I mean, you had to pick up something since you've been around each other for so long, right?
[ Clay manages to get that in before the request comes up out of nowhere. He grins, immediately setting down his tools and taking up his phone with his hand. ]
Is that code for, 'I'm hungry and you're the one with the car'?
Great. [ His voice comes out a little uneven as he pulls on his shoes. ] There we go... [ But Clay doesn't hang up just yet. There's a jingle of keys. ]
Actually, Apollo, I've got some pretty big news to tell you once we're in the car.
[ Expect Clay to be there in no more than fifteen minutes in a shiny, black Jetta, parked in the driveway of the "Agency" building. Apollo will get a text message sounding that he's arrived, and once Apollo comes down, Clay will be leaning out from his open car window.
Once the two are settled and have decided on their burger place, there's a small silence that Clay takes as an opportunity for him to talk. He leans back in his seat, inhaling deeply, tightening both hands on the steering wheel. ]
So, uh. Big news. I might be going on a trip in about half a year from now.
[ An irresistible smile spreads over Clay's face, and he's clearly trying to fight it off, like it would definitely give away his cover. And it would. He just wants to stretch this for as long as possible. ]
I got called into a meeting at the Center. I heard it was just to get some extra help on making sense of telescope schematics, but when I got there, Yuri Cosmos and the rest of the board was sitting in there. I just waltzed in like an idiot.
[ He laughs, but he sounds a little nervous, somehow. He clears his throat. ]
The HAT-2 rocket that we've been working on for years is ready for launch, Apollo. And they want me and Mr. Starbuck inside of it when it happens.
[Apollo sucks in a surprised breath, head snapping around to stare at Clay's face with disbelief. His bracelet stays silent through the exchange, no lies detected.
[A grin begins to spread across Apollo's face as it really hits him. Apollo was fortunate to have reach his goals first, but now that they've given Clay this opportunity, it means they'll both have accomplished their dreams.]
That's amazing, Clay! You'll be with Mr. Starbuck when you guys launch, too.
[He shifts in his seat, like he wants to grab his friend into a hug, but with Clay driving, Apollo decides he'll leave it for the burger place.]
[ Accusing him of possibly lying, Apollo?! Shameful. He gives a laugh. ]
Guess I should've saved the news for when we actually got there, huh? At least we're getting burgers at the best place to celebrate.
[ Clay is trying so hard not to sound as stupid-excited as he is. He needs to keep his eyes on the road, after all. He rounds a corner and pushes his hand into his hair. The driveway for the pizza place is coming up, at least. ]
I mean, there's a lot of stuff that needs to get done before we launch. Depending on what goes on, maybe it'll get cancelled or something crazy like that... [ He drops his hand, grinning. ] But I'm not thinking about it. We can do it. We definitely will.
[ He glances back towards Apollo. ] So you'd better brace yourself for a few weeks without me to drive you around.
[Apollo grins at Clay, something in him relaxing when his friend manages to talk himself out of his worries.] I'm supposed to be the pessimistic worrying one here, not you. You can't jinx the whole mission when you're finally getting your chance. You'll be fine. Just like always.
[It's reflex at this point, to fall back on that familiar phrase. But it's worked for Clay as well as himself so well in the past, why bother using anything else?]
I can last just fine without your car. All you have to do is get back safely.
[As excited as he is for Clay, the many disasters from Starbuck's last trip into space is still fresh in his mind. The space center will probably be doing everything they can to make sure the HAT-1 incident doesn't repeat itself, but well. Apollo can't help but worry anyway.]
[ If saying it to Clay the first time hadn't been enough, Apollo goes and says it again. His smile climbs. ]
Uh, you remember who you're talking to, right? Someone who's been studying astrophysics their whole life? Been taking rocket piloting simulators since the day the internet was born? Your best friend?
[ Just as he parks the car, he reaches and does what he likes to do best: reach over and pet Apollo's little antennae down over his eyes. ]
Earth to Apollo! Have some faith, will ya'?
