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“Those all sound so exciting in comparison,” he remarks with a laugh. Theo in espionage— Fern would have very much liked to see it. [break][break]

Though something told him he’d be much better at it than Fern would.[break][break]

He blinks a few times in response to the question, pondering how best to answer that. He doubts jayden cross would care for him gabbing about their personal life to one of their underbosses.[break][break]

But he probably also gives himself away with the delayed “…yes,” that follows. “I would say that it has helped.”

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“Are you sure?” they ask even as they’re being handed over the skewer entirely. Fern is quick to lift the treat back up to Jayden’s face for a nibble.[break][break]

Mirroring his prior gesture. Just in case.[break][break]

“I see. Well then we better make the most of it, hm?” They turn inward to look at him, their smile broad and bright.[break][break]

They don’t know Jayden’s old feelings tied to memories of the past. They don’t know what lingers under the surface. But they are here with him, and it provides the chance to build something shared together. To add to the bedrock foundation that has formed over months of effort.[break][break]

“How about a game then? You can pick which one It reminds him of silly youthfulness. And that feels like a good thing to harken back to. Just for a night, the ability to act young and foolish somewhere that they aren’t readily known or recognized.[break][break]

It’s freeing.

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A placid smile filters through Fern’s expression as his head dips in a half-nod. “I appreciate you saying so. It means quite a bit, hearing it from you.”[break][break]

Formality comes naturally for someone as outgoing and casual as Fern is often known for being. When his line of work is involved, there is simply something that tightens up inside of him.[break][break]

“Ah.” He can read around her words and sift the true meaning easily. It’s a practice he’s grown used to over the years of running this business—long before he ever mixed Rocket into it as an added factor.[break][break]

Stepping to the side, he sweeps a gesturing hand to offer her room to move around the main counter.[break][break]

“Perhaps this conversation is better had in my office.” A short look at the clerk tells them all they need to know. They will watch over things.[break][break]

No disturbances.

[break][break]

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“That’s quite a mantle to uphold,” they muse, chin settling in the palm of their hand, “Have you ever wanted to do something outside of recruitment?”[break][break]

Does it ever get old? Day in, day out.[break][break]

When the name is raised, maybe it’s the drinks they’ve already had that makes Fern blink stupidly at Theo.[break][break]

Heat rises in his face, composure slipping for a flickering moment before slipping back into place.[break][break]

I’ve more than heard of him, he doesn’t say, though it’s almost on the tip of tongue. jayden cross’s head might catch flame if it circled back around.[break][break]

“I have. We’re…neighbors, actually.”

They are about to ask if it was perhaps too much. A step too far. But before they can even speak the worry into existence, they fall silent as he speaks. Then pulls them in.[break][break]

Fern, of course, does little to resist. Why would they ever want to?[break][break]

“Oh, hello there,” they barely manage to tease before the heat of his mouth is finding theirs. Their arms slip up to hang heavy around his neck as they drop backward against the bed again, dragging him down along with.[break][break]

Breath hitches in their throat and despite the depth of the kiss, they find themself smiling against his lips. It comes with the sort of happiness they don’t find just anywhere.[break][break]

It’s only found here, with him.[break][break]

It makes Fern want to say all sorts of things. Make all sorts of promises. Instead, they mutter his name. Breathe it out with the air pulled from their lungs. They let their hands wander—slipping through the strands of his hair. Trailing down the lines of his shoulders and spine.[break][break]

Anything to convey the fact that they understand what he means without a word. And that they meet him in response openly, in welcome of whatever he gives.


[break][break]

[attr="class","ooc"] jayden cross | m: festive flirts……[break]

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“It was a sweet gift, it made my day—truly.”[break][break]

They squeeze his hand lightly. Really, he’d been reluctant to eat them at first, even if he’d immediately recognized the apple puffs as something commonly found in their part of Galar. No, instead, they had stared fondly at them, and at the card with its neat writing and signature.[break][break]

Yours, it had been signed.[break][break]

“I’ll be sure to make sure it’s extra good th—“ They’re interrupted by the fish treat, which they promptly open their mouth to take a bite from. Eyes light up in delight.[break][break]

“Ugh, that’s so good!” It’s nice, being out undisguised like this. It feels normal, it feels right. They glance up at him, eyes bright. “Oh, there’s all sorts of things. Other snacks…games..you name it! Have you never been to one of these?”