Ned

Hey, I didn't have a very good day today and need a pick-me-up.

Can we have a Buddy Patrol day tomorrow since there's no school?

Peter

Of course!

Meet at my house at 10am?

Ned

👍😁

Peter stands satisfied in front of the full-length mirror on his bedroom wall. He'd made sure to put on his heavy-duty, work-ready jeans and slip on a well used pair of good, sturdy sneakers. Work gloves hang from the belt loop they're clipped to and a neon-yellow baseball cap sits proudly atop his head to protect it from sunburn. His shirt boasts the same eye-catching color as his hat and on both its front and back are the words 'Hi! We're on Buddy Patrol duty right now, doing service for others. Come ask us if you want our help!' in black.

Grabbing his phone and shoving it into his pocket, Peter heads toward the front door, pulling it open just as Ned arrives, "Hi dude! You ready?"

"Yup!" Peter chirps, sticking his hand out for their handshake, "Let's get this show on the road."

*    *    *    *

Walking down the street, Peter turns to Ned, "Hey, do you mind if we walk by Delilah's house? Usually she's bringing in groceries around this time of day and she always appreciates the help."

Ned nods and lets Peter take the lead, "That's the nice elderly lady who gives your other half churros, right?"

"Yup! She lives just over there."

Ned scans the street as they round the corner, his eyes falling on a smiling woman with blue eyes thanking the driver of the taxi she just stepped out of, her groceries hanging on her arms. Peter perks up and his smile widens as he heads straight for her, "Hello! Would you like some help with those groceries?"

Delilah pauses and gives them a good glance over, her smile widening and eyes crinkling as she notices their positive personalities and neon-yellow shirts, "That would be greatly appreciated boys!" Passing over the groceries, she leads them to her front door and waves them inside, "What're your names? I'm Delilah."

"I'm Ned and this is Peter," Ned chirps as they set the groceries down on the kitchen table, "It's nice to meet you Delilah."

"And it's very nice to meet you boys," She sets some cookies and milk in front of them that she must've pulled from somewhere, "Do you have a few minutes to spare? I always seem to have extra cookies and milk when I have visitors."

"I think we can spare a few minutes."

Delilah beams, "So what do you boys like to do during your free time?"

Ned of course can't pass up the opportunity to tease his friend, "Peter absolutely loves to accidentally hug trees or brick walls. Or walk into posts. Or trip over nothing," he brings his voice down to an exaggerated whisper, "Considering how agile he is, you wouldn't think he's a klutz, but he really is good at being one. He never fails to surprise me at all the creative ways he stumbles through day-to-day life."

"Hey!" Peter laughs, lightly pushing Ned's shoulder who chuckles and bumps him back, "Well, Delilah, let me tell you something about Ned."

"Oh no," Ned groans, wondering what embarrassing tidbit Peter will share.

"When we were little, Ned slept over at my house and we learned that he always fell asleep listening to a Mozart CD that their family had."

"Oh no," Ned groans, knowing what embarrassing tidbit Peter is sharing.

Peter's mischievous smile widens as he continues the story, "Well, we didn't have easy access to Mozart at the time so instead we listened to Beethoven. And after a little bit of trying to go to sleep with Beethoven playing, Ned got up and ran out of the room because, and I quote, 'Beethoven is too scary,'" Peter bursts out laughing, "To this day I still find it hilarious that I know someone who was terrified of Beethoven."

"Peteeerrr," Ned whines, putting his red face in his hands.

"You're okay Ned. It's nothing to be super ashamed about," Peter reassures, clapping him on the back.

Laughing, Delilah picks up their now empty plates and cups and carries them to the sink.

"Thank you," Ned and Peter chorus.

"Oh, it's no problem at all boys. Thank you two for the much-needed laughter," She guides them to the door, "And I hope that I see you two boys here again."

"We'll make sure you do," Peter and Ned turn towards the street and step into the crowd, eyes peeled for the next service opportunity.

