They ordered, and it thankfully did not take too long to get the paper bags. No one began to grumble behind them in the line, anyway. Javier breathed out in relief. It was all good. Besides, no one was gonna yell at someone like Booker. It was just not possible.

They stepped out of the line, Javier carrying the suddenly very heavy basket. His powers were not really doing their job at the moment. Go figure.

>>”Oops! Sorry about that.”

Booker handed him a paper bag, and Javier took a bite of the hot, crunchy chestnuts. It really was the best holiday treat.

>>”Got lost with your nuts keeping my hands warm.”

The chestnut stuck in Javier's throat, making him cough for a long time before he could draw a breath. Booker was probably not aware of the things that he tended to say, which was great, because otherwise the whole thing would have been a lot more embarrassing. As it was, Javier wiped some tears from his eyes and managed to swallow the rest of the food without making too big a fool of himself.

"Uh, um... so." find new topic find new topic "You want to look through the basket and see if there's anything you like?"

Booker didn’t do these things on purpose. He didn’t try to make people feel awkward, unless he was teasing someone. This hadn’t been the case, rather, he was being earnest. It was getting chilly outside and the warm bag of freshly roasted nuts felt nice in his hands. On top of which, Booker was sometimes easily distracted, his own mind often filled with shiny thoughts that were both alluring and captivating. If he had said anything wrong, it didn’t immediately occur to him.

But, once someone begins to choke, well, even Booker knew he had put his foot in it.

Really, what was wrong with him? Sometimes Booker didn’t know how he got into these situations. Apparently what he had said took the man off guard. Great, now he probably thought he was hitting on him. The man may not even be gay but rather just a very night guy whom Booker was making feel uncomfortable. But, he was probably jumping to conclusions. Javier probably didn’t think anything of the kind, but was just knocked off guard by the librarian’s comment, nothing more.

”You okay?” Booker asked with genuine concern. ”You need water or something?”

It seemed that any kind of liquid refreshment wouldn’t be required though, making him feel all the better. So long as his new friend wasn’t permanently damaged and scarred for life, he could move past this little slip.

>>"Uh, um... so...You want to look through the basket and see if there's anything you like?"

He perked up! That’s right! This was a transaction! Booker wasn’t going to say no to free farmer’s market goodies so he nodded. ”Oh! Yeah! Here…” Leaning down, Booker grabbed the basket handle with his free and lifted. It was heavy; heavy enough to cause his well-developed biceps to bulge a little under his sweater. Still, he managed to lift the basket and pointed Javier towards and empty bench. ”Let’s take a seat there? We can relax, enjoy our snacks, and I can pluck out which goodies of yours I’d like.”

Without another word he headed towards the bench, once again oblivious to the string of words that he left behind him.

Of course Booker did not notice his slip. For one, Javier already had the idea that the librarian was just too damn cheerful and bubbly to notice what he was saying (or to mean any of it), and also he was aware that normal people did not obsess nearly as much about the possible double meanings of their words as Javier tended to. On all counts, it was fine.
... sure, he'd keep obsessing about it, but it was fine on Booker's count anyway.

Now that they had bought the snacks, Javier offered to share his anxiety bounty.

>>”Oh! Yeah! Here… Let’s take a seat there? We can relax, enjoy our snacks, and I can pluck out which goodies of yours I’d like.”

For once, Javier was not the one doing the heavy lifting. Which was both neat and unusual; he did not feel overly anxious, and yet his strength was not... there, somehow. Booker, however, managed to take the basket to the bench, and Javier took a seat, munching on the chestnuts. Once again, he realized how overstuffed the basket was with things he was never going to cook.

"So... take whatever you'd like. I don't think I can eat all of this alone..."

There was no self-pity in the comment. It was simply factual. Obviously, there were more sweet potatoes in there than a single person would have the stomach for.

"I just... um, like supporting local farmers."

Booker was already well on his way to the bench he had spotted, carrying away Javier’s basket. Anyone else may have been freaked out by the action, to have this massive librarian just pick up your groceries and walk away with them. After all, this was the farmer’s market and things weren’t exactly cheap, to have your bag just picked up by a stranger was terrifying in and of itself. But such malicious intent certainly wasn’t on Booker’s mind, rather he merely proceeding with the trade that both gentlemen had agreed to.

