Proof #7
“Snacks for Teddy!” The bird exclaimed, bobbing happily from tank to tank. The store employee hadn’t taken kindly to letting a bird in the spaceso he’d voluntarily put Teddy on a leash just outside the store. Not far enough away apparently.
“No. I just like coming here. There’s so few places around that still have fish that I think it’s nice.
It’s comforting. Reminds me of easier times.
Back when stores like this could exist more easily I guess.
” Jacob said. He guided Joe to the back of the store, away from the chaos at the front, and away from Teddy.
“It does have a unique smell to it.” Joe sniveled.
“Yeah, try to ignore that, but it can be nice in its own way.” Jacob said looking into a tank absolutely bursting with bright fish in a dozen or so colours. “Look at these guys.”
“They definitely look like fish.” Joe responded. “Do you even have an aquarium?”
“Not even a little bit. I just wanted to share this with someone.” Jacob smiled.
“I know it’s silly but I find it comfortable here.
I can just walk the aisles and look at nature.
Not real nature of course- but there’s still something connecting about it.
These creatures spend their entire lives surrounded by people like us- or get taken home and displayed- they’re totally and completely dependent on us and what we’re doing.
We help shape their entire world. We give them food, shelter- they literally need us to do everything.
And we do- just because we like having their company or watching them. ”
“Sounds a bit lonely when you put it like that.” Joe chuckled.
“I mean, I suppose it’s not a bad life. Someone could just be there to take care of you when you need it. Literally every need is cared for and managed.” As he watched a bunch of guppies he felt Joe slide up behind him. Joe slipped his hand up his shirt and pressed himself against his back.
One part of him wanted to resist. They were in public. He was so confused. So many fish were watching
But on the other hand- he had his other hand.
He felt Joe slide his hand down his stomach and onto his rapidly hardening cock.
Gripping it at the base he began to stroke slowly, back and forth unleashing a moan as Jacob could feel any resistance quickly evaporating.
Joe gripped tighter, grinding against his backside as he gently nibbled the back of Jacob’s neck.
Overcome with passion, Jacob whipped around to kiss Joe. For a moment their mouths intertwined, and the world melted away to the scent of fish filters and the sound of tiny waterfalls.
But it was interrupted by the sound of bags hitting the ground. Like a flash, they snapped out of their embrace worried that they’d upset some random family- but it was only Thomas.
“Hope I’m not interrupting.” Thomas grunted.
“Thomas! What the actual fuck?!” Jacob exclaimed as he struggled to pull up his pants.
“I thought you’d be here.” Thomas began.
“You did?” Jacob asked. “How? That’s super random.”
“I guess I could just sense you.” Thomas said. “Did you want a fish? I can buy you a fish. Would that make you love me?”
“Whoa buddy, hold on-” Joe was about to confront Thomas when Jacob got in the middle. He pushed Joe back and extended his arms to try to keep some distance between them.
“Thomas… Are you okay?” Jacob asked.
“I’ve never been better. It’s like all I can think about is you.” Thomas reached out and grabbed Jacob by the hand, gently this time, but still unwelcome.
“I’m not comfortable talking here.” Jacob wrestled his hand back. “Can we talk later?”
“No… Maybe we should all talk now.” Joe looked furious. He sounded even worse.
“Joe?” Jacob asked. He looked to Joe who had now locked eyes with Thomas — but something was different. Joe began to grope at Jacob again, this time with Thomas rubbing against Jacob’s hand. This didn’t feel right.
“Let go of me guys.” Jacob began to wriggle, trying to escape, but their hands became more aggressive.
“It’s like all I can think about is you.” Thomas began.
“Like all I can think about is you-” Joe echoed. They were talking in almost perfect unison.
“You boys are really freaking me out.” Jacob began. “Let go of me!”
Joe began clawing at Jacob’s pants now- rougher this time. No gentleness, only a forceful grip that Jacob couldn’t escape. Thomas stepped closer, roughly rubbing against him and pulling him in for a rough kiss.
“All I can think about-” Joe began.
“Is you-” Thomas finished.
“I love you Jacob.” Joe growled.
“I love you Jacob.” Thomas moaned as he tore at his shirt, while Joe forcibly pawed at his jeans. This didn’t feel good.
“Stop!” Jacob yelled. As he did the world around him seemed to shift. It was like there was a ripple that carried through the air. Jacob looked into Thomas’ eyes that seemed oddly vacant as a little glow seemed to spark in them.
