When he arrived at the bottom of the stairs, his mother was waiting there. Her dark hair was pulled back in a tight ponytail, a style she only adopted when she was stressed out. “Hey Wesley!” She smiled, reaching an arm to hug him. “I had an ide—”

“I’m sorry,” WW hugged her tight, “I’ve been having a bad week and I’ve been hiding it from you. I’m sorry. I’m trying to do better.”

“I—” His mom stammered, then just hugged him, instead. She was strong, holding him tight to her. “I still want to weigh you… See where you’re at.”

WW sighed, nodding against her shoulder. “Yeah… That’s fair… I kind of want to know, too.” He thought back to his conversation with James the night before… Forty pounds… That’s how much WW had been supposed to put on, too.

“Later, though… Let’s just go eat breakfast, okay? I made eggs and toast. There’s even bacon if you’re feeling up for a slice.” She rubbed his back as she led him to the kitchen.

“Sounds good…” WW sighed.

Pan grinned when WW sat next to him at the table, with a plate of a piece of toast, some egg, and a piece of bacon. It wasn’t much, but his stomach still felt topsy turvy. It’s all about baby steps, he reminded himself. “Looks tasty.” Pan hummed.

WW looked over at him with a blank stare. “You… You literally never eat? How would you know?”

Pan just laughed and shrugged. “Your dad said it earlier and I couldn’t think of anything else to say.”

“Tell me what you do for fun in Amarai.” WW said and took a bite of egg. He felt pretty proud that he’d remembered the name, instead of just referring to it as magic-land.

A wicked grin spread across Pan’s face.

Most of the stories he told sounded like a frat party gone terribly right. WW hadn’t expected plant people to lead such hilarious lives, honestly. But the tales of Pan’s (mis)adventures kept WW entertained all the way to the shop. They even made WW forget about James, for the time being. He forgot about Cori, too. He forgot how he’d told her to go ahead. He forgot he wasn’t supposed to have feelings for Pan. But there they were, fluttering in his chest. And how could they not? How could he not start slipping down that slope when Pan’s voice was so soft, and deep, and he told stories so well… He couldn’t help but enjoy Pan’s company. He couldn’t help but think he was attractive, even with the flowers… He became well aware, that morning, that his feelings for Pan would only grow if left unchecked.

That thought didn’t upset him until he saw Cori. Guilt flooded over him. I can’t have feelings for Pan. He reminded himself. The almost-smile that had been present the entire ride over washed away immediately when he saw Cori jump off the counter and rush over to hug Pan.

“Hey Pachlayole!” She grinned. Suddenly, WW's feat or remembering 'Amarai' seemed pathetic.

Pan laughed softly, “Hey… That was almost right! You’ve been practicing!”

“Very hard, yes.” She smiled. “Hey WW!”

“H-Hey.” WW waved awkwardly. I need to stop. Pan and I can only be friends and that’s fine.

But he still wanted to run a hand through his hair. He wanted to hug him, wrap an arm around his waist as they walk down the stre—STOP.

He walked away before Cori could start chatting away with Pan.

The morning went on like any other. WW and Cori organised the shop, taking care of plants, and serving customers. They chatted a little, about nothing of significance, and Cori went to the back to talk to Pan quite often.

“Pan says you guys talked, and you’re okay now. Is that true?” She asked after one such time that afternoon. WW just nodded, not looking up from watering the wall of succulents. “Does that mean he’s allowed in the loft?”

WW frowned at that. “No.”

“Why not?” Cori whined, grabbing his arm, “He’s really funny and sweet and I really want to kiss him! You’re cock-blocking me, WW. Killing my game!”

The doorbell jingled before WW had time to think of a response. A tall man walked in, and WW shrugged it off at first. His dad was closer, he could deal with the customer… But then he took a second look. The man had long, dark ginger hair, a thin beard around full lips, and piercing green eyes. WW’s throat went dry as he recognized James. He looked so… different. The long hair was new. The weight was new. He was dressed in dark shorts and a grey and white striped tank top that fitted him really nicely. He looked… Healthy. He looked good.

“Hi, is Walter Wesley around?” He asked WW’s dad. His accent was no longer muffled by the phone, and it sent chills up and down WW’s spine.

“Who’s the hot brit?” Cori whispered. You have Pan, don’t even start. WW thought bitterly. His feet were moving before he could answer.

“Uh, yeah,” His dad turned toward WW, to see him already walking toward the counter, “He’s just over there.” He smiled.

Watching James turn and smile at him was surreal. It had been… So long. He’d forgotten how full his lips were. How deep and enchanting those green eyes were. “H-Hey… The hair’s coming along nicely, huh?” WW wondered why his palms felt clammy all of a sudden.

“Yeah! Getting nutrients helps a lot with growth, it turns out.” He grinned. His teeth had been kind of gross before, enamel vs stomach bile was always a battle with a clear winner, but they were so white and pretty now.

“You look… Really good…” WW said, trying to process that this was the same James as before. Until he remembered that this wasn’t. This was the new James. Healthy James.

“Thank you,” James, all six feet, one inch of him, towered over WW, “You don’t look so bad yourself.”

WW blushed, a rare sight that left his father and Cori wide-eyed. “Uh d-dad, we’re gonna go, um… Catch up, okay? D-Do you mind?”

“N-No?” His dad mumbled. “It’s been pretty dead, anyways…”

“Okay… Thanks.” WW nodded, before turning back to James. “There’s a really good coffee shop nearby, want to—”

“Yes.” James beamed at him.

WW couldn’t help but smile softly. James’ grin was infectious. He didn’t see his dad’s jaw drop as the two walked out. Cori ran over to the counter and gripped Frank’s arm.

“Did you get a name?!” She hissed.

“N-No! Who was that?!” Frank didn’t take his eyes off the door.

“I don’t know.” Cori huffed, just as shocked.