Edward had made a promise and he intended to keep it. Since he was looking to meet with Zeus sooner than later this time for something… less weird and more on the business side.

B had earlier absolutely refused to wear the stash of women’s clothing he had in his home. He had claimed them to not be his style and the only reason he had worn the dress before was because he was still trying to play a part. 

Which was fair. It was a fair argument and Edward was not one to force someone to do something they did not want to do so instead he had opted to let B wear his clothing till they had some time… those didn’t fit B well just… they were a good bandaid solution and while Edward was trying to catch up on work it worked well enough so that he wasn’t running around the mansion naked.

But time did get away with him so doing this now was a good change and he was indeed getting a chance to get to know B’s taste and a good understanding of what Wilbur described as punk.

He crossed his arms over his chest. He was starting to think it over again. He wasn’t all too familiar with that style but that in itself is not business meeting attire.

He would have to make sure that B wore something more appropriate after all this would be the first time since Zeus threw them at him that B would be seeing him again.

“Edward.”

B’s face was right in front of his. Face was close; he could feel the warmth coming off their skin. Edward moved back.

“Yes?”

“Why are you just standing there with a glare on your face? Aren’t you having fun?”

“I’m fine.”

“That’s not what I asked,” B grabbed his arm and dragged him over to a rack of clothes, “I asked if you’re having fun but since you decided to no answer we’re gonna pick you something too.”

“Why?”

“Why not? I’m here for a while and you have other things going on so why not indulge myself a little… you should too.”

He leaned his head up against Edward’s arm.

“Maybe doing things like this with me will grant your wish and you won’t have to have your thoughts filled with me.”

Edward was silent . He didn’t even look down at him, instead stared forward.

“It’s only been a short time since you’ve been with me. What makes you think you’re all I think about?”

“Are you just going to tell me that having someone who looks like your lost love isn’t driving you crazy and hurting your work?”

Edward snorted. “So you’re just making a guess and observation.”

“Of course that’s my job. I can’t figure out why it took me a year to manifest around here so it has to be something with you. Not to mention I came in such a weird way. So I’m just trying to help you and get out of your hair.”

Edward sighed and patted B’s head.

“You’re not in my hair. This is all strange and I know you don’t expect me to just be all normal right away… did you?”

B was silent for a moment. His eyes were clearly focused on the clothes in front of him. 

“No… but I expected… I hoped you knew what you were wishing for out of this chance reencounter….”

They trailed off.

“I’m sorry.”

B elbowed Edward softly. “It’s fine. It’s not your fault. Sometimes these things happen.”

“Really?”

“No, I am just trying to make you feel better.”

Edward chuckled.

“Well, thank you for that.”

“You’re welcome,” he said as he reached out for a shirt.

“You should try wearing darker colors sometime. You look so stiff in the bright ones.”

Seemed like he was ready to change the subject. Not that there was much more the two of them could continue to talk about any way. 

What more were they going to talk about besides passing off more ideas and at this point the most logical thing would be for them to act all lovey dovey and see if that would make things progress but…

That would imply that B was a problem and … he really wasn’t… just a very clear unexpected surprise that had made its way into his life. Though the timing may not be all that good… 

It’s just how things turned out… and he wasn’t sure how he felt about treating B as a replacement for Bay… a stand in and that in itself was what made this entire situation even stranger for him.

What B was asking for was what he found to be the most odd and it didn’t feel like it was something that B was keen on doing either. He seemed happy to just be himself instead of having to pretend to be someone else.

Which just left him thinking… it must have been hard for him… to never be allowed to be himself, always having to be someone else in order to be loved… His job was to be loved in some way in order to ease someone else’s grief but… he wondered did B ever have a chance to truly… get to experience love for himself.

“Edward are you even listening to me?” B said nudging him. At this point there were a couple of different dark colored shirts in his arms.

“No, I’m sorry.”

They furrowed their brows and sighed.

“Don’t worry about it, just buy it so that ok it will fit you. Ok.”

“Ok.”

Silence between the two.

“Did you choose something professional for the meeting coming up,”

“I don’t want too.”

“Huh.”

There they were again being childish. Why was Edward even surprised? It wasn’t like B didn’t have an understanding as to what was going on. He understood this just felt petty.

“Why not?”

“Do I need a reason? I don’t want to have to dress up for that guy…”

“You got to it just sends the right message.”

“I’m not your underling though. So there is no point in me trying to impress this guy.”

“I don’t want or need you to impress him. I just want you to look good.”

B stared at Edward and grinned before grabbing his tie.

“You want to show me off Jameson?” he asked pulling him closer.

“Is your wish to show off your partner to your enemy?”

Edward pulled backward. There was little resistance but his tie was still in B’s hand.

“No, I just don’t want him to underestimate you. Plus you were in such a different state the last time I just wanted you to show how much better you’re doing.”

“... You want me to brag to him?”

“Not exactly but kinda?”

B let go of the tie without another word. Edward didn’t know what he was thinking but it seemed like the words may have made sense to him.

He stared at the back of his neck. The tattoo for once standing still in the view of the public. It stood out but it seemed more like a decorative necklace than a tattoo.

He turned his head to look at Edward.

“Fine if that will make you happy but I’m not gonna wear it all that much. I’m not into that kind of look.”

“We can choose out a dress shirt and tie combo you like. It can even be in the colors you like.”

“I already said that I was going to do it you don’t need to try and bribe me… unless….”

“Unless?”

He took a couple of steps forward and looked right up at him.

“There’s something I’ve never gotten to do when I’m with someone and since I’ve been able to change my look and choose clothing I like you should be able to indulge me in this right?”

“In what?”

Edward was confused but he found it compelling that B looked so excited. Just like when he was able to name himself. Just like when I asked how to refer to him. Just like when he got to show off his tattoo.

B just loved being able to express and show off himself and it was cute how he got excited when he was given the chance to do such small things. He was never asking for or hoping for much, just a little bit of recognition for being himself.

“Just something a bit cosmetic.”

“What is it another tattoo? One that didn’t move?”

“No but that sounds like a good idea.” Though Edward watched him pause for a moment. He seemed a bit hesitant at that thought.

“It’s your body you know. Don’t worry about thinking you’re marking someone else,” Edward said.

“That’s not what I was thinking.”

“Yes it was.”

“No it wasn’t. You can’t read my mind.”

Silence. Not quite awkward but not comfortable..

“Thanks though… for saying that Edward. I appreciate it.”

Edward smiled at him.

“No problem… what is it that you want?” he asked.

“Piercings. Right. Here.” B said pointing to two points under their lower lip.

Edward stared at them for a moment. That was what he wanted in return for dressing properly. B really was going for the punk look wasn’t he.

He was really taking the time to imagine how it would look on him… and Edward could admit it would suit B… though he wasn’t sure if it was because he was thinking it because B had Bay’s face or because he was truly making her body his own.

His own body. His own style.

“...No?”

“I didn’t say no. We can get that done for you if that’s what you want as payment.”

B smiled. “Yeah! Thank you.”

Edward also smiled back at B. He really liked his smile. It was nice seeing him happy over something so small and simple. 

Edward would be more than happy to continue to do these simple things for B as long as it made B happy… He wanted B to be happy for other things other than the small things.

There were so many other things that B should be able to experience. Even if it was for a short period of time.

B should be able to know what it’s like to live life even if their time together will be short.