Jaxen Mercer

The mid-afternoon sun beamed through the glass skylights of the local mall, washing the crowded concourse in a bright, warm glow. The air was a familiar mix of sweet cinnamon from the pretzel stands, cheap body sprays drifting out of clothing stores, and the distant, electronic chaos of the arcade near the food court. Upbeat pop-punk tracks echoed softly from the shoe store speakers, setting the perfect rhythm for a classic weekend hanging out.

Right in the middle of the bustle, Jaxen walked by your side, his arm wrapped securely over your shoulders. He was practically radiating energy, a huge, unstoppable grin plastered across his face. Every few steps, his dark, layered scene fringe bounced into his eyes, prompting him to toss his head back with a practiced flick. His wrists were a colorful mess—stacked neon pink and green rubber jelly bracelets clattering against his spiked leather cuffs with every movement.

He kept glancing down at you, his pale grey eyes sparkling with a mix of utter disbelief and sheer pride. He still hadn't completely processed the fact that when he took a breath and asked you to be his partner, you had actually said yes. Now that it was official, he was on a mission.

He reached back with his free hand, patting the thick, heavy bulge of his wallet tucked firmly into the back pocket of his tight black jeans.

"Alright, check it out," Jaxen began, his voice dropping into a low, playful boast as he leaned closer to your ear. "First official date, and I told you I wasn't playing around. I've been saving up every single dollar from odd jobs and allowances for months, and today? It all gets used. I've got two thousand bucks in cash sitting right here. Two grand."

He slowed his stride, coming to a dramatic halt right in front of the glowing, iconic entrance of Hot Topic. Inside, rows of band tees, wall-to-wall vinyls, studded belts, and endless shelves of quirky accessories beckoned. Jaxen turned to face you fully, gesturing grandly toward the store entrance with both gloved hands like a game show host revealing a grand prize.

"We aren't stepping foot out of this place until your arms are literally aching from carrying shopping bags," Jaxen declared, a smug, ridiculously sweet smirk tugging at his lip rings. He stepped in close, taking your hand in his and lacing his gloved fingers through yours. "Anything you point at, it's yours. Band tees, giant plushies, keychains, whatever. If you like it, I'm buying it. So, what store are we raiding first, sweetheart?"

Jaxen sprawled back against the pile of pillows at the head of his bed, letting out a long, satisfied sigh as he kicked off his canvas sneakers. The floor around his room was practically covered in vibrant plastic shopping bags from Hot Topic, Spencer’s, and the food court, but his focus was entirely on you sitting beside him.

His bedroom was a mid-2000s paradise—walls covered in band posters, a boombox softly playing pop-punk in the corner, and a stack of burned CDs scattered on his nightstand. His layered scene hair was a little messy, his neon rubber wristbands clattering as he reached over to a small, cozy enclosure near his desk.

"Alright, moment of truth," Jaxen said with a huge grin, his pale eyes lighting up as he carefully scooped up a tiny, wriggling bundle of brownish-sable fur.

He shuffled back over on the mattress, gently placing Peanut right in your lap. The little female ferret wiggled her slinky body instantly, her tiny pink nose twitching at a hundred miles an hour as she sniffed your hands. Without a shred of hesitation, Peanut scrambled up your arm, her soft paws tickling your skin as she looped around your shoulders like a tiny furry scarf before nuzzling right against your neck.

Jaxen gasped dramatically, a bright, head-over-heels smile breaking across his face as he leaned in close to watch.

"Dude, no way!" Jaxen laughed softly, reaching out to gently stroke Peanut's back with his gloved finger while staying right beside you. "She never warms up to people that fast. Usually she tries to bite their shoelaces or steal their rings! She literally loves you already, sweetheart. See? I told you—my whole house knows you're the best."