♡

rules : racism, homophobia , transphobia are not permitted on my blog.

please don't be rude to me or any of my followers, requests are open. i will not answer or write anything i am not comfortable answering or writing. do not request : age gaps, incest / pseudo incest, cheating,

i do not consent to my writing being used to feed any AI bullshit, my blog is anti AI.

he's probably getting a cold or something, the sunny weather brings it out of him in Gotham. sure it should be the opposite, but things haven't been in the norm in Jason's life, like ever. you stop walking which Jason notices only until you pull his hand a bit. he stops and stands directly in front of you, he's trying see if you feel uncomfortable or tired.

"are you listening to anything i'm saying Jason?" you look surprised, squeezing his hand to let him know you're not mad at him.

"kinda no, but i can't really look at you right now, or listen" now you're frowning and look worried.

"baby, what's wrong ? are you feeling sick?" he has been looking a bit dazed the whole day, and he's been a bit clumsy which never happens since he's always so aware of his size, and surroundings. that didn't stop him from breaking a candle earlier when you called out for him. he practically came running and asked what you needed, when all you were going to ask him was a simple question. he tripped over his feet every time he was going to open a door for you. you touch his chest, and you feel his heartbeat beating faster than a rabbits.

a man approaches you and nudges Jason, "hey man, can i take a picture of you guys?" the guy holds a camera up ready to walk away if he says no, Jason looks over at you blankly.

"say yes Jason" you say patting his chest. his head turns to the man so quickly.

"Yes" he says gruffly, he turns over to you, getting closer. his eyes look into yours, "what did i just say yes to?" you giggle a little, as you hear the camera click. before he can turn to the guy and probably smash the guys camera you peck Jason's lips. your hand comes up to his neck, and he almost closes the small distance between you again, you scrunch his hair a little and look over to the guy. you hold Jason's elbow so that his arm is out and the man hands him two polaroids.

