#so she responds to all the shopping stuff as if it's charlie's opinions because it's something new

[journey-to-the-attic]

3rd anni req 25: [HOST] asmo / shopping trips

ao3 link

note: the symbiote is now nicknamed charlie, and i think that's all the extra info you need? also whoaa second to last!! one more and i'll finally have finished this (which i really should've have done ages ago shfbdjshf)

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Asmo is - inarguably - an excellent shopper. He knows his brothers’ tastes, inside and out (not that he necessarily agrees with all of them, but he knows them). Certain brothers are easier to buy for than others, but he at least knows that, given a day, he can come back with something they’ll like - clothes, ornaments, or otherwise. Thus, it isn't a surprise that he’s put in charge of new clothes when the House of Lamentation first takes in its new ward.

It’s simple in the early days: find an old t-shirt, wash it well with a scentless detergent, then shrink it down to the size of a small smock. For IK, it seems comfortable and familiar.

She creeps out of the closet still clutching her old gown and stands there silently. Asmo resists the impulse to clap, and instead asks, “Comfy?”

IK doesn’t seem to know what he means. Moving slowly, he points to her, then to his own soft smile, then tilts his head to the side. After a moment, she nods.

“That’s enough for me,” He sighs, then stands up. “Alright, my darling. You’re doing great. Think you can come down with me?”

Every step up is slow, but it feels like they’re scaling mountains. Asmo spends a week stitching together a simple blouse and skirt, and hopefully leaves it in her room overnight. The next day, IK wanders out into the common room and asks him to help her do up the buttons. On the same morning, she lets him brush her hair.

Every occasion is momentous; every stride without fear is victory. In these conditions, it’s very easy for certain demons to gain false confidence when overlooking these precipices.

Two facts: first, Asmo is an optimist with confidence to a fault. Second, he’s just as capable as certain demons of making poor decisions on impulse.

IK’s first shopping trip is a disaster. Several weeks of excellent progress with forays into the outside world culminate in one impatient customer in a department store. They barge past in the shoe aisle and brush a little too close, a little too quickly, and just as quickly find themselves - and the entire store - surrounded down by a forest of angry black tendrils.

Another fact: Asmo has little sympathy for those who bring ill fortune on themselves. By the time Lucifer and Satan arrive to salvage the situation, Asmo is still berating the pushy demon for starting this whole mess in the first place. To be fair, Lucifer doesn’t help much, as he immediately falls to scolding Asmo, which leaves Satan to attempt to talk things out with an irate manager.

IK is just about the only one who comes out of the situation happy - Charlie, while still wreaking havoc for everyone else, has gotten rather good at self-soothing its skittish host. While Satan loses patience with the manager and begins shouting louder than everyone else, and while that poor pushy demon attempts to get either Lucifer or Asmo’s attention, Charlie leads IK through to the kitchen appliances section and begins happily destroying the place.

It takes longer than everything else to track IK down and remove several sharp instruments from the various extra limbs Charlie has sprouted. They discover in the aftermath that Charlie has also learnt to shoplift, which means IK comes away with a figurine from the front desk that Satan’s too irritated with the shop owner to return.

The bills afterwards are eye-watering. It’s a good thing Diavolo finds the whole escapade so amusing, or else they might never have been able to show their faces in public again.

It’s quite some time before Asmo’s brave enough to try again. So long, in fact, that IK outpaces him - she goes grocery shopping with the twins, accompanies Levi to one of his quieter pop-up cosplay events, and spends a day at a petting zoo with the angels. That terrified little baby hiding under a table feels more and more like the distant past, but for some reason… he’s still cautious.

There are just too many wild cards, and not enough contingency plans for them all. Sure, it’s been a long time since seeing a stranger has been enough to send Charlie into crisis mode, but impatient shoppers manage to set new lows every day.

It’s not about the clean-up afterwards. However brief it is, that flash of terror on IK’s little face always manages to break his heart all over again. It’s worth as many finger-pricks as it takes to avoid that, even if he has to stitch every little outfit by hand.

Still! There’s a first time for everything, but there’s also a second chance at everything. Nearly three months after that cataclysmic first trip, Asmo decides it’s finally time to try again. Redeem himself, so to speak.

They’ll go around some quieter local stores, instead of big chain outlets like the one from last time. Solomon’s had success showing IK around second-hand witch shops and apothecaries, and he knows from Satan that she likes the old shoe-maker down the street from the cat cafe.

Clothes aren’t as much of a concern now that he’s gotten the hang of sewing, but there’s lots more to see. The issue is that IK makes it so difficult to tell what she actually thinks of anything - it doesn’t help that, in all her practising of her smiles, she’s also learnt the Polite Smile. (Asmo’s not sure from who, but he has his money on Simeon.)

“Darling,” He says worriedly when IK nods obediently to the seventh ribbon in a row. “You know you can tell me if you don’t like something.”

She thinks about this for a while, then announces, “I don’t like beetroot.”

