just a quick heads up: I'll be traveling next week for my anniversary! I'll try to get the next chapter updated on time, but I'm not sure what the internet situation is gonna be like at the hotel. fingers crossed! :D
Judal wanders into the shop later than usual, looking like it's the day before laundry day with less than perfect makeup. He's still made up nicely, but Hakuryuu, who sees him almost every day, can tell it's simpler than usual.
"Good morning," he says, and Judal smiles sleepily.
"I know it's not still morning," he responds, joining him at the counter. "But you're sweet to pretend for me."
"You're late," Hakuryuu tells him, just to see what he does.
Judal sticks his tongue out. "It's my store, I can open whenever I want. I was up late, okay? I got lost on eBay, and then got into a bidding war for some stupid shit, and I don't even know if I won cuz I fell asleep in the middle of it," he explains, leaning up against Hakuryuu. "Why am I like this?"
"There are muffins in the back if you want any," Hakuryuu says and Judal's eyes light up. He doesn't always know how to fix Judal's problems, but he does know how to make him temporarily happy. Judal bounces off to the back room, full of energy, and Hakuryuu smiles.
"Shit, these are so good. What do you bake with, crack?" he asks, mouth full of chocolate muffin.
He gives Judal a look. "Can you really see me putting illegal substances into baked goods?"
Judal laughs, getting crumbs everywhere. "Fuck, you're right! I can't even imagine you buying drugs, let alone using them. What would you do, go up to someone and say: 'Hello, may I please purchase one marijuana?'"
"You're an asshole," he says, trying to hide his smile. "Stop making a mess."
"I do what I want!"
"Maybe you should clean it up then," Hakuryuu points out, and Judal frowns. He's pretty sure that Judal has some sort of strange aversion to cleaning, but Hakuryuu is determined to at least keep the store clean. And maybe someday, Judal's home.
"No-" Judal begins, but stops when he hears the bell above the door. A blond haired man comes in, and Hakuryuu looks at him oddly. He seems almost familiar, but he just can't place why. Judal shoves the rest of the muffin in his mouth and smiles pleasantly, leaving Hakuryuu to greet him.
"Welcome, how may I help you?"
The customer's head whips around and his eyes widen. Oh. Oh, he thinks he knows who this is.
"Hakuryuu?!" the man exclaims, coming over to see him better. Like he thought, the man standing in front of him is an old classmate. This is kind of embarrassing.
He nods. "Hello, Alibaba."
Alibaba smiles widely. "Aw man, I haven't seen you in years! What were the chances?"
"Pretty good, since it happened," he points out, and Alibaba laughs.
"You're still a joker, I see," he says. Hakuryuu can feel Judal next to him, a ball of unasked questions ready to burst, and he tries to diffuse the conversation as much as possible.
He can deal with this. If he can just help him shop quickly, it shouldn't be too bad. Hakuryuu leaves the counter and joins Alibaba. "Well, what did you come in here for?"
Alibaba shrugs. "I dunno, it looked cool so I was just gonna browse. But this is even better! Now we can catch up."
"That's alright. I wouldn't want to keep you from shopping," he says, trying not to let his disappointment show.
"Come on Hakuryuu, I won't keep you from catching up with your little friend," Judal practically purrs, and Hakuryuu surreptitiously glares at him. Judal smiles back like he's an innocent of making the situation more awkward.
Alibaba turns back to look at Judal. "Oh crap, I'm being super rude. Is this your boss?" he asks, but doesn't wait for an answer. "I'm Alibaba. Hakuryuu and I went to high school together, but we haven't really kept in touch…"
"Mm, I see," Judal says, still smiling. It's starting to get a little creepy, but Alibaba doesn't seem to notice. Typical. He probably thinks Judal is always this friendly. "I'm Judal, and this is my shop, but Hakuryuu would be more than happy to help you out and chat."
Hakuryuu does his best not to strangle Judal with the plant behind him. It's tempting; he could coax it into growing long tendrils and wrap them around Judal's pretty neck, but the responsible thing to do is be a polite and distant salesman. He can do that.
