“Nice to meet you” Said Atlas reaching out to greet Hex’s mother.

She lifted her hand but not to greet Atlas. She gestured as to say stop talking. She started speaking to someone on her ear piece.

“Yes the shipments will arrive a little late. No, we can't get them here any sooner. Go ahead try to find someone who can get them here faster” Said Galatice.

Atlas was able to hear the man speaking.

She hung up and said “What do you want, Pleio”.

“My name is Lucius, nice to finally meet you” Said Atlas.

When her eyes meet with his own she seemed to cringe. It seemed like making eyes contact with him had caused her pain or great discomfort.

“Yes, nice…” She stammered slowly.

Atlas knew he had messed up somehow and she now had the same hate all people had for him. A natural inborn fear. Like fear of the dark.

“Where's dad?” Asked Hex.

“Why would I know. Can't you do anything yourself. Go look for yourself if you really want to know where he is” Replied her mother.

Hex nodded and Atlas took her hand.

Once they were out of her mother's ear shot Atlas asked “She seemed somewhat angry if I picked up on the emotion correctly”.

“No, she's just really stressed. She has this giant shipment that she has to get in tomorrow and if she doesn't get it in on time she loses her job” Said Hex.

Atlas recalled having a conversation with Moriarty regarding a shipment of weapons that was due tomorrow. Atlas would have to ask later. Hex walked up stairs and called out “Dad?”

“Over here, Ione” Yelled the man.

Hex walked down the hall and opened the door. A large desk was covered with stacks of paperwork.

“Be quick, I don't have time for you” Said her father.

“This is my friend Lucius” Said Hex nudging Atlas.

“Nice to meet you” Said the man with a small wave of his hand.

He never looked up. Atlas was somewhat displeases. He did not enjoy how little they showed affection towards Hex. It seemed wrong to him. He knew it was because they busy but it still crawled under his skin.

“So Lucius do you want to help me pick out a new outfit?” Asked Hex pushing her thick ash colored hair out of her face.

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Her creamy dark skin resembled Havana’s skin tone. But was somehow far more easy on the eyes. He liked the soft smooth creamy chocolate color but knew he would never admit it to her. Atlas dared say that it looked how fine chocolate felt on his lips.

“That would be interesting” Said Atlas.

He wondered how she chose what to wear and decided it would be a perfect way to find out.

“Galatice gave me money yesterday so we can go right now” Said Hex.

Atlas grabbed her hand and they began to walk out. Atlas began to look over Hex and wondered what to describe in his next recording for her. He felt something unusual when he looked at her soft face. Her lips seemed soft and smooth. He wondered what her lips would feel like. He wondered if he should ask.

“So how are you and Allison?” Asked Hex.

“I am well but I can't speak for her” Said Atlas.

“I mean like are you two doing well together?” Asked Hex.

“We are still friends” Said Atlas pulling her close to avoid bumping into a poll. Hex smiled her cute lip biting smile.

“So you two aren't together anymore?” Questioned Hex with a smooth tone.

“Yes, we broke up because weren't happy together” Said Atlas.

He remembered how Levy had asked him if he was happy with Allison.

When he replied “no” she told him to break up with her if he wasn't happy with her. But then again, he rarely was happy.

“So,” Said Hex turning her face up towards Atlas.

“Do you want to go on a blind date?”. Atlas could not help but smile.

“You be the date I'll be the blind” She smiled just before kissing his cheek.

Wow, her lips are soft...

Atlas felt her right arm around his waist and her left hand pull his left arm around herself.

“I was cold but I'm okay now” Said Hex pressing her head against his chest.

Atlas held her closer and avoided another light post that was far off. They arrive at the mall and Atlas guided her to the clothing store. Atlas heard a yip and looked back to see the filthy puppy, Darwin.

“Was that Darwin?” Asked Hex.

“Yes, but ignore him” Said Atlas.

“Come on don't be so mean, pick him up” Said Hex.

Atlas sighed, he snapped with his thumb and pinky. Darwin galloped over and stood between Hex’s legs. Atlas left Darwin where he stood. They continued to walk with Darwin. They reached a clothing shop and walked in.

“Do you mind showing me where the clothes are?” Asked Hex.

“Over here” Said Atlas taking her hands.

Atlas watched her run her hands over every inch of the clothing. As if she was creating an image of what that looked like in her head. Atlas notice she cared far more about what the clothing felt like than what it looked like.

“Which one do you think is cuter?” Asked Hex.

Atlas looked at the shirts she held in her right and left hand. If he understood what cute was correctly he knew what the proper response was.

He walked right up to Hex and said “This one” as he tapped her nose with his index finger.

She crossed her arms and said “Oh really”.

“Yes” Replied Atlas.

“Well I'm going to try these on, I'll be right back” Said Hex.

She stepped into a changing room and the closed the door. Darwin began to wine and galloped over to the door of the changing room. Atlas looked at his fat round body. He leaped up grabbing the doorknob. Atlas knew the door was locked and Darwin could do nothing to open it. Atlas watched Darwin bite off the doorknob with his rounded pebbles for teeth. The door began to open. Atlas ran over to close the door. He reached out and it moved away from him. Atlas slammed into Hex and froze. Atlas looked up and saw her glasses peering down on him.

“You could have asked” Said Hex.