Cross: How's your daaaay-?

Cross: Could you maybe.. not look at me like that?

Cross: *He chuckled a bit.*

Cross: It's hella funny.

oc: https://toyhou.se/7749917.harlow

Harlow huffed and rested her head on her hand," Someone's grouchy.." She mumbled as she rolled her eyes.

"But whyyyy~" She whined," I was hoping my first day would be a bit more enjoyable..." She twirled the orange half of her hair.

Harlow looked up," Hey you- oooh,," She wrinkled her nose at the scratch on his forehead," I'll go get the first aid.." She ran into the back and brought it back, and started to pull out the bandaids and a few other things. " Just hold still please." She reached out to grab his face.

Harlow put her hands on her hips and huffed as well, puffing her bottom lip out," It's not a bruise if it's bleeding,please just let me patch it up, i'll take like, two seconds."

Harlow frowned," please? I'm just trying to be nice. You barely talked to me at all today. Do you even know my name?" She sounded pretty upset.

She gripped her skirt in her hands," Oh. Well, okay." Her phone buzzed and she went over to look at it," Well, my shift is over, I should get going." She packed up the first aid and put it away. And as she was walking out the door she said," See you tomorrow then James." And she started to walk into the night towards home. (She doesn't have a car sobs)

She turned and sighed with a smile," N-no, I usually walk everywhere or take the bus, but the nearest bus stop is out of my way so I might as well just walk. I'll hopefully get a car soon, I mean, that's why i'm working a few jobs." She shivered slightly in her dress.

She smiled wide," Wait really? I would really appreciate that!" She clapped her hands together excitedly," Is there anyway I could repay you? Oh! Do you like cookies? I can bake some for you." She walked up so she was looking up at him...she was actually pretty small. Happy baby go aaa!)

She followed behind, almost skipping. GaSP A CAR? :0)

Harlow jumped in and buckled herself in," Wow, you have a really nice car...i'm hoping I can get something like this one day." She smiled at him before she looked down at her phone," My address is 107 Birch Street, do you know how to get there?"

She looked at him a little surprised," Oh wow really? Huh, we could have been friends this whole time." She looked out her window as they drove along, as she fiddled with her dress skirt. Wait how old is James btw?)

Harlow sighed," Not with that attitude." She kept looking out the window, watching the street lights go by, and her eyes slowly started to droop. She closed her eyes, leaning her head against the cool window. Harlow's 19 lmAo)

Harlow breathed softly as she fell asleep. ItS fINe, ItS lEGAl, ShEs NOt A MInOR, WE'RE gOOD)

After what only felt like a few seconds Harlow woke up because the car had stopped humming. She rubbed her eyes to see her moms house," Thanks James, I'll make you some cookies for your help." She got out and started to walk to her door, and right before she went in, she turned and waved.

Shall we time skip to the next day..? 😳)

Harlow walked into the store holding some tupperware wrapped in some colorful cloth," Morning James! I'm glad I took the morning shift too so I could give you these!" She plopped the tupperware onto the counter," It's the cookies I promised, I hope you like them." She smiled.

"No problem, please tell me if they taste good, I was kinda tired when I made them but i'm usually good at following my memory." She walked into the back and started doing her morning duties. what kind of store do they even work in??)

No, Walmart. God, its so obvious. OR Hobby Lobby 😌

Harlow started to stack a few boxes and sat down when she was done. She could barely keep her eyes open, and her hands were shaking," Maybe...I shouldn't be working three jobs every day.." She whispered. She rubbed her eyes but that only made her sleepier. And her makeup couldn't hide the bags under her eyes and also how red they were.

She looked up and blinked a few times," Uh- uh yeah, I'm fine." She tried standing up but she fell back into the chair," Ugh.. my head..." She groaned.

She sleepily grabbed his hand and held it has her head bobbed," I-I think I need to go home," She closed her eyes, dropping his hand.

She groaned back a response, gripping his shirt.

She had her eyes closed but she seemed to bed to tired to even fall asleep. “ this is really embarrassing, I’m sorry.” She said sleepily.

Seemed to be*

She let out a light laugh,” I just realized.. we left my cookies on the counter. Bummer.. I guess I’ll have to.. make you... mor-“ her head slumped on to her chest and she breathed softly.

When they reached her house again she woke up when the car stopped. She sat up and pulled her keys from her mini backpack,” Thanks again James, you really are too kind.” Then she started to get out of the car.

She got out and wobbled fo her door, and after a while she was able to open it and step inside. She looked one last time at James before she waved and closed the door. They don’t know yet but she left her bag with her phone and everything in his car still 😳)

She stumbled down the hall and into her room, where she didn’t even bother to change out of her work clothes, she just crawled into bed and fell asleep. OH nO)

Harlow was fast alseep. What a gentleman 😌)

Harlow groaned and threw the covers off of her. With eyes pretty much closed she walked down the hall and opened the door,rubbing her eyes. "James? Is it morning already?" She yawned and ruffled her hair.