Jason just looks at the polaroids in his palm, and you tell the man thank you. you get closer to Jason to look at the pictures with him. he has captured a soft look in Jason's eye. sure his eyebrows are up a little in confusion, but that trust and love is caught. the picture of you kissing Jason is a soft vignette, a cute moment captured for you to cherish. he silently tucks the pictures safely into his jacket. he starts walking silently to your shared apartment taking the lead. you can't help but smile at how he seems so flustered.

~~~

the door shuts quietly and he locks it after him, you set your things down and Jason walks in front of you crowding you a bit.

"okay i think we need to have a long conversation about safety." you laugh at how Jason has started this conversation. "no don't laugh sweetheart, you're commanding me around and i'm doing it. no hesitation!" his voice has never sounded so animated and incredulous.

you bring him closer to you holding his hands. "oh my god . you are, like a good puppy. should i say jump?" you coo a little and his face goes red. you laugh a little more and bring your hand up to his warm cheek. "seriously though, Jay are you feeling okay? you always listen to me ramble, and when we're walking you're always alert, but you seem like, not really, here". you hope that worry is the only emotion that Jason is picking up on in your tone, and not disappointment(which you don't feel). you don't feel that totally unsafe with him anyways, you know you're always safe with Jason. living in Gotham for a long time you kind of pick up an instinct of when things don't feel right. he's just not as present as he always is.

"i don't know what it is.. i feel like i can't focus unless you're looking at me or telling me what to do, and i feel weird." you look into his emerald eyes deeply, tracing a scar under his eye.

"where do you feel weird baby?" he just sighs and puts one hand over yours, he makes your palm touch his stomach flatly, you feel the outline of his abs. your hands roam around the area. "your abs? are you feeling sore?" he sighs again, and you smile.

"no pretty, i just . i feel like jitters here when i see you.  i think i have to go the manor and get checked out" you rub at his stomach a bit more, and bring your arms around his waist pulling him closer. he lets you and you look up at him looking at his face intently.

"you like me huh Jason?" your eyes sparkle in admiration, and you see the blush on his face spread to his neck and ears. "say yes Jason" you whisper to him and he gets closer to you almost picking you up so that he can kiss you.

"god yes i like you" he says with little restraint, before his lips smush into yours. he kisses you all over your face, he angles your body in a weird way so that he can keep kissing you wherever he wants. you giggle at how overly affectionate he is being. he pulls away and holds your head to really look at you. "you like me too right?"

there's just one last box to open, Jason picked it up from his old house the Wayne manor. you're not exactly sure what's in the box, Jason hasn't made the effort to open it. the box has been tucked away in a weird spot in the living room. you wait for him to join you on your green couch. you can hear him in the kitchen making himself a snack. he comes in biting into an overfilled sandwich, you laugh at how cute he looks. his cheeks puffed out as he chews. he just grumbles and sits next to you, making sure that the crumbs only fall on the plate.

'what's so funny?' he says after chewing, you laugh and snuggle into his arm. you kiss his neck unable to resist it since he's so close.

'you' he looks over at you a small smile on his lips, he reaches over to kiss you but you turn one hand up to his chest to stop him. 'ew nooo jay you're gonna get sandwich crumbs on me' his hand goes over yours and you allow him to reach over and kiss your cheek making a loud mmmwuah sound. you can't help but laugh and wrinkle your nose a little. his hand comes up to wipe your cheek. 'jay what's in that box?' you point over to the blue box, and turn over to look at him.

'i don't exactly know' he shrugs as he says so. he gets up and brings the box closer. he sets it in front you of and you bend over a bit to open it, his hand comes out to squeeze your hip. 'heyy' you giggle and look over at him. he finishes his sandwich and sets the plate onto the little coffee table.

you open the box and see an old baseball that you set on the coffee table , a few dusty cassette tapes, a dark blue blanket, and a beat up photo album. you turn over to him smiling 'oh my gosh, jay' he looks as surprised as you know you look. he pulls you closer by your hip, his chin over your shoulder. you grab the photo album, the plastic crinkling as you slowly open it.

there's a picture of a couple sitting on a couch, which you assume are Jason's parents. the names at the bottom of the page are written in messy handwriting, Catherine & Willis the date is smudged.

you can really see the resemblance, Jason has his fathers strong jaw and his mothers eyes and hair color. his mom looks solemnly in to the camera, his father looks about the same he has dark circles under his eyes. you turn the page and you feel his breath hitch a bit.

his very pregnant mom washing some dishes, sudsy soap up to her elbows, looking annoyed and beautiful. a pretty, candid picture. the next page is his mom holding him after giving birth. a small smile on her sweaty face looking adoringly at the yelling baby in her arms. you can't help but coo a bit 'aww jay you were such a cute baby'.

the next picture is a shaky selfie, a vignette of the new family, it makes you smile. there's a tiny polaroid of Jason as a baby, his tiny hands are into fists, swaddled in a yellow blanket, Jason Peter Todd August 1999 7 pounds 2 oz. you turn over and kiss his jaw two small pecks.

the next picture is Jason at a park on the top of a slide, he looks so happy as he's about to go down the slide.the picture alongside the page is him a bit older. sitting on some stairs, alone, looking sadly off into the distance, hand under his face. his knees are dirty and bruised from playing outside. your hand goes over both pictures.

the page crinkled as you turn the page again, and see Jason a bit older. probably as a teenager, a small cupcake in front of him with an unlit candle. there is no date and he's not looking at the camera. his eyes look sad, defeated and sunken in, he has a black eye. he looks embarrassed and a pang of sadness hits you. 'how did you get that baby?' you say softly, your finger trying to smooth out the bruise in the picture just as you do with him after a rough patrol. you turn to see his face, he has the same sad expression and avoids your gaze.

