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“Sure,” Harrison replied plaintively , “I just don’t want to see her get her hopes up.   There are plenty of other lovely places in Metro with flowers.”   He wasn’t sure what else to say and he was starting to wish he had a drink or something else in his hand he could distract himself with.   

As if on cue, one of the waiters finally stopped gawking at the blue visitors, and came over to serve them. Jack ordered a small hot chocolate, before answering Harrison. “I think as long as I can make everything else special for her, the location won’t matter so much.” In spite of the awkward situation, he smiled. 

Harrison ordered a hot chocolate as well, with a shot of caramel sauce then turned back to the conversation at hand.   “I don’t want to sound like a negative nelly, but have you two discussed security?” he asked.   “I know Katelynn has made some enemies in this city and given what happened to Grace…..” he trailed off.   

Jack froze. He hadn’t given any thought to security, and now he was ashamed of himself for forgetting it. Harrison was right – with Katelynn’s history, and the kind of luck the two of them seemed to attract, they would need all the defenses they could. 

“I’m afraid we h-haven’t,” he admitted, embarrassed to hear his stutter come back. “But you’re right, we are going to need it. What do you recommend?" 

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“Oh that’s easy,” Harrison said.  ”Just go to the county records office and give them the address and say you want contact information for the property owner.   That sort of thing is public record you know,” he said, as though it was the most obvious thing in the world.   

“I’d be more worried in trying to nail the timing of this ceremony just right to get those blooming trees,” Harrison advised.   Not that anyone asked his opinion.   

“I know it’s a risk,” Jack replied. While he was grateful for the help, the other man’s tone was a little grating. “And if we can’t time it just right, we’ll hold the wedding somewhere else. But it’s worth trying, isn’t it?” 

“Sure,” Harrison replied plaintively , “I just don’t want to see her get her hopes up.   There are plenty of other lovely places in Metro with flowers.”   He wasn’t sure what else to say and he was starting to wish he had a drink or something else in his hand he could distract himself with.   

As if on cue, one of the waiters finally stopped gawking at the blue visitors, and came over to serve them. Jack ordered a small hot chocolate, before answering Harrison. “I think as long as I can make everything else special for her, the location won’t matter so much.” In spite of the awkward situation, he smiled. 

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“Oh yes, Wayne took good care of me and so did Mykaal.  In the end it was an inconvenience, but not all that traumatizing,” he said nonchalantly.    Then a thick silence descended and he struggled to think of something else to talk about.   “Sooo,” he drawled.   “You and Katey pick a date yet for the wedding?”

Jack tried not to look too relieved, even though he was grateful they’d found a safe topic. “Not formally, but we’re shooting for around April second. Y-you see, there’s a forest of cherry trees to the north of the city. They bloom for a few weeks between March and April, and Katelynn really wants to hold the wedding under them while they’re in bloom.”

He smiled, looking distant and dreamy as he imagined it. “I want to give her her wish, but I don’t know who owns that patch of forest, or how to get permission to use it.” 

“Oh that’s easy,” Harrison said.  ”Just go to the county records office and give them the address and say you want contact information for the property owner.   That sort of thing is public record you know,” he said, as though it was the most obvious thing in the world.   

“I’d be more worried in trying to nail the timing of this ceremony just right to get those blooming trees,” Harrison advised.   Not that anyone asked his opinion.   

“I know it’s a risk,” Jack replied. While he was grateful for the help, the other man’s tone was a little grating. “And if we can’t time it just right, we’ll hold the wedding somewhere else. But it’s worth trying, isn’t it?" 

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Apparently there wasn’t even time to order a coffee before they were just going to launch right into… what exactly?  Chatting like they were old friends?   

“It was a good holiday,” he answered cautiously.  ”We spent most of Christmas Day itself with our friend Mykaal in his home dimension and on New Year’s Day a Magic Anon gave me amnesia, but otherwise it was nice to spend time as a family with him and my Minion.”   

Jack’s eyes widened. He knew all too well what magic anons were capable of, and the thought of one that removed a person’s memory sounded nightmarish. Whatever his feelings about Harrison, he wouldn’t have wished that on anyone. 

“I think the worst thing an anon ever did to me was turn me into a human,” he remarked. “At least you got through it safely?” 

This was probably the most bizarre small talk imaginable, but Jack didn’t know what else to say. He couldn’t outright tell Harrison “please like and/or tolerate me so my fiancee will be happy”. 

