Baltimore, Maryland - Thursday Lunchtime

[itsananomaly]

Since Becker’s birthday was at the end of June, Connor and Cutter had decided to arrange a special birthday lunch for him and take him to one of the local museums on the mainland and show him their neck of the woods. Plus it was a nice way for both of them to spend time with Becker, since they hadn’t really done that lately with everything going on and since Cutter had gone on his camping trip with Becker the other week.

They were meeting for lunch first, Cutter had been able to print the photo of Becker licking the rock while fossil hunting on their trip and he’d made sure his shirt from shenanigans had been thoroughly cleaned and dried so that he could give it to Becker as well.

“So how are you liking Baltimore so far?” Cutter smiled as they sat at their table.

[for Connor and their guest. Up early for timezones. NFB for distance!]

Comments

[thearcfamily]

"This is all really great you guys" Becker said with a grin as they sat and enjoyed a couple of drinks before ordering. "I can definitely see why you both like the area. It's really quite nice out here... not what I was expecting but it is someplace I can definitely see getting used to."

[itsananomaly]

“There’s so many great museums and places to visit here,” Cutter smiled, “and we have the whole afternoon and evening to really make the most of your visit and make sure you have an amazing birthday,”

[thearcfamily]

"You've earned it and then some after everything" Connor said with a smile.

"Well, I can't wait to see what you two have planned and I must say this is a great start to things!" Becker said with a fond smile. "Though i can't help but wonder how you managed to talk Lester into a two day overnight stay. The ARC is probably in chaos right now" he laughed at the thought of Lester and Jenny clashing without him there running the usual interference.

[itsananomaly]

"It wasn't easy," Cutter admitted, "I wanted you to stay over longer but James wouldn't budge ... he only wanted you to come over for the day but I was able to eventually talk him into the overnight stay, it's definitely the least we could do after everything you've done for us,"

He smiled, "I would imagine the ARC is probably falling apart without you right now and James is cursing me,"

[thearcfamily]

"Someone has to keep the place in order and on track" Becker said with a laugh. "But it is good to get a break. I haven't been to the states but a handful of times with my training, and then it was all business and training and missions. So this... is a nice change of pace for sure." Becker took another sip of his drink then picked up the menu and flipped through it. "So any recommendations or are we all going into this adventure blind?" he asked with a grin.

[itsananomaly]

Cutter grinned, "well hopefully we can get as many activities in during this trip and you can get a good feel for the area," he said as he picked up the menu to have a look, "and hopefully James will let you come and visit Fandom for Parents Weekend this year,"

He glanced down at the menu, "Going into this adventure blind could be fun," Cutter considered as he looked at the options, "see anything that catches your eye?" he looked at Becker and Connor.

[anomaly_research_nerd]

"I think we should get some starters to start with for sure" Connor said with a nod and he looked over the options. "Ever had Octopus before, Becker?"

"Like Octopus? The weird eight-armed swimming thing?" Becker kinda blinked as he looked at Cutter and Connor. "People actually eat Octopus?"

[itsananomaly]

"Oh Octopus is amazing," Cutter smiled, "I haven't had that in ages, I think you'd also really like the shrimp as well Becker," he added, "I don't think you can really go wrong with seafood,"

Well aside from the prices but then that's where Lester's credit card was going to come in handy.

[anomaly_research_nerd]

"Oh definitely. And could always get the bread also to go with it. Be a nice start off to everything" Connor said with a nod.

"That sounds really good actually" Becker said with a grin. "Think we are good with the appetizers and the start of a great day" Becker added with a lift of his glass.

[itsananomaly]

"I think that's a plan then," Cutter grinned as he raised his glass in a toast, "happy birthday Becker, I hope you really have a good time here for your birthday,"

[anomaly_research_nerd]

"Hear hear" Connor said with a raise of the drink he had in hand. "This is all about you Becker. Your wish is our command!"

"Oh you better be careful saying something like that!" Becker said with a laugh as he toasted them both. "You may come to regret letting me have that kind of freedom!"