'fell off a bike' he says quickly, a rehearsed lie, you nod and bite your lip and feel a knot forming in your throat.

the next picture is him reading a beat up book tucked away into a corner. there's a sadness present but also wonder in his eyes, he's wearing a sweater two sizes too big. you both look at the picture quietly. you turn the page and see some school pictures. one of him sitting alone again, and another is a class picture. he's sitting in the front row right in the middle. a small smile that doesn't reach his eyes.

although you don't mean to your eyes well up with tears, and you turn to the next page, it's blank. no more pictures of Jason Todd. nothing, only the harsh reality of his childhood, one spent alone.

you keep turning the pages, hoping to catch another glimpse of him. you close the picture book and his hand comes over yours. a silent exchange, there's nothing left. you feel your chest shaking, you close your eyes and are met with the happy smiling face of him as a baby. untouched by the cruel reality of the world. then to the more sad blank stare of him, older, his eye marred with a bad bruise, the sadness that took over his face like a veil. you wonder when his expression turned that way, to one that you still catch glimpses of on his bad days. your chin wobbles, and he holds you close as you cry. he sensed it when he felt your shoulder shake.

'you were just a kid Jason' you say through tears. he moves you so that you are facing him. he holds your face as you cry, he wipes away the hot tears that fall quickly.unable to look into those same emerald eyes of his. your heart and head pounding, thinking of all that he had to endure, the few highs and extreme lows he faced.

'it's okay sweetheart, i'm okay' he hugs you close to him, he rubs your back soothingly. his breath comes out very slow compared to your ragged breathing as you cry and hug him. 'breathe baby, breathe' he holds the back of your head, and you cry silently as you hold him tightly. inhaling his scent, trying to breathe him in like air so that you know he's okay and he's here with you.

you feel stupid and selfish crying over his childhood like this, you can't imagine what he's feeling right now. instead of him feeling and processing what he has to he's comforting you. you pull away from him, your head down and ashamed. 'i'm sorry Jason' you wipe your own tears away with the sleeve of his hoodie you're wearing. he holds your face again.

'look at me baby' he whispers to you softly. 'why are you saying sorry? hm' you look into his eyes. his eyebrows are furrowed.

'for crying' he kisses your lips and rest his forehead on yours. 'don't say sorry' he says lowly. you look into his eyes again. you hold his face in your hands, your thumbs going over the raised scars that are on his face. you trace his lips and cheeks, then up to his white tuft of hair. pushing the hair back getting a really good look of his face. getting a good look of how much he has changed, and will change as the time passes. how new wounds will open and close over the years, how much more happiness and sadness he will feel. you can only hope that you can be a balm to help soothe the pain and aches he will feel as life goes on.

'i love you' he says lowly, you try not to cry again. instead you hug him again clinging onto him. kissing his cheeks and face all over. 'love you too Jay' you say in between kisses. you fix his hair, giving him a small smile. his strength will always be something that astonishes you, despite everything he has been through he can still be so caring and loving to you, and to the people around him that he cares about (in his own way).

you set the picture book down next to the other items . already thinking of what pictures you will add into the old photo album as proof that Jason is alive and okay next to you. there's one last thing in the box a frame that's upside down. you pick it up slowly, and turn it over.

the frame holds a picture of Jason and Bruce, his arm over Jason's shoulder. Bruce has a small smile on his face. Jason does too and he's holding a thumbs up. sure he looks about the same as the pictures of his younger self, small build and a bit of sadness behind his eyes. but there's also something growing in the way he carries himself, hope. you turn over to look at him and he grabs the frame from your hand, his hands brushing against yours.

'i forgot about this picture' he stares at the picture his face almost unreadable until you grab his hand, and he looks over at you. a knowing sadness in his eyes, that he tries to cover with a small smile. to show that he's okay.

he sets the frame down, and you cuddle into his side and he kisses the top of your head. a comfortable silence settles over the both of you, you know that whenever Jason is ready to talk about how he feels he will share that with you comfortably because you have both provided that for each other. all you can think about now is buying a film camera, and your own photo album so that you can prove that your Jason is alive and happy.

he's just so mysterious and attractive. after months of coming in, he finally talks to you? and more than 3 words, on top of that giving you his personal number? crazy. you attempt to do your work now that your clients have all come and gone. the store looks a bit more messy, the result of not tending to what needs to be done. you could have sworn you saw him pass by the store once while you were with a client.

you remember pouring the young couple a glass of wine, you feel someone staring and you looked over your shoulder, only catching a blob of a figure. he was about the same stature as Jason, but it was probably your eyes playing tricks on you, you weren't wearing your glasses either way. the man walked away quickly.

maybe the dust in the air was getting to your head, or maybe it's the antiques haunting you. which reminds you, you have to dust soon. perhaps he can help you, since he's so tall. you wouldn't have to risk falling off a stool, if you did, he could catch you in his big muscular arms.. no! you wouldn't have him help you.. again. he probably would though, you remember when he carried the heavy box for you like it weighed nothing. his face so close to yours, the warmth of his arms seeping into your skin. you were way too out of it to feel his muscles flexing. if only he stuck around to help haul the other boxes. that was not fun to do on your own, and you broke a nail while picking up a box, that shit hurt!

