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“When you invited me shopping, I thought we might actually be able to go to stores that I could… uh… y'know… afford,” he muttered under his breath.
“Pft! What?” [COWORKER] asked with a laugh. He turned to him and swatted his arm playfully. “Don't be crazy! I'm paying for you, obviously! You just haven't wanted anything.”
“What-”
“C'mon. I got a good store to go to! They have pretty good stuff over there, especially blazers and coats. I think they might actually have something you like, newbie.”
[PROTAG] sighed quietly to himself as he struggled to keep up. [COWORKER] was an especially fast walker when he was excited. At least, [PROTAG] assumed he was excited, since he'd been smiling and going from Gucci to Micheal Kors to the next big brand name that had purses in stock; the blonde would probably never actually wear them though because purses were “feminine,” but he still got them anyway for reasons that went unsaid.
Not to mention the fact that the guy was paying also went unsaid. Perhaps he was so excited that he ceased to mention it. Or maybe he was just a bitc-
“Can you tell me why you need all this stuff…?” The newbie muttered. His hands were starting to be weighed down with the weight of bags that carried the fulfillment to his co-worker’s materialistic needs. “It's just that we've been to four stores, and I can't even remember the name of two of them. You said you went shopping often, right? Wouldn't that mean you have whatever you need?”
[COWORKER] was briskly walking ahead of him, carrying his own bags and holding them much easier. He carried much less than the other man. Something about how the intern was doing him a favor in return to being taken shopping. Not that he was doing any shopping, anyway. The blonde looked back at him and slowed his pace for just a moment so the other could catch up a bit.
“C'mon, bud! They come out with new stuff, like, every week! Have some drive in you. Don't you want to be a little greedy for my money? Not that I'm encouraging — I'm just asking.”
[PROTAG] sighed under his breath. Deep inside, he'd love to be greedy and materialistic like this nuisance here. But he wasn't going to.
“I mean… maybe,” he mumbled quietly, “but there's not much I'd like to buy. I don't really think I need four different pairs of sunglasses,” he said. There was some passive aggressiveness in his tone. [COWORKER] didn't seem to notice, or perhaps he didn't care.
“Look for something,” the man encouraged. “It's not like you're gonna live forever! And I know you could definitely use a new suit...”
[COWORKER] suddenly made a sharp turn to the left, his bags swaying in his hands. The intern rushed to catch up. The blonde was usually more of a leisurely walker, but not now so it seemed. It took everything in [PROTAG] to not grumble under his breath or hit back with an insult. And he almost smacked into his “friend’s” back when he stopped suddenly, a small grin on his face.
“Oh, I like this one,” he said as he ushered them both inside. “You can probably find something here.”
[PROTAG] sighed, following with heavy arms. The place wasn't very crowded, but it was brightly lit. It was a decent size to move around in, and all signs and logos said Yves Saint Laurent. He'd heard about it before in newspapers. It was popular for being for all the rich people, as well as selling high-quality (and slightly ridiculous) clothes.
[COWORKER] reached out his hand, just barely in the general direction of the intern, and let go. The newbie struggled to catch the bags in time before they hit the ground. Now he really needed to sit down. Yet he found there to be no chairs. He muttered a swear under his breath, going over to a random stand and dropping the bags. His hands immediately felt better, and he slumped against a stand of perfumes and cologne.
“Don't drop everything!” the blonde suddenly scolded. “This is expensive. I don't want people stealing it.”
“You can’t expect me to carry all this,” he shot back with a bit too much irritation.
“It's not that heavy! Ugh… here,” he said, bending down to pick some stuff up. He put things in other bags, rearranged items, and sorted them all. Now everything fit into a few bags. It was surprising that he wasn't overly concerned about the possible damage to his products.
“Thanks,” [PROTAG] murmured. It didn't make it lighter, but at least it was less bags.
“No problem,” he replied. [COWORKER] stood up, his gaze falling on the stand that [PROTAG] was leaning on. His eyes bubbled with curiosity and he stepped closer. The stand was a stand full of colognes, and he reached out to grab one.
“Eau Libre…?” He murmured, completely butchering the pronunciation as he twisted off the cap. It was far from the only cologne in that table with such an eloquent-sounding name on it. “That sounds so weird. Is it French or something? Why is it- oh. That smells good,” he murmured.
