Although Angel didn't seem upset with you by any measure, your guilt only festered and grew after your tense conversation with him at the Francesca's staff picnic. Sure, he'd been nothing but smiles and laughter for the remainder of the get-together, but you knew him and you knew that beneath the unbothered facade he was hurting. This was made especially evident to you when you caught him masking a wince just a few seconds too late after you elected to give him a quick side hug goodbye rather than one of the normal all-encompassing embraces you used to share when it was time for everyone to get home.

In the days that followed you found yourself torn between both wanting to call him up apologetically, letting him cuddle and kiss you until his heart didn't hurt anymore, or conversely going entirely silent on him so as to not allow any room for confusion regarding the new boundaries you needed to implement. You decided to try something in the middle, where you texted him like you normally would but you didn't see him in person– but he was still being so overly affectionate with you that you ended up panicking and ghosting him entirely.

You weren't proud of this decision, nor was it easy when he wasn't getting the hint and was still texting you frequently requesting sleepovers and hangouts multiple times a day. But your resolve was strong and your newfound avoidant inclinations were even stronger. Unfortunately but not unexpectedly, this choice did little to alleviate your guilt, but you consoled yourself by remembering that your distance didn't need to be permanent necessarily, and in-person time could be granted to Angel again once you felt he had a better grasp on the new nature of your friendship. How he'd understand that new nature if you were ghosting him you weren't sure... but hey– no one said your plan was a good one!

This poorly thought-out avoidant approach to your issues was soon to meet its end anyway, something you realized in the middle of the week following the picnic at the end of one of your shifts. You'd scheduled Piper and Montell, and the day had actually gone pretty swimmingly. It was extremely busy up until the clock struck five which meant there was little downtime to chat or relax with your employees, but you still enjoyed their quiet company as you three fell into a comfortable groove tending to customers. You felt proud and accomplished with your team's efforts when you dismissed your employees, and while Montell made a swift exit as soon as he was permitted to, Piper lingered a bit longer.

He leaned over the counter observing you as you finished up checking the till, and you commended him again for his work ethic. "You seriously did so well today. I'm normally way more stressed out by the huge superfan crowds but you handled them like a pro. Every shift you're a lifesaver."

"What can I say? Gotta prove my worth to the boss lady to get that raise."

"Don't know about that one, bud."

You closed the drawer and sent him a sardonic smile, but the wide grin on his face quickly molded yours into something warmer and more genuine. Mischief flickered in his eyes as he held a palm out and wiggled his fingers. "I'd prove myself quicker if you let me make a few pretty plants for you, though..."

You watched green cords begin to manifest on his hand before quickly clasping it with yours, much like the day you hired him. To your immense relief, you didn't feel any plants being formed beneath your palm, though you still kept your hold on his hand firm. Only because you wanted to prevent him from jeopardizing himself, of course. Not because you wanted to hold his hand or anything like that– that would be strange and incorrect and just all around not what you wanted at all obviously.

"You have to stop doing that, Piper," you implored, grip tightening protectively on his hand. "I'd never forgive myself if you got caught and punished for using your powers for me, so please don't use them in the shop."

"Okay, I won't anymore." His expression softened, and his thumb ran soft circles on the back of your hand– its touch so light you might not have even noticed it had you not been watching it happen. "I'm sorry if I've been stressing you out."

You reached into your mind and grasped for an appropriate response to his apology, finding absolutely nothing. It wasn't your fault, okay? You were entirely unprepared for such getleness from this man who already spurred such infuriatingly confusing feelings within you, so what were you supposed to even say? You eventually dropped his hand, averting your eyes as you found your voice again.

"So, uh– what can you do? You can just make... any plant? Like, out of nothing?"

"No, no. Even I have my limits– hard to believe, I know. But in all honesty, I can only create a few tiny flowers all on my lonesome. The greater power lies in what I can do with plants that are already there. I'm not really certain how I work, and it's hard to know my limits since I can't openly test 'em out, but I know I can multiply and enlarge plants that already exist. And I can revive dead ones too. I feel like I'm forgetting something... but that's all I can really remember right now."

