Event Private Finished Partners in Crime

The Festival was nearly over. It had been a fun week. Well, as fun of a week as it could have been. Fitz had spent most of it just kind of wandering, low key looking for information on rare and dangerous magical books he could steal. He had given up on being able to purchase any, even with the nice little pile of cash he was starting to sit on. The kinds of people who got hold of those kinds of books weren't the kind to let them go for something like money.

And he had to bring something or his ass would be roasted. Literally. Hedi had made that abundantly clear, and if his own wanton use of fire in his own dorm room was any indication, he would follow through with such threats.

But Fitz couldn't run himself ragged. If he was too tired, or if he let his own anxiety get the better of him, he'd be as good as dead if and when he actually had the opportunity to snatch one of these stupid books.

So he wandered the Festival. Snatching food from hapless vendors, stealing an unattended trinket or two when the opportunity came around. It was pleasant, a little vacation he could use to keep his skills sharp while having some fun. Plus, he was sure even if he was caught, the most he might get is kicked out. Big deal.

As he wandered the crowds, a familiar face caught his eye. He could.count the number of times he had seen Shay in her male form on one hand, but he had learned to recognize it pretty quickly.
The lass had been avoiding him as of late, and like a good friend he was letting her have her space.

But now his curiosity was getting the better of him. Doffing his hat and stuffing it into the bag he had, Fitz smoothed down his hair and put on a pair of sunglasses. He moved as stealthily as he could through the crowd, following Shay in a casual manner.
He would wait for the crowds to thin out somewhat, then go in close and try to strike up conversation.

He really hoped the lass didn't hate him for some reason.

The little twerp was doing the same thing Fitz was. Stealing from booths. Shay didn't have as much finesse as Fitz, and he didn't act quite as casual about it. But his technique was pretty good, Fitz had to admit. He'd give the lad a few pointers if he ever got to talk to him.

When Shay turned the corner, to a less crowded area, Fitz slowed down. He knew this behavior well. He practiced it himself. Finding a secluded path like that. Shay knew he was being followed. It was a good spot too. Secluded, so he could confront his stalker, but open enough still to not get trapped. And just enough people around still to call out for help if needed.

Fitz was impressed, but he really shouldn't have been surprised. Shay was a gang kid, after all.

He rounded the corner, onto the same secluded pathway. Hands up, palms open. Nonthreatening. Shay had seen him without his hat before. So, at least now, looking at him directly the lad should have been able to recognize him.

"Nice pig sticker ye got there lad. Ye plannin' on guttin' me?" If the casual, almost patronizing tone wasn't enough, Fitz wore it with a smile of genuine amusement.

Fitz flashed a wider smile as Shay acknowledged him. They hadn't spoken in some time, and it was obvious that Shay was avoiding him. "Nah lad, Ah've got nowhere better to be today. So yeah, Ah was followin' ye. Sorry if Ah spooked ye."

He shifted somewhat uncomfortably, unable to keep the facade up for much longer. He dropped his hands.
"So ye 'avin' a good time at the festival? 'aven't gotten to talk to ye much lately. Are, uh-"
His smile dropped along with his voice, talking only barely loud enough for Shay to hear. There weren't many people around, so he didn't really have to worry about anyone overhearing. But caution was never a bad thing.

"Are ye 'avin' second thoughts about all... this? Ah get it if ye are. Don't blame ye one bit. But Ah'd like to know."

Fitz didn't resist being pulled further from the crowds. He did hesitate on the kiss, but only for a moment. And only because they hadn't kissed in public before. Sure there was really no one around to see them, Shay having had moved them away, but it was still an odd feeling.

"Ah love ye too."
The words were hard to say. He had told plenty of people he loved them over the years. It was easy, when the words were empty. But he really felt something here. Was it love? Infatuation? He couldn't tell, didn't know.

Then the bomb dropped. He had indeed heard about Klaus and Vito. Wasn't sure if it was true until now. But with Shay saying it, it had to be.
And she wasn't a Rosales anymore? Had someone else adopted her then? His jaw went a little slack as he sought words to say.

"Ah see. That's... Ah mean. Are ye alright?" He wrapped his arms around Shay, hugging her and bringing her close to his chest. The motion was awkward in it's sincerity, and he wasn't sure if he should pat her in the back or not.

Fitz laughed. It was all he could really manage at first, clamping a hand on Shay's shoulder and laughing. Some people kind of far away stared, but he didn't really care. He forced himself to quiet, lowering his voice to make sure no one overheard.
"Really lass? A cop? Ye think a bobby could keep me away? Doncha know Ah'm a thief? If cops scared me, ye think Ah'd be in me profession o' choice?"

He shrugged and gave a tight smile. Part of him was relieved. He had heard about Klaus and Vito's vanishing and had been kind of worried about what that meant for the Rosales kids. As much as he enjoyed his lifestyle, and how much it looked like the kids had adjusted to it... Fitz himself wouldn't want to push anyone into that kind of lifestyle.

"Ah take it ye still got a taste fer it though, seein' as yer pockets 're 'eavier than they've any right to be right now."
He slipped his own hands into his pockets and gave Shay a little smirk. You could take the girl out of the crime family, but once someone had a taste for it it was hard to break them out of it. "Ye wanna grab some festival food? My treat. Well, not mine, but whoever Ah nicked me cash off of."