“That’s di— I mean, beetroot’s good for you, darling.”

“It looks like chopped blood.”

He sighs. “...never mind. That doesn’t matter. I mean, you can tell me if you don’t want all this stuff.”

“Charlie likes ribbons,” IK says. “They’re fun to rip up.”

Maybe we need to get some dog toys for it. “And what about you, darling?”

IK looks a little lost. A moment passes without a response, and Asmo sighs.

“Alright,” He says after a moment. “We’ll get the ribbons for Charlie. But promise you’ll tell me if you see something you like, okay?”

“Okay,” says IK, still looking gently puzzled. But she seems happy enough when he pays for the ribbons at the counter.

…it’s easy to forget how many more steps there are to go. It wasn’t all that long ago that she was confounded by smiling - though this isn’t quite the same thing.

Charlie likes everything from clacky hair-clips to lollipops with a fizzy centre. IK doesn’t like scratchy jackets or heavy bracelets. It’s hard to tell who’s talking - where one ends and the other begins.

“But what do you like?” Asmo asks what feels like a hundred times, and each time she looks as if he’s asked her a stupid question.

“I like blankets,” She’ll say, and he’ll find a fluffy patchwork quilt. IK will run her hands over it inquisitively, then nod and say, “Charlie loves it.”

He asks again and again, and each time there’s a new answer. “I like riding on Beel’s shoulders.” “I like Simeon’s cakes.” “I like Mammon.”

And he asks again after they leave a haberdasher with several spools of brightly coloured thread. IK must be thoroughly sick of him by now, but she answers valiantly, “I like Momo.”

Momo is her toy panda. Asmo had bought it on his way home from some promotional event, and she’s loved it ever since. Momo is named after Asmo, because IK loves both of them.

Asmo pauses. IK is almost stumbling on her feet. They’ve been browsing for ages - he’s been so determined to find something IK loves, and not Charlie.

“It’s late, isn’t it?” He asks apologetically, and reaches down to carry her, swapping all his bags to one arm with ease. “We should go home.”

IK doesn’t seem to hear him. She answers his first question again, face scrunched as if working hard to remember, “I like Levi’s jellyfish. I like my room.”

“I know, I know…” For some reason, he feels like crying. “You’re tired, huh? Come here, come here…”

His arms are definitely going to complain tomorrow morning, but for now he can hold everything up without much thought. IK clings to him and continues listing, “I like tea parties. I like the Little Ds.”

“That’s enough, sweetheart,” He murmurs, turning onto the main road to start heading home. If anyone tries approaching him, he swears he’ll snap. “I know.”

IK finally goes quiet. She lays her head on his shoulder, inadvertently poking her little horn into his neck. It already feels like there’s something lodged in there, so it doesn’t make much difference.

“I like this,” She says after a moment. “I like you. And Charlie likes you. Okay?”

He pauses in the middle of the street and earns a few side-eyes from the demons around him.

“...okay,” He whispers. “That’s enough for me.”

[chubbyreaderchan]

Technically No | Jacob Black x witch!Reader | Twilight/Buffy the Vampire Slayer Crossover| 1

jacob is over 18+ in this as well as reader! It's also a slight modern au because technology makes life easier man. And no I don't know what timeline this is. It's after Jacob phases and before Buffy dies again. So you might see Glory in this. Also it’s under a cut because this introduction/beginning is super long.

"Did you make it okay?" Buffy asked over the phone.

"Yes, Buff. I'm in my new house. I am going to my new job Monday" (Y/n) said with a soft sigh as she leaned against her new counter, having just moved from one small town to the other.

Sunnydale to Forks.

"Good. I'm glad you are safe." (Y/n) smiled a small yet sort of sad smile at the prospect of leaving the scoobs but there was a job offer in Forks that was just to good for her to not take and she was damn lucky to find a house for rent. She wondered if it was haunted. Not that was a big deal for someone who went to high school on top of a literal hellmouth.

"How's Dawny?" (Y/n) also knew that Dawn's first day back to high school was coming up as well as Buffy's first day of college for the year. "And did you get your course schedule yet?" She stated sitting in the empty living room floor eating her favorite fast food meal. Her moving truck wouldn't be there with her stuff for at least another day or two.

It wasn't exactly a house full of stuff yet, of course. She had just gone from living with her parents to on her own within a flash it seemed. It was as if the universe was pulling and placing her right in the middle of now where Washington.

"Yeah but I didn't get some of the courses I wanted. Have to try next semester." She sighed over the phone. Was it normal to talk to someone you had just left the day before as if you hadn't seen them in months? Maybe not but a lot was happening as the end of summer was coming to fruition. "Dawn is excited to go back to school"

"Interesting... She wasn't yesterday." Buffy sighed over the phone as her friend teased her. "Oh! So I'm going to try to get some essentials tomorrow!" She said suddenly remembering what she called Buffy about in the first place. "What color do you think I should decorate my kitchen in? Green? Red?" Buffy almost laughed again at one of her closest friends.

