Pick Your Poison, Wednesday

[witchoftheflesh]

"I really don't think this is for us," Adrian told the delivery guy. "It's probably for the Perk. You know, the place that sells coffee?"

The delivery guy kept unpacking the items for delivery.

"No really," Adrian continued. "What makes more sense? That that's supposed to say Perk, you know, the coffee place, or Pick, a place that sells bath stuff and cosmetics?"

He could have been talking to a wall for all the mind the delivery guy was paying him.

"Don't you at least wanna call back and check, just to save yourself from coming back here and having to pick everything back up again?"

His handcart unloaded, the delivery guy headed towards the door with an uncaring whistle. He was done for the day. Maybe he'd go and check out that new Tom Cruise movie.

And anyway, that was how Adrian ended up with a stack of pumpkin spice non-dairy creamer by the register, enjoy a complimentary bottle with each purchase!

Comments

[joan_of_bark]

"Is that pumpkin spice I see in my store?"

Pam leaned in the doorway (leaned on it, more than she was willing to admit) and raised her eyebrows.

[witchoftheflesh]

"Under protest," Adrian said, sipping his coffee. "As in, I protested the entire time."

[joan_of_bark]

"And yet it's still here," Pam said. "I'm starting to wonder if you're a little bit of a pushover, Adrian."

At least she said it with a hint of humor in her voice.

[witchoftheflesh]

"Only for things that don't really matter," Adrian agreed. He seemed unfussed about it. "I'm choosy about which hills to die on."

[joan_of_bark]

"Leaving a broken trail of hill-hearts behind you," Pam said.

She pushed away from the doorway, careful with her movements. "How's the grove handling fall?"

[witchoftheflesh]

"It's making itself the hill I'm going to die on," Adrian said. "Or under, rather. I think I have a small mountain of vegetables from my garden and I'm worried that the next time I add more, it'll collapse on top of me. I don't suppose you'd like...a lot?"

He had so much, Pam. Just like, so much.

[joan_of_bark]

"Would I like locally-grown vegetables from my favorite witch?" Pam echoed. "Am I getting that question right?"

[witchoftheflesh]

He laughed. "Okay, stupid question," he admitted. "I'll bring some by next week. I'm keeping all the tomatoes though. I will bring some jars of marinara, though, to make up for it."

[joan_of_bark]

"I can live with that," Pam said, eyes full of mirth. "Maybe we should have one of those family dinner nights we keep not getting around to when you do."

[witchoftheflesh]

"That would be great," he said. "I think it's my turn to cook, too. Lasagna and fresh bread sound good?"

[joan_of_bark]

"Absolutely," Pam said. She leaned lightly against the counter. "And you can catch me up on what you've been up to." A beat. "And who."

[witchoftheflesh]

He laughed. "Sounds good," he said. "Prepare yourself for some gushing, though. And just remember, you asked for it."

[joan_of_bark]

"I did," Pam said. She tossed him a wry smile. "It's nice, seeing you happy."

[witchoftheflesh]

"Thanks," he said with a soft smile. "It's just--Rey. She's great. She--" He stopped and pretended to zip his mouth shut. "I'll save it for dinner. How are you doing?"

The emphasis and the narrow look he asked it with suggested he'd noted all that leaning on you'd been doing, Pam.

[joan_of_bark]

"I'm fine," Pam said dismissively - and predictably. "Things remain manageable at home. For now. I don't know how much longer."

[witchoftheflesh]

"Anything specific?" Adrian asked. "Or just more that it's been quiet for too long and something's going to happen?"

[joan_of_bark]

"We're still getting a drip-feed of people infected with the lamia," Pam said. "No big waves yet. But I think they're coming."

[witchoftheflesh]

Adrian nodded. "How much time have you been putting in your lab?" he asked. "...Should I start bringing sandwiches to leave around so you remember to eat?"

[joan_of_bark]

"I eat," Pam said. "Don't worry about that."

Oh look at that dodge.