[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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[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.]
no subject
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-!! ]
no subject
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.
no subject
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? ]
no subject
If you had faith in me, you'd know I was already planning to pick up the tab tonight.
[WHAT NOW.]
no subject
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. ]
no subject
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?
no subject
The usual [Apollo confirms a beat later, glancing between Clay and the waitress with a small smile.]
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