“You will.” He promised, watching as Finn walked off. Bring hung around a bit, literally hung around, for a few more hours, stretching out his would and doing a few techniques. But he couldn’t stay there forever. He eventually made his way out of the abandoned carnival after shutting it down and maneuvered his way through the city streets. He needed to make a few stops before heading back to the apartment
Finn was making dinner when Brink arrived back. Poppy was sitting in the living room. He allowed Brink up and smiled at him when he arrived. He ut what he was working on into the oven and walked over to Brink. He seemed slightly on edge. Playing with his hands slightly as he stood about a foot away.
Brink walked into the apartment with a few bags in his hand. He glanced around before kneeling in front of Poppy, holding a finger to his lips. “I think I’m going to need your help Poppy.” He whispered softly, showing the young girl what was inside the bag, a small cake and a few pastries. “It’s for all of you to say thank you for letting me stay in your home. But I want to keep it a surprise for now from the others. Think you can hide these for me until later?”
He glanced up as Finn came into the room and smiled softly “Hey, hope I’m not too late.”
Poppy looked in the bag and smiled wide she nodded and took the bag. Running out of the roo with the bag before Finn could come in. inn shook. "No don't worry you are just in time. Dinners almost ready." He smiled at Brink. "Hey umm do you want to talk about earlier?" He asked after a moment o thinking. His voice was slightly hushed as Poppy slowly made her way back down the hall.
He laughed softly and arched an eyebrow “sure, we can talk dear. Maybe later though, I doubt that any of us can wait any longer for the food.” He said, glancing down at Poppy as she came back. “Thank you, princess.” He winked and nodded towards the kitchen. “Let’s get ready to eat.”
Finn nodded. "You're right I'm starving," He said before Brink walked out.
"Me too!" Poppy said as Finn lifted her up. They walked into the kitchen. Placing Poppy in her seat. He walked over to the oven. Opening it to check if the food was ready.
"A few minutes left."
Brink smiled and hopped up onto the counter top to wait. He figured slightly with his hands, nervous about talking with Finn. What if it was to set boundaries? What if it was to kick him out? Maybe he hadn’t liked the kiss after all and this was his way of saying he didn’t want anything more to do with Brink as long as he stayed at the house. Many more questions ran circles in Brinks mind, all either making him more anxious or genuinely hopeful.
Brink leaned against the counter opposite of Brink. Smiling at the other man. He felt relaxed in the kitchen. Luckily less on edge around Brink. What if Brink didn't actually like him? He was a villain after all. Willow always says Finn's too trusting. This could be a time like that. He would get close to Brink but then end up with his heart broken. Finn shook that off and took the food out of the oven. Placing it on the counter.
Brink took a deep breath, not wanting to fill his mind with even more negative thoughts about Finn. Brink liked him. More than he thought possible for someone like himself. If the other didn’t feel the same now or in the future, he’d deal with it. He knew he wasn’t a terribly great influence on finn or Poppy and Willow but he’d never outwardly hurt them, at least not now that they’ve been so kind to him. He’d make sure they were all safe. He hopped down from the counter and peeked over Finn’s shoulder at the What had been in the oven. “Looks great!” He said with a smile, pressing a quick kiss to Finn’s cheek before fully pulling away and finding utensils and napkins for the table
Finn's face heated up slightly as he smiled. "Thanks." He dished up the lasagna. He placed a plate in front of Poppy and Brinks' seat. He sat down as well. How was you guys' day?" He asked as Poppy already started eating but she perked up at that question.
"I can count to 20 now!" Seh said smiling wide.
Brink smiled softly and sat down in his seat, nodding in thanks when Finn set the plate down. He started eating, not surprised at good it tasted. At this point he knew most if not all of Finn’s food was this great. He glanced up when Poppy said she could count to 20 and smiled “really? I’m not sure I believe you princess, 20 is a pretty high number.” He drawled, not trying to discourage her. “Care to proved me wrong?”
Poppy's smile widened. She sat up straighter. "Oh, I definitely can!" She said before starting. She stumbled over some of them. Counting with her fingers. Her thirteen sounded a bit like dirt teen but Finn watched her with a proud smile. She finished with her excited smile impossibly large.
He laughed softly and smiled, raising his hands in defense “Alright, I’ve learned never to doubt you now.” He said, clapping his hands when Poppy finished counting. Brink shook his head endearingly and continued to eat, glad that Poppy was so happy about counting
Poppy nodded eating her food. Finn put a gentle hand over Brinks as he laughed softly. He took a bite of his food. "What about you brink? Other than my amazing acrobatics moves how was your day?" He asked removing his hand. Poppy looked at Finn conused but didn't ask questions.
