Bowties Are Cool

With a small frown, Jericho stopped in front of Juan and looked at them seriously. "If it's important to you, then it's important to me. You can tell me what it is… I guess I was too deep in my own panic yesterday to realize that something was bothering you too."

"I promise you nothing about that was bothering me. I just noticed it. You realize you and the guys are literally some of the kindest Tevinters I've met. A lot of others, especially the ones in Hightown, have very specific expectations. In Antiva, you don't know who has money, so it's smart to watch how you act regardless of who you're speaking to."

"Ah," he sighed. "Right… I should've realized… warned you about how… uptight it is. I'm sorry… today will be better. I promise."

"I've been here before. It's fine. Just… Hightown sucks," they said with an exasperated laugh. "But today's already better."

"Good," he squeezed their hand again and resumed walking. "So, if you're hungry, there are some cozy little cafes around here, and food carts, and some of the bars have really good food too, if you'd prefer somewhere you can get a cocktail. And there are some neat little shops, way more eclectic than other parts of Minrathous. Sometimes there are street performers around, or… sorry, I'm rambling." Jericho blushed and rubbed the back of his neck with his free hand.

"You can pick, though I wouldn't mind hitting some shops. I need to get Gemma and Gigi something."

"We can do that. I wonder if that one place is still around…" He murmured to himself, picking direction and leading Juan down the street.

A few minutes later, they were in a shop that was equal parts bookstore and a random assortment of oddities, jewelry, gifts, and everything else no one would ever think of. "It's a strange place, but I've always liked to poke around in here," Jericho said with a slightly bashful grin.

They looked around, immediately lighting up at the various trinkets and odd ball gifts. "It's like the shop in Nevarra! It's perfect."

"I thought you might like it," he beamed. "Hopefully you can find something for the girls here."

"Definitely," they agreed as they started to go through the various shelves. "Maybe jewelry? Or charms for a bracelet."

"Charms could be fun," he nodded, absentmindedly examining a stack of bookmarks. "They'd probably like that."

"And I'll pick up a magnet for the conference room."

"Want to get anything for yourself while we're here?" He smiled, taking Juan's hand and pressing a quick kiss to their knuckles.

They couldn't help but snicker to themself. "Ah, hm. I think so, if something grabs me."

Jericho blushed a bit at Juan's apparent amusement, but he smiled back at them. "Let me know if something catches your eye."

Juan thought for a moment then immediately started to search the shelves. They pulled out a picture frame, apparently hand crafted from a local artisan with bits of sharp glass decorating its edges. "This."

He examined the frame thoughtfully. "I like it, a lot. What are you going to put in it?"

"Picture of us. There's a big bridge we passed by. Maybe next to that."

Jericho gazed at them softly, a small grin appearing on his face. He leaned in, giving them a quick kiss. "I love that idea."

They leaned up and kissed him. "Are you thinking of getting anything? It's probably kitschy for you."

"I like some of this stuff," he chuckled. "Sometimes they have some interesting books you can't really find anywhere else. And they're always good for new bookmarks or journals and things like that."

"I guess that's a good point. This place has a really fun selection."

"It does. I've always liked it here." Smiling a little, his voice grew quiet. "Mostly, I just wanted to get you something you'd like… for yesterday, you know."

"Oh, I'd rather you get me something just because. Yesterday… That stuff happens. You don't need to make up for anything."

"Right… I was thinking of it as more of a 'thank you,' for being there. But I get what you're saying." He squeezed their hand and gave them an apologetic smile. "And you're still getting the frame. Just because." He kissed their nose.

"I know what you meant, it's still fine. You deal with me every morning, but you would never say it like that."

"I wouldn't… you're not hard to deal with, Juan," Jericho frowned a bit, looking down at their hands.

"Come on. Let's go buy our things and you can keep showing me around."

They finished their shopping and resumed their exploration of the city. "Anything in particular you want to do next?" Jericho asked quietly.

"Let's take our picture."

"Sure," he relaxed a bit and smiled again. "The bridge you mentioned isn't too far from the place I wanted to take you, so… maybe after?"

They smiled when he smiled, "Yeah, sounds perfect."

It didn't take them long to reach their destination, and Jericho looked at Juan as they approached. "So, where exactly were you thinking?"

Juan pulled him to the edge of a railing and slid next to him, getting ready to frame up the photo.

"Ready?" they asked, grinning as they put a kiss on his cheek and took the photo.

Jericho grinned back, leaning into the kiss as a slight blush appeared across his cheeks. After Juan took the picture, Jericho peeked over at their phone. "How does it look?"

"I think it's perfect." They put their phone in their pocket. "Where did you want to go?"

He took their hand and started to lead them toward the docks. "Come with me."

They made their way past the docks and down a narrow bit of shoreline before Jericho led them through a gap in an old fence and around a corner where they ended up on a small, quiet beach, a cliffside at their backs.

"No one ever comes back here," Jericho mentioned, sitting down on the sand and gently pulling Juan down to sit beside him.

They settled in the sand, shifting next to him. "And yet you can't stand the smell of fish," Juan joked.

"It doesn't smell like fish here," he laughed, leaning against Juan and resting his head on their shoulder. "I really like it here. I know it probably doesn't look like much…" He took a deep breath and sighed, "I used to come here a lot."

"I can imagine. It's different here. Peaceful."

"It is," his whispered, holding tight to Juan's hand. "This is where I'd run to… when I needed to clear my head. When things got bad at home and I needed an escape… I could come here and just… listen to the waves and watch the ships go in and out… and I'd feel better. For a time. I guess I just… wanted to show you…" Jericho's voice trailed off and fell silent as he looked out over the water, his face slightly reddening.

They sat there, letting the sounds of the water and the ships wash over them. After a while, they spoke softly, "It reminds me of the overlook at night. Just sounds and stuff."

"It is a lot like that, yeah." Jericho raised his head a bit to kiss Juan's cheek, before returning to their shoulder. "And, like the overlook… I've never brought anyone here before. It had always been my safe place, away from everyone."

They smiled, giving him a small nuzzle. "Thank you for bringing me."

"Of course," he whispered. You're important to me… and I want to share these things with you, you know? Make you part of them."

"Mm… I brought shitty 3 am coffee to the overlook. What we're missing is snacks."

Jericho laughed. "I didn't mind. And we can always get snacks."

"I'll hold you to it," they laughed and kissed him. "How are you feeling?"

"A lot better than yesterday," he smiled at them. "I'm good, I'm happy. You?"

"I'm happy I'm with you."

Shifting so he could meet their gaze, Jericho looked at them with a soft smile, brought his hand to their cheek, and leaned in to kiss them. "I love you, Juan."