You know, [ she sucks her teeth in the most non-patronizing way possible ] I am pretty sure they say that the way to a woman's heart is through her stomach.

[ or is that the way to a man's heart? either way, she doesn't care because her phone is coming right back out of the pocket she snuck it into. she loves nostalgic shit more than the average person — yes, she knows it's because her brain is clinging to A Very Specific Time in her childhood — so she is rather ecstatic to be sliding into one of the most iconic booths of all time. she is, without an ounce of shame or embarrassment, snapping pictures of the interior before putting her phone away. again.

(she remembers sitting on the floor of their living room, hunched over a colouring book on the coffee table while melina folded clothes into a hamper. alexei was maybe helping natasha with her homework.)

anyway, bucky brings her back by bringing up her dad. also again. is he just as obsessed with alexei as alexei is with him?? god. she blows a raspberry. ]

Are you kidding me? Alexei is having the time of his life. Almost more insufferable than usual, but— this is the happiest I have seen him since I was a kid.

[ she casually flips through the menu, her attention darting between him and some of the the sweet and savoury items. ]

How are you doing?