Welcome to Gaia! ::

☸ Alan Brandt ☸

"Whatever, just pick something," dismissed the physicist, walking around the aisles and trying to pick out what he liked. Alan wasn't much of a snack person, having survived on meager portions for a good portion of his life. Well, that wasn't entirely true. Up until he was sixteen, his father would hold grand feasts just for dinner, convinced that they couldn't eat well enough. It was likely because he was so poor as a young child that he felt the need to give everything and anything to his son. Alan never cared, though.
Spotting the candy aisle, the young teacher browsed the selection, having to look around twice and make sure of Reed's position before crouching down and excitedly picking out the sour candies and milk chocolates that he loved as a kid, but had spurned as an adult. Once he'd picked out his fair share, he stood and continued to look around, only to find himself in the toy aisle. The toys were little and cheap, but Alan's inner child was delighted nonetheless.
Had Reed reached him right then, he would've found the usually-scowling scientist joyfully giggling as he pressed a button on a little bear that danced around the shelf.

☸ Alan Brandt ☸

Alan jumped as he was caught by the man, wobbling in his crouching position and ended up on his butt on the ground. He looked up as the taller male switched off the bear, staring at it as if it would come to life once again at any moment. Sensing that this wasn't a moment to be snarky (which in itself was a huge leap for the socially awkward physicist), Alan sat Indian-style and carefully lifted a little stuffed pink elephant, setting it on his lap and touching the soft fur. "My mother did, too," he said, fingers rubbing the thin left ear. "When I was little, she used to sneak these little toys into my room. I never liked the big ones Father gave me. I'd never tell him that, though."
It took a few moments of silence for the teacher to suddenly remember why they were there, and he stood suddenly, head feeling a little light as he did. Alan bent and grabbed his basket with snacks, tossing the elephant carelessly back onto a shelf. "Come on. I'm hungry."

☸ Alan Brandt ☸

Alan attempted to shoo away the music teacher, although he didn't cover up the numerous amounts of candy that were revealed. Cheeks tinted beet red as he tried to keep his head held up high, walking with false pride to the line. "It's just candy," he murmured, biting the inside of his cheek as they stood in line. He glanced back to the elephant he'd discarded, then back to the line. Now wasn't the time to think of his mother.

☸ Alan Brandt ☸

Alan didn't speak to the musician the entire time they were checking out, biting his tongue to keep himself from yelling. He was fuming, ready to smack the living hell out of the man just for assuming that the candy wasn't good enough. How dare he? Alan was an adult, not a child anymore, and he didn't need to be commanded around and made to be treated like a kid. He turned his head away from Reed, refusing the food. "You aren't my father, who are you to say what I will and will not eat?!" he spat, crossing his arms and letting the bag dangle from his elbow.
He walked, furious at how good the hot dog smelled and at how awful Reed was for assuming that he needed someone to take care of him. He was perfectly happy with his bread back in the classroom, but no, this guy had to just assume that he needed to eat like a normal person! Wasn't the best part of being an adult that he was in charge of himself?
That being said, when they finally reached the crosswalk, Alan snatched the hot dog and drink from Reed's hands and tentatively took a bite, ignoring the bliss circling his stomach that had been aching for decent food since high school. He only wondered now if Reed would keep following him to make sure that he ate the whole thing and drank his soda.