After a few hours spent at the police station, explaining over and over what had happened, we were back at my apartment. I suggested getting some drinks or snacks in a cafe or small restaurant, but Emery wanted to be back home. And I understood his need for the comfort and safety of the four walls without noise and curious looks.

I texted Jasper to grab us something from the Maiseys. It was a little cafe where we got pastries from. I absolutely loved the little raspberry croissants they sold. I hoped he'd picked them up because I was selfishly curious if my and Emery's tastes were similar.

"I'm going to take a shower," Emery announced after taking off his shoes and then marched straight to the bathroom, where I could hear running water before I even reached my bedroom door. I doubted he got any change of clothes with him.

Would that be weird if I took some for him and left them by the door? Or maybe he was okay with walking only in his towel around the flat? What were the odds of me choosing right without upsetting him?

So I lay down on the couch that had recently turned into my bed and pretended not to be bothered by it, just enjoying the afternoon news. I kept doing this until the water stopped running, and I heard the bathroom door opening and then the bedroom door closing. I wanted to facepalm myself for stressing out about something so stupid.

Jasper's words rang in my head. He once told me that I tended to make the situation more complicated than it was. Maybe he wasn't that wrong.

I nearly took a nap, waiting for Jasper to return from work or Emery, who had taken a long time to get dressed. It was not easy for him, and I understood if he needed some time to think in peace.

Testifying at the police station and repeating what happened couldn't be easy. Police weren't the most tactful either during their questioning. They asked directly, mechanically, without sympathy. It was their job, and I understand that. They were guided by reason, and I by emotion, but they could be more gentle to him.

I don't need a lot of imagination to know how difficult and stressful it must have been.

Eventually, the front door opened to reveal Jasper with a large paper bag full of, hopefully, the best treats he could find. Sometimes he lacked selflessness and chose what he liked without thinking about me. I was hoping it wasn't one of those days. I was excited to have Emery try our favourite buns and croissants.

"What did you get?" I sat down, watching him pull out the drinks and boxes with pastries on the coffee table. At the same time, Emery left his room and silently walked over to where we sat. After a moment of hesitation, he lowered himself next to me on the sofa.

"Some sweet rolls and croissants. They had only a few, so I took all of them. As well the chocolate ones. Oh, I think raspberry too." I sent a grateful smile, searching for my favourites, beckoning Emery to try one.

He appreciatively nodded after he finished one croissant in two bites. I watched him eat another one, taking this opportunity to analyse his profile. The first thing that caught my eye was his hair, which had doubled in length since the last time I saw him in a coffee shop. Before, they were very short. When you looked closely at his head, you saw translucent patches of pale skin. Now his dark brown hair seemed much more in-depth and rich, and all the pale patches of his skin disappeared underneath.

"They are delicious," for the first time Emery had spoken since he'd gone out to take a shower earlier, I couldn't help but smile.

I was losing myself deep in his eyes. As I was doing that, I noticed how confused he became after a few long seconds of me staring at him. I didn't know what exactly happened in my head that I let myself be so open. I was glad to meet him personally. I was happy about how he seemed comfortable with us. And the fact that he liked my favourite raspberry croissants. I guess I just bathed in the appreciation and softness I felt in my chest.

"I'm glad you like them. Drink your coffee before it gets too cold, and try another one with it. The combination is divine." Emery turned his attention back to the table, and I quickly looked at Jasper, who had written a questioning expression on his face. I shrugged, leaving us silent with voices coming from the TV.

"They are even better with coffee." He seemed to be surprised by the discovery.

"This is our favourite mix. We usually get stuff out of there when we want to celebrate something. The funny thing is that Sage lived here for a while before I came across this store one day when I couldn't find his building. When I told him about it, he had no idea it existed. So we got our jackets and went there to check it out." Jasper explained.

"Because it's so close, we can get them more often if you like," I told Emery. "It's only five minutes walk."

"Didn't you say you get them to celebrate stuff?" He questioned, glancing at Jasper, who quickly said what I was about to say.

"We don't have to celebrate anything to get them, so don't worry about it."

"Are you sure? I don't want to ruin your tradition." Emery had a smirk on his lips. I held a smile that started pushing out, enjoying this new side of him. Who would think that he had in him to tease my best friend?

"I don't have any tradition with him. Anyways... I think Sage would ruin any tradition for you without a second thought." Jasper grinned at me before returning to his food, leaving me wholly embarrassed with Emery's gaze hanging on me.

"I can show you where it is if you want." I looked up, trying to behave normally and not show off any awkwardness. It wasn't my fault that my best friend could act like a moron.

"Huh?" Jasper smirked, and I wanted to strangle him.

"That would be nice." Emery merely stated that he was reaching for a small cinnamon roll. He didn't comment or try to embarrass me more, for which I was grateful. His body language told me he didn't feel uncomfortable with what Jasper suggested, and I'm sure he figured out what was going on, as that moron wasn't subtle at all.

This guy could be so oblivious sometimes. What if he made him uncomfortable, pushing Emery to feel awkward with us? I glared at him, hoping he would understand.

"I will leave you guys. I need to go." Jasper got up, straightening his T-Shirt on the sides.

"Thank you for these." Emery gestured at the table.

I looked up at him, asking. "Meeting?"

"Yeah." He brushed it off too quickly.

"With who?"

"Don't be so curious." He left to his room, and I looked at his back, wondering why he would try to hide it.

"Is he having trouble?" Emery asked.

"Why would he be in trouble?" I wondered why he asked me that. "Oh, no. Not at all. It's just he always said who he was meeting, and it's not him sneaking around like that."

"Mhm, maybe he is dating someone?"

I glanced at Emery as soon as he dropped the idea, wondering if ever he mentioned anyone before, but nothing came to my mind.

"I'm not. Don't be all so nosy. It's... a friend." Jasper rushed to the door with his backpack overhearing us talking about him. We weren't exactly subtle.

"Yeah?" I raised a brow at him, sinking deeper into the pillows.

"Yeah." And he was gone.

"Definitely dating." Emery chuckled, and I nodded.