He shrugged with a lazy grin, but you could see his desire for your approval in his eyes, and frankly? He'd earned it, as his powers were right up your alley of interest. Now, normally you'd refuse to give in to such devious yet inconsequential mind games and tell him this since he wouldn't just outright ask for your praise, but for some godforsaken reason, just as much as he wanted to hear you say it, you wanted to him to know that you did think he was cool and that he had your approval. This guy was a serious problem.

"You sound pretty strong, Piper." Any disappointment you felt in yourself for giving in vanished as soon as you saw his eyes brighten at your praise. Yeah, a serious problem indeed. "You didn't wanna be a hero, then? You'd probably get paid more doing that than teaching."

"Hero work was never gonna be it for me," he chuckled. "That system's seriously fucked. I mean, politicians policing superhuman bodies and using them for their little wants and needs under the guise of being a 'hero' is so not cool. And sure, heroes might get paid well so that'd be nice, but it's really only the big-name ones like Jamie that can ever say 'no' without the Commission taking everything away from them, and I have a feeling I'd wanna say no to a ton of the shit they'd want me to do– like, y'know: war crimes? There's just so much more to superhuman law and the Commission that I feel like we're never let on to, and I don't want to be complicit in it."

As fond as you'd grown of Piper's usual goofiness, you found you enjoyed this new vulnerable and convicted side of him just as much. He was so different– so much better than you'd anticipated that day you reunited, and where you once doubted hiring him, now you felt lucky you even got to see and experience more of who he was and what made him tick.

As he discussed superhuman morality, you felt you'd caught a glimpse of his academic background in ethics, and if he was as passionate in the classroom as he was being with you now, then you envied his privileged students who got to experience his lectures multiple days a week. In fact, the simple act of talking to someone as intuitive and informed as he was felt like a privilege to you. You weren't sure it was one that someone like you even deserved if you were being honest, but you still wanted to make the most of the time he was sparing you while you had it.

"Sorry, I know that was a long-winded answer and you don't wanna listen to me yap all day," he apologized with a soft laugh, entirely unaware of the praises you were slinging at him in your mind. That was good– you did not need to fuel his superiority complex bit no matter how much it made you laugh. "Long story short: I'll take my humble lecturing paycheck if it means I'm not a pawn in whatever the fuck is going on over there."

"The Commission is kinda messed up. I mean, Jamie was abusing his power over Angel the other day when they got into some petty argument," you sighed. "He was taking his anger out on the poor guy by making him work unlivable hours, and the power imbalance just made it so gross since he's in charge of his branch. I honestly couldn't believe him and I was so angry for Angel. I'd never wish that upon anyone, especially not you, so I'm kinda glad you're not pursuing hero work."

You cringed at that final statement– it was too gushy and sweet to be spoken so casually, especially since you weren't all that close with Piper. You braced yourself, anticipating being met with either his laughter or discomfort, but instead, he fixed you with a soft frown, the expression absent of the awkwardness and distaste you'd dreaded.

"That's super fucked up of Jamie. I don't know what fight warrants abusing your position like that. You have some real interesting taste in men, (N/n)."

You laughed weakly, his words hitting a bit too hard. "I've been thinking the same these days. Yes, he's my best friend and I love him, but lately, he's just been so uncharacteristically icky. Like, I have to ask myself why I even like him. Maybe I need to get over this crush."

As soon as the words left your mouth you wanted to shove right them back in and down your throat where they'd never see the light of day again, your body tensing up in shock and self... disgust, maybe? You didn't know how to feel, and apparently, neither did Piper, as he mirrored your dumbfounded gape.

Seriously– what were you thinking? Had you been having genuine doubts over your feelings for James? Yeah, he'd been pissing you off a lot lately and you weren't nearly as flustered around him as you used to be, but you still liked him! You loved him! You were just going through a rough patch! ...maybe? You truly didn't have a clue anymore.

Sarah and Benny needed to be filled in about this as soon as possible. They'd help you get your mind and heart back into shape, and maybe they could also help you figure out why your feelings had been going haywire whenever you interacted with, looked at, or even thought of–

Piper chuckled, drawing you from whatever was going on in your head. You must've been zoning out for longer than you'd realized, because he wasn't laughing at you, but rather at something on his phone. You sighed in relief that he hadn't dwelled on your slip-up/potential Freudian slip and you cleared your throat, reminding him of your presence. "What's so funny?"

"You tell me," he replied, teasing lilt once again present in his tone. "Check your phone."

