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A breeze of cool air greets Shinju as they continue walking down the cobbled street, the sharp gust leaving a flush of pink on their nose and cheeks. They didn't expect the night to have grown this chilly for spring. Scrunching their nose, annoyed at the unpredictable weather.
Out of all days, a prominent frown forms on their lips as they pull the soft blazer closer to their skin. Having their body accustomed to the heat within the building from hours of working, cooped in a stuffy room. Maybe their body is in shock from the frigidness still. Plus, the cotton black pressed shirt as a base layer...
A small smile slowly appears on their face, remembrance of a person they miss. Her words of advice go unused, worries of their well-being even if it's minor, and excuses that come with an occurrence similar to now.
Shinju recalls this likeness, the harsh cold and lack of heat. Farah would have hugged them as justification. They can imagine other reasons she could come up with as a tease.
They almost feel shameful to be this pleased in public — a hand half-covering their mouth instinctively, as they're aware the sight would have been hysterical or unbelieving to others who know them.
Wayhaven's very own wet blanket of a detective smiling? Have they finally committed casualty on some poor soul?
But why wouldn't they smile? With the way she looks at them then, with eyes sparkling in mischief, and refreshing honesty to her words on wanting such closeness, such affections without discomfiture.
Good god, this is absolutely ridiculous. They almost let out a sharp laugh.
Becoming giddy? At this time? Three in the morning at the borders of the park? Surrounded by gloom with streetlights as a guide?
What a fucking idiot.
Their smile only grows, now at the incredulous of this. And how profound this liking has gone.
Farah wouldn't let it down if she saw this. Undoubtedly be incredibly flattered as well, something along the lines of "Who wouldn't like me?".
Shinju gives a fond yet exasperated sigh. Of course, she would, nothing dampens her brightness, her optimistic heart. Their mind wanders more with each step — slightly aware of the sounds it makes — wondering momentarily at the thought of her knowing it's beyond platonic. Beyond a seasonal fling.
A shadow abruptly stops these thoughts, their muscles stiffening at the outline of the figure.
It's the familiarity of it.
As if instinct, they thought of turning around, another route to just avoid the individual. But then that would have taken more time, more energy from their already weathered body and more outcomes to come from a pessimistic mind.
They form a mental list of pros and cons in a matter of seconds that swiftly become distinct outcomes with each scoured information.
Shinju pinches the bridge of their nose as if the action would decrease the growing headache of possibilities that would occur for being stupid.
Might as well. A calculated and voluntary bad decision is better than an impulsive one, they try to reason themselves. Walking towards the figure's direction with guard.
Maybe a little venom would relieve the bitterness of meeting an old acquaintance.
"Glad to see you're living your name, creep."
Her eyes widen in shock at the sudden calling before her lips turn into a sultry grin, too pleased to see the discomposing face of the detective with arms crossed.
"Ah, angel." She purrs.
Roberta Marks. Bobby Marks. Bobby. Motherfucker.
Shinju can feel their eye twitch.
"Late shift again?" She examines their overall appearance, drinking in each detail from bottom to top. "Can't say I'm surprised but I've always liked your dishevelled appearance."
For the love of god–
Their brows furrow deep. "And what's the reason a sewage rat is out of its home?"
Bobby tilts her head in question. "Are you referring to yourself?"
As much as every part of Bobby would love to tip them off just because of the delicious reactions that are oh so graciously given to her in a neat little present, for them to explode in genuine anger isn't one of them. Especially when she doesn't want to directly handle the repercussions of her actions.
It's easier in the station. Leaving them soon after while their coworker's ears bleed off at their detective's complaints. It would have been the usual and better choice similar to most visiting days.
The image would have lightened her up if not for the current situation.
She turns away, tucking a strand of curl away from her hair with a huff. "As much I'd love to drag this guessing game, I thought your lovely inspection skills can uncover the reason more easily than asking, Detective."
Shinju raises an eyebrow at the sentence. Unsure to leave, not bothering to entertain the journalist or reconsider her word choice.
Unlike Bobby's usual confidence, she looks at the floor, not wanting to meet their eyes and makes it increasingly apparent the fact she's truly distraught.
That's enough indication that makes Shinju proceed with the latter.
