Katelyn wandered through aisles littered with debris, stumbling over umbrella stands and apologising to coat racks as she barrelled into them. More than once, she caught the wedge of her sandal in an unfortunate cranny, almost toppling to the dirt floor of the warehouse. Three separate elderly men offered her their arm, two of which also requesting to carry her prospective purchases as well. She thanked them all profusely, despite the denials which fled her tongue.
Remus waited by the door, rubbing their forearm raw with a ring-laden hand. It was only when Katie approached the register that they made themselves known, snaking a hand around her waist. It was when she spun to berate them that they must have produced and inserted a debit card.
Katelyn was stunned as the assistant swept her newly acquired possessions into a Tesco 'Bag For Live'. Remus retrieved it gratefully, offering Katelyn a valiant arm as they swept toward the door.
"I-" She swallowed, "You cannot- I won't- Remus, I..." Her animosity was flagging, suffocating by gratitude and the small, devastatingly selfish part of her mind which knew that she could not, in reality, afford those shinier items which had caught her eye, "Thank you." She gasped, and all but fell against their shoulder.
She felt Remus' exhale on the shell of her ear, "For you, anything."
Katie withdrew, "Easy words from someone who thinks their balance is just a number."
A crease appeared between their eyebrows. Remus laughed shortly, "I- Isn't it?"
Katie was not entirely certain whether she was more likely to kiss Remus Kenning or slap them into the dirt. She settled, eventually, for leaning into their side, huffing a laugh and allowing life to continue unobstructed by the ramblings of a lunatic.