hey girl, whatcha doing -caim-

[ETHAN REID DEXTER]

Ethan slung his jumper over his shoulder. He was stood in grey jeans and a blue mogwai shirt. He loved that dark blue shirt. Ethan rubbed at his arms, because he was a little chilly. He placed a look over his shoulder, and stared at the light blue material, before eventually tugging the jumper over his arms and over his head.

He shoved his hands into his pockets, and walked into Hyssops Apothecary. He thumbed the edge of his phone in his pocket, the thin phone barely showed from his jeans pocket. The shop his dear friend ran. It was coming up to the Halloween Festival, and the 27 year old man wanted to know if she'd go along with him.

He was instantly hit with the familiar smell of the shop. It was a good smell. Herbs and Brewing Tea and stuff he associated with her shop. As soon as he entered, he tugged the beanie hat from his head, and pushed it into his bag. He smiled to himself. “Key!” he exclaimed loudly. The bouncy vibrant man tended to announce his presence as soon as he could.

He grinned as he leant to the side trying to get a better view of Key. “How are you love?” he asked, he moved his arms out, as if asking for a hug. Ethan was guy who loved to hug. He loved hugs. It probably didn't help his whole not a stereotypical gay image.

outfit

[CAIM VENUS HYSSOP]

outfit

Key was carefully working on a Help Wanted sign. There needed to be a level of professionalism in the sign so she avoided sounding desperate. At the bottom, she was writing in careful script Applications Inside. Making up and formatting the applications had taken a long time, but there were formats online, thankfully. Key's family only had one computer – an old PC in the back of the shop – and no printer; she had to print them at the library. This project had given Key a healthy distraction and also made her feel super productive.

So overall, she was in a peaceful, pleasant mood, working away. When the bell chimed as the door opened, she didn't look up right away but a familiar voice calling out her name made her head snap up. Instantly she broke out in an ultra-wide smile. “Hey!” She carefully walked from around the counter (because she knew if she rushed, she'd likely bump into the counter corner) and then launched herself into his arms. The layers he was wearing made him very soft to sink into. “I'm amazing now - how are you?!” she asked, still clinging to him, resting her chin on his shoulder.

Before she could wait for a response, Key pulled away and pointed at her head. “What do you think?” she asked, obviously referring to her new much lighter hair. Ever since Sam helped her dye it, she had felt like a new person – she even started wearing sweater dresses, wanting to adopt a sweeter style.

[ETHAN REID DEXTER]

Ethan snuggled his arms around her. He usually wore soft sweaters and jumpers. Especially when it was a little chilly out like now. With her chin on his shoulder, her kissed her hair. Which was blond? That was new. Not that it looked bad. In fact she looked super awesome with blonde hair. “That's good love” he smiled. “I'm great. I'm always great” he laughed. Ethan was pretty happy generally. He had to be, if he wanted to shift – properly.

He didn't want a repeat of last week anyway. He'd tried to shift, and ended up with Donkey ears*. It hadn't been very pretty. He'd also ended up braying till he got rid of the ears. No one could understand him. Not that he went out. Donkey ears and braying weren't easily hidden. He smiled to himself.

“That colour suits you Key, it's gorgeous” he told her, playing with a lock of her newly blond hair. “You look so different though.” he added as an afterthought. It made her look like a different person. Though that wasn't a bad thing. He grinned as a thought hit him. “What you do think about me growing my hair out a little? Maybe dying it platinum blond?” he asked, though he wasn't serious about dying it. He was happy with the dirty blonde colour he already had. As he was talking about his hair, he moved one of his arms from around Key, to fluff his own hair, before dragging his fingers through it.

“You know girl, if you want help I can pop by when I'm not at the good ol'liquor shop” he grinned. He'd be happy to help his friend, for free. As much as he could. Obviously he still had to work. His parents wouldn't like to send him more money, but they would. Because he was their baby. He was 27 and yet his parent's still insisted on calling him a baby. He was still young.