"Thanks! You have a pretty cool boss," Alibaba tells him, before finally starting to look around the shop. Hakuryuu just nods, hoping the conversation ends there. But of course it doesn't. "Have you kept up with anyone else?"
He shakes his head. "Not really," Hakuryuu says. Why would he? "College kept me pretty busy."
Alibaba nods in agreement. "Yeah, me too. But hey, now that I know you're in the area, you should totally hang out with us again. Er, Aladdin and Morgiana, that is," he elaborates. "Aladdin and I have an apartment together now that he's done with undergrad." He picks up a few decorative plates as he's walking around, and Hakuryuu tries not to hover nervously. He doesn't want Alibaba to break anything.
"That sounds nice," he says placidly. Alibaba doesn't notice his lack of enthusiasm and plows forward.
"He got into a graduate program right in the city so we're all living in the same area again. Morgiana's done with school too, but she's working as a bouncer…"
"As a bouncer? Why?" Hakuryuu interrupts, concerned. That hardly sounds like a safe job for her.
Alibaba frowns. "Well, she's still job hunting for something related to her degree. But I really worry about her! I know she can kick anyone's ass, but that doesn't mean she should have to put herself at risk all the time."
Hakuryuu nods. At least this is something they can agree on. "That still seems unsafe."
"Yeah, I know. It shouldn't be for long, hopefully, just until she finds something better," he explains. "I guess you get it though?"
"What do you mean?"
Alibaba waves him closer and leans in, trying to whisper and failing. "Well, you're not gonna be working here forever, right?"
Hakuryuu resists glancing back at Judal, but he can feel him watching, probably listening too. "It's a decent job for now," he decides on, unsure of how else to sum up the magical contract dictating his fate.
It's enough to satisfy Alibaba at least. He keeps picking things up and putting them down in the wrong places, and it's taking a lot of patience not to snap at him. Was Alibaba always this oblivious and inconsiderate? Probably. "You really should join us for dinner or something," Alibaba insists.
"I'll see," he says, and he hears Judal snort. Sure, he laughs, but it's not like Judal makes an effort to have an active social life either.
Alibaba picks up a decorative oil lamp that looks like it's directly out of 1001 Nights or perhaps, Judal's jewelry collection. "Oh man, this is so cool! You know, it kind of reminds me of Aladdin, I bet he'd like it in the apartment. We do need some sort of decorations, since we just moved in, and it's still so empty looking."
It doesn't feel magical from a distance, but Hakuryuu takes it from him to get a better look. Now that he's holding it, he can tell it does have some sort of magical residue. It feels different than anything else he's seen, sort of like it's old and dormant. He'll get Judal to give it a price just to be safe. "Let me ask Judal about this one."
"Shit, it's not too expensive, is it?" he asks, distressed. "I'm kinda broke right now."
"I'm not sure. This is Judal's area of expertise."
Judal glides up behind him and plucks the lamp from his hands. He makes a show of turning it over, carefully inspecting every inch, before facing Alibaba. "You picked something quite interesting," he says vaguely, running a finger over its handle.
"Oh?" Alibaba asks enthusiastically while Hakuryuu resists rolling his eyes. Judal's flair for the dramatic is ridiculous sometimes, and he still can't believe he was taken in by it at first.
Judal nods safely. "It may just look like a pretty piece of decoration, but legend says it was home to a genie that granted wishes," he says, passing the lamp back to Alibaba. "Both kings and villains sought its power for centuries, but over time its nature twisted into something far too devious to be trusted."
Alibaba's eyes are wide as Judal weaves the story of the lamp, but Hakuryuu just wants to know how much of it is truth and how much is Judal's theatrics.
"Eventually, a great hero sealed it in the lamp and forced it into a permanent slumber, to protect anyone who stumbled upon the lamp unaware," Judal finishes. Alibaba is clutching it closely, nodding along.
"Seriously? That's so badass! I gotta have it," Alibaba says. Apparently ridiculous stories can make his financial problems disappear.
Judal grins and it's far too wide for Hakuryuu to feel safe. Damn it, Judal. "Of course you do. But you have to make sure not to wish on it."
"Uh," Alibaba stammers. He glances at Hakuryuu with an incredulous look, like he's wondering if Judal is for real.
