𝐁𝐈𝐒𝐇𝐎𝐏

   He could consider standing and keeping watch as adrenaline enough,  pretending that some big huge bad guy would be on his way to rock their shit or something.  He thought he'd have to look natural,  at least,  so he nodded in conformation and found a good place to spot—  close,  but not to the point where it'd be difficult to play off if she did make a quick return.  "You got it.  Godspeed,  my love."  He laughed,  waving her off as he reached to get himself a cigarette.  He could come up with a million excuses,  but he was sure that one day he'd lessen his grip on them.  One day.  It'd be another good excuse if the woman did return,  though,  and that was his best reason yet!  He preoccupied himself with a lot of thoughts as he waited,  one of the main things being he hadn't realised how warm it'd been in the car until they were back outside.  But also he liked to daydream about Kate,  because he was only human and she was unbelievably kind and empathetic to him,  all differences aside.  

( @disreguard )
            
            The cigarettes were a relief valve, she could understand that. Donuts were totally hers, they brought her some comfort after a significant level of stress. He seemed to 'let it all out' when he committed those crimes, but the adrenaline that some petty theft brought him didn't last, so he was stuck in a cycle. Kate wanted to help him, she really did — some days, more than others, it became clear to her that he was silently suffering with something. She didn't want to push him, accidentally make him feel pressured to talk about things he didn't want to, but if she didn't try and address it, she was afraid that he wouldn't be voluntarily bringing it up either. Well... one day, she would hold his hands, look him in the eyes and tell him how much she did care about him — he might know it already, but he has to hear it again from her. That she wouldn't be quick to jump up to conclusions, that she'll listen to his side of the story, that she'll do her best to help him. He doesn't need to live his life in repeat, he doesn't need to live restrained by his past: the choice of being a good person is made every day, and he has plenty of chances to redeem himself — if that's what he feared, that he wasn't or couldn't be a good person. For she knows he is, and that he can. "Please? Just text me if you see her. Thanks, babe. I'll be back out in a minute."

   Objectively,  she was a lot stronger than he was in all senses of the word.  Her dedication to her cause was inspiring,  almost,  and it made Jack want to  *be*  something.  More than what he was now.  More than a kid that had to run away from home after a murder brutal enough to get himself a nickname.  More than a liar.  Stronger.  While his resolve was not quite as substantial,  the inspiration was more than enough.  Less crime than before he met her,  that was for sure,  and also coincidentally a lot more cigarettes.  He kept his eyes cautiously on the woman as she left,  turning to Kate as she gripped the handle.  "D'ya want me to stand outside an' keep an eye out?"  

( @ST4RCHILDS )
            
            She gently snapped her fingers and sent him a thumbs up in the sequence. "Super smart," came her comment, that smile of hers unfaltering. "See, you're a natural for this whole investigation thing," she nudged him playfully, before giving her friend some space so he could study the photo for as long as he needed, no rush. In fact, that was exactly what she was going to say to him, but before she had a chance to, he had already assumed the detective's appearance! "Oh, wow —" she might've seen him doing that plenty of times, but it always managed to surprise her due how perfectly he assumed other people's forms. It was almost a sort of art! "...Just like her. It made my heart jump here, for a second really frightened I would be truly going to jail. Anyways... do you need anything else or do you think we're ready to go?"

   he did try,  at least,  so teddy shrugged and made an internal promise to return the favor at a later date.  they'd have plenty of opportunities,  he was sure!  it was just that they tended to be a little busy,  but at the end of the day they were a team.  the young hero took the picture,  studied it for a second,  before looking over to kate.  "okay.  we should be quick.  if anyone asks,  it's easy enough to say that i was close enough to the threat not to alert police radios and bring you in."  he nodded,  looking around before making the physical change to his appearance—  looking identical,  instead,  to the woman he saw in the photo.  "how do i look?"  

( @ST4RCHILDS )
            
            "Sshh, it's not open for debate," she said adamantly, but with a huge smile sent to her friend. She wanted to do that, for him — they haven't talked in a while and, as soon as she sees him, she asks him this huge favour... she feels bad that they couldn't simply go out, catch up and have fun together, like the old days. At least, they still could do it *afterwards*. "Okay, so uh... this is Detective Chavez." she shows him a pic. "She has the evidence I need to go through with my investigation. She's not at the police station and won't be for the next few hours, so I gotta use the opportunity to check up her office. If you can... I need you to pretend you're her and take me 'under arrest' so I can do it."

   "oh,  yeah,  for sure.  you're right."  he laughed,  waving his hand to allow her to have that point.  she was still utterly ridiculous and they all knew that,  but it was such a loveable thing about her!  nobody could truly hold such behaviours against her,  because it was a sure thing that she'd always end up getting back to the field again.  it was just that sometimes,  obviously,  the people around her truly did want to help—  not out of pity,  but just out of love.  besides,  teddy liked being given the opportunity to look after and comfort people;  it made him happy to see other people happy.  it used to be an act of disregarding himself,  but these days he was learning and knew it was linked with his genuine care for others.  "for sure.  but if you need back-up,  you have my number.  i promise we won't get kidnapped by aliens."  

( @ST4RCHILDS )
            
            "Two were my toes, so it's not that big of a deal, right?!" she inquired him with a 'hopeful' smile, as if waiting for him to agree with her. In reality, she knew it didn't make things less shocking, but that's where lied the humour of her words...
            Kate could also appreciate Teddy's ability of making plans. They were often pretty thought through... she wasn't one to make plans if she was working solo, though. She would much rather *wing it*. Not because she lacked discipline, but for she felt that, more often than not, it doesn't matter how good are her plans, she'll never cover all the details, nor is she able to control everything and foresee any potential problems she might end up facing. Kate was way better at improvising and following her instinct, but... when she was with her teammates, she truly put on the effort of elaborating plans to assure their safety.
            In other words? *Guilty*. Teddy was absolutely right about that. "I would've loved the purple flowers... but really, it's fine. I'll get her next time she decides to *play* in my neighbourhood."