You pulled it out with a huff and your eyebrow quirked up as you were notified of a new group chat being created– one with six members that all seemed to be active despite its very recent creation.

[super harem truthers!!!]

5:08 - good minion 😈

- oh hey kitty girls!!!!

- bout time we had a lil gc 🤭

- lovely picnic on sunday like so funnnn we're all 4lyfers now

- more importantly tho...........

- (drum roll pls)

- drum roll

- drum roll rn tony istg

5:09 - evil minion 👿

- SIGH.

- 🥁.

5:09 - good minion 😈

- aw ty 🥰

- back to me!

- i have a huge cheer performance that i'm starring in and ur all invited as my supporters!!!!!!!!!!!!!

- fri at seven pm sharp!

- ill send the addy once u all confirm

- and i know u all will confirm <3

5:09 - sunshine ☀️

- sorry, eloise. i won't be able to make it. good luck!

5:10 - oakley w

- You sure are a cocky little brat, thinking we'd attend your pathetic little recital. Count me out, vermin!

5:10 - evil minion 👿

- yeah right. i think u bitches will be in attendance.

You looked back up to Piper, confusion written across your face. "What's so funny about this? If anything I just feel bad that El got two rejections back to back. I mean, I'm obviously gonna go, but I know she really likes Angel so that had to sting. Are you gonna go?"

"Oh, I'll be there," he replied, and you nodded appreciatively as you drafted up and sent a confirmation of your attendance to the group.

5:11 - you

- i'll be there el!

- please don't call my friends vermin, oakley.

- *our friends :)

You did genuinely feel bad for Eloise, but at the same time, you were a little bit relieved that Angel wouldn't be there. You just didn't know how your resolve would hold up if you had to face those sad puppy dog eyes in person again, and you didn't wanna chance things. Not when your future with Piper was at risk– hello...? Your future with James was at risk, not your future with Piper. Yikes. You really needed to pull yourself together, and you really needed to schedule that call with Sarah and Benny.

Piper's laugh drew you from your thoughts again, his eyes also similarly on his phone. "You don't need to worry about Eloise's reactions– and that's what's so funny. Tony fucking called it."

When he was still met with your confused stare, he rolled his eyes light-heartedly as he tapped your phone. Your eyes dropped to the texts, and all you could do was let out a long and hard sigh at the admittedly predictable responses to your text.

5:11 - sunshine ☀️

- (Y/N)?

- WAIT NONONONO

- I'LL BE THERE

- I MISS YOU PRECIOUS💘💕🩷

- I DIDN'T KNOW WE WERE TALKING AGAIN

- aw wait my cutie pie is so formal when she texts other people, i think im speciallllll😁⭐️

5:11 - good minion 😈

- ur not special!!!!! u literally just revealed she's been ghosting u!!!!!!!!!!!!

- and u can try tf again!!!!!!!

5:11 - sunshine ☀️

- oh. sorry i am going for you too eloise 👍

5:11: - good minion 😈

- right

5:11 - oakley w

- I didn't know you were in this chat, sweetheart!

- Of course, I will gladly accompany my darling to this performance!

- I have such a deep and profound appreciation for the arts in their many capacities!

- I'm sure the walking strawberry, no matter how obnoxious on a daily basis, will put on a performance satisfactory to my princess's standards!

5:12 - good minion 😈

- ur on thin ice, oakley. thin fcking ice.

- but ykw i'll take it!!!!!!!!!!

- thanks miss (y/n)!!!! my little man magnet bringing in my fans

5:12 - evil minion 👿

- sad, sad men folding so easily. the both of u.

- and i clocked it too

- lmao

- at least i won't have to sit alone like last year

- at the 'friday night cheer performance'

- ur all kinda dumb.

You put your phone on the counter and buried your face in your hands as you sighed again, trying to process the dumpster fire that was this group chat while Piper simply giggled at the audacity of it all. "You seriously still think these guys don't like you?"

"No."

"You think any grown man would attend a high school cheer recital unless the person they liked was also going? I said it once I'll say it again: you're as dense as the day I met you."

You lifted your head from your hands to give him a pointed stare. "You're a grown man going, so..."