[COWORKER] took another whiff of it, and [PROTAG] watched awkwardly. He was just tired… but if the man was paying, maybe he could look around? He could use new cologne. He had only one bottle of some vanilla-flavored scent, and it was running incredibly low. The blonde next to him spritzed the cologne onto his own neck, sniffing it once more from the bottle.
“Newbie,” he said as he tilted his head to the side, “Tell me if this smells good.”
“Uhm… okay,” he replied, stepping closer and reaching his hand out for the bottle. But his co-worker pulled it back.
“No,” he said, “Put your nose up to my neck and tell me.”
[PROTAG] paused, his brain short-circuiting. And before he knew it his face was red with unwanted embarrassment. He could already smell the cologne from over here. He knew he could. Did the other know he could, too? And maybe he was overreacting, because his heart was already beating too fast.
“Uhm…” he stuttered. He couldn't think right at the moment. He wasn't a fast thinker! Not like this, anyhow. “I… I can smell it from here. It smells good,” he protested awkwardly, his fingers already going to pick at each other without thinking.
His colleague shook his head. “No. You gotta smell it up close! It's better that way! And you can see how it mixes with my skin and stuff, so you can know that it's good.”
He opened his mouth to protest once or twice, or maybe thrice, and yet he said nothing. His eyes darted to and fro before landing onto the other's neck. Just once was fine, right? And maybe he didn't mean anything weird by it. They were only friends. Barely. And if his co-worker was trying to imply something… well, why would he reciprocate? The man in front of him was self-centered and self-absorbed. And yet he stepped closer anyway.
“Stay still,” he muttered. [PROTAG] got onto his tippy toes — as he was almost a foot shorter — and he put his hands onto the other's shoulders. The other's body heat was palpable through his clothes, and he tried his best to ignore it. He didn't make a bit of eye contact as he pressed his nose almost directly into the other's neck and inhaled.
It smelled… good. It smelled sweet, as well as just barely floral. But there was a good scent of cedar to it almost, like it was based off the woods. And if he thought about it more, it seemed to mix with the natural scent of the other's skin. He pulled back and tried not to think about how warm his face was.
“It's… good,” he muttered, trying to act normal once more. “But I don't think it suits you,” he said. And it seemed his subconscious had creeped into his conscious and out his mouth before he could process it. Like a trap, or maybe a helpful resolution to his own self. “I think you should try another.”
[COWORKER] nodded, his face blank as he looked over his cologne options. He put the cologne in his hand down, and his eyes scanned the selection.
“Wanna pick one for me?” He asked.
[PROTAG] found himself nodding without thought, and a quiet agreement slipped from his lips. He looked over the selection of colognes himself. There were many woodsy ones, but they didn't seem quite right. None of them did. Some looked like they'd be romantic, perhaps even sensual, but he didn't pick those. His eyes landed on a cologne that read “Pour Homme.” The bottle itself was decently packaged, but the description really drew him in. It was supposed to be aromatic and citrusy, with a hint of lavender.
“What about this one?” [PROTAG] asked, handing the bottle over.
[COWORKER] did an inspection on the bottle. Then he shrugged, tilting his neck the opposite way from before. He opened the cap and sprayed it onto himself, sniffing a little as the scent filled the air. They made eye contact again. [PROTAG] didn't have to be told twice, but his face felt warm.
He did the same thing as before. Walking closer, going on his toes, touching his shoulders, and putting his nose up to his neck. This time he touched the skin. Maybe it was on purpose, or perhaps he just couldn't tell how much distance they lacked. Whose to say? And as he smelled it, he found it was nice. It complemented his co-worker beautifully.
He inhaled once and twice (and maybe once more) before finally pulling away. It really did smell good. He didn't want to pull back.
“It's good,” the intern said. And he found that he couldn't make the same amount of eye contact as before. “Smells like… you.”
[COWORKER] smiled a bit. “You think?”
He brought the hand holding the bottle up to his face. He didn't seem to have any problem with the price tag, despite the fact it would buy [PROTAG'S] groceries for weeks with that kind of money. The blonde looked around and walked away momentarily before coming back with a small basket. He placed the bottle back on the shelf, exchanging it for the biggest size to place into his basket.
“You're getting it?” he murmured.
“Yeah!” the other said. He smiled like it was obvious. “You like it. I like it.”
And that was the end of that.