[ And now Clay is going to snatch his keys and hop out of the driver's seat before his hat can get stolen or something-!! ]
That goes both ways. [Fixing Clay with a smirk that usually only appears in the courtrooms when he's confident in the evidence, Apollo brushes past him and grabs a table.]
If you had faith in me, you'd know I was already planning to pick up the tab tonight.
[ And Clay crosses right on over to the table after holding the door for a father and his young daughter beside him. When he arrives, his hand goes smack down on the table, looking at Apollo from the tops of his eyes like he's about to win. ]
And if you really, really had faith in me, [ pointing a finger, like a certain lawyer would, ] you would know I was only testing you just now.
[ THERE!!! And he sits down in his seat and crosses his arms and legs all smug-like. Even though he's definitely bluffing his ass off. ]
[Sheesh, Clay, way to draw everyone's attention to their table. Apollo can feel a few curious stares aimed their way now, and he tries not to wilt. Also wow don't steal his courtroom moves!]
Your testimony's lacking. [Apollo throws back at him once some of the interest's shifted off them.] All evidence points to true friends knowing they don't need tests like this to prove anything.
[Yeah, he's totally bluffing, too, but he doesn't even care.]
[ Standard friend protocol. Apollo works in a courtroom, so Clay gets the right to make lawyer jokes. And make fun of Apollo's courtroom moves. It's in the handbook. ]
You're really bursting my bubble with your lawyer talk, Apollo. Speak English! I can hardly understand a word you're saying.
[ He understood perfectly that he got his Ass Beat. He's just joking around. The waitress is there only moments later to welcome and ask them for their beverage choice, but Clay adds that they might be ready to order already, grinning back over to Apollo. ]
You asked for it. [There's absolutely no remorse on Apollo's face. Now you know how he feels whenever you spout all the fancy, scientific space terms.]
The usual [Apollo confirms a beat later, glancing between Clay and the waitress with a small smile.]
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[There's a pause on Apollo's end.]
So, when do you think I'll be able to convince you to take a break from your work and meet up?
[Much as Apollo relies on the regular phone calls, it's not the same as seeing his best friend in person.]
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[ Clay manages to get that in before the request comes up out of nowhere. He grins, immediately setting down his tools and taking up his phone with his hand. ]
Is that code for, 'I'm hungry and you're the one with the car'?
[ He's getting his shoes... ]
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[And Apollo's still lying on his bed, staring up at the ceiling. What? He's had a trying day!
A grin makes its way onto his face--Clay can't see it, but he can probably guess it's there.]
And you're the one with the car.
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[ Or something sappy and lawyer-sounding like that, right? ]
Burgers? I'll be there in ten minutes.
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[There's some rustling on Apollo's end as he finally sits up.]
I'll wait for you outside.
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Actually, Apollo, I've got some pretty big news to tell you once we're in the car.
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Sounds mysterious. I hope it's good news.
[It'd be nice to have something to smile about, honestly.]
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[ Behind the phone, Clay combs the fingers of his free hand back through his hair. He's trying to sound all diplomatic about it, but. ]
But... it's really fantastic. [ His voice sounds far-off and dreamy. ] I'll just tell you when I get there. It's better if you're sitting down for it.
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Now hang up the phone and concentrate on driving here so you can tell me what it is.
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[ Expect Clay to be there in no more than fifteen minutes in a shiny, black Jetta, parked in the driveway of the "Agency" building. Apollo will get a text message sounding that he's arrived, and once Apollo comes down, Clay will be leaning out from his open car window.
Once the two are settled and have decided on their burger place, there's a small silence that Clay takes as an opportunity for him to talk. He leans back in his seat, inhaling deeply, tightening both hands on the steering wheel. ]
So, uh. Big news. I might be going on a trip in about half a year from now.
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You're planning this really early. [At first Apollo wonders why Clay seems so nervous about a trip, but he starts putting the pieces together.]