"Just because it's sleeping doesn't mean it's gone forever. You wouldn't want to risk waking it up," Judal says, and Alibaba nods.
"Right! So how much is it?"
Judal shrugs before taking it back from Alibaba. "Hmm, despite its fabulous backstory it isn't that magnificent on its own. How about twenty-five bucks?"
"That's fine!" Alibaba agrees happily, following Judal to the register. Hakuryuu stays behind to straighten the mess Alibaba left, but he keeps his eyes on them. The air feels odd in the shop now, similar to the first night he was ever here, and he wants to know what Judal is planning.
Judal wraps the lamp carefully, puts it in a sturdy box, and sets it on the counter while Alibaba digs out his wallet. "Remember, don't try to wish on it," Judal insists, pulling out a copy of the store policy and sliding it towards Alibaba. "Wishes turn bad in its hands."
"I got it," Alibaba says, signing the policy without concern. Judal takes it and Alibaba's credit card without commenting, ringing him up and stapling the receipts together with a flourish. "Hey, can I get some paper?"
Judal looks confused but passes rips out some extra receipt paper and hands it over. Alibaba scribbles something on it and waves at Hakuryuu, leaving his bag on the counter to come back over to him.
"Here's my number," he says, shoving the paper into Hakuryuu's hands before he complains. "Text me later, okay? It was great to see you again."
Hakuryuu folds it up and sticks it in a pocket for now. "It was good to see you, too."
Alibaba grins and grabs his bag from Judal. "Nice meeting you, too!" he calls out as he leaves.
Judal turns to grin at Hakuryuu, looking for all the world like a cat that got the canary. "Here I thought you didn't have friends," he says, cackling.
"We're more like acquaintances," he corrects, frowning. "You're such an asshole."
This just makes Judal laugh more. "Yeah, I know."
"That wasn't a compliment."
Judal shrugs and tucks Alibaba's signed receipt in a folder. Hakuryuu narrows his eyes, watching him; he's treating it with much more care than usual.
"What did you sell him?" he finally asks, unable to stop himself.
"Do you think I lied to your innocent, gullible friend? You wound me," he says, leaning back in his chair casually.
"You mean to tell me you sold him an incredibly dangerous genie in a bottle?" Why is Judal like this? This sounds like a mess they'll have to clean up later, and they'll have no one to blame but themselves.
Judal shrugs again and Hakuryuu reconsiders his plan to strangle him with plants. "I mean, it really is sleeping. I dunno how much of the rest is true, I just made some shit up to make it sound cool."
He sighs, somewhat relieved. "Oh, that's good."
"The genie's super fuckin' messed up though, that part is true."
"Judal-"
"Don't give me that, Mr. Cursed Pottery," he says cheekily. "Besides, I dunno if wishing on it would actually wake the genie up again. Don't worry so much."
Hakuryuu grabs a broom, determined to clean instead of think about the consequences of Judal's actions, and he aggressively sweeps the floor. "I'm not worried."
"Aw, you are," Judal gently teases. "Cute."
"It's not."
"He gave you his number. We could check up on him later and see what happened," Judal points out helpfully.
"I suppose." Hakuryuu doesn't intend to contact Alibaba, though. He doesn't want to be reminded of what a useless teenager he was, full of impotent rage and delusions of what he could actually accomplish, or to have to admit the he's done nothing with his life since. He's still living off his family's wealth and his own failures; there's nothing good to talk about. At least Judal doesn't judge him for that.
Judal doesn't press the issue, instead popping into the back room to get another muffin. "These really are fucking amazing," he says, making another mess of the counter.
"I'll take your inability to talk with your mouth shut as a compliment," Hakuryuu says, and Judal nods enthusiastically.
"You should!"
They lapse into a silence that's both comfortable and familiar; they can work together without Hakuryuu feeling like he's made the situation awkward or killed the conversation. It's nice. Somehow, being around Judal isn't complicated, and that's something he didn't expect.
"I'm shit at keeping friends, too," Judal says, breaking the calm. "You saw me and Sinbad."
"I did," he says, unsure.
"So don't worry, I guess," he continues. "'Cause like, friends are hard and shit."
