[ NON-CANON ; READER X OC ]

@84t15m

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Boombox had insisted on taking you out of the apartment more, despite the fact that you preferred staying as an observer, keeping interactions to a minimum. Boombox had argued that everyone should get to know you better. His solution? Taking you to try something at Slingshot's Cafe before introducing you to some of his other friends. You weren't exactly thrilled about it, but it was hard to say no to Boombox's unrelenting enthusiasm.

The two of you strolled through the park near Slingshot's Cafe. Boombox's signature boombox was perched on his shoulder, blasting some upbeat song that matched his energy. As you walked, he chatted incessantly about his friends, his music taste, and how excited he was for you to meet everyone. You mostly listened, offering a comment here and there to keep the conversation going. You appreciated his positivity, even if it was a little overwhelming at times.

When you finally arrived at Slingshot's Cafe, the place was buzzing with activity. The smell of freshly brewed coffee and baked goods wafted through the air, mingling with the sound of chatter and the occasional clatter of dishes. Boombox led the way, weaving through the crowd with practiced ease.

"Man, this place is packed today," he said, glancing around. 

As you approached the entrance, something caught your eye. Off to the side, near one of the cafe's exterior walls, a figure was perched on a ladder, painting a mural. The vibrant splashes of color on the wall were mesmerizing, a blend of abstract shapes and detailed imagery that seemed to breathe life into the space. It took you a moment to realize who it was.

Palette.

The scatterbrained artist was completely engrossed in their work, their brush moving with a mix of precision and chaotic energy. Paint splatters covered their clothes and even streaked across their face, but they didn't seem to mind. You remembered meeting them once before, back when you'd gotten lost and they helped you out backstage during a Flipside mini-concert. Seeing them again felt... unexpected, but not unwelcome.

"Oh, hey!" Boombox said, noticing them too. "Palette! What's up?"

Palette turned at the sound of Boombox's voice, nearly dropping their brush in the process. "Boombox? Is that you?" They squinted, then broke into a wide grin. "It is you! And... oh, hey, Tessen! Wow, small world, huh?"

You offered a small nod and a faint smile. "Hey, Palette. Long time no see."

"No kidding! I've been crazy busy lately. You wouldn't believe the number of requests I've gotten for murals this month alone. This one's for Slingshot's Cafe. He said he wanted something 'dynamic and full of movement,' so I've been... well, y'know, winging it." Palette laughed, a rapid-fire sound that matched their fast-paced way of speaking.

Boombox grinned. "Looks awesome so far. Right, Tessen?"

You glanced at the mural again and nodded. "It's impressive. Definitely captures a lot of energy."

Palette's eyes lit up. "Thanks! That means a lot coming from you. So, uh, what brings you two here?"

"Oh, I'm just dragging Tessen out of their comfort zone," Boombox said with a laugh. "Figured Slingshot's Cafe was a good place to start. But hey, now that we've run into you, I've got an idea."

Palette tilted their head, clearly intrigued. "An idea?"

Boombox's grin widened. "How about you show Tessen around Crossroads? You know, give them the full tour. You've got that artist's eye and all. Bet you'd be great at pointing out all the cool spots."

Palette blinked, caught off guard. "Me? Uh... I mean, I guess I could, but I've still got to finish this mural..."

"Come on, Palette," Boombox said, nudging them playfully. "You're almost done, right? Besides, Tessen's not exactly the outgoing type, so this could be good for both of you. Think of it as... an art field trip!"

Palette hesitated for a moment, brushing a hand through their already paint-speckled hair. Their gaze flicked toward you, then back to their mural. "I mean, if Tessen's cool with it... I guess I could spare a little time. But only if you promise not to hate my taste in secret hideaways," they said with a teasing grin.

You shrugged, the corners of your lips curving upward ever so slightly. "I think I'll survive."

Boombox pumped a fist in the air. "That's the spirit! Alright, you two have fun. I'll catch up with you later—"

"Wh- hey! Boombox you can't- I mean- well you- aren't tagging along ?? " Palette asked, looking at the green demon who shook his head,


" Someone's gotta tell Slingshot where you vanished off to, yeah ? Besides, this'll be a chance for you to get to know Tessen more, and an excuse for Tessen to be able to explore! I'd say it's a win-win. Boombox said triumphantly. 