Even if he was nearing 30. Only 3 years. The thought was slightly scary. He still had to settle down. “Anything new with ya'll except ya hair?” he asked, in his own Texan drawl. Having lived in Dallas from birth till his 22nd birthday, he'd picked up the Texan accent and it wasn't budging. Even if his accent was accommodating to slightly match the Heatherfield residents own one.

*I know that the gif is Bradley James not Dave Franco, but it shows the ears perfectly.

[CAIM VENUS HYSSOP]

Key loved how affectionate Ethan was. In the very beginnings of their friendship, it was a little disarming for Key. She wasn't used to PDA, with friends or significant others. But Ethan changed that for her, and she found herself holding his hand sometimes without caring what anyone said. Sometimes when they went out in public, people told them they were such a cute couple, though. But whatever.

And just Ethan's presence alone was enough to lift her mood anytime. While Sam made her feel goofy and Mason made her feel … well she wasn't sure yet, Ethan made Key just feel happy. “Thanks!” she piped, and then chuckled as he further inspected her hair. “Well, I wanted to be different.” she explained lightly with a shrug, trying not to look so serious. She wanted to make sure Ethan didn't get the impression that she was going through a major identity crisis or anything – that it was clear that it was basically a decision made on a whim. If he suspected the former, Key suspected he'd give her a pep talk about loving herself.

But at the mention of him possibly changing his flawless look, Key found it difficult to respond, but she finally managed to say, “Really?” Ethan couldn't be serious. “You're perfect as is!” Key was most obviously Ethan's biggest fan, as she often liked to claim. Anytime he even seemed a little unsure of himself, she had no problem telling him how awesome he was. “Besides, you've got like classic good looks. Longer hair wouldn't suit you.” It was probably his strong jaw and brow line – longer shaggier hair would make him look like a bum. It worked for boyish types like Sam. Of course, really long hair like Mason's could look very sexy, though ...

She glanced over her shoulder at the Help Wanted sign. “Thanks, but we'll see if anyone applies first.” She looked back at Ethan and shrugged, noting it was really no big deal. “I can afford help, and I just want someone to man the desk once in a while. I'm tired of being here 24/7, ya know?” Key was running behind on actually producing the merchandise since she had to be at the store.

[ETHAN REID DEXTER]

Ethan was one of those guys who just loved PDA. He loved to hug people and to just hold their hand or something. He usually backed off if the person didnt like it, but he often found himself unconciously reaching out for his friends and the few partners he'd had. He rubbed Key's back. Ethan found it hysterical when people thought they were a couple. If he wasnt gay she would have totally been his type he was sure, but he saw her as an awesome friend and maybe in time like a sister. It always made him smile when she took his hand, it made him feel quite proud. 


"Just make sure to take care of those roots." He adviced. Dyed blond hair could look amazing. Until the roots began to grow back. He dropped the strand of hair and stood back, his hands staying on her shoulders. He gave her a slightly suspiscious look. Then he chuckled. She was a little too young to be undergoing some sort of crisis. "Ya look good hun" he drawled with a soft laugh. 


He laughed when she couldnt believe him. He wasnt sure about changing his look himself, but he'd had his hair short for a long time. Maybe having his hair a little longer would make him feel younger again? Not that he looked old, though next to the 22 year old Key, he felt it a little. "Thanks love, I doubt im perfect" he paused, and chuckled, then added "i'm pretty close to it though" he laughed. Ethan like everyone else had his insecurities. "Classic looks huh?" He questioned wondering what she meant by classic. He hoped it was a good thing. He tilted his head to the side trying to picture himself with long hair now. The mental image didnt work. "Probably not, i'll stick to my signature look and hope to pick up some hot guy" he laughed. 


