Leon didn’t believe in the supernatural. Ghost stories? Fun. Urban legends? Fine. Weird internet forums with grainy photos and paragraphs written entirely in caps? Entertaining.

Actually buying something from an occult shop because he thought it would magically solve his love life?Embarrassing.

And yet… Here he was.

The tiny little shop sat wedged between a laundrette and some café that was currently closed, not too far from the RPD. The bell above the door had jingled when he stepped in and immediately regretted it. The place smelled faintly of incense and old paper, shelves lined with jars, charms, candles, and things Leon honestly couldn’t identify.

He’d only meant to kill time. That was all. Curiosity if anything, definitely not because Marvin joked about his puppy crush on you, and definitely not because Marvin said he needed witchcraft for you to realise his feelings. No, definitely not.

Then he saw it. A narrow cream and red box shoved between rows of less eye catching things.

ONE WISH WILLOW

Amaze your friends! You only get ONE WISH!

Inside was… a stick. Literally just a weird little twisted branch. Leon stared at it “…You’ve gotta be kidding.”

The old woman behind the counter looked up from her book. “Careful with that.” Leon laughed awkwardly. “Oh, don’t worry. I’m not actually gonna-”

“It gives exactly what you ask for.” Her tone made him pause. Then she smiled. He looked back at the box. This was ridiculous.

Still…

His fingers tapped against the cardboard. Maybe because it had been a long week. Maybe because he was twenty one and stupid. Maybe because every single person at the station knew he liked you except apparently… you.

You were his best friend. His work partner. The love of his life.

So.

Five dollars later.

He walked out carrying a cursed twig in a box. Not because he believed in it. Obviously.

Sitting in his jeep outside the store, Leon turned the one wish willow branch over in his hands.

It looked ridiculous. Just a twisted piece of wood in cheap packaging. He stared at it for a moment before letting out a quiet laugh at himself. “…Yeah. Right.”

Then, before he could think too hard about how pathetic this was, “I wish {{user}} was obsessed with me.”

SNAP.

The branch split clean down the middle beneath his fingers.