ROUGH DRAFT Coye 6.12

Coye arrived at the Darkwood General Store the following morning before it was scheduled to open, having spent a rare night alone. He was excited to see Shayla and Suzette, as sleeping in an empty bed left him lonelier than he would've thought. The first thing he saw was that Suzette must've been doing a good job with her marketing- there was a small line of 10 to 20 people waiting to get in. Mostly women, but a few men mixed in as well. Not bad, and these are just the people who were waiting for it open. More would probably show up through the day, he figured.

His Guild mates weren't the only ones looking to treat him like a hero, and many of the townsfolk whispered amongst themselves and a few pointed at him when he got there. He smiled politely, taking the treatment as best he could. What surprised him was when one of the few men in the audience, a tough -looking man who had to of been one of Suzette's many admirers, greeted Coye and congratulated him over his fight before asking what his relationship to Suzette was.

Coye, and intimidated by this regular person, answered without hesitation that Suzette was one of his girlfriends. He chose his wording poorly and the phrase one of got the crowd murmuring. He worried for a moment that this man who was giving him a skeptical expression was about to start something, but tensions eased as the man clasped Coye on the back and laughed heartily.

"I'm not surprised you're the kind of man who needs more than one woman! Not after seeing the way you fight!" The man exclaimed, making Coye embarrassed to be next to him.

"That's, um, not really how I look at it. It's kind of demeaning when you put it like that. I mean, I'm not intrinsically worth more than one woman, I just-" before Coye could try and defend his indefensible perversions, the door to the store opened up cutting him off.

Suzette walked out, wearing one of her nicer, frilliest dresses on account of the mercifully cool summer weather. She smiled at Coye and the crowd both upon her arrival and gestured at him with her finger to come forward. She looked at the rest of the crowd and told them, "thank you all for being so patient, dears. It won't be much longer until we open for the day so just stay tight! I'm afraid I have to borrow the local hero."

"Don't tell me you're encouraging this," Coye joked.

"It's good marketing." She teased. "As is this-"

Suzette stooped down on her porch to give Coye a quick kiss on the cheek in public with the entire line staring at them. He blushed, that exhibitionist side of him doing its thing while filling him with a tiny bit of shame. As for how the crowd took it, it was very positive. There were a wide range of reactions- Wolf whistles, some clapping, jealous looks that were shockingly aimed more at Suzette then at Coye. It felt good, but exhausting.

Suzette then led him inside and locked the door. The inside of the store was slightly different than Coye was used to. Some of the display shelves had been cleared out and replaced with clothing racks while there were more fashion manikins than there usually was. Each of them was showcasing something made by Shayla. A lot of the racks still had spaces that were yet to be filled.

When it was just the two of them, he sighed.

"I'm really hoping this doesn't last. It was interesting at first, but between the townspeople and my Guild mates, it's getting exhausting..."

"You're the first interesting thing to happen in this town for... Well, as long as I can remember. Most of the time it's only bad news like a new Midsummer beginning or an incursion of this or that from the forest. Try not to let it bother you. People will lose interest over time, so long as you don't keep standing out."

"It's not like I'm trying to stand out."

"Indeed," Suzette rubbed her chin and thought. Whether or not Coye was even capable of keeping a low profile now that was continuing his downward spiral of Pixie like behavior and making more and more impulsive decisions by the day remain to be seen. Suzette doubted he would suddenly ease up and stop people from talking about him, but then again, she may have played her hand in this situation as well.

She was the one who spread word to her customers that Coye would be attending today's event and wearing something cute, but he didn't need to know that.

"Let's hope your new power up doesn't start affecting your life, Darling. Otherwise no one will ever stop talking about you in these parts." Suzette said

Coye frowned and then blushed even more. "Shayla told you about that?"

"Of course," Suzette beamed, happy to have earned Shayla's trust as much as she did.

"She's probably exaggerating," Coye insisted. "It wasn't that bad..."

"Probably not," Suzette admitted. "But that doesn't mean I believe your account, either. Rather, I think the answer is somewhere in the middle. Shayla over exaggerates and you undersell."

"That's fair," Coye conceded. "Is Shayla still at work, or what?"

"Of course, let's go see where she's at, shall we?"

Suzette led him to Shayla's workshop, which was now much more lived in compared to the first time he saw it. Things were in a greater state of disarray and had been moved around all over the place. Shayla was at her desk, in the middle of working on three new bras at the same time. She levitated them all with her magic while doing the same with a fancy looking reference book on fashion. She was copying the intimate stitch work, trying to learn a new style of pattern.

Coye smiled when he saw her at work. He'd seen her working on lots of things before, but never quite so seriously. Mostly idling around whenever he was busy doing something else. This focus was almost inspiring to him and he didn't even want to interrupt her.

