@queenshlt : ❝ are you always so suspicious? ❞ // quinn.
HIS GAZE KEEPS WANDERING FROM THE CUP IN HIS HANDS TO THE DOOR, BRIEFLY TO HER FACE AND BACK AGAIN. paranoia a bit of a necessity in his former line of work - if you stop paying attention to your surroundings, you leave yourself vulnerable and, at best, fall at risk of sabotaging the job or, at worst, might end up getting yourself stabbed between the ribs. it is hard to unlearn something that has been second nature to you for the bigger half of your life. and he tended to have his guard up and be on alert even long before he moved to italy. a haunted house leaves you a bit sensitive to noise and movement - something he is certain quinn got to observe in his twin-sister as well.
the café she picked is busy enough for him to find comfort in the anonymity without making him feel overwhelmed by the crowd. if she did that on purpose, he's grateful and if it's a coincidence, he's simply relieved. rebuilding his life in a city that was never his home to begin with is proving to be more of a challenge than he initially thought, even though paige was far too forgiving and kind. honestly, aaron expected to grovel, to beg ... he wasn't prepared for how heartbreakingly fast she allowed him back into her orbit, wasn't ready for how it shattered him to realize his sister must be so starved for connection that she'd let him get away with essentially abandoning her for over a decade and barely ask any questions upon his return. he downs the rest of his coffee, hoping the bitterness will wash away the taste of guilt still like a stubborn disgusting coating on his tongue. IT IS MORE THAN HE DESERVES AND HE KNOWS IT - and quinn seem to know it, too. she keeps sharp eyes on him, is way less trusting than her partner and way less forgiving than her roommate and aaron respects that. in truth, maybe it's why he agrees to occasionally meet up with her. because she won't let him get away with it so easily. doesn't exactly ask too many questions either but makes it clear that he is essentially on probation. it's in her eyes: one more slip up and i swear i will kick your ass. he wouldn't fight her.
" you ought to be more suspicious if you ask me. " mumbled into his now empty coffee cup ( he gestures for the young waiter to please get him another, even though his hands already feel a bit too shaky ) as his attention once again drifts towards the door. he doesn't even know what exactly he's afraid of. what matters to him isn't even here - his sister and his husband safe on a trip together, yet he can not shake the nerves. the fear of all of the things he already does not deserve being ripped away from him. it would be the kind of punishment he'd deserve: the universe giving him everything he wants and then cruelly taking it again to make him pay for his selfishness. to humble him. remind him that he isn't the one pulling the strings and never has been ... it's the clicking of nails on the table that brings him back to his coffee date. he almost smiles at the annoyed look on her face. in truth, it makes sense that he likes her, given how he tends to surround himself with people who are incredibly stubborn and a lot stronger than they look. " forgive me, i know it's terribly impolite. are you just here because you are bored or do you need my help? " he leans back a bit in the rather comfortable chair, makes a mental note of adding this place to his regular spots and to try the cake next time - the smell of cinnamon and warm cherries so tempting he's close to losing his focus again - folds his hands in his lap and watches her. " if this is about her again, i do not intend to disappear, as i've told you. i have grown quite fond of the city. i kinda love my job, as i'm sure you've heard. and i pretty much - " he briefly turns the newest one of his rings. perhaps the most unobtrusive one at first glance but easily the most valuable. " - intend to stay here forever, quinn."
