Smirking all the more, Avalon says simply "I can warp across sectors in space and move faster than the speed of light.. Going to New York to fetch your board will take us like.. 5 minutes, 10 at the most."

He then shrugs a bit, and sinks down into the water, getting his hair and face wet before he comes back up and says softly "Things are so different here, things that you guys take for granted I find fantastic. I guess it's just still part of my getting used to how things have changed.. I mean.. It took Henry and Josh both yelling at me before I realized it was okay to even take my dance lessons."

(Reply) (Parent) (Thread)

"So you wanna warp back home then back here?" Alex asks. He watches Ava dunk himself and chuckles. "You'll get used to things eventually, Avalon," he says. "Just stick with it."

(Reply) (Parent) (Thread)

"I've gotten better at things, it's really just an adjustment y'know?" replies Ava. He then shrugs again and grins, saying "Only if you wanna go, we don't have to. I just thought I'd offer." Smirking all the more, he splashes some at Alex, his expression far too entertained as he says "Or we can just swim around and play and you can come back and surf another day. It's all up to you, really."

(Reply) (Parent) (Thread)

Alex nods, stretching a bit. "I understand. It makes sense...and like I said, you'll adjust more just fine," he says, splashing back. He thinks for a few moments then shakes his head. "Next time. Hanging here with you is fun enough."

(Reply) (Parent) (Thread)

The compliment makes Ava flush a bit, and he offers Alex a bright smile before he slips up and gives the other boy a quick hug. "Thanks a lot." he then says before he says "I've ben having a fantastic time. I don't really have any buddies except for Henry and Josh so.. it's kind of nice to get out of the house, y'know?" Another wave comes in and Ava gives a happy whoop before he dives into it, coming up sputtering and laughing.

(Reply) (Parent) (Thread)

Alex returns the hug, closing his eyes a moment. Even with the infusion of hope from earlier, there's still that little pang of pain, loneliness, and jealousy deep down. "I've been having a great time too," he says. "Well, you gotta work on making more friends. Good looking guy like you with such an awesome personality should have plenty of friends," he says confidently.

(Reply) (Parent) (Thread)

"Not every guy like me is from another planet." Ava replies with a little bit of sobriety. He steps closer to Alex, smiling up to him as he says "Have hope, Alex. I know that it's hard to keep that Hope in view, but.. just try. I promise that it really helps. I've been where you are, I know how frustrating it is. I had to wait years to figure out what a lot in my life meant.. It was horrible during that time, and all I had was my Hope. I was alone within my Corp until I came to Earth - I never fit in with any of them really.." he then shrugs, "But it's worth waiting for, I promise."

(Reply) (Parent) (Thread)

"I am trying, Avalon," Alex replies. "I really am," he says. "It's just not easy at all," he goes on. "I was holding up fine until...that guy..." he gestures vaguely. "Just gotta build up again..."

(Reply) (Parent) (Thread)

"I know.." replies Avalon gently, his expression quite earnest. "In many ways you have to put him behind you. He's.." Avalon thinks over the word, "He's a hater, yes?" He smiles then and reaches out, pressing a palm to Alex's chest, his eyes looking into Alex's as he says softly "Hold onto Hope, for when it is all you have, it will keep you warm at night." He then smiles, his expression lighting up as he says "Plus if you just get too lonely to bear, you may always come find me. I am always happy to give hugs."

(Reply) (Parent) (Thread)

Alex snickers a little. "Hater...naw...just a moron," he sighs. He goes quiet a moment, just peering out at the horizen. "I have blankets and heaters for that," he jokes. The Green Lantern of another shade reaches out to grab Ava for a hug. "Thank you...but I think Henry and Josh may not appreciate me coming and taking up all their hug time."

(Reply) (Parent) (Thread)

Laughing, Ava leans in towards Alex, his tone soft as he says "I guess we are running into another one of those things with being on Earth.. I do not wish to hurt their feelings, but at the same time, I do not see anything wrong with giving hugs to anyone who needs them." he sighs then.

(Reply) (Parent) (Thread)

Alex gives Ava a squeeze and shakes his head. "It was a joke, Avalon."

(Reply) (Parent) (Thread)

"Oh.." replies Ava softly, looking quite confused. Then again it's rather easy to confuse him sometimes. "So you not needing hugs because of Josh and Henry was a joke?" he asks, trying to get clear.

(Reply) (Parent) (Thread)

Alex just gives Ava a look before leaning against him. "Yes. What I said about Henry and Josh getting annoyed about me needing hugs was a joke," he says.

(Reply) (Parent) (Thread)

"Oh.. okay." replies Ava, trying to keep from blushing too much. He gives Alex a squeeze and then wriggles a bit against the other teen as he idly digs his toes down in the sand. He's rather like a kid with ADD but admittedly, it's been a long time since he got out with anyone but Josh or Henry. "Well just to be clear, hugs are always free and welcome." he says with complete seriousness.

(Reply) (Parent) (Thread)

"Thank you, Avalon," Alex says softly. "Seriously...thank you."

(Reply) (Parent) (Thread)

Shrugging some, Ava just gives Alex a big toothy grin and says "It's no problem at all. I understand."

(Reply) (Parent) (Thread)

Alex lingers for a moment before ruffling Ava's hair again. "Okay, enough of all that," he says, flashing a grin and starting to splash Ava again.

(Reply) (Parent) (Thread)

Switching gears easily, Ava gives a squeal that ends up with him spitting out water. He then dives into the water, wriggling himself like a fish as he reaches for Alex's foot and tries to tickle.

(Reply) (Parent) (Thread)

Alex proves pretty agile, leaping away when tickled and laughing as he goes. "Gonna have to be faster than that," he laughs, diving under the surface.

(Reply) (Parent) (Thread)

Having to come up for air, Ava wipes the water out of his face and then tracks where Alex goes under the water. It might be noticed that even though he didn't put on any sun screen, he really doesn't need it - he just turns more brown and blond instead of burning.

He grins to himself then dives at Alex, trying to grab the Green Lantern around the middle. he's not too worried about anyone drowning though - not with power rings on each of their fingers.

(Reply) (Parent) (Thread)

Alex isn't worried about burning either. He smirks when caught around the middle and looks back at Ava. Squirming about he wraps it around Avalon, grinning as he brings them to the surface.

(Reply) (Parent) (Thread)

Totally in game mode, Ava sets in on tickling Alex, single minded in his goal. He's going to get Alex laughing if it kills him,

(Reply) (Parent) (Thread)

Alex does indeed start laughing but he's too stubborn just to give in and laugh. Alex starts tickling right back.

(Reply) (Parent) (Thread)