For Val and Riley [Closed] Coombs and Co

[phoenixfalling]

Kim smoothed his hands against his jeans, trying to wipe away the sweat. It was a futile gesture though because the moment he did it his palms started sweating again. He couldn't think of a time he had ever been this nervous before, never when he was performing, he'd have an easier time performing in front of a sold-out stadium than doing this. But Riley was amazing and he really liked her. She seemed to like him too, which was the only reason he was going to give this a shot.

It was just before her shift at Coombs and Co when he walked in, hoping to catch her just before she started, that way if she agree or- more likely- declined there would be an excuse for them to separate. Glancing around he only saw Val so he figured he had a few moments still before Riley showed up.

Scooting around to one of the isle where he hopefully couldn't be seen, Kim pulled out the folded up paper he had written out what he was going to say. He wasn't going to actually read it but he wanted to have it all planned out for when he asked so that when he freaked out he could hopefully power through the words. Glancing down he rehearsed through it one more time, trying to keep his tone completely casual.

"Hey Riley, I was just wondering, if you didn't already have plans, if you'd like to go to the Pumpkin Carving contest together on Tuesday, or if you can't make that maybe for the date night at Francesco's? I think you're pretty amazing and I'd really like to take you out on a date. If not, no worries, but I'd regret it if I didn't at least ask."

He took another deep breath. It was short and to the point and not ramble-y or desperate.

"It does sound alright, right?" he muttered to himself, scratching the back of his head. Why was this so difficult?

Comments

[bewitchinghaze]

Val sees Kim come in looking ridiculously nervous and her interest is peaked. He disappears down one of the aisles and the quiet muttering is just too hard to ignore, so she follows, coming up behind him and trying not to snicker as she realizes he's actually rehearsing asking her sister out.

"Dude," she butts in, as soon as he asks himself if it sounds right. "Are you serious right now?"

[phoenixfalling]

"AH!"

Kim spun around and jumped back all at the same time, which meant he just about fell over as he flailed in surprise. Fortunately he was quick enough on his feet that he regained his balance just before he grabbed the shelf to keep from falling over.

"What the- where did you come from? How long have you been standing there?"

[bewitchinghaze]

Val raises her eyebrows at him, making absolutely no effort to catch him. "Long enough to hear that oh so touching little speech," she smirks. "You don't seriously think you're good enough for my sister, do you? Because no one in this town is good enough for her. No one."

[phoenixfalling]

"Hah, no, not really," he admitted sheepishly, glancing down at the ground. That wasn't really ever in question, he didn't think. Kim knew that Riley was in a whole other level of amazing.

"But... she's so amazing that I have to try, right? Riley is smart and funny and gorgeous and so- if she said that she'd go out with me then it can't be too bad, right? She has good taste in everything else."

[bewitchinghaze]

Levelling a rather unimpressed and incredibly frigid stare at him, Val moves into his personal space. "You fuck with my sister in any way and I will curse you in the worst way I can think of with absolutely no hesitation," she states simply. "You are not worthy of her and I won't put up with any shit from you, boy."

[phoenixfalling]

Okay, now Kim was scared. Like, legitimately scared for his safety because Val was clearly crazy. Normal people weren't that protective of siblings, were they? His brother definitely wouldn't stand up for him at all like that. Not that he wasn't happy for Riley and Val that they were so close, he was, Kim was just worried for his safety. Maybe he should ask Riley later. Away from Val.

"You know, uh, I think I just remembered my Aunt needed me this morning. This afternoon. Uh, right now, whenever it is," he said, shuffling past her, making sure not to make any contact, physical or with his eyes. Kim made a beeline for the door, only to come face to fave with Riley as she came in.

[jiyunnies]

Riley's just opened the door of Coombs & Co for her shift, a bag of muffins and a drink tucked into the crook of her arm that she picked up for her sister. But when the door opens, she almost runs into Kim.

Staggering back down the front steps, she clutches onto the muffins and drink, worried they'll slip out of her arms. "Kim! Hey! Sorry! I didn't hit you with the door, did I?"

[phoenixfalling]

"What? Hah, no, no, I'm fine," he said, waving the paper at her before remembering what was on the paper and quickly whipping it back out of sight. Normally he would stop and take a moment to have his heart start beating and the butterflies leave his stomach when he saw Riley but he could pretty much feel Val leveling a curse at him.

"I was just on my way out. After a chat with your sister. A nice chat."

[jiyunnies]

"Oh. Okay...?" Riley's a little more than confused. Why is Kim pointing out the chat was nice? Glancing around him to her sister, she instantly wonders what the guy did to piss off Val. It's actually probably best if she moves out of the way so Kim can make a quick escape from her sister.

"Nice to see you. Tell your aunt I have more of her potions, yeah?"