She smiled and took the bag," Sorry about that,thank you." She took it and checked it quickly," Seems like everything is here, is that all?" She looked up at him.

Harlow nodded," I know I keep saying it, but really," She hugged the bag," Thank you." She slowly started to close the door," Well, i'll see you for tomorrows night shift!"

"Oh come onnnnnn.....I can't offer my favowite wittle ***** a dwink?" He giggled.

"Why nottttt?~" He smirked, wrapping his tail around James' wrist and pulling him close.

"Why not-afraid your sexuality will realize I am clearly the hottest?"

"Oh I'm completely aware. I am not -w- "

"Well big ol' boys like you are just my style." He purred.

He grinned, cleaning the counters.

He glanced at James, continued to clean.

He looked at him and chuckled. "Nice ass."

"Hey, you said that once. Come up with something nicer to call me." He arched a brow, patting James' shoulder.

"Geez, what is with you?" He rolled his eyes, a bit annoyed.

leon:freaking custamors am i right?

Animator: have you had a bad day today? *they were putting away a few things that were left on the floor, they probably fell off of a shelf*

Animator: can’t be good for a man with a temper like yours.. *they softly chuckled to themselves* what made it so bad hm?

Animator: like...? *they kneeled down to pick up a few more things*

Animator: ah. *they got up, looking at him, his first answer really got their attention* hm..how so?

Animator: I know how that goes. *they exhaled, not realizing they were holding their breath, guess that hit a little close to home for them*

Animator: do you guys usually fight like that? *they neatly put the rest of the items on the shelf*

Animator: mh. sounds a bit like me and my father

Animator: *Animator nodded, looking down at their watch for an excuse to not have eye contact, their throat would seem to hurt whenever they bought it up but their voice sounded flat* theirs a certain thing he forces me to do and- I just don’t wanna do it. So whenever I decline he’d start yelling, bad things happen if I still don’t back down.

Animator: *they cleared their throat and poked him, their voice was weirdly upbeat like before* its not too bad though, some peeps have it worse~

Animator: *they rolled up their sleeve and took one last look at their watch, mumbling* my shift is just about over.

Her hand lowered back to her side, a small twitch in the corner of her lips. "Mind telling me what's making you feel so upset, mio caro?" She glanced at him curiously.

"Of course. But /why/ was it shitty? Any reason in particular? Hm?" She took one of the wipes, cleaning a different shelf.

"Ah, family struggles. Sorry to hear about that, mi caro..I can sympathize. What'd your father do?"

She flinched a bit, her eyebrows raising in shock as she eyed the bruise. "Ahia...What a brute to do something like that to his own son." She pursed her lips.

She looked up at him, helping him stock the shelf. "Does he do that often, mi caro?"

She paused, tapping on her chin piercing before speaking again. "I assume you live with your father, correct?"

"How about you stay with me for the night? Sounds like you could use a break from your father." Her usual calm smile returned to her face.

"I wouldn't have offered if I minded, mi caro. The shift is almost ending so would you like to head out now?"

She clapped her hands together. "Meraviglioso! Let's get going then." Her smile widened a bit, taking off her apron and heading to clock out.

"I'll see if we can do anything about that bruise of yours as well, if it still stings, that is." She clocked out, heading out the front door as her heels clicked on the tile.

"Oh, of course$! Where are my manners...I go by Valentine. And you?" She opened the door, holding it for him.

She hummed, getting out her keys. "Lovely name, mi caro. So tell me about yourself, James. Got any hobbies or interests?" Her car beeped as she unlocked it, a shiny, white convertible in pristine condition coming to her attention as she walked over, opening the door for him.

She let out a pained hiss, her lip curling. "Eek..Sorry to hear that, mi caro...Mind enlightening me with your story?" She started up the car, revving it to life before pulling it out of the driveway and staring down the road.

"Oh my...That sounds terrible. Well, I'm glad you're still here." She turned down a sketchy part of town, her pristine car standing out in the dull scenery.

"Just a bit up ahead. Not directly in this part, but I have to drive through to get to my home." She took a sharp turn down the street, taking a few more windy turns before arriving at a straightaway that led away from the town but out to seemingly nowhere.

A small mansion was seen up ahead. Nothing to flashy, but not exactly modest either. "Oh, before we get there, do you have any weapons on you?" She glanced over at him.

"Mind leaving that in the car for the visit, mi caro? I'm sorry I'm making you take so many precautions but it's necessary so nobody freaks out. Especially poor Val.." She muttered the last part to herself, giggling as she stopped at the gate, using some weird ass hand technology or eye thing idfk she used something secret secret to get in

She drove into the driveway, driving up and parking at the garage. There was a woman waiting at the door, an irritated look on her face. Valentine giggled softly, looking over at him before getting out. "One more thing: Don't get too frustrated with the signora at the door there. She can be a bit sassy, just as a fair warning."

