#He's still going by the alias Jed here but until that's relevant I'm keeping it Danny

[insidious-journalist]

Mixed Feelings, part 1. Out of the Fog.

It was one of those days that made Danny really regret not fixing his air conditioning. He couldn’t focus in the hot van he resided in, sweat beading down his forehead and onto the yellow pad sat on his lap, threatening to smudge his notes. It was a hotter than usual day in Florida and he was paying dearly for it, cursing under his breath for even going out today. But it was necessary, for today was an important day for him. It was the last day he would document his target until his design would come to fruition. A man in his early 20s, working for the local grocery store as a cashier and had a smile that just put people to ease. No roommates, not many friends, and a little too awkward for most people to tolerate. A victim he chose personally. In a few days their name would be plastered in the headlines, and he’d be gone for good.

But he’d be a liar if he were to tell anyone that this kill was entirely just for the headlines.

It started with a simple trip to the grocery store. Nothing special for Danny, really. He just needed some spices he was lacking at home, along with eggs and a loaf of bread. Simple. Easy. But as he was placing his things onto the conveyor belt a voice caught his attention. “How’d you get that scar?” He blinked, confused and not expecting to be talked to as his gaze lifted to meet the green eyes of the cashier. The man he’d come to know as Brennan immediately turned sheepish, eyes lowering back to scan his items as he apologized in earnest. “Sorry, that’s personal, don’t mind me. Bad habit.” Danny didn’t consider asking inappropriate questions to strangers as a “bad habit”. Regardless, he laughed it off and shook his head. It was time to be friendly and sociable, a front he was well acquainted with.

“Pool accident. I was a dumb kid and didn’t listen to my parents about running around the poolside, and nearly cracked open my head on the tiles. Don’t worry about it.” False. Sharing a funny childhood story was always a good way to get people to laugh and not think into things too much, and he had multiple different stories relating to the scars on his forehead. This one was just for small talk. It added to his persona, making him perhaps seem clumsy or dimwitted. The man fell into it, snorting and looking at him with amusement and a warm smile. “Hey, at least something cool came out of it. Sorry again, I just kinda... say what’s on my mind, yaknow? No clue how that hasn’t given me some scars of my own yet, but hey, there’s a time for everything...”

Talkative. Not exactly his favorite kind of person but he could work with this. It was his turn to chuckle. “Really, It’s fine. I’m used to getting stares like that anyways, so I’ll just add you to the bunch.” “Not a surprise in the slightest considering how it kinda compliments your whole rugged look. I kinda dig it.” The man before Danny froze up, no doubt speaking his mind too much and regretting opening his mouth. His reaction made it very clear that he found Danny attractive, probably why he noticed the scar in the first place. Had he been starring? Brennan’s face flushed a warm red color and he quickly finished ringing up his stuff, practically squeaking out the total and looking like he wished he could vanish into his uniform. The awkward tension in the air was thick enough that it felt suffocating.

And worst of all, Danny returned the blush and stared in awe at the flustered man avoiding his gaze like the plague. It wasn’t that he wasn’t used to compliments, even vaguely flirtatious ones. His work space had enough room for banter and female coworkers occasionally complimented his hair, admired his eyes and praised the way he presented himself. It was all a front to keep up his image however. Not too much as to stand out, but enough to give an air of professionalism to himself that made others more willing to be on his good side. This though... it was out of nowhere. Unprovoked. He hadn’t put serious effort into his appearance today and it caught him off guard.

 It took Danny a second to realize he had to pay and he cleared his throat, fishing the money out of his wallet and completing the transaction with a courtesy nod. And it was done. He was out of the store quickly with the groceries in hand, not even sparing the cashier a second glance as he rushed for his car. It wasn’t a big deal. Danny was being dramatic. But no matter how much he acknowledged the overreaction he still had to take a second in his van to calm down. The reaction that brought out of him felt... overwhelming. Uncomfortable. He felt exposed, too seen for comfort.

He couldn’t get that dumb awkward cashier out of his head, and as he drove out of the parking lot he made a vow on the spot to not only never shop there, but to avoid the man at all costs lest this happened again.