Original -- Sequels
Title: Sequels
Rating: PG
Word Count: 482
Warnings: mild language
Prompt: a deck of Bicycle playing cards at pulped_fictions
Summary: This event will change their lives; the question is whether for the better or the worse.
Author's Note: I read an article on the Iron Man sequel over breakfast (yes, this is my life XD), and then sat down and wrote this as soon as I was done brushing my teeth. The boys' Iron Man obsession has been a hallmark of their activities since their very first prose adventure. ;D
SEQUELS
When Theo joins him at the bottom of the tallest hill on campus, Nick commands the other boy’s attention with the irresistible power of the two of clubs:
“So ‘Iron Man 2’ is coming out soon.”
Adjusting his collar, Theo shrugs. “It might not be any good.”
Nick stares for so long that Theo glances over.
“Sequels often suck,” he points out.
This is horrible. This is unconscionable. This is like leaving the Jokers in the deck and playing one claiming it’s the best card by some distance, which Nick certainly didn’t do so many times when they were kids that his mother hid all the Joker cards somewhere he’s never found them.
But wait-this train of thought has shoved an ace up Nick’s sleeve.
Relatedly, it is shaping up to be an excellent day if Nick is mixing his game metaphors by eleven in the morning.
“Bullshit,” he declares triumphantly. “‘The Dark Knight.’ ‘The Two Towers.’ The second Godfather movie.”
“You haven’t seen any of the Godfather movies,” Theo reminds him, “or ‘Casablanca,’ which may be your largest failing as a human being.”
“I’m sure I’ve done worse,” Nick decides. “Come on, what’ve we got to lose?”
“Ten dollars for a movie ticket and years of crushing disappointment.”
Nick shakes his head so vigorously that a few passing students actually take notice.
“Say what you want,” he permits bravely. “It’ll be amazing.” He sizes Theo up with a sidelong glance; the other boy’s right hand is curled around his backpack strap, the left in his pocket, and there is an expression of mild resignation on his face. Nick figures it’s as good a time as any to play his trump card: “It’ll have Don Cheadle being awesome,” he points out, “and Robert Downey Jr. being badass, and Gwyneth Paltrow being really hot.”
“Yeah,” Theo remarks. “And it’ll be fun. But sometimes revisiting powerful elements in different circumstances makes everything kind of… muddled.”
In some deep, sensing part of him, Nick sometimes suspects that he and Theo are having completely different conversations that overlap a little at the edges.
“Exhibit A,” Theo continues; “the second ‘Pirates of the Caribbean.’”
On second thought, maybe this isn’t one of those times.
“I’ll buy you Sour Patch Kids,” Nick coaxes.
Theo smiles. “I didn’t say I wouldn’t watch it,” he notes, “but please do.”
Nick rolls his eyes, because he’s been had, which is a pattern that recurs whenever Theo doubts a sequel-but he doesn’t mind, because there is a kickass movie on the horizon, and he’ll try to steal candy during the talky parts, and Theo will slap his hand and remind him that he’s twenty years old, and the people behind them will get concerned until they realize that Nick and Theo stay reverently silent during all the important stuff.
As far as Nick’s concerned, that’s enough to look forward to.
Rating: PG
Word Count: 482
Warnings: mild language
Prompt: a deck of Bicycle playing cards at pulped_fictions
Summary: This event will change their lives; the question is whether for the better or the worse.
Author's Note: I read an article on the Iron Man sequel over breakfast (yes, this is my life XD), and then sat down and wrote this as soon as I was done brushing my teeth. The boys' Iron Man obsession has been a hallmark of their activities since their very first prose adventure. ;D
SEQUELS
When Theo joins him at the bottom of the tallest hill on campus, Nick commands the other boy’s attention with the irresistible power of the two of clubs:
“So ‘Iron Man 2’ is coming out soon.”
Adjusting his collar, Theo shrugs. “It might not be any good.”
Nick stares for so long that Theo glances over.
“Sequels often suck,” he points out.
This is horrible. This is unconscionable. This is like leaving the Jokers in the deck and playing one claiming it’s the best card by some distance, which Nick certainly didn’t do so many times when they were kids that his mother hid all the Joker cards somewhere he’s never found them.
But wait-this train of thought has shoved an ace up Nick’s sleeve.
Relatedly, it is shaping up to be an excellent day if Nick is mixing his game metaphors by eleven in the morning.
“Bullshit,” he declares triumphantly. “‘The Dark Knight.’ ‘The Two Towers.’ The second Godfather movie.”
“You haven’t seen any of the Godfather movies,” Theo reminds him, “or ‘Casablanca,’ which may be your largest failing as a human being.”
“I’m sure I’ve done worse,” Nick decides. “Come on, what’ve we got to lose?”
“Ten dollars for a movie ticket and years of crushing disappointment.”
Nick shakes his head so vigorously that a few passing students actually take notice.
“Say what you want,” he permits bravely. “It’ll be amazing.” He sizes Theo up with a sidelong glance; the other boy’s right hand is curled around his backpack strap, the left in his pocket, and there is an expression of mild resignation on his face. Nick figures it’s as good a time as any to play his trump card: “It’ll have Don Cheadle being awesome,” he points out, “and Robert Downey Jr. being badass, and Gwyneth Paltrow being really hot.”
“Yeah,” Theo remarks. “And it’ll be fun. But sometimes revisiting powerful elements in different circumstances makes everything kind of… muddled.”
In some deep, sensing part of him, Nick sometimes suspects that he and Theo are having completely different conversations that overlap a little at the edges.
“Exhibit A,” Theo continues; “the second ‘Pirates of the Caribbean.’”
On second thought, maybe this isn’t one of those times.
“I’ll buy you Sour Patch Kids,” Nick coaxes.
Theo smiles. “I didn’t say I wouldn’t watch it,” he notes, “but please do.”
Nick rolls his eyes, because he’s been had, which is a pattern that recurs whenever Theo doubts a sequel-but he doesn’t mind, because there is a kickass movie on the horizon, and he’ll try to steal candy during the talky parts, and Theo will slap his hand and remind him that he’s twenty years old, and the people behind them will get concerned until they realize that Nick and Theo stay reverently silent during all the important stuff.
As far as Nick’s concerned, that’s enough to look forward to.