"Just remember i am your first back up call, kay" he winked. He was sure that Key would get the applicants. "Can i watch you train the applicants you get?" He asked, wondering if it'd be like x factor with some super crap applicants that were simply funny. "You need a break. Ya'll need to come over to mine one day and just chill with me" he grinned. The idea seemed perfect. He loved just chilling. He bit his lip in thought. Maybe he should arrange a party sometime soon. He hadnt in a while. It could be cool.

[CAIM VENUS HYSSOP]

Key nodded dutifully at his advice. “Roots. Got it.” Sometimes she gave him the mock courtesy he deserved as her elder, although with his laid-back attitude she never really felt like he was older than her. Maybe there's just something clearly wrong with me. I have no friends my own age. Not even my love interest in anywhere close in years.

When he looked at her suspiciously, Key tried to make the most innocent face possible. The moment lasted a second before the both of them chuckled. And then she fell into her usual adoration of his accent. How was it possible that he wasn't yet taken?

When Ethan voiced doubt at his perfect, Key raised her brows, ready to raise objections, but then he basically agreed and Key laughed . “Yeah, classic looks. You know like ...” Key actually had to think about it. “Like James Dean and George Clooney.” Key looked at Ethan seriously, “Clooney never pulled off long hair.” She wasn't actually sure if that was true, but no images of George Clooney with long hair were coming to mind, so Key figured there was something to her point.

She laughed at his suggestion of picking up hot men – he didn't need anymore confidence boosts. Key had told him flat out a while ago that if he weren't gay, she'd be all over him. He knew what she thought. At his note about helping out again, Key almost teared up. Instead she reached up for his hand that was on her shoulder and gave it a squeeze. There was no sweeter friend. “Thanks, really.” she said, looking at him with the utmost adoration.

Key hadn't given much thought to how she would actually train new employees, but if Ethan was there watching, it had to be entertaining. And he would help take the pressure off her – he had the calming effect. “Yes definitely!” Key agreed. She'd call him up the moment she actually had decent applicants.

“Okay. Agreed! I love your place.” she said, agreeing to the hanging out. They always had the best time. But before she could offer movies they could watch or things they could eat, Key broke away from his embrace and took a moment to wring her hands. She looked like a person on the verge of a big announcement. She took a big breath and then looked at Ethan.

“I'm in love.”

[ETHAN REID DEXTER]

Ethan grinned at her. He loved it when she listened to his advise. It made him feel special. He rolled his lips over his teeth for a moment, before clearing his throat. “Listening to your elders, your are learning” he chuckled. He loved that they could both laugh over basically nothing with each other. He loved to laugh.

“Mmm” he mumured appreicately. “Clooney is hot” he added after a moment. “I think I'll keep these classic look'” he laughed. Clooney was one of the men he'd always admired, and had a crush on. Even if he was 50. Practically double Ethan's age. “I don't think he could” he agreed. Clooney was one of those guys who looked amazing with short hair. If she thought he was in the same catergory then he'd keep his hair the way it was. Ethan had seen most of Clooneys films including the most recent one.

“Really, ya know I love to spend time with you” he said, ruffling her hair teasingly. He loved to be sappy. Sappy was him. He rolled his neck from side to side, wincing as he felt a bone grind against another. It was never a good feeling. He laughed. “Great!” he exclaimed. He was so looking forward to this, he was tempted to put some of the applicants off, but Key wouldn't be very happy if he did.

He smiled brightly at her. “Brilliant!” he chuckled. He had to plan this, and arrange for her to actually come over. “We are gonna have so much fun” he beamed. He loved just sitting at home with a soft drink, popoorn and a movie. Despite the slightly old TV model, he still got a good picture from it. He hadn't wanted to buy an expensive TV, just in case someone broke it at one of the parties he often organised. He'd had someone break an expensive vase of his mothers back in Dallas and as soon as he got here, he had one rule. Nothing expensive and breakable.


