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[flippin_peachy]

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i know! i was surprised

[pagekaren]

[Karen just smiles at the roll of his eyes, tipping her head up into the press of his lips on her forehead.]

Since when? Um, woozy, I think. And starving.

[She tucks her phone into her purse, then gathers that up along with the bag from the hospital and the discharge papers. Slipping to her feet, she pauses for a moment, feeling another wave of that gelatinous uncertainty that comes with painkillers.]

Thank you again, for getting me. Did this take you away from anything?

[flippin_peachy]

[The second she moves to get on her feet he wraps an arm around her waist, his body poised to grab her more firmly if he needs to.]

Nothing important.

[He had just been having a drink with Thomas Wayne.]

Here, let me carry that stuff for you.

[He offers as they slowly start to make their way out of the ER.]

[pagekaren]

Oh, chivalry.

[It's likely rapidly becoming apparent that Karen's filter may just be...entirely gone, thanks to those pain meds working their way through her system.

Though she keeps her footing, she does lean in against him, and surrenders the bag of stuff without hesitation.

It's been a long night.]

Are you ready to be wowed by the fries and shake combo?

[flippin_peachy]

I don't know if I'm going to be wowed but I'll give it a go.

[More importantly he wants to get some food on her, he knows from experience that pain killers on an empty stomach can make you feel like puking.

Once they are outside he leads her to his car which is a dark brown with leather interior.]

Here we go, pop on in there.

[He says as he gets the door for her.]

[pagekaren]

I wouldn't lead you astray. Well, I would, but only somewhere fun. And not involving food.

[She gives his arm a quick squeeze as she gets into the passenger seat. When he joins her, she flashes him an amused look.]

I think your car is fancier than my apartment.

[flippin_peachy]

[He makes sure she's in and buckled up before closing the door and coming round to the driver side, which is still odd for him since it's on the wrong side.]

It's technically on loan from someone so don't go thinking I'm living a posh life.

Where should I go to get you food?

[pagekaren]

You know, if classy can be a state of mind, then poshness can be too.

[Karen's referencing their conversation at Josie's. Or rather how she remembers it when she's feeling a bit muddled.]

Plus, I haven't seen your place yet, so you could have secret posh vibes.

[She considers his question, then points vaguely off towards the right.]

There's a White Castle that way, about...five minutes? Have you ever eaten at White Castle?

[flippin_peachy]

Well either way, I'm not posh.

[He's a gentleman sure but never a posh bloke, there's far too much East London in him for that.]

White Castle? No. Is everything medieval themed or something?

[pagekaren]

Is posh a bad thing? You're definitely not a bad thing.

[The comment is delivered fondly, a slight smile curling her lips. His question about White Castle makes the grin widen as she lets out a laugh.]

No - I mean, the restaurants themselves are sort of...vaguely castle shaped. But it's not medieval themed otherwise. Their sliders are really good. So are the fries. Like, top tier fast food.

[flippin_peachy]

It's not bad exactly but posh people seem to take a lot of things for granted that regular folk don't.

[Thomas is like that but despite being a very rich young man, Alfred likes him and considers him a friend.]

Sliders?
Bloody hell that doesn't sound very appetizing.

[pagekaren]

Mm. So it's more of an idle rich thing.

[It's a thin line, but an important distinction.]

And I wouldn't say you take things for granted.

[Still, his assessment of White Castle causes a laugh to bubble up out of her, in a way that it's clear she's genuinely amused. Possibly by the use of bloody hell.]

Sliders are just little burgers. I think they've been making them the same way since like...1920 or something. You have to try at least something. I promise I will make it up to you if you don't like it.

[A promise delivered with the acute sincerity of someone swimming through the haze of pain meds.]

[flippin_peachy]

Then why not just call them mini burgers? Sliders doesn't exactly bring up a pleasant image, especially when you want to have an appetite.

[He says as he takes a left turn towards the area Karen waved at, he spots the glowing sign and concentrates on getting into the right lane to turn into their drive through.]

All right, what do you want me to order?