"She's been like this nearly all night," Suzette informed him.

"Has she not slept at all?"

"A few naps here and there, but she insisted on making as much product as possible before it was time to open up."

Coye thought it was funny how much Shayla doubted whether or not she would get into this, and yet here she was burning with passion to get as much done as she could.

"I can still hear you guys, you know," Shayla grumbled. "Buzz off for like ten minutes and then I'll be done."

"I missed you too," Coye teased, earning him further grumbles from his working girl.

"The store is opening in twenty, so that works out perfectly. Come along, Darling. I have tea in the other room so let's have ourselves a quick moment of relaxation before the madness begins today."

Coye thought that sounded just fine with him and he was guided to her sofa. Suzette brought out soon after and she gave it with Coye's traditional seven lumps of sugar, only for that not to be enough. She saw how disappointed he looked in it and then added in twice as much.

"This can't be good for you, Darling."

"I've always like sweet things, but... Been getting pretty out of control lately." He admitted. "Blame Shayla."

"No worries there, I already am." She giggled and sat beside him on the sofa.

They sipped their team together for a few moments before slight nostalgia overtook them. It had been several weeks now since the two of them began their relationship right there on that very couch, and Suzette found herself reflecting on it.

"This is nice, you know. We don't often have the chance to be alone together."

Coye frowned and wondered if he was doing something wrong. The key thing about having multiple relationships was making sure no one ever felt neglected. So far, Shayla was the only one he had to manage as Byng and Suzette were both independent, but perhaps he'd misjudged how independent Suzette wanted to be.

"I can always find time if you wanted some more one on one time, you just have to tell me. I'm sure Byng and Shayla would understand."

"Thank you, but you don't need to worry about it too much. I said that as an observation, not out of longing or disappointment. It might sound strange, but I prefer having everyone altogether, honestly. I truly do love you, but..."

"You don't just want me, you want a family?" Coye smiled and then extended his hand toward Suzette's knee, caressing her gently.

"Guilty," she stared into her tea and giggled softly. "On that matter, your little adventure yesterday wasn't the only thing Shayla and I talked about, Darling. She told me our family might be expanding in the near future."

"Yeah. If everything goes right, that is. It's like I said. I told you already I was going to confess to her as soon as she was feeling better and if she's doing well by the time she shows up at my place tonight then I'm going to do it." Coye felt his nervousness increase as he vocalized his plans. Saying all these things was one thing and doing them was another.

"Under normal circumstances I would chastise you and tell you it's too soon, however... I think it might do her good."

"Shayla thinks Dorothy loves me," Coye mumbled as if it was hard to come to terms with.

"As do I," Suzette gave him a comforting expression that made his heart pound with anticipation. "The last thing I want to be seen as is overbearing, which I know it might be too late, but I hope you won't mind a bit of advice from someone who used to be in Dorothy's position. And I'm not talking about being in love with you."

"What do you mean, then?" Coye tilted his head.

"I mean that long before I met you, I was naive, young, and innocent."

"It wasn't that long ago," Coye smiled playfully at her.

"I'll give you points for that one, but long enough my Darling. She reminds me of myself and not in a good way. Fortunately, I think she finally found the means to move forward with her life in a positive way much like how I took actions into my own hands. Allegedly."

"Allegedly," Coye nodded in understanding.

"The difference between us now is that Dorothy will need you to be there for her. She and I are different. I found that power to move forward with my life within me, and she found it through you. There's no shame in that, I might add, I'm only saying it to better preface my advice."

"Okay, go on."

"If something sexual ends up happening tonight, you need to be sweet with her. Be dominant, yet gentle. She likely needs all the love she can get but is frozen at the idea of it if I had to guess. Above all else, you cannot be rough with her. I understand there are circumstances with your body that make this rather difficult, but I will being greatly disappointed if after everything she's been through that girl has a negative experience for her first time."

Coye's jealousy flared up as he noticed where this was coming from. He clinched Suzette's knee tighter, reminding himself that Suzette was his. She rolled her eyes as she realized what he was feeling, finding that jealousy adorable.

"Sorry," he grumbled. "Pretty sure it's another Pixie thing. Heightened emotions means heightened jealousy- even at the thought of-"

"Relax, Darling," Suzette rested her hand over top of his. "I understand. Do you understand me, however?"

"Yes. I get it. I don't want to hurt her, either. I might need some help before I go home, though. It's almost been two days since anyone but Shayla-"

"I already accounted for this," Suzette giggled and kissed his cheek. "I'll make sure you're nice and calm before you head off."