He watched her wring her hands and stayed silent. He didn't want to put her off, he knew that she did that when she was nervous. What was she so nervous about telling him? He briefly worried that she was going to say she couldn't be friends with him, but then mentally slapped himself. She would never say that. They were awesome friends.He blinked and looked at her again Trying to work out what she'd just said, then when the penny dropped his mouth fell open “Oh my days” he cried out, because 'oh my god' was too main stream for him. He screeched, then hugged her again, from behind, and placed a kiss on her cheek. “Hun, who's the lucky guy?” he asked, he was so happy for Key, even if he was a little gutted that he still hadn't found love yet.

[CAIM VENUS HYSSOP]

“Clooney is perfect.” Caim corrected, looking at Ethan as though he should've known better. “Hot” just didn't do Clooney justice. He had always been perfect and he was perfect still. But the overall point was that Clooney, though perfect, could not pull off long hair. And when Ethan conceded that point, Caim was happy and successful in her rhetoric.

At the confirmation of hanging out, Key smiled brightly. “I love to spend time with you, too!” Although by now, in all honesty, it went without saying. But Ethan just brought out the affection in her, and there was something so liberating is just saying sappy things out loud. Constantly. Most people would argue that after a while, the things they said ought to lose their meaning. But it wasn't like that with them. It worked somehow. Being forever enthusiastic about how much they loved each other.

Ethan did look a little too excited to watch her hire people, and she shook her head a little thinking what have I agreed to?

He was too happy at her love news. Key needed she ought to have expected this … though she didn't mean it as good news. “No! No lucky man. This is bad. Bad, Ethan.” she corrected escaping his hug and waving her hands in warning-like gestures. “It's a completely one sided thing – he doesn't even know. And there's no way it would work-”

Instead of going on and on about the improbability, Key decided to outright give Ethan a name – then it would be clear. “It's Mason Cain.” Key said before staring squarely at her shoes. Ex-con. Much older. Previously engaged. Attempted murder. Ethan would have to see the obvious problems.

Key looked up at him to gauge a reaction.

[ETHAN REID DEXTER]

Ethan laughed. “He is indeed.” he smiled, acknowledging that he'd been wrong to simply call him 'hot'. She had won that little discussion, nothing could beat Mr. Clooney. He tilted his head for a moment, before chuckling at Key. “Good, cause otherwise I'd be doing something wrong” he grinned at her.

“We should go somewhere on a roadtrip” he suggested chuckling. “just you, me and the open road” he joked. That wasn't the sort of thing Ethan liked. He was a stay at home, takeaway guy. “Maybe you should come to Dallas, see my home town” he added, with an excited look. He would leap at the chance to show Key (and Atlanta) where he grew up.

When Key escaped him and told him it was bad new, not the good news he'd expected. His mood faltered. “He doesn't know? He needs to know love” mused softly. “You should be happy, love is a good thing” he gave her a sad smile. He din't really know what to say. He started to pull at his hair with one hand. He couldn't wait to fall in love. He wanted the sparks and the romance. He wanted someone to take him on dates and hold him through the night. He was a romantic like that.

When she said 'It's Mason Cain' he stopped his attempt to make himself bald, his mouth fell open and he stared at her for a moment. Pulling his jaw shut, he looked at her through large eyes “As in ex-con Mason?” he asked. Even though he'd only been in town 5 years, he'd heard rumors about the man. He couldn't say much about him being older than her. Ethan was older than her himself. “If he makes you happy...” he started then his words faded off.

He may have been a great guy for all Ethan knew, but he'd heard the stories. He'd heard that Mason had gone down for GBH but he wasn't overly sure. One could never trust rumours. “Just make sure he doesn't hurt you” he eventually said. His hand found her shoulder, “How are you feeling Key, you are okay right?” he asked, a little concerned.

[CAIM VENUS HYSSOP]

Maybe just months ago, Key would've jumped at the idea of a road trip. But now she looked around at the shop – her single most important responsibility. “Once you and I find someone worthy of watching the shop.” she promised, giving Ethan's arm a squeeze, so he's know she meant it. Seeing his hometown would be amazing. Since he was her best friend, she'd never pass up the opportunity to learn a little more about him.