"You'll know when you actually go to the store. It's not like I can see the house." "Not yet! But you all are going to come visit me some day!" She laughed a bit. Her phone buzzed at her to charge. "Hey... Buffy. I gotta go. Phones is dying. Tell Willow and everyone I miss them."

"Will do." With that, the phone was hung up and placed on its charger.

(Y/n) sighed picking up her trash and began the work to make the floor as comfortable as possible until she could actually buy a decent bed.

--

The next morning, (Y/n) woke up at a fair hour for a Saturday and took a shower. It was nice to wash out some of the travel and sleep stink off before she slipped on her clothes for the day. Then she went to grab her phone as well as keys and her wallet. There was no way she could sleep on the floor for one more day and eating fast food everyday wasn't exactly a healthy option even if she did just arrive in town.

Sure she was still tired from the plane ride but she would stay tired. She need to find at least an air mattress. The car ride was short, it was nice. Familiar. It wasn't a huge change from one small town to another... Minus the demons and vampires. She hoped. It was simple enough to find the small plaza that had a few small shops and even a diner within walking distance of each other.

It was not even remotely difficult to find the things she oh so desperately needed. It was wonderful. (Y/n) was even able to add to her growing collection of magical artifacts when she stumbled into an antique shop. She thanked the gods that her family had loaned her a bit of cash to help her get by until she was fully working again.

Her day was going great... That was until she was hit with pangs of hunger. 'Did I even eat breakfast?' she asked herself before glancing at the time and gasping. She had been out a lot longer than she had realized.

Didn't she see a diner? She walked to her rental car and started a vague drive. Ah-ha! There was a diner.

She pulled in and was seated quite quickly. It wasn't long before her meal was ordered and her attention was drawn to her phone as she waited. There was a text message from Anya complaining about an argument she and Xander were having. (Y/n) laughed softly before responding with her opinion.

While she was distracted she didn't notice the small group enter. Especially a young man who had a slight staring problem. His eyes were locked on (Y/n) as she fiddled around with her phone. The young man was known by most as Jacob Black. A good kid who was madly in love with Bella Swan, his childhood friend.

"Jake... You okay?" Bella another member of the small group asked with concern on her face. An older man in a wheelchair who was previously chatting with the other older man in the group looked at the one named Jacob. A small knowing smile flashed over his features as he looked at his son.

'It's about damn time' Billy the man in the wheelchair thought. "Jake!" Bella's voice called him again, finally snapping the dark haired young man from his thoughts.

(Y/n) who was finally served food sat her phone down finally not even noticing the set of eyes on the back of her head.

"Is she-?" Bella whispered to Jacob just low enough for her father to not hear. "I... Think so... I think..."

"Son..." It was Billy who joined the conversation. "If you don't go talk to her... I will." Jacob's eyes went wide. How embarrassing would that be? His dad talking to his imprint before he could.

Jacob looked at the girl happily eating her dinner and playing around with her technology. Then she giggled. Oh God.

How could it be that just the day before he was trying to convince Bella not to turn into a vampire? That he was so madly and so deeply in love with the vampire girl that he defied Sam his pack leader for turn into dust and be replaced instantly by a young woman he hadn't even spoken to?

Jacob was so distracted by his thoughts he barely caught his father moving to go introduce himself. "No, wait. Dad. I'll go." He quickly stood up and wandered over to the table nervously. What was he going to say? What if she didn't like him? What if he said something dumb?

"Hey I'm Jacob." He said awkwardly, causing her to jump from what she was doing. Her face scrunched up in confusion before she finally looked up. Their eyes locked and it felt like everything stopped. Her heart beat hard against her ribcage at the very tall and dark haired man before her. "You looked lonely. Uhm. I know we just got here. But..." What was he doing? Inviting her to sit with his dad and his dad's best friend for dinner? That's weird isn't it? Especially since he was going to have dinner with a girl he was in love with.

"I'd love to join you." Why did she just agree to crash someone else's dinner? It looked like a family affair of sorts. "I'm (Y/n)!" She suddenly remembered her name. It felt like her face was on fire. He shifted from slightly nervous to having a large smile on his face. How sweet.

He even helped by carrying her stuff to the table. "This is my dad Billy. His friend Charlie and his daughter Bella." Jacob introduced allowing her to sit down. Something in the back of her mind told her that this was weird.

Something was off.

It felt... Magical. She knew magical.

But then Charlie began to talk about how he was a sheriff and the weirdness seemed to disappear. "So...where are you from?" Charlie asked trying to judge if this new girl was going to cause him trouble later. "Oh. Sunnydale," she paused. "California. Also graduated from Sunnydale high." She explained with a small smile.

Maybe it wasn't so bad joining their little dinner. It was nice having people to talk to, especially when one was so new. "What do you like to do Jake?" She said looking over at him before taking a bite of food.

