video. username: ilikehorses

[shoplifter]

[There is a mildly anxious child on the feed, sitting on the edge of the community building roof as she munches down on some potato chips; this child's diet is 1000% on point. But more importantly, she flashes the video feed several stories below toward some of the trees. The little accent is full of confusion:]

They are dying. What are they sick with?

Shouldn't someone do something to save them? ¿Dónde está el jardinero?

[Seriously, nobody seems concerned about the leaves all falling off. Or them turning odd colors.]

Comments

[shoplifter]

[When he says 'don't hurt anyone', she can't help but glance away, thinking of the hospital fiasco.

She tried her best, alright? She didn't want to be -- like that.]

I am working on it.

[It's not easy, following rules and laws.]

[nostalgiabomb]

[ Oh.

That didn’t look good.

Peter frowns for a second, though it goes lost on the comm, thanks to his not being on camera.

Then, carefully, ]

Did something happen?

[shoplifter]

[She quiets, regretting this whole 'video' feed.]

No.

[nostalgiabomb]

[ It’s not often Peter trots out this particular tone of voice. He’s used it on rare occasions with certain members of his team, and even then, only when no other adults were present that Peter could gracefully bow out of that responsibility.

But here it is: slightly disapproving, slightly worried, strangely patient, but not ungentle. ]

Laura...

[ The Dad Voice. ]

[shoplifter]

[A dad voice which would have worked on anyone but Laura.

She glares, challenging.]

I said no.

[And it clearly isn't true, but. It's what she said. So.

There.]

[nostalgiabomb]

[ Let’s be real, it probably wouldn’t have worked on anyone. ]

Are you saying “no,” because you don’t wanna talk about it? Or are you saying “no,” because nothing happened?

[shoplifter]

It does not matter which.

[nostalgiabomb]

[ He huffs out a disbelieving scoff. ] Uh, yeah. It kinda does.

Are you alright?

[shoplifter]

You can see -- I am always 'alright'.

[She motions a hand to herself. See? No injuries, no concern.

She still sounds a bit frustrated this is being talked about, though.

... Mostly because of the guilt involved.]

[nostalgiabomb]

There's a difference between being "alright" and, like, mentally "alright."

[ Peter should know.

He's got Issues. ]

Just 'cause you're not physically hurt doesn't mean you don't still feel messed up.

[ get a load of this asshole, Avoid-Every-Problem-Till-It-Goes-Away–Lord. ]

[shoplifter]

[She looks unimpressed, frowning.]

Eres muy molesto.

[nostalgiabomb]

[ It's instinct that makes his lips part to respond.

But then he realizes he has no clue what she just said, so, ]

Wait, what?

[shoplifter]

I said you're the nicest man I have ever met, and you are very smart and brave and not an idiot.

[nostalgiabomb]

[ A longish pause. Then, ]

You're kind of being a jerk right now.

[shoplifter]

I get it from my father's side of the family.