#barrylovertilltheend

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“We Buy Gold”- Barry x fem!Reader

: after breaking off your engagement you need a fresh start, but most importantly to get rid of the ring, luckily for you the owner of the nearest pawn shop is easy on the eyes.

The bells on the door of Barry's pawn shop softly ring as you cautiously pull open the door. There was nobody in, but the open sign was on, and there was a half drunken drink and a fan oscillating near the register. You contemplate ringing the bell on the counter before the small collection of vinyls near it catch your attention, specifically the deep red jazz one. Your ex fiancé hated jazz, you missed the feeling of playing it out loud, making you realize you missed out a lot in the past years. You look below the register and there's stunning pieces of jewelry and you can't help but imagine the stories behind each piece and how it got there. You looked down at the jewelry in the display case, lost in thought until a deep voice clears behind you, "Can I help ya sweetheart?"

You turn around with a faint look of surprise on your face, slightly startled by the sudden appearance of who you assume works here. He stands pretty broad and tall, intimidating dark features with longer brown hair that curls into contradictory loose and soft curls. "Uh yes, please" you ask quietly as he rounds the counter, facing you. "I saw the sign" you tell him, gesturing to the gold for cash sign hanging in the window, "And I was wondering if you'd take this" you place your engagement ring on the counter, feeling hot under his heavy gaze.

He stares at you some more with a slightly raised eyebrow before looking down at the ring, and it dawns on you that your eyes are probably still tinted pink with damp lashes, being a dead giveaway that you had been crying not too long ago.

"You alright?" he asks glancing up at you again quickly before turning to rummage under the counter.

"I will be" you perk up, flashing him a tight lipped smile.

He nods as a response before holding up a tiny bottle, "You mind? It's a acid test, make sure it's real"

You shake your head, "No, go ahead" watching as he tests the jewelry. Nothing happens, but you almost wish the ring dissolved completely. It's probably cursed with the energy of your broken engagement and shouldn't be pawned off to some other poor soul.

He wipes it clean before speaking up. "Nice ring" he compliments, glancing up at you again, asking "You pawning it for the same reason you crying?" he lets the question sit in the air for a split second before following it up, "Just curious"

You look at him and his eyes are a bold brown that almost force you to tell this stranger the truth and nothing but it.

"Different reasons same shitty guy", you speak softer than before.

He shakes his head and sucks his teeth,"you're too pretty to cry" he mutters softly. "I'm sorry though, seems rough"

Your eyes flick back up to him at the comment but he's looking down at the ring, before you can let his words sink in.

"It's okay, he was liar. i'm happy to be done" you tell him with a pitiful smile, before chewing on your lip to stop yourself from tearing up.

"I know how to make you feel happier, I can give ya this for it." he says sliding a piece of paper over to you with a number sloppily written on it.

You read the number on the paper. you didn't know what to expect as a good price, but you didn't really care either, so you just nod "Yeah, whatever you want."

He unlocks the register and begins to count out what he owes you, "I'll throw in the vinyl too" he says casually, eyes focused on the bills to keep count.

His offer catches you by surprise, wondering how long had he'd been standing there to even know you were looking at the vinyls. He briefly looks up at you, waiting for a response. "I couldn't" is all you say confused and curious if you look so pitiful that you need handouts.

"We're in the cut princess, no one's listening to Larry Lovestein, just take it." he says pulling the vinyl out of the rack and sliding it over to you as he scoffs out a laugh, tapping on the register's screen in front of him.

"Then how do you know it?" you ask him, a smirk growing on your face, realizing he had named the vinyl without fully seeing it.

"Lucky guess" he mutters, before holding out your cash and receipt. "Happy?" he asks pushing his eyebrow up at you.

"Happy" you smile, taking everything from his hands that ghost over yours until the tips of his fingers lightly brush against yours, making him pause. "How rude of me, didn't even introduce myself. Barry, I own the shop." He lifts up a now empty hand towards you flashing a charming smile. It's then you realize suddenly how hot the guy behind the counter is and how you're mesmerized by his gold tooth that he flashes proudly as he smiles at you. You allow him to keep your hand in his, introducing yourself as well.

"It's nice meeting you, beautiful. should come by again if you need anything else you can't get off figure eight. I'll take care of ya" he lets go of your hand but leans in on the counter. His eye contact is unwavering as he moves closer to you. His eyes are dark and heavy, but when you look away and look down slightly, staring at his arms is almost even worse with the way they sit partially flexed on the counter. You feel no better than a man as you quickly flick your eyes back up to his. "Thanks, but you'll get tired of seeing me. I actually just moved down here, might need more vinyls for my place." you watch as his face contorts curiously. You already know what he's thinking, you've heard it from almost everyone who knew about your move after breaking off the engagement. You're not the most traditional resident on the cut, but you didn't care, you needed a new start.

"Well in that case since you're already over here" he smirks moving impossibly closer, "You know, I know a thing or two about putting up furniture."

"uh huh" you agree, smiling and amused by his offering.

"Yeah, yeah, yeah, just about anything really. We should exchange numbers if you need a handyman, someone to cut your grass, or if you wanna go on a date?" You watch as he waits for a response and instead you reach over to grab the pen and paper he used earlier to write your number down instead. "I definitely need my grass cut soon" you tell him returning his smirk.

He turns the paper back towards himself and pretends to read it carefully, "Then i'll make sure to text you when i get off, so you can schedule landscaping, yeah?"

"yeah" you agree, nodding your head and matching his wide smile.