[phoenixfalling]

"Okay. And I'll stop by the museum later. Uh, to talk about some of the stuff with the high school drama department," he said, gaze shifting over to Val to make sure she knew that he had a totally legitimate reason to talk with her sister. "I'll see you around!"

Shoving his hands in his pockets he was so nervous that he didn't even notice the note falling out and landing at her feet. With a quick grin he ducked out of the shop and headed down the street. Maybe he could find a place that sold protection charms?

[jiyunnies]

"Okay, yeah," she nods as Kim seems to rush through his goodbye. "Have a good day."

Riley notices a slip of paper fall from Kim's person and kneels to pick it up. "Kim!" she calls after him, but as she looks up and down the sidewalk, she can no longer see him. Weird...he moves fast.

She's not one to read other people's property, but Riley does glance at the writing and can't help but read on when she sees her name on the paper. Her eyes widen as realization dawns on her. "Wait...what??"

[phoenixfalling]

The time that Kim got Riley's text was about the same time he realized that he dropped his note. After feeling like he was going to throw up he agree to meet her at the Quill. The entire time he headed there he tried to figure out if that was a good thing or a bad thing that they were meeting in a public place. She wouldn't turn him down in public, would she? The wording of his speech sounded non-chalant but she'd realize he'd be pretty crushed if she said no, wouldn't she? Then again, if she wanted to accept she could have just texted him, so even if it was a 'yes' it probably wasn't a simple one?

Man, this was rough. By the time he got to Quill he thought about just turning away and going home but then he'd never know. Also, that would be a jerk thing to do and he didn't want to do that to Riley. Taking a deep breath he entered the shop, doing his best to give Riley a smile that wasn't full of nerves.

"We meet again," he said as he sat down.

[jiyunnies]

Riley's shaking her leg while she waits for Kim. She's honestly nervous right now, because the note came as a complete shock. She's not used to other people being interested in her and here Kim Yoo had planned to ask her out. She's still processing that, actually, when he takes a seat across from her.

"You said "see you later," right?" she smiles. She had planned on grabbing coffee together first, but Kim probably knows exactly why she texted him. And she's too anxious. So Riley decides to just go for it. "Um, I'm sorry. You dropped this when you ran out earlier. I shouldn't have read it because it wasn't mine...but I did." She takes the note from her bag and slides it across the table.

[phoenixfalling]

"Right, about the note, I can explain," Kim said, although he wasn't sure exactly how much there was to explain, the note laid out everything pretty clearly. Still, it was a note, which was kind of lame.

"I was planning on saying all that stuff to you. With actual words. From my mouth. The paper was just to clarify in my own mind what to say so that didn't ramble. Unless you thought the note was cute, in a sort of '3rd grade crush' sort of way," he said with a laugh. "Then, uh, then it was on purpose. And before you say you want to go or don't just keep in mind that if you agree to a date your sister might kill me. I'm prepared to take that risk, but you should know a 'yes' may be a death sentence."

[jiyunnies]

Riley has to laugh at his explanation of the note and waves a hand. "Oh no, I get it I write everything down and I've never asked anyone out before so...I'm pretty sure I would have done the same exact thing." She winces when he mentions Val. "I'm sorry for whatever she said, but uh yeah, she meant every word," she smiles. "Val's very protective of me. And you're either brave or crazy for taking that risk."

"I like you," Riley admits. "You're very easy to talk to and nice. And you can sing some Queen. But I still like the man that left me the pie shop that I turned into the museum. And that whole thing is...very complicated." How do you even begin to explain your date/crush died, now he's suddenly alive, he can't go out in the sun, and you have no idea what you're doing anymore? "It's been a very weird summer," she frowns.

[phoenixfalling]

That was a no. That was probably a no? She didn't say the word 'no'. She had said some nice things and then talked about a past relationship she wasn't over so that was... probably a no? He was going to assume that was a no. Which, while disappointed, was not all that surprising, really. Kim had always figured that it was a very, very long shot that he had to go for.

"Not brave or crazy, just thought you were worth it," he said with a grin that hopefully did a good job of masking the sensation of his heart breaking. "And I understand, I wouldn't want to make it even more complicated or anything. I'm sorry you've had such a rough summer."

[jiyunnies]

That smile just makes Riley feel bad. She really wishes she could say yes to him, but that really wouldn't be fair to Kim when she's still trying to figure out what's going on with Tristan.

"It's okay. It'll pass, just like all things," she reassures.

[phoenixfalling]

"And you've got a lot to keep you busy in the meantime," Kim said. Which maybe that was the point, keeping busy so that things passed and weren't so new and raw. It made him wonder if he had waited a few months to ask if he might have gotten a different answer. Well, too late to do anything about it now.

"Speaking of which, I'm probably keeping you from work?" he asked. Really, Kim kind of just wanted to go. He wasn't upset or anything but that didn't mean he wasn't disappointed or hurt.