"Oh, uh. I buy and flip cars right now. It's more of a side hustle really." He smiled at her. "Really?" She said with a smile on her lips. "Because the car I'm in is just a rental... If you find anything good will you think of me? I can't pay the rate they are wanting forever." She joked, gently and playfully touching his arm.

It was like fire. Both literally and figuratively. If it weren't for the people she could almost throw herself at him. But then his skin was so hot that it almost burned. "Absolutely." Jacob smiled. "What's your phone number?" He looked almost like a puppy who was just given a treat. She took his phone and put her number in and he sent her a text. A wolf emoji.

Her eyes looked him over again. Then the phone in her hand began ringing. She answered it quickly, it was the moving company.

Jacob watched as she excused herself to talk to whoever. Her once happy self was instantly deflated. Jacob did not like that at all. He felt it. He actually felt the sadness in her. Is this what it was like to have an imprint? Actually feeling their pain? She walked back in and sighed. 

“Are you okay?” Jacob asked with what (Y/n) could only describe as genuine concern. 

“My moving truck is going to be late. On Monday while I’m at work instead of on Sunday.” She shouldn’t be so easy to talk to someone she had only known for 20 minutes. Jacob didn’t like the look on her face one of distress. 

Jacob looked her over again, hardly getting tired of looking at her face. “I have some friends on the Res. Maybe we can meet them. Help you out..” Jacob offered without a second thought. 

“Really?” she looked at him unsure at first. 

Jacob nodded, a bright smile on his face. 

“O-okay” She agreed. 

a/n: Stopping this one here and writing part 2 next. If I didn’t this would be 3000 words. Don’t worry I’m literally going from posting this part to writing the next bit because I already know what I’m going to do. Then I’m going to write a Paul version of this. 

[youreinreality]

Around the Corner.p1

a concept where harry goes back to find wren because he wants her opinion on a new song ribbon, but wren’s not there anymore??

1019 words

October 7th, 2019. 

From: Alistair Have a minute to spare? Call me. 

I haven’t heard from Alistair in a while. I talk to him every couple of weeks, just to make sure everything is still going alright; that the shop is still making money, that my replacement isn’t taking advantage of him, and that he’s getting at least seven hours of sleep each night. 

We aren’t meant to catch up for another couple of days, so I immediately feel panicked after reading his text. I collect all my stuff from the table, pass apologetic glances to those whose attention I attracted, and run out of the library. After finding an empty corridor, I plopped my bag onto the floor and reach for my phone. 

“Wren!” he chirps, immediately easing my panic. There was no way he would have greeted me like that if something terrible had happened. 

“Hey Al, everything okay?” Of course, I can’t help but continue the panic anyway. “Do you need help with something or-” 

“Breathe. darling,” he chuckles. “Can’t a boss just check in on his former employee?” 

“Since when have we done that, Al? You only call me when you need me to save you from something,” I tease. It’s been nearly four months since I left London. In the beginning, it was multiple calls throughout the day. Now, his calls for help have started to draw thin, and it’s a bittersweet feeling. 

He laughs heartily. “I’m afraid it’s not me that needs saving today, love. I got someone asking for you.” 

I raised an eyebrow. “Huh?” Surely, I’ve been gone long enough for the regulars to all know why I’m not there anymore. “That doesn’t make sense,” I tell Al. “I thought we’ve told everyone.”  

“Yeah, me too. I didn’t think we missed anyone until he came around, just now. He seems pretty disappointed that we didn’t pass on the notice to him.”  

“He…” My thoughts start to drift off as a slideshow of our male customers flash through my mind, trying to pick through who the “forgotten one” could be. 

Al decides to save me some time. “Hold on, let me just hand you over to him.” I hear some shuffling noises occur. Then, someone new grabs the phone. 

He clears his throat before speaking, assuring that there is no confusion as to who his identity was. “Lawrence Jay Bower?” he says. 

My jaw opens and my breath hitches. There is only one person in the world who would ever greet me like that. He’s been greeting me that way ever since the day I met him. 

I haven’t seen Harry in a while, but I can perfectly visualize what he looks like on the other side of the phone right now. He’s probably leaning against the wall at the back end of the shop, one hand in the pocket of his jacket, the other holding the phone. He’s wearing the signature smirk on his face, pleased to catch me off guard

“Harold Edward Styles?” His name comes out a little rusty, just because I haven’t said it in so long, nor was I expecting to say it ever again.

“Hey, Wren,” he greets me again. His tone eases, probably relieved that I finished the usual greeting. 

“Harry….I don’t know what to….You’re at the shop...with Al.” 

“And you’re not. Care to explain why you ditched Around the Corner?.” 

“Yeah um, I finally managed to get out of there. I don’t know if you remember but I was-” 

“Deciding whether or not Oxford was worth it,” he finishes. “No, I remember.” Not that I ever doubted him. I’ve only seen him a handful of times, but he manages to remember details about our interactions that pass right over my head. “Fuck..that was a while ago, wasn’t it?” 

