Imagine confessing to Shorter.

Word Count: 782

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"Hey, Ash!"

Shorter walks up to you and his best friend, grinning like a maniac. Shades covering his eyes, he slings an arm around your shoulders.

"Hey, Y/n!"

This first thing you notice is his hair, snickering as you look at Ash's surprised expression.

"You dyed your hair?" Ash questions, unimpressed.

He runs his fingers through his bright purple locks, "Yeah! What d'ya think? I look badass!"

"More clownish than anything," Ash mutters.

Shorter gasps in mock outrage while you laugh.

"I think you look great!" You chirp, reaching up to pet his hair, "And it's so soft!"

A wash of pink dusts his cheeks, "T-thanks."

Ash smirks knowingly and shakes his head.

It's been this way between you and Shorter ever since you two met. Neither of you have made a move, a fact that irritates Ash because he's sick of the barely veiled flirting.

"It does look pretty cool," Ash concedes.

"Ha! I knew you liked it," Shorter laughs, still standing with his arm around you.

You let him stay that way.

Ash notices you peeking at his best friend from the corner of your eye.

"Seriously, go on a date already. It's sickening."

Stunned, yours and Shorter's mouths drop open. Sharing an embarrassed look, you quickly step away from each other.

"I-it's not like that, Ash!"

Disappointment threatens to show on your face, "Yeah."

Straightening out, you start to walk away from the two boys. They frown, "Where are you going?"

"I got business with The Fly!" You call over your shoulder, "I'll catch up with you later!"

The smile has disappeared from your face, a detail that doesn't go unnoticed.

Purple hair falling across his forehead, Shorter slumps and tucks his hands into his pants pockets.

"Why'd you do that?" He asks in an uncharacteristically quiet voice.

Ash shrugs, "You gotta make a move. She's not gonna wait forever."

"I know that!" He snaps.

A pause of silence.

"Later," Shorter turns and walks in the direction opposite of where you went.

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True to your word, you do have business with the arms dealer known as The Fly.

Your previous weapon was lost (more like 'confiscated by the police'), so you need a new one.

"I like this," you say without much enthusiasm.

The gun in question, the AMT AutoMag II, seemed to call to your from among its brethren.

"I'll take it."

He notices your detached expression, raising an eyebrow.

"What's on your mind, kid?"

You shrug, "Not much. Things have been pretty quite."

"You sure? Ya seem kinda out of it."

Fixing a glare at him, you twirl the gun in your hands to make sure it's the right one for you.

He raises his arms, "You don't wanna talk, fine."

Feeling a bit guilty, you set the gun down and sigh.

"I like this boy but I'm not sure he likes me back," you confide, "Tell anyone, and you're dead."

He chuckles, "Ahh, the struggles of young love."

You roll your eyes.

"But, have you ever considered telling him how you feel? The guy doesn't always have to make the first move, y'know."

"You think so?" You hadn't thought of it like that. You always thought it should be the man who took the first step.

"Yeah, give it a shot. Oh, and that'll be $600, since we're such good pals."

You scoff, a smirk stuck on your face.

"Here you go, oji-san," you toss the money at him and tuck the gun away. "See ya."

"Don't call me that!" He yells, but a smile adorns his face.

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The gang lazes around the apartment, most of them playing cards. The few who seem to be the luckiest are Shorter, Ash, and Skipper.

Slamming the door wide open, you startle everyone.

"Y/n?! What-?" Shorter leaps to his feet, confused.

You ignore everyone else, fixating on the purple haired boy.

You step through the small crowd, gripping his orange vest tightly.

Tugging him towards you, you slam your lips against his, kissing him in front of all the gang.

A hot blush spreads over his cheeks.

You pull away and look up at him, "Shorter Wong, I love you!"

No one dares breathe lest they disturb the fragile atmosphere.

Shorter doesn't speak.

Instead, he leans into you once more, caressing your cheek, "I love you too."

Cheers and whoops fill the room, Ash smirking at his best friend finally getting the girl.

"Wow," Skipper breathes out, "I can't believe she finally did it!"

Disregarding everyone, you drag Shorter toward the nearest bedroom, lips still connected in a beautiful display of love.

The jeers don't stop even as you shut the door behind you.