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The light behind the stained glass windows of the tavern beckons Chrissy closer as she locks up her flower shop - colorful patterns mingling with the painted blossoms on the walls.
“It's for Steve,” Robin told her, back when they first met. “He needs lots of color and noise.”
She never explained, and Chrissy never asked, but she's seen how Steve smiles when she brings the leftover flowers by.
Voices and the scent of food engulf her as she opens the door. The inside is as vibrant as the outside, every wall sporting colorful paintings and tapestries. Robin is nowhere to be seen, but Eddie is lounging by the fireplace, regaling the neighborhood kids with a story. Chrissy sets her flowers down and pulls out a chair to listen.
“What happened then?” Lucas is just asking.
Eddie tilts his head.
“After the thief rescued the guard from the sky vault,” Dustin says impatiently. “Did they get revenge?”
“Nah,” Eddie laughs. “They ran away like the thief promised. They settled in a country far away, where nobody knew about magic, and started a new life. The thief found a house for them and their loved ones, and they filled it with life and color and laughter. And they lived happily ever- what, Michael?”
Mike scowls. “That's a lame ending. What about the thief's magic? He should get it back and find the guard's family and- ouch!”
Max smiles sweetly and lowers her hand. “I think it's a very romantic ending.”
Beside her, El nods. “What about the thief's other promise? That he'd never stop kissing him.”
“He didn't,” Eddie declares proudly. “The thief loved nothing more than kissing his beloved. Sometimes, he'd kiss him for hours on end, in all the places he could reach, until he'd beg-”
“I don't think they need to hear that,” says someone behind Chrissy.
“Sweetheart,” Eddie exclaims, flying out of his chair to sweep Steve into an embrace. “Finally. My heart's been longing for you all night.”
“I was just in the kitchen, you big drama queen,” Steve grouses, but doesn't fight when Eddie pulls him in for a long, noisy smack on the lips. “Sorry, Chrissy. Robin will be here any minute.”
Chrissy waves him off. “Don't worry. Your husband is an excellent entertainer.”
“I see that,” Steve says, turning to the kids. “Shouldn't you be home? It's way after dark.”
They start to protest, but Eddie cuts them off.
“Nuh-uh, you little pests, off you go. Story's over, and I have a beautiful man to kiss.”
They shriek in disgust, and Eddie cackles as he ushers them out the door, hand never letting go of Steve’s.
“Ugh, they're such saps,” Robin mutters, walking out of the kitchen with a bowl of hot stew. Their fingers brush as she shoves it towards Chrissy.
She shrugs, watching how Eddie whispers something into Steve’s ear, making him blush. “I think they're cute. You can see that they've been through a lot together.”
Robin smiles. “You're right about that.”
One day, Chrissy thinks, she's going to ask about that particular story. For now, the old house is full of noise and color, and that's all she needs to know.