When Edmund entered the shop after finishing his own work at the café, it was more than clear that everybody was tired. “Hey, guys, busy day?”

“Of course. It’s that time again, after all,” Sebastian bemoaned before collapsing onto his friend’s shoulder. “I need a nap.”

Ed laughed lightly and gave him a sympathetic pat on the back. “Again?”

“Don’t be mean.”

“Hi, Ed. Seb, you still need to finish your shift,” Lydia reminded.

Sebastian groaned and pulled himself away from Edmund. “Save me?”

“Sorry, but there is no way I can take on Lydia.”

Lydia laughed. “Smart. Never pick a battle you know you’re not going to win.”

“What if you end up fighting one you know you can’t win?”

“I said never pick one. You’re less likely to get into that kind of situation when you don’t go looking for it.”

Edmund shrugged. “I suppose you have a point.”

“I also have work to do. And so does sunshine here.”

Sebastian grimaced. “I hate that nickname.”

Lydia grinned. “I know.”

Edmund snickered in amusement, stopping when he noticed Persephone watching him oddly. “Hi, Persephone.”

She seemed to break out of her daze and smiled in her usual casual fashion. “Hey, Ed. How was work today?”

“Same as always. Do you mind if I use the TV?”

“Not at all,” Persephone answered, watching as Edmund went into the back of the shop where the breakroom was located.

Sebastian raised a curious eyebrow. “Is something wrong Seph?”

“Hmm?”

“You just gave Edmund a weird look.”

“Uh, everything’s fine. I just was surprised to see him in a sweater, is all.”

“He wears sweaters quite often.”

“True. He always seems to layer himself like it's winter,” Lydia commented. “Doesn’t he get hot?”

Sebastian shrugged. “You would think so, but he’s just always been like that.”

“Well, I meant the sweater he’s wearing today specifically. It looks a lot like one that I bought Hayden for our last anniversary. She spilt wine all over it the same night,” Persephone said with a giggle.

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“Oh. Did she get the stain out?” Lydia inquired.

Persephone hummed. “No clue. She hasn’t worn it again to my knowledge.”

“Excuse me, can you please show me where the mirrors are?” A customer asked, cutting the conversation there.

Later, when Sebastian’s shift had finally ended, he’d forgotten all about the odd look. He went to the break room where Edmund was waiting. Or rather where he was sitting watching TV with a Great Dane half on top of him.

“Spot, get down. You’re not allowed on the furniture.”

The dog whined pitifully.

“I'm not falling for that, you big oaf. Get off my friend,” Seb said as he gently shoved the Great Dane off of Ed/the couch.

Edmund laughed. “You know, we don’t have to scold him for being on the couch.”

“You and Persephone might think it’s silly to teach him manners, but I don’t think it’s right to leave everything to Hayden. The Great British Bake Off again? Don't you get tired of this kind of thing?”

“Unlike you, I can appreciate the art of cooking.”

“I would appreciate a good meal. Speaking of, are you coming over for dinner tonight?”

“It’s Friday, so that mean’s Nick is making pizza, right?”

“Yup.”

“Then do you even need to ask?”

Sebastian laughed. “Let’s go then.”

The pair went out by the back door and got into Edmund’s truck. The engine took a minute to start up, but then seemed to be running smoothly.

“Don’t say anything.”

“I wasn’t going to... but, maybe you should get the truck checked out if you refuse to get anything better than this ‘classic’.”

“This was my dad’s first truck. And mine. I can’t just abandon her.”

“I’m not saying to ditch it somewhere like it’s nothing, but you can’t have a car that breaks down suddenly and leaves you stranded somewhere.”

“Where am I going to get stranded? I only drive to your house, school, work and home. We’ve never left town or anything.”

“What if it breaks down while you’re driving home. Then you’ll be stuck in the woods, in the middle of nowhere.”

“Well, it’s always been safe before. Remember we used to play in the forest all the time as kids.”

“Not at night,” Sebastian pointed out and Edmund tensed. “What if you get stuck out there at night, huh?”

“I won’t. On the unlikely chance that I do though, I’ll protect myself. You really don’t need to worry.”

“Doesn't matter if I don’t need to, I will. So, make sure to keep yourself safe. Alright?”

“Alright then. Enough talking about me, how was work today?”

“Nothing out of the ordinary. Oh, except this one guy tried to buy a wooden owl with acorns.”

“What?”

“I don’t know if he was high or what, man was just straight-up insane to talk to. One of the most entitled customers I’ve had to deal with yet, really.”

“An acorn? Are you lying?”

“I wish I was. But he actually called them Ember Oak seeds. What the hell is an Ember Oak anyway?”

“I don’t know. It’s probably not from this area. You’d be more likely to know than me though since you’re the one who listened most whenever Nanna talked about that kind of stuff.”

“Yeah. When are your grandparents visiting again, by the way?”

“No idea. Oh, I have a souvenir mug I’m supposed to give you. This one is from Switzerland.”

“Oh! I’ll have to try that hot-cocoa recipe they sent last time.”

“Hmm, now I’m hungry.”

“Again?”

“Shut up. You’re hungry too.”

“Yeah, but I didn’t eat half a tray of brownies before going to work today.”

“I could just leave you somewhere. I don’t have to drive you back to your place. Nick will probably still give me pizza even.”

Sebastian hummed thoughtfully. “Probably. But you can’t leave me really. Your conscience wouldn’t allow you to abandon me like that.”

“You sure.”

“Yep. You and me, forever and always. No matter what.”

“Promise?”

Seb raised a brow at the sudden seriousness of Edmund’s voice. Looking over at him, he noticed a tenseness in Ed’s shoulders.

“I promise. I’ll be here Eddie. There’s nothing that’ll get rid of me.”

“Good,” Edmund nodded, grinning the next moment. “Then we’re mutually stuck with each other.”

“Oh shit. I didn’t think about that.”

Ed laughed loudly at the exaggerated expression of shock/horror on Sebastian’s face. Seb began laughing too shortly after. And quietly in his mind, he wished that they really would always be like this. Always together and happy. No matter what.