Settling on the bench, Booker looked up, grinning at his new friend and waved him over to take a seat. Only when Javier was situated did Booker sigh to breathe in the crisp again and munch on another small handful of his mixed, roasted nuts. As he chewed them, he turned and began to peer into the taylor’s basket, spying what items, if any, he wanted to take.

>>"So... take whatever you'd like. I don't think I can eat all of this alone..."
It was a little saddening to hear that Javier was eating all this “alone”. While that could have meant anything, for Booker it immediately brought to mind images of his new friend, cooking in his lonely home, wearing rags, shivering in the snow, lighting matchsticks to stay warm.

Okay, so maybe his imagination got away with him. BUT, it was all the more reasons to try and make friends with this man. No one should be alone during the holdiays.

Booker’s eyebrow arched as he reached in and spotted the many, many sweet potatoes. Chuckling, he pulled one out, hefting it up and looked between it and Javier. The other seemed a bit nervous but casually tried to play it off.

>>"I just... um, like supporting local farmers."

”Apparently,” Booker grinned. ”Keep buying like this and the agriculture community will never falter.”

A small laugh as he continued to peer into the basket, taking stock of what was there. He didn’t want to appear too pushy (or greedy) so instead he didn’t dig too deep. Rather seeing that Javier had more than enough sweet potatoes, he would offer to take some of those off his hands.

”Well, considering that you have enough sweet potatoes to feed an island nation, maybe I can take some of these? My sister loves sweet potato fries and I have an amazing sweet potato pie recipe that I would like to make this year.” He plucked out a few sweet potatoes, but not too many and showed them to Javier to show that he wasn’t taking everything. ”Sound good?”

Booker took his feeble excuse at face value. Sure, Javier did like supporting local farmers, but that was not really the reason why he tended to spend more than he should have.

>>”Apparently. Keep buying like this and the agriculture community will never falter.”

Javier chuckled a little. Booker did not seem to be judging him (he was starting to get the idea that Booker did not tend to judge anyone), and he was digging through the basket instead. Javier was glad he would lighten the load, because he was not sure he could summon his strength up again, and not sure how long that was going to last.

>>”Well, considering that you have enough sweet potatoes to feed an island nation, maybe I can take some of these? My sister loves sweet potato fries and I have an amazing sweet potato pie recipe that I would like to make this year. Sound good?”

"Sound delicious" Javier answered, then realized with a panicked blink that that was not what Booker was asking "I mean, yeah, sounds good. The potatoes. Sound good. Take them. For your sister."

Seriously, Javier was not on top of his game today. Even less so than usual. In order to not have to look at Booker, he lifted the basket a little, testing to see if it got any lighter without the potatoes. It did. Good.

There. The deal had been struck. After rifling through the man’s bag, Booker had taken careful consideration of everything he found. He truly was surprised by how much produce was in it and marveled that the man seemed willing to carry all of it in a single space. If anything it would have made more sense to break it up, lest he hurt his arms or something. But, he wasn’t Javier and the man was in pretty good shape. Maybe he lifted like this all the time. Booker shrugged the thought away and instead refocused on claiming what he wanted in trade.

Sweet potatoes. There was plenty that could be made with this! And, with Thanksgiving coming up, and his sister voracious appetite, surely they would be able to go through them at a quicker rate that Javier himself. Sweet potato fries, pies, and various other creations could be made from them, creations that Booker announced to Javier. After all, why not share his reasons for taking sweet potatoes and describe the absolutely amazing good cause they are going towards?

>>"Sound delicious...I mean, yeah, sounds good. The potatoes. Sound good. Take them. For your sister."

He smirked as Javier was seemingly knocked out of his daydreaming. He agreed that Booker could take a few sweet potatoes and the librarian smiled in agreement. Taking a little less than half of what Javier had in his basket (he didn’t want to be greedy after all) Booker slipped them into his tote bag. He could already feel the bag getting a bit heavier but it was still manageable. Still he marveled on how Javier could carry as much as he did.

