Showing Ben Windy Wellington

[piwakawaka]

Its raining in Wellington, sideways rain as Tiwa takes Ben through the door and grins,

"Come on, should be able to catch the start of their practice."

Comments

[almosthonorable]

Once Ben's on his feet again, he's determined to stay upright.

Pushing past the pain and exertion -- the adrenaline helps -- he's also trying to keep any would-be attackers from Tiwa when he takes a hit to his shoulder.

Sliding on the rain-slick field, he takes another player down with him this time.

[piwakawaka]

Tiwa has played with the boys before and she's already picked up a good welt as she laughs and jumps over Ben to land in the mud again,

"Try!"

Liam looks up from somewhere in the mud as everyone stands up and someone says,

"Enough for today, you cheat, Tiwa." "Do not, not my fault you're not fast enough. Anyway you know Tane's getting the first round."

Tane picks Tiwa up and sets on the fence with a sigh as she sticks out her tongue at him,

"Course I am, come on, lads. Thanks for a good match, Ben."

[almosthonorable]

Ben staggers to his feet from yet another slip-and-slide (and damn, are his joints going to complain tomorrow), and he's smirking by the time he reaches the fence.

"Thanks for the beatin', gentlemen."

[piwakawaka]

As they leave the field, Ben gets some pats and a few touched noses and grabbed forearms while Tiwa just beams at him,

"So think I owe you a warm pub with pie, chips and some good beer."

[almosthonorable]

"Only if I get to return the favor."

A beat.

"Kinda pie?"

[piwakawaka]

"Good pie."

Tiwa is oh so helpful as she hops down off the fence, at least the rain's stopped,

"Now we're going down this way, you'll like Mac's, right on the water."

[almosthonorable]

He's favoring his right side as they limp stroll along.

"We talkin' sweet or savory?"

[piwakawaka]

She's not limping at the moment but she didn't get squished as much as he did,

"Could do both but Mac's does a pretty good savory. So do you like rugby? Hopefully you didn't get too busted up."

[almosthonorable]

"I'm thinkin' we've earned both."

He holds open the door for her once they reach it.

"I'll have you know I never get too busted up, little 'un," he says as he follows her inside.

[piwakawaka]

"Still need back up, table or bar?"

As she goes through the door, Tiwa bobs at him and grins, Mac's is big and decorated in a space way.

[almosthonorable]

"You are never gonna let that lie."

He's grumbling to himself (good-naturedly, of course) as he takes stock of the place and gestures toward an empty table.

"I'm buyin', so there's that," he says once he's seated. "No arguin' from your side of the table, and I do mean it."

[piwakawaka]

"I might if you give me a good reason and that means at two men you trust and who know what they're doing."

The waiter comes over and grins before setting down the menus and heading off.

[almosthonorable]

"I swear I'll give it some long, hard thought before the next job."

With a winning, pink-tinged smile that looks more silly that scary at this point, he grabs a menu.

[piwakawaka]

"If you don't, I'm coming with you."

Ben could see this as either a threat or a promise, the menu is good pub food just with that special New Zealand twist,

"Also we're getting an order of wedges."

[almosthonorable]

"You are stayin' miles away from any kinda trouble, Little Miss Magic."

His voice is light, but he's serious; she won't be ending up in another cage, oh, ever -- not as long as he's breathing.

"Wedges?"

[piwakawaka]

"Long as you're at least safe going into the kind of trouble you get into."

Her smile is softer at that tone in his voice but she's still going to be stubborn too,

"Better than chips if you've ever them."

[almosthonorable]

Wryly, "Yes, ma'am."

He tilts his head.

"If you're talkin' 'bout crispy potatoes, I've had 'em."

[piwakawaka]

"These are the best kind with sour cream and sweet chili sauce, also should get some fish and chips and they've got good beer here that you'll like."

[almosthonorable]

He chortles and nods to their approaching server.

"How 'bout I just let you order for me?"

[piwakawaka]

Tiwa just giggles and when the server comes back orders them wedges, fish and chips, a Mac's Gold for Ben and some soda for herself. After the waiter's gone she gives him a look,

"I hope you're not hurting too much."

[almosthonorable]

"I'm fine," he says with a wink he hopes is reassuring. "I believe everything you said, now -- rugby's a sport, all right."

(He'll hurt like hell tomorrow, he's sure.)

[piwakawaka]

"Didn't get anything that was hurting before did it?"

[almosthonorable]

"Nothin' was hurtin' before."

It's a lie, and they both know it.

[piwakawaka]

She just gives him a Look but Ben is saved by the food arriving and his beer.