But it's not any regular trip, is it? Where are you going?
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I got called into a meeting at the Center. I heard it was just to get some extra help on making sense of telescope schematics, but when I got there, Yuri Cosmos and the rest of the board was sitting in there. I just waltzed in like an idiot.
[ He laughs, but he sounds a little nervous, somehow. He clears his throat. ]
The HAT-2 rocket that we've been working on for years is ready for launch, Apollo. And they want me and Mr. Starbuck inside of it when it happens.
1/2
[Apollo sucks in a surprised breath, head snapping around to stare at Clay's face with disbelief. His bracelet stays silent through the exchange, no lies detected.
So that means...]
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That's amazing, Clay! You'll be with Mr. Starbuck when you guys launch, too.
[He shifts in his seat, like he wants to grab his friend into a hug, but with Clay driving, Apollo decides he'll leave it for the burger place.]
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Guess I should've saved the news for when we actually got there, huh? At least we're getting burgers at the best place to celebrate.
[ Clay is trying so hard not to sound as stupid-excited as he is. He needs to keep his eyes on the road, after all. He rounds a corner and pushes his hand into his hair. The driveway for the pizza place is coming up, at least. ]
I mean, there's a lot of stuff that needs to get done before we launch. Depending on what goes on, maybe it'll get cancelled or something crazy like that... [ He drops his hand, grinning. ] But I'm not thinking about it. We can do it. We definitely will.
[ He glances back towards Apollo. ] So you'd better brace yourself for a few weeks without me to drive you around.
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[It's reflex at this point, to fall back on that familiar phrase. But it's worked for Clay as well as himself so well in the past, why bother using anything else?]
I can last just fine without your car. All you have to do is get back safely.
[As excited as he is for Clay, the many disasters from Starbuck's last trip into space is still fresh in his mind. The space center will probably be doing everything they can to make sure the HAT-1 incident doesn't repeat itself, but well. Apollo can't help but worry anyway.]
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Uh, you remember who you're talking to, right? Someone who's been studying astrophysics their whole life? Been taking rocket piloting simulators since the day the internet was born? Your best friend?
[ Just as he parks the car, he reaches and does what he likes to do best: reach over and pet Apollo's little antennae down over his eyes. ]
Earth to Apollo! Have some faith, will ya'?
[ And now Clay is going to snatch his keys and hop out of the driver's seat before his hat can get stolen or something-!! ]
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Hey, stop that. You know how long it takes me to get my hair right!
[Apollo follows Clay out of the car with a roll of his eyes, exasperated.]
Can you blame me? [He sighs and touches the back of his neck, smiling at Clay sheepishly.] I do have faith in you. You know that.
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I think if you really had faith in me, you'd have already showed it by offering to pay for a certain congratulatory burger.
[ When they get to the door, he unpockets his hand to open it up for the two of them, Apollo first. How can you be mad at him? ]
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If you had faith in me, you'd know I was already planning to pick up the tab tonight.
[WHAT NOW.]
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And if you really, really had faith in me, [ pointing a finger, like a certain lawyer would, ] you would know I was only testing you just now.
[ THERE!!! And he sits down in his seat and crosses his arms and legs all smug-like. Even though he's definitely bluffing his ass off. ]
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Your testimony's lacking. [Apollo throws back at him once some of the interest's shifted off them.] All evidence points to true friends knowing they don't need tests like this to prove anything.
[Yeah, he's totally bluffing, too, but he doesn't even care.]
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You're really bursting my bubble with your lawyer talk, Apollo. Speak English! I can hardly understand a word you're saying.
[ He understood perfectly that he got his Ass Beat. He's just joking around. The waitress is there only moments later to welcome and ask them for their beverage choice, but Clay adds that they might be ready to order already, grinning back over to Apollo. ]
The usual?
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The usual [Apollo confirms a beat later, glancing between Clay and the waitress with a small smile.]
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