The cacophony of teenage voices was silenced by the first word. Awe taking over excitement. Lana would’ve noticed if he wasn’t busy trying to melt into the red faux leather seat. But he’s not deaf, and he can hear the strange tone the blonde’s voice took as he calmed the crowd and appeased them at the same time. He didn’t think he’d ever seen a rabid mob disperse but Elliott somehow made it happen. Ruslan allowed himself a peek as he heard yelling turn to whispers and murmurs. Garbage Baby followed the crowd and seemed to calm down a bit, though he was still standing on the table waiting excitedly for what was to come next. [break][break]

The Linoone tumbled into the space next to Elliot, sitting next to him while he apologized. Lana, for his part, was still considering running away. A few pairs of eyes lingered on their table before eventually going back to their meals and small conversations. “A-About what?” he asked, white knuckles finally relaxing enough to loosen his grip on his meal. He set the bag back down on the table, still throwing furtive glances at the double doors as the last fan exited. [break][break]

With more care than most would think from a starving hobo, Lana carefully opened up the fresh and crispy nug box and began to dump the assortment of sauces provided into the lid before taking out a nug and mixing them all together. He ate two in quick succession before looking over towards Elliott. “Garbage Baby, c’mere.” He ordered as he covered his mouth. The dark type set his paws on the counter before opening his mouth wide for his trainer to deposit a solitary nug on his tongue. He sat back down to chew his miniature feast. “I…U-um….Elliott?” he asked, eyes on his food. He grabbed a bunch of fries and shoves them into his mouth before taking a particularly long and soggy one and tossing it up for his partner. Garbage Baby didn’t miss a beat, jaws snapping up the fry in midair before he settled back down next to their dinner guest. “W-…What was t-t-that? W-Who…who a-are you?”

[break][break]

+ @elliott u saved garbage baby uwu [break][break]

[attr="class","pokeclass"]

Lana isn’t quite sure how to respond. He simply gave the blonde a once over, judging him for his words but keeping his thoughts quiet. Elliott looked pretty young after all, what figure was he watching? Was he a gym rat? Maybe. He didn’t know for sure, but he wanted to say he saw some type of definition in his arms. “A-Are you allergic?” he asked, deciding this was probably the more plausible answer. And then, the cashier said his name- his full name. It made him double take, eyes bouncing form the cashier to Elliott and back. [break][break]

They’re suddenly squealing, shrieking and Lana is begrudgingly roped into taking a photo of the two before they get their order ticket. Bizarre. He plopped down awkwardly, Garbage Baby resting on his lap. Paws on the table as the pair stared at their companion. One, confused, the other excited by the attention and energy around him. “S-So that-…w-what was th-” before Lana can even finish his question, the doors burst open and small crowd rushed in. Lana can see it from his seat, heads swiveling wildly before locking onto their target. Not him. [break][break]

“E-Elli-” he began as Garbage Baby began barking happily as the group moved. It wasn’t overpowering. Lana counter maybe 12…maybe 15 people. But that was a enough to set him off edge. The hair on his neck raised, and he felt a cold sweat move down his spine. The last time he’d been around this many people around his age was school, and that hadn’t been the most positive of experiences. Red eyes wide, he’s already looking for a way to remove himself from the situation. Garbage Baby scrambled onto the table, still barking an panting, fat tail wagging wildly as people move in squealing, crying, and talking to the blonde. Lana reached over to pull the receipt from Elliott, his bag already on his shoulder ready to don it once more. [break][break]

“I’m so glad we made it!” [break]
“We took off when we saw the tweet!” [break]
“I CAN’T BELIEVE ITS THIS MCDONALDS!” [break]
“IS this a charity thing?” [break][break]

The voices all going on at once spilled with praise and desire and admiration. All positive, all loving. They block him off from leaving, leaving over him to get to his companion and he just tried to make himself smaller. To shrink away and go unnoticed. This was his punishment for stealing. It always happened to him. He dropped his food, he got yelled at for loitering, he got scammed. Every time he stole there had to be some comeuppance. He’d thought Elliott almost beating him was it. He’d been so, so wrong. [break][break]

“Are you shooting nearby?” [break]
“Can I get your autograph?” [break]
“Elli can we get pics please!” [break]



[break][break]

+ @elliott be nice to garbage baby because im about to not : ) [break][break]

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