He knew that expression. He knew that body language. He knew that tone of voice. And, he knew them well, not because he had grown up with Kieran, or that he knew the kid so well that he was in perfect sync with him or any of that bullshit.
He knew those feelings well because he had experienced them first hand. The feeling of a pounding heart, and cheeks warming in excitement. The clamminess he knew was growing in Kieran's palms, the constant looks at the doors and the poorly concealed disappointment when the wrong person came through them. Beau experienced those feelings almost every damn day. The strong, emotional tug, connecting him to someone else, that pulled on his ribs, and burned through his veins every time he had a mere two second thought about them. He knew it all too well.
He looked at Kieran's now vacant seat and then too the bewildered looking martial artist standing next to Ollie. He actually started to look a bit panicked as he scanned the room, looking for the head of dark curls. Kieran was smitten, Beau could see that the minute he practically fled from the cafe and took up hiding in the books, and by the looks of it, Levi was pretty invested in Kieran as well.
Their eyes met and Beau pointedly turned his head to look at the aisles of books behind him. He turned back to Levi, who was blessedly more than a pretty face, and nodded a silent confirmation before turning his attention back to Ollie.
"Are you seriously checking out Levi Greene?"
Beau looked at Farin who was slouched in his chair. Was he pouting?
"What?" he asked.
Farin scoffed, "Really. You're not being very subtle."
"I wasn't - "
"I mean I really don't blame you. I guess. Whatever. But, maybe you can take it easy for a bit."
"What?" Beau asked again, this time the word came out low instead of questioning.
"You've gotten like what, three numbers in the past two hours. How do you even have time to call them all?" Farin wasn't looking at him. He had his eyes fixed firmly on the table top. What the hell was his problem?
"You know, darlin'" He started, "You shouldn't, really shouldn't get jealous over it. Green isn't exactly your colour."
Farin scowled and sucked his teeth. He pulled his knees up, put his feet up on the table and crossed his arms over his chest.
"I'm not jealous of Levi Greene." He said, "If anything I'm worried for him."
"Oh, really? And why is that?" Beau said, narrowing his eyes, his pulse raging in his ears.
"Well, no offence man, but, I worry about anyone you try to put moves on. You're - you just." Farin let out a sigh, "You flirt. Shamelessly."
"Is that really a problem?" Beau asked, raising a brow, trying to stay in the character he had constructed so well just for Farin. Farin shrugged.
"Well, do you ever think about what would happen if someone actually feels something for you?" Farin said quickly, and Beau struggled to keep his breathing steady, "Do you ever think about how you're actions might make them feel in the long run?"
"Is it really any of your business?" Beau snapped back, reefing himself back into the role. There was a heavy moment of silence. Farin still didn't look at Beau, even though he was staring so hard into the side of the other boys blonde head, that he was surprised Farin didn't feel it. Farin gnawed on his lip, as he began to pick at a thread on his jeans. Despite everything, Beau found himself waiting for something positive to come out of this. A card played that would change the game he had been playing for years and allow him to toss down his whole hand and give in. Willingly.
"No, I guess its not." Farin said finally, his voice quiet and his brows lifted as he continued to pick at his jeans. "You can do whatever you want. Your personal life and what goes on in it, really doesn't matter to me."
Beau felt like he had just been punched in the gut and he swallowed thickly. He forced his expression to be a passive one when Farin turned to him. Forced himself not to look hurt.
"But, if you involve Ki in any of it, in anyway," Farin said, looking at him with earnest, "I promise you that I will destroy you." Farin looked away from him once more as Ollie came up to them and sat down in Kieran's vacated seat. Beau was more than happy to accept that their conversation was over. He wouldn't be able to trust his mouth and brain to work together.
He watched Levi walk towards the books; a drink in each hand and he silently prayed that Kieran was going to have more luck than him.
"So Ollie, what's going on?" Beau asked, taking his attention of the blonde bundle of raging angst and instead smiling at the small always-pleasant angel.
"Hm. I'm not sure." he said after taking a sip of his coffee, "Dwayne just called me while I was on my way. He and Blaine are on their way over now. This is stupid, I left this place literally two hours ago and I'm back again. We need a different haunt. Preferably one where I don't work for minimum wage." he smiled at his own comment and looked between Beau and Farin.