“I love-” Thomas began before passing out. He fell backwards landing on a pile of hamster shaving bags. He looked to be intact, so Jacob didn’t pay much mind.
“-you.” Joe finished the sentence and then landed directly on Jacob. With such a low reaction time, Jacob barely had time to catch him.
Still shaken, Jacob lowered Joe softly to the ground.
“Joe… Joe, are you okay? What the fuck was that… Joe!” but to no avail- they both appeared to be unconscious.
He took a moment to debate whether or not splashing fish water on his boyfriend’s face was a good idea, but knowing the biomes in the tanks he decided against it.
Instead, he did the dignified thing and dragged him out of the pet store and into the main plaza of the mall.
Luckily the place was super dead (as it was a mall after all) so he was able to pull him over easily without anyone noticing or caring.
“What happened?” Teddy called out.
“I don’t know what happened! He just… I need to get him some water.” He grunted as he dragged Joe across the tiles.
He leaned into the fountain, grabbed some water, and delicately splashed some on Joe’s face. Within a few moments, he started to come to.
“Jacob?” Joe asked, and as soon as he did Jacob pulled away. He now knew Joe was okay — but what was that?
“Hi.” Jacob whispered.
“I- Where am I?” Joe looked around confused.
“You’re outside the pet store.” Jacob pointed back to the store. Joe turned around to see but clutched his head in pain. He grunted and grit his teeth.
“Ack… Pet store? I’m sorry I- I don’t remember… I’m not sure where I am right now. I’m so dizzy…” Joe said. “Why are you so far away?”
“I just… You don’t remember anything?” Jacob asked.
“Just… I think I remember a crab?” Joe shook his head. “Sorry it’s all a blur. My head is killing me- what happened?” Jacob hesitated, but came to Joe’s side and helped him up.
“It’s okay. Let’s go outside and get some fresh air. We’ll go for a walk.” When Joe was at his full height, he stumbled and Jacob caught him.
“Sorry, I don’t know what’s come over me. Should we grab a drink or something? I could use some. My head is pounding.” A part of Jacob wanted to protest- But decided against it. Joe seemed as confused as he was.
“Yeah sure. Let’s go.” He responded.
Still unsteady, Jacob helped Joe walk, leaning him against his shoulders and guiding him out of the dead mall.
He looked back to the pet story to see Thomas slowly waking up, also appearing disoriented and confused.
The person who was running the store apparently remembered she worked there and seemed to be picking hamster bedding out of his hair.
Some part of Jacob wondered what happened, but at the same time he did not want to be here when Thomas was awake.
Grabbing Teddy’s leash (which he knew Teddy hadn’t forgiven him for yet) and Joe, the three of them made their way out of the mall. He wasn’t quite sure what he was doing, but he knew that some distance was going to go a long way about now.
27
Iced Coffee.
After walking for a couple blocks, Joe was starting to get his bearings again. Whatever had happened in that store was bizarre but he couldn’t remember what had happened, or what he’d done.
Luckily they weren’t far from his cafe, so when he suggested stopping in, Joe agreed.
Entering, he quickly sat Joe down at a bench and waved to Serena as she manned the counter.
“It’s your day off. Why are you here?” Serena looked at him strangely.
“I could ask the same of Garret.” He said pointing to their boss lounging in the corner.
“He’s… well he’s being Garret. The same as he ever was. Not entirely sure what got into him over the past bit, but whatever it was clearly worn off. He’s barely keeping himself from passing out.” She shrugged.
“Must be exhausted from actually working for a day or two.” Jacob snarked.
“Perhaps.” She sounded unenthused.
“And is he still?” Jacob made a hand motion.
“He’s tried. But I don’t know. I guess I’m not really feeling it anymore.
I’m not really feeling much at all right now.
I’m just… I don’t know. Everything’s just boring.
” She sounded bored. Jacob tried to remember what he had last dosed her with.
He had wanted to protect her feelings- but had he completely eliminated them instead?
“Fuck. I didn’t, did I?” Jacob asked. She looked at him confused. “Sorry, talking to myself.”
“I just figured you were talking to your bird.”
“I mean, that’s what he’s there for.” Jacob looked to Teddy. Teddy shrugged.
Jacob tried to examine what her mood was, but was having trouble placing it. She didn’t seem to be caring about much right now. Her hair was put in a sloppy half hearted bun, and Garret was in the corner scrubbing at the counter.
“Garret, you okay buddy?”