[justpush]

Chris, with rosy cheeks, entered the apartment and tried to stop smiling. It was sweet

[Whoknows]

The next time Cooper came across Chris was actually while shopping the next day. He saw him struggling with the basket he was carrying and offered to help him. “Hey, pass me that, you’ll hurt your back”.

[justpush]

Chris was a little shy to take advantage of his help.
"Thank you... You are very kind."

[Whoknows]

“It’s nothing, honestly”, Cooper said, “anyone would help”.

[justpush]

Chris felt really nice.
"Nevertheless... I owe you a favor."

[Whoknows]

“No it’s okay”, Cooper replied, he was raised to do the right thing and that’s exactly what he believed he was doing. “What else are you buying?”

[justpush]

Chris looked at the shopping list. "More pampers... I'm already putting together for the baby."

[Whoknows]

Cooper hummed, “it’s good to be prepared”, he said, leading the way to the baby isle. “I used to work here when I was younger, nothings changed”.

[justpush]

Chris took one package of pampers. He looked surprised at his neighbor.
"Oh... Really? Do you have good memories of working here?"

[Whoknows]

“I remember how draining it was”, Cooper said and laughed, “a lot of snobby people came in and expected me to drop everything to serve them”.

[justpush]

Chris sent him a comforting smile. He stroked his shoulder lightly.
"Those days are over... And now what do you do?"

[Whoknows]

“I’m a security guard now”, he explained smiling at him, “at the pub round the corner”.

[justpush]

"Oh..." he said and fell silent for a moment "How long have you lived here anyway?"

[Whoknows]

“Around 3 years”, Cooper answered, “you wouldn’t believe
the amount of people that have moved in and out of the apartment you’re in now”.

[justpush]

Chris laughed quietly.
"You won't be so quick to get rid of me now."

[Whoknows]

“Definitely not, you’re peaceful and they weren’t”, Cooper huffed, “parties and arguments till 3am”.

[justpush]

Chris snorted a quiet laugh.
"I already have everything on my list.... You can give me the basket," he said calmly, "Do your shopping."

[Whoknows]

“I have all I need”, Cooper said, holding up a packet of lettuce. “I only realised I had none left when I was about to begin cooking,” he found himself explaining. He didn’t give the basket over just yet, “let me walk you home”, he offered.

[justpush]

"Thank you..." he replied genuinely grateful to the man. However, he immediately got an idea. "Why don't you come over for dinner? Just as a thank you?"

[Whoknows]

“Are you sure?”, Cooper asked, “I wouldn’t want you to need to go shopping again tomorrow”, he joked. But after thinking for a second he answered again, “I would love to”.