"I already know I'm bad at maintaining social connections," Hakuryuu interrupts before Judal can keep rambling. He'd rather not discuss his failings right now.
"Yeah, but we're making something work," Judal says softly.
He has to work here, so it's not exactly a big accomplishment that they spend a lot of time together. But they do have something that's more than a professional relationship, and maybe that's what's important. Judal gives him a half-hearted smile when he doesn't answer.
"Or, you know, maybe not, I dunno what I was trying to say," he says in a rush, and Hakuryuu feels bad.
"No, I think we've got- I don't know. Something, I guess. I'm not good at talking about it," he tries to explain, and Judal nods.
"Right. Yeah."
Hakuryuu doesn't know the right answer in this conversation, but it's probably not 'ignore the problem until it's better. But Judal seems unfazed and smiles brightly this time.
"Just keep feeding me and I'll be happy. I'm an easy man," he says, polishing off the last of a muffin.
"Are you?" Hakuryuu asks without thinking, and Judal bursts out laughing. The air is friendly again and he finally feels himself relax.
"You're just as rude as me," Judal points out between peals of laughter. "Maybe if you're lucky you'll find out."
"Wouldn't it take less time if you were easy?" Hakuryuu asks, and this somehow makes Judal laugh even harder.
He finally composes himself enough to leave the counter and sidle up to Hakuryuu. "You got me there," he teases, pulling on one of Hakuryuu's belt loops. "But I make it cute."
He'd told himself not to make a habit of kissing Judal at work, but that doesn't stop him from wrapping an arm around his waist to pull him closer. Judal doesn't complain, leaning into his touch comfortably, and he uses his other hand to pull Hakuryuu into a kiss.
This is so unprofessional and he shouldn't give into it, but he already knows that Judal would just say that it's his store and he can do what he wants. So he doesn't argue, instead focusing on how much he's enjoying this. Judal is clingy as he nips at Hakuryuu's lower lip, twining his fingers into his hair possessively, and it's just so nice to be wanted. It's easy to get lost doing this, pressing Judal against the counter and just enjoying their hands on each other.
Hakuryuu eventually pulls back, breathless, and Judal pecks one last kiss on his lips.
"You get flustered so easily," Judal teases, still happily hogging his personal space. "It's cute."
"You find the strangest things cute," Hakuryuu tells him, but he's smiling. He's not sure how Judal has figured out how to improve his mood so well, but it's nice.
"You like it!" he says, leaning against Hakuryuu instead of the counter. Holding Judal is pleasant, if a little pointy. He's a lot bonier than he looks, despite all the sweets he eats. Maybe Hakuryuu should try to get him to eat better…
Judal squirms out of his grip, interrupting Hakuryuu's thoughts. "Anyway, I've now dealt with enough people and talking today. Wanna get dinner?" he asks. It's his way of escaping any sort of serious conversation, but Hakuryuu doesn't blame him. He will happily take the change in topic.
"Chinese again?"
"Mmhm," Judal says. "It's safe. They know how to make it the way I like."
"The place you order from is pretty good," Hakuryuu agrees.
Judal calls in their regular order and goes back to lounging at the counter, watching Hakuryuu water the plants around the store. "Did I ever tell you I know the owner?"
Hakuryuu glances over. "No, but I'm not surprised. You do order from there all the time."
"No, I mean- I order from there 'cause I'm related to them," he says casually. Hakuryuu stops what he's doing to look at Judal better. That's not an answer he expected.
"Oh?"
"Yeah, like real distantly. They're descendants of my siblings," he explains. "I helped them open the place awhile back, so I guess that's why they still give me free shit sometimes."
Judal isn't meeting his eyes, but that's okay. Hakuryuu finds out about his life and his past in the most disorganized pieces, given at strange times, and he doesn't think he'd have it any other way. That's just how Judal is, and he's become so attached to him that Hakuryuu couldn't imagine asking him to change.
"Well, they run a successful restaurant. They're probably grateful," Hakuryuu says, trying to get back to his task without it seeming like he doesn't care about what Judal told him.
Judal shrugs. "I guess. Anyway, I'm gonna go put shit in the back. Lemme know when the food gets here."
Hakuryuu watches him go fondly. What a strange man.