The antique shop's brick exterior loomed over Jack as he stood on the corner, staring up at the window to Kieran's bedroom. Too many thoughts and memories collided with each other, fighting against the fog that insisted Kieran wasn't a vampire and nothing traumatic had happened.

He clutched the large box that held his mask to his chest. He wanted to keep it. He could easily turn around and put his creepy friend right back on his wall where it belonged.

And be reminded of Kieran's cloying thoughtfulness every time he saw it. Somehow, it kept most of the nightmares at bay. He'd never been so sober. He was supposed to be thankful, not resentful.

He had intended to wait a full week before returning the mask, but the two dates he'd been on with Augie in the meantime had him restless and wanting to see someone who fully paid attention to him. He had come to the conclusion that he was not interested in dating another flake ever again. It didn't help that being in such public settings was wearing on him, chipping away at his mental state. He needed some time to himself without coming off like a reclusive asshole. He wondered if he could call Benoit and ask her to get Augie to lay off for a few days.

"Jack!"

Jack cringed and sidestepped away from Lindsey's enthusiastic voice. "Hi," he softly replied to the empty spot beside him. Ice raced up his arm and across his shoulders, settling on his shoulder blades. He fought against the freezing pressure.

"Come in through the back," Lindsey said as she pushed harder.

"What? Why?"

"Your boyfriend's here."

Of course Kieran was there. That was the whole point. No, he reminded himself, they were broken up or on a break or something. He had a different boyfriend. "I broke up with—"

"Not Kieran. That Augie Doggie guy."

There was enough annoyance in her tone to make Jack wonder how familiar she was with Augie. It was possible she was annoyed on Kieran's behalf, but, with her vindictive streak being a thorn in Kieran's side, it felt more personal.

"How do you know about that?"

"Kieran's been complaining about it," Lindsey airily replied. "I think he's jealous. And maybe worried, but he's too him to do anything about it."

So much for only wanting to be friends. The possibility was still there if Kieran was truly worried about Jack's well-being. Benoit spoke highly of Augie, and Kieran hadn't said much against him. If anything, all evidence pointed toward Augie being a carefree flake. With his own memory issues working against him, Jack could hardly hold it against the guy.

The pressure on his back shifted to a tugging on his sleeve. He was being harassed by a ghost, and he was dating another vampire. Why was he incapable of having a normal life?

"C'mon. You'll wanna hear this."

The temperature went from frigid to cool, and Jack looked from the main entrance of the building to the mouth of the alley. Eavesdropping was a bad habit, and he knew he wasn't going to like whatever he was going to find out.

"God damnit…"

The back door was already cracked and waiting for him to enter. Stomach churning, he ducked inside and prepared himself to hear all about how Kieran broke Poor Augustin's heart.

"This. This is why I never came crawlin' back! Everythin' has to be on your terms!"

Far from what he'd been expecting, Kieran's voice was loud, angry, and full-blown Lucky Charms. And, just like the cereal, Jack couldn't tell if he loved it, or if it was too much to handle.

"I said 'no,' an' you walked out. It wasn't rejection. It was you suggestin' to do somethin' I was uncomfortable with. I needed a moment to m'self t-to… No. You asked too much of me, an' then you decided to leave an' tell everyone I threw you out!"

Jack carefully angled himself so he could peer through a display case of jewelry. Kieran held himself stiffly, pressing his back firmly against the wall behind the register.

Augie moved around to the open end of the counter, trailing his fingers along the surface. "A slight overreaction on my part, I'll admit. Emotions were high. We both overreacted," he said with a sweet calmness.

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"Over— Augustin, you—" Kieran took a step forward then retreated to the wall again, jaw clenched.

"We could try again?"

"I'm involved with someone else," Kieran coldly replied.

Jack's stomach dropped before he could properly process the excuse. He winced as Augie let out a short and delighted laugh.

"You're joking. If either of us is involved with someone else, it's me," Augie said, settling against the counter and blocking any escape Kieran might have had. "Not you. You don't date. You don't court. You just grab a snack and go on your way. No attachments. Easy peasy."

"I do them the courtesy of winin' and dinin' first," Kieran ground out. "And why are we havin' this conversation if you're presently unavailable?"

