#the mutant

“Yeah. I’m just…trying to make some sense of this.” He said as he awkwardly gestured to the sofa. “All yours.” He ran a hand through his hair as he went to sit down again. “Uh what’s…uh what’s wrong?”

“cramps.” I shrugged. Henry blushed slightly as he looked away. “Yeah. Mr. Magorium thought I could use a moment to myself. Just relax and not deal with customers.” Henry nodded. “One at a time is bad enough. When you get hit with both…pure hell.” I shuddered and Henry chuckled awkwardly.

“I wouldn’t know.” He rubbed the back of his neck. “Well uh since you’re just kind of hanging out here…would you want to help? None of this is making much sense to me.” I shrugged as I curled up on the couch.

"I'm not sure how much help I will be but sure." Henry watched me with a small smile.

"You believe in all this more than I do. Like get this..." He held up a piece of paper. "An IOU from Thomas Edison. P.S. Thanks for the idea. I mean come on!"

“Uh Henry. It’s exactly what it says.” I pointed out.

“really?” He asked, exasperation clear in his tone. “Not you too. Magic isn’t real!”

“and what is it going to take to convince you that this is a magical toy store?” I asked. I winced as a sharp cramp rolled through me, Henry leaning forward in his seat as he watched. He looked at me exasperated as I shook my head at him. “There are actual rockets flying around behind you right now and all you can say is magic isnt fucking real.” I crossed my arms as I looked at him.

“Alright fine. Believe what you want.” Henry sighed. “But I’m telling you, magic isn’t real. And neither is this iou.” I rolled my eyes at him. Henry pulled another paper out of the pile. “Ok. How do you explain this then? A book maker. Living in the basement.” 

“Bellini?” I asked, staring at Henry as if he’d grown a second head. “What about him? So what he lives in the basement. His books are better than any library binding you could get from any publishing company. They actually last for an entire childhood. Often longer.”

“Isn’t that fucking creepy though?” Henry scoffed. “Some random guy living in the basement of a toy store.”

“Have you met him? He sleeps with a teddy bear missing an eye Henry.” I said, shifting slightly on the sofa as the cramps became more pronounced. 

“Missing a…never mind.” He shook his head as he got up. “Maybe it’s better if I just call it a day.” I nodded sadly, knowing I had to go back onto the floor. “Let me walk you home.” I stared at him in surprise. 

“But my shift…” I started as Henry helped me up. 

“I’m sure Mr. Magorium wouldn’t mind losing you for the day. You aren’t feeling well anyway.” Henry said, squeezing my hand as he wrapped his jacket around my shoulders. “Besides I already asked him and it was fine.” He tapped the notepad next to the window as he held the door open for me. I smiled softly at the floor as we walked through the store, stopping behind the register to grab my things. 

“Thank you Henry.” I murmured as we turned in the direction of my apartment. He nodded and shoved his hands in his pockets as we walked. 

“You know you’re the only one who doesn’t call me mutant.” He pointed out as we waited for a light to change. “Kind of nice honestly.” 

“Yeah well for the first month I worked at the store I was sunny. Apparently I was too eager for work and always smiling.” I shrugged. “I don’t think Mr. Magorium actually thought I was going to stick around for very long. Just like with you…” I hugged myself as we started crossing. “I think he expects to be gone before his affairs are in order. So he figures he doesn’t need to know your name. Just trusts that you can do the job.” Henry reached over and squeezed my arm. 

“It’s going to be ok. When he’s gone.” Henry tried to assure me. 

“We don’t even know what’s going to happen to the store.” I sighed, looking at him. “And I know you don’t believe it but the store is throwing a temper tantrum over it. Little things are changing. And…it hurts. Probably more than the idea of mr. Magorium not being there.” I waited for Henry before taking the turn towards my building. “I don’t know if I would stay if the store became just like all the others.” Henry frowned. 

“Part of the magic of the store is you and Mahoney. The real magic.” Henry took my hand and rubbed his thumb over my knuckles. “Without you two, the store wouldn’t stand out. If you leave…” he shrugged. “I wouldn’t want to shop there. And if both of you left…there’d be no store to even shop at.” I smiled softly at him. 

“Thanks Henry.” I murmured. He nodded, smiling back at me. “I’ll see you tomorrow?” I shrugged out of his jacket and turned to go up my stairs, looking at him over my shoulder. 

“Uh yeah.” He nodded, jacket thrown over his arm. I smiled as I unlocked the door, hand raised in goodbye. “Wait. (Y/N)?” He called as he rushed up the stairs. I paused, turning back towards him. 

“Yeah?” I asked, watching as he shifted awkwardly in front of me. 

“I might not believe in magic but I do think you have something special. And if you’d let me, I’d like the opportunity to become a believer.” Henry slowly started to turn pink. I chuckled as he reached out for my hand. “Too cheesy?” I shook my head.