Because sudden nostalgia kick

[numbuh_one]

...

...You must be joking...

Are you out of your mind? What makes you think that I would ever want to be controlled by an adult?! That would go against every principle of the Kids Next Door! Not to mention you keeping me trapped here in your...your...headspace, and using me for your ridiculous whims is just another form of adult tyranny that I would be more than happy to fight.

So we can do this the easy way, and you just forget this whole thing...or we can do this the hard way.

...What? No, I don't want you playing the spank-happy-vampire version of me! That wouldn't even make any sense! That was just a one-time thing, and we took care of that problem a long time ago!

...I don't want you playing any version of me! I just want you to let me out of here! I've got more important things to do than to sit here and entertain you...like taking care of those "centers"...Yes, like the one you work at. Oh, I know what you do...forcing kids to go to your center after school and making them do additional work. That's torture in its cruelest form.

...You know, on second thought, maybe I will stick around for a while...just to keep an eye on you. Might as well make sure you don't ruin any more children's lives...

Comments

[horatiocaine]

[hint of a smile]

Nice shades, kid.

[Horatio approves.]

[numbuh_one]

[ADULT.]

Hmph...I don't need your approval.

[horatiocaine]

[He's a pretty cool adult though. For a cop.]

No. No, you don't. [Horatio also likes kids that can stand up for themselves.]

[numbuh_one]

[Looking over the adult because, while he'll never admit it, he also admires someone who pulls off a decent pair of shades.]

...So? What do you want?

[horatiocaine]

[Likewise. Shades are the epitome of cool.]

I...want to say hello. [He puts out a hand, his other hand on his hip where his badge is.] Lt. Horatio Caine.

[numbuh_one]

[Just don't expect him to be impressed...or shake your hand for that matter.]

Numbuh One.

[horatiocaine]

[Fair enough.]

Nice to meet you, Number One.

[Smart kid.]

[numbuh_one]

...Whatever...

[He says that, but he can't help but be a little curious why this adult hasn't tried to enforce any rules on him yet.]

[horatiocaine]

[No need. Yet. Break a few windows and they might have a serious talk.]

I take it you're not from Miami.

[numbuh_one]

Not really...which I don't mind, because I hate the beach.

[horatiocaine]

Is that so? [slightly curious as he sits on Numbah One's level, removing his shades] Why is that?

[numbuh_one]

Because it's all just sand and splashing around! There's nothing really to do, and all you end up with afterwards is a sunburn and sand in your shorts.

[Plus he's got a bad experience with the beach, which he's never gonna get into ever again.]

[horatiocaine]

I see.

How about the aquarium? No sand involved. [And. Sharks.]

[numbuh_one]

...You just stare at fish. Nothing really impressive. Especially on school field trips.

[horatiocaine]

What would qualify as really impressive?

[numbuh_one]

...Ice cream that doesn't melt.

[horatiocaine]

[Horatio hums thoughtfully.]

That would be tricky. Would it technically be icecream if it didn't melt? Or something else?

[numbuh_one]

...Spare me your adult mind games. Ice cream is ice cream, and as long as it's not rum raisin, it'll be good.

[horatiocaine]

[A smirk.]

Fair enough. I suppose it's been awhile since I've had icecream.

[Too busy working.]

[numbuh_one]

[A small scoff.] That's the trouble with you adults. Always too busy to enjoy the finer things in life...

[Says the workaholic himself.]

[horatiocaine]

Well...if I didn't do my job, nobody else would. [Horatio is vry srs about work. Keeping Miami safe is the most important job he could have.]

[numbuh_one]

Yes yes, jobs and work, and all that whatever. But you still have to take a break every now and then for something like ice cream.

That's the difference between growing up, and growing old.

[horatiocaine]

Hm. And you would probably know the best place to get icecream? [Horatio might be willing to buy a round.]

[numbuh_one]

[A smirk.] Of course.

[horatiocaine]

I... [putting on shades] ...think I might need a reminder. [Of what it's like to be a kid.]