The basket was pushed back over to Javier, leading Booker to sit back against the bench, his ankle placed over his knee in a relaxed pose as he sighed. The cool air was sweet, the warm bag of freshly roasted nuts felt nice in his hands, and the flavor was extraordinary. Again he glanced back to Javier, still in awe of how much the man had bought from the farmer’s market. It was amusing but also incredibly sweet. He gestured to the basket.

”That’s really a large haul you have there,” he commented. ”You must be, like, solid muscle to lift all of that. I only carried it for a few seconds and already my bicep is sore,” A chuckle as he patted his arm where he flexed and unflexed the sore muscle. ”But that’s nice that you support the farmer’s market. I mean, I can’t do all my shopping here, but I can definitely get some good produce for a reasonable price.”

Javier sat on the bench, munching on the chestnuts, allowing himself to just enjoy the moment without having to make efforts to carry the conversation. Booker was talkative enough for the two of them, and if the silence got uncomfortable for him, he would bring up some other topic, Javier was sure of it. In the meantime, it was nice to sit at the market, watch people, and eat delicious things.

>>”That’s really a large haul you have there. You must be, like, solid muscle to lift all of that. I only carried it for a few seconds and already my bicep is sore,”

Javier watched with a sideways glance as Booker flexed his bicep; it was just as good-looking as the rest of him, and had no trouble carrying the basket.

"I'm stronger than I look" he admitted, leaving it at that. He was not in the habit of coming out as a mutant to people he just met, but he could not help adding a little more. "Sometimes, anyway... it comes and goes."

Right now, it was definitely in a "goes" phase. Javier looked down at his own hands, then sighed a little.

>>”But that’s nice that you support the farmer’s market. I mean, I can’t do all my shopping here, but I can definitely get some good produce for a reasonable price.”

"Yes. I like it a lot." Javier agreed "And it is fun to just watch people, sometimes. Not the same crowd as a grocery store..."

Booker had to admit that he was actually enjoying himself. Sitting on a bench in the middle of the cold weather, munching on roasted nuts and with a bag full of fresh produce, he was in the midst of utter heaven. There were times where he had to stop and just take in the fact that he had a rather blessed life, moments that reminded him of that. This was certainly one of those. And, the icing on top of the cake, of course, was that he was making a new friend.

He glanced over to Javier at this point, smirking to him as the man thoughtfully stared ahead. Booker had to comment that the other man had to be primarily comprised of muscle. After all, to lift the basket the way that he had been, he really must have been strong. Even Booker, who had several inches on him (height wise!), had trouble lifting that laden basket. Then again, the world was filled with all types of people who were stronger than they seemed.

He had to comment.

>>"I'm stronger than I look...Sometimes, anyway... it comes and goes."

Booker, admittedly, was a little caught off guard by this statement. Of course there was no reason to be. It was just a comment, the kind of side joke that people made about themselves all the time. But his intelligence and his ear for words immediately made him suspicious of something. Nothing was let on, however, as he didn’t want to make assumptions about a man hee had just met. Still, he had to wonder…

”I can imagine,” he smirked, agreeing that Javier was certainly stronger than he appeared to be. However, he didn’t immediately say anything about his friend admitting that his strength came and went.

Pressing on, he changed topics to that of the farmers market itself. He loved coming here but he certainly couldn’t do all his shopping at these things. It was good for some things and he would take advantage of those times whenever he could.

>>"Yes. I like it a lot….And it is fun to just watch people, sometimes. Not the same crowd as a grocery store..."

”Oh, it’s like night and day,” he said with a chuckle. ”Grocery stores, most are just in-and-out,” he said with a nod. ”But the farmers market is my favorite. Especially this part, the people watching.” He glanced for Javier and smirked. ”Do you ever just watch a random person and make up a story for their daily life? Like this…”

He scooted a bit closer to Javier so that he could lower his voice and still be heard. Gesturing ahead to a blonde woman strolling with her bags and a wooden paddle flung over her shoulder. She seemed like a nice enough person, bundled up for the weather, humming to herself as she carried her groceries in one arm and her paddle in the other.