Once more, [PROTAG] was subjected to following his colleague around the floor. He sat down the bags (of crap) at every chance he got, as they were far too heavy. But for once, he actually looked around. And wow, these things were expensive. His eyes widened many many times, and he usually put the items back. This place was obviously for the rich. And what was he not? Rich! Even though the guy said he'd buy for him, he still felt like he'd be taking advantage…
Which is exactly what led him to start picking out stuff. He wanted to take advantage. Just this once. He wanted to see if these items would actually end up getting bought. He picked up small stuff at first. A tiny bottle of cologne, a nice tie, a pair of sunglasses… and he extended into other things. Shirts he thought were handsome yet grossly overpriced. He needed a new shirt, but the idea of an average shirt being so overpriced made him scrunch his face up.
By the end of their short trip to this shop, [PROTAG] had more items than his co-worker. Walking up to the counter was near shameful, so he kept his eyes down when he placed all the things on there. He kept telling himself he had no reason to be guilty all the while. When [COWORKER] pulled out his wallet, [PROTAG] felt himself nearly gag at the total. He couldn't believe it. This was the most materialistic he'd been in so many years… was he turning into his colleague? The colleague in question didn't seem to care at all when he paid, handing the intern even more bags before they walked out.
“Do you think I got too much?” [PROTAG] asked as soon as they were out of ear shot. “I mean- just… is it too expensive for you or anything? Not too expensive. I know you can afford it! I mean… just-”
“It's fine,” [COWORKER] said as he cut him off. “I don't mind, if that's what you're asking. And most of what you got was clothes, which you definitely need.” His eyes darted over the other's appearance.
“... Uh- yeah… yeah. Okay.”
Walking was silent for a little. Only a little. [COWORKER] started rambling on soon enough about this and that and some workplace drama. It didn't feel relevant, and it likely wasn't, but [PROTAG] didn't complain this time. He felt like he didn't have the right to. He'd just been bought a bunch of things, so… he might as well let him talk.
~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~
They went to a few more stores as the sun set outside. Stores ranging from high-end jewelry shops to… well, sewing supply shops. Because this time [PROTAG] let himself ask for more things. Things he wanted. [COWORKER] made fun of him of course (mostly for the fact he sewed and/or the fact he only owned a few pairs of shoes) but he bought the items for him anyway. And by the time the sun had finished setting, they were back outside by the blonde's car.
“Y'know, you're lucky there's no cars around, bud. You're a very slow picker-upper. I'm sure someone would've driven over you by now.”
[PROTAG] rolled his eyes as he shoved the hair products into the bag. They'd bought so many things that they had poured over onto the road. But mostly the reason why that happened was because his co-worker just decided to shove everything in the trunk without any thought at all.
“Will you stop talking?!” he exclaimed. The parking lot was barren except for a couple distant cars. They had stayed ‘til closing. “I'm trying to pick everything up.”
[COWORKER] just shook his head, sighing. He got into the car and started it, waiting for the intern to come along. It was cold outside, and he didn't want to just stand there!
[PROTAG] grumbled and a few insults escaped his lips. He was so grateful that he'd been bought practically everything he wanted, but the man was still annoying. Being rich didn't make someone less annoying. He shoved the last few bags into the trunk, trying his best not to set them up in a way that would make them fall out. Then he quickly closed the trunk, a shiver going through him before he got inside.
“Do you wanna go grab something to drink?” his co-worker asked.
“You really still want beer…? It’s 10 P.M! And you're driving!” [PROTAG] grumbled. He was a little irritable, but not as much as usual. The gifts had uplifted his mood. “No, I don't want something to drink… but you can call me a taxi if you want. You don't need to drive all the way back to my house.”
To be honest, [PROTAG] really just didn't want his house to be seen. It was a worn-down pathetic little thing, and he barely wanted to see it himself. But it was better than public or work.
“Alright,” [COWORKER] said. “I’ll, uh, let you out somewhere so you can flag down a taxi.”
[PROTAG] nodded. He figured that was good enough once they got to a more populated part of town. Worst case scenario he could just call one at some pay phone. He looked out the window to his right and looked at the stars. They really were pretty, but all the lights messed with them. They were far more visible in his neighborhood. But once they got to driving, he could see all the city lights pass.
…
Once they got to driving…
…
Which didn't seem to be happening.
