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The Time They Went Shopping
"This place doesn't even have anything good anyway," Theo complained as they walked the aisles. Snacks lined the shelves on either side of them. Boris held the umbrella again today— Theo thought it drew too much attention to them, but Boris opened it anyway, snickering.
And of course, how could Theo argue with the cool, slender fingers that were once again curling against his shorter, stubbier ones?
So they strolled through the small shop, pausing when they found something of interest, and if it was small enough, Boris would drop it into the expansive pockets of his battered old jacket.
Today he was wearing the red sweater that just so happened to be Theo's favorite of his. Especially when it was hot out and his cheeks flushed a little against the heat. It wasn't in a weird way, Theo found himself constantly trying to excuse, he just liked the contrast against Boris's skin— pale, milky white complexion against a deep red sweater, only further highlighted by the soft redness in his freckles cheeks.
But the store was chilly, and they were approaching the small freezer section. The AC was high even for California weather, and Boris, upon noticing Theo shiver, shrugged off his jacket and draped it over his shoulders. Too embarrassed to protest and draw further attention to himself, Theo kept quiet, his blush helping to warm his cheeks. Boris just grinned at him, tugging the sleeves of the sweater over his long fingers and shifting his grip on the umbrella.
Theo watched as the slight chill of the aisle started to get to his friend and his cheeks got red for a different reason— cold. His nose turned pink. But he didn't seem to mind. He was hardly shivering.
They left the aisle anyway.
"No use taking ice cream," Boris had reasoned under his breath. "Will just melt on the way home."
So they walked into the next row. There was only one left after this— it was a small store. Theo flopped the sleeves of Boris's jacket, trying to free his hands, and Boris watched with muted amusement for a brief moment before hooking the umbrella over his shoulder and approaching. Theo watched in poorly-masked frustration as Boris folded the sleeves back far enough that his hands could peek out, caught the fingers of one with a cheeky grin and tugged him along, hands swinging between them as they went.
Theo shook the sleeve of his free hand back just a slight bit more and took a flashlight off of the shelf as he walked by, slipping it into one of the more empty pockets.
"Alright, Potter," Boris sighed, taking a glance down the last aisle. It seemed to just have cleaning supplies. "We go now. What movie is on tonight?"
"Whatever movie you want," Theo said, shrugging. They headed for the exit and the usual nervous energy began to bubble up in his chest. Would they be caught? They hadn't yet. But there had been some close calls. The umbrella shielded them from the flickering light above their head and Theo swallowed thickly, eyes darting nervously up to meet his friend's.
Boris simply smiled, squeezed his hand and nodded towards the doors. "Is your turn to pick movie, silly. If you don't pick, we watch Harry Potter!" A barking laugh escaped him, and despite his distaste for the nickname, Theo couldn't help but think, God, can I keep you?
"Boys," a stern voice piped up behind them, and Theo froze, heart beginning to speed up, palms beginning to sweat. Boris have his hand another tiny squeeze, then let go, turning on his heels. His grin became much lazier.
"Hello, mister," he said, tilting his head. Theo turned too, and he was sure he must look dead pale. "Can we help you?"
"I was just wondering if you were going to buy that before you parade out the door," the clerk said. He was an older man with deep frown-lines. His lips were curled downwards into a sourpuss. He was squinting. Suddenly, Theo's pockets felt so much heavier, and he thought, God, I should have left the flashlight, the dog toy, something, I don't need those things, they were just stupid little trinkets, I took them for fun, I should have just left them, I should have—
"What, this old thing?" Boris asked, presenting the umbrella. Theo nearly passed out when the clerk nodded and jerked a thumb over his shoulder at a display of identical umbrellas. Boris laughed. Theo could cry. "No, I already pay. Years ago! If you check camera, we have umbrella when we walk in." He shrugged, but turned to Theo and started to sift around in the pockets of the jacket. Theo stood there helplessly, avoiding the eyes of the old clerk, who was unimpressed.
"Here!" Boris cried triumphantly, fishing something out of one of the smallest pockets. Theo watched him hand the little item to the clerk and he realized it was a receipt.
The old man unfolded it and examined it, brow furrowing. Then he folded it back up and handed it to Boris, pursing his lips.
"Fine," he rasped. "But next time you come in here, you buy something, or I won't have you wandering my aisles again."
"Yes, sir," Boris agreed enthusiastically, straightening up and throwing him a salute. The man almost seemed to smile— just a quirk of the lips— then he shooed them out, Boris laughing and Theo gasping for breath.
"You have the receipt for this thing?!" Theo asked first, gesturing to the old umbrella. Boris held up the little paper, dangling it in front of his eyes.
"Yes!" He answered. "Is first thing I actually buy with money. Call me nostalgia!" He swung the contraption back up and over their heads. Theo slipped his hand into Boris's once more— a rarity. He wasn't often the one to initiate contact.
But he saw Boris smile, and cast him a little glance— one of those little looks that people only give their friends and loved ones when they think no one is watching.
