#I dunno I just love the idea of Zacharie being flirty with both the batter and the player

[rocksinmuffin]

Hello. Can I ask, batter/reader/Zachary? You can play with it as you like: it could be something cute or vulgar~ To your taste

“Do we have to?” The Batter asks, teeth grit. He already knows the answer.

“We’re running low on tickets and meat,” you tell him as you continue towards Zacharie’s shop. “We can’t rely on save points to refuel your health when we’re in the middle of fighting a guardian.”

The Batter follows, cleats dragging into the dirt. “I don’t like the way he looks at you.”

You look back over your shoulder, eyebrow raised. “How does he look at me?”

“I don’t like the way he looks at me,” he continues, ignoring you. “It’s slimy. Perverted.”

“You’re exaggerating.”

“And you’re naïve.”

You don’t continue arguing with him. No point when you’re already at Zacharie’s shop. You let the Batter see your rolling eyes before immediately schooling your expression into a pleasant smile as you step into the shop.

“Ah, the Batter and his Puppeteer!” Zacharie perks up from behind his counter, changing from a slouch to perfect posture. His arms stretch out wide to welcome you inside. “My two favorite customers!”

You nod your head politely in acknowledgement before browsing through his wares.

As you are perusing the list of available items, you feel fingers—warm and calloused—gently interlock with your own. You look up to find Zacharie’s painted smile directly in front of you. His thumb rubs gentle circles into the back of your hand.

Out of the corner of your eye you see the Batter mouth something that looks like you see this shit? but you just hum as you continue picking out items. You don’t mind the contact even if it is a little overly friendly. As far as you know, you and the Batter are the only people Zacharie interacts with. Maybe he’s a little touch-starved.

When you finish selecting your items, Zacharie gives your hand a little squeeze before letting go to duck beneath his counter and grab your purchases, though not before blowing a kiss to both you and the Batter.

“See?” The Batter says through gritted teeth, back stiff as he comes to stand by your side. “Didn’t I tell you?”

You tilt your head to the side. “What are you talking about?”

“Are you serious?” When you simply tilt your head to the other side he lets out a deep exhale that has his back hunch and his shoulders slumping. “He hasn’t stopped flirting since we got here.”

“Have you ever worked customer service before? He’s just being friendly. He wants to make sure we’re returning customers.”

“What kind of customer service jobs have you worked? And, besides, he doesn’t have to do that. He’s the only merchant in all the zones.”

“I dunno,” you shrug noncommittally. “Maybe he wants a tip.”

Batter scoffs. “I doubt he would be satisfied with just the tip.”

You blink. “Did you just—?”

“Here you are,” Zacharie interrupts, popping back up from behind the counter. He gives you your selected items and when you place the credits in his hands his fingers linger longer than it takes to collect his payment. The credits are swiftly pocketed yet somehow your hand still remains in his.

“Thank you for the patronage, amigos!”

He brings the back of your hand to the painted on smile of his mask, making an over exaggerated smooching sound. He does the same to Batter who immediately yanks his hand away, wiping it against the shirt of his baseball uniform as if the mask was capable of slobbering on him.

Zacharie doesn’t seem to be offended. You might not be able to see his face but you can hear the smile in his voice. “Come back soon!”

You offer a polite nod and a wave as you leave Zacharie’s shop, the Batter practically stepping on your heels in his haste.

“So?” he asks.

You glance towards him. “Yes?”

“You don’t think there was anything weird about the way he interacted with us? Nothing at all?”

In answer, you shrug your shoulders.

The Batter squints at you.

You raise an eyebrow. “What?”

“I think you might be stupid.”