The happy chime of the bells on the door announced Jack's presence as he entered the shop. He caught Kieran's eye and the quick flash of annoyance before it was replaced by a sincere smile. He gave a small wave, and Kieran's attention went back to the customer fishing through her purse.

He held the door open for Thomas as he kept his eye on the register counter, watching as Lindsey talked the older woman through the card reader prompts, nodding along and commiserating about how every reader was different. How could everyone else stumble through the wrong buttons and laugh it off like it was nothing? Being forced to start over was embarrassing.

"It's just like the one I had when I was a little girl," the woman said as she watched Kieran place a creepy teddy bear into a paper sack.

Kieran nodded with a smile. "They certainly had character back then. If you have a moment, I can check if the bent knee walker I have in the back is the one you're after."

"Are you sure? I won't be keeping you open too long?"

"It's not a bother at all. I'm fairly certain the box is easily accessible." His smile dropped when he looked past the woman and caught sight of Thomas standing just behind Jack.

"Hey, Daddy-O!" Thomas said with a jaunty wave.

Jack winced and mouthed his apology. He forced out an awkward smile when the customer turned to look. He should have taken his chance to hide in the back when she wasn't looking. Or behind a bookshelf.

She looked between Thomas and Jack with a smile before turning back to Kieran. "Never you mind. I'll get out of the way for your friends."

A brief flash of panic crossed Kieran's eyes. "You needn't feel like you should. I have plenty of time to check my inventory."

"No, no, no! I remember what it was like after a long day, and one of my friends popped in to surprise me. I'll come back later."

"I love popping in unexpectedly," Thomas said, his smile bright and containing none of the uncertainty Jack had witnessed outside. "Forgot to bring a coffee, though. Next time?"

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"A friendly face is enough, I'm sure," she said, oblivious to the glare being sent over her head. She gently collected her paper bag and nodded to Kieran. "Thank you again. I would appreciate it if you held the Minty for me if you come across her. I may still be interested even if it's not her. My name is Ellie. Ellie Wilson. I'll send my husband for her if I can't make it before the new year."

"I'll be certain to set her aside for you, Mrs. Wilson. Good day."

"Have a nice day! Thanks for stopping in!" Thomas said as he watched the woman leave. The door shut, and he turned back to face Kieran. His grin lost a little of its shine under Kieran's scrutiny.

Kieran's eyes flicked down and narrowed in suspicion at the suitcase that sat innocently beside Thomas. "I do hope there's only clothing in there."

Thomas ignored Kieran in favor of Lindsey. "Trainwreck! I love what you've done to your ribs! They're on the inside. Good on you."

"Thanks! I even have all my fingers," Lindsey said, happily splaying out her hands. She approached him and slowly circled around, looking him over. "You feel so weird when you manifest."

Jack took the moment of distraction to duck away from Thomas and move to Kieran's side. He felt marginally safer, but still completely out of place. He was surrounded by supernatural creatures, and he fell somewhere on the spectrum as well. The thought was as unsettling as it was comforting.

"Oh, that's the tether," Thomas replied, gesturing to his chest. "Met a medium once, and she said it's for when it's not your time." He laughed to himself. "Lady had no idea…"

The anxious dip in Jack's stomach came back with a vengeance. When was it ever a vampire's time? Decapitation and cremation seemed like a lot of effort to make sure death would stick. And what about suicidal vampires? Did they ask someone to help them? Seek out a vampire hunter? Get weird about things when they got drunk?

Fingers were in his hair, and Jack flinched. He looked up at Kieran and swallowed as he forced his shoulders to untense. "Uh, he says he's sober," he said quietly, grateful for the distraction.

If he didn't think about Kieran's casual flippancy with depression, then he wouldn't have to dwell on his own. He thought he was doing better. His friends had said as much, so it had to mean something.

Kieran nodded. "Lindsey, if you would be so kind as to lock the door?" He shifted his gaze back to Thomas. "I suppose we should have this discussion upstairs."

"Or we could have it here," Thomas offered. "With all the escape routes in plain sight."

"I have windows," Kieran replied with a pointed smile.

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