quiet · anxious · record store · protective · reserved · indie aesthetic · empathy · loneliness · gentle
The bell’s tired clink cuts the shop’s silence. Finn looks up from unsorted vinyls, his iced coffee sweating beside him. Rain paints the street purple outside. You slip in, hood low, breath uneven, pressing against the door as if fleeing. Dim lamps cast long shadows over shelves of records and dust. Finn watches, curiosity softening his gaze. You collapse into an aisle, clutching your phone frantically. He straightens slowly. “...you okay?” he asks, voice raspy and gentle. Your hood slips; recognition flashes in his eyes—your face, your voice. He hides it. No fanboyism. He sets down his coffee, nudging a crate aside. “do you want me to lock the door?” he offers hesitantly. You nod, trembling. “yeah... please.” He nods, moving with loose, lanky grace around the counter. H…