“Oh yes, Wayne took good care of me and so did Mykaal.  In the end it was an inconvenience, but not all that traumatizing,” he said nonchalantly.    Then a thick silence descended and he struggled to think of something else to talk about.   “Sooo,” he drawled.   “You and Katey pick a date yet for the wedding?”

Jack tried not to look too relieved, even though he was grateful they’d found a safe topic. “Not formally, but we’re shooting for around April second. Y-you see, there’s a forest of cherry trees to the north of the city. They bloom for a few weeks between March and April, and Katelynn really wants to hold the wedding under them while they’re in bloom.”

He smiled, looking distant and dreamy as he imagined it. “I want to give her her wish, but I don’t know who owns that patch of forest, or how to get permission to use it." 

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“Indeed.  See you soon,” Harrison responded before hanging up.  Then he leaned back with a groan.  He had no illusions that this would be any fun, unless the other blue man had in fact gotten a personality transplant since the last time they spoke.  

But still at the appointed time, his driver drops him off at an artsy little cafe and he walks in to find his ‘date’ already waiting for him.   

“Hello,” he says as he sits down across from the other blue man.   

“Glad you could make it,” Jack replied, with a small nod. He mentally congratulated himself on keeping his voice steady. 

There was no reason to be afraid, he told himself. Harrison wasn’t one of the bullies of his childhood. He was a decent man, and Jack had every intention of being civil to him. He’d meant what he’d said about wanting to clear the air – not just for Katelynn’s sake, but for his own. 

From their table, the two of them had an excellent view through the huge picture window that ran along two walls of the cafe. Jack glanced outside briefly, before speaking again. “So … did you and Mr. Scott have a good holiday?” 

Apparently there wasn’t even time to order a coffee before they were just going to launch right into… what exactly?  Chatting like they were old friends?   

“It was a good holiday,” he answered cautiously.  ”We spent most of Christmas Day itself with our friend Mykaal in his home dimension and on New Year’s Day a Magic Anon gave me amnesia, but otherwise it was nice to spend time as a family with him and my Minion.”   

Jack’s eyes widened. He knew all too well what magic anons were capable of, and the thought of one that removed a person’s memory sounded nightmarish. Whatever his feelings about Harrison, he wouldn’t have wished that on anyone. 

“I think the worst thing an anon ever did to me was turn me into a human,” he remarked. “At least you got through it safely?" 

This was probably the most bizarre small talk imaginable, but Jack didn’t know what else to say. He couldn’t outright tell Harrison "please like and/or tolerate me so my fiancee will be happy”. 

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“I’m not familiar with it, but I’m sure it won’t be too hard to find.  How about in….” Harrison checked his watch, “an hour?”   

“That would be fine,” he said, trying not to sound too eager. “I’ll see you there.” 

Once the two of them had hung up, Jack had to take a moment to steady himself. He’d gotten much better at controlling his social anxiety over the past year, but this had been a daunting call, on many levels. And, he reminded himself, it wasn’t over yet. 

But at least he was going through with it. He’d convinced Harrison to talk to him in person, and that was a good start. 

Steeling himself, the blue artist made his way down to the cafe. It wouldn’t do to be late. 

“Indeed.  See you soon,” Harrison responded before hanging up.  Then he leaned back with a groan.  He had no illusions that this would be any fun, unless the other blue man had in fact gotten a personality transplant since the last time they spoke.  

But still at the appointed time, his driver drops him off at an artsy little cafe and he walks in to find his ‘date’ already waiting for him.   

“Hello,” he says as he sits down across from the other blue man.   

“Glad you could make it,” Jack replied, with a small nod. He mentally congratulated himself on keeping his voice steady. 

There was no reason to be afraid, he told himself. Harrison wasn’t one of the bullies of his childhood. He was a decent man, and Jack had every intention of being civil to him. He’d meant what he’d said about wanting to clear the air – not just for Katelynn’s sake, but for his own. 

From their table, the two of them had an excellent view through the huge picture window that ran along two walls of the cafe. Jack glanced outside briefly, before speaking again. “So … did you and Wayne have a good holiday?" 

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Harrison frowned.  He’d be happy to help with the wedding but spending an evening with Jack Maple promised to be as interesting as watching paint dry.   

But then again, the other blue man did have a point.  It couldn’t be easy for Katelynn knowing that one of her best friends didn’t like her boyfriend.   And Harrison did respect that the man had screwed up his courage and made the call.   

“Sure, fine.   Where would you like to meet?” he said, trying again to sound casual.   

Jack had to stop and seriously think that over. He wanted to choose a place where he’d be comfortable, yes, but it also had to be a place that wouldn’t seem too dull to someone like Harrison. 