[pagekaren]

What does sliders make you think of?

[Karen sounds amused, turning a bit in the seat - as much as she can - to give him a dubious look that's just on the edge of laughter.

Though her attention soon turns to the menu up ahead, and she fishes her card out to hand over to him as she considers the options.]

Okay, definitely fries and a chocolate shake. And...two of the original sliders. And then whatever you want.

[flippin_peachy]

Someone who has shit themselves.

[He says honestly and then shakes his head at how she's offering up her card.]

No no, my treat.
I'll get fries and a milkshake as well.

[pagekaren]

[Well, that answer certainly takes her by surprise, and she lets out a snort of laughter.]

Oh, that's gross. Is that a British slang thing?

[Her nose wrinkles as she considers it, though the expression fades when he offers to pay, and she beams a smile over at him instead. Her head tips back to rest against the headrest.]

Are you sure? I already dragged you all the way over here. I'm surprised you didn't ask what happened yet.

[flippin_peachy]

No, just what comes to mind when you use that word.

[He glances at her, giving her a smile.]

I'm sure.

[He pauses to give their order at the machine and then pulls up to wait behind the car in front of them.]

And I figured I'd let you eat before bombarding you with questions.

[pagekaren]

Gross.

[She reiterates her sentiment on the idea, though she's still smiling back at him as she lets her card fall back into her purse.]

Thank you. I appreciate...all of this, really. You're a good guy. [There's a beat before she continues, talking quickly in the way that she does when she really means something.] And don't tell me that you're not because of what you do. You can do what you do and still be a good person.

[flippin_peachy]

[He hums thoughtfully after she says that.]

I wasn't about to argue with you on that, I know I'm no prince and I've certainly done some violent things but I'd like to think I'm a decent enough bloke.

I appreciate you saying that though.

[pagekaren]

Oh.

[There's a pause, and then she can't help but smile again, looking amused at herself.]

Sorry. I'm glad you know that. I think I'm just...used to people not being able to see the good in themselves. I jumped the gun. I'm glad you know that you're good, though.

[It's clear that she doesn't realize that she's repeated herself there. Karen moves a bit, like she's thinking about reaching over to touch his arm or hand, and then remembers that her arm is immobilized. She makes a face. It's going to be a miracle if the sling makes it to the end of the night, never mind the full length of time she's meant to keep it on.]

[flippin_peachy]

No need to apologize, luv.

[He says and pulls the car up to the window to both pay and get their food, the teen girl working the window perks up instantly when she sees how cute Alfred is and that he's British.

Alfred meanwhile doesn't seem to notice and thanks the girl, making sure to tip her before taking the bag of food and carefully pulling back onto the road.]

Do you want to eat in the car or will it keep till I get you home?

[pagekaren]

[Karen definitely notices, her eyes flicking back and forth between the girl and Alfred as a smile slowly blossoms. She can't do much about helping with the milkshakes, but she does reach around to take the bag of food from him with her good hand and holds it against her knee.]

Oh, this car is too nice to eat fast food in. It'll keep.

[There's a pause, and she can't help but laugh.]

She thought you were cuuute. And you had no idea.

[She is clearly delighted by this turn of events.]

[flippin_peachy]

What? You mean the bird at the window?

[He asks, cocking an eyebrow at her.]

[pagekaren]

Mmhm. I mean, she was obviously a teenager. But still.

[Karen grins as she points at him, making a vaguely circular gesture with her finger.]

Cute, and completely unaware. It's kind of charming.

[flippin_peachy]

[He huffs a little laugh.]

There's no point in being aware of birds that young.

[Sandra, a girl he had been with back home for a little bit, was younger than him but not a teenager.]

They're not even really birds, more like baby chicks.

[pagekaren]

Oh, no, aware of the effect you had, not of the bird. That would be weird.

[It's clear for a moment by the look on her face that she's picturing an actual baby chick. And then the meaning catches up with her through the haze of pain meds and she lets out a laugh, smiling over at him.]

Nice word play. Have I told you that I find word play unreasonably attractive?