~~~

the day is dragging on, and you decide to drink some more coffee.  you're lucky to have a small kitchenette at the back of the store. you have a tiny stove that you decided to keep after it was donated. no one really buys old appliances like these here anyways. grabbing your trusty french press, you scoop in enough coffee grounds for two coffees "just in case" you want more. all you have to do now is wait for the water to boil.

the bell rings, startling you a bit, you always lock the door when you're back here. one can never be too safe in this city. sighing, you just really need a another cup of coffee. hopefully you don't have to entertain your customer too much today.

you walk to the window, drawing the curtain a bit to peek who's outside. in your line of view is a broad chest, your eyes trail up and you see Jason with his hoodie on. he turns to the curtain opening a little and you wave at him and go to open the door. 'i'm sorry i had to lock the door i was making myself a cup of coffee.' you let him in and walk to your desk.

'sorry for interrupting' you wave him off signaling it was okay.

'don't worry about it, you weren't really interrupting anything . would you like a cup of coffee as well? totally understand if you don't want some it is quite late, don't feel obligated to say yes' you say while trying to look busy moving things around your desk.

'sure' he takes his hoodie off and you try not to sigh. his hair falls perfectly over his face. how can someone look so handsome and hot in a plain black long sleeve. your hand twitches and you get sucked back into reality, you walk back to your kitchenette. the water is boiling thank goodness. you pour the water into the french press, and turn the knob on your little ladybug timer. you walk out to your desk, and see him browsing around the store, he goes to the same corner he always likes to go and immerse himself in.

you bring over two mugs and sugar, you look for some cookies or bread you could share with him. you get cookies and take them with you. the timer buzzes and you go back to the french press. pressing down and immediately pouring the coffee into the mugs, the aroma of coffee draws him out of his corner.

you sit on your chair not expecting him to sit right across from you. 'sorry i don't have any milk or creamer'. he looks over at you his expression unreadable.

's'okay i usually like it black and a little sweet' you nod at his words, taking note of how much sugar he puts into his mug. not like you will need the information anyways.

'thanks for this, i could have helped you bring this out, y'could have put me to work' you chuckle at that.

'no problem, and it's okay, not like i had to bring out anything too heavy for the coffee' you say lightly and he smiles a bit at that.

the silence looms over the both of you as you stir your coffee. you stare into your mug looking at the black liquid swirling, trying to think of something to talk to him about.

'no books yet?' he says while sipping his coffee. you're still trying to cool your coffee down. you hum and turn over to your calendar.

'a couple more days i think, they were supposed to come in last week, but they keep flaking on me. i understand though, my supplier, he's a bit older. so i don't really mind. i'm sorry to keep you waiting' he nods along to your words.

'thought you might have lost my number' you laugh a little at that, as if you could lose it. the second he wrote it down you began to memorize the numbers.

'nooo, i'm not that unorganized' you drink some of your coffee. he finishes his and sets the mug down. he stands up and you track his movements.

'thanks for the the coffee, it was really good' his green eyes meet yours, and you nod. you will your face not to flush too much with his intense stare.

'n-no problem, go ahead and look around , i did put up some new stuff, see if you can find it' you point at him, and he turns. what? why did you do that? you drink your coffee and try not to yell out of embarrassment, you slump into your chair. you fight the urge to run back into your kitchenette so you can avoid him.

avoid looking at him that is, you want to trail behind him, pick his brain about what he thinks. he is always awfully quiet when he comes in, you reach for your tablet and press play on your 'classical’ music playlist. you felt bad after last time when he came in and you were playing your usual music. you play something softer and somber its not Bach or Beethoven, its your playlist of musical arrangements some are guitar heavy, or very synth heavy and melodic its odd music to some, but you think he might like it.

you get lost listening to the music and scrolling on eBay. you like to see what other people put up, to figure out what the person collects. browsing like this really works your brain, you try to accurately describe the product or guess the time period. you do it to pass time and it can be very amusing to see the pretty things. sometimes people are way off or have one word descriptions, and you fight the urge to send them a message of what you would put.

‘could i buy this?’ that startles you, one hand adjusting your glasses the other over your heart.

‘oh i forgot you were still here’ you extend your hand out and he passes you a small frame. the frame is intricately decorated, its a still life with a skull on it and some rotten fruit you peer up at him. your face warms. ‘good choice Jason’ you clear your throat, that came out way more intimately than intended. ‘uh i’ll just wrap this for you’ you open a drawer full of wrapping paper and get a bag to give him. ‘cash or card?'.

‘depends’ you laugh at that.

'15’ you say softly, biting your lip nervously.

