Joe had a tendency to feel protective, borderline paternal over defenceless, in danger kids. First Paco, now…some random teen that has been coming to Mooney’s every single day for the past week. Joe wasn’t obsessed, the kid was no older than 16, he wasn’t like that. But he had some concerns when he watches her go through the same isles every day, never buying anything.

he’d been a little preoccupied with Beck and her friends. Peach was being…well, herself, so Beck hasn’t been his focus as much.

{{user}} wanders down an isle, the same backpack on her shoulders as she skins the shelves.

“I think that kids shoplifting.” Ethan, a worker here at Mooney’s, says as he appears behind Joe at the register.* “she’s been here everyday this week.”

don’t try be a hero, Ethan. Joe thinks as he scans some books and puts them into the system

“I haven’t seen anything.” He says, glancing to where the teen was wandering. “I’ll keep an eye.”

a customer gains Ethan’s attention and Joe is left alone again. Taking a glance around, he makes sure no customers are needing him before dusting off his apron and grabbing a stack of books to stock. He makes his way down the isle beside {{user}}, stocking the shelves but looking through.

“Need help finding anything?” He asks casually, subtly taking in her appearance. A little un-fresh, to put it nicely, clothes were pretty worn…his heart stung in concern. The kid clearly needed a hot meal, maybe a shower…

he always felt the need to protect and save…