Brink glanced down at their hands briefly before meeting Finn’s gaze and smiling. “Amazing acrobat skills indeed.” He teased lightly, shrugging and think for a moment “Nothing but a few errands hear and there. You’ll see soon enough after dinner, don’t worry, darlin.” He said, winking at Poppy and continuing to eat.
Poppy giggled finishing up her food. Finn shook his head slightly. "God what are you up to," he joked leaning on the table slightly. He ate his food not sure what else to talk about. Poppy tried to hide her giggles to not be suspicious but she was failing miserably.
Brink shook husband head, trying to stifle his own excited laugh. “Telling you wouldn’t be nearly as fun as letting you wonder. Plus, we have to wait until Willow gets here.” He said, standing when he finished his food and taking the empty plates to the sink to rinse off then put intonations the dishwasher
Finn smiled and nodded. "Fine, you can have your un. Willow should be here soon. she said she'd stop by after work." He got up and helped Brink with the Dishes. Poppy stood up and went straight to the living room. Playing with some of the toys that surrounded the coffee table.
“We will!” Brink said with a cheeky little smile. He nodded and started at taome of the pots and dishes used to make the food, putting in a bit more effort to get those cleaner beforehand handing them off to Finn so he could put them in the dish washer. “Thanks by the way. The food was amazing.”
"IT's nothing. I told you I like to cook," He said. it felt nice to do this with Brink. Almost normal. He glanced over to make sure that poppy was facing the other way. Then he moved his head down slightly and landed a gentle kiss on Brink's lips. The elevator chimed and Willow walked into the living room. Finn put the last pan in the dishwasher.
Brink squeaked softly at the kiss and hummed softly “you little rascal.” He murmured teasingly, shaking his head and smiling. “I’m going to get you back for all these stolen kisses, dear.” He said softly, handing him the last dish over to him before heading back over to Poppy and kneeling down beside her. “You ready to surprise them?” He asked softly, looking over at Willow and Finn
"Little? I'm like a foot taller than you," Finn said laughing as Brink walked away. Willow watched him carefully as he kneeled next to Poppy. Poppy nodded quickly and ran down the hall.
"Careful no running," Finn said when he heard Poppy moving. He had his back turned to them though. Willow came into the kitchen.
Brink smiled softly and stood, glancing over at Willow once again before she walked back into the kitchen. He knew she wouldn’t trust him, not now and probably not later, if he did choose to stay longer. He liked Finn, he really did but he knew the dangers that would come with wanting a relationship with him. He didn’t want any of them hurt, especially since he’d probably still be involved with the crime lords until he could tie up loose ends and find a substantial jobs. And that was if he did decide to stay and have something with Finn. and that was if Finn, Poppy and willow were okay with that. Brink ran a hand through his hair, a bit frazzled and nervous. He wasn’t used to making personal decisions. Before now, he didn’t really consider his life outside of of being a criminal. He hugged himself slightly and shut his eyes, needing to separate himself from the present, just for a moment
Poppy came back out carefully holding the bag. She handed it to Brink. Finn noticed Brink looked off. "Are you ok?" He asked walking over. He barely noticed the bag. His focus on Brink. Poppy stood there looking up at both of them before going into the kitchen still holding the bag. Finn gently put a hand on Brink's arm.
He took a deep breath and nodded, offering a small smile and opening his eyes. “Yeah, I’ll be ok.” He gently squeezed his hand and glanced down at Poppy, kneeling down again and opening the bag. “You choose first princess.” He said, nodding to the various pastries and cookies.
Poppy's smile on y grew as she looked inside the bag. she pulled out a fairly big chocolate chip cookie. "Thank you!" She said as she sat down at the table. Finn smiled softly at Brink during this interaction.
"That's a lot of sweets," Finn joked.
“You’re welcome, save some for later!” He called after her as she ran off with the cookie. He stood with the bag and headed to the kitchen with a slight shrug. “I wasn’t sure what you all liked, so I bought a bit of everything.” He said, pulling out a chocolate cake as well as croissants and tarts from the bag and setting them on The counter for Willow and Finn to choose from
Finn smiled. "Thank you Brink this all looks great," He said. Willow also smiled.
"Yeah thank you," She said after a moment of hesitation. she took a tart and sat down.
"Can we watch a movie?" Poppy asked already done with her cookie.
He blushed and nodded “You’re welcome.” He said softly, glancing up when Poppy asked to watch a movie. “You guys choose without me, I’m gonna shower and change.” He said, heading off to the bedroom to find the clothes from the night before, but not before taking one of the smaller tarts and popping it into his mouth
Finn smiled at the blush and nodded. "Ok feel free to grab some of my clothes if you want," He said picking up Poppy and carrying her to the living room. They put on a random Disney movie. Poppy fell asleep half way and Willow left with a few treats.