For unbreachable

[simplepuzzle]

 Chuck saunters into Pacific Roast with his backpack flung over his shoulder. There are perks to being the son of one of the co-owners of a corner coffee shop/cafe, and free drinks are one of them.

No free fresh pastries, unfortunately, though if it's still there by the second day it's fair game. 

Which is awesome for Chuck's study-induced sweet tooth. 

...and would be less awesome for his waistline if he wasn't as active as he was.

There's someone unfamiliar behind the counter, but that's not too surprising, Herc had said he and Pentecost were looking to hire some new blood since losing all three of the triplets to better jobs (not begrudging, nobody wants to barista forever). Chuck just drops his bag into his favorite armchair, staking his claim at the table before making his way to the counter and nodding at the stranger in greeting.

"Hey, mate, can you get me a flat white? Thanks." And, without waiting for a response, heads back to said staked table to unpack his books.

Comments

[unbreachable]

Raleigh's back at the job after a long ass stint in construction and while most people would've forgotten trivial shit like how to make a caramel macchiato by now, Raleigh remembers. He tells people he's got an eidetic memory and it's either not all that far off from the truth or he's just really fucking good at making coffee.

This is his first day back and it hasn't gone too badly, until this asshole.

Free drinks if there's a regular cashier behind the bar.

And...not only that, does this guy seriously think Raleigh's going to leave the counter and walk it over to him?

Nope.

"That's $3.67, mate."

[simplepuzzle]

Well he was just gonna start setting up and come gt it from the counter when he was done, but if he gets really into studying he sometimes forgets to actually get up and if it's before a test or something important Mako might bring his order over if only to poke him and remind him to eat.

Still, even if the guy is new and hasn't been explained things, that's a really fucking annoying tone and Chuck snaps his head up and scowls. And now he's got half a mind to make him bring it over.

"You're new," he drawls, tilting his head to read this guy's name tag. "Ray, welcome. Lemme explain, I don't pay for drinks. I pay for food if it's today's, and if I like you I'll be generous with the tipping, but the perks of being a Hansen in this cafe is not having to pay for coffee."

He might be less of an ass if he wasn't coming straight from a several hour lab, but there's no promising.

[unbreachable]

"It's Raleigh," he says tightly, "Not Ray. And yes, I'm new."

Raleigh won't bring it over out of principle, now.

"Must be nice," he mutters to himself, turning his back to Chuck so he can make his stupid coffee (and he better be teelling the truth and not trying to get Raleigh fired otherwise he's gonna hunt this prick down and beat his face in in an alleyway).

[simplepuzzle]

"Welcome, Rahhhhhleigh."

Oh, Chuck only gets people fired for a reason. Like he catches them stealing. Or they cheated on him (it's not abusing his power, it's making a harmonious working space).

"It's the same as working here," he points out, not sure what this guy's problem is. "You deal with the customers, and I deal with the old man." And he'll work when he's on semester break but Ray doesn't need to know that. "Aren't you a little old to be working in a coffee shop?"

[unbreachable]

"Thanks."

Jesus. That drawl? Kind of hot. It's been a long damn time since he's thought anything like that and it's in relation to some punkass kid?

He hates his life.

"I worked here about five years ago." And he left. And now he's back. The end.

"Here." He sets the cup on the counter, then goes to blast the water so he can drown Chuck out and wash his hands.

[simplepuzzle]

Chuck rolls his eyes and goes to collect his coffee.

...hang on.

"Oh my god, you're Becket." He doesn't know whether to laugh or to sneer, "I was away at undergrad when you worked here, but my old man told me about you." Chuck leans against the counter, elbows and forearms taking up most of the space. "The hell happened to you?"

[unbreachable]

"None of your business," Raleigh says politely, rubbing his hands on the front of his apron.

He doesn't want to chit chat with this entitled asshole. Go sit down motherfucker.

[simplepuzzle]

Ugh, fine. Chuck drops a nickel into the tip jar, holding it between thumb and forefinger and letting it fall in an obnoxious gesture, and takes his coffee to his study space.

And leave his mother out of it :|

[unbreachable]

Raleigh ignores him, ignores the nickel and goes about his job.

He's friendly enough that the jar is bulging at the end of his shift so Chuck's nickel?

Whatever.

[simplepuzzle]

Raleigh fucking Becket and his mysterious absence and return are forgotten as Chuck delves into homework.

Some things are more important than pretty boy has-beens.

[unbreachable]

Whatever.

Raleigh doesn't acknowledge him as he packs the place up, counts the drawer down, but Chuck's gonna have to leave cause Raleigh's gotta close.

[simplepuzzle]

Chuck usually starts packing up his stuff around the last hour, helps shoo people out and do the usual closing shit.

He's a full time grad student and he's an egotistical jerk for sure, but it's not like he really thinks the shop's his own personal kitchen, it's half his dad's, and he's proud of it in his own way.

But this guy. Chuck gets his bags packed up and washes his own cup, but he's gonna hang by the door and watch Raleigh do the usual shit.

[unbreachable]

He finishes and wonders why Chuck is still there but doesn't bitch about it. He just finishes up and comes over and holds the door so he can set the alarm.

[simplepuzzle]

Sometimes he'll give someone a ride or walk them to a more populated area if it's late or dark, or just walk in the same direction.

"Which way are you headed?" He's not going the long way if he doesn't have to.

[unbreachable]

He jerks his head in a direction, though he's looking at Chuck with raised brows. Why's he asking.

"That way, past fifth."

[simplepuzzle]

...ugh. Chuck leans against a motorbike parked outside the shop.

"I'm headed that way. You don't want a ride, do you?"

Please say no please let Chuck leave you in his dust :|

[unbreachable]

He'd love a ride. It's a long walk, and his feet hurt.

"Nah. Thanks, though."

He shoulders his bag, and starts off in the other direction.

[simplepuzzle]

He smirks; he knows the awkward limp of someone who's been on their feet all day.

"It's gonna be even longer that way," he calls as he sits astride his bike, buckles his helmet on.

[unbreachable]

"You mean walking?" Raleigh snorts. "Course it is. I just dont wanna inconvenience you."

Which is partially true. Contrary to what Chuck might think, Raleigh's not a dick.

[simplepuzzle]

"...I said we're headed the same way." Chuck's a second from cracking up, not bothering to hide it as he secures his backpack.

"But hey, if you don't wanna." Chuck's fine with that.

[unbreachable]

"I guess if you don't mind."

Raleigh's feet are killing him a ride would be nice okay.

He just doesn't know why Chuck's offering. Probably to shove him off going 80, or something.

[simplepuzzle]

"Course I mind, hop on." He pats the seat behind him.

He's not super sure why he's doing this either, except maybe to prove to Raleigh he's not just some spoiled punkass kid.

[unbreachable]

"...Okay..."

...Well that's. Ironic, but Raleigh grudgingly gets on the seat behind him, vowing that the moment he's got enough cash, he's buying himself a fucking pickup truck.

[simplepuzzle]

If they're stopped by the police, Chuck's gonna get in trouble for having a passenger riding without a helmet, so Raleigh better hold on tight.

...and he'll only push him off if they're over a river or something.

He drives off towards fifth, though he'll need his actual address.

[unbreachable]

He's holding on. He doesn't want to splatter.

When they get closer, he mutters directions, directing Chuck where to go.