Finally, he came up with something. “D-do you know Markham’s coffee shop? It’s downtown, a few blocks from the KMCP building.” The artist had discovered it during the time Katelynn was missing, when he’d spent days at a time searching the city for her, going to all her usual haunts. 

“I’m not familiar with it, but I’m sure it won’t be too hard to find.  How about in….” Harrison checked his watch, “an hour?”   

“That would be fine,” he said, trying not to sound too eager. “I’ll see you there." 

Once the two of them had hung up, Jack had to take a moment to steady himself. He’d gotten much better at controlling his social anxiety over the past year, but this had been a daunting call, on many levels. And, he reminded himself, it wasn’t over yet. 

But at least he was going through with it. He’d convinced Harrison to talk to him in person, and that was a good start. 

Steeling himself, the blue artist made his way down to the cafe. It wouldn’t do to be late. 

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“Talk about what?” Harrison asked, cocking his head in a mix of confusion and irritation even though Jack couldn’t see him.  ”Your date?”

“No,” Jack replied. “Just … talk. Katelynn wants to know if you’ll still help with the wedding, and -“

The artist sighed. Even over the phone, he knew this wasn’t doing any good. He hated conflict, but if he kept avoiding the real reason he’d called, things were only going to get worse. 

“Look, Mr. Drake, I know you’re not fond of me. And I don’t blame you. I’m no one special, and I haven’t exactly been pleasant to you in the past. But I want to clear the air between us, for Katelynn’s sake.” 

There, he’d said it. 

Harrison frowned.  He’d be happy to help with the wedding but spending an evening with Jack Maple promised to be as interesting as watching paint dry.   

But then again, the other blue man did have a point.  It couldn’t be easy for Katelynn knowing that one of her best friends didn’t like her boyfriend.   And Harrison did respect that the man had screwed up his courage and made the call.   

“Sure, fine.   Where would you like to meet?” he said, trying again to sound casual.   

Jack had to stop and seriously think that over. He wanted to choose a place where he’d be comfortable, yes, but it also had to be a place that wouldn’t seem too dull to someone like Harrison. 

Finally, he came up with something. “D-do you know Markham’s coffee shop? It’s downtown, a few blocks from the KMCP building.” The artist had discovered it during the time Katelynn was missing, when he’d spent days at a time searching the city for her, going to all her usual haunts. 

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“Oh, yes that,” Harrison said, wincing in irritation at the other man’s mealy studdering.   He’d completely forgotten about arranging anything and he certainly didn’t need Jack to call and st-st-stammer at him about it.   “I’m glad to hear that you two had a good time,” he said in a neutral tone.   

Something about the way Harrison said it – as if it didn’t matter to him at all – left Jack irritated too. Although he wasn’t aware of it, his voice was growing steadier. “I also wondered if you’d like to meet and talk sometime, if you’re not too busy.” 

“Talk about what?” Harrison asked, cocking his head in a mix of confusion and irritation even though Jack couldn’t see him.  ”Your date?”

“No,” Jack replied. “Just … talk. Katelynn wants to know if you’ll still help with the wedding, and -”

The artist sighed. Even over the phone, he knew this wasn’t doing any good. He hated conflict, but if he kept avoiding the real reason he’d called, things were only going to get worse. 

“Look, Mr. Drake, I know you’re not fond of me. And I don’t blame you. I’m no one special, and I haven’t exactly been pleasant to you in the past. But I want to clear the air between us, for Katelynn’s sake." 

There, he’d said it. 

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Harrison raised an eyebrow.   That was certainly someone he wasn’t expecting a call from.   Ever.

“Mr. Maple.   What can I do for you today?” he asked, getting straight to the point.   

He decided to try starting on a friendly note, hoping to put the other man in a good mood. “W-well, first, I wanted to thank you. Katelynn t…told me how you helped her arrange our anniversary date, back in December. We had a wonderful time, and I really ap-preciate you doing that.”

Jack prayed he wasn’t coming off as groveling. His own feelings about Harrison aside, he genuinely was thankful for the help he’d given Katelynn in planning and setting up everything. 

“Oh, yes that,” Harrison said, wincing in irritation at the other man’s mealy studdering.   He’d completely forgotten about arranging anything and he certainly didn’t need Jack to call and st-st-stammer at him about it.   “I’m glad to hear that you two had a good time,” he said in a neutral tone.   

Something about the way Harrison said it – as if it didn’t matter to him at all – left Jack irritated too. Although he wasn’t aware of it, his voice was growing steadier. “I also wondered if you’d like to meet and talk sometime, if you’re not too busy."