if i think i can figure things out, is that curiosity or arrogance?

"And then I wonder if I can physically die of embarrassment," Ben added, nodding.

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"It isn't possible. Trust me, I'd know," Billy said. "I've tried to get the earth to swallow me, but it doesn't work."

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"I don't think Peter would've talked to you about it," Topher told Ender thoughtfully, because he was dumb.

Then, to Billy, he advised, "Don't do that."

A pause. During which he maybe blushed a little.

"Just because, you know. That'd be awkward."

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endsthegame

"You told Peter in front of me," Ender pointed out. Because seriously now, Topher. "I'm never living that one down."

Funny how he sounded less freaked out about that than Ben ever did. Just mildly annoyed.

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"He did?" Ben replied, sounding appalled. "Kriffing hells."

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Billy winced and gave Ben a sympathetic look. "Never talk about sex stuff in front of someone's brother. Brothers never forget anything," he said to Topher. Topher was so lucky to not have annoying little brothers.

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"Did he tease you for it?" Topher challenged. Somehow he didn't see Peter being the teasing-Ender type.

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endsthegame

"He did," Ender said mildly. "You were there."

Again, seriously, Topher. Not that he held it against you.

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Ben was stopped in mid-facepalm by the waiter returning with their drinks. He put in his order, grateful for the topic change.

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Billy took a long sip of his drink after he put in his order. "Now you know not to do that, right?" he said, giving Topher the kind of look that suggested there was only one right answer to that, hint hint.

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"Yes!" Topher said proudly. "Yep. Got that. No more... talking to Peter or you or Tony about Ender and Ben pulling each other's hair while they have sex."

It was a very specific lesson.

Then he ordered his food.

Edited Date: 2012-02-26 10:03 pm (UTC)

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endsthegame

"Or anything to do with us having sex," Ender said, rubbing his forehead.

He had a feeling he didn't have to check to know how red Ben had just gone.

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It was entirely possible to see Ben's blush from space, yeah.

"At all, ever," Ben added, slinking down in his chair.

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Once the waiter was gone, Billy leaned towards Topher. "Think about how you would feel if--" he started, before realizing that trying to get Topher to empathize with Ben and Ender might not work here. Because Topher wasn't dating anyone, or having sex. At all. "It's just kind of embarrassing to talk about other people's sex lives," he explained instead.

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Topher shrugged. "'Kay," he said easily. "If you say so."

Paaaause.

"So... other topic."

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endsthegame

Ender reached out and gave a little pull on Ben's shirt to keep him from retreating completely under the table. "Good idea," he said. "Especially since I barely know Billy."

Yes, Billy and Topher, that officially made you the kids of this conversation.

... and in a weird way, it made Topher some kind of bizarre adopted relative.

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Like that weird cousin who showed up for holiday dinners?

Ben sat back up and smiled at Billy. "He holds his booze better than a lot of us?"

That was very helpful, right?

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"I try to, at least. Being friends with Tony has done wonders for my alcoholic tolerance," Billy said, laughing and glad for the topic change. "I also try not to drink as much as some of you guys."

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Topher eyed Ender for a moment for that subject change -- what? It seemed weird -- and then let it go.

"He normally gets a lot less drunk than most people," Topher contributed helpfully. "And less shirtless."

Wow, Topher. That was not an acceptable thing to say. Which did occur to him. Just, you know. After.

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endsthegame

Somehow, Ender doubted Ben got all that shirtless himself.

"Congratulations," he said wryly to Billy. "I figure they need a lot of corralling."

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"I think we were corralled at one point," Ben mused thoughtfully. "That was how we met the penguins."

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