simplepuzzle | For unbreachable

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For unbreachable

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.

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She's still outside and Raleigh doesn't see her; he tosses Chuck a smirk and a wink before he says,

"Yeah, might've been a little fun."

But then she's tapping on the door and smiling and waving and tapping her watch before going to sit in one of the chairs. Raleigh waves back, and scrubs a hand through his hair.

--heh. Chuck runs his tongue over his lower lip before the whoever-she-is actually knocks on the door, and then he's frowning. Because there's waving.

"Friend of yours?" He hoists another chair, tilting his head in curiosity.

"...Sort of girlfriend," he mutters, picking up a chair to stack - he sets it a little hard, but nothing breaks. It's just loud.

"She's taking me home."

That's--

She's--

..oh.

Chuck's grip tightens on the next chair. "Sort of," he repeats, turning his back to face Raleigh. It's hard to say what he's feeling right now, except worse than when Raleigh was pretending to be friendly.

Pretending to like him.

"You can go on," he says shortly. "I can finish closing without you."

"Just a couple dates," he grumbles, frustrated beyond measure - especially when he gets a reaction like that out of Chuck.

Fucking shit, when did his life get so complicated?

"It's fine. I have another ten minutes." He can finish.

Chuck is not going to argue about what are the parameters of a relationship with Raleigh and not now. Or ever.

"I'll make sure it's on your time sheet, just. Go."

Seriously, he really doesn't want to hang out with a guy who makes out with him with a girlfriend waiting for him. Either he's willing to cheat on her, in which case, fuck off, or he's closeted and using her, in which case fuck the hell off.

Oh you asshole, turning this around on him. You know, this is the worst. Raleigh is really starting to hate this job a lot, and he takes his apron off and tosses it on the table and leaves without another word.

He IS allowed to be bi, by the way.

And you know, maybe he'll show up tomorrow -- maybe he won't. Depends on how he feels in the morning.

Nah he only really hates Chuck.

Yeah, he's giving him the benefit of the doubt and assuming he's bi. And willing to cheat on the people he's dating.

Oh please show up, Chuck won't be working with him and Herc is starting to get suspicious.

Whatever though he's just really tired of dealing with Raleigh. He does his best not to be anywhere near Raleigh at work, even when picking up extra shifts and he'd really appreciate it if Raleigh did the same. Like, actually ask the person whose shift he's picking up no he'll end up working with.

He didn't mean to cheat. It was a kiss, and a mistake.

And they weren't exclusive yet anyway, not like Chuck had given Raleigh any kind of opportunity to explain.

They break up anyway, and it's amiable. She still comes in occasionally and orders a drink.

Raleigh swaps shifts when they're scheduled together and looks for another job in the meantime. Maybe this time he'll go big guns and deliver fucking pizzas.

Raleigh didn't exactly go out of his way to try and explain.

Chuck scowls at her when she comes in when he's working but he doesn't spit in her drink. That would be petty.

But no, he works in the coffee shop and avoids Raleigh and it's all fine. Just fine.

You told him to leave, Chuck. He'd started to explain it.

But now you're being an ass and this is just unbearable so one day Raleigh just doesn't come in because fuck you Hansen he's getting a desk job so he can get a rusty old chevy and nape it Gipsy Danger because that's a cool fucking name.

He'll even get a license place with that shit on it -GpsyDgr.

Fuck the haters.

He hadn't exactly pushed for it.

Y-yeah, most of the cafe is sort of giving Chuck the cold shoulder for running him off.

You know, if they weren't happy he had a job that doesn't involve customers.
Chuck's pouting a hell of a lot and pretending he isn't.

....plus seriously, a desk job?

What was he supposed to do? She was knocking, you were being an asshole, and he'd been stuck in the middle trying to figure shit out. Plus, it's not like Chuck'd made his interest known. Raleigh'd made that move.

And good. You deserve it -- though tbh Raleigh really hates his desk job. A lot.

He comes in to visit every now and then, though usually in the mornings when Chuck's not there to get something on the way to work.

Call him maybe?

And maybe he'd been about to let his interest known before he realized there was already someone he was seeing.

Yeah, and when he waits to talk to people they know he's fucking miserable. Chuck's only working during the break, and he's about to start his last semester, why doesn't he ask Herc for his job back?

Because that's admitting defeat :| Raleigh's already done that once.

But man. He really does hate his desk job.

So maybe he'll chat with Herc and it'll come up and he'll get asked back because it's always there waiting if he wants and you know, Raleigh's got just enough saved for his truck so fine.

Fine. He'll come back and work.

Chuck finds out, obviously, and wants to roll his eyes so hard oh my god, would you make up your fucking mind already.

He wants to come in and punch him in the face again.

And what the hell is that thing about to fall apart parked outside, is he serious?

You leave his fucking truck alone. Jerk.

Raleigh's working and chatting on away inside. Everyone is happy to have him back so you can shut up, Chuck.

No fear, he's pretty sure if he pokes it it'll fall to pieces.

...yeah, Chuck's sort of glad to see him back when he sees him through the window. But this now means he's lost his study space.
Whatever. He's heard good rumors about the library, anyway.

Whatever, jerk. Raleigh's just gonna keep working whatever you decide to do because he is so not gonna let Chuck get under his skin again.

He's pretty sure he wont get asked back again, anyway.

Hey, Chuck never wanted him to leave, either time.

And he misses his hang out.

He's even shorter tempered than usual, snapping at people and impatient and increasingly frustrated at his school. Things are. Things are awesome.

Oh my God Chuck just come in and do your fucking work raleigh isn't going to bother you. They tolerated each other ok the last time until you got all bent out of shape about shit.

Jesus. Chuck is five, seriously.

Hey, Chuck wasn't the one who quit--twice!--because of a fucking hissy fit, he's pretty sure if Raleigh so much as sees his face, he'll quit for a third time.

Though he might not have a choice in some shitty weather when he ducks in, holding his bag tight to his chest to try and keep it dry.

The place is kind of empty at the moment so when Raleigh sees jackass come in, he goes ahead and just--

Does the nice thing and fixes him his favorite.

Chuck eyes him with extreme suspicion.

"Thanks," he mutters, curling his hands around the mug.

"Yeah."

He pauses, lingers, then walks off to go do something else.

This isn't awkward right?

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