Chapter Text
It’s been a few days since Rainer and Fitzroy talked about their feelings over ice cream. He’s been surprisingly chill about it, Rainer had almost expected him to close off and internalize the wrong things. So far, he’s been nothing but friendly and eccentric as usual. It’s a comforting thought.
The weather is rainy outside, and the bookstore is quiet. Rainer stifles a yawn and puts the last book from her cart on the shelf. She’s been working in the bookstore since her injury, and she surprisingly found it to be just her speed. It’s quiet, and doesn't demand too much of her. It smells nice, and her boss is understanding and flexible with her hours. She wheels back over behind the desk, and picks up her book on necromancy. She’s made it through the first few chapters, and settles into reading about the properties of reanimation based on the size and shape of the body.
“Swap any good souls lately?” Rainer jumps, and looks up to find Taako standing at the front desk, two cookbooks in hand and a teasing smile on his face.
“No,” She laughs. “Just reading about them,”
“Uhuh, sure,” Taako rolls his eyes. “What time do you get off work?” Rainer checks the clock above the door.
“About 30 minutes, why?” Taako grins.
“We’re going shopping.” Rainer laughs, and starts ringing up his purchases.
Taako tucks himself into the shop’s reading nook until Rainer finishes her shift, flipping through his new books and marking up the margins. Rainer calls out to him as she moves towards the front door. He stands up and Rainer lets Taako levitate her chair so they can move side by side and talk. The rain has cleared up, and it’s warmed a little bit, creating a cozy fog that settles down over the road. Rainer pulls her sweater on, and relaxes into her chair.
“Did you think about what you want?” Taako says, glancing over at her. Rainer shrugs.
“I’ve given it a little bit of thought, but I’m still not quite sure,” She twists her fingers together, and threads them into the knit blanket on her lap.
“That’s okay, we’ll find something. I’m sure you’ll get a million or so books, so don’t pick that please,” Taako adjusts his bag and reaches out to take her hand as he walks. “You said something about dresses?”
“Yeah,” Rainer latches onto that topic, thinking back to the dresses that had been advertised in one of the magazines from work. “I’m thinking something black maybe? Like, necromancy, but also still cute,”
“Oh,” Taako grins wide. “I know exactly where we need to go,”
Taako takes Rainier to a shopping center on the east side of the city, and directs her into a store entitled, “Witches and Bitches.”
Rainer lets herself admire the comfortable wood panelling on the wall and the soft lamp lighting. Racks of clothes and accessories lie out before them, and Taako wa
lks over to a row of dresses, flipping through them.
“This one?” He holds out a black dress with golden suns embroidered on the hem.
“That one’s pretty,” Rainer says, moving towards a row of lace jackets, admiring the delicate material.
“Grab one, try it on.” Taako calls, moving deeper into the racks of clothing. Rainer drapes the jacket across her lap.
They spend another 20 or so minutes picking out clothing, eventually flagging down a sales associate to assist Taako with his style choices. Rainer mostly lets them pick out items, since she’s liked everything Taako has shown her, and she really doesn’t know where to start. Taako lovingly bundles her into the large dressing room with angled mirrors, and helps her into the first dress she picks out from the bundle of clothing. It’s the dress with the golden suns, and it falls just below her knees, the bodice close fitting and the sleeves swooping down to gather into soft cuffs.
Rainer takes a moment to admire herself, how the dress accentuates aspects of her body she doesn’t often see.
“Hey Taako?” Rainer asks, staring at herself in the mirror. Taako steps up behind her, eyebrow raised in question. He’s got a black velvet blazer on, checking out the fit as she thinks over her next words. “Can we just have a spa day?” Rainer feels a little awkward saying the word, and looks down at her hands. Taako wraps his arms around her waist and gently holds her for a moment.
“Of fucking course,” He says quietly. “Is that what you want for your birthday?” Rainer smiles and nods. Taako presses a kiss to her cheek, and then gently squeezes her.
“Hell yeah pumpkin, let’s get it.”
They leave the store with what Rainer thinks is entirely too many bags, but Taako brushes off her concerns and they continue back towards her home. They pass by the strip mall on their way, and Taako makes a sudden detour.
“So I know the typical Spa Day shit is done in salons and all that but honestly, it’s overpriced and you can do most of that shit at home,” Taako says, walking into the fantasy costco. “So we’re gonna grab all our shit here, and then head over to my house, and we’re gonna have the best damn spa day.”
Rainer can only nodd in affection and follow behind as Taako grabs product after product, until he seems to be satisfied with his haul. He pulls out his stone after they check out of the store, ringing Kravitz to pick them up. There’s a ripping sound, and Kravitz steps out into the parking lot, face a somber skull and dressed to the nines. Rainer waves at him as Taako steps up to give him a quick kiss.
“Hi babe, we're commandeering the master bath and we’ll be there till late,” Taako says, grinning in an all knowing way.
“Good thing I cleaned it this week,” Kravitz smiles at Rainer.
“Thanks babe,” Taako patted his cheek, and stepped through the portal
“Of course. Love you Rainer, have fun.” Kravitz drops a kiss to her head, and pushes her gently through the portal.