25 Unicorn Street- Monday evening

[throughaphase]

A year ago Kitty had remembered being pleasantly surprised that she and Clint had made it to an anniversary, since it didn't seem like it was anything either one of them had been very good at before. This year it had almost managed to sneak up on her, because she hadn't had any doubt that they'd get to this point. So, there was that.

Clint had said he wanted to cook dinner, and while Kitty wasn't sure how that was going to go considering his usual insistence that he didn't cook, she agreed. She came over after picking up wine and something for dessert, and let herself in. "So how's it going?" she called.

[For that guy!]

Comments

[so_hawkward]

"Obviously, we managed it by being awesome. And sexy," Clint said, stealing another kiss. "And the phasing helps too, in so many ways." Like not dying when Clint got shooty.

[throughaphase]

"Hmm. Mutant powers helping a relationship, that might be new," she teased.

[so_hawkward]

"Mutant powers are awesome," Clint said firmly, "even if some of the mutant-related stuff you've had to deal with isn't. But you and your powers are great." Anniversaries were for making your partner feel good, right?

[throughaphase]

"Ooh, flattery, I like this," Kitty grinned. "I think you're pretty great, too. Which I think is pretty essential to the last two years."

[so_hawkward]

"Yeah, it is kind of hard to date somebody you don't like," Clint teased. He pulled back a little and peeked into the bag. "So, what have we got in here?"

[throughaphase]

"Drinks and dessert," she said. "I put a lot of effort in, by going to the store." He drank out of the coffee pot, she figured he'd be proud.

[so_hawkward]

"Hey, stores have perfectly wonderful and romantic food items," Clint said, sneaking a glance back at the kitchen. "This is well above my standards."

Because yes, right out of the coffee pot. It wouldn't have a handle if you weren't supposed to drink from it!

[throughaphase]

You know what else had handles? Coffee mugs.

"How's dinner going?" Kitty wondered.

[so_hawkward]

"Dinner is currently in the oven staying warm," Clint said vaguely. "Are you hungry?"

[throughaphase]

"Yep. And totally curious as to what you made." And how it turned out.

[so_hawkward]

"Well, 'making' is kind of a relative term," Clint said, ducking his head. "There was going to be lasagna. The recipe said it was foolproof but... I substituted some things I probably shouldn't have and then there was some burning because I may have not set the oven right so we're having pizza. Sorry," he said sheepishly. "I really wanted to have something nicer for you tonight."

[throughaphase]

"Aww, honey," Kitty said, leaning in to kiss him on the cheek. "You're talking to someone who got dessert from the store. Like, in a package. I appreciate you trying."

[so_hawkward]

"It's our anniversary. We're supposed to have real food," Clint said with a sigh. "But I made sure to get your favorite toppings, at least?"

[throughaphase]

"And this is why I love you," she smiled. "Let's face it, pizza is more us anyway."

[so_hawkward]

Clint smiled at that and stole another kiss before leading Kitty to the kitchen. "I know. I just figured this anniversary is special since it only comes once a year." He opened the oven and took the pizzas out, with a variety of toppings on each. "I guess the wine makes it fancy though, right?"

[throughaphase]

"It does. And there's time to practice for next year-" Because she totally assumed they'd make it to next year already. "-and if you want, we can eat with utensils."

She was totally serious about the utensils.

[so_hawkward]

Clint set the pizzas down on the counter and gave Kitty a funny look. "I don't know if we need to get that fancy... unless you want to. I don't think I've ever eaten pizza with utensils."

It wasn't like, ungodly pizza from Chicago or anything. No one's anniversary deserved that.

[throughaphase]

HEY NOW.

"We can skip the utensils," she smiled. "Just putting the option out there for fanciness."

[so_hawkward]

"Hey, I think there are actual wine glasses in one of the cabinets. That's fancy, right?" Clint said.

[throughaphase]

"That is. And the fact that you have wine glasses means you can still defy expectations after all this time," Kitty teased.

[so_hawkward]

Clint laughed and grabbed some plates--real plates for them. "I don't think we ever used them, but I'm sure they're fine," he said. "It's nice to pretend to be civilized sometimes."

[throughaphase]

"Does this mean I can use that reasoning to get you to use mugs sometimes?" She was so not serious. If he ever stopped that she would think something was wrong.

[so_hawkward]

"I use mugs sometimes. When I've got a load of dishes ready for the dishwasher and one more won't hurt it," he said. "I'm reserving water. It's environmental."

[throughaphase]

"You know, in all the time I never knew you were a conservationist," Kitty said.

[so_hawkward]

"That's what the bow is for too. No electricity, very safe for the ozone," Clint said, smirking. He handed Kitty a plate and motioned to the pizzas. "Ladies first."