“... Are you gonna-”
“I have something for you, newbie,” [COWORKER] said with a small smile. He was holding something in his lap, but he wasted little time to reach over and hold it out to him. A small red box that had the name of a jewelry store engraved on the top.
“Oh,” [PROTAG] said. He cautiously took it, giving an awkward smile in return. “You shouldn't have,” he replied instinctively. And when he opened the box, his eyes widened just a little bit.
Inside the box was a brand new gold watch. It was a watch from one of the jewelry stores they went into. While [COWORKER] had gotten one or two things, [PROTAG] had not. Jewelry wasn't his thing. But at one point he'd eyed a golden watch, thinking to himself about how he needed a watch of sorts. Yet now it was here in front of him, even after he'd told his co-worker it was too expensive and that he didn't really want it.
“I… Wow… did you get this for me…?”
“No. I got it for the bird outside- yes, it's for you,” [COWORKER] snickered in a patronizing way. He kept his eyes glued to [PROTAG'S] face more than anything else. “I thought you might've wanted it. Well, you told me you wanted it, so I didn't even have to do the guessing work! It practically didn't cost anything, and I've never seen you wear a watch before… I think gold would suit you.”
This was… too kind.
He had eyed a watch, and now suddenly it was in his hands. He took it out of the case and wrapped it around his right wrist. It really did look good on him. He never would've been able to afford this himself. Could he even accept this?! It was shiny in the city light and pleasing to the eye. And most importantly… it made him feel happy. The intern couldn't help but smile.
“Uhm- uh, thank you,” he managed to stutter out. He looked up at his co-worker and tried not to beam. “That's… actually really nice of you.”
[COWORKER] seemed happy to hear that, and he smiled. Not one of those tiny polite smiles he did, or the smug smirk he sometimes wore, but the smile that showed a hint of excitement. He actually showed his perfectly straight teeth, and his gray eyes crinkled just a little bit from the force of the smile.
“No problem,” he said casually as though he didn't buy a watch that [PROTAG] wouldn't have been able to afford even if he skipped out on food for a month. “Anytime.”
“You don't seriously mean that,” [PROTAG] argued playfully. He felt playful, and he never looked up once from the watch. The time ticked rhythmically, and it was almost soothing in a way. Perhaps it could function as both a calming toy and a practical tool.
“I probably do,” the blonde argued back. He sat upright in his seat, putting the car into gear as he started to drive off. “You're cheap in both senses. I don't mind buying you jewelry or a watch or whatever. Besides,” he said as he took a hand off the wheel to tap the watch, “this suits you. Goes with your complexion.”
The black-haired man laughed softly. “My complexion? I guess that's a compliment, but not like I know much about what goes with what.”
[COWORKER] rolled his eyes playfully. “Just say thank you.”
[PROTAG] chuckled, looking down at his watch as he began to fasten it around his wrist. Once he got it fastened, he held it away from himself. They were passing city lights now, and it looked beautiful. A part of him wondered if something so fancy belonged on such a boring, average body. But with his new clothes and jewelry and cologne… maybe it did.
His eyes darted over to his friend. The man was just driving, yes, but he looked… different. He'd gotten him everything he wanted and more. Literally! It was… sweet. He never thought he'd describe the arrogant blonde man like that, but it was true. For once, that cocky asshole wasn't only worried about himself. He wasn't worried about the newbie either, per say, but he obviously… cared. At least a little bit.
A small smile crossed [PROTAG'S] face.
“Thank you,” he murmured. His voice sounded soft even to his own ears. “For, uhm… everything today.”
It was probably his imagination, but his co-worker's cheeks looked dusted red. Or maybe that was just all the car lights around them as they came to a stop light.
“You're welcome,” he murmured back. He looked over at the other, and [PROTAG] swore that for a moment his colleague's eyes darted to his lips. But that was ridiculous! And yet no matter how ridiculous it was, his heart rate went up all the while. He normally hated eye contact, but, oh, he loved looking into those eyes. He didn't even know why. It just appealed to him. And after today… well, it seemed like everything about his co-worker appealed to him more.
They only looked away from each other when the light turned green. And even then, even if the other didn't know it, they were both sneaking glances at each other all the while. Perhaps consciously or perhaps subconsciously.
And when their eyes met again on accident… well, they both told themselves that it was a friendly coincidence.