Ugh, he had only gotten to bed about eight hours ago. Which, mind you, was technically a full night's sleep, but he preferred ten to twelve hours. He liked his sleep…and since he hadn’t gotten much the last few days… Well yeah, he was still tired. Foxx would have gone to bed sooner, but he’d gotten sucked into making sure Harlow’s SUV would be ready for the evening.
After paying a ridiculous price, he’d gotten the job rushed, and it should now be waiting in the spot Harlow had parked in when he’d first arrived.
Squinting at the human, he asked shamelessly, “Can I have like two more hours?”
Harlow gave him a very ‘you can’t be serious’ type look, before saying, “No, get up, or I’m leaving your ass behind.”
Foxx sighed. “Fine…” He said that, but he still lay there unmoving until Harlow had the audacity to yank his covers away.
“Hey!” he cried out as he clawed at them, entering into a cover tug of war with the human.
“Get up!” Harlow snapped before releasing his hold on the blankets. Foxx flopped back on the bed. “Be at my Jeep in ten minutes or be left behind!” Harlow yelled as he stormed away.
Sitting up, he glared at the man’s back. “Fine!”
* * *
Why,oh why, had Harlow been dumb enough to wake Foxx up? He could have been in and out of the mall in less than an hour. But no, his dumbass had decided to be nice and invite him along. He had even waited until the sun set, letting Foxx sleep in. Though that was because he, himself, had slept in. Harlow’s body had not wanted to move this evening. He was just one giant ache. Feeling both his age and the effects of being flung back by an explosion.
Not that Foxx wouldn’t have been able to tag along, even if it had been daylight. The mall had coated windows and lockers for sunsuits. He could have safely shopped, no matter what.
Harlow barely held back a groan as Foxx once again flitted like an excited bird from one store window to the next in his way too baggy jean overalls and light blue sweater.
“Oh, look! Look, Harlow. How cute are those jumpers!” Foxx exclaimed, pointing excitedly to the display in the window.
He eyed the mannequins… He wouldn’t be caught dead in any of what they were wearing. But they were definitely right up Foxx’s ally. Harlow swept his gaze over Foxx.
God, they stood out from each other. Harlow was just looming darkness, in all-black clothing, beside the bright sunshine that was Foxx.
He shook his head in despair. “No, Foxx.” They were so close to the store he’d come here for. Harlow just needed to corral this fucker into it.
Foxx’s freckled nose scrunched but he nodded with a sigh. And right as Foxx was about to putter over to another store, he snagged the back collar of his sweater and started pulling him in the direction ofCreed.“Come here.”
“Wait! What? Why?!” Foxx cried. “Box of Cloth was right there!” His hands futilely grabbed out towards a brightly lit store with way too many colorful clothes inside.
Harlow grunted in irritation. “Foxx, I would not buy a single thing from that store. Or really, any of the stores you have tried to drag me into or towards. You might, but I won’t. I came here for one store. ONE store.”
Foxx pulled out of his grasp and started following beside him. “But how do you know you won’t want anything if you don’t look inside?”
“I don’t need to look inside. I can tell from the outside that I wouldn’t wear a single thing they sell.”
Foxx eyed him up and down and sighed. “I suppose what I’ve seen you wear so far wouldn’t really mesh with the stores we've passed.”
“Nope, my style most definitely does not mesh with any of that. Now, follow me.”
* * *
Foxx ploppeddown on a chair he found near the dressing rooms, as he watched Harlow browse through the racks and displays nearby. He was trying to not pout as he stared around the most boring store he’d ever seen. He’d admit that as much as he liked black and leather on other people—people being Harlow—it wasn’t that interesting looking at it all without a body involved.
The storeCreedwas definitely not for him. Just a lot of black, a lot of normal, boring jeans, and a shit ton of leather. Would it kill Harlow to add a little color into his wardrobe? Well, he looked fucking hot in his outfits. But still, color was life!
Then again…Harlow in leather… He eyed the man as he slipped off his leather jacket. It had a large tear on the back, probably from the explosion. He wasn’t sure how close the man had been, but judging by how stiff he was moving right now, he had been close enough.
His gaze stared at the thick arms that were revealed, covered in scars. As much as he wanted to pout when Harlow pulled a new jacket off a hanger and slipped it on, blocking his view, he found himself smiling instead. The man stepped in front of the mirrors near Foxx to check it out.
Getting up, he approached with an innocent smile. Standing beside him, he couldn’t help enjoying their contrast in the mirror. Harlow was so big and strong…while Foxx was compact. He ran his hand over Harlow’s arm. The leather was nice and soft. Well, it was still a bit stiff, being new.
Harlow glared at his hand.