”Did you know that she is Victoria Stork. Mild-mannered homemaker by day and a vigilante known as The Paddler by night?” he said in a surprisingly serious tone. ”She must be here following a lead on some international produce cartel known to operate in the area.”

>>”I can imagine,”

That was all Booker said to Javier's half-admission about his strength. Maybe he did not get the hint, or maybe he was tactfully avoiding it; either way, Javier did not press the issue. It was unusual for him to even comment on things like that, so he was comfortable with leaving it alone. Especially ecause he doubted he could give a demonstration right now.
Booker moved on to talking about people.

>>”Oh, it’s like night and day. Grocery stores, most are just in-and-out. But the farmers market is my favorite. Especially this part, the people watching. Do you ever just watch a random person and make up a story for their daily life? Like this…”

Javier blinked. No, he didn't really... sure, he made up stories, but they were usually stories about what the people were thinking about him, or what they would think of him if he did this, or did not do that. They were not very compelling narratives, but his brain kind of made them on its own. Booker scooted closer and lowered his voice, and Javier listened with mild confusion for what was about to happen.

>>”Did you know that she is Victoria Stork. Mild-mannered homemaker by day and a vigilante known as The Paddler by night? She must be here following a lead on some international produce cartel known to operate in the area.”

Javier chuckled, and then immediately felt ashamed about staring at a random woman and laughing about it. He looked away, trying to pretend she had nothing to do with the conversation. It was strange, how at ease Booker was with doing and saying silly things in plain sight of the public. Did he not worry someone would overhear?... Also, where did he come up with stories like this?...
... Right. Librarian.

"Well, she, um... She doesn't know, but she is being followed." Javier attempted to add his own part of the story. It was a new game, but Booker was excited, and Javier was determined to play "By... another vigilante." he nodded slightly towards a kid, probably 14 or 15, who was meandering around the market, probably waiting for parents to finish shopping. "He just recently discovered that he has mutant powers that let him get glimpses into people's thoughts. And he is a huge fan of The Paddler. He needs a mentor to get... you know.
Things. Like training."

Booker was an avid reader and that was why he had so many stories in his head. His favorite pastimes were telling stories, inventing events that unfolded in people’s lives, everything from the mundane to the extraordinary. He wanted to believe that the extraordinary would happen to him one day, that he would be a mutant with some amazing abilities that would allow him to change the course of human history. Sadly, that never came to pass as, instead, he was gifted in a far different way. Rather than being able to lift buildings or run at supersonic speeds, Booker instead took powers away from those that were gifted.

Really it was a pretty shitty thing to have happen to anyone who was a fan and just wanted to make a dent in the world. But Booker learned to live with it. While his gift as an adapted was not exactly what he wanted, he was nonetheless special. And besides, it could never stop him from crafting expert stories to spin around the campfire. That was a gift was that far deeper than any adapted field could reach.

Javier seemed like a nice guy and Booker wanted to share his storytelling prowess with him. He chatted with him, coming up with some wild tale about a woman who was simply walking by with a hand-carved paddle slung over her shoulder. It was easy for him to pluck the details out of the very air and weave them into something that was tantalizing and fun if all-together unbelievable. Even then, who was to say that the Punishing Paddler couldn’t eventually be a real thing?

Leaning back away from his new friend, Booker watched his face for a reaction. Not everyone liked his stories. As a matter of fact, some people tended to think he was rather crazy for coming up with them. After all, who just makes up stories about people? Well, everyone does, if we’re being honest here, but not everyone voiced them. It was one of those things that respectable people kept to themselves. Alas, a true librarian could never keep a good story sheathed.

Thankfully Javier didn’t seem to think he was crazy. As a matter of fact, he was rather encouraging...

>>"Well, she, um... She doesn't know, but she is being followed."

Booker’s eyes drifted away from Javier and found another young man who was simply strolling and minding their own. The librarian couldn’t help but smirk as he watched the young man, listening to Javier as he wove his own tale of intrigue...

>>"By... another vigilante….He just recently discovered that he has mutant powers that let him get glimpses into people's thoughts. And he is a huge fan of The Paddler. He needs a mentor to get... you know. Things. Like training."

