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the glass is cold when he first touches it.
he vaguely feels the water thrum against the glass, the only thing between him and the open ocean.
sometimes he wonders if they're waiting for him. if somewhere out there, even if a small chance, they wait for him at the same window sometimes, hands pressed against the same glass.
closing his eyes, he heaves a sigh out, turning to the elevator again.
a shadow casts over him, his eyes widening. snapping back to the window, he feels his chest swell.
for all his insistence on not needing anyone else, the way he almost runs back to his spot at the window, hands pressed against the glass again, it'd be easy to call him a liar.
they look ethereal to him. even if they'd blush and cuss at him for the compliment, he'd keep saying it.
if he tries hard enough, he can almost feel their palms against his through the window.
maybe next time he's here, they'll be inside.
it doesn't matter how often he purposefully makes the elevator come to the aquarium, he'd waste all his stolen treasure to see his true one.
he spends another few floors on the elevator, after being forced back into it.
when he returns to it, they're in their usual outfit, sitting at the edge of a petting tank.
when they spot him, they smile, eyes warm and delighted to see the thief.
he's grateful they follow him back to the elevator, hands pressed together.
even if he's sometimes bad with words, his actions have always spoke so clearly to them.
they're always so happy together.