"No, not especially."

"Then how could you know?"

"I was just making a joke?"

"Yes, and I'm ruining it again."

Alex sighs and rolls over with his book.

"Sorry, Alex. I feel like this is becoming my catch phrase. I hope I'm not genuinely upsetting you, I can stop doing these things if you want," he says, sounding like he means it.

"It's just kinda like you don't actually want to talk to me? I say things and it's like I gave you a cat toy. Even when it turns out you get what I meant."

"I do want to talk to you! Sorry, I'll stop doing these things. What do you want to talk about?"

"I didn't have a thing to talk about specifically like that, you were talking and I made a comment."

"Mm, then tell me about your day?" he invites, sounding somewhat remorseful.

"We hung out talking about random things and when she went to class I went and looked at all her old Civilization save files on her laptop so I could tease her and then she came back and I did that and we had lunch, and then she had another class and I went for a walk around campus and met her coming out, and she showed me the art building which has some paintings up, and I showed her the card trick I learned last month but I fucked it up, and we've just been hanging out since then."

"Cool, do you know how you ducked it up? Think you could show me?"

"Okay, that's actually pretty neat. And yes I say ducked with my face, how else did you expect me to say it?"

"I dunno! I just didn't totally believe her that you really said that! You could just say 'screwed' if you don't want to swear, you don't have to go all bird vocabulary."

"That's still a little bit sweary."

"What, no, it's not, screwdrivers are not profane."

"Eh, well. I still prefer duck. And it's funny, too."

"Funny-peculiar."

"Thank you!"

"...You're welcome."

He shrugs. "I take some pride in being at least a little bit peculiar."

Alex puts the cards away. "I guess if you've got it flaunt it, huh?"

"Yes!"

Pat pat.