“April of 2017,” I say, citing the last time Al and I saw him. “It was a week before the world was going to see those ribbons you made.” I throw him the bait. 

He catches it instantly. “Those ten ribbons, yeah.” It sounds like he’s talking with a smile on his face, which inevitably makes me smile as well. The inside joke lives on. “That’s why I came by actually. I was hoping to show you and Al my new ribbon.” 

“It’s finally time again?!” I hear Al say in the background.

“Yeah, it’s going out soon,” says Harry. I recognize the nervousness in his voice. “I’m just trying to make sure that I personally get to share it with some important people” 

Al must be standing next to him now because his voice sounds a lot closer. “So, you’re telling me that my opinion is just as valuable as Stevie Nicks’? 

“I’d say I value yours more, Al.” Harry easily admits. “You and Wren have been there from the beginning, and I’m never going to forget that.” 

“Ah, come here kid.” Al’s a softie, so he must have pulled him into a hug. 

A pang of jealousy unexpectedly hits me. Harry’s presence at the shop is such a rarity that it feels like I’ve missed out on such a special moment. How I wish I’m able to just snap my fingers and join them in that hug. 

The hug finishes and Harry diverts his attention back to me. “So, any chance you’re coming to London soon? To see Al?” 

“She’s due for a visit!” I hear Al yell back. “You need to check my books, Wren! Make sure that Charlie isn’t making a fool of me with my money!” 

“I don’t know, Harry,” I respond, which is the opposite of what I wanted to say. “I have an exam on Wednesday.” 

“So come Thursday,” he responds. “I just need one day, Wren.” 

“I need-” 

“You owe me,” he interrupts. “You never even told me you were leaving.” 

I sigh. “I don’t even know why I bother arguing. Looks like I’m ditching class on Thursday.” 

“Amazing. That’s okay, right Al? Thursday?” 

“Consider it booked,” Al confirms. 

“See you Around the Corner?” he directs back at me. 

“This better be a good fucking ribbon.” 

a/n: idk this concept has been in my head ever since SOTT so i’m glad i finally got it out into words. if this continues expect flashbacks so you can see where this ribbon thing came from and possibly some members of 1d wefjlskdjflsdj

[dontreadthistrashgarbage]

G O T 7 PT.6

A couple days passed and Guerin met JB for the open mic night. She was a good ten minutes early but he was already at the quaint coffee shop, seated in a hidden corner booth. As soon as he saw her, he beckoned her over, gesturing at the drinks he had already ordered.

"You didn't have to get me something." She said, wandering over to him.

He shrugged, and patted the seat next to him for her to slide in. She hesitated for a moment. "It's so we can both see the stage." He explained.

"We'll look like a couple..." Guerin said, uncharacteristically shy, but she still slid into the booth next to him.

He shrugged again, "So?"

She puffed her cheeks out slightly, feeling awkward before covering it up with a sip from the iced americano he had bought for her, "Thank you for the drink." She said, setting it down. She couldn't help but be hyper aware of him while he was so close to her, but it helped she didn't have to look directly at him. JB was easily one of the most beautiful people she had ever seen and today was like putting a magnifying glass on that fact. He was wearing a black dress shirt, more buttons than necessary undone under a stylishly patterned blazer. His hair looked freshly cut and styled. She felt even more strange appreciating this side of him after Jackson's confession and her promise to consider it.

"You look nice." He said after a few more moments of awkward silence and Guerin realized she had been looking at him despite being relieved she didn't need to. She started and looked straight ahead as though it would undo her being caught. "I like the orange lipstick." JB's voice gave away his smile of amusement.

Guerin chided herself for being so weird. There was no reason for her to feel conflicted. They were friends and had spent a lot of time together already. Why would this now feel like such a date? She inhaled and fell back on old habits.

"Thanks." She puckered her lips and poked her cheek with a wink. "It's one of my favorites, and it matches my sassy shirt and neon shoes." Guerin showed off her favorite shoes.

JB gave a close lipped smile at the dorky response, trying not to laugh outloud, "How old are you again?"

"Old enough that you better respect me." She bumped him with her shoulder making him laugh, "and here I was going to say how nice you looked too." Her sass turned to a small sulk.

"I'm sorry." He said respectfully and bowed as much as he could in the small space.

"Oh god no stop that." She laughed and pushed him again, wondering in the back of why she felt so aware of each time she made physical contact with him.

JB looked up at her with a smirk and amusement in his eyes before straightening up and dropping the gag.

"What are you singing tonight?" Guerin changed the subject, focusing her gaze back on her coffee as she took another sip from it.

"A couple new songs. Each performer can sing up to three. I actually just finished one today. It's called Rainy." He answered.