" Well-- yeah, but-- " Before Pallette could even finish Boombox walked away.  

" ..... well... guess its just the two of us ? " Palette said nervously, looking over at you.


You shrug, not really minding it. 


" I don't mind. " You say with a shrug, glancing over at them.

" Well ta- that's great! I'll be sure to be able to show you around all the best places to know ! Well- the best places I know, anyway. " Pallette nervously explained, taking a minute to fix the glasses on their face. 


" You wear those ? " You ask cooly- probably a bit more icy than intended.

Pallette winced. " I- yeah- when we first met I- had contacts- but they make it a bit hard sometimes- s- so I stuck through with glasses. " they explained, giving you a smile.

" They suit you. " You tell them, making them falter, their smile and movements becoming shaky. " A- AH! Thank you! I'm flattered- but- agh we can't get side-tracked now-! Tour- right- the tour! Crossroads is BIG, like real big but I know places that should e worth your time-! " Pallette informed, grabbing you by the shoulder sleeve of your coat. 

"Follow me!" Palette said, tugging lightly on your sleeve. Their enthusiasm seemed to override any nervousness they might've had, and you found yourself being led into the heart of Crossroads.

The bustling streets were alive with color and sound, a kaleidoscope of activity that made it hard to know where to look. Vendors called out to passersby, trying to hawk their wares, while street performers drew crowds with their acts. Neon signs flickered overhead, casting vibrant hues onto the cobblestones below.

Palette kept up a running commentary as they led you through the chaos. "Alright, so first stop's gotta be Splash Alley. It's, uh, kinda a hotspot for artists like me. Everyone leaves their mark there—murals, sculptures, you name it. It's like... a living gallery."

Their energy was contagious, and despite your initial reluctance, you felt yourself warming up to the idea of this impromptu tour. Palette's excitement for the city was palpable, and it was hard not to share in it, even if just a little.

As you turned a corner, the alley they had mentioned came into view. It was narrower than the main streets, but the walls on either side were a riot of color. Layers upon layers of graffiti and murals created a tapestry of stories, some intricate and others bold in their simplicity. Artists were scattered along the walls, working on their pieces with an intensity that made you hesitate to speak, as if breaking the silence would disrupt their flow.

Palette stopped in front of a particularly striking mural—a massive dragon coiled around a glowing orb, its scales painted with iridescent colors that seemed to shimmer as you moved. "This one's my favorite," they said, their voice soft with admiration. "A group of us worked on it last year. Took weeks, but it was worth it."

"It's incredible," you said honestly, letting your gaze linger on the dragon's piercing eyes.

Palette beamed at your compliment, their earlier nervousness fading. "Thanks. I like to think it's one of the best in the alley, but I might be a little biased."

You chuckled. "Just a little."

Palette gestured for you to follow again, and the two of you continued deeper into the city. They showed you hidden nooks and crannies that you never would've noticed on your own—a tiny café with the best hot chocolate, a secluded park with a fountain that played music when the wind hit it just right, and a quirky antique shop crammed with treasures from another time.

"Okay, last stop," Palette announced as the two of you climbed a set of stairs that spiraled up the side of a building. "This one's a bit of a hike, but trust me, it's worth it."

The stairs led to a rooftop garden, a lush oasis high above the bustling streets below. The air was cooler up here, and the sounds of the city seemed to fade into the background. Flowers of every color bloomed in neat rows, and strings of fairy lights crisscrossed overhead, creating a magical atmosphere.

Palette walked to the edge of the rooftop and leaned on the railing, gesturing for you to join them. "Look," they said, their voice quieter now. "You can see the whole city from here."

You stepped up beside them, and the view took your breath away. The sprawling expanse of Crossroads stretched out before you, a sea of lights and movement that seemed endless. The city was alive in a way that was almost overwhelming, but from up here, it felt... manageable. Beautiful, even.

"Pretty amazing, huh?" Palette said, glancing at you with a smile.

"Yeah," you replied, your voice softer than you expected. "It really is."

