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Daren nodded, "yeah, i guess-you might be right. though-" he wasn't sure they would look at it worse or better if he arrived with Tim. "do you think that they might, you know, think poorly of me to already be with you? they seemed pretty happy to get me as far from you as possible, i don't think that you being by my side will make them look at me any more kindly." he fiddled with the container as they walked, "i think they may think a bit better of me if i face them alone, without you as a buffer..." he wasn't sure he would come across without hurting Tim's feelings, but he just felt he should do it alone.

Daren nodded, "yeah, maybe you could come along, but wait? i want to speak with them and let them say exactly what they think without worrying about you, but if you hear me screaming just come in and save me. deal?" he was glad tim wanted to defend him, after everything that happened, he still had Daren's back. maybe that's what being a friend was all about. maybe they had both finally found true friends within each other. "for the record," he said softly, "you're my friend too."

Daren smiled a little, "what? you didn't realize that i consider you my best friend? right up there with Iroh?" since Iroh was really the only other person he considered a friend, it might not have counted for much, but it was true. they were at the apartment building, having walked a bit quicker since it was starting to get cold. Daren held the door for Tim and shook his head a little, "you don't have to hide your smile, you know. let everyone see, you're much more attractive when you're smiling."

Daren shook his head, "you've made me smile more times than i can count, Tim." he hit the button for the elevator and waited, "you've also made me sick with worry multiple times so i've gotten a whole wide spectrum of feelings from you alone." he smirked a little as they head up, "so, shall we see if the godfather bought us ice cream to go with our apple dumplings when we get upstairs??

Daren laughed, shaking his head, "write the complaint in your own blood." he opened the door and held it for Tim before walking in and being greeted by a slightly huffy Apple. she rubbed against Daren's leg and mewed, demanding pets. he bent down and granted her request, scratching behind her ears, "yes, yes, i'm sorry we left you." she seemed pleased by this and pulled away, stalking back to her spot. "guess we got in trouble," Daren chuckled, shrugging his head. "come on, let's get some plates."

Daren glanced back at Tim as he was putting the dumplings into bowls. "For a man who used to be afraid of cats, you've come a long way." there actually was ice cream in the freezer, so he dished up a little of that and covered it in carmel. "can't go feeding her this, too much sugar. it will make her sick." he put the bowls onto the table and kissed Apple's head, the kitten sounding like a motorboat, "come, put her down so we can eat."

Daren nodded, "makes sense. i'm glad that you've gotten over it." he took a bite and grinned a little at Tim, "of course it is. Anna and Tarte are professionals after all. they could work anywhere they wanted if they wished, they have to turn down offers all the time. Tarte sometimes goes and does guest appearances, i don't really get it, but he gets paid a lot of money to do it."

"Yeah, a shop opens early and closes late. they wouldn't be able to spend as much time with the kids as they would like." he took another bite, "apple seems happy that you're willing to play with her, though. makes a man happy to see those close to him getting along." he winked at Tim before leaned back, only half of his dumpling finished, "Want the rest of this?"