His eyes widened before he looked away with a scowl, but for a second you thought you spotted a light flush dusting his cheeks. "Tch– okay, and? I'm going for the kids, lady. You don't- you're not– whatever."

"'Whatever'," you repeated in his tone with a giggle, confused by his embarrassment but still quite amused by it.

He squinted at you like he was annoyed, but you saw no real fire behind it. "While we're on the topic– what's going on with Angel? How'd your talk go on Sunday? That side hug was pretty painful for everyone to endure."

You rolled your eyes. Of course, he was quick to tease you after whatever his little slip-up was about, but you refrained from pointing out his lame subject-changing skills in order to receive a second opinion on what to do with your other friend "Yeah, well I think that hug probably hurt him the most. And, uh, as for how things are now? I've sorta been avoiding him. Like– total silence type of avoidance. No contact, you could probably call it. Am I evil? I think I might be evil."

His brows furrowed at your erratic confession. "What...?"

"Angel wasn't understanding my boundaries and he was still asking for all the stuff I said we can't do anymore, so I just went ghost on him," you explained guiltily, that goddamn pressure (which you'd come to realize in its many reappearances since the picnic was likely anxiety) building in your chest again. "He hasn't been showing up here or anything crazy, but it just felt like the only way to make my point? I feel awful about it, but I just don't– I don't know shit about addressing conflict like this."

"Well, I mean... if he's disrespecting your boundaries I get it. But, I don't know, he seems sorta clueless. Maybe he just didn't understand? Either way, you're gonna be seeing him Friday so you might wanna touch base with him or something, otherwise he'll be all over you since it's been so long since you guys last spoke. Well, long by his standards, at least."

Your head was back in your hands at his assessment of the situation, nails digging into your scalp and fingers tugging at your hair as the pressure continued to push and pull in your core. He had a point- Angel was still so naive and often had a hard time comprehending concepts that most people your age fully understood. But sometimes you had to wonder just how naive a fully grown man could be... the thought only made you feel worse, though, because who were you to doubt the purity of one of your closest friend's intentions? The blame was on you for not understanding and communicating your boundaries better.

You groaned in frustration, pulling harder on your hair until your hands were being gently brought down by Piper's. You stared at your interlocked fingers, his thumbs once again rubbing soft circles across the surface of your skin, their touch less hesitant this time and therefore much more soothing. You forced yourself to meet his eyes, faltering at the intensity of concern visible in them.

"Don't hurt yourself like that, and don't beat yourself up mentally, either," he chided you. "You're in a complicated situation, but you're both adults and you'll come out of this fine. I know it."

"Right. You're right," you nodded with a tiny, appreciative smile. "It'll all work out."

"Good," he beamed, giving your hands a gentle squeeze. "And listen, if he doesn't respect you even after things get clarified, then I'll just keep him away with my vines– Sleeping Beauty style. It'll be very cool and you'll be very impressed."

He grinned as you giggled at his stupid-as-ever claims, but as his eyes dipped down to your interlocked hands, you were also reminded of your current position. Another feeling began to stir in your chest– but it was more pleasant than it was suffocating, and it intensified when you studied his face that bore such a fond expression that softened his features so sweetly. If you had to give the feeling a name– which you wouldn't, because it was fleeting and entirely insignificant– you might say you were feeling butterflies,

The moment passed as quickly as it came when he met your eyes again, something sad pulling at his features as he quickly dropped your hands. It was a microexpression and barely noticeable, but it hurt like a knife to the gut to know that it might've been caused by something you'd said or done.

"Sorry– I'm sorry," he apologized much to your puzzlement, beginning to back towards the front door as he continued stuttering more apologies you didn't quite understand. You moved around the counter and trailed after him subconsciously, but it only made him move away from you faster. "I don't wanna be like Angel, and I'm not– I don't ever wanna make things harder for you– I'll just– nice shift, (N/n)! I'll see you at the cheer performance!"

He'd made it to the doors and sent you a final strained grin as his hand fumbled for the handle. He fianlly found it, turning it and completing his slightly dramatic exit. You watched him through the window, trying to understand why you felt a whole lot like a schoolgirl who'd just been rejected by her crush.

"Bye, Piper..." you said softly to no one, the shop suddenly feeling so big now that you were alone in it.