   "*nine bones*  ?!"  teddy altman needed,  one day,  to realise that being surprised by kate was futile.  they were quite similar in their headstrong ways,  but kate tended to be a bit more...  well,  scrappy wasn't the right word,  but she did get stuck into things a lot faster than teddy ever did.  he relied more on plans,  and it was hardly his fault when sometimes they went a little south.  he could admire hawkeye endlessly,  though,  for her leadership skills when they were called upon.  sometimes he just worried that she spent more time making plans for other people's safety rather than her own.  "*you*  should've called  *us*.  i would've bought you flowers.  purple ones,  obviously."  

( @disreguard )
            
            Unfortunately, it was the fact that he committed crimes *plus* the lying combined that she considered an issue, not just the last part. They were opposites: not in a 'cute' way, but in a way that made them *enemies*. Yet, without knowing that, she fell in love with him. And nowadays, hoping he could find himself a better path and quitting that kind of life style, for his own sake and future, she consciously avoided to address said 'differences' between them. Because remembering that, and thinking that he could end up in jail, or worse, it was world wrecking for her. Even more knowing, from the bottom of her heart, that he wasn't a bad person. That he just needed a way out, a way to deal with things, that not through violence. She wanted to help him through it... if not directly, talking about the things he dealt with in silence and alone, indirectly — loving him, supporting him and showing him the possibilities...
            "For real?" she smiled at the idea. "Romantic, I like it. Can't wait for it..."

   It was funny that the secrets he kept now were much lower stakes—  despite...  well,  the crime.  It wasn't like she didn't know,  it was just a factor they'd rather not sit and talk about because there was no point.  The whole issue,  he supposed,  had been the lying.  Now the worst he was willing to do was secretly send Black Widow in to keep an eye on her!  Although,  really,  it was difficult for him to understand the wrongs he continued to commit.  Kind of.  It felt so normal.  "I'll take ya out for dinner when you're feelin' better.  Candles an' everythin'."

( @disreguard )
            
            The Black Widow was the most scarier that scale could get! She wouldn't ever dare to try her chances with her. Out of respect, more than out of fear, though, with all due respect and admiration she had for her, she would admit it was a mix of both! Only an idiot wouldn't fear to defy Natasha! She was one of those people who could assert who was the boss without even having to say a word — a quirk of her eyebrow, and you're already saying: 'Yes, ma'am. Sorry, ma'am'! "Aww, futz," she jokingly complained, ducking her head in 'defeat' — quickly lifting her gaze to reconnect her eyes with his, though... for she too was in love! And looking at him, watching him, studying his little mannerisms was one of the many things she enjoyed doing while they were together...

   They both worked so well together,  and there was a certain harmony between them that didn't even need to be spoken.  He would turn and she'd be there,  extending a hand,  and sometimes he'd do her a favor in giving her something to do with a smile.  Because she was just a helpful and considerate woman and that was such a huge factor that had him falling in love with her in every second.  Kate was one of those people that you  *knew*  you could rely on,  because she'd drop anything for the people she loved.  Even if he would argue that she should prioritise herself more than she did,  he was more than happy to step into that role and help her with that too. 
            
              "You always say that."  With a muffled laugh,  he watched her move with an amused look and a shake of his head.  Another thing he loved about her—  her dramatics.  It was almost contagious,  but he tried his best to be the one that would entertain her silliness because god knows he didn't have the ability to embody that himself.  Still,  he took a bite of the burger and it was pretty good,  so perhaps her reaction wasn't entirely unprompted.  

( @disreguard )
            
            He didn't have to accept it (she wouldn't ever push it), but Kate would always offer it. Not only in such contexts, but extended to anything he could use a hand with, anytime he needed... she would always be there for him, only a text message away.
            The archer knew he knew that, so she was tranquil... hoping that he would really reach out, if he ever needed.
            
            At the kiss pressed on the top of her head, the young woman couldn't help but smile again to him, melting on the spot. She didn't even try to hide how *in love* she was with him, even if that meant she would look rather silly in anyone else's eyes, for constantly wearing that smile on her face.
            For real, she couldn't care less about what others were thinking... that just meant they, unfortunately, didn't have the same luck to experience such a powerful feeling.
            She knew well how that was, she judged other couples too, before meeting Jack... and now she finally understood what all those songs, films and books always tried to say.
            The real thing is much better, though. It has you in a constant disbelief on how damn lucky you are... it's sad to think that the vast majority might spend their whole lives looking for this, with high chances of never getting to feel it.
            
            "Don't worry about it," she told him with a gentle shake of her head, quite happy when he made himself comfortable beside her.
            It was only when he had returned, that she tried her burger — and she couldn't help but close her eyes at how good it tasted. "My god!" she hummed, leaning back on the couch dramatically. "This is the best burger I've ever had, I'm not even kidding!"

   He should've expected the look he was given,  but wouldn't back down under the focus of it because he knew better than that.  With the kiss to his cheek and that funny look in her eyes,  he only grinned in response—  his work didn't tire him out to the point where he couldn't serve his girlfriend her dinner,  he would insist.  Some days was bad,  because a lot of his energy went into a fake version of himself,  but that was what the crime was for.  All this charm he used wasn't for free.  But,  with every step,  he always knew Kate was willing to help out wherever possible;  that fact wasn't totally ignored by the librarian.  He'd given Kate her food first,  handing it over and leaning to kiss the top of her head.  "Thanks for paying.  I'll get the next one."  He promised,  going back for his own food and joining her on the couch within moments.