[itsananomaly]

Cutter couldn't help but laugh at that as he raised his glass and then took a sip, "well after everything you've done for us Becker, it's only fair that we bow to your every whim for your special day,"

[thearcfamily]

Becker smiled once the first round of food came out and gave a warm smile to Cutter and Connor. "Well I have no complaints so far- just please no embarrassing public displays" Becker said. "Ya know, no happy birthdays from the staff or anything like that" he said with a somewhat pleading look in his eyes.

[itsananomaly]

They made it to the hotel that they had arranged to stay at after a really incredible day of spending it celebrating Becker's birthday, they had spent most of the afternoon at the military museum.

"So what did you think about the museum?" Cutter smiled at Becker as they went up to the floor where there rooms were.

[thearcfamily]

"The museum was absolutely amazing" Becker said, the grin on his face that had been there since early that morning still firmly in place, though he was finally starting to feel a little tired after the busy day. "The entire day has been amazing... and this is just the icing on the cake to top it all off!" he said with a nod towards the very nice layout as the walked down the hall towards their room.

[itsananomaly]

Cutter grinned as they made their way down the hall, "I knew you would love it," he said confidently, "you deserve a nice birthday and of course a really nice hotel to stay at," that was also courtesy of Lester and needless to say, Cutter was probably going to be losing access to that credit card once Lester saw his credit card bill for the month.

[anomaly_research_nerd]

You were so going to lose that credit card, Cutter! It was a wonder you haven't already!

"And this is one swanky hotel- they even have an indoor heated pool!" Connor pointed out as he grabbed the card key out of his pocket and unlocked the door. "And the rooms are amazing too" he said as he walked in and looked around.

[itsananomaly]

Yes after this trip, Cutter was definitely losing credit card privileges.

"I thought since Lester is so generously paying for this trip that the least we could do for Becker was put him up in a fancy hotel while he was here," and that it had nothing to do with Connor and him getting to stay at the hotel as well.

[thearcfamily]

"Oh I am sure that was just a happy little coincidence!" Becker said with a smile as he set his duffle down and walked over to the window and looked out at the amazing view over the bay. "You guys really know how to make a guy feel special- thanks!"

[itsananomaly]

"You're welcome Becker, you deserve this ... happy birthday again, I really do hope you've had a wonderful day, thank you for letting us celebrate with you," Cutter smiled.

[thearcfamily]

"Aye I couldn't have asked for a better birthday- it has been amazing! Thank you Nick" he said as he put an arm around his shoulder and gave him a hug. "You too Connor" said, pulling him close and ruffling his hair playfully before giving him a quick hug as well.

"But now that brings us to the one dilemma.... the sleeping arrangements," Becker said with a nod further into the room, a grin spreading over his face. There was clearly just one bed and then the pullout couch.

[itsananomaly]

Cutter smiled as he gratefully hugged Becker and then he looked at where Becker was indicating, “well this is for your birthday, it’s only fair that you get to pick where you want to sleep tonight,”

Even as he said it, after spending a fair deal of time with him lately, he had a fair idea of where he was going to choose to end up sleeping.

[thearcfamily]

"Well if it's all the same to you tow, I think I will opt for the pull-out couch tonight. I know the super fancy memory foam mattresses and all are all the same. But honestly, they almost are too softy and fluffy for my taste."

Honestly, when you were used to roughing it in every night, even a cot or a pull out was like a luxury upgrade in many ways.

[itsananomaly]

Cutter had expected as much and he nodded, “well it is your birthday,” he said, “that’s more than okay if you want the pull out couch,” he assured Becker, he glanced over at Connor, “I guess that leaves us with the bed?”

They were both mature, responsible adults. They could handle sharing a bed as friends right?

[anomaly_research_nerd]

Sure no awkwardness there at all! They could do this- no need for trope-related concerns at all.

"Sounds good. We'll make it work," Connor said with a nod, though he did think he caught a slight smirk from Becker. He wasn't intentionally doing this to them was he?