Who: Billy Kaplan and Kate Bishop When: November 11 Where: Supermarket What: Random Encounter Rating/Warnings: Low/None Status: Complete
Kate was standing in the pet food aisle, staring at the tiny cans of cat food. It was weird, she had this quasi-deja-vu thing going on with this particular brand of cat food, but only one particular flavor. Completely bizarre.
She turned to head to the next aisle, having finally convinced herself that she didn’t have a cat, so she didn’t need the stupid cat food, when she nearly bumped carts with someone. Someone she recognized.
This was becoming a habit she was going to have to break.
As soon as Billy looked up and realised he’d almost run into Kate he grinned, “Hey you” he greeted happily, “Had any dreams yet?” he asked cheekily. He was pleased to see her, he’d been feeling so confused about his love life lately that catching up with Kate would be a wonderful distraction.
“Oh hey,” Kate said, instantly recognizing the kid. “William,” she added, breaking into a grin. “Still on about all that Dream stuff, are you?” No, she hadn’t had any dreams, but she wouldn’t turn down friends. Even crazy ones. “You’re having them, then?”
“Billy” he said with a little roll of his eyes, though it was fond, “Still having them and you’re still in them. That hasn’t changed” he informed her in amusement.
“What am I doing in your Dreams again? Oh, that’s right. World class Archer and kick-ass fighter.” Kate grinned. “At least some parts of your Dreams are like real life.”
“Yeah that’s the one. Dream Kate is pretty damn awesome. Hope you can back up that claim” Billy winked.
Kate laughed. “Oh, I can. You’ll be shocked. I guarantee it. Near blinded with amazement.” She teased. “What are you shopping for?”
Billy whistled, “Nothing like a bit of confidence” he grinned at her, “Dinner. It’s my turn to cook and the ingredients in the fridge were sadly lacking in inspiration”
“Ah, I see. What are you making?” Kate asked, leaning over a little to try and look into his cart. Thingy. She was curious. And hungry. And she couldn’t cook beans.
“Spaghetti bolognese” Billy said, “One of the easier dishes I make” he added, “You looking for inspiration too?”
“That sounds awesome.” Kate said, giving Billy a smile. “Yeeeeah… I dunno. I got distracted by cat food. I don’t even have a cat.” She frowned playfully and shook her head. “I don’t really cook, anyway. I live on like, salads, sandwiches and Ramen. Spaghetti bolognese sounds like more than I could handle.”
“Do you want to come over to mine for dinner?” Billy offered, “I could show you how easy it is to make and it would make me feel better knowing you didn’t succumb and end up with nothing but tins of cat food” he grinned.
Kate gave a laugh. “Seriously? You want me to come over, and you're going to make me dinner?” She folded her arms along the handlebars of her shopping cart, grinning brightly. “Well, if you’re sure your boyfriend wouldn’t mind you making dinner for another woman?” She asked, playfully.
“Sure” Billy answered with a shrug before he laughed, “I’m pretty sure Justin knows me well enough not to mind that at all” he replied with a grin. “So I take it I can tempt you with my bolognese?”
Kate was still awed by the idea that they were near strangers, and he was inviting her over for dinner. And that he didn’t want into her pants. She couldn’t help but grin. She’d done stupider things than accept an invitation to a stranger’s house for dinner, but somehow this didn’t feel stupid. There was something about Billy that made her want to be friends with him. He had a kind face, and a really nice smile. Not the kind that she wanted to kiss, but the kind she wanted to hang out with.
“Yeah, okay.” Kate agreed. “Here,” she drew out her phone to hand to him. “Give me your address. I’ll go home, toss this shit in the fridge, and come meet you at your place.”
Billy hadn’t thought much about offering Kate dinner, they were good friends in his dreams and he had a good feeling about her here too.
He took her phone and tapped in his address and details for her, “There you go” he said, “You now have every way possible to contact me too” he grinned.
Kate gave a chuckle. “I take it you’re under the assumption that we’re going to be friends.” She teased, then accepted back the phone. “All right. I’ll be by your place in like, twenty minutes?” She said. She just had to check out, pop home real quick and put the milk away. Then she was looking forward to a cooking lesson and a home cooked meal.
“Yep, no choice for you about that” he told her with a grin, “You’re going to love me” he added with a wink. “Twenty minutes sounds good to me. I’ll see you soon”