"For after," Augie said with a dismissive wave. "He's cute, but I don't see it lasting more than a month, and he knows it. I'll get the kid a nice Christmas present and call it a day."

"Won't letcha bite him, so he's not worth the effort?"

"Okay, so I thought he was playing hard to get, and I can't get him to look at me long enough to persuade him," Augie admitted. His smile held no hint of caring that he'd been called out. "But he's handsome enough to make you remember seeing him with me. Enough to make you wonder. Kieran, we were good together."

"Yes. Were. You left."

Augie scoffed and pushed off the counter. "God, you and your abandonment issues! Not everyone leaves forever. Some of us come back."

"But do I wantcha back?" Kieran countered, crossing his arms as Augie moved closer.

"Kieran. I'm sorry I hurt you. I overreacted and lashed out. I wanna try again. If you'll have me?" Augie's tone was soft and sweet as he leaned into Kieran, his lips ghosting over Kieran's.

Jack's chest tightened as he struggled between breathing and swallowing. Had he been on the receiving end, there was no way he would have been able to turn Augie down. All the right notes of sincerity and adoration were being hit. He chewed his lip as he watched Augie's smile grow triumphant.

"Don't," Kieran warned, eyes narrowing.

"Afraid you won't be able to stop?" Augie teased.

Kieran turned his face away and glared at the floor. "I'm afraid you're only embarrassin' yourself."

"Kieran… Just one kiss."

"Tha's how it starts, innit? Just one kiss. Just one hair tug. Just one—"

Augie pushed away with a frustrated growl. "Oh, come on! You're the one who lives to please. Learn your own limits!"

"I did. You didn't appreciate it when I put a stop to your pushing."

"Right in the middle?! We were having fun, and you panicked!"

Breathing in deeply, Kieran made to move past Augie. "I am done with this conversation. You can show yourself out. This, for once, is the dismissal you claim it to be."

"What? Hey! Kieran!" Augie grabbed Kieran by the wrist and pulled him back. "You can't just run away from this. From us!"

"Augustin. No. There is no 'us,' and I don't need you to help lick my wounds. Please leave," Kieran quietly replied.

"What are you on about?" Augie asked as he tried to get Kieran to face him.

Kieran closed his eyes and shook his head. "Lindsey, if you would be so kind as to show our guest out, I'll getcha that bleedin' card reader."

A broken shadow formed and began to solidify behind Augie. Jack quickly turned away before he could catch a glimpse of Lindsey's mangled form.

"Who—"

"Hi!" Lindsey's short and gleeful greeting held the hint of a gurgle.

"Oh, dear God in Heaven!"

A delighted echo of laughter drifted by Jack's ear, and he cringed away, his eyes darting around his hiding spot. That was not Lindsey's laugh.

Warily, he crawled back into the storage room and shakily stood, quietly opening the back door. He leaned against the freezing bricks of the building and hugged the box he'd meant to return like a lifeline. He squeezed his eyes shut, fighting the invasive image of Lindsey's face.

Blood. Bone. Parts that had no right being on the outside.

"What's the skinny?" Lindsey asked, her voice soft and tinny. "You gonna break up with Mr. Confederacy?"

Jack swallowed and refused to look up. There was no wet gurgle to her voice, and he was grateful for the small favor. "Did you plan this?" he asked, barely managing to keep his voice even.

"Not really," Lindsey admitted with a frustrated sigh. "I lucked out with the timing. He's been pestering Kieran every time he's dropped in. This is the pushiest he's been. I thought he was gonna do his heavy flirting thing. Y'know? Poke around the store, pick up random crap, and reminisce about the good old days. That, just now, was some soap opera shit."

Jack nodded and slowly raised his eyes. "I'm gonna go home. Guess I'll see or hear you tomorrow."

"So we're still friends?"

He frowned and glanced to where Lindsey's voice had been. She had done nothing but look out for him, helping in the small ways she could. "Yeah. We're still friends."

"I'm gonna crash. You take care!"

Jack nodded and tried to ignore her phrasing. He pushed off the wall and unsteadily made his way out of the alley.

He knew his relationship with Augie was temporary, but it was supposed to be due to the terms he'd agreed to. Being used to spur jealousy had never crossed his mind. Just like the last time he'd eavesdropped from a backroom, he was left with more questions.

image [https://i.imgur.com/eZY0YUq.png]