[for Billy]

[learnfromthem]

In a place so different from New York, the Boutique's probably one of the few corners on this island that feels familiar: clothes, people with the same name as me...

No, seriously, almost everyone who volunteers here is named Kate. It's kind of weird, but in, like, a good way. I like it in here. Making sure the racks are tidy and the clothes are nice isn't the biggest of adrenaline rushes, but having arrived here too late in the semester to bother with classes and no Clint to drag me out crime-fighting, it gives me something to do that isn't sunbathing.

I just wish it wasn't so dead in here today. I've done pretty much all the menial tasks I can think of -- including a sweep for any wayward Tribbles -- and have finally resorted to flipping through the book I brought with me: some cheesy romance with werewolves on the cover that's written at a third grade level. I really should've paid more attention to what I was grabbing earlier.

"Yikes."

Comments

[halfscarlet]

With Kate having a new job (sort of) close enough to the school, Billy's gotten into the habit of heading over to the boutique to see her after he's done with a class. (It also gives him an excuse to do some pseudo shopping when he can, which he is sure Kurt would appreciate if Billy ever got around to actually wearing any of his new stuff.)

"Just kill me," he says, announcing his presence after he steps through the door and sees that it is indeed his Kate, not Harry's Kate or the other Kate. "Even studying for island school finals suck."

[learnfromthem]

Glad for the distraction, I shove the book under the counter. I don't really want to answer questions about werewolves.

"They're finals. I don't care where you are, they're always gonna suck," I say, stepping around up front to go meet Billy. I've been here two months, and the novelty of seeing him grumpy about something as trivial as schoolwork hasn't worn off yet. He was so low at home... Not that I'll be telling him that anytime soon. "How many do you have again?"

[halfscarlet]

"Five," Billy says, making a face even as he pulls Kate into a quick hug. "The Self Defense one is all physical, but I'm not sure if that makes it better or worse. Maybe worse."

[learnfromthem]

"No, not worse! I can help you study for that one," I tell him, flexing an arm. "I guarantee that it'll be more fun than whatever else you have to prep for."

[halfscarlet]

Billy inches away, giving Kate a wary look. "You know you're both cute and kinda scary when you do that?"

[learnfromthem]

I roll my eyes and drop my arm.

"Shut up, I'm serious. If you need to know how to kick someone's ass, I'm kind of the lady for the job."

[halfscarlet]

"I know, I know," Billy says with a laugh. "We can totally make a date for some ass kicking. Sooo, how goes the job? Can you even consider it a job if you don't actually get paid?"

[learnfromthem]

"It's been pretty dead," I say with a shrug, scrunching my nose a little. "You're my first non-paying customer in over an hour, so, you know, if you have something to trade..."

I walk over to the mens section and pull out something in Billy's size. "I've got this red blazer I'd love to show you."

[halfscarlet]

"I rarely find anything good enough to trade." He's long conceded to the clothes box's idea of what his style should be, which is sort of close to his regular style, only...ridiculous.

But he does need something new for the fancier island occasions, with his one good red button up shirt having gone belly up.

"Dazzle me," he says, shuffling away from the pretty hand made jewelry on one of the counters to see what Kate has to offer.

[learnfromthem]

"I was thinking this," I say, holding up the blazer. "It's like a classier, dressed-down version of your cape."

[halfscarlet]

"Ooooh." Billy takes the blazer and holds it up against himself, liking the way it looks. "It's so classy."

[learnfromthem]

"Put it on," I say, clasping my hands together and peering around for something to match. If we're playing dress-up, we might as well get the whole outfit, right? I pick a couple of dress shirts off the rack, a white one and a navy blue, and hold them up.

"I like the contrast with the white, but the navy would be all dark and sexy. What do you think?"

[halfscarlet]

Billy does what Kate says, because who is he to deny her a fashion show when she wants it?

He slips into the blazer easily, and holds his arms out as he looks down at himself, then around the shop for a mirror. "I don't know. Maybe the navy, I kinda like that one."

[learnfromthem]

"Dark and sexy it is. Got an anniversary coming up?" I tease, handing him the navy dress shirt before disappearing in the racks to find a pair of pants.

[halfscarlet]

"Not anytime soon," Billy responds as he quickly slips out of the jacket and his t-shirt and into the navy shirt, "but if this ends up being the only nice thing I have, then I like being prepared."

[learnfromthem]

"C'mon, you've gotta have something tucked away already," I say, grabbing his things while he gets dressed. "You've been here forever. If you and Teddy haven't gone on some cheesily romantic island date already, I'm disowning you both."