(Untitled)

[well_yeah_but]

When Tony had arrived on the island, he'd carried several items with him through the veil. Aside from the clothes on his back, there had been a lighter, a wallet filled almost entirely with things rendered utterly useless, and a black cellular phone just shy of a full charge. On this phone was housed the following: 7 images of Tony's ex-girlfriend

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[lucked]

As far as places to visit on the island go, the bakery has to be pretty high up on Claire's list of favorites. Although she keeps a very close eye on how much she allows herself to consume on any given day (especially now that she's a bit more limited in movement, being forced to take a fair amount of bed rest to allow for healing), what Claire finds even more enjoyable is just watching the series of bakers hired there and the unique ways all of them go about their craft. Claire's repertoire is a bit limited, not the most skilled- in the months since she's arrived, she's made the baking of cupcakes almost into an art, but the rest takes a certain amount of coaching that she just hasn't found- and so it fascinates her to no end to watch as the other bakers make pies, breads, any number of delectable goods for the island population

[well_yeah_but]

The mobile is clicked immediately shut and tucked into Tony's pocket as he pushes to his feet with a smile. "Claire!" he greets, all friendly buoyancy as he moves to help her up the stairs.

"How are you feeling? You know, Chris has done nothing but fret over you since you were injured. Exactly how did that happen, again?" He tilts his head, intently curious.

[lucked]

As nice of a gesture as it is for Tony to be helping her up the stairs, there's something about it that makes Claire feel doubly as helpless, like an invalid, and her nose wrinkles right up at the thought. For the moment, she doesn't push him away, but the look that she casts over her shoulder is reluctant, almost pleading. "Okay, I know that the night I fell totally put me in a damsel in distress position, but it was just a couple of broken ribs, you know," she tells him with a soft exhale. "I can walk around the island without need someone to hold my hand every step of the way."

But she ducks her head soon after anyway, embarrassed to have Chris brought so soon into the conversation. "Anyway, it was just... a slip, in a manner of speaking. I'm feeling fine. Not one hundred percent, but more than well enough to splurge on what the bakery has to offer. Which I guess appealed to you, too?"

[well_yeah_but]

"Sorry," Tony hastily apologises, expression abashed. "I guess I misunderstood how hurt you were, from the way Chris has been worrying about it. I'm glad to know you're feeling better."

He motions to the table he just vacated. "Could I at least talk you into sitting while I go get us something to eat? I promise it's just because I'm looking for a reason to get you to stay awhile, not because I think you're an invalid," he adds, ducking his head a bit with a smile.

[lucked]

This is bad, Claire immediately thinks to himself. It's not that a nice hand is enough to make her fall head over heels (she's got standards, knows now that it's very important to get to know a guy to a certain degree before allowing oneself to feel too much), but the earnest look in his eyes is nevertheless one that makes her grin, one that makes her want to laugh. She's not just sure that it'd come out dignified, at this point. From this distance, Tony is pretty cute, and the light does him favors.

So she just smiles and shakes her head, reaching out in an attempt to ruffle his hair just a touch when he finally ducks within reach. "Well, Chris doesn't need to worry so much; I'm totally scrappy," Claire says with a bright smile. "But yeah, I'd love to get a bite to eat. Get to know one of Chris' friends more, too."

[well_yeah_but]

"I'll go see what they have that's good, then," he quickly offers, and darts into the bakery's front room before Claire has time to protest. The moment he's through the door, he sorts his hair where she'd messed it. Being seen as the type who should have his hair ruffled is definitely new.

A couple of minutes later he returns, muffins in hand. "There's banana nut or apple," he says, holding up one in each hand.

[lucked]

The blonde doesn't even have the time to get a word in edgewise before Tony's vanished before her eyes, Claire laughing in disbelief as she sits herself down at a table, cheeks already sore from the effort. Most of her smiles lately have been faint, just for the sake of trying to put her friends at ease, but there's something incredibly disarming about a boy rushing about for the sake of her comfort (and her stomach, at that), to the point where when he resurfaces again, Claire can do little more than shake her head fondly at him.

"Oh, that's easy. Banana nut," she nods firmly. "Not that I'd say no to a good apple muffin, but some days, you just have to start with the popular classics. Banana nut for muffins, apple for pie. You're getting something for yourself too, right?"