Bright coloured luggage is poorly hidden behind her frame while her usual hair is damp as if rained just moments ago despite not.
Plus, she doesn't live in this neighbourhood.
"So Avery finally had some sense in her." Shinju bemuses.
"By two-timing?"
Shinju becomes silent.
Bobby takes a deep breath, pushing away the wet hair to the side, revealing a restrained smile in an attempt to hide contempt. "Apparently they were on-and-off ever since Avery moved back to Wayhaven."
Bobby gives a brittle laugh. "Guess it takes a surprise visit from her little sweetheart for her to finally tell me and make a choice."
If not for their history together, Shinju would have some sympathy with the circumstances and acted at once as a form of responsibility. At the moment, they feel nothing more than uncertainty tugging their heartstrings. With a clenched jaw and familiar knot between their brows, deepening the lines in-between.
The silence only grows between the two to the point Bobby herself is visibly uncomfortable with the tension.
"What the hell am I even doing?" She murmurs, quickly turning and pulling her luggage. "You don't even want to know this."
"No, I do."
Bobby stops momentarily but makes no move to turn around.
Shinju doesn't hide how exasperated they are with the way their words slurs as if forced.
"I'm not going to leave you freeze to death here. I'm not that heartless." They walk until she's next to her. Bobby still doesn't want to look at them. "Nor am I leaving you alone at this time."
Bobby scoffs. "And I know you. You won't help until it's beneficial to you. I've seen how you work at the station, it's always an IOU, never out of goodness. Since when have you been anything but practical?"
Shinju wants to laugh at the irony of her words.
"Anyways, you're clearly annoyed with me." She glances at the corner of her eye. "That's evident enough."
"Because you stole confidential information when we dated." They deadpan. "I'm a bitter bitch."
Her grip tightens on the luggage, huffing. "So, what do you want? Why help at all? Blackmail? To shame me? As if I had any in the first place."
They can't lie, it's beyond annoying to be arguing every time they meet, truly infuriating to be seeing the same face that continues to tamper with both their personal and professional life. But despite it, despite, despite, despite.
So, when am I going to properly let this go?
"Bobby," Shinju starts, there's no malice from before but their tone is impassive as if trying not to let themselves crack. "You can't project to people what you've done to others. They're not you."
"Is it really projection if we're so similar?" She challenges.
Shinju raises an eyebrow. "Similarities and carbon copies have different definitions if you can't tell."
Bobby turns to them, closing into their personal space enough that Shinju catches a faint smell of a flower. She's taller than them by a few centimetres with her heels but the energy between the two are equal, a controlled countenance and unwavering focus towards the other.
"Then what do you think we have that isn't in common, my sweetest angel?"
Shinju can't help notice the golden rim around her hazel eyes, cast by the streetlight above them. They can't help being aware of the absence of others but her.
They hate themselves for recalling the moment when they used to gaze into it with softness.
"Intentions, Bobby." They say almost in a whisper. "And loyalty, if you want to be reminded again."
Bobby becomes silent momentarily, eyes searching Shinju's face for something, a crack for them to dig an old wound or a lie that would fuel her doubts. She only saw resolution and the same honesty.
"Is that why you're helping?" Bobby's eyes linger to a specific mole at the corner of their lips. Casting a glance to the other details she remembers.
Shinju's jaw tightens. "I won't say."
She doesn't dare to linger more, turning away completely.
There's nothing more to say.
What else is there to say?
"I'm leaving and if you want to follow, catch up." She starts walking, the luggage wheels rumble against the uneven pavement.
Shinju says nothing regarding the sudden topic exchange, instead accepts it by pacing themselves next to her — keeping a professional distance for the sake of their sanity. "We're going to the convenience store first."
Bobby chuckles lightly.
"So demanding Detective," She hums, a smile forming on her maroon lips as her usual demeanour resurfaces. "But then again you're never the type to ask anything nicely."
Shinju grimaces. "Shut the fuck up Bobby."
Bobby can't help but let out a genuine laugh.
"You know it's physically impossible for me to do that angel."
She quickens her pace, feeling the chill growing worse on her ears and scalp as she tightens her coat. "Let's hurry and get some heat packs before I freeze to death."