Chapter Text
When Tango returns to the bookstore next, it’s in the middle of a storm. It’s not ideal weather; he’s got a hood pulled over his head and is squinting against the sharp rain, grateful he can navigate the oddities district in his sleep. He’s not sure he’d be able to find his way here otherwise.
The alleyway is slippery enough that he has to walk slowly, carefully dodging the larger puddles and wary of the streams of water taking advantage of the slope to form under his feet. He's glad he's not being chased by anyone this time, certainly. When he finally gets to the bookstore, it’s with a sigh of relief.
He swings the door open and is so busy trying to shake the rain from his coat that he entirely misses Gem’s chuckle.
“I take it that things went well with the book, then?” she asks. He jumps, and it prompts her to laugh again.
“It did, more or less,” he says. “I, uh — thank you for telling me where it was. I realised when I went back that it was thanks to you I found it in the first place.”
“Of course. It’s the best book here.” Gem’s expression shifts, a little slyly. “It’s in the curses section for a reason, you know. It’s cursed to show you exactly what you need.”
Tango’s mouth falls open. “That’s not even a curse!”
“It’s a bit of a curse sometimes,” Gem grins. “Besides, you almost didn’t listen to it, right?”
“Why didn’t Joel give that to me from the beginning?”
“We all have our secrets, Tango. I do, too. And I need Joel to solve some of his own problems.” With that dropped on him, she leaves her place behind the counter and goes to give Tango a side-hug. “I’m glad you’re back, though, really. I’ll go get him now.”
Well, this place never fails to surprise him, he supposes. As he watches Gem go, he turns back to look at some of the books on display. They’ve changed since the day he was here, now featuring a variety of guides on shadow creatures and their evolution through the millennia.
Footsteps sound from behind him, and he turns again to see Joel emerging from the next room. He brightens up the second he sees Tango, nearly dropping the book in his hand as he runs over to hug him tightly, surprising him even though he reciprocates.
“Didn’t I say you’d be back?” Joel beams, finally releasing him enough that they can see each other properly.
“You did,” Tango laughs. “I guess you’re right about some things.”
Joel gives him a gentle whack on the arm. “Most things. All things, actually, I’m amending that statement.”
“Well, with that infinite wisdom, do you think you can find me a book today?”
“It is a bookstore.” Still, Joel does look curious. “What is it you need?”
“What I need,” Tango says, drawing out his words just slightly, “is something that’ll make the journey from my home to here shorter. A portal, or a really fast horse, or — something like that.”
“Yeah?” Joel asks, expression splitting open in a grin.
“I’ve made such a habit of seeing you every day. I’d like to keep it.”
At that, Joel laughs, and Tango could swear it’s the best sound he’s ever heard. He takes Tango’s face between his palms and angles it down to face him properly, something infinitely fond in his expression.
“You’re such an idiot,” Joel says affectionately, before finally leaning in to cut his protest off with a kiss.