"Appropriate." She nodded, referencing the weather outside. Since her walk with Jackson it had been raining on and off for days now. JB nodded along with her. The two sank into a comfortable silence, lost in their own thoughts. The booths at this particular shop were somewhat oversized and cushy, an oddity for Korea. It enabled Guerin to relax and cross her legs under her as she took in the decorations. JB was sitting in his signature slouch, one leg crossed over the other as he toyed with the straw in his drink.

The performances started, JB was much more critical and sparing of his responses but Guerin openly enjoyed most of the songs each artist played. She found something positive about each song, sharing with JB at the end and asking for his input. He couldn't help but appreciate her enthusiasm.

"I don't have any creative talent or skill of my own, but I am an avid consumer of art." Guerin explained between sets when he voiced his opinion on her perspective, "Each one of these people is working hard and improving. It does so much more to bolster creativity and exploration if they're encouraged rather than constantly corrected or told they're failing."

JB cocked his head, "Most successful artists I know where trained very harshly."

"Sure, there's people who survive the process but think of all the talented people who gave up because their learning style wasn't catered to. Just like the animal training we've talked about, you get more successes with patience and kindness than you do with punishment. The people who are successful are that way in spite of the harsh teaching methods, rather than because of them. In the meantime we lose out on so much potential art. So I just... do what I can to encourage it." She trailed off with a shrug realizing she was lecturing. JB was looking at her with a thoughtful tilt to his head.

"Sorry, I'm rambling." Guerin let out an embarrassed laugh and looked away self consciously. If JB was planning on saying anything he was unable to as the next artist started up. Finally JB was up as the last performer of the evening. Guerin let him out of the booth and he grabbed his keyboard case from the bench across the booth from them. As he set up Guerin checked her phone, responded to a couple texts from Charlie and Jackson. She felt a pang of guilt again thinking of Jackson but buried it quickly. -I have nothing to feel guilty about- she reminded herself as she put her phone away.

JB's two song set left her breathless. As he performed he rarely made eye contact with anyone, even closing his eyes for a good portion of the time. When he did look up it tended to be in her direction and those moments stopped her heart. Guerin had to physically stop herself from clutching the front of her shirt defensively. His first song was Be With You. Its sweet lyrics and melody made her smile without realizing. It was a direct contradiction to his second song, Rainy. The song was close to perfection and his performance clinched it. Guerin was fighting off tears, cursing her eye makeup silently as she dabbed at her eyes with a spare napkin.

"Why are you crying?" Asked a surprised JB. He had seen her and moved quickly to her side, squatting next to her at the end of the table.

Another embarrassed laugh escaped her, sounding a bit water logged this time, "I'm sorry, this is nothing. That was just a really good song." She took a shaky breath and straightened up, smiling through watery eyes, "They were both excellent, but Rainy got me good." She laughed again.

"Noona, don't cry." JB said serious but tinged with his natural cuteness as he appealed to her. He used the extra long sleeves of his shirt to dab at the neglected tears that threatened to spill.

She laughed again, shaking her head, "No it's a good thing. I really liked it." JB dropped his hand from her face as the tears slowed, still looking somewhat concerned as he stared at her. "You're drawing attention to me." Guerin scolded, covering half her face with the hand holding the napkin, "Go pack your stuff up and greet your fans." She insisted, pushing his shoulder lightly. He hesitated so she gestured again, "I'm fine I promise, hurry hurry."

JB did as she said, glancing over at her as he packed, catching her using her phone to check her appearance. He didn't realize she would cry and he felt bad. Guerin certainly emoted her way through life and he couldn't help but find it fascinating and endearing. He finished putting away his keyboard and stared down at it for a moment wondering what to do now. He needed the evening to continue.

The cafe staff was announcing closing and putting away the equipment around him. A few patrons and fellow performers, both familiar and new, came up to chat with him. He stayed as long as was polite before excusing himself back to the patiently waiting Guerin.

"I thought you'd still be crying." He teased.

"I'm soft and weak. I cry all the time. I exist in a perpetual state of holding back." She stuck her tongue out at him and he laughed.

"Let's go for a walk, since the rain stopped." JB suggested suddenly.

"Sure." Guerin agreed with minimal thought.

"I just need to drop this at my studio." JB hefted the keyboard case and Guerin nodded as the two headed out, thanking the staff as they left. JB was a regular, and even chose his personal studio location because it was just around the corner. Once empty handed, the two wandered aimlessly. They stopped at a convenience store and picked out a few beers to share.

"The lyrics you sing in english for Rainy I find incredible." Guerin gushed. The topic had turned back to his performance, "When you say 'I love you alone' it's such an interesting way to express one sided love, or a doomed love?" She mused, looking at him, expecting an answer.

"Thank you." JB responded simply instead, flattered with her praise but unfocused. Guerin pressed her lips together thoughtfully, watching him before her gaze caught something behind him.

"Oh, JB!" She was so excited she grabbed his long sleeve peaking out from under his blazer.

"What?" He asked, startled, eyes wide as he looked at her and looked around.