It was as if he could sense the tension and to be honest, Beau would be surprised if anyone couldn't. Clearing his throat, Ollie spoke again.
"Where's Kieran got to?" he asked. Farin shrugged.
"He said he was going to go look at books." Beau answered. He saw Farin's head snap to him from the corner of his eye.
"When did he say that?" Farin asked.
"Oh, must have been when I was totally checking out Levi Greene." He looked over at Farin. A small sense of pride swelled inside him when he saw Farin's face flush. The moment and the feeling were gone when Farin looked away quickly and Beau felt his chest tighten. There were things in his life that he really wished weren't, things he wished were different, and this was one of them.
He sat back, watching and listening as Ollie and Farin started up a new conversation. He stayed silent and when he decided that he couldn't stomach anymore, he stood and stalked towards the book section. He moved swiftly through the stacks, dodging people and intricate displays of new releases.
He was just about to turn a corner when he ran into someone. Literally. He stopped and looked down at the smaller person, and he smiled when he saw her. She was looking up at him, eyes bright, cheeks rosy.
"Hey!" He said brightly, "Have ya seen Kier - " she began to shake her head violently, tossing her curls around as she stared up at him with wide eyes. "What?" He said much more quietly and allowed the girl to pull him away and down a few aisles. She stopped suddenly and turned to him.
"They're talking." She said, simply. She peered around the corner and Beau moved beside her. From their vantage point, they could both see Levi and Kieran perfectly. They watched intently. Beau caught himself smiling, watching as Kieran became rigid, and awkward. It was Kieran's uncomfortable stance. Beau giggled, mindful to keep quiet about it. He rested his chin onto the head of curls in front of him.
"He's happy." He whispered.
"Is he?" She whispered back.
"He is. He's nervous and anxious and excited."
"How do you know?"
"Well, wouldn't you be? If there was someone you cared so much about, and they were standing right in front of you, handing you a coffee and talking to you, wouldn't you be so beautifully happy?"
"You had me at 'handing you a coffee'" She whispered, holding up a hand in silent oath, "I'd marry anyone who presented me with such a kingly gift."
"Oh, what your life must be like to be so pleased and enthralled by something as simple as coffee." Beau chuckled, pressing his nose into her hair affectionately.
"Nations were created and conquered on coffee." She straightened up a little, knocking Beaus head back. "Uh oh..."
Beau looked up, rubbing his nose and saw what she was seeing. Kieran was leaning away from Levi, his feet planted and his posture straight. If he hadn't been holding a coffee, Beau knew that Kieran would have his arms crossed. He went from looking nervous to looking, well, angry. Beau heard the ringtone, and watched as Levi pulled out his phone.
"Don't answer. Don't answer. Don't answer." Beau whispered, watching the scene. Levi put his phone to his ear. He looked away from Kieran, then back to Kieran, and Beau watched as Kieran said something, turned and quietly walked away. Beau and the smaller girl held their palms up, tossed their heads back and simultaneously let out strangled groans.
"Go to him." She whispered, turning and pushing Beau back from her, "I'll deal with Lee."
Beau didn't need to be told twice. He moved stealthily around, glancing around corners and down aisles. He found his way into the children's section of the store. It was a circular section and was more brightly lit than any other place in the building. The carpeted floor changed into white and pink tiles and the shelves where substantially shorter. There was a play area in the centre, with some chairs, a few tables, and a very large, white teacup. He spotted a familiar head of hair from over the ridge of the cup.
He made his way quietly over and sat next to Kieran. His knees were pulled up to his chest, his arms wrapped around them. Beau noticed how his eyes were red rimmed and puffy, but said nothing. He wrapped his arm around Kieran and his head fell against Beau's shoulder.
"Where did your coffee go?" He asked.
"I threw it out." Beau hummed at Kieran's answer.
"I know you think that I don't understand but - "
Kieran interrupted with a sniff, "I've seen you and the way you look at him." Beau was quiet and Kieran spoke again. "Is this what it feels like? How long will it last?"
"Only you can decide that."
"I wish it were different."
Beau heaved a sigh and leaned his head against Kieran's, "So do I."