trying not to giggle too much at Erskine's silent reply.

'Hopeless' was an interesting name choice for a man who seemed, on the whole, very optimistic. His choice probably had deeper meaning than she could divine over the course of a single baking session, but it intrigues her.]

You're gonna have to lead on this one, though, [she tells Hopeless, taking off her bag and setting it aside. She goes to the sink to wash her hands.] I'll just be the sous chef.

[scryinghope]

I think I can cope with that, given some moral support.

[Hopeless smiles warmly at them both and turns to spread out some of the mixing utensils.]

Well, there's some stove-top attention needed, as well as the usual mixing. Which would you prefer to take over?

[edgeoftheknife]

[While Pepper moves over to the sink to wash her hands, Erskine sneaks over to Hopeless to give him a peck on the cheek and then moves back to prop up his section of the counter again. He's so sneaky.]

[lasergrenades]

Uh... I will take the mixing, [Pepper decides, casually pretending to not notice Erskine sneaking in the kiss. They are adorable.] Stove-top seems like the helm of the ship.

[She considers this thought for a moment, and then shakes her head.] Okay, no, wrong metaphor. You're taller, you get the hot things. [And the hot person.] Where'd you learn to bake?

[It doesn't seem like the kind of thing one picks up in a war.]

[scryinghope]

[Oh, well. That certainly counts as moral support. The smile Hopeless gives Erskine is a little shy, and a lot blushing.]

Hot things, yes.

[Focus, Hopeless. He turns toward the counter to split the utensils and ingredients they're both going to need, and pulls over a little book in which he's been writing his recipes.]

From watching the cooks employed by my old employer. I used to be a valet. Here; this is the recipe we're using.]

[edgeoftheknife]

[God, Erskine loves that blush. He could stand here propping up the counter and grinning like a dork at Hopeless all day. Except it seems like they're starting to get into the actual mixing and baking now and Erskine isn't going to be any help with this part.]

Tell you what, I'm going to go make the rounds of the shelter for a bit and leave you two to wrangle the oven and such.

[He moves to leave the kitchen, trailing his hand across the small of Hopeless's back briefly as he does so.]

I'll be around if you need me.

[lasergrenades]

[continued]