"Swings! Let's go!" She cut past him, still holding his sleeve and forcing him along with her.

"Seriously? How old are you?" He asked again, rolling his eyes.

"Depends on the situation." She quipped, not bothering with sass this time. "Right now I'm whatever age it is appropriate to be happy about swings."

"You startled me. I thought something bad happened." JB chastised her but still didn't pull out of her grasp.

"Aww, I'm sorry. I didn't mean to scare you." She looked back at him with an exaggerated apologetic expression. He sucked air through his teeth and cocked his head, making her giggle with his feigned disapproval, "I'll buy you a drink to make up for it." She promised as they reached the swings, only then releasing his sleeve as she sat on one of the two swings.

JB set their bag next to him, pulled out two beers and sank down on the second swing, handing one of the beers to Guerin who was already starting to swing gently.

"I wrote that lyric thinking I had to give up on a love." JB answered suddenly, cracking his beer open and taking a sip.

Guerin paused, taking a moment to piece together the sudden change in topic before figuring it out, "You mean from Rainy?"

JB nodded.

Guerin looked thoughtful, swinging gently again, this time from side to side, "Did you pair it with Be With You because you were telling a story?"

JB nodded again.

"Did someone hurt you? Do I need to fight someone?" She shook her fist and JB laughed at the unexpected mood shift.

"No, I wouldn't say someone hurt me. I think I did most of the hurting." His smile faded and became more forced.

Guerin let him have his thoughts for a few moments, drinking more of her beer before speaking again, "Do you want to talk about it?" She asked.

JB hesitated then nodded a third time. She waited and the two continued drinking in silence.

"There's someone I like a lot. I wrote Be With You inspired by our time together. Then someone close and precious to me said that they liked her too." He started. Guerin nodded as he spoke, offering quiet sympathetic sounds as he continued, "I thought it would be best for everyone if I just let it go. No one knew my feelings except me." He sighed and stopped again, pressing his lips together and casting his gaze to the treetops.

"I thought I needed to withdraw and instead it made me seem distant which was hurtful, then it made me angry and I lashed out which was even worse."

Guerin had gone completely quiet and still as he told the story, convincing herself that this story was becoming more familiar by coincidence.

"I told my friend the truth. I told him I couldn't give up without trying, that I had to tell the truth. Even though I accidentally already did." JB looked sheepish, "I remember going to your house Guerin. I remember what I said. It was vague enough to play off. I let you believe I didn't remember. I'm sorry I deceived you. But I wanted to do this right." JB was looking at Guerin. Her gaze met his, still in disbelief as she switched her gaze between his eyes. Her face felt tingly and her chest tight, like she couldn't catch her breath.

"Do what?" She asked tightly.

"Those songs were inspired by you. By us. I like being with you, I want more. Rainy was me trying to deny my feelings and I don't want that song to be true."

JB stared into Guerin's eyes for a beat. His expression was genuine and serious. The only hint of nerves was the swallow he gave before licking his lips and saying the words he had been saving.

"Go Guerin, I like you."

Her mouth opened and closed as she blinked, eyes flicking around while she tried to process this unexpected turn of events. She managed a strangled laugh, "I'm sorry, I'm not laughing at you. It's just. I'm so surprised. And the timing?" She laughed the strange laugh again.

"Timing?" JB asked, curiously.

"Uh, is Jackson the friend you were talking about?" Guerin asked and JB nodded, "He also confessed before he left for China."

JB looked surprised, "I thought he would have said something if you two were dating."

"He probably would have. If we were dating." Guerin said somewhat guiltily.

"Did you reject him?" JB still sounded surprised but a little hope peeked through.

"No... he told me to think about it... he said I should answer him when he gets back." She exhaled, still feeling guilty.

"Good." JB said, Guerin glanced at him questioningly, "I mean... do you have an answer for me?" He asked.

Guerin felt bad, he must have been anxious that whole tangent but she still was processing the information, "I... I... JB..." Making words was suddenly the most difficult challenge to overcome. Of course she liked JB. He matched her introverted qualities, he was talented, funny, cute and sexy in the worst way. She also liked Jackson, despite her reservations, and it's not like she didn't have reservations for JB too. He was working on his anger and while he seemed to be doing well according to those who had known him a while, what would happen if they spent more time together?

Guerin must have been quiet longer than she intended because JB spoke up again, "You don't have to answer now. Take your time to think about it." JB shrugged, probably intending to seem nonchalant but looking stiff.

"Thank you." She said quietly. "I'm sorry to make you wait." She apologized as JB finished his drink and he shook his head.

"I got to take my time to figure out this. You should take your time to respond." He reassured her, "I'd be lying if I said I'm not disappointed it isn't an immediate yes." He shot her a wry smile.