Booker grinned wider, nodding his head as he listened. A picture painted in his mind of the Paddler and her young ward as they ran around a 60’s era New York in bright colors with campy villains like the Tricker and Felinewoman running amok with hilariously complicated plans that were usually foiled by the unexpected. Booker couldn’t help but laugh at the thought, shaking his head as he leaned back against the bench, his eyes still on the people that the two of them were making up stories for.

”Haha, you’re good at this,” he said encouragingly. ”Better trademark that idea before a comic company lackey makes off with it and pitches it to his boss. You'll be famous.” He struck out his hands dramatically over a make-believe marquee that was situated in front of him. "Javier presents the next comic sensation: The Paddler and Paddle Boy!" A deep chuckle as he smirked to Javier. "You'll be as famous as that comic artist, Akshay Malik, and his 'Slaggathor' series."

Booker took enjoyment in the story they were making up, as silly as it was. Javier admired people who could so easily enjoy the little things in life, without being distracted by all the other little things that were less enjoyable.

>>”Haha, you’re good at this. Better trademark that idea before a comic company lackey makes off with it and pitches it to his boss. You'll be famous.”

Javier chuckled at that. Their little story was not a work of genius by any stretch of the imagination. Sure, it was fun, mostly because they came up with it as a game, while watching people. Javier doubted anyone would actually pay for it.

>>"Javier presents the next comic sensation: The Paddler and Paddle Boy! You'll be as famous as that comic artist, Akshay Malik, and his 'Slaggathor' series."

Javier could not help but laugh at the title; then he glanced around to see if they had drawn any attention. No one seemed to think to guy laughing at some joke were out of order. That put him at ease.

"Nah, I am not much of a writer" he waved the idea off, eating another chestnut. Writing superhero stories... yeah, that was just not really his style. "But I bet I could design some cool costumes for the movie. I'm not a big superhero guy, but... the costumes, those are fascinating. They have to be iconic, and functional, at the same time. And they have to adjust to mutant powers..." Javier was usually shy about his interest in unusual costuming challenges... but somehow, Booker seemed like a guy who would appreciate the topic.

This was fun. Booker was actually having a fairly good time conversing with Javier, coming up with stories for random people who passed by them. He couldn’t help but tease the other man, stating that he was the next Akshay Malik with the greatest comic book idea ever! After all, why couldn’t he be? Some of the greatest artists came from the humblest beginnings. Why couldn’t an unassuming tailor become a juggernaut of the comic book work? There was no reason that it couldn’t be possible.

Javier laughed heartily at Booker’s comment, by far the loudest sound that he had heard the man ever make. He was beginning to understand that Javier was just the quiet type, but he loved to bring those people out of their shells, even if it was only for a moment. Besides, Javier really did seem like he had enjoyed the librarian’s comment but quickly seemed to rein himself in, looking about. He didn’t know what the tailor was keeping an eye out for, but it didn’t matter. Booker was too concerned keeping the other man grinning.

Besides, who cared what others thought?

>>"Nah, I am not much of a writer...But I bet I could design some cool costumes for the movie. I'm not a big superhero guy, but... the costumes, those are fascinating. They have to be iconic, and functional, at the same time. And they have to adjust to mutant powers..."

Booker was completely enraptured! Now they were talking his language. While Javier seemed to think he wouldn’t make the best writer, he wanted to design some costumes for superhero movies! The costumes were fascinating and trying to be memorable and function for people with superpowers seemed to be some of the factors that made him so interested in it. Again, Booker absolutely loved this topic and gave his new friend his fullest attention.

”Oh my god! Yes…!” he said energetically. ”I’ve always loved superhero costumes. They can be so awesome!” He was grinning from ear-to-ear. ”To tell you the truth, I cosplay for a lot of the comic conventions. Dressed up as a lot of superheroes in my time. I’m definitely going to have to figure a way to coerce you into making a costume for me.”

The way Booker's face lit up when he found something exciting was a truly unique sight to behold. Even Javier, being socially awkward as he was, could not help but feel more at ease with such an openly excitable person around. Booker seemed to see the good in everything. Or at least find enjoyment in it.