You tried to shake away thoughts of the man and feelings he surfaced within you as you pulled your phone out to fix things with Angel, but your mind was stubborn, replaying his reverent smile as he had gazed at his and your hands clasped together. Even as you received a response from the man you were texting– and for the rest of the night, too– your focus remained fixed on the enigmas that were Piper Greene and your feelings for him.

...

5:20 - precious

- hey, angel :) i'm sorry for being so distant lately

- i just felt like you weren't understanding my boundaries and that if i saw you you'd be super touchy again

- which i just really can't do right now unless it's the right person

- but i shouldn't have ignored you so i'm really sorry

- i love you <3

Angel stared at his phone, face contorted in disgust. Not directed at you, of course! You were perfect at best, and at worst a tiny bit led astray, like a cute and innocent little lamb. Led astray by none other than Piper Greene, the man Angel had just watched you hold hands with from across the street.

He could only feel repulsed as he observed you interact with your employee, and he didn't allow himself to take a single deep breath until he watched the man practically flee your shop with bright red cheeks and glassy eyes. What perverted thoughts had he been entertaining about you? Were you even okay? He wanted to peek and make sure, but he was in a somewhat... suspicious position, and he didn't really want you to see him crouched between a bush and a large truck across the street like some creepy stalker.

Angel was not and would never stalk you! Sure, he might wanna keep a closer, loving eye on you from now on if you were gonna keep on spending time with these random men, but that wasn't going on this time. He'd only just arrived at the shop minutes ago, as he'd flown over as soon as he received your message in the group chat. He'd assumed it it meant you were ready to see him in person again, and he'd planned on zooming straight into Francesca's and and taking you in his arms, too, but he paused when he recalled all you'd said in your picnic conversation– as he recalled your new 'boundaries'.

He didn't like these new restrictions very much at all, but he knew he had to respect them. One day he was sure you'd come back to your senses and realize that you missed cuddles and hugs and kisses as much as him, and everything would go back to its perfect normal– maybe you'd even allow for more intimate touches too– but for now he could understand and live with the fact that these silly boundaries were important to you.

Except apparently these boundaries weren't as important to you as you made them seem. Because if they were, then you'd implement them with all the people who meant less to you than he did (which was everyone) and you wouldn't have allowed Piper to hold your hands so tenderly and for so long like Angel wanted to.

It wasn't fair and it wasn't right. Was Angel not your best friend? Your number one? Who was Piper to you that he wasn't and couldn't be? He must've wormed his way into your life– into your mind– because Angel knew you loved him most. You did. The problem wasn't you, his sweet and precious girl, it was all the rotten men surrounding you and deceiving and tricking you, just like Angel's exes had done with him. It made him sick and furious on your behalf.

As angry as it made him, though, Angel couldn't exactly fault Piper entirely for disrespecting a boundary as stupid as the ones you'd implemented. Words echoed in his mind from his childhood every time you brought them up: 'boundaries prevent strong relationships between you and those you love.' And while he didn't understand when he was younger and more innocent, he sure as hell understood it now that he knew you and loved you more than anyone else.

It made him think... as much as the idea scared him, maybe he should introduce you to his parents. Regardless of how things were with them currently, he retrospectively could see that they were the wisest, kindest, most loving people he knew– things he'd only come to realize because of you, really! Maybe they could impart some of their wisdom and you'd realize all the ways that your new rules were hindering your relationship with him.

They'd been critical of his past partners, but you were infinitely better than any of them. And Angel loved you as much as his parents loved him and each other, so it only made sense that they'd adore you too! It was perfect: they'd help you forget about your boundaries and your precious little heart would be in his attentive, affectionate care once more. He'd give you some space to really let you feel his absence a bit more, and then by the time he'd bring up visiting his parents at the cheer recital, you'd practically be begging him to spend time together again.

Even if you were somehow still apprehensive by then, one of your most adorable qualities was your tender, easily swayed heart that yearned so deeply to please others. It was a good thing Angel was a good guy who had your best interests at heart, because someone with murkier intentions might use such a sweet trait against you. He wouldn't let anyone close enough to hurt you anyways, though! You both had really lucked out in the best friend department.

He grinned to himself as he texted you back, daring to peek through your windows for a quick second and– his heart might've actually burst– you were smiling too! For him- your loving, doting number one. He just couldn't wait until you were back in his arms again.