"Honestly, I don't even think anything sexual will happen tonight." Coye said. "I just want to confess, and that means I have to introduce Shayla to her. I think Dorothy is going to be more curious than she is, um, aroused. Even if that goes great and she's somehow in the mood, Dorothy is really shy and I doubt she would want Shayla hanging around during you know."

"Your first mistake there is believing you understand the mind of a woman," Suzette wagged her finger teasingly. "Anything might happen and you need to be prepared for that. Perhaps you could drop Shayla off back here tonight if need be? You can run obscenely fast, so it would only take a few moments I'm sure."

"Don't you think that might kill the mood?" Coye wondered.

"I suppose you may be right..." Suzette sighed. "I'd offer to swing by and see about picking up Shayla but that would be just as bad if not more so. Tricky, tricky."

"I'll figure it out. I don't care about sex right now, I just want Dorothy to accept me and all my faults..." Coye frowned. He wasn't kidding himself, he came with a lot of asterisks. He was becoming more unstable and corrupted by the day, and he worried over his actions. It weighed on his mind to the point where Suzette could tell exactly what he was thinking.

"You say that as if Dorothy isn't flawed herself. She has ratty hair, bathes only semi more regularly than Byng did when we first met, she rarely washes her clothes despite having maids at her disposal, and she can't hold her tongue when talking about things that interest her-"

"not sure where you're going with this," Coye blinked. "I love all those things about her."

"That's where I'm going with this, Darling. Give her the benefit of a doubt. You love her for how she is, and it stands to reason she may feel the same about you faults and all."

He thought about it for a moment and then ended up smiling wide. "That would be nice."

The door to Shayla's workshop opened and the fairy fluttered out of it looking haggard and weary as she lazily scratched her armpit. "What'd I miss? Are you giving loving advice without me?"

"As is my right as the oldest," Suzette said after sipping what remained of her coffee.

"Keep it to a minimum, alright? I have that shit on lockdown and Byng is already creeping on my job."

"You're not the only one allowed to give me advice, Shayla." Coye smiled.

"Why not? I was here first!" She teased before flying over to his shoulder and sprawling out like a cat. "Anyway, everything's good to go now Suzette. Finished up those bras and a couple extra dress shirts while I was at it. Should be good enough for now, it's all in the box by the door."

"Excellent work, dear! I'll go and put them on display. In the meantime, why don't you get Coye dressed?"

"Yeah," Shayla smirked maliciously. "Why don't I?"

"Oh, gods..." Coye sighed. Something told him this was going to be worse than he thought.

And it definitely was.

Suzette had left them to go take care of the storefront and now Coye was back in Shayla's workshop with her as she levitated the three piece outfit to him. It was a pair of white short shorts, a white T-shirt with a big collar and a necktie, and some goofy looking white hat with a blue stripe around its rim. Just looking at it made him feel ashamed- as if its very existence offended him.

"Shayla?"

"Yes, Coye? My precious partner and the love of my life?"

"What the fuck is this?"

"Something tasteful, just like you asked."

"It doesn't matter if it's tasteful if it's still embarrassing!" He grumbled, exasperated by her trickery. "I'll admit that it's not lingerie, but that's a really low bar!"

"Hey, if you don't like my choices then you should be more specific! One of those fashion books said it's a sailor boy uniform and apparently there really popular in Imperalis among certain crowds!"

"Yeah?" Coye shot her a side glance. "And what crowds are those?"

"They're favored by dashing boys who walk the streets at night in the red light district."

Suddenly burning bright red, Coye tried to rip the floating clothing out from the sky but Shayla yanked the way with her magic before he could reach them. "There has to be something else!" Coye pleaded. "Come on, Shayla!"

"Sorry, but I made it specially for you! I would just be so sad if you didn't wear it, baby..."

"Shayla-" his voice rose, more embarrassed and frustrated.

"What's the matter, Darling? Do you have a problem with Shayla's work?" Suzette asked from the doorway as she returned from her work.

"Did you have a hand in this?" Coye asked her with skepticism.

"Of course not, Darling." Suzette entered the room, cupped her chin and refused to meet his glare. "Shayla free to make anything she desires, you know that. I merely provided multiple reference books for her to peruse."

"You don't say..." Coye looked over at Shayla's desk to find that the sneaky Pixie was in the midst of hiding one book behind all of the others. When caught, she whistled innocently. Coye sighed. He didn't even want to find out what was in that book, it would only upset him.

"We're almost out of time. If you don't change now, you won't be able to let everyone in!" Suzette clasped her hands together and looked at him, giving Coye the best innocent and expectant look she could. For someone who wasn't innocent in the slightest, she sure did a good job pretending. It pulled on his heartstrings which were very easily pulled.

