Work Text:
Bdubs knew his parents would not be home that early in the afternoon, but he still hoped, because he was really struggling with his homework. He usually really liked school, he was pretty good at everything and his favourite classes, those more centered over the design than the mechanical parts of light fixtures were his favourite. But today he just could not wrap his head around the work he was sent home with.
As he stared at the paper, the numbers and letters started to swim around on the page, so he gave up, packed his bag with the evil homework and went for a walk, maybe he’d find the inspiration he needed wandering around.
He made his way to the main square, where the town was crawling with busy people and kids running around since school had just let out.
The market was lively and the people seemed happy. It was a nice sunny day and the breeze coming from the ocean put everyone in a good mood.
Up in a corner, where he usually was every other day was Impulse, the oldest Victor District 5 had, distributing candy to the children, or anyone that wanted a sweet treat.
Bdubs had grown out of his sweet tooth, but sometimes he still grabbed something, a childhood memory he could snack on, and Impulse was nice, remembering everyone’s name and what they liked.
Without really thinking about it Bdubs made his way over to sit on a nearby step, and took out his homework, since the fresh air had cleared his mind a bit.
“What’cha doin’?”
Impulse had seen him, had come over and was offering him a milk and honey bonbon covered in chocolate, his favourite. Bdubs smiled and took it.
“Homework. Can’t figure out how to work this stuff.”
“Oof buddy, do I not miss that stuff, like at all. Can I see what you’re working on?”
“Sure! But why did you go to school at all? Didn’t you win? Do you have to still do school after you win?”
Impulse took the paper from his hands and started reading through it, examining all the different problems on it.
“Well I won my Games at sixteen, so that's still some years before then where I had to go to school, and well after I didn’t need to go, but I chose to whenever I could, ‘cause I liked school for the most part. It was weird though, being back in the classroom.”
“Wow. So you're, like, super smart? Since you could do all the school you wanted?”
“I’m better educated than most, for sure. Smart? Well I don’t know about that. Let’s see if I can help you out with this stuff, then you can be the judge of that.”
Bdubs had one too many bonbons, but his homework was done and his belly full, so who was he to complain.