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 amall 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 appearingdisoriented 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.