For a moment, the two of you stood in comfortable silence, taking in the view. It was a rare moment of stillness in a day that had been anything but.

"I'm glad Boombox dragged me out today," you admitted after a while. "This... was worth it."

They laughed, the sound light and genuine. "Thanks, Tessen. I, uh... I had fun too."

The two of you stayed a little longer, watching as the city's lights began to flicker on one by one, painting the streets below in a warm glow. Eventually, Palette checked their watch and sighed. "We should probably head back before Boombox starts sending out a search party."

"Good idea," you said, following them back down the stairs.

The two of you arrived back at Slingshot's Cafe as the sun dipped below the horizon, painting the sky in shades of amber and violet. The warm glow from the cafe's windows spilled onto the sidewalk, and the hum of chatter and clinking dishes was comforting. Inside, the place was just as lively as when you'd left, if not more so.

Boombox was leaning against the counter, chatting animatedly with Slingshot, who was busy frothing milk for a latte. The green demon's signature boombox was still perched on his shoulder, though the music had been turned down to a more reasonable volume. When he caught sight of the two of you, his face lit up with a grin.

"There you are! Thought you two might've gotten lost or something," Boombox teased, waving you over. "How'd the tour go?"

Palette gave a sheepish laugh, rubbing the back of their neck. "Uh, well, I didn't lose Tessen, so I'd say that's a success. Showed them a few of my favorite spots. Nothing too fancy."

"Nothing too fancy?" Boombox repeated with mock disbelief. "Knowing you, Palette, you probably took them on an art adventure across the whole city."

"Maybe," Palette admitted with a shrug, a faint blush dusting their cheeks. "But I think Tessen had a good time. Right?"

You nodded, offering a small but genuine smile. "Yeah. It was... nice. Thanks for showing me around."

Palette's face brightened, and they adjusted their glasses nervously. "Anytime. Seriously."

Boombox clapped his hands together, clearly satisfied. "See? Told you this was a good idea. Slingshot, you should've seen them. Palette and Tessen, the dynamic duo of Crossroads!"

Slingshot chuckled as he handed off a drink to a customer. "Glad to hear it. Palette, your mural's looking great, by the way."

"Oh! Right, the mural!" Palette said, snapping their fingers. "I should probably get back to finishing that before it gets too dark."

Boombox waved them off with a grin. "Go on, go on. We'll catch up later."

Palette hesitated for a moment, glancing at you. "Uh, Tessen, it was cool hanging out. Maybe... maybe we could do it again sometime? If you're up for it, I mean."

Your heart did an odd little flip at the suggestion, but you nodded, keeping your tone casual. "Yeah. I'd like that."

Palette beamed, their nervous energy bubbling to the surface again. "Great! Well, I'll see you around then. Bye, Tessen. Bye, Boombox!" With a quick wave, they darted out the door, disappearing into the evening light.

For a moment, the cafe felt a little quieter without their presence. You found yourself staring at the spot where they'd been, your thoughts lingering on the way Palette's face had lit up when they talked about their favorite places, the easy warmth of their smile. You didn't expect to feel it, but... you wished you could spend more time with them.

"Earth to Tessen!" Boombox's voice snapped you out of your thoughts. He was grinning knowingly, arms crossed. "Thinking about something? Or, uh, someone?"

You shot him a look, but your cheeks warmed slightly. "Don't start."

Boombox laughed, holding up his hands in mock surrender. "Hey, no judgment here. Just sayin', Palette's good company. And, uh, if you ever want me to help set up another 'tour,' you know where to find me."

You rolled your eyes, but a faint smile tugged at your lips. "Noted."

Meanwhile, Palette walked back toward the mural, their mind still buzzing with the day's events. They hadn't expected to run into you, much less spend the whole afternoon showing you around. But they were glad they had. Something about your quiet, steady presence had been comforting, even grounding.

As they picked up their paintbrush and resumed their work, they couldn't help but think about what they'd said to you before they left. Maybe we could do it again sometime.

Palette smiled to themselves, their strokes on the mural taking on a more vibrant energy. They hoped you'd take them up on that. Because, honestly? They wanted to spend more time with you too.

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