Chapter Text
It takes some time, but Kel slowly reintegrates into Aubrey’s life. Bee and Es are a bit on edge around him at first, but slowly warm up- surprisingly, Es warms up faster, swapping pages of notes with Kel’s easy banter. Kel even manages to make the kid crack a smile once or twice, something Aubrey didn’t even think possible with someone besides Bee.
The kids are pretty good for Kel, too- he’s actually going outside more now to visit them, and it’s been nice seeing his face around more often. (though Aubrey would never admit that to him out loud, progress in emotional vulnerability be damned.)
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They’re on a trip to the mall, now- Aubrey figured since Bee and Es were moving in, they might as well get some new clothes and other things finally, and Kel wanted to tag along, so together they went.
Bee has dragged Es towards a Hot Topic, seemingly fascinated by the store window. Aubrey watches in amusement as Bee begins rambling about the character on one of the bags. “Look, Es! This is the guy from the show we watched a while back. Remember him? He was the guy who-“
Es is nodding frantically as he looks away in silent fascination at the racks of jewelry. He takes Bee’s hand suddenly, causing the other to shut up and turn red, before tugging them in the direction of said jewelry racks. He points at a pair of earrings excitedly.
“Hm… do you want to get your ears pierced?” Bee asks. Es hesitates before nodding, seemingly excited at the idea.
“Let’s get our ears pierced together, then! We can match!” Bee smiles.
Aubrey, who had been watching from nearby, butts in. “There’s a Claire’s in this mall and the guy who works there owes me… I can get him to pierce your ears for you, if you’d like to go there next!”
Bee looks to Es for confirmation, and he nods. Bee turns back to Aubrey and smiles. “…Yeah, that would be nice! It… wouldn’t be too much of a bother, though, would it?”
Aubrey smiles back. “It’s no problem at all- the guy has owed me for a while, so I’m glad to finally cash in the favor!”
“…What does he owe you for, anyway?” Kel wonders aloud, which launches Aubrey into an epic tale of the time she helped the guy confess to his best friend, involving a boombox and an app called… Soundcloud…?, as they walk to the Claire’s.
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Bee, Es, and Kel walk out with freshly pierced ears, a small collection of extra earrings for later, and a promise to come again from Kel- seems he and the person in charge of the piercing bonded a bit. Aubrey got new piercings, too- Kel persuaded her into getting cartilage piercings, saying she was “too much of a wimp to do it”.
Es proudly shows off his sparkly new star-shaped earrings to Bee, who smiles and shows off their matching ones in return. Kel laughs and shows off his silver studs, any traces of tears gone. (He started panicking the second the person walked out with the earring gun, but refuses to acknowledge that now. Aubrey had laughed and called him a wimp, which made him stop squirming just to prove he wasn’t.)
They walk towards the food court- Kel wanted to get some soft pretzels, and Bee and Es had brightened at the suggestion, so naturally, Aubrey agreed. It’s the perfectly sweet ending to their day out, and Bee lets out a soft laugh as Aubrey and Kel fight over the cinnamon pretzel twists.