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Maybe, he arrived too early before the stores opened for business. That magic hour only the lonely or unsheltered would wander in during a storm. He's scoped out all her favorite spots. Still, he finds himself tracing the illuminated map for old memories.
The comic store, record shops, street vendor tees, and vitamin shops. They've been replaced with women's stores, and that bear one. So, he drifts back into the food court with hands shoved into the pockets of his faded jeans.
He shouldn't be here this early. Not here, not now, in a city with old-time frozen wanted pictures. These people remember them. He's certain but he can't bring himself to leave. He'll have to chance another cuff.
It's boring and a bit lonely to hold so much excitement. So, much longing to bask in the presence of another.
It's nice to have friends, she doesn't say across from him, we aren't meant to be lonely.
She doesn't grin with a tilt of her head. He looks to the ceiling and she vanishes. He wasn't born to be lonely but hell hasn't it been branded upon his skin. No matter the secret meetups with the outside world. Hidden games won when everyone is fighting.
His fingers tap the table as he sighs. Why does it still feel like a secret mission? No one is coming to snatch it away. No one is calling to demand a return or payment or something he doesn't want to think about. He's thinking about those things and there's two minutes until the metal bars chime.
He doesn't want to be a downer so he stumbles towards a beverage stand. Might as well be the first one before there's a line with no hope. With their luck, they'd be trapped in a line. Now was it only her drink he needed to buy or also her sister's? It would be polite, right? His hand tussles in his pocket.
Okay, he has enough to pay for it but someone has snuck up behind him. Their eyes crinkle in amusement at him with a soft nudge at their hand.
He should've heard them approach.
Blossom in her best casual wear, has nudged a warm drink into his hands.
It's gotten cold outside, she chimes, thought it might help.
He takes it in a stupor as they listen to the city roar with life.