23. Let's Taco Bout It

Discount shopping was the only way that Jin figured he could get clothes and not be spotted or recognized. With it being evening, the place was deserted aside from the three of them and the elderly shop keeper. Jin kept his mask under his chin as he stood in the men's section. Seol stood by the rack as he watched Jin push clothing aside; the metal hangers squealing out. Now that Jin's white t-shirt had air dried some, it was showing shades of light brown from the soda. On the other side of the thrift store in the woman's department was Ava. Seol looked over to see that she was only half paying attention to the clothing in front of her. More of her gaze was focused on Jin and his shopping.

"We close in fifteen minutes," came an elderly lady's voice as she walked over to Seol and Jin. "On the dot too, gentlemen."

"Yes madam," said Jin with a slight bow of his head, pushing the hangers aside a bit faster.

"Why don't you just grab something that fits?" asked Seol. "It's not like you don't have a wardrobe back at your place. This would just be temporary. Like look, how about this?"

Seol reached out to pluck a shirt from the rack, holding it up for Jin's eyes to read what was written on it.

"I'm with Stupid. Really? That's one half of a friendship t-shirt and a big no."

"You're being too picky," grumbled Seol as he shoved it back to grab another one. This one was sky blue with a cartoon taco on it. The cartoon taco was sitting next to a couch where a cartoon avocado slice was lying staring at the ceiling. The cartoon taco was clearly a therapist; the bold white words 'Let's Taco Bout It' emblazoned above it.

"Stop it," said Jin with a chuckle at that one. "Though...I suppose that one will do. Hand it over, Seol."

Seol chuckled as he handed it over, watching as Jin walked off towards Ava instead of the front counter. Seol just stood there and watched. It was interesting to him to watch this story unfold. Jin soon reached the rack where Ava was pretending to intensely study an old lady sweater.

"Are you planning to swelter to death in an ugly Christmas sweater?" asked Jin with a chuckle.

Ava's cheeks flushed as she looked away from the vomit colored sweater to Jin. She had to control herself. She knew she had to. This was insane. She looked past Jin's shoulder at Seol in the men's section who smiled back at her and gave her two thumbs up for encouragement.

"I was just looking for a deal..."

"I should have Seol pick out something for you," said Jin. "I was just as indecisive, so he had to pick one out for me."

Jin moved to start flicking through the clothing, pausing at a t-shirt; his face lighting up. He pulled it off the rack to show it to Ava.

"Okay. I think you need to get this one."

Ava looked at the black t-shirt that Jin held up for her. On it was an alpaca that was dancing; tinted sunglasses were on its face and white music notes floated through the air. In white lettering above the dancing alpaca it read, "Alpaca punch on the dance floor".

"That is the worst pun I've ever heard in my entire life," said Ava.

"Oh, I know. It's not even funny. I just have a thing for alpa-..." He stopped himself, chuckling. "Well, you know. These cute adorable things. I'm not even going to attempt to say the name."

"Oh come on," said Ava. "Not even for a please?"

"I think I've been through enough humiliation for one night," said Jin with a chuckle. "Maybe another time."

"Alright. For you I will get this shirt and wear it. What's yours?"

He showed her the t-shirt that Seol had picked out for him, laughing right out loud.

"Yours is better."

"It's not."

"It is."

"You're not going to let me win, are you?" asked Jin.

"Nope. It's in my DNA," she said with a smile.

Jin chuckled again, keeping a hold of Ava's t-shirt as he moved towards the front counter.

"Hey! You're taking my shirt too," said Ava as she followed after him.

"I know."

"But I can pay for that."

"I have no doubts that you can, but I'm going to," said Jin. "I want to."

Seol moved over to join them at the counter as the elderly lady that had warned them of the time a few minutes ago checked them out. Jin asked if they could use the changing rooms out back for a moment to put the shirts on after they had paid. The woman looked at Jin for a moment as if not hearing his request before finally nodding. Jin moved out back to go change with Ava and Seol following behind. Since there was only one little changing room at the back that looked more like a supply closet than anything else, Ava waited by Seol as Jin slipped in to go change first. Ava put a hand to her heart as she stood there; feeling it beat rapidly within her chest. Seol turned sideways to look at her.

"You okay, auntie?"

Ava nodded as she turned to look at Seol.

"I am...but now you must be able to tell me," she said softly. "Is Jin the one I end up with?"

"Auntie," said Seol, fixing his gaze on her. "Are you really asking that right now? I told you earlier I'm not telling you any more than I already have. You need to figure it out on your own. I can't meddle in any other relationships when I've meddled too much as it is in my own parent's."

"You can't even give your beloved auntie a hint?"

Seol shook his head as Ava humphed, causing Seol to chuckle. Jin suddenly emerged from the changing room in front of them. Ava moved to switch places with him.

"What were you and Ava talking about?" asked Jin. "I could hear hushed whispering, but I couldn't pick up what you were saying."

"So you were trying to eavesdrop," said Seol.

"It's a small discount store. I wasn't trying to eavesdrop on purpose. I can't help but to hear everything in here."

Seol turned to fix Jin with a 'really' look.

"Don't give me that look," said Jin.

"You're just as bad as auntie," said Seol with a sigh.

"How so?"

"You and her ought to talk and figure it out. I'm not the middle man here," said Seol.

"Nah. You're just the little man."

"You did not..." said Seol as Jin started to chuckle beside him.

Ava came out of the changing room then in her new alpaca t-shirt. Jin looked her way, giving her a soft smile before tugging the mask up over his face again. He held out a hand towards her.

"Are you hungry?"

She nodded as she moved towards his hand before slowly taking it in hers.

"I'm famished, but can we not wear the food this time?" she asked with a smirk.

"I don't know. I mean, that's ultimately up to you. You're the one that ran into me."

"Turkey," she muttered under her breath to which he laughed; the three of them leaving the discount store just as the elderly lady was closing up for the night.

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