Trixie wrapped her arms tightly about her body as she hurried along the street, splashing through rapidly growing puddles as the rain beat down around her. Her umbrella bobbed along above her, her magic keeping it aloft even as it battled the wind that whipped at her hair and coat. She was regretting her decision not to take a cab.
She crossed the road at a set of traffic lights, skirting round an especially large puddle that had formed at the crossing, and came to a stop at the window of a small cafe. Warm yellow light spilled from the interior of the cafe which was crammed full of people chatting over steaming cups of coffee and mouth-watering cakes. She scanned the crowd, her stomach twisting itself in knots as her eyes settled on Jason, sat alone in a booth at the back of the cafe, an untouched cup of coffee on the table in front of him. She swallowed, fighting back the sudden urge to vomit. It had been two days since the incident at Barnabus' house. She had expected him to be angry with her, perhaps even report her to the Agency, but she had heard nothing from him at all. In someways, the silence had been more unbearable. Then out of the blue that morning he had messaged her and asked to talk. She had agreed and suggested the cafe. It was busy enough that they wouldn't be overheard and at least it was neutral ground for them both.
A bell rang as she pushed open the door but the sound was drowned out amid the sounds of talking and the hiss of coffee machines. Her umbrella shook itself dry outside before nestling itself in a waiting stand with a sigh of relief. She found herself almost envying it as she began to pick her way through the tables to where Jason was sat staring into his drink.
"Jason?" she said tentatively as she approached.
He looked up at her, and she thought she could see a dozen different emotions cross his face. "Hi," he said awkwardly.
"Can I sit down?" she asked.
He nodded and she slid into the booth opposite him, shrugging off her wet coat as she did so. As partners in the Agency they had always been comfortable in each others' company but now an uncomfortable silence settled over them. It seemed like Jason could barely look at her.
"Jason," she began when she could stand the awkwardness no longer, "I just want..."
"Hi! Can I get you anything?"
She grimaced as a young waiter with black hair appeared at the table, the smile on his face not quite reaching his eyes. She glanced at Jason, unsure how long he had planned on this talk lasting.
"She'll have a mocha," he interjected. "With almond milk and no whipped cream please."
"Right away," the waited said, scribbling in his pad before walking away.
Trixie felt herself smile as she looked at Jason. "How did..." she began.
"It's what you always order when you're stressed," he said and though he wasn't looking at her she could see his lips twitch upwards.
"Jason," she said, leaning forwards and placing her hands on the table between them. "I'm so sorry. I... I can't imagine what you must think of me but I promise, I never meant for any of this to happen."
"But it did happen, Trix," he replied sadly.
"I know," she replied. "And I know it was wrong... I just... I wanted Rupert to notice me and I thought..."
He laughed and shook his head. "You thought what? That a love potion would make all your dreams come true?"
She blushed, flinching at the venom in his tone. "I'm sorry, Jason," she repeated, tears stinging her eyes.
He sighed and shook his head. "Trix, I... You don't need a potion for people to notice you. You're funny and beautiful and if Rupert can't see that then he's an even bigger dick than I already think he is..."
She laughed, dabbing the corners of her eyes with the palm of her hand. "You don't have to be nice to me, Jason," she whispered.
"I know," he said. "Don't think I'm not angry with you, because I really am. I just didn't want it to happen like this..."
"What do you mean?" she asked.
"Isn't it obvious?" he said quietly. "Trix, do you remember your first day at the Agency?"
She thought back and nodded, remembering her nervousness as she had walked into the Agency for the first time, utterly bewildered by everything. She was fresh out of the academy, a novice agent with no experience in the field yet somehow she had landed her dream job. She had never felt more out of place until a young agent with dusty hair had approached her with an easy smile and introduced himself. Jason had made her feel welcome and like she was part of the tam from the moment she had set foot inside the Agency and he had been by her side ever since.
"I remember that day too," he said, staring into his still untouched coffee. "I remember it because that was the day I met you. And honestly, Trix, I've been in love with you ever since that moment."
She stared at him, her mouth hanging open stupidly as the waiter appeared and set her drink down in front of her with another fake smile. How could he love her? They were partners, friends, yes but that was it. He had never expressed any kind of romantic interest in her... Or had he? She thought back to all the times they had spent together, the late nights pouring over case files, the stakeouts and the patrols they had been on together. He had always been there by her side, laughing at her jokes, listening to her stories and helping with her problems. It had all been so easy, it had all felt so natural.