>>”Oh my god! Yes…! I’ve always loved superhero costumes. They can be so awesome!”

There it was. Javier was not the least bit surprised that Booker was a fanboy. Then again, not many things were as iconic or telling as superhero costumes; even Javier had to admit that, from personal and professional interest (and the job Ghost had recently brought to him). He was still not sold on superheroes, but that was not currently relevant. Booker was probably not one, or if he was, he was hiding it really well.

>>”To tell you the truth, I cosplay for a lot of the comic conventions. Dressed up as a lot of superheroes in my time. I’m definitely going to have to figure a way to coerce you into making a costume for me.”

"Of course you do" Javier chuckled under his breath. Booker was... well, an open book. Cosplay was something Javier was familiar with, although only marginally, mostly through her interest in design and costuming. Many people made their own outfits, which was admirable, if not always professional, and he had helped some of them back in college. But the thought of making a full costume for Booker... he did not have to be a tailor to know he would rock that.

"Well, if you want..." he shifted on the bench to pull his wallet out of his pocket, and shuffled around in it for a business card "... this is my shop. You can come by, if you have some costume idea, and..." totally do not take this as a date or anything please I might die "I am happy to help you with making it happen." There. A nice round sentence. How was that for a success.

Booker couldn’t help it. When it came to talk about costumes and superheroes, the man was totally on board. He had an ongoing love affair with them, probably because of how much he cosplayed. Or maybe he cosplayed because of how much he was in love with them? Conundrum, but he never really spent much time thinking about it. He knew what he liked and he had no problem expressing that in his everyday life. Hell, the amount of superhero themed bowties he had were astronomical. Booker was not one to hide his hobbies.

That was why he immediately let Javier in on what he did for conventions. It was common grounds for the two of them to talk as he would have loved to gotten the opinion of a professor tailor. Booker was good with a needle but he wasn’t professional good. Javier actually seemed intrigued by the prospect.

>>"Of course you do"

TOTALLY impressed! Awesome.

Booker wanted to pull out some photos of his previous cosplays, just to give Javier an idea of how committed to the craft that he was. However, before he could reach for his phone, he glaced to Javier who seemed to be shuffling into his bag for something. He watched, curious, nibbling on some of the roasted mixed nuts that he had purchased. When Javier turned back, handing him a card, Booker just grinned and took it in hand.

>>"Well, if you want...... this is my shop. You can come by, if you have some costume idea, and. I am happy to help you with making it happen."

”O-M-G! Yea!” He beamed happily. He rolled the card between his fingers, looking at the man’s full name and the address where he worked. Already he was committing it to memory. ”I’ll definitely do that. Honestly I’d show you some examples of the costumes I’ve made but the only one I have on my phone is when I went to a convention dressed as The Atlantean” he admitted with a shrug. ”Which, as we know, he only wears a green speedo and not really a prime example of my sewing prowess.”

He beamed proudly.

One thing about Booker's excitement: It was contagious. Javier could not help but actually look forward to the prospect of working on a cosplay project with for him, not only because he enjoyed his company, but also because he was one of those people who truly had a passion for something. Or several things. Javier, who was very cautious about experiencing new things, found that he could live vicariously through others who were eager to talk about their passion.

>>”I’ll definitely do that. Honestly I’d show you some examples of the costumes I’ve made but the only one I have on my phone is when I went to a convention dressed as The Atlantean. Which, as we know, he only wears a green speedo and not really a prime example of my sewing prowess.”

Javier tried really hard not to picture Booker in a speedo while he also tried very hard not to look like he was trying very hard not to picture Booker in a speedo. The result was him stuffing the rest of the chestnuts into his mouth as a distraction, and looking vaguely like a chipmunk. Leave it to the hot librarian to cosplay in basically nothing. Javier envied his confidence.

"Well, um..." he chewed and swallowed to be able to speak, which gave him time to think "You can bring pictures when you..." yeah right no don't say that "... I mean, if you come by, you can bring pictures. Of costumes. That you want to do. In the future."

Yup, he would be kicking himself over replays of this conversation for years to come.