Daniel was taking down decorations up front, somehow Hazel talked him into setting up the shop for Halloween. He tried to put up a fight but it was a known fact that Hazel usually got what she wanted from him. He heard the door behind him open and close. Without looking behind him he gave a general greeting and went back to work. He didn't expect the customer to need help already but he felt someone standing behind him. Daniel never really reacted well to not knowing who was on his back, so he immediately turned around and spat out "Can I help you?"
Harrison walked into the shop Hazel worked in for the very first time. There was no sight of Hazel anywhere, instead a large blond man was taking down decorations- Hazel's idea, no doubt. And just like at home, she managed to vanish when time to take them down came around. He chuckled to himself and approached the man- Daniel, he knew the name from Hazel's stories- standing behind him.
The man looked irritated when he turned around but Harrison smiled pleasantly.
"Hello! I was just waiting on someone.... I was wondering if you could help me find any natural history books in the meantime-"
Looking around, he realized baby Jane was sitting in her carseat up on the counter, playing with one of the felt books he'd given her.
"Why hello there!" Harrison exclaimed, a coo in his voice. He went to his niece and started unbuckling her from her seat.
Daniel didn't expect such a tall man standing in front of him, but he didn't waiver. He tried to be more pleasant, knowing that Hazel would be disappointed if he wasn't.
He started to walk, hoping the man would follow him but all of a sudden he saw the man start walking towards Jane. A new anger in Daniel bubbled up inside of him.
Daniel pushed him away from the baby. "What the hell do you think you're doing?! You need to back away right now."
Harrison felt himself being pushed away from the baby all of the sudden.
"Easy!" He exclaimed, more for Jane's sake than his own. The man- Daniel- was clearly trying to protect Harrison's niece, but it was his ferocity that sparked Harrison's curiosity most. He tilted his head and stared at the man.
"You're very protective." Harrison observed. "You think I was trying to steal her?"
Daniel squared himself up in front of the man. Not afraid to show he would fight if it were to come of that.
Daniel was still seething in anger. Now this man had the nerve to question
Daniel's actions?
"I don't fucking know what you were doing. But I do know you're going to leave right now." He was trying his best to keep his cool, to not punch him right there bobby kennedy: Daniel is adopting a stance that Harrison recognizes from late nights watching The Discovery Channel. Harrison can't help but chuckle, amused at this Daniel's behavior. Of course, he assumes any decent man would protect a child from a perfect stranger. But Daniel has his respect all the same, and Harrison makes a point of remembering the look in his face at the moment and asking Hazel if she's sure this Daniel man doesn't like her romantically.
"I appreciate your protecting her, really. But there's no need for that. See, I actually have a greater claim to her than you do."
Harrison moves closer to Jane again. "I'm Jane's family. Or part of it, at least. The person I'm waiting for is Hazel. We agreed I'd pick her up from work today before dinner... but I suppose she probably didn't tell you I was coming." He unstraps his niece from her seat and she shrieks happily, her little hands patting his cheeks. "See?"
He greets Jane with kisses and turns back to Daniel. "So where is Hazel?"
Daniel immediately backed down as soon as he said they were family. He choose to ignore the pang in his chest because it's TOTALLY guilt and not sadness. He tried to backpedal and explain himself. "I'm really sorry I-- I didn't know."
He didn't know Hazel was married, although he didn't know she had a kid until quite recently so that wasn't really saying much.
Daniel saw him kiss Jane and it was a little bit harder to ignore that pang. He tried to give a polite smile to him, "she's in the back. I'll go get her for you."
And so he quickly turned, cursing himself on his walk. When he got to the backroom he found Hazel. "Uhh there's someone here to see you?" He didn't look Hazel in the eyes as he said it. He didn't know how to tell her what just went down because he was worried she'd be mad at him and that was far from what he wanted
"That's alright." Harrison says kindly. "I wouldn't let just anyone pick her up either."
He thanks Daniel for going to find Hazel and begins to look for the diaper bag.
Busy adding price stickers to a stack of books, Hazel doesn't even look up when Daniel came in through the door. She only glanced up once he'd mentioned her visitor, leaving her confused as to who it could be. Then the thought dawned on her. "Oh shit, Harrison! I completely forgot." She stood up, taking her coat with her. "Listen, I have to go but I'll finish this tomorrow morning, I promise."
Following Daniel out the door, she grinned at her cousin. "Did you grab her diaper bag?"
"Got it." Harrison walked over to them, diaper bag on one shoulder, baby carseat in his hand, and Jane on his other arm. He pecked Hazel's forehead. "I met your Daniel friend." He smiles at the man. "I can confirm Jane is very safe in his care."
Daniel just nodded and blushed a little. He still felt embarrassed but knew it was best to just walk away instead.
Daniel just waved it off. "You're fine Hazel, it'll get done. I know it will." He went back to his spot of taking down decorations. Actually happy for the excuse to keep him a bit busy and away from the two lovebirds.
He hated himself for looking over his shoulder just as the man kissed Hazel. However he was caught looking so he quickly gave a weak smile before returning back to his work. He turned to glance at them as they mentioned him and gave them a smile.
Harrison grins cheekily at Hazel and she hits him lightly. "I think he likes you." Harrison grins.
"I think he barely tolerates me most days." Hazel retorts.
Harrison looks up and calls out to Daniel. "Hey Dan, are you hungry? Why not join us?"
Hazel looks surprised but she follows her cousin's lead, knowing Daniel doesn't get out much (if at all). "Yeah, do you want to come?"
Daniel turned around when he shouted out after him. He looked between the two of them. He was just as surprised as Hazel was at the offer.
He sighed slightly and tried to put on a smile. "That's very nice of you but I don't want to put you both out"
Harrison grinned and walked up to the front of the store where he was. Hazel followed closely.
"Hazel talks about you all the time. I want to get to know the guy who spends every day with Hazel and baby Janey here."
"We'll wait for you to grab your coat and close up shop." Hazel offered kindly.
Daniel still looked a bit uneasy, especially after he said Hazel talks about him. He laughed slightly, "well the stories probably aren't all true. But okay then, I'll be right back."
He quickly went behind the counter to grab his jacket, wondering if this would be a good idea or not. Once he was all set he came back to the group. "Well I'm ready when you guys are. Lead the way."
"Excuse me, I'm nothing but honest!" Hazel pretended to be insulted, still smiling.
She and Harrison waited for him and when he got back, Harrison beamed. "Great! So we'll all go in one car?"
Daniel couldn't help but smile right back at him, there was something genuinely charming about the man. And Daniel wasn't even blaming Hazel for falling for him. "Sure that sounds perfect!"
Harrison grinned and ushered them out the door, raising his eyebrows at Hazel when Daniel wasn't looking. This would be a fun dinner indeed.
Once at the car, Hazel offered to take the backseat with baby Jane.
Daniel got in the front seat when Hazel took the back. He tried to make small talk so it wouldn't be as uncomfortable for everyone. "So what do you do, Harrison?"