fandomhigh | Finding (More) New Hobbies, Thursday Period 2

“I was a koala last week, as you know,” Stark said. “I hope Summer didn’t traumatize any of you too much with her food choices. She can do that. Often. That’s just how she is. But it was good of her to take over while I was a bear that isn’t really a bear.”

Stark was very happy to be himself once more. Koalahood wasn’t terrible, at least, but he liked being Stark-shaped.

“This week we’ll do something different. Something less likely to horrify anyone.”

It was a low bar to clear, admittedly.

“Some hobbies are more passive than others. Sometimes you have things like camping, or cooking, where you have to do a lot. Sometimes you have things like reading, or like watching movies. Or television. That’s what we’re doing today.”

That’s right. It was time for movie day! Well, TV day. Close enough.

“There are so many things to watch and it’s easy to spend a lot of time doing just that. But some things are even educational, or at least they pretend to be. One of my favorite things to watch is programs about food. Cooking, or baking. And that ties in with the last two weeks as well. So, we’ll be watching episodes of Good Eats. One called ‘Art of Darkness’ about chocolate. And one called ‘Deep Space Slime’ about…well…gelatin.”

Because it was funny, ok?

“So. Let’s watch some television. There are snacks, even popcorn.”

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Stark nodded. "Ah. Is he all right? Are you?"

Was Harley? Stark hadn't seen her in some time but she'd been pleasant enough to talk to when they had interacted. But that didn't seem like a good thing to ask Steven at this time.

"He's... Marc," Steven said. He gave a wry grimace to indicate how Marc was not exactly one to talk about his feelings. "Feels horrible about how it all turned out. As do I. I'd rather hoped things would work out for them."

"It's hard when things end," Stark said softly. "Especially unexpectedly."

Although maybe it was less hard when you were the one breaking things off? Stark wouldn't know.

"I feel bad for them both," Steven said. He didn't want to get into too much detail on Harley's side since it wasn't his place to share her personal business. "I think it's for the best? But that doesn't make it easier to deal with."

"It doesn't," Stark agreed. "I hope they'll both be all right. You...you could let him know I'd be happy to be company for him, if he likes. If you wouldn't mind."

"Of course," Steven said. "I suppose on the bright side at least he's not fully retreated? He's actually still been out and about more - er, in the body, I mean. Not necessarily about town. But that's been promising? Comparatively? Sign he's not given up?"

"That's good," Stark said.

He did know from experience that retreating entirely was not a good sign.

"It must be difficult, for the two of you, when something like this happens."

"I wish I could have done more," Steven admitted. Which was his way of saying yes. "It's - I don't like when the only way I feel like I can help is by leaving someone alone."

"Feeling helpless is always difficult," Stark said with a small nod. "I'm sorry."

He often wanted to fix things and couldn't and hated not being able to do anything at all.

"Thank you," Steven said. "I've been trying to learn. Not always good for me to keep poking at things. That for some people it hurts more than helps."

"All we can do is try to be better," Stark said. "I'm always trying. Adjusting."

"The same," Steven said. "Still hard, isn't it? Hurting someone when you didn't mean to?"

Steven was still very much remembering his last encounter with Harley at the museum, even though he wasn't going to say so.

"Yes," Stark said with some feeling. "Very hard. And apologizing can be difficult."

Sometimes the stress of an apology turned you right into a koala!

"Sometimes you don't even know if that would help either," Steven said, with a bit of fellow feeling there. "I've had times where I've tried to apologize or show sympathy and the other person either refused to accept it or it hurt them even worse. Bit like if you were offering someone an aspirin and found out to them it was poison."

"Sometimes you don't know something will hurt more than help. It's more important, I think, to stop once you know you're doing harm than to not do anything for fear of doing it wrong."

"Thank you," Steven said. "I needed to hear that. I hate feeling as though I've given up on someone. I'm trying to tell myself it's not giving up, it's recognizing what they need at this time."

Finding (More) New Hobbies, Thursday Period 2

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