ic inbox.

[heatmetal]

[ his voicemail greeting is just a guitar riff ]

Comments

[retromix]

[ His cheeks are so red. ]

You think that's funny, huh? Wiseguy?

[ He picks up a rosebud and aims for Eddie's shoulder. ]

[heatmetal]

I think... I'm the luckiest man alive, is what I think.

[ Eddie mimes kissing the petals and then tosses it back ]

[retromix]

[ The rosebud pings off Steve's flaming cheek. ]

Can you do your fairy Disney princess thing already, please?

[heatmetal]

[ yeah yeah. Eddie turns his attention from his blushing boyfriend and just holds out a hand. ]

UH... Pigeon!

[ nothing happens. ]

[retromix]

Incredible.

[ Leaning an arm on the door of the car as he watches. ]

Try something smaller.

[heatmetal]

Like what? Cockroaches?

[ he rests a hand on his hip, looking Steve up and down. ]

[retromix]

[ What's that look for, Mister Sassypants. ]

I don't know, dude. Rats? Mice? Something that could be nearby on the ground and won't scare you if they come charging. Maybe you have to send your thoughts to them?

[heatmetal]

I'm worried about scaring you, sweetheart.

[ sending his thoughts... He turns back to then lot, keeps his hand held out, and tried to do just that. ]

[retromix]

I'm scared of very little beyond double VHS nights.

[ True horror!!! Also a lie. He watches in interest, eyeing the parking lot around them. ]

[heatmetal]

Maybe that should be your safeword, then.

[ his eyes are shut. And he's...

Not getting rats. Or pigeons. Or bats.

But there are a few black cats starting to slink out of the shadows. ]

[retromix]

[ Rolling his eyes, he catches sight of the cats. Black cats. Normal-looking but he straightens up anyway. ]

Are you sure you're not a witch now or something?

[heatmetal]

[ uhhh.

Yeah. Those sure are cats. They look warily at Steve, but like the bats, they approach Eddie like he's an old friend.

He carefully lowers himself to the ground to pet them.

You guys are pretty hungry, huh?

[retromix]

They don't have rabies, do they?

[ Rabies is just a thing now. Thanks, Robin. ]

[heatmetal]

No, man. A bunch of sad little city cats don't have rabies.

[ but they could have other things. ]

They're askin' if we got food or water. Hungry little guys.

[retromix]

You're really talking to them?

[ An uhhhh cat food? is murmured and tins, with an opener, fall out of the air as he waves his hand. Damn, that's loud. ]

[heatmetal]

I think so?

[ the cats startle and move to run until Eddie holds out a hand, murmuring something soothing. ]

[retromix]

... This is some trippy shit, serious Mary Poppins or something vibe.

[ Steve starts opening some cans as he crouches down, sliding them over as he keeps a wary eye on the cats. Never know when danger might strike. ]

[heatmetal]

[ prepare to get swarmed by hungry howling babies. They go right for the cans OM NOM NOMING their way through ]

So... Mary Poppins but make it metal.

[retromix]

[ jESUS CHRIST, Steve stands up to open the last few cans and drops them hastily, backing off. ]

Are kitty cats metal?

[heatmetal]

Black ones are.

[ scratching chins, grinning st the purring. ]

You know they have a hard time finding homes? Lotta people hurt them just because of that whole saying about bad luck... People are maaaad superstitious.

[retromix]

[ Steve walks over, tilting a hand to scritch the top of Eddie's hair in the same way. ]

You don't say?

[heatmetal]

[ he'll do his best impression of a cats purr, taking it a step further by rubbing himself against Steve's leg. ]

[retromix]

[ What an utter dork; Steve is wholly endeared. ]

Now that's some kinky shit. [ Twirling a curl around a finger, he asks, ] You want to try calling some other critters over? Bats, cats ... what's next?

[heatmetal]

You like a little petplay, baby?

[ he leans against Steve's leg, holding his hand out again to concentrate]

Rats, probably. I tried for mice.

[retromix]

I feel like I know exactly what that is by the way you say it.

[ Rats, yuck. ]

Maybe your power is like, rhyming.