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“Are you in Seattle?” It can be hard to understand Shaun’s tone, partly because as a Brit he thinks it’s ‘uncouth’ to show too many emotions or something. In this case, though, Xander’s getting the feeling it’s slightly more hopeful than urgent, which would make for a nice change of pace in their lives. Sure, they haven’t needed to call each other in for anything yet, but that’s liable to change at any time given the Scooby brand of luck so Xander’s making sure to savor what he can when he can.
“...I can be. When?” The answer to that will mostly dictate the means of travel.
“Today, if possible. If not, I understand.” That’s still probably more ‘I won’t be in Seattle tomorrow myself’ rather than an emergency, but he’s still going to make the time either way.
“Nah, I can meet up. Any directions, or should I just climb the nearest skyscraper and use Eagle Vision?” Okay, that’s not a laugh on the other side, but that might be a huff of surprised almost-laughter, so he’ll take it.
It’s slightly surprising that the directions he gives are to a cafe. Okay, true, they're practically built for Seattle, he’d think, given the whole ‘coffee shop in rain’ vibe, but he wouldn’t think it’d be Shaun's scene. It's not raining when he’s dropped off courtesy of Council Witch Express, though, and when he actually spots Shaun inside, he gets it. It can be easy to forget, sometimes, but Shaun had a past in academia, hadn’t he? As much as the thought of seeing him somewhere other than a desk or library or bar feels weird, him just sitting in a coffee shop with what’s presumably a cup of tea and a book and the usual ‘I’m too good for any of this’ hipster attitude actually fits in really well. Xander pauses to admire.
“You may not have heard of this invention called cameras,” Shaun snarks from behind his book, and Xander laughs, putting his hands up in mock-surrender.
“Sorry, sorry. You’re just looking nice and I got distracted. That’s all.” He’s definitely drawing from Ezio, but in his defense, who wouldn’t? Guy knew what he was doing.
Shaun coughs and glances aside, eyes slightly wider behind the glasses. He obviously hadn’t been ready for that. “Er. Yes. Well.” It takes him a moment to gather his thoughts again. Despite the slight blush dusting his cheeks, though, he hadn’t jumped immediately into a lecture about how that was inappropriate in public or anything, so that’s probably as good as permission from the man. Attractive, truly. “It is...safe to talk at the moment, I suppose?”
Easy enough to check with Eagle Vision. “Sure, just let me go get something .” It’s a reasonable excuse to walk through and glance at everybody.
Shaun nods abruptly and goes back to his book. It’s probably an excuse to try to fully regain his composure, which is sweet enough Xander finds a smile tugging at the corner of his lips. It’s definitely informative, walking with Eagle Vision active, but it also takes practice—practice what’s left of Desmond and the others had insisted he get. Nothing like using Eagle Vision at school to get you used to avoiding obstacles gone dark and grey in your line of sight, however humiliating just repeatedly walking into lockers and doors and walls got . Honestly, given the teenage boy pride, he wouldn’t have even bothered if he hadn’t been reminded that it could (and definitely had) saved at least Buffy and Willow’s lives over the years. If it was just his life on the line, no dice, but maybe enduring being laughed at and occasionally mocked is worth it when it comes to protecting his friends.
It’s a good thing, too, when they’ve gone for homey in the décor rather than minimalistic. Makes sense from a strategy viewpoint; clutter means it’s more difficult for anyone to listen in, particularly on a man with the ability to see through walls. He doesn’t see a single hint of red anywhere, but ends up chatting with the barista a little as he mulls over his options; normally, he’s not exactly a coffee guy, preferring to get his caffeine elsewhere, but figures Seattle is known for coffee, so he should probably go for something local.
“Took you long enough.” Shaun’s still a little grumpy when Xander rejoins him, cup in hand, but if anything it seems a little bit like he’s anxious, now.
“Hey, not like I can come to a coffee shop and not get something to eat, too. Pretty sure that’s against the law or something, though we’ve always known you’re a rebel with a cause.” He gestures carefully with the plate, mostly to watch Shaun roll his eyes like he’s absolutely not going to steal a bite. “We’re good to talk,” he confirms in a lower tone of voice. “Any specific reason for the paranoia?”
“Given the influence of certain parties, it’s more prudent to be wary at all times,” Shaun replies, relaxing a little. He hesitates, and then asks, “Was it difficult, making the key?”
Xander’s fork stops halfway to his mouth. “Do not tell me you’ve lost it.” That would be majorly of the bad, but Shaun doesn’t seem as guilty as he should be if he’d managed to lose it. Then again, his concept of personal shame is maybe a tiny bit skewed.
“No, of course not.” Shaun tugs at his collar enough that Xander spots a chain hanging around his neck, and he suddenly needs to inhale a little of that coffee, because he had not been prepared for that thought. The guy who probably wouldn’t otherwise be caught dead wearing jewelry feels the need to put the key on a chain? It’s not silver, or he’d be having a wolf-adjacent reaction, and it’s not gold, because he’d probably think it’s gaudy, so it’s probably platinum and this line of thought is definitely sidetracking him from the important points here.
Xander really hates being the bearer of bad news— hates it, even though that or the escort quests are some of his most common assignments, courtesy of the Council. “It’s really difficult. Stars in alignment once in a millennium kind of circumstances, but even if I could, I don’t know that I would. I trust you, but I don’t trust your colleagues I’ve never met, and as we’ve learned over and over again items are easier to lose than skills, so…”
He trails off as Shaun just smiles at him. Fond and a little warm, and even though it’s not, like, the biggest smile ever, it’s Shaun . That’s...has he actually seen the man smile before? Has Desmond ? He’s pretty sure he has, but any memory of other occasions is suddenly elusive, for some reason. Turnabout from earlier is fair play in love and, well, love, he guesses. “It just occurred to me that while I can visit you anytime I like, the reverse is not true.”
He doesn’t voice the fact that he’d consider that situation desirable . He doesn’t have to. The fact that the guy who views his workplace as almost sacred wants him there is...well. It means a lot. Suddenly, it’s Xander’s turn to blush, though it’s slightly more obvious on Shaun’s complexion than his own.
“Of course, if it’s not possible, there’s no need to concern yourself…” He’s trying not to show how disappointed he is, which is even sweeter.
“I mean, on one hand, it’d be kind of an idea of the bad, unless you’ve told your colleagues about me. But, uh. Dunno if you noticed, with your big sexy brain and everything, you called me and then I came to meet you and it was pretty fast. And on a scale of one to ten, there’s a pretty good chance it could absolutely happen again.” That’s definitely hope on Shaun’s face, hard as he’s trying to hide it, and while Xander hadn’t noticed any Abstergo agents or vampires on the way through the coffee shop, he had noticed the Pride flag hanging in the front window, so figures they won’t begrudge him too much a quick smooch.