guardians } { of pizza and birthdays

[braveandstupid]

Ben: [he knew when Elena's birthday was, and now that they were getting jobs and paid on a more regular basis, he was able to find her a present. It wasn't much, but it was something that had it's origins from Earth and he wanted to share it with her. So he landed and let his crew have the night off. When he was sure they were gone, he went to clean up the kitchen with the intent to cook. Or something that looked like cooking.]

Elena: [she has no idea what he has in mind, she just knows he sent her a message to meet. So the Miss Mystic touches down nearby and she swings her way over, knocking lightly on the doorframe before she lets herself in] Ben?

Ben: I'm in the kitchen. Come on down. [his voice echoed from where he was trying to figure out the spices that they have and what would work]

Elena: [blinks in surprise, before coming down the stairs] Did I catch you at a bad time? Cuz I can come back.

Ben: No, you're right on time. Just finishing this up. [his face has streaks of white flour on it]

Elena: [a bit amused, before stepping closer and bringing her hand up to brush against his face] Looks messy.

Ben: It's been a long time since I made one of these. I'm just hoping I didn't screw it up.

Elena: Made one of what?

Ben: This. It's called a pizza. [and he indicates the circle of dough with red sauce and cheese and some circular meat] At least, what I can make of one with stuff out this way.

Elena: Pizza? [she's never heard of it. ever]

Ben: Yeah. It's a delicacy back on earth. My mom used to make it all the time. [he turned to put it in the heater]

Elena: Okay. What's in it?

Ben: Well, I made the crust from bread. And I managed to find real tomatoes for the sauce. [he found Ragu jars] Then cheese and some sliced sausage meat thing from the market.

Elena: That sounds like a terrible combination.

Ben: Trust me, it's really good. It just needs to be hot.

Elena: Okay. [and she'll step back to let him do that] So why did you decide to make pizza?

Ben: Well, because I looked at my calendar and I seem to remember that someone once told me that today was her birthday.

Elena: [her eyebrows raise a bit] You remembered?

Ben: Of course. I'm not a complete idiot.

Elena: I barely remember.

Ben: Well, when I was a kid, my mom used to do these big things for my birthday. The last one I remember, I had one of these inflatable castle things that you could bounce around in.

Elena: ... An inflatable ... castle.

Ben: [nods] It was like made with balloons but thicker so you could jump around in it.

Elena: You know, the more you tell me about Terra, the stranger it sounds.

Ben: I could always take you there. One day.

Elena: Have you ever gone back?

Ben: No.

Elena: Why not?

Ben: [sighs] I guess because I know the thing I want to see most isn't there.

Elena: But you'd take me back to see it?

Ben: [licks his lips and nods] Yeah, I would. It's probably a lot different than I remember but I think you'd like it.

Elena: Maybe one day. It's a pretty long trip to make.

Ben: Yeah, I know. Dean gave me the coordinates a long time ago. It's crazy far.

Elena: And we've got enough craziness going on out here.

Ben: Ain't that the truth

Elena: I still think this pizza thing sounds weird.

Ben: Just give it a chance.

Elena: Okay. How much longer?

Ben: [and he will look into the heater] I think another few minutes.

Elena: So what will we do until then?
Ben: Well, I can put on some music, get you a drink. Maybe tease you with this? [pulls out the wrapped box from under the counter]

Elena: Is that a birthday present?

Ben: Yes. Wow, i need to talk to your girls about celebrating more often.

Elena: [she gives a small shrug] I haven't really celebrated my birthday since we were on Mystic Falls.

Ben: Well, now that I got my own ship, birthdays are a thing for me. And that includes you.

Elena: Oh really?

Ben: Oh yeah, big time. [at least when they will let him celebrate them. Stiles refused to give him a date and Ben was about to choose one for him]

Elena: As long as you don't throw me a party, I think I can live with that.

Ben: To be fair, I rather enjoy celebrating just the two of us. [smirks]

Elena: Good. I thought you might.

Ben: But here, open it.

Elena: [she takes it and does as she's told, pulling off the wrapping so she can see what's inside]

Ben: [And inside will be a tiny koala clipped to a bendy straw] I know it's probably silly...

Elena: [blinks, but she can't help but smile because it's cute] What is it?

Ben: It's a koala, a kind of bear. And the little arms will open if you squeeze its back.

Elena: [and she does that to test it, and smirks a bit when it does as he says] It's cute.

Ben: You like it?

Elena: Yeah. I don't know what I'm going to do with it, but I like it.

Ben: Good. [sniffs the air] Okay, I think it's done. Give me a sec. [and he will reach in and pull out an almost replica of a pepperoni pizza]