CofD - The Thrill of the Hunt

[fullmoonderia]

Cole sighed as he locked the main door to the shop. Another workday down without incident, but lately he'd been feeling more on edge. A couple of customers over the last week had given him a bad feeling, even though he couldn't say why if anyone had asked him. Maybe they had just been a bit too friendly for new customers. Tourists they said, excited to soak up the atmosphere. They asked a lot about places that he went frequently and what there was to do, but he'd been pretty vague. He didn't know them enough to share. Thankfully the next two times they came through were less invasive, but there was still that feeling. It didn't matter now though, because it was nearly Friday and he could hole up in his apartment in just one more day.

Cleaning up was a simple enough affair for any Lost, even without a touch of fae magic, and he was done in roughly an hour. Floors swept and mopped, register emptied, cash in the safe and the safe locked, and bathroom cleaned one last time. He could go home.

There was a bit of a chill in the air still, the last signs of winter's reign. Hot chocolate was tempting, but the bus didn't pass his favorite coffee shop. So he started that way instead.

Comments

[tethered_roamer]

"You...didn't have to do that for me," Cole said, carefully taking the glove and bat in his hands and looking at Jack, something between confusion and awe in his dark eyes. It had been awhile since he'd been gifted anything, and never from someone that he barely even knew. But here Jack was, with brand new equipment for him. The glove even had that new leather smell.

"You spent money on me after we've just met? These can't have been cheap."

[tseutsumi]

Jack's smile didn't waiver. He just nodded along with the questions.

"Well, no but I figured it would be nice. Since you're showing me around and everything. I just wanted to show my appreciation. And my parents are rich. They hardly worry about money, like ever. So it was easy. Thank you, Cole. For being my friend."

[tethered_roamer]

Cole stared at him for a long moment, searching for an appropriate response. But nothing that really seemed to fit or feel sincere enough. Finally he decided to be direct. "Thanks...and you're welcome?"

He couldn't well turn down a gift given for such a simple and sincere reason, and he didn't want Jack to feel like it was unwanted. So he shifted his grip so his arms were wrapped around both. "I don't know how much use they'll see when you aren't around, but thank you, Jack."

[tseutsumi]

Jack smiled genuinely and happily. He was glad Cole accepted them. Even if it wasn't going to be something he used all the time, it would be something for them.

"You're welcome. Shall we get going then? We can get started and just enjoy the day together. It'll be fun."

[tethered_roamer]

"Yeah. Did you want to go to the batting cages first, or the mall?" Cole asked. It was the same bus either way, but knowing the right stop was never a bad idea. "We can start easy, or work up an appetite before food and browsing. Whichever you like."

[tseutsumi]

Jack thought for a moment, tapping his chin. He smiled and nodded.

"I like that idea. Let's go to the cages then we can head to the mall for food and shopping. Lead the way, friend." Jack said.