If wearing that stupid thing would make his girls happy, then that's exactly what he was going to do.

"Fine," he grumbled and snatched the sailor boy outfit out of the air. "But I'm not going to be happy about it."

He went off to the corner and changed while Shayla telepathically sent a message to Suzette saying we got him. Suzette winked back at her in response, then they both waited for Coye to finish changing. The results did not disappoint. He looked adorable, if a little silly. That was the point of such an outfit, though, as the white color drew even more attention to his pink cheeks. It hugged into his slender hips and it didn't fully cover his waistline.

"You look wonderful, Darling," Suzette exclaimed.

"He sure does!" Shayla agreed. "I know I'd call him out on the Imperalis streets if I saw him."

"Please spare me," Coye groaned. He felt as ridiculous as he looked and the idea of getting docked at by strangers while wearing this all day was not endearing him to it.

"It's just about time, Darling. I wanted you to be the one to let everyone in. Here-" Suzette handed Coye a slip of paper. "Say this when you lead everyone in, if you wouldn't mind."

As soon as he read the paper, he became even more embarrassed. "Yeah, I would mind...! I can't say this!"

"Can't, or won't?"

"Both!" Coye crumpled up the paper and stomped his boots on the ground. "You already got me into this stupid outfit, stop pushing your luck!"

"Dear me," Suzette shook her head in disapproval. "And here I was thinking of how I might reward you for your service, Darling."

"... I'm listening," Coye narrowed his eyes.

"Have I ever told you that when I order RealMonster cards from the manufacturer they come by the box load?"

"You have not." He crossed his arms, his wariness decreasing.

"Oh, yes. Medium-sized crates about oh yea big," Suzette gestured with her hands. "Stuffed full of hundreds of booster packs... Wait a moment, what's this?" Suzette stepped toward one of the nearby shelves and rested her hand on top of to boxes that were just as big and just so happened to be giftwrapped. "Are these what I think they are?"

Coye's fists trembled as he balled them. He tried hard to resist the temptation, but they only kept teasing him.

"Hey, totally unrelated but I bet Dorothy would love it if you gave her a gift tonight, baby!" Shayla flew in close and whispered into his ear. "I bet no one gives her gifts. She probably won't even know how to thank you."

Coye hung his head. "You're both blackmailing me."

"Blackmailing?" Suzette gasped. "Goddesses forbid, no. Merely offering a suggestion with a reward. Whether or not you take it is entirely up to you, Darling. I would just hate for those cards have to end up on the shelf after going to all that trouble of wrapping them up, though..."

"I really need to stop you two from hanging out more." Coye gave a disapproving stare to Shayla as she fluttered next to Suzette and smirked.

"Clock is ticking, big guy. The store has to open! Are you gonna say it or not?"

Coye summoned all the courage he had in his soul and breathed through his nose, exhaling a gust of wind. "I'll say it, but you better throw in another box! Those two are for Dorothy, and I want one!"

"You drive a hard bargain, Darling," Suzette smiled. "But I think that's a wonderful compromise. You have yourself a deal."

"I better," he grumbled and started walking out of the workshop.

"Cheer up, baby! It'll all be worth it when you and Dorothy are nerding out over your cards, don't you think?"

"Just shut up and get in the hat," Coye lifted up his little sailor hat and Shayla did as she was told while snickering at his misfortune. Coye was at his cutest when he was embarrassed and since he was becoming more shameless by the day they had to take their victories where they could.

He stormed through the store and made his way to the front door. It was just time to open and he prepared himself with a deep breath before unlocking the door and closing his eyes. This would be easier if he didn't look at anyone in particular, so he stepped out and faced the crowd without looking.

He'd only read the piece of paper once before he crumpled it, but he didn't need a refresher. The word still burned in his mind like fire.

"Ahoy there mateys, come on in and set sail for fashion. Here at the Darkwood General Store, we've got everything you could ever want at low, low prices. If you like what you see, there's plenty more waiting for you inside!"

There was a painfully long period of silence following the most embarrassing words Coye had ever said. He didn't open his eyes, afraid of the crowd's reaction. Maybe if he was lucky this was what would finally kill his popularity around town. He almost hope for that, but that would be embarrassing in its own right.

Unfortunately, there was a round of applause and some whistles and laughter. Coye took it as a sign of approval and he opened his eyes. What he saw was horrifying.

Sometime during the last twenty minutes, someone had cut in line. Two people, in fact.

Britni and Tiph were right there, staring at Coye wearing his embarrassing little sailor suit after saying his embarrassing little line.

'Oh, shit.' Shayla laughed at the timing before shooting off a message to Suzette back in the other room. 'Hey, you might want to get a fourth box ready if you've got one...'