Guerin stood, walking over and picking up their bag taking his empty can along with hers and switching them for full ones. "Come on, let's go get a late night snack." She handed him the new drink. He stood and walked along with her. Despite the silence neither of them felt awkward. The mood was pensive but a bit relieved. As they headed toward the busier city area JB took the bag Guerin was carrying between them. He bit his lip, looking straight ahead and trying to stay cool before clearing his throat and speaking.

"Would it be okay if I held your hand?"

Guerin fought back her grin at his adorable and respectful request that he very clearly was trying to maintain a chic demeanor for. Instead of answering verbally, she stepped in closer to him and took his hand in her own, lacing their fingers together. Both of them smiled without looking at each other.

"What do you want to eat?" JB asked after a few paces.

"Tteokbokki." Guerin answered decisively with a single big nod.

JB swung her hand back and forth with his gently, "Okay. I know a place nearby. My treat."

"No, you already got coffee." Guerin protested.

He shrugged and kept walking until she tugged his hand for attention and stopped in her tracks. JB faced her as she pouted at him and he laughed, "Fine, you can get drinks." He walked backwards, leading her along again.

"Deal." She tapped her beer against his, held in the same hand as their bag and took a deep pull, "But don't get drunk and confess again. Twice is enough for me to get the point." She avoided eye contact with him to prevent herself from bursting out into laughter.

"Ya..." He said in disbelief, now it was her turn to pull him along as he stopped and stared after her. Guerin's lack of poker face won out and she let out her typical loud laugh.

"I'm sorry, I couldn't resist, I'm sorry. Come on let's go." She said between chuckles.

He feigned being hurt but fell into step beside her as the two continued their trek, still hand in hand.

Mark didn't look up from the computer screen when the seat next to him was pulled out and someone settled into it. He knew Jinyoung would be coming since they had texted earlier. Jinyoung wanted wanted to meet up and said he would go to Mark. He stayed focused on the game since, well, he WAS a gamer, but also partially because a part of him wanted to avoid the conversation. Too soon the round ended with him losing. He exhaled and leaned his head back against the headrest, closing his eyes for a few moments before reaching up to remove his headphones and turning to Jinyoung patiently waiting next to him.

"Hi, Hyung." Jinyoung greeted the older man.

"Hi Jinyoung-ah." Mark greeted in return, "You distracted me so I lost."

Jinyoung looked amused, "You didn't look distracted. You didn't even seem to notice me arriving."

Mark shrugged, not really feeling the small talk. Jinyoung waited a few beats before changing the subject. "I'll get to the point. Charlie-ssi and I are dating now."

Mark glanced at his dongsaeng from the corner of his eye before looking straight ahead and nodded slowly a couple times. "Okay."

"I wanted to tell you in person." Jinyoung said seriously.

"Okay." Mark said again. His expression was masked but Jinyoung knew him well enough that he recognized the clear displeasure.

"I... suspected that you also had feelings for Charlie. That's why I wanted to tell you." He added.

"You know..." Mark started and tilted his head in annoyance, "You are making this gesture of kindness after you already disrespected me. I find it almost more annoying."

"You mean when I insisted on walking Charlie home." Jinyoung said. It wasn't a question.

Mark nodded.

"I'm sorry hyung." Jinyoung said genuinely.

"Bullshit." Mark verbally sniped the apology, "You admit you knew how I felt, you pushed me out and now you're here telling me that it all paid off and expect me to believe you're sorry?"

Jinyoung went quiet for a moment before speaking again, "I can see why it might be hard to believe... hyung please believe me, my intention wasn't to upset you. I insisted on walking her home because that had been my plan all along. I had made the decision to confess and I didn't want to have to stress over it again. I should have taken your feelings into consideration and I didn't. My thoughtlessness hurt you, but that wasn't what I wanted. I'm sorry."

Mark clicked through a few screens after Jinyoung finished talked, hitting the mouse and keyboard buttons a bit harder than necessary before sighing again and leaning back. "What's done is done." Mark said frankly, "I'll accept it. But for now I need to be mad. So go away or it'll just get worse."

Jinyoung hesitated, wanting more but knowing Mark well enough to not push him when he was so close to the brink of anger already. With a sigh he stood, adjusting his long tan coat back into place and turning to go.

"Jinyoungie." Mark said suddenly, "Don't give her a reason to leave, cause if she needs one I'll be there. You owe me that."

Jinyoung looked down at Mark, "If I give her a reason to leave I'd prefer that option over any other." He chafed at the idea of losing Charlie, but in that undesirable scenario at least Mark would be happy. Mark started to put his headphones back on but Jinyoung quickly spoke up again, "Hyung, will we be okay?"

Mark looked annoyed, glancing up at Jinyoung, "Of course."

Having turned back to the computer screen he missed Jinyoungs visible relief. For now, he would give Mark the space he requested, hopefully soon they could repair the damage he had carelessly caused in their friendship. He was grateful to learn that it wasn't the end of such a bond. On his way out he ordered some snacks to be delivered to Mark and paid before leaving to meet his new girlfriend for a date.