Being without a car had its perks. No monthly payment. No one else would ever ask you for a ride. Didn't have to pay for gasoline. And... well, that was about it. It actually kinda sucked for a few different reasons. Not the least of which was that it left you dependent on the public bus system.

The bus in itself also sucked, not just because it didn't afford the same level of freedom as driving. There were always a few regulars that you didn't want to see. The one who found it perfectly acceptable to have a loud phone conversation. The one who stank to high heaven. The crazy one. (Pro tip, if you can't find the crazy one, it might well be you.)

Today, you were dealing with one of the particularly unpleasant bus patrons: the one who either couldn't read or didn't care about social cues. The bus was pretty full, so he stood just behind your row, telling you how good you looked and how much he'd like to take you out as you did your best to ignore him. And then—horror of horrors!—the person beside you got up. Their stop had come. You could see the man behind you in your peripheral vision. He was coming around the seats. He was eyeing the spot next to you. He was beginning to lower himself down—!

And the universe sent you an angel. A lanky boy with a mop of golden hair and a charming (if a little cheeky) grin took the spot before Creepy Guy could take the spot.

"Robin!" he said cheerfully. "I didnae recognize ye! Got yerself a new look since I last saw ye!" You didn't know him at all, but by god you'd play along if he'd keep Creepy Guy away.

─── ⋆⋅☆⋅⋆ ───

When Creepy Guy finally got off the bus, a few stops later, Campbell turned to you and offered a slightly more guilty version of that charming grin.

"Sorry about that. Ye looked like ye could use some help. Thought if we looked like friends, he wouldn't risk makin' a scene and separatin' us. My name's Campbell. Nice to meet ye."