‘hundred or?’ he says seriously, that makes you laugh more and nod your head.

‘no 15 dollars’ he tilts his head ‘um, actually, i painted this, i had my friend do the frame for me, but i didn’t even know they returned this to me.' you stare at the painting then look up at him. 'hmm i probably shouldn’t sell it to you’ you wrap it for him and pass him the bag. ‘keep it’.

his hands dig into his pocket and he slides you a crumbled $20, you laugh and slide it back. his hand goes over yours ‘no keep it. for the coffee and the beautiful painting’ he says softly, you look at his scarred hand over yours, then up at him. he makes you speechless you nod and he grabs the bag. ‘thanks’ he nods at you, and you smile at him softly, he walks out into the chilly air.

ahhh i was kinda scared to upload this i didn't think people would want part 2, but u guys voted for it ! (thank u🫶🏼) pls let me know if this was cute and not corny , as always feedback and comments are appreciated , i will be posting again very soon promise 🖤✨ (also sorry if the ending is abrupt again)

Jason is very stoic, almost always says things nonchalantly (even though he is anything but). you had only ever been on his motorcycle with him. he has two, one that's about 300 cc it's cherry colored, he calls that motorcycle Baby, and says it's yours since he mostly uses it when you go out on rides together. his other motorcycle is a bit more daunting, shiny, black that's sleek and very impressive.

although he wouldn't flaunt it, you know he goes crazy when riding around the city, which makes you worried. you can only imagine him cutting up in traffic riding recklessly. a stark contrast to how he is with you on Baby. sure he goes a little crazy because he likes to hear your dizzy airy laugh as he speeds into the night, but he's never too reckless he would never put you at risk.

the lights and Gotham's atmosphere can get a bit dreamy at night. you hold onto him a bit tighter when he speeds a little, he secretly loves when you do that.

when you had expressed to him that you had always wanted to be on a motorcycle he sat you down and gave you a rather stern talk. "rules", leaning on turns , holding his waist tightly. tapping his thigh or wherever you could if you needed a break, water, or to stretch your legs. before you even get on his bike you spend the day buying new gear. well he bought you the gear. gloves, some nice biker boots, padded pants, a jacket (even though he would always give you his), a cute keychain he would put on his keys, and most importantly a helmet. he spent a lot of time helping you choose that.

'i like this one jay it feels nice and loose' you say with the visor raised up. he holds your helmet moving it around a little and you laugh. he just stares intensely into your eyes.

's'not supposed to be like that' he unstraps the helmet and helps you take it off. smoothing your hair down a little. 'it's gotta be a little snug, but not uncomfortable, let me get another one' he does, and you find the perfect helmet in your favorite color. he makes sure that you have everything you need, he gets you a backpack and even charms to go on it.