*    *    *    *

"Excuse me Misters," A young voice says, "I saw your shirts and wonder if you can help me?"

Peter and Ned turn around and lock eyes with a seven year old boy standing next to a tree. Walking over to him, Peter crouches down, "Of course! What can we do for you?"

"Well, my cat got stuck up in this tree and I can't get him down."

Ned snorts, "What is it about cat's getting stuck in trees huh?"

A smile starts to spread on the boy's worried face at his upbeat tone of voice, so Ned continues, "Well don't you worry, my buddy has tons of experience wrangling cats out of trees. He's a pro at it by now."

"Really?" The boy hopefully asks.

"Yes really!"

Peter sighs and approaches the base of the tree, a smile tugging at his lips even as he complains, "It's not just me who can get cats out of trees you know."

"Oh quit your complaining!" Ned teasingly huffs, putting his hands on his hips, "You have several clear advantages helping you."

"Yeah, yeah, I hear you," Peter calls back as the boy giggles at their banter.

Now high enough to have spotted the cat hunkering down next to the trunk of the tree, Peter clicks his tongue a couple times before extending his hand for the cat to sniff. Gently cradling the cat in one arm, he starts to head down, "I gotta say kid, this cat's one of the nicest ones I've ever had to get down from a tree."

"He's really nice. That's why I love him so much!" The boy explains, a squeal of excitement leaving him as Peter drops down in front of him and plops the cat into his arms, "Thank you thank you thank you!"

An amused look passes between the two friends as the boy secures the cat in his arms.

"Glad we could help," Ned replies, ruffling the boy's hair, "You take care now okay?"

"Okay!" The boys chirps, waving goodbye to them as they turn and head down the street.

*     *     *     *

Ned turns to Peter as they walk down the street, "I need to be home soon. You want to finish up with tradition?"

Peter nods, "Of course! I brought the trash bag and we have gloves so we should be all set."

"Alright! Which park do you want to pick up litter at?"

"Let's do that smaller one around the corner since we don't have a lot of time left. Is that okay with you?"

"Yeah, man. Let's do this."

Reaching the park and pulling out a trash bag, Peter and Ned start the task of cleaning up litter in the gutters and the park itself.

"So, about MJ..." Ned starts, a teasing smile crossing his face as he throws a root beer can into the trash bag.

"I have no idea what you're talking about," Peter squeaks as his face grows redder by the second.

Ned raises an eyebrow, "Uh huh. So I'm just imagining all of those looks you throw her way and the way your eyes go all dreamy sometimes?"

"Ned!" Peter squawked, "She isn't even interested in me anyways. I don't stand a chance. I mean, it's me."

Ned stops and stares at Peter while he snags a grocery bag stuck in a bush, "What are you talking about? I mean, I know you're an ignorant and self-deprecating human bean, but this is unbelievable."

"Hey!"

"No really, have you never noticed the looks she sends your way? Or how she makes sure to always sit next to you? I'm surprised she hasn't just blatantly asked you out yet."

Peter's eyes grow wide and he trips over nothing, causing Ned to snort and shake his head fondly, "Wh-what? Really?!"

Ned grabs some soggy take out wrappers stuck in a gutter and chucks them in the trash bag with a splat, "Yes really you nerd. Go ask her out. I'm ready for the plot to get moving on this romance TV show I have a front row seat for."

Peter splutters and his face grows red again, "What would I even ask her out to? I have no social life other than you two."

"Honestly anything you could come up with would do bro. She'd be happy to just spend time with you as your goofy and nerdy self."

"I'll think about it," Peter mumbles to the ground.

Ned bumps Peter's shoulder reassuringly, "That's all I ask for bro. And remember I'm here for you no matter what you decide to do," Holding his hand out towards Peter, Ned smiles, "Brothers forever?"

Peter smiles back and clasps Ned's hand to start their handshake, "Brothers forever."