Valarie's ears perked up, a look of disgust and confusion on her face from seeing an unfamiliar face. Valentine got out after him, trotting over to her happily and giving her a tight hug. "Valeriieee!! Mi cara!~" Val's glance was still on James, staring coldly at him. "Who is this? You never bring people here."

She leaned on her, nuzzling her neck. "Oh, Valerie. La mia dolce, bella Valerie.~ Don't get so hostile with our guest! This is James and he'll be staying the night. I'm giving you and the others a break tonight so he doesn't feel uncomfortable here." She stood up straight, putting a hand on her shoulder. This didn't go down well with her, her brows furrowing. "Miss, id I may...Is it really safe to have someone you don't fully know in your house without any guards? What if this is a planned assassination? There are so many odds against you, Valentine. I don't trust the look of him either." She crossed her arms, looking at him with a sneer. "

"Valerie, I know him. He's hurt and needs help, so I brought him here to rest." Valerie scoffed, rolling her eyes at him, "He looks perfectly fine, boss." Valentine gripped roughly onto her shoulder, pulling her ear close to her mouth. "Don't get cocky. Remember who's in charge, mi cara." Her tone was dark as she whispered to her, Valerie stumbing forward and looking back at her. "Get some rest, Valerie! You deserve it!" She gave her a small wave before opening the door, Valerie standing there in slight shock.

"Come in, come in! Apologies for that." She walked in, holding it open for him with a smile. Valerie wasn't content with the situation, merely huffing off and going to inform the other guards they had the night off.

The room they walked into was a polished living area, the room coated with reds, blacks and whites. "Ah, I guess I should elaborate..." She closed and locked the door behind them, looking back over at him. "I'm also a mob boss. I didnt want to scare you off, so I kept it to myself."

She giggled at his reaction. "You see? Makes you think a bit differently about me now." She walked over to a tall cabinet, getting out some elastic bandages.

"Sit on the couch, mi caro. You need to cover those bruises." She took off her coat to reveal a plain and loose tank top that showed off some assets (😳), a tattoo on her upper right arm.

She put the elastic bandages on a nearby table, getting on the couch next to him, gently lifting his arm and pulling up the sleeve to put the bandage on. She leaned over a bit for him, a glimpse of her pink, lacy bra showing.

She eyed him, her brow cocking as she realized what he was staring at but deciding to play dumb. "Everything alright, mi caro?"

She couldn't help but smirk, leaning into him close enough for her boobs to brush his arm. "You surrree?~ You look a bit tense, mi caro.~"

"Awe~ If you insist.~" She giggled, giving his cheek a peck before lifting his arm up and applying the bandage tightly.

"...Something on your mind, James?" She eyed him curiously.

"Well, I have plenty of comfortable guest rooms, buuut there is always the option to sleep in my room if you feel uncomfortable being alone in such a big house." She leaned on the couch, relaxing into the cushions.

She smirked a bit. "Good option, mi caro.~ I'll put these away and take you there." She put the bandages away before grabbing onto his hand and leading him up the stairs.

She opened the door to a master's bedroom, the room being rather spacious with a rather monotone color scheme, deep reds painting the furniture. "Make yourself comfortable. If you need clothes to change into to sleep, I can try to find something in my closet that might fit."

"I'm glad. It's pretty late for me, so I'll be getting in bed. Feel free to join me whenever and explore the house if you so desire." She slipped off her shirt over her head.

She slipped off her pants as well, revealing a few more tattoos on her thighs and upper stomach. She looked back at him, raising an eyebrow playfully. "Do you need somwthing, mi caro?~"

**** uuh room

Charlie: *his ears droop and his arm dropped to his side* "You know you can talk to me, right?"

Charlie: *he shrugs and continues working* "I just think it's better to just tell me than keep your feelings all bottled up. You can even shout at me if you want-"

Charlie: *he turned away and started restocking a different shelf* "Okay. I just thought you trusted me..."

Charlie: *he winced and continued, starting to feel a bit hurt* "I mean, I trust you. I could tell you the things that have hurt me in my past, but I need to know that you can trust me."

Charlie: *he turned back to him, finally finished* "It's okay. You can take your time if you need to. I'm always here to talk though..." (oh this is mushy u-u)

Charlie: *he stood up and sighed* "Well, I'm done here but my shift's still going. How 'bout you?"

Chalie: *he blinked a bit and leaned lightly against one shelf* "So, you wanna talk about other things or just chill once you're done? Or, you don't have to, I guess."

Charlie: *he raised a brow* "Okay well, maybe I should just head out if you're gonna continue to be a bum-"

Charlie: *he mumbled to himself* "Well, you're acting like one-"