As she expected, Ethan gave her the usual “love is a good thing” approach, but that was before she said Mason's name. Once that happened, the shock and surprise was exactly what see was afraid of. It wasn't even that everyone else would react this way – screw the rest of the world. Key just needed one other person – the closest person to her – to understand. Maybe because she didn't quite understand.

Key tried to explain. “I know it sounds … ridiculous. And I know it is highly impractical. He's so much older. And yeah, and ex-con. But he doesn't feel bad, you know?

“Like when I was really sad, he went out of his way to keep me company even though he didn't even know me. And he's really nice. Not like a sleazy trying-to-get-into-my-pants kinda way either. He's quiet, but the little things he does ...”

Ethan asked her if she was okay, and Key waved her hand, “I know you probably think I'm insane.”

There was a lot that she wasn't sharing - things a little too private. Like how Key had, at that moment, his baby picture in her pocket.

[ETHAN REID DEXTER]

Ethan listened to her. His face serious for once, he shook his head and replayed what he said in his head.... ridiculous... impractical... his lips slowly turned up into a grin. “Sounds pretty like love to me, is love ever practical? Is it ever sane?” he questioned her with a soft smile. He didn't want to feel so concerned over her love for Mason. It was just the rumors. He listened to her explaim about how he went out of his way to keep her company, he wanted to thank the man.

Maybe he wasn't so bad after all. Key needed someone to be there for her, and as much as Ethan tried, he couldn't always be there for her. It wasn't a nice thought, but it was true. He had odd hours at the liquor shop and she often worked at her shop. “Not being sleazy is pretty impressive” he commented after a few moments of silence. It seemed that a lot of men these days were pretty sleazy, and he wasn't sure if he was included in that stereotype.

“What exactly did he go down for? Do you know?” he asked, the question that had been burning at his mind since she told him it was Mason Cain.

“I don't think your insane. Unless being insane is being in love” he smiled at her, and then began chuckling. “Don't they say people in love loose their sanity or something like that?” It seemed quite ironic. He mused to himself for a few moments, and then repeated himself. “He needs to know that you feel that way for him... what if he feels like that too?” he hoped that Mason did feel that way for her, because otherwise he would shapeshift into a bear and mutilate him a little. Though, he was sure that Mason could take the rather weak Ethan down any time.

[CAIM VENUS HYSSOP]

Ethan slowly smiled as Key blabbed on, and she had to smile, too. His smile meant that he knew, and she knew that he knew, and it was obvious all-around. Ethan had it right – it sounded like love, for sure. And love was never same or practical. Last night as Key stocked the fireplace, she couldn't help but wish that her sister was there, home. That they could stay up all night drinking hot apple cider and watching oldies. Nope, love wasn't sane. Even after all that happened, Key really loved her sister. “No.” Key agreed quietly, mirroring his soft smile. “It's not.”

Key frowned. “I'm not exactly sure ...” she said quietly. Truthfully, she had heard that Mason was in for attempted murder. Was it that or some type of assault? It had to be, because only five years for any kind of murder seemed like a short deal. Either way, it was a question that seemed to loom over Key anytime she thought of Mason – she knew she'd have to get it off her chest and ask one of these days. Hopefully later not sooner.

Key chuckled along with Ethan and nodded. “Yeah, they do say something like that.” People in love losing sanity that is.

“People in love are also supposed to be blind, so there seem to be a lot of associated disadvantages...” Key added. Love altogether just seemed like an awfully messy thing. It did make Key feel very romantic lately, though. She'd taken to drinking hot tea by the fire, reading Robert Frost poems, and contemplating life.

“It seems unlikely ...” Key said slowly. That Mason would feel the same way, that is. There was something, though. “But you're right. The “what if” would be bothering me my whole life if I don't take a chance.” Key looked sheepishly at Ethan. “I told him he could meet up with us at the festival.”

“We are going, right?”