Emile was eager to get to the end of the work day. He wanted to help his clients, sure... but he also wanted to see Remy and his kid again. Hopefully they'd be taking the same train home as yesterday.

The second he finished his last session, Emile hurried towards the front door, only to be stopped by one of his co-workers who was at the front desk.

"What's got you in such a rush, Em?"

"Oh, just... making sure I don't miss the train home."

"Come on! You're never in this much of a hurry just to catch the train."

"I want to be able to take my time walking today."

"Uh-huh. I don't buy that for a second. Why the sudden interest in nail painting again?"

Emile looks down at the pink painted fingernails he had done the previous night. He used to paint his nails all the time, but he fell out of the habit once he started working full-time as a therapist. For some reason, he really felt like reviving this old habit of his after a certain encounter on the train ride home. Emile felt his cheeks heat up while he looked back up at his co-worker.

"Just uh, switching things up a little."

"Suurre, Picani."

"What do you mean? Why else would I paint my nails?"

"It's not just the nails. You're wearing your Stitch socks, which you never wear except on special occasions. You also combed your hair differently and it looks like you're wearing a couple extra Pride bracelets."

"So?"

"So, you never clean up so nicely for no reason! Is it someone's birthday or something?"

"Or something." Emile smiled, hurrying out the front door before he could be asked any more questions.

He didn't want to admit it to anyone, but he was a little more than fond of the man he met on the train yesterday. Something about Remy was... intriguing. Emile was hoping he'd be able to find the courage to ask him to lunch on the ride home.

The train would arrive at 4:15.

Emile got to the station at 3:50.

He decided to pass the time by playing Word Crush on his phone. By the time he heard footsteps approaching him from behind, he had beat his high score... five times.

"'mile!" a small voice squealed. Emile turned around, and sure enough Remy was walking into the station with his kid on his back. It looked like he was giving them a piggyback ride.

"Hey there, Kai! What's up, Remy?" Emile smiled warmly as the two sat down next to him.

"Not much in all honesty." Remy shrugged, adjusting Kai to sit comfortably on his leg. He took a moment to take in Emile's appearance. "Where are you going from here?"

"Home."

"Oh. I thought... nevermind."

"No, tell me what you were thinking? Please?"

"I just... I thought you were going somewhere nice or something. Not that I'm saying your house isn't nice! Obviously I've never seen your house so that wouldn't make sense anyway. You look nice is what I'm saying."

"Thank you." Emile laughed. Remy getting tongue-tied was unexpectedly adorable. Neither of them knew quite what to say, so they sat in silence waiting for the other to speak. Just as Emile opened his mouth to ask what Remy's plans tomorrow looked like, the train pulled into the station.

Emile settled into his usual seat, as did Remy. They weren't lucky enough to be the only ones in their car that day. A couple other people were scattered around, all engaged in their own conversations and cell phones. Emile waited for Remy and Kai to get seated and situated before leaning forward to talk again.

"Hey, I know this is kind of weird because... well you don't really know me... but I was wondering-."

"What on you fingers?" Kai interrupted. They were staring at Emile's pink nails.

"Oh, that's nailpolish." Emile explained, holding his hands up to show the little kid.

"It pretty."

"Thanks! Anyway, I wanted to ask if-."

"What dat on you sock?" Kai cut in again. Trying to hide his frustration, Emile pulled up his pant leg a little to show Kai more of his sock.

"That's Stitch. You know who Stitch is, right?"

Kai shook their head and suddenly winced. They hid their face in Remy's chest, tensing their entire body. Remy immediately wrapped them up in a close hug muttering something Emile couldn't quite hear. Suddenly Emile wasn't focused on finding the words to ask Remy out. He just wanted to help Kai. Even though he knew it wasn't exactly his place to ask questions, he couldn't help himself. This child was in pain.

"Are they okay?" He asked Remy.

"They're fine. This just happens sometimes."

"Do you know why?"

"Uhh not really."

"No offense or anything, but have you ever thought about taking them to a physician?"

"Of course I've thought about it. It's just... a little out of our budget."

"I see." Emile nodded. He thought for a moment, before getting an idea. "If you want, I could ask around and see if I can find a children's physician that would be willing to meet with you."

"Oh, you don't have to do that."

"But I want to. Let me help you? Please?"

"I..." Remy looked from Emile to the whimpering mess buried in his chest. His options were pretty clear. "Okay. How much do you think one of those doctors will cost?"

"I can't speak for anyone's fees right now, but I know at least one who might do it as a personal favor."

"Really?"

"Yeah. If you're available to meet up tomorrow -maybe for lunch or something- I could do my digging tonight and bring you the details."

"Sure, that sounds great!" Remy agreed. His pure excitement was almost tangible. "Thank you."

"It's no trouble at all! Helping people is one of my favorite things to do." Emile beamed. Remy glanced down at Emile's bracelet-covered wrist, his smile briefly turning into a smirk.

"Can I get your number? I need to have a way to contact you so we can decide on a place for lunch."

"Oh, of course!" Emile fumbled for a scrap of paper. He quickly wrote out his name and number before offering the scrap to Remy, who gladly took it. "Uh, feel free to call or text whenever."

"Thanks, again."

Emile wanted to keep talking, but they were nearing his stop. He said his goodbyes to Remy and Kai, and started gathering up his things. During his scramble to get his bag on, Emile spotted Remy holding Kai's hands in his own, their foreheads pressed together and a big smile on Remy's face.

That only made Emile fall harder for him.