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

[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.

[simplepuzzle]

Good boy.

Chuck tilts his head towards his mouth, not willing to really admit what the warm breath on his ear does. He follows his directions, slowing down as he approaches his address.

[unbreachable]

Warm breath, low tones...

Raleigh's apartment complex is nice enough. Not super fancy but it's not a dump. Couple speed bumps, block housing. nothing special.

[simplepuzzle]

Nnn he's doing it on purpose the jackass.

He'll stop in front of the building, reaching back to pat his knee.
"This your stop."

[unbreachable]

Maybe.

"Thanks."

He's sliding off, a little awkward, but whatever. He doesn't care.

"See you later."

[simplepuzzle]

"See you around, Rahhhleigh." Chuck winks at him and revs his bike, louder than he needs to.

And then he's off, heading off home.

[unbreachable]

...little shit.

Little HOT shit. Raleigh shakes him off, goes inside (beats off too, so maybe he didn't shake him off), and shows up for work the next day.

[simplepuzzle]

Yeah, yeah, Raleigh's sort of attractive. If Chuck was into has-beens. Not that Chuck has any idea what Raleih was doing in the five years between working at Pacific Roast.

That might be the first thing he does when he gets home, look him up on the Internet. He needs a break between studying, anyway.

If he comes up with anything, he'll come into the shop with an air of smugness. If he can't find him, he'll be frustrated and short with Raleigh.

[unbreachable]

Chuck's not gonna find shit.

Construction, Chuck. Back off his shit.

He's just trying to do his job and make a living and pay for his one bedroom apartment okay.

[simplepuzzle]

He's just fucking curious, he's allowed to be fucking curious about the people working in his day's shop, he's spending a lot of time there too.

Chuck may spend more time than is strictly necessary looking up Raleigh and trying to find more about him as they get to know each other and the animosity only grows.

[unbreachable]

Raleigh does his best to tolerate Chuck and his fucking annoying ass questions, but it's becoming more and more difficult and sometimes he snaps, telling Chuck to fuck off in so many words.

Eventually, if Chuck digs deep enough, he'll find out that Raleigh had a brother that was killed in a car accident by a drunk driver. Raleigh had been driving them both home from work--

From the stupid coffee shop.

[simplepuzzle]

The more they snipe, the more Raleigh snaps at him, the more determined Chuck is to find out about Raleigh.

And then he finds it. And only a little bit feels like a jackass.

This might stem from his personal experience of hating pity, he just thinks everyone else hates it too. So he doesn't make it known that he found out Raleigh's past, but he doesn't tip toe around him either.

[unbreachable]

Raleigh has no idea that Chuck has been snooping on him, and continues to act like normal, moving around behind the counter, doing his damn job, and for the most part he gets along with his co-workers.

Chuck's the only one that gives him a hard time, and finally one night when the place is closed and Chuck's been especially annoying Raleigh tosses the rag down and glares.

"The fuck is your problem with me?"

[simplepuzzle]

It's probably another kicker that, while he's not everyone's favorite person, he mostly gets along with most of the other people who work there. Even Mako, though there's intense eyerolling on both sides.

On the night Raleigh finally snaps, Chuck's just about to start his mid-semester break, so he's feeling kind of lazy and antsy all at once. He leans back in his chair and props his foot on the table Raleigh just wiped down and smirks at him.

"Maybe I don't like your face."