after riding around an empty parking lot to get you used to the feel of being his 'cute backpack' (his words not yours) you were finally ready to speed off into the highway, it was nice and serene. you liked the light feeling it made you feel, it was very romantic.

~~~

you had a cute date planned with Jason, you were to go to a new museum just outside of Gotham with him, but when you woke up to rain it seemed like it wouldn't happen. Jason didn't mind riding in the rain but with you, it seemed too big of a risk. you both have breakfast silently,you don't want to look too hurt that you won't go anymore. you finish the rest of your coffee and go to put it on the sink. Jason notices and stands close to you as you're about to go to the living room and read.

'what's wrong? why aren't you getting ready?' you look up at him, eyebrows furrowed.

'it's raining Jay, we won't be able to go anymore, let's just watch a movie on the couch, how about Vertigo?' you say with a lilt in your voice so you won't show how sad you feel about not going. he puts his hands on your hips studying your face.

'you don't wanna go?' his eyes blink fast, something he does when he's a little sleepy still , he is trying to see your reaction though. his big hands trying to soothe you by rubbing your hips lightly.

‘i do, but it's raining..’ his head tilts ‘how will we go Jay?’ he kisses your cheek.

‘we can .. go in my car?’ you perk up at that.

‘you have a car?’ now your head is tilted a little, but you're quickly startled when thunder erupts and illuminates the kitchen. you instinctively get closer to Jason, and he rubs your back.

‘yes baby, we can still go once the rain calms down a bit, okay?' you smile at that and grab his shirt a little so he can crouch down, you kiss his cheek and grab his hand to sit with you on the couch a bit.

you both read for a couple of hours, not silently, he either reads to you a bit or tells you something to hear you laugh. the rain does quiet down, but by that time it's too late to go to the museum. you're not too sad about it anymore. Jason made the both of you lunch earlier, and sitting and relaxing with him is always nice. he notices your restlessness though.

'do you wanna go get some fries and a soda or something?' you smile instantly, and get up to put pants and shoes on. you're very curious as to what car he has, you both walk down to the garage, he opens the door for you. he has a simple black honda car, nothing too flashy , the windows are a bit tinted of course. and despite knowing he has probably had this car for a while it still smells like new car.

he reaches into the backseat and gives you a bat plushy, 'forgot to give this to you a while ago' he says quietly.

you smile and laugh at how random the gift is, you kiss his cheek and he turns to look out of the window, trying and failing to hide the furious blush on his cheeks. 'thanks jay'. he turns the car on after nodding at you .

he drives so smoothly around, getting into tight spaces. one hand on top of the steering wheel the other on his lap, the music is low, and the heater is on the lowest setting. he looks extra dreamy with how misty it is outside. Jason humming lowly to the song that's playing.

'what station is this?' you say lowly not wanting to disturb the quiet peacefulness you feel with him.

'it's my playlist, i was gonna give you a cd of it.. songs for you' his eyes remain fixed on the road but he can feel your gaze on him.

that's it, he's officially driving you crazy. he pulls into the drive thru, and you reach over to kiss his cheek and neck, little nips and kisses that you can't help but give him. he shudders a little and angles his body towards you, holding the back of your head gently keeping you there. he's nosing at your cheek, his nose is icy cold, and he holds your face gently. you giggle at the feeling.

his eyes stare intently at you and he kisses you on the lips, you smile and melt into the kiss. you both make a small noise when he deepens the kiss. he pulls away, his lips shiny with saliva. he looks so cute his nose is red, the orange glow of the streetlights make him look so beautiful and ethereal. he kisses you one last time and finally pulls up to the drive thru speaker, ordering for the both of you. you might like his car more than Baby at this point.

this was supposed to only be hcs but idk something happened and i wrote this instead 😭. i have a dick grayson version of this as well that i will post up eventually, not sure when, but hopefully soon :D hope u guys like this comments and feedback are much appreciated !

the antique store is littered by haunting smells, paintings, rare books, trinkets, beautiful furniture, the smell of gardenias or whatever incense you choose to use lingers in the air. you've acquired quite the collection of things from estates or donations. most of the items don't have a price tag so yes, it's that kind of antique store. which surprises you when a strange boy keeps coming in, about every month. you don't assume that he doesn't have the money, he doesn't seem like a bad person, he's bought things from you before. always with very few words and avoided eye contact, not that you were any better with eye contact, he is pretty intimidating. sometimes his face would be littered with scars, his knuckles usually bruised or bloody, but still his beauty shone through. 

~~~

it's just a regular busy day, you have new inventory today, you always like sorting through the new things you get. not like you need the time to pass in the store since you actively love this job. the old creaky door opens and he comes in, the atmosphere seems to change, into something more quieter and dull.

you try to shake away the nervous feeling you get when he looks over at you when he thinks you're not looking. always with the same amount of intensity as he does with the paintings.

he's wearing his usual outfit, dark jeans with his leather jacket and dark hoodie. accompanied with his usual slouch, he seems to be too aware of his height and bulkiness. he always looks tired, his shoulders slouch down when he walks into the store. no longer seeming as on guard as you know he is when he’s walking the streets of Gotham. you notice you're staring as you're chewing on a pencil and shake yourself a bit. 

you go over to your sound system and turn up the music a bit more, you have new inventory that you have to somehow make fit into the already cluttered store. you get your dolly and go towards the back of the store. you need to haul some boxes over to your desk, mark the inventory and see how much you will sell it for, a tedious process but very necessary. 

maybe today wasn't the best day to wear a pencil skirt, but you have to do it before Sunday. that's when the rich people come in to check out your new stuff. you roll up the sleeves of your shirt, and attempt to pick up the heavy box, jesus what the fuck did you put in here again?

the box suddenly becomes lighter, you look up and the stranger is helping you carry it, he puts the box on the dolly and hauls it over to your desk without a word. you follow him and look up at him. 'thank you for that, you didn't have to' you say lightly chuckling and dusting your shirt as if you did something. he shrugs like he's suddenly aware that you were going to have to see him this up close. he's avoiding your gaze, and to not make him feel anymore awkward you start opening the box and bringing out the objects. 

'did'ya need more help, miss?' you look at him from over your glasses, surprised that he's so near you. 

'oh uh no i got it thanks again for helping me out' if he wasn't so imposing you would have ruffled his hair. his eyebrows furrow derisively. 

'i'm Jason.' he says a bit gruffly like if he hasn’t talked in years, you want to extend your hand out to shake his but that seems way to awkward so you just nod, even though that doesn’t make things as awkward

'right, hi Jason' you peer into the box you see some brass busts, these are nice they're probably 1920s they have that look to them. art deco, one's a man and the other a woman. you already know which one of your clients will wanna buy this. 

'so what's your name?' he startles you a little you thought he had left already. 

'it's on the name of the store, i'm the owner hi' you point towards the front of the store and smile. he blushes a little, you didn't mean to embarrass him you sigh. 'uh sorry, i'm not used to talking to people. i mean, strangers but let me know if you need any help with anything' you turn away from him mentally cursing yourself, you put your hand up to your forehead, you hear him snicker a bit. 

'i'm not a stranger, been here before' you nod with your whole body, though he can’t see your face, you're still afraid of him noticing how flustered he has made you feel. maybe its because you haven't talked to anyone in such a carefree way in a while, its always business. 

'never knew your name til now' you say mostly to yourself, grabbing your pen as you turn around to write on your notepad. a description of what you are selling to pretend you are somewhat busy. you hum as you do so hoping that he gets the hint to leave you alone. you need some time to recover after this interaction. 

'sorry about that, should have introduced myself, actually i had a question' you look up at him sizing him up a bit. you gesture for him to ask, not wanting to squeak out an answer. 'could you give me a tour?' your eyebrows furrow, seeing if he's actually serious, and he's waiting for your response unmoving. 

'um you've been in here before haven't you?' you say a little seriously, he nods. Fiddling with your glasses you take them off and almost bring the temple up to your lips to chew at it. 

'yeah i just wanna know more about the pieces, the history, and stuff' his eyes dart from your desk to the floor as he says it. you put your pen behind your ear so that you wont chew on eithe your glasses or pen. 

'never really done a tour of the place, but okay sure' you walk towards the front of the store and he follows, your face feels warm. 'so up here is an antique chandelier i would say late it’s early 1800s its bronze and beautiful. each part of the store has items that are within the same category, so over there are the lamps, all different decades. um this whole section has just paintings, some religious, some still lives, if you want to know the particular year or medium of one just let me know.' you look around trying to explain to him your beautiful clutter. you can see him from right behind you turning to wherever you point and looking at you. 'this rug was from a friend of mines. bronze, and porcelain candelabras, beautiful hand sculpted busts. here i have another array of oil paintings.' you walk further into your space and walk him over to a display case 'in this case it's a mixture of things , silver rings, necklaces, cameos, um compacts from the 1940s and 50s. these trinket boxes are pretty popular. those little porcelain animals are my favorite. there's sculptures in that corner' you point at a space. 'and i have some new rare books that i'll have in the store soon. it's not even the half of it but if you have a certain question about a piece or item you let me know' you do not wait for a question or for him to acknowledge what you said. 

you walk over to your desk, about to scribble in your notepad when you look over at him. he almost looks like he belongs, here the palette of his clothes strangely mixes with the background and his face, almost as perfect as the sculptures you have in store. he's definitely really handsome, and sure you were quick with your tour, and you feel a bit bad but it seems like this Jason guy just wants to talk to you, or flirt you're not sure. well he's not exactly flirting with you yet or talking, maybe he's just lonely and wants someone to talk to him. 

he's still standing where you left him looking at the display case. he turns over to look at you and your eyes widen when he does. 'are any of those books coming in any good?' you blink at the question. 

‘yeah a lot of classics and second editions, things like that’ he walks over to you slowly, or maybe it's just your nerves that make it seem that way. his hand reaches for your pen and his warm fingers brush your cold hands. he writes something in the notepad. he's even closer than before, and you're holding your breath. 

‘you let me know when they come in yeah?’ he looks up at you, and you adjust your glasses trying to get a hold of yourself. 

'um yeah yeah, course, Jason’ you say as you nod your head. he gives you a small smile, and heads toward the